We are blessed with another holiday collaboration between Benson Theatre and Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Co.! This holiday you will see inside seven different apartments at Holiday Tower. We talk with Dulcie Mueller, Writer and Actor, and also Midge Radcliff, Co-Executive Director of Benson Theatre. They reveal what this holiday show is about, the unique and diverse ways to celebrate the season, and how this show was developed by the Holiday Lites Collective! Don't miss this show that opens Dece...
Dec 10, 2024•17 min•Season 6Ep. 9
Exciting things have been in the works at Bellevue Little Theatre! On December 6th they will open the world premiere of "It's A Wonderful Life"! This play was adapted from the movie version by Dr. D. Laureen Pickle and John Arnsdorff. It contains the wonderful story from the movie that so many people adore, plus some well-placed music to get you in the nostalgic Christmas spirit! We talked with Dr. D. Laureen Pickle, John Arnsdorff, Riley Pope and Fred Vogel about this exciting BLT production of...
Dec 03, 2024•31 min•Season 6Ep. 6
After a 5 year hiatus, The Madrigal Christmasse Feast is back! The event is presented by Dwayne Ibsen, Ibsen Costume Gallery, & Chanticleer Theater on December 5th and 6th. We talked with Denise Putnam, Howard Swain and Musical Director, Mark Morello. This festive event promises an evening filled with music, entertainment, and delicious food, all set in a charming Renaissance-themed atmosphere. You will experience a traditional madrigal dinner with a royal court, jesters, and singers perform...
Dec 02, 2024•25 min•Season 6Ep. 7
We had the pleasure of speaking to Steve Krambeck, Director of "A Very Special Holiday Special", and Dan Wach, Executive Director of Shelterbelt Theatre. This production is a celebration of Christmas and Hanukkah, and where they meet, since they will both be celebrated on December 25th this year. Writer Mark Harvey Levine produced 8 short funny, yet poignant plays, full of humor and heart, and they will be performed by a talented cast of six. This will be a touching and festive evening about two...
Dec 02, 2024•40 min•Season 6Ep. 5
The Lincoln Community Playhouse in Lincoln, Nebraska is honored to host a World Premiere, and winner of the American Association of Community Theatres New Play Fest, The China Shop , written by Richard Manley. The play opened November 8th and had a sold out audience on Sunday November 10th. There is now one week left to see this award winning play! Richard Manley, Playwright, was in town for us to talk with and Director, Jamie Bullins and Actor Victoria Lininger and our own Chris Berger joined h...
Nov 12, 2024•40 min•Season 6Ep. 4
The Fall Platte River Art Show is here! This weekend, November 15th through the 17th, head on out to Mahoney State Park to the Peter Kiewitt Lodge and enjoy the day! We talk with Nia Karmann, Promoter and Organizer of the Platte River Art Show and Owner of Nye Street Studios. On Friday evening, there is a wine and cheese event to kick off the evening, and you can get food anytime this weekend at Carl's Restaurant in the Peter Kiewitt Lodge. Nia tells us about all of the artists who are at the sh...
Nov 12, 2024•18 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Five different women - all named Betty - who are of different backgrounds and gender identities, all converge to share their story about anger, sex, love and theatre. The play was written by Jen Silverman, and it premiered in Washington DC in 2018. High comedy and high energy, this play is sure to entertain and yet address the issues of women, feminism, LGBTQ identity, sexuality and loneliness. Please note, there is strong language and mild adult themes in this play. Don't miss this high-energy ...
Nov 04, 2024•18 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Here's a serious and deeply complex play you don't want to miss this season: "Freakshow" (1999) by Carson Kreitzer at SNAP! Productions opens November 8th! The Platte River Bard spoke to Giles Russo and Nick Knipe and discussed what this production has in store for you! The setting: Behind the scenes of a traveling Freakshow, those who have been outcasts from society bond into a unique but dysfunctional family. You will see their vulnerabilities and humanity in scenes of dialogue and poetry. Fin...
Oct 31, 2024•27 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Find out why you won't want to miss "American Psycho The Musical" at SNAP! Productions at Ghost Light Theatre. This Musical opens September 20th and runs until Septemeber 29th. We talk with Stage Manager, Christina Belle; Set Builder and Designer, Doug Hartshorn; and actor and comedian who is also new to Nebraska, Geoffrey Eggleston. Don't miss this fun musical, filled with dancing, singing, and entertaining dialogue with a little bit of dark humor! Also, don't forget, SNAP! Productions at the G...
Sep 16, 2024•30 min•Season 5Ep. 34
Talk about a great time of year to see The Mel Brooks Adult Young Frankenstein ! Bellevue Little Theatre is kicking off this sensational fall production with a Costume Party on Friday the 13th (of course!), that ends with wine and cheese that will leave you with an electrically charged great time. We had a lively discussion with the Director of this production, Todd Uhrmacher, and we discuss the logistics of this complex production for a smaller theatre. The cast is packed full of talent, singer...
