CCM is pleased to announce details for the 2011-12 CCM Studio Series of opera, musical theatre and drama. This year’s Studio Series features nine productions in CCM’s intimate and versatile “black box” space, the Cohen Family Studio Theater, along with a regional premiere co-produced with The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center, a world premiere produced in partnership with Cincinnati Opera and a festival of new dramatic works that will utilize spaces throughout CCM Village.
The Studio Series runs from Oct. 20, 2011 through May 27, 2012. Studio Series productions are held in CCM’s Cohen Family Studio Theater unless otherwise indicated. All Studio Series events held in the Cohen Family Studio Theater are free and open to the general public, although reservations are required. Reservations may be made the week of each show only by contacting the CCM Box Office by phone at 513-556-4183. For additional information, visit ccm.uc.edu.
Please see below for full production and ticketing details. Titles and dates subject to change—rights pending.
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CCM 2011-12 STUDIO SERIES
Opera, Musical Theatre, Drama
Make Me a Song: The Music of William Finn
Music by William Finn
Conceived by Rob Ruggiero
Aubrey Berg, director
A sparkling revue presenting over 20 songs from an exceptional composer. Effortlessly woven together, these treasured tunes trace Finn’s career from the acclaimed Falsettos series to his smash hit The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Filled with personal, haunting and often hilarious tales from a rich and touching songbook.
Performance dates:
- 8 p.m. Thursday, October 20
- 8 p.m. Friday, October 21
- 2 & 8 p.m. Saturday, October 22
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater
Admission: Admission is free. Reservations are required. Tickets available Monday, October 17 at noon – please contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 to reserve. Limit two tickets per order.
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In the Next Room, or The Vibrator Play
Co-produced by CCM Drama and The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center
By Sarah Ruhl
Ed Cohen, director
This 2010 Pulitzer Prize finalist is set at the dawn of the age of electricity. In a seemingly perfect Victorian home, proper gentleman and scientist Dr. Givings has invented an extraordinary new device for treating “hysteria” in women: the vibrator. As his young wife struggles to raise their newborn daughter, a conflicted couple and their wet nurse enter their lives, smashing societal norms with the complexities of love and relationships. In the Next Room is presented with The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center in this regional premiere by popular playwright Sarah Ruhl (The Clean House, Dead Man’s Cell Phone).
Performance dates:
- 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 4
- 3 p.m. Sunday, November 6
- 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 11
- 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 12
- 3 p.m. Sunday, November 13
- 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 18
- 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 19
- 3 p.m. Sunday, November 20
Location: The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington, Kentucky
Tickets: $16 – $21; tickets may be purchased through The Carnegie Box Office at 859-957-1940.
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Opera Fusion: New Works Presents Cuomo and Shanley’s Doubt
A partnership between CCM Opera and the Cincinnati Opera
Robin Guarino, director
Funded by a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, a new partnership between CCM Opera and the Cincinnati Opera presents the developmental workshop of a never-before produced opera – to be selected in a national competition by a distinguished panel of professionals. The selection will be announced in September. Opera Fusion presents a rare behind-the-scenes look at the creation of an original work.
Performance dates:
- 8 p.m. Saturday, November 12
Location: Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Admission: Admission is free. Reservations are required. Tickets available Monday, November 7 at noon – please contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 to reserve. Limit two tickets per order.
Cincinnati Opera will also host a performance at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 13 in Griffin Hall on the campus of Northern Kentucky University. More details to be announced soon.
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Winter Studio Musical – To Be Announced
Steven Goldstein, director
CCM presents an unforgettable, Tony Award-winning rock musical as part of its 2011-12 Studio Series. Due to publisher restrictions, we are unable to release the title of this audience-favorite production at this time.
Performance dates:
- 8 p.m. Thursday, February 2
- 8 p.m. Friday, February 3
- 2 & 8 p.m. Saturday, February 4
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater
Admission: Admission is free. Reservations are required. Tickets available Monday, January 30 at noon – please contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 to reserve. Limit two tickets per order.
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TRANSMIGRATION: A Festival of Student Created New Works
TRANSMIGRATION, so named for “the movement from one place to another” or “the transition from one state of being to another,” is a festival of new works created by the acting students in CCM Drama. Performed simultaneously in different locations throughout CCM Village, TRANSMIGRATION will allow the audience to sample four different 30-minute new works of their choosing in one spectacular evening. Recognized by CityBeat with a Best Alternative Theatre Cincinnati Entertainment Award nomination.
