Special to 1812Blockhouse
It was a night full of excitement and anticipation earlier this week as the Renaissance Theatre held its annual Season Preview Announcement Party to reveal their upcoming season, including Broadway shows, country music, tribute bands, comedians, educational programming, family entertainment and more.
Renaissance Theatre Chairman of the Board, Rand Smith, and President Chelsie Thompson kicked off the night by reminiscing over the past few years and speaking of the bright future for the arts in Mansfield.
With over 400 people in attendance and thousands watching online, it’s clear there is plenty to be excited for in the upcoming season. Here’s what patrons can look forward to in the 2022-2023 season:
As part of the Mechanics Bank Education Series, Jason Painley and his daughter Saige announced that youth theatre performers will put on two productions. The first production will be Mansfield Youth Theatre’s Seussical Jr. opening on September 9, 2022, with a following production of Godspell Jr. opening March 31, 2023. The Ren is also offering sensory-friendly productions of these performances, along with a long list of educational concerts and performance opportunities for kids and families to enjoy.
Renaissance Theatre CEO Mike Miller announced the upcoming summer events and films. This summer, in collaboration with The Mansfield Richland County Public Library, they will present three films on the plaza between Renaissance Theatre and Theatre 166. This is a new series called Pictures on the Plaza and includes free family activities before each movie. Families can look forward to “Hook”, “Disney’s Wreck It Ralph”, and “Disney’s Finding Nemo” on the big screen in the plaza.
Miller then introduced additional indoor films and events including, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Muppets Christmas Carol, Silent Film: The Phantom of the Opera with accompaniment by Jay Spencer on The Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl. The Ren will also participate in community events like Healthy Kids Day in Marshall Park, The Juneteenth Festival, the Mansfield Pride Festival and the Cruise-In Car Show.
Miller also announced that the Ren will continue to be the host of The Miss Ohio Scholarship Competition as well as the popular Third Saturday in August (T.S.I.A) comedy show.
Next Vinson Yates of OhioHealth introduced the OhioHealth Symphony Series lineup including, An American Journey, a tribute concert to American music. In October, the symphony will present its popular singing competition in a new format with a concert titled Mansfield Symphony Idol. On December 17, the annual Holiday Pops concert will return. In February, Mansfield Symphony will present their Romance and Rachmanioff concert alongside the Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra as well as welcome the return of their choral celebration concert, “Sing Out!”. The Mansfield Symphony will close out the 2022-2023 season with two big concerts including Carmina Burana and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
After a few live performances, Renaissance Theatre’s Operations Manager, Ryan Shealy, announced the Hudson & Essex and Cypress Hill Winery Black Box Series. This series included 3 shows presented for an intimate audience experience, including Next to Normal in October, Follies in April 2023, and [title of show] in May of 2023.
Next, Renaissance Theatre’s Artistic Director, Michael Thomas, took the stage to present several exciting announcements as well as make the audience laugh with his comedic interjections. Thomas announced their new acting course directed by Scott Smith called R.E.A.C.T., he also announced the new Emerging Artists Festival which will include new works from 5 artists around the world.
Thomas also announced that his original Ren Studios production of A Hot Mess Christmas has been picked up by Netflix. With a new title, Holiday on Ice, it will be filmed in early 2023 with a release on Netflix of late 2023.
Thomas then introduced Jerry Morasko of Avita Health System to present the Avita Concert Series lineup. In October the Ren presents “Foreigners Journey” a Foreigner/Journey tribute band with lead vocals of Constantine Maroulis, as well as “The World’s Premier Johnny Cash Tribute, Terry Lee Goffee”. In March, The Artistic Jazz Orchestra will present their “Kings of Swing” concert, then Mansfield’s own Condrea Webber and her band CONNE return to perform “The Music of Motown” in May.
Chris Hiner and Kristie Massa of Park National Bank announced the Park National Bank Broadway Series, which includes the Ren’s summer musical The Music Man which opens on July 30, as well as Sister Act with Condrea Webber returning to reprise the leading role opening November 19, and finally Something Rotten! a comedy musical opening March 4, 2023.
To close out the evening Renaissance Director of Education, Community Engagement, and Symphony, Maddie Penwell took the stage to introduce the Ren’s Spotlight Series. The new series includes “We Wish You a Jazzy Christmas” featuring The Artistic Jazz Orchestra, viral comedian Drew Lynch, and the return of a mansfield favorite canine comedy act, Mutts Gone Nutts.
At the end of the night CEO Michael Miller and former Miss Ohio Caroline Grace Williams gave away several door prizes and free gifts in the lobby. In the lobby after the reveal, the crowd was buzzing with excitement over the next season which truly has an experience for everyone.
Please note that Renaissance Theatre tickets for the 2022-2023 season are currently only available to members.. Public access for tickets for the 2022-2023 season will be announced in May. To become a member and get early access to tickets along with a variety of other benefits, call 419-522-2726 ext. 200 or email Development Manager, at [email protected].
The Renaissance Theatre is a performing arts theater located at 138 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, Ohio. Looking for things to do in Mansfield? Visit Renaissance Theatre’s website at rentickets.org to check out other great events or contact [email protected] for events, tours, arts, culture and more. For behind-the-scenes videos and more visit the Renaissance Theatre’s YouTube Channel.
Source, Photo: Renaissance Performing Arts Association
