Platte River Bard Podcast

Factoids are fun!  And we certainly learned quite a few about Stephen Santa and all of the productions the upcoming Omaha Community Playhouse's 2022-2023 Season!  This was a great chance to get to know Mr. Santa, who comes to us from Pittsburg.  His extensive experience in theatre, directing, and also in ways to make theatre available to everyone, along with his passion for theatre, is a perfect match for OCP.  Find about it all here on our podcast!   

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Morrie Enders, Executive Director of the Lincoln Community Playhouse is a burst of refreshing energy!  He talks about their new season, Season 77 called "Stepping in to Season 77" !  Mr. Enders is an introspective and easy to talk with, and we also talk about how LCP handled the height of the pandemic and how the theatre is planning the future.  So listen in!  You won't want to miss it!

LINCOLN COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE CONTACT INFO: 

Website: https://www.lincolnplayhouse.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lnkplayhouse/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lnkplayhouse/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LNKPlayhouse

You Tube Season 77 Video and LCP Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1kF4eyakUU&t=1s 

2500 S 56th Street, Lincoln NE

PH: 402-489-7529

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It's going to be a busy week in theatre!  We talk with Kevin Lawler, Artistic and Administrative Coordinator of the Great Plains Theatre Commons New Play Conference, which begins Sunday, May 30th and runs every day until June 4th, 2022.  The Conference will be held at Mid Town Crossing and the Fort Dodge Metro Community College campus.  

The Conference will have workshops as well as the showing of new plays written by Playwrights from all over the globe.  The people involved are too many to list, but we do talk through the 14 plays being done, who has written them and where each Playwright is from, so you won't want to miss this podcast and this Conference!  The Conference is free, but they ask that your RSVP on the website:  https://www.gptcplays.com/ but find out more here!

And also - don't miss In The Upper Room June 1st through the 3rd at 7:30PM at the Lied Education Center for the Arts at Creighton University.  This is a production written by local Playwright Beaufield Berry, and is being done in partnership with Great Plains Theatre Commons and Creighton University and the Union for Contemporary Arts! 

GREAT PLAINS THEATRE COMMONS CONTACT INFO:

Website:  https://www.gptcplays.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/GreatPlainsTheatreConference/photos/?ref=page_internal

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/gptcnebraska 

Office:  2707 North 48th Street, Omaha, NE 68104

Ph: 402-370-8259

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Plays: 

No Nothing by T. Adamson

Stains by Sarah Cho

Neighbor Jane by Tina Esper

In The Canyon by Daniel Hurewitz

Body + Blood by Shannon TL Kearns

The Yellow Wallpaper 2.0 - 2020 by Jennifer Maisel

Culture Shock by Gloria Majule

Deadass by Nia Akilah Robinson

oh to be pure again by Kira Rockwell

Diaspora! by Phedra Michelle Scott

Greater Illinois by Steven Strafford

Rx Machina by Caity-Shea Violette

Acetone Wishes and Plexiglass Dreams by Stephanie Kyung Sun Walters

Coco Queens by LaDarrion Williams

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Opening TONIGHT, May 13, 2022, "The 39 Steps" opens at the Chanticleer Community Theatre.  We talk with the Director, Roxanne Wach, and her muliti-talented and multi-character cast:  Will Muller, Roz Parr, Brennan Thomas, and Marcus Benzel.  This small cast packs a lot of fun and suspense in this mix of a Hitchcok masterpiece with a dash of Monty Python.  We were able to see the preview last night of this wonderful show and talk with these wonderful Creatives! Don't miss this wonderful podcast and this action-packed and funny show.  It's only two weekends:  May 13th-15th and 20th-22nd. 

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**This performance is dedicated to Cheri Hultman Sanwick, who worked for many years for the Isben Costume Gallery, and with Chanticleer, including the 39 Steps.**

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CHANTICLEER CONTACT INFORMATION: 

Website: https://www.paceartsiowa.org/theater/chanticleer-community-theater

For Tickets:  https://ci.ovationtix.com/35635/production/1067687 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/chanticleertheater 

Chanticleer Community Theatre / Pace Arts Iowa 1001 S 6th Street, Council Bluffs, IA

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We had a fun conversation with Derek Kowal, Director, Shelly Gushard, Musical Director and Lisa Scheve, Choreographer for the 56 Annual Melodrama by the Florentine Players in Florence!  And because the weather is nice, we even were able to podcast outside.  Don't miss learning about the show - it will even have a parade!