Sep 07, 2024•18 min•Season 5Ep. 33
We have a short chat with the Director and cast of VIA Omaha's Production of "Plot Points in Our Sexual Development" that opens August 15-25th. Meredith Melville, MFA, came to Nebraska as a visiting Director from Texas to direct this play. The play only has two cast members, which are Asia Nared and Arson Starkloff-Crane who have created sparks on-stage. "Plot Points in Our Sexual Development" was written by Miranda Rose Hall and it premiered off-Broadway in 2018. This play explores a new couple...
Aug 12, 2024•14 min•Season 5Ep. 32
It's Directors Roundtable in Lincoln! We talk with Timothy W. Scholl, Executive Artistic Director of Angels Theatre Company, Morrie Enders with the Lincoln Community Playhouse, and Jamie Bullins, who is a longtime Director, Associate Professor of Theatre at the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at UNL, and also part of the Staff of the Angels Theatre Company's Playwriting Collective. We love the chemistry and commodorie of these three Directors. They all come from different perspectives, ...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 5Ep. 31
The Mills Masquers Summer Musical is here! Opening August 2nd and running until August 11th, there will be much harmonizing, dancing and comedy! We talked with Don Torbett, Music Director; Adam Clayton, Associate Director; Don Vinkenberg, Choreographer; and Connor Edick, who is the Actor who plays Spongebob Squarepants. This is a musical for everyone, kids and adults alike! You won't want to miss this production that will promise singing and movement to a live musical accompaniment. Take a relax...
Aug 02, 2024•28 min•Season 5Ep. 30
We are happy once again to discuss the Omaha Fringe Festival 2024 ! This will be the 5th year of the festival and Omaha is so lucky to have one. If you aren't familiar with the history of the Fringe Festival, it began as a festival in Edinburgh Scotland in 1947. Since then it has expanded to over 100 cities all over the world. Join us for our conversation with Lara and Tamar about the 20 shows that Omaha Fringe Festival has to offer. This year there are four venues: Blackstone, Benson and two at...
Jul 29, 2024•32 min•Season 5Ep. 29
Clay Farris Naff is a recently accomplished playwright who is debuting his new play The Cleanup Lady . Clay is an author, and has been an award winning journalist, a correspondent for the United Press International in Tokyo, a freelance reporter for National Public Radio, Newsweek, Huffington Post, Earth Magazine, The Humanist, and Scientific American, just to name a few. He has been a science-and-religion correspondent for the Metanexus Institute, and the Executive Director of Lincoln Literacy....
Jul 29, 2024•58 min•Season 5Ep. 28
We talked with Jay Hayden and Grace Grennan about their upcoming production A Midsummers Nights Dream. Old School Shakespeare is known for their One Rehearsal model as they share Shakespeare in non-traditional locations in a wildly fun way! Hear all about where they will be so you can catch them. Omaha is lucky to have a group of seasoned actors who are ready to show you just how fun Shakespeare can be! A Midsummer's Night's Dream performances are: Thursday 7/25 l 7 PM at bensontheatre (all ages...
Jul 23, 2024•25 min•Season 5Ep. 27
Opera Omaha is always a pleasure to visit, and their 2024-2025 season promises more Opera to Go, Opera in Conversation, Opera Outdoors, Poetry in Music and so much more. Plus they will have three productions in their season, with an additional family friendly opera that we will let Allison Swenson, General Manager and Katrina Thurman, DIrector of Artistic Administration tell you all about what’s in store! Their season will consist of: "Don Giovanni", October 18 & 20. The Rake's Progress, Feb...
Jun 14, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 26
You've probably seen it - either the Table Grace Cafe at 1611-1/2 Farnam Street, or even something online for Table Grace The Musical. But what are they? Well, it's both of those things - and yet, so much more! We sit down with Simone Weber, CEO and Musical Missionary with Table Grace and find out "What is this musical?" "Why is it at three venues?" "What is the Table Grace Cafe?". Simone is a talented and kind person who, with her husband Matt, meet people where they are with food and music. CO...
Jun 12, 2024•50 min•Season 5Ep. 25
BVT's 57th Season has arrived! And if you haven't ever heard of Brownville Village Theatre before you are in for a treat. And if you have heard of them, you're still in for a treat! BVT is always a-buzz with activity and rightfully so. They produce five full shows during the Summer. Beginning in July you can see all five in one weekend if you want to, or pace yourself and see the two June productions and have July and the first part of August to see the other three. We met with Co-Directors, Rac...
Jun 07, 2024•52 min•Season 5Ep. 24
We talk with a few of the young actors in this musical, Shemar "Mar" Toussaint, McKenna Cottone, and Nick Knipe. They are the young stars of "Heathers The Muscial" at SNAP! Productions which opens June 7th. Productions will run until June 23rd with one Industry Night (pay what you can) on June 17th. Our guests are having a blast and working hard at their roles in this play. For those who haven't heard, "Heathers, The Musical" has been a very popular play these days and was the inspiration for th...
