COLDWATER – As Tibbits Summer Theatre opens its 60th consecutive professional season this week, the theatre extends its appreciation to the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities (CBPU) for its support as sponsor of “Nunsense 2.”
CBPU and Tibbits Opera House share a foundation of being community-powered and community-focused. Just as Tibbits strengthens the community by creating theatre, art, music and culture, CBPU strengthens Coldwater by providing residents safe, reliable and affordable utility products and services including electric, water and wastewater, garbage, television programming, digital phone service, and new gig fiber internet.
CBPU focuses on its community impact and takes pride in its support of local organizations and initiatives, including being a proud sponsor of the Tibbits Summer Theatre since 2015. CBPU Director Paul Jakubczak said, “Fine arts are an important part of Coldwater. Our community comes together and embraces the diverse opportunities and culture; the Tibbits Summer program does just that.”
The hilarious musical comedy “Nunsense 2” reintroduces The Little Sisters of Hoboken as they present a “Thank You Program” for all those who supported them in last year’s benefit. Funnier, zanier, and more loveable than ever, the nuns sing and dance through their high-spirited performance amidst rumors of talent scouts in the audience and Franciscans who want to claim Sister Mary Amnesia as their own. Performances continue June 22, 23, and 24 at 7:30pm with a matinee on June 21 at 2:00pm. Tickets and information are available at Tibbits.org or by calling 517-278-6029. All performances are held at the beautiful historic Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett Street, in Coldwater.
Learn more about the CBPU by visiting www.Coldwater.org or calling (517) 279-9531.
COLDWATER – As Tibbits Summer Theatre opens its 60th consecutive professional season this week, the theatre extends its appreciation to the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities (CBPU) for its support as sponsor of “Nunsense 2.”
CBPU and Tibbits Opera House share a foundation of being community-powered and community-focused. Just as Tibbits strengthens the community by creating theatre, art, music and culture, CBPU strengthens Coldwater by providing residents safe, reliable and affordable utility products and services including electric, water and wastewater, garbage, television programming, digital phone service, and new gig fiber internet.
CBPU focuses on its community impact and takes pride in its support of local organizations and initiatives, including being a proud sponsor of the Tibbits Summer Theatre since 2015. CBPU Director Paul Jakubczak said, “Fine arts are an important part of Coldwater. Our community comes together and embraces the diverse opportunities and culture; the Tibbits Summer program does just that.”
The hilarious musical comedy “Nunsense 2” reintroduces The Little Sisters of Hoboken as they present a “Thank You Program” for all those who supported them in last year’s benefit. Funnier, zanier, and more loveable than ever, the nuns sing and dance through their high-spirited performance amidst rumors of talent scouts in the audience and Franciscans who want to claim Sister Mary Amnesia as their own. Performances continue June 22, 23, and 24 at 7:30pm with a matinee on June 21 at 2:00pm. Tickets and information are available at Tibbits.org or by calling 517-278-6029. All performances are held at the beautiful historic Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett Street, in Coldwater.
Learn more about the CBPU by visiting www.Coldwater.org or calling (517) 279-9531.
COLDWATER – Tibbits Summer Theatre opens its 60th consecutive season Thursday with “Nunsense 2” and the crazy antics of the singing and dancing nuns from the Little Sisters of Hoboken.
Piggybacking off the musical hit “Nunsense” from the 2022 season, the fun and misadventures continue to follow the five nuns in this sequel. Featuring book, music and lyrics by Dan Goggin, the Little Sisters of Hoboken return…funnier, zanier and more lovable than ever!
The crazy antics of the singing and dancing nuns from the Little Sisters of Hoboken are back on stage when the hilarious musical “Nunsense 2” opens Tibbits Summer Theatre’s mainstage season on June 15. The show runs through June 24 with matinee and evening performances. Tickets are available at Tibbits.org.
Director Julie Dingman Evans, new to this year’s production, says it’s not necessary to have seen last year’s show to enjoy yourself. She calls Nunsense 2 “a hilarious litany of holy humor that picks up right where we left off with our sisters, as they sing and dance their way into our hearts and help us all remember that community and belonging are what really counts in the end!”
