‘Metamorphoses’ Earns Four Star Rating by the League of Cincinnati Theatres

CCM’s presents ‘ Metamorphoses’ Feb. 5 (preview) – 9, 2014. Photography by Mark Lyons.

We are delighted to report that panelists for the League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) have recognized our Mainstage Series production of Metamorphoses with a Four Star Rating! Congratulations to everyone involved with the show!

Panelists praised Metamorphoses as “a rare, exemplary experience to behold in a theater. The pool, lighting, use of space, direction, transitions, performances and the stories–Myths of Ovid–were compelling, touching, sad, hopeful and even risky.”

D. Lynn Meyers was commended for her direction: “In her hands, Ovid’s dreams ‘were magically realized and lushly furnished with a vision as tender as it was daring’.”

Dana Hall, for scenic design, and Wes Richter, for lighting design, were singled out for designs that were “beautifully evocative, integral to the story-telling, and well-executed”.

Finally, the entire ensemble was lauded for their work: “Bravo to the cast who cast a spell upon this audience member.”

Metamorphoses plays through tomorrow afternoon (Sunday, Feb. 9). For more information about the production, visit ccm.uc.edu/boxoffice/metamorphoses.

From Ovid to Mary Zimmerman: A Classicist Introduces the Metamorphoses

This Saturday at 1:15 p.m., UC’s Department of Classics will host a FREE “Classical Conversation,” presented in conjunction with CCM’s Mainstage Series production of Metamorphoses.

Come and take a behind-the-scenes look at the world of Ovid and myth that inspired Mary Zimmerman’s award-winning drama with UC Professor of Classics Lauren Ginsberg.

Zimmerman has often noted how Ovid’s epic of mythological transformations inspired her Tony Award winning stage production. In particular, she is fascinated by how stories removed from us in time and space can help articulate timeless truths about human nature. Ginsberg’s talk will further explore the fascinating Ovidian background to Zimmerman’s text.

CCM Video: A Sneak Peek at CCM’s Scenic Design for ‘Metamorphoses’

CCM’s Patricia Corbett Theater recently underwent a dramatic metamorphosis of its own in anticipation of our upcoming production of Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses. Today, CCM student Alexi Ortiz provides us with a time-lapse video of last weekend’s load-in, which includes an early look at Metamorphoses‘ much-talked-about on-stage pool.

Scenic Designer Dana Hall and Technical Director Christian Mikkelsen (both of whom are students at CCM) provide additional insight on this process to the News Record‘s Jake Grieco here.

Based on the classic myths of Ovid, Metamorphoses runs Feb. 5 (preview) – 9. Guest artist D. Lynn Meyers directs. The production is intended for mature audiences.

Familiar Myths Take on Magical New Forms in CCM’s Mainstage Production of ‘Metamorphoses’

Senior drama major Madeline McKenzie in CCM’s production of ‘Metamorphoses,’ playing Feb. 5 (preview) – 9, 2014. Photography by Stirling Scot Shelton.

CCM’s Mainstage Series resumes in February with a new production of Mary Zimmerman’s award-winning Metamorphoses. Based on the classic myths of Ovid, this entrancing drama runs Feb. 6 – 9 in CCM’s Patricia Corbett Theater, with a special preview performance at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Guest artist D. Lynn Meyers directs. The production is intended for mature audiences.

From a simple, rippling pool of water, Metamorphoses conjures a series of familiar myths into gorgeous theatrical imagery. The winner of two Drama Desk Awards and one Tony Award after its Broadway run in 2002, this entrancing theatrical event retells the classic stories of King Midas, Orpheus and Eurydice, Narcissus and more.

To realize Zimmerman’s bold vision for Metamorphoses, an on-stage pool fills 576 square feet of Patricia Corbett Theater for this production. This pool holds 4,000 gallons of water, weighing roughly 10 tons, and ranges in depth from just a few inches to nearly two feet. Although the element of water is central to all of the myths featured in Metamorphoses, the pool’s function changes from vignette to vignette, sometimes serving as a simple washing basin or swimming pool, while other times standing in for the River Styx or the sea.

CCM Presents Mary Zimmerman’s ‘Metamorphoses’ Feb. 5 – 9, 2014

Next month, CCM’s acclaimed Mainstage Series resumes with Mary Zimmerman’s Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning Metamorphoses, directed by guest artist D. Lynn Meyers.

