By 1812Blockhouse
Through our “Literary Mansfield” series, we take occasional looks at the lives and careers of those who have called Mansfield home at some point in their lives, and who have become known locally, regionally, or even nationally as authorst, poets, lyricisits, playwrights, or in other literary fields. Other posts in the series can be found here.
Today’s subject is one of those with a national reputation as well as being a native Mansfielder. And, if you have ever heard and enjoyed songs like “Put On a Happy Face” or “Applause,” you are in his debt.
Lee Adams was born in 1924 and grew up locally, graduating from Mansfield Senior before going on to The Ohio State University and Columbia University. More…
Featured, Literary Mansfield, Mansfield Senior High School, Plays and Musicals
Special to 1812Blockhouse
The Mansfield Youth Theatre (“MY Theatre”) will present Seussical, Jr. on the stage of the Renaissance Theatre September 9, 10, and 11 as a part of the Mechanics Bank Education Series. Performances will take place at 7:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 PM on Sunday. Dauphne Maloney directs the show with musical direction by Brian K. Nabors. Tickets are $15, general admission, and are on sale now at the Renaissance Box Office, via phone, and online at rentickets.org.
A free sensory-friendly performance of Seussical, Jr. will be offered Saturday, September 10 at 1 PM for families of individuals with special needs. Interested individuals must register for their free tickets by visiting or calling the Renaissance Box Office at (419) 522-2726. A limited number of tickets is available for the sensory-friendly performance and no walk-ups will be accommodated.
More…Family Fun, Mansfield Youth Theatre, Plays and Musicals, Renaissance Theatre
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Meredith Willson’s The Music Man has become such a staple of popular culture that a visit to River City, Iowa is like spending time with an old friend.
Boasting such memorable songs as 76 Trombones, Till There Was You, The Wells Fargo Wagon and Trouble!, the show about a traveling salesman who tries to bamboozle naïve Iowans into forming a boy’s band, has been performed continuously since its premiere on Broadway in 1957. Why has it remained so popular? Critics and audiences agree that the expertly structured story, the unforgettable melodies, and hilarious and heartfelt characters combine to make an almost perfect musical comedy. The story and score are so strong, that they allow each generation to offer its own take on the material, to hear these songs and dialogue with a modern voice.
This was the challenge for the Music Man’s creative team at the Renaissance Theatre as they plan for their upcoming production, which opens Saturday, July 30 at 8PM and continues Sunday, July 31 at 2:30PM, Saturday August 6 at 8PM and Sunday, August 7 at 2:30PM.
More…
NOTE: In a tweet on Monday afternoon, the Renaissance Theatre stated that there are fewer than 150 tickets remain! Reserve your seat today.
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Once, the internationally acclaimed Oscar and Tony-winning musical, is coming to the Renaissance’s Theatre 166 for six performances only, April 22 through May 1.
When compared to other shows in the current repertoire, Once stands alone as a completely unique and original musical theatre production. Its central story – simple, hilarious, heartbreaking yet ultimately empowering and optimistic – tells of a street busker, known only as Guy, who meets a young Czech immigrant, (Girl) on the streets of Dublin. Though both are dealing with their own heartache and emotional brokenness, they discover the healing power of music. The unforgettable score was written by Irish folk rock legend, Glen Hansard, who went on to win the Oscar for best song for the poignant, Falling Slowly, from the 2007 film version of Once.
More…
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:
More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse
On April 12 at 7:00 PM, the Renaissance Theatre will host its free annual Season Preview Announcement Party to celebrate and reveal their 2022-2023 season, including Broadway musicals, symphony concerts, famous singers, tribute bands, country music, comedians, educational programming, family entertainment and more.
The event will be held live and in person for up to 1400 guests, with an additional live stream option for at-home viewing.
“We’re very excited for the upcoming announcement,” said Renaissance Theatre marketing director, Ryan Shreve.
More…
By 1812Blockhouse
In an act of pure defiance to honor a dead brother, one woman stands against the state. Antigone is a timeless play about recognizing the dignity owed to every person – whether we agree with them or not
The gripping tale comes to The Ohio State University at Mansfield this coming weekend. First written in or before 441 BC by Sophocles, the play zeroes in on the dangers of absolute rule. The work has inspired additional plays, paintings, operas, poems, and other works of art.
This is an abridgement and adaptation of the original based on a translation by R.C. Jebb. The work continues the OSUM Theatre Program’s goal of making rights-free, accessible versions of classical texts available to students and teachers everywhere.
More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse, from Renaissance Performing Arts Association
Spring is finally here, and with it a number of events for families and children are coming to the Renaissance Theatre.
Here’s what’s happening at the Ren in April:
Disney’s Descendants (April 1 – April 3)
Based on the popular Disney Channel Original Movies, Disney’s Descendants: The Musical is a new on-stage musical comedy featuring the beloved characters and hit songs from the film trilogy. Featuring talented local kids including Madison Kearney, Cassandra Kurek, Ian Barnes, James Perry, Hayley Sleek, Kamryn Gill, Darius Darmody, Gillian Donley, Zavier Alterio, Elijah Gates, Isla Donley, Stella Powers, Abby Bechstein, Payne Schwartz, Morgan Bartholomew, Marek Powers, Graycen Stevens, Alex Trolian, Josh Browning, MaKayla Lawrence, and Julia Conner.