Having been “bitten by the theater bug,” the nuns present a “Thank You Program” dancing and singing for all who supported them in last year’s benefit. Amidst their high-spirited performance they deal with rumors of talent scouts in the audience and Franciscans who want to claim Sister Mary Amnesia as one of their own. With antics and catchy songs like “Winning is Just the Beginning,” “The Padre Polka” and “What Would Elvis Do?” audiences will be rolling in the aisles!
“Nunsense 2” is directed by Evans with musical direction by Cindy Garn. Choreography is by Annie Ross. Four of the five “original” nuns from last year are back, featuring Brenda Sparks as Mother Superior, Kiersten Vorheis as Sister Mary Amnesia, Cheyane Marie as Sister Mary Hubert and Gianna Branca as Sister Mary Robert Anne, as well as Annie Ross as Sister Mary Leo. The design staff features Jaye Beetem as scenic designer, Dusti Donbrock as costume designer, Jamie Gresens as lighting designer with Tyler Evans as associate lighting designer. Props are by Ray Louise Sunshine, Luis Guzman Galdos joins as sound designer, with Aaron Bell as technical director and Ariel Sheets as production stage manager.
“Nunsense” is sponsored by CBPU, a proud sponsor of the Tibbits Summer Theatre since 2015. As a local public utility provider, the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities (CBPU) is committed to serving the people. By partnering with organizations, the CBPU dedicates resources to initiatives that leave a positive impact on the community. The Tibbits Opera House strengthens art, music, and culture in the City of Coldwater, while the CBPU strengthens Coldwater by providing residents with safe, reliable, and affordable utility services. These services include electric, water, wastewater, and telecommunications (GIG Fiber Internet, TV, and digital phone).
Tibbits also receives grant funding from the Michigan Arts & Culture Council as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.
The hilarious musical “Nunsense 2” opens Tibbits Summer Theatre’s mainstage season on June 15.
Tickets for “Nunsense” range from $20-43 including fees. Discounts are available for Tibbits members, groups and students. Performances run June 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, and 24 at 7:30pm with matinees on June 15 and 21 at 2pm. Tickets are available online at Tibbits.org, in person at the Tibbits Box Office located inside the theatre or at the Tibbits Admin Office at 93 W. Chicago Street Monday-Friday 9-5, by calling 517-278-6029. All tickets are charged a facility/ticketing fee whether in person or not; there are no additional fees for ordering online.
To add to the Tibbits experience, Tibbits Ghost Light Bar in the theatre’s lower-level art gallery is open before the show and at intermission. Patrons are also invited to view current art gallery exhibit or the historic exhibit displays throughout the theatre.
After “Nunsense 2”, the fun will continue with “Disney’s The Little Mermaid”, “Grease”, and Ken Ludwig’s “Lend Me a Tenor.” Season tickets for the mainstage shows range from $126-$135 (including fees). Popcorn Theatre for families also hits the stage most Fridays and Saturdays through August 5.
All performances are held at the beautiful historic Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett Street, in Coldwater. For more information, call or visit Tibbits.org.
Coldwater, MI – A world of moonlight,
magic and romance combine in the musical “The Fantasticks,” when Tibbits Summer
Theatre continues its professional summer theatre season June 30- July 9 at The
Ponds of Coldwater.
“The
Fantasticks” is a funny and romantic musical about a boy, a girl, and their two
fathers who try to keep them apart. It’s the longest-running musical in the
world and with good reason: Its poetry, passion, playfulness and pathos combine
to create a comic and wistful romantic fable about love that grows with each
new season. In this moving tale, young lovers who have become disillusioned discover
a more mature, meaningful love. The story is punctuated by a bountiful series
of catchy, memorable songs, like “Try to Remember,” which have become classics.
According
to Tibbits Artistic Director Peter Riopelle, “This
show blends together all of the vital characteristics that make up a truly
great musical: A romantic, Romeo and Juliet type coming-of-age story, and a
lush, timeless musical score, combined with huge doses of passion, poetry and
great comedy to boot!” On the outdoor location, he says, “The show
works best in an intimate setting, and I felt it would be absolutely perfect
for our venue at the Ponds: A thrilling, wistful and gorgeous evening of
romance and fun out under the stars…”
Tibbits Summer Theatre continues its 2021 season at The Ponds of Coldwater with “The Fantasticks,” the longest-running musical in the world. Last year Tibbits performed its summer season as staged readers theatre at The Ponds, including the show, “It Started With Eve.”