Jun 03, 2024•21 min•Season 5Ep. 23
Today on our podcast, we're thrilled to have the accomplished and talented Chris Scott, Director of "Barefoot in the Park" at Bellevue Little Theatre, joining us for a chat about this timeless Neil Simon classic play. "Barefoot in the Park" is a Neil Simon masterpiece known for its perfect blend of comedy and heartfelt moments. Chris Scott talks with us about some of the behind-the-scenes details in putting this production together, as well as his team of talented creatives. Tune in to our podca...
May 31, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 22
Today on our podcast, we're diving into the exciting world of Rave On Productions with Kimberly Faith Hickman, Artistic and Education Director. Get ready to hear about all the buzz surrounding their summer lineup! First up, after wowing audiences in Omaha, Rave On Productions is bringing their Omaha Series production, The Awesome 80's Prom to the Rococo Theatre in Lincoln, Nebraska on June 7th and 8th. Picture this: immersive theatre and improv meets 80's nostalgia, optional but highly encourage...
May 31, 2024•19 min•Season 5Ep. 21
We were lucky to catch three of the seven women in BLUEBARN's production of "POTUS" or "Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive". This production, Directed by Susan Clement, opened May 23rd and will be showing every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until June 23rd! We talk about how their first weekend went and what to expect for the rest of the run! "POTUS" was nominated three times for a Tony award and was first produced on Broadway in 2022. The Playwright, Sel...
May 30, 2024•29 min•Season 5Ep. 20
We had a fun visit with Rachel Robbins, Producer, Director, Actor, and Theatre Educator of Popcorn Productions, LLC's Melodramas and her team of actors: Ian Cullin, Samantha Desh, Shade Ingraham, Elizabeth Maack, and Collette Williams. We also spoke to their Lighting and Sound Designer, Zach Wasserman, as well as one of the youngest ensemble members, Weston. Melodramas just opened their three new shows for Part 1 of their 2024 season which runs from May 24th to August 25th! Their new shows are: ...
May 26, 2024•22 min•Season 5Ep. 19
Our first Directors Roundtable begins with two talented and charismatic Professors of Theatre: Jamie Bullins from UNL and Ron Zank from UNO! Their expertise and contribution to local theatre made them wonderful guests of our Directors Roundtable. We are so excited to bring you this podcast. We have been working toward this idea for quite some time. There will definitely be more Roundtable discussions in the near future! Ron Zank is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at the University of Nebraska ...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 5Ep. 18
We sat down with Director Todd Brooks, Stage Manager Krista Freimuth, and Actor Adam Fulbright to talk about Chanticleer's upcoming production "A Chorus Line." This is a cohesive cast who are working hard but having the time of their lives, which of course, is everything community theatre should be. This is going to be a fun production, with a live orchestra, much dancing and singing with all the classic "A Chorus Line" tunes and dance moves! Though "A Chorus LIne" was also adapted into a popula...
May 08, 2024•28 min•Season 5Ep. 17
We had the distinct pleasure of meeting Thom Davis, Dramaturg and Vice President of the Board of Directors for Voices in Alliance (VIA Omaha). VIA Omaha produced “ The Inheritance Part 1” in October 2023 during their first season, and now are able to begin their 2nd Season with “ The Inheritance Part 2 .” It's important to note that you can still easily see “ The Inheritance Part 2” without seeing "Part 1". We do suggest, however, you hear all about "Part 2" on our podcast before you go, because...
May 07, 2024•25 min•Season 5Ep. 16
The 2024 Spring Platte River Art Show at Mahoney State Park is "The Most Prestigious Art Show on the River!" You’ll find this seasonal event at the Peter Kiewitt Lodge in the upper level, May 4th and 5th. It's free to attend and you will find regional artists with many different kinds of art mediums. Enjoy the day out at the state park as well. We chat briefly with Nia Karmann, Owner and Photographer of Nye Street Studios who is also hosting this event. Hours: May 4th from 10am to 7pm, and May 5...
Apr 29, 2024•12 min•Season 5Ep. 15
Today our episode is with an Omaha theatre legendary favorite, the talented Dick Mueller. This is one of those podcasts you simply won't want to miss if you love theatre in Nebraska. The Firehouse Dinner Theatre, founded and produced by Dick Mueller was a Old Market staple. Mr. Mueller opened the Firehouse Dinner Theatre May 12th 1972. Back in its day, the Firehouse was one of the best of equity theatre in Omaha. And to recall of the great times there, Dick Mueller has published a book, written ...
Apr 17, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Is an egg is as close to Jesus as a person can get? We had a "sunny-side-up of a time" with Director Kaitlyn Rudeen, and Actors Julie Fitzgerald Ryan and Sarah Dighans while talking about their upcoming production: 5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche, which opens April 5th at SNAP! Productions Omaha at Ghost Light Theatre in Bellevue. This is a zany comedy you won't want to miss with a spontaneous and whacky fourth wall. An all female Cast, Director and Crew tell the story of five women living in 1956 wh...
Mar 28, 2024•40 min•Season 5Ep. 13