More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse from St. Peter’s School
St. Peter’s School is excited to announce that its Department of Theater and Performing Arts will be returning to the stage with this year’s production of School of Rock.
The musical is based on the film School of Rock with music by Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber. The show invites the audience members to take a journey through the heart and soul of rock n’ roll. For the past several months, students, staff and members of the St. Peter’s community have been preparing for this performance.
This is the school’s first musical production since 2019. The 2020 production of Mary Poppins was in dress rehearsals when COVID-19 forced the cancellation of public gatherings.
More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse, From Renaissance Performing Arts Association
Young and Unsullied, a new play by local playwrights Alison Bolen and Jason Kaufman, tells the harrowing, yet ultimately redemptive story of Ruby Crowe, a resident of Mansfield in the early decades of the 20th century. Ruby’s life unfolds through the lens of a trending YouTube star who discovers a 100-year-old letter in a condemned Victorian mansion on Park Avenue West.
Through the letter, we meet Ruby, her family, her confidant, and the Tarkington-esque social climbers of a turn of the century Midwestern industrial town. Though still in her teens, Ruby marries Alexander Tarr, a well known and ambitious lecturer on the Chautauqua circuit who will stop at nothing to build his empire. When he implicates Ruby in a lewd scheme to win over a wealthy investor, she is pushed to her breaking point. It’s a story of fame, abuse, and sexual betrayal simmering beneath a venner of opulence, intellectualsim and Victorian propriety.
More…Featured, Mansfield Hitory, Plays and Musicals, Renaissance Theatre
To 1812Blockhouse from Renaissance Performing Arts Association
The Sound of Music, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s final and most beloved musical, will take the stage of the Renaissance Theatre for a concert performance with the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, March 19 at 8PM.
Featuring a full cast of actor/singers, it will be conducted by Maestro Octavio Más-Arocas, with stage direction by Renaissance Artistic Director Michael Thomas, vocal direction by Lori Turner and choreography by Caroline Grace Williams. The production also features the talents of the Mansfield Symphony orchestra and chorus.
More…Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, Plays and Musicals, Renaissance Theatre
By 1812Blockhouse
By 1812Blockhouse
Broadway come to Mansfield later this month when the Madison Choral Department presents this year’s high school musical, 42nd Street: Youth Edition in the Madison Middle School Auditeria.
“Come along and listen to the lullaby of Broadway! 42nd Street celebrates Broadway, Times Square and the magic of show biz with wit, humor and pizzazz. At the height of the Great Depression, aspiring chorus girl Peggy Sawyer comes to the big city from Allentown, PA, and soon lands her first big job in the ensemble of a glitzy new Broadway show. But just before opening night, the leading lady breaks her ankle. Will Peggy be able to step in and become a star?”
More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse from Renaissance Performing Arts Association
Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” the production of “Monty Python’s Spamalot” retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and features a bevy of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and French people.
The Renaissance Theatre is hosting a two-weekend run of the musical comedy, Monty Python’s Spamalot, with gut-busting performances Sunday afternoon at 2:30 PM, as well as on March 12 at 8:00 PM, and the closing performance March 13 at 2:30 PM.
Although Spamalot takes most of its cues from the cult classic film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, it also includes additional material from “Flying Circus” and the other Monty Python films, which adds a wide array of comedy that’s enjoyable for cast members and audiences alike.
More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse
The Emerging Artist Program of the Renaissance Theatre is accepting full length play, musical, screenplay and documentary submissions for their 2022-2023 season.
The goal of the program is to guide, encourage, support and advocate for artists of all ages who wish to find their own voice through the creation of original work. By establishing an environment that promotes the importance of self-expression, risk-taking and collaboration, the Theatre 166 Emerging Artists Program is designed to foster and translate an artist’s creative thinking into smart, vital, and thought-provoking new works.
7-10 scripts will be selected for readings. From these, 1-3 will be selected for our workshopping phase. Authors whose work has been chosen to workshop will receive a $500 Emerging Artist Award. Script submissions will be accepted January 31, 2022 through February 28th, 2022.
More…
By 1812Blockhouse
Fans of straight theatrical productions will have at least two opportunities this spring to catch a play at The Ohio State University at Mansfield.
Both productions will have auditions in the coming days (details below). They include:
February 25-28 – The Healing Project by Tiger Bradley
Mansfield playwright Tiger Bradley workshops his material in partnership with our campus theatre program. Bradley, a first administrator of New Community Temple and youth pastor for 20 years, has written several plays, including The Hurt and The Healed, to help people discover the root cause of their problems.
Performances a performance of will take place on Friday, February 25; Saturday, February 26; and Monday, February 28 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, February 27 at 2:30 PM. Auditions take place this Tuesday and Wednesday at Founders Auditorium.
March 31 to April 3 — Antigone by Sophocles
Meanwhile, in an act of defiance to honor her dead brother, one woman stands against the state. Antigone is a timeless play about recognizing the dignity owed to every person – whether we agree with them or not. This crisp abridgement and adaptation of the original Greek tragedy, based on a translation by R. C. Jebb, continues our theatre program’s recent effort to make rights-free, accessible versions of classical texts available to students and teachers everywhere.
Performances will take place on Thursday March 31; Friday, April 1; and Saturday, April all at 7:30 PM; and also Sunday, May 1 7:30 PM.