The Melodrama "I Saw Her Standing There" or "The Show Must Go On" will run May 5, 6, 7 & 12, 13, 14th at 7:30PM.  And in full Florentine Players style, there will be drinks and food available.  Satisfy your spring fever with a fun, interactive show with the Florentine Players!

Last but definitely not least, Charles James Adams talks to the Platte River Bard.  From the era that Sheri and Chris grew up in,  it was always a joke that five people make an official party, but in this case, if you add Mr. Adams and his wonderful energy and sense of humor, that makes five, so we were an official party! 

And speaking of party, Mr. Adams plays Simon Stimson, a character that  is a little bit wild in Thornton Wilder's "Our Town".  Mr. Adams is an Actor, Director, and Writer who has toured all over the world with theatre and television. His one-person show, Prattville, opened at the Wells Cultural Center in Lafayette, Indiana.  On-screen, he has worked for Apple Tv Plus, AGBO, and The Asylum.  He has worked for numerous regional theatre companies, notably for Crossroads Repertory Theatre who he toured through Germany and Poland with in 2014.  In 2017 he toured Croatia for the production of Cyrano Debergerac.

It was such a pleasure to meet Charles and he is a riot. So join us for some fun!   We were a little out of control, but it was wonderful fun!

NEBRASKA REPERTORY THEATRE CONTACT INFO:

Website: https://nebraskarep.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nebraskarep

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nebraskarep/

Box Office phone number 402-472-2567.

301 N 12th St, Lincoln, NE 68508

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Charles James Adams Backstage Bio:  https://www.backstage.com/u/charles-adams/

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Shawn Whitsell is yet another impressive and multi-talented individual in the cast of "Our Town" at the Nebraska Repertory Theatre where he plays the role of Mr. Webb.  We talk with him about his performance company, Destiny Theatre Experience, as well as some of his other acting experience.  He delivers a caring performance as Emily's father in Our Town, and we are fortunate to have been able to meet him and hear his inspiring love of acting!

Get your tickets for the last weekend of Our Town at the Nebraska Repertory Theatre (nebraskarep.com)!

NEBRASKA REPERTORY THEATRE CONTACT INFO:

Website: https://nebraskarep.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nebraskarep

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nebraskarep/

Box Office phone number 402-472-2567.

301 N 12th St, Lincoln, NE 68508

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Destiny Theatre Experience

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/destinytheatreexperience/ 

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/TeamDTE

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Christopher Austin, who plays the "Stage Manager" in Nebraska Repertory's production of Our Town was so much fun to interview!  He has film, theatrical and voiceover credits, and is the current Casting Director at the Contemporary American Theatre Company in Columbus, Ohio.  We can tell you that he breathes a new life into the role of the Stage Manager, which is a huge role in this production, and it's refreshing to watch him turn this character into someone who is relatable and contemporary  After you listen to this interview, you will hear his creative and positive energy.

Don't miss this play as this is the LAST weekend at the Nebraska Repertory Theatre.  We promise you it's worth It!  Get your tickets at nebraskarep.org.

NEBRASKA REPERTORY THEATRE CONTACT INFO:

Website: https://nebraskarep.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nebraskarep

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nebraskarep/

Box Office phone number 402-472-2567.

301 N 12th St, Lincoln, NE 68508

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Ms. Thomas is a striking individual, and she lights up the stage with her smile and energy!  Joni Thomas is also a UNL Theatre Alumni Graduate and is used to working behind the scenes in local Lincoln theatres including the Nebraska Repertory Theatre and the Lincoln Community Playhouse.  But this time she is in front of the audience, and Our Town is her stage debut as the gossipy Mrs. Soames.

Don't miss this great show!  

NEBRASKA REPERTORY THEATRE CONTACT INFO:

Website: https://nebraskarep.org/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nebraskarep

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nebraskarep/

Box Office phone number 402-472-2567.

301 N 12th St, Lincoln, NE 68508

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