Tibbits Summer Theatre will feature a core group of professional company members from across the United States. “The Fantasticks” will include Max Gonzalez as El Gallo and Brooke Jackson as Luisa. They will be joined onstage by other veteran Tibbits actors Liz Davis, Michael Motkowski, Matt Scott, Chad Tallon, and newcomer Nile Birch. The production will be directed by Peter Riopelle with music direction by Wayman Ezell. It will feature lighting design by Catie Blencowe, set design by Stephanie Burdick and Peter Riopelle, costume design by Dusti Donbrock, and sound design by Henry Sendek. Lexa Walker leads the technicians as technical director with Rachel Marengere as stage manager, and Josh Rockwell, Scott Pauley, and Leon Kriser rounding out the technical staff.
“The Fantasticks,” along with the rest
of the 2021 TST Season, is presented through the generous sponsorship support
of Coldwater Board of Public Utilities, Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C.;
Parrish Excavating, Inc.; and Frederick Family Dental. Additional sponsors include
Coldwater Orthodontics & Aligner Center; Dr. Jon & Seibra Herbener; The
Bushouse Family; ASAMA Coldwater
Manufacturing; Coldwater Exchange Club; Matthew C. Christopher, DDS; Great
Lakes Chiropractic; Honor Credit Union; and Vested Risk Strategies. Additional
funding is provided by the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs
and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Tickets for “The Fantasticks” are $28
(including fees) for all seats, with discounts available to Tibbits members.
Performances will run June 30, July 2, 6, 8 and 9 at 7:30pm and July 1 and 7 at
2pm. Tickets are available online at Tibbits.org, at the Tibbits admin office
at 93 W. Chicago St. in Coldwater 9 am to 5 pm weekdays or by calling
517-278-6029.
Other shows
in the 2021 season, which runs from now until August 6, include the witty and
charming musical “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” and the heartwarming play,
“On Golden Pond.” All summer theatre performances will be held at the beautiful
outdoor event pavilion nestled among 30 acres of lush landscaping at The Ponds
of Coldwater, just minutes from the historic Tibbits Opera House in downtown
Coldwater. Golf carts are provided to transport guests who need assistance from
the parking lot to the pavilion. “The Fantasticks”is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International
(MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.MTIShows.com.
Coldwater, MI – Tibbits Summer Theatre will open
its 58th consecutive season of professional performances on June 16
with a fun and elegant musical theatre revue, “The Best of Broadway” at The
Ponds of Coldwater.
Last summer while the historic opera house
remained shut down due to the pandemic, Tibbits became one of the few theatres in
the country to produce a summer theatre season. This year, amid continued
uncertainty, presenting outdoors at The Ponds became a certainty from which the
theatre could guarantee the best possible season.
In this opening show, professional actors will
showcase the greatest hits from Broadway—melodies that are guaranteed to have
audiences humming and tapping their toes to the most memorable moments in
musicals throughout the ages! With a variety of solos, duets, and ensemble
pieces, the performance will showcase selections from classic favorites like “Showboat,”
“Hair,” and “Phantom of the Opera,” along with new pieces from “Hamilton,”
“Waitress” and “Dear Evan Hansen.”
This original show is conceived by Tibbits
Artistic Director Peter Riopelle and written and compiled by director Charles Burr and musical director Matthew
Everingham. Burr and Everingham also collaborated last year to create “Sing
Happy,” “A Popped Potpourri,” and “When Radio Was King.”
While Burr has a long list of revues and
collaboration on his resume, the process for “The Best of Broadway” was his
first long distance creation. Burr explained, “It began in March with weekly
phone meetings to Matthew in New York to create a balanced show that flows
seamlessly in (mostly) chronological order. The difference in our ages [40
years] helps create a more comprehensive show. The songs we’ve chosen are great
for the performers we have as well as for honoring the best of Broadway.”