Performance dates:
- 7 p.m. Thursday, February 16
- 7 p.m. Friday, February 17
- 2 & 7 p.m. Saturday, February 18
Location: Various locations in CCM Village
Admission: Admission is free. Reservations are required. Tickets available Monday, February 13 at noon – please contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 to reserve. Limit two tickets per order.
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The Tragedy of Carmen
Adapted by Peter Brook
From the opera by Georges Bizet
English translation by Sheldon Harnick
Isaac Selya, conductor
Steven Goldstein, director
A 90-minute version of Bizet’s beloved opera from the daringly innovative stage director Peter Brook, this Tony Award-winning adaptation tells the tale of the alluring gypsy Carmen and her dealings with love, lust and jealousy. “It is surely a transcendental ‘musical’ and such a brilliant piece of theater that if I were to see it every week, which I wish I could, I’d consider this Broadway musical season one of the best ever,” raves The Daily News’ Douglas Watt.
Performance dates:
- 8 p.m. Friday, March 2
- 8 p.m. Saturday, March 3
- 2 p.m. Sunday, March 4
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater
Admission: Admission is free. Reservations are required. Tickets available Monday, February 27 at noon – please contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 to reserve. Limit two tickets per order.
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James Joyce’s Ulysses
Adapted by Alison Vodnoy and Michael Burnham
Michael Burnham, director
A masterwork of modern literature comes to life. Using the structure of the Homeric Odyssey, the work takes place during Dublin’s “dailiest day possible,” June 16. 1904, as the protagonist, Stephen Dedalus, makes his way through the streets and haunts of the city. At its most basic level, Ulysses is about Stephen’s search for a symbolic father and Leopold Bloom’s search for a son. But the story, so rich with striking characters and wondrous scenes, becomes an unforgettable quest for self.
Performance dates:
- 8 p.m. Thursday, April 26
- 8 p.m. Friday, April 27
- 2 & 8 p.m. Saturday, April 28
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater
Tickets: Admission is free. Reservations are required. Tickets available Monday, April 23 at noon – please contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 to reserve. Limit two tickets per order.
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Musicals Redux: The Civil War
Music by Frank Wildhorn
Lyrics by Jack Murphy
Book by Gregory Boyd and Frank Wildhorn
Jason Podplesky, guest director
Ryan Shirar, musical director
The Civil War is a moving musical meditation on the Civil War as seen through the eyes of Union and Confederate soldiers, slaves and landowners, along with American “everymen” from all levels of society. Featuring an eclectic score that includes gospel, folk, rhythm and blues, country and rock, the musical was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical. By turns humorous and emotionally gripping, The Civil War is a sweeping portrait of a country torn by unrest and a moving tribute to the 620,000 men and women who made the greatest sacrifice for their principles.
Performance dates:
- 8 p.m. Thursday, May 10
- 8 p.m. Friday, May 11
- 2 & 8 p.m. Saturday, May 12
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater
Admission: Admission is free. Reservations are required. Tickets available Monday, May 7 at noon – please contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 to reserve. Limit two tickets per order.
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La Cenerentola
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Libretto by Jacopo Ferretti
Stefano Sarzani, conductor
Jennifer Williams, director
Rossini, famed for his bubbly comedies with poignant moments scattered among the laughs, composed this most popular take on Cinderella. La Cenerentola remains one of Rossini’s funniest operas, but with a serious side to remind us that the happy ending to the story results from Cinderella’s pluck and courage.
Performance dates:
- 8 p.m. Friday, May 25
- 8 p.m. Saturday, May 26
- 2 p.m. Sunday, May 27
Location: Cohen Family Studio Theater
Admission: Admission is free. Reservations are required. Tickets available Monday, May 21 at noon – please contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 to reserve. Limit two tickets per order.
Additional Information
Titles and dates subject to change—rights pending. For more information regarding CCM events, contact the CCM Box Office at 513-556-4183 or visit ccm.uc.edu.
CCM Season Presenting Sponsor & Musical Theatre Program Sponsor: The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation
Drama Studio Series Sponsor: Neil Artman and Margaret Straub
CCM VILLAGE NEWS ARCHIVES 
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