Based on the classic myths of Ovid, this entrancing drama runs Feb. 5 (preview) – 9 in CCM’s Patricia Corbett Theater. Tickets are on sale now. This production is intended for mature audiences only.

For more information, visit ccm.uc.edu.

CCM Announces Spring 2014 Calendar of Major Events

Download CCM’s Spring 2014 Calendar Booklet today.

UPDATED March 7, 2014: CCM is delighted to announce its spring 2014 schedule of major events. The largest single source of performing arts events in the state of Ohio, CCM presents nearly 150 major public performances from Jan. 12 through May 18, ranging from faculty and guest artist concerts to fully supported opera, musical theatre, drama and dance productions.

Highlights of CCM’s spring concert series include the return of Cincinnati’s premiere fundraiser “A Moveable Feast” on Jan. 17, the Ariel Quartet’s Beethoven Cycle running Jan. 23 – March 29, a performance of Schubert’s Winterreise song cycle by guest artists Gerald Finley and Julius Drake on Feb. 5, the fifth annual Bearcat Piano Festival running Feb. 6 – 11, the 17th annual PRISM concert on Feb. 23, a performance of John Adams’ El Niño on March 2 and a celebration of the music of jazz legend Thelonius Monk on March 9.

CCM’s Mainstage Series also continues in early 2014 with a production of Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses, directed by guest artist D. Lynn Meyers, running Feb. 5 – 9; the CCM debut of the iconic musical Les Misérables, running Feb. 27 – March 9;  Donizett’s comedic opera Don Pasquale, running April 3–6; and the quintessential romantic ballet Giselle, running April 17–19.

Learn more about these and dozens of other performing and media-arts events by referring to the list below. You can also view a digital copy of CCM’s Spring 2014 Calendar Booklet here.

CCM’s ‘Owen Wingrave’ Hailed As ‘Breathtaking,’ ‘Immaculate’ and a ‘Triumph’ By Critics!

CCM’s Mainstage Series production of Benjamin Britten’s OWEN WINGRAVE runs Nov. 21 – 24 in Patricia Corbett Theater. Photography by Mark Lyons.

The critics are still talking about CCM’s Mainstage Series production of Benjamin Britten’s rarely-seen opera Owen Wingrave!

Janelle Gelfand calls the production “breathtaking” in her review for the Cincinnati Enquirer and suggests that CCM’s mounting “brought clarity to an opera that has been nearly forgotten since its debut on British television in 1971.” Read the full review here.

Mary Ellyn Hutton calls the production a “triumph” in her Music In Cincinnati review, declaring, “The production was by all measures outstanding, one which enveloped the listener like few in recent memory in Cincinnati.” Read the full review here.

Rafael de Acha calls the production “immaculate” in his Music for All Seasons review, observing that CCM has “mounted a strong, streamlined, subtle, sober and somber production, lit by the bright performances of a youthful troupe.” Read the full review here.

If you missed out on this gem of a production, then mark your calendars now for early 2014. CCM’s Studio Opera series presents a FREE production of Chabrier’s L’étoile from Feb. 14 – 16, conducted by Stefano Sarzani with stage direction by Robin Guarino.

CCM’s Mainstage Series also resumes in February with Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses, directed by guest artist D. Lynn Meyers, followed by the iconic musical  Les Misérables! Tickets to these and dozens of other performances are on sale now!

Opera. Musical Theatre. Drama. Dance. Define Your Inspiration At CCM.

Dynamic. Delightful. Adventurous. Passionate. Unforgettable. Join us as CCM’s stars-of-tomorrow breathe new life into seven classic works of the stage and screen during the 2013-14 Mainstage Series!

Subscription and concert flex packages are on sale now. Single tickets become available next Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. Learn more at ccm.uc.edu.

Define Your Inspiration: Download CCM’s 2013-14 Season Brochure Today!

Experience the evocative. Embrace the unexpected. Rekindle old flames and discover new loves during CCM’s 2013-14 performance season.

This year, we proudly present 50 major concert and theatre productions designed to entertain, to challenge, to delight and to inspire.

Discover the world-class musicians, virtuoso performances, creative collaborations and inspiring productions that make us CCM.

Download a digital copy of CCM’s 2013-14 brochure and define your season today.

Subscription and flex ticket packages are on sale now. Single tickets go on sale Monday, Sept. 9, 2013.