Press

Here's what people are saying about New Stage Collective:

"This is the kind of review I love to write: a young company showing lots of savvy and potential, a terrific performance from a reliable actress, and a regional premiere that's an oddball gift of a show for a sultry summer night in the best alternative theater space in town.

"The show demonstrates the immense potential of New Stage Collective.

"The collective is all about young professionals. Young talent is obvious on and off-stage and their zeal gives you a thrill of something happening here."
" New Stage Collective deserves some cheering on , and while applause is nice, good box office is even better."
" I saw something pretty amazing last Saturday afternoon. It was the promise of what could be . [...] What I saw on the Xavier stage was artistic integrity and boundless passion.

"The last time a talented bunch of recent college grads decided to put down stakes on a Cincinnati stage was Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival 10 years ago ."

Jackie Demaline, Cincinnati Enquirer

-About NSC's regional premiere production of Kimberly Akimbo:

"New Stage Collective, now in its third summer, was started for Cincinnati kids home on summer break from university theater programs. The reason you probably haven't run across them is that in 2003 they were trying their wings in Wyoming in "hey, kids, let's put on a show!" style and last year were scrambling nomadically around the outskirts of downtown.

"It was clear there was promise, and that promise is shining even brighter. Artistic director Alan Patrick Kenny directs, and he has what it takes - he has an eye for material, he knows how to cast, he pays attention to detail, and he knows how to use the black box space. It all makes up for lack of money and it makes you want to follow New Stage along for the ride.

"Sue Breving is marvelous as Kimberly, spot on as a bright adolescent who knows her clock is ticking-ticking-ticking.

"Anthony Darnell, a College-Conservatory of Music drama student, is endearing as can be as Kimberly's dopey and adorable new love.

"Allison Collins-Elfline gives a great big performance, right down to her labor pains, as Pattie, deeply in denial and clinging to her own imaginary ailments rather than confront her daughter's.

"Melissa Arleth has a nice, demented presence and energy to burn as Pattie's wacko sister, Keith Richards nails the goof persona as Kimberly's dad. Both Arleth and Richards are recent arrivals to Cincinnati and their performances are strong enough to make me look forward to seeing them again. "

Jackie Demaline, Cincinnati Enquirer

-About NSC's Cincinnati premiere multimedia production of Sunday in the Park with George:

" Using fascinating computerized video projections, director Alan Patrick Kenny and designer Pete Thornbury show the painting being worked and assembled. Sunday is a daunting work to produce, musically and scenically. Kenny and Thornbury have overcome a major challenge with the aforementioned technology. And NSC's cast sings divinely. The first act finale, when the painting is fully re-created and represented, is electrifying."

Rick Pender, CityBeat

"CRITIC'S PICK: Succinctly directed by Alan Patrick Kenny with an imaginative multi-media approach, Sunday features a vocally strong, 17-member cast led by a zestful Charlie Clark in the driven titular role and a belty Kera Halbersleben as George's disregarded mistress, Dot. Kenny's cast admirably performs their colorful period roles in Act I but are also quite fitting as trendy contemporary characters in Act 2 when Lapine's intricately conceived script jumps from the late 10th century to the late 20th century. "

Russell Florence, Jr., Dayton City Paper

" The New Stage production features two excellent performers in the lead roles, an intriguing physical design, and a strong vision from its director.

"New Stage Collective has assembled some very talented performers for this production. The show, however, rests significantly on the shoulders of two actors. As George Seraut (and modern George), Cincinnati newcomer Charlie Clark sings wonderfully, but it is his acting that is most impressive. Mr. Clark captures the obsessed, driven nature of the eccentric genius perfectly. Kera Halbersleben likewise sings with confident power and fine technique. She conveys the transformation of Dot from hopeful naivete and desperation for approval to a stronger, more self-assured woman. Ms. Halbersleben also convincingly portrays the elderly Marie, a job not easily accomplished by someone of her young age. Both of these lead performers handle the soaring melodies and the often fast paced lyrics of Sondheim's songs with aplomb. The ensemble members all provide realistic and suitable characterizations and first-rate vocals (on display especially in 'Sunday'). The seven piece orchestra sounds terrific, and is led by musical director Michael P. Hamilton.

"Director Alan Patrick Kenny brings a clear and appropriate vision to the show. The feelings and emotions of the characters are richly defined, and the dramatic high points of the piece are fully realized. Mr. Kenny achieves a proper balance of humor, tension, pathos, and artistic relevance for the piece as well.

"This production is especially noteworthy as well for its use of state-of-the-art technology for scenic design. Instead of the painted cardboard cut-outs and backdrops so prominent in many productions of this show, projected computer graphics are used. These images of Seraut's sketches and paintings are projected onto eight large white sheets that are hung and moved horizontally around the stage. Pete Thornbury (who is also credited with the lighting) and Director Kenny created this design concept, which allows for flexibility and is a (hopefully) cheaper alternative to creating set pieces.

"The projections are also put to good use in providing multiple 'Georges' for 'Putting It Together'. The costumes by Lori Ritchie are quite lovely, and the modern chromolume design by cast member Andrew Lazarow is in the right 'modern art' vein.

"Also of special interest is the fact that this production is being staged in the black box theater of the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art in downtown Cincinnati. Having this particular musical staged in an art museum seems fully appropriate given the subject matter.

"The staging of Sunday in the Park with George is a considerable enterprise for any theater company. Sondheim and Lapine's show is an intricate and challenging one, but Cincinnati's young New Stage Collective is up to the task and provides an entertaining and thought-provoking production. The talented cast, unique design, and worthwhile direction all help to make this Cincinnati premiere one to catch."

Scott Cain, Talkin' Broadway

"Director Alan Patrick Kenny has a concept so high it's stratospheric: the musical draws its inspiration from George Seurat's pointillist masterpiece "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" and it's being performed in a museum - the black box on the lower level of the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art. "So the stage is our blank canvas," says Kenny, or, rather, Seurat's sketch pad. The idea is to make it look as if the set becomes pages the artist is drawing on as characters inhabit the space."

Jackie Demaline, Cincinnati Enquirer

-About NSC's regional premiere production of Side Show:

"New Stage Collective's three-performance regional premiere of SIDE SHOW demonstrated how youthful energy can create very satisfying work onstage ."

Rick Pender, CityBeat

"Kenny got everything that mattered right . The show sounded wonderful . Great work from Michael Hamilton , vocal director for the cast of 19, and hats off to Laurence Bonhaus' leadership of a 25-piece orchestra."

Jackie Demaline, Cincinnati Enquirer

"... Convincing and compelling acting and singing of Allison Elfline and Kera Halbersleben as Daisy and Violet Hilton. Elfline's confidence and Halbersleben's vulnerability -- plus spectacular singing skills --- made this an excellent production ."

Rick Pender, CityBeat

" On the heels of their impressive 2004 inaugural season that included productions of Merrily We Roll Along and The Last Five Years , New Stage Collective, an up-and-coming theater company in Cincinnati , tackles the challenging musical Side Show for their major production this summer. [...] New Stage provides a wonderfully entertaining , musically thrilling , and thoroughly captivating production of this high-powered show.

"New Stage Collective has assembled some enormously talented young performers (including many pre-professional musical theater college students) for this production and the results are stunning . Kera Halbersleben (Violet) brings a believable vulnerability as the more timid sister, and Allison Elfline (Daisy) convincingly switches from eagerness to bitterness . These two accomplished actresses play off each other wonderfully and provide detailed portrayals of these unique characters . They also possess superb voices , which they blend and harmonize beautifully , and each demonstrates an impressive vocal belt.

"As Terry, Michael Shawn Starks is appropriately macho, mature , and emotionally reserved , and he sings the role confidently . Joshua Steele is delightfully endearing as Buddy and likewise sings his material with ease .

"As the mean proprietor of the side show (as well as a few other roles), Andrew Wehling displays a strong voice and the stage presence of a seasoned professional. The chorus members do well in playing multiple roles and in supporting these six talented lead performers.

"Director Alan Patrick Kenny does extremely well in humanizing the side show freaks and building authentic relationships among the characters . Kenny has skillfully led each performer to demonstrate a fully layered emotional arc . His attention to detail is evident throughout , and the humor of the piece comes across well . Kenny's choice to stage the side show/vaudeville performance numbers as unpolished artifacts does well to contrast them from the strong character songs.

"Praise is also earned by Michael P. Hamilton for his vocal direction and by Laurence Bonhaus, who capably leads a fine twenty-five piece orchestra (in what has been said to be the first post-Broadway production to use the original orchestrations).

"Lighting by Pete Thornbury is remarkably effective , and costumes by Lori Ritchie and Patt Zurlinden are attractive and period appropriate.

"New Stage Collective does well in performing this passionate and musically exciting show . A great score , near perfect lead actors , and strong direction make this a production to cherish."

Scott Cain, Talkin' Broadway

- About NSC's production of Merrily We Roll Along:

"New Stage (NSC) is a "collective" of Cincinnati-area college students who are producing ambitious, less often seen works . It's a challenging show: Sondheim's music is not for faint-hearted performers, but these kids -- only two members of the cast were more than 21 -- were undaunted by "Old Friends," "Not A Day Goes By" and "Our Time," tunes full of complex harmonies and tricky lyrics. Joshua T. Steele, Aaron Morris and Julie Wacksman were excellent in the lead roles, young performers with real stage presence and the acting skills required to create characters.

"In the hands of breathless and excited performers , it was more about the glories of show biz. I suppose irony requires maturity, but I certainly enjoyed how director Alan Patrick Kenny used his performers to bring the story to life, working at a level comparable to the best community theaters in Cincinnati ."

Rick Pender, CityBeat