Tibbits Summer
Theatre will feature a core group of professional company members from across
the United States. “The Best of Broadway” will include veteran Tibbits actors Stephanie
Burdick, Liz Davis, Max Gonzalez, Brooke Jackson, and Michael Motkowski along
with newcomer Nile Birch. The production will be directed by Charles Burr with music direction and music arrangement by Matthew
Everingham. It will feature lighting design by Catie Bencowe, set design by Stephanie
Burdick and Peter Riopelle, costume design by Dusti Donbrock, and sound design
by Henry Sendek. Lexa Walker leads the technicians as technical director with
Rachel Marengere as stage manager, and Josh Rockwell, Scott Pauley, and Leon
Kriser rounding out the technical staff.
In August 2020, Tibbits Summer Theatre closed the final show of the most unique and challenging season in its history. Tibbits Summer Theatre will return to The Ponds of Coldwater for its 2021 season, which will kick off on June 16 with “The Best of Broadway,” a musical revue featuring well-known songs from “Showboat” to “Phantom” to “Hamilton” and everything in between.
“The Best of Broadway,” along with the rest of
the 2021 TST Season, is presented through the generous sponsorship support of
Coldwater Board of Public Utilities, Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C.; Parrish
Excavating, Inc.; and Frederick Family Dental. Additional sponsors include
Coldwater Orthodontics & Aligner Center; Dr. Jon & Seibra Herbener; The
Bushouse Family; ASAMA Coldwater
Manufacturing; Coldwater Exchange Club; Matthew C. Christopher, DDS; Great
Lakes Chiropractic; Honor Credit Union; and Vested Risk Strategies. Additional
funding is provided by the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs
and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Tickets for “The Best of Broadway” are $28
(including fees) for all seats, with discounts available to Tibbits members.
Performances will run June 16, 18, 22, 24 and 25 at 7:30pm and June 17 and 23
at 2pm. Tickets are
available online at Tibbits.org, at the Tibbits admin office at 93 W. Chicago
St. in Coldwater 9 am to 5 pm weekdays or by calling 517-278-6029.
All summer theatre performances
will be held at the beautiful outdoor event pavilion nestled among 30 acres of
lush landscaping at The Ponds of Coldwater, just minutes from the historic Tibbits
Opera House in downtown Coldwater. Golf carts are provided to transport guests
who need assistance from the parking lot to the pavilion. Please note that
Tibbits will follow COVID guidelines at the time performances take place. This
may still include universal masking while entering and moving throughout the
venue as well as social distancing. For more information call or visit
Tibbits.org.
COLDWATER – With exuberant dance and memorable score, the poignant musical drama “West Side Story” comes to life July 25-27, 31 and August 1-3 on Tibbits’ stage.
The world’s greatest love story takes to the streets of New York City in this landmark Broadway musical considered one of the theatre’s finest accomplishments. Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” transforms into 1950s city life as two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time. With a live orchestra and a company of professional dancers, the poignant story resonates today. Song classics include “Maria,” “America,” “Tonight,” “I Feel Pretty,” and “Somewhere.”
The show is based on the conception of Jerome Robbins, book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Originally produced on broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince by arrangement with Roger L. Stevens. “West Side Story” is directed and choreographed by Kevin Halpin with music direction by Cheryl VanDuzen. The cast is comprised of Daniela Delahuerta as Anita, Les Gibbs as Riff, Max Gonzalez as Bernardo, Julia Salatti as Maria, and Rhys Scheibe as Tony. The design staff features David Goldstein as set designer, Laura Holt as costume designer, Aaron Bell as tech director, Catie Blencowe as light designer, props by Cheyenne Glassburn, Joel Pape as sound designer and Nick Alteri as stage manager.
Long-time sponsor, Coldwater Board of Public Utilities (CBPU) is sponsoring “West Side Story.” Strong local support and engagement from members of the community has been the cornerstone of success for both CBPU and Tibbits.
CBPU Board Vice President Chris Stevens said, “We are proud to support the Tibbits Opera House Summer Theatre program, celebrating arts, music, and a culture that makes Coldwater unique. It seems only fitting that a landmark musical like West Side Story is being performed in a landmark theatre like Tibbits.”Since its origination in 1891, the CBPU continues to provide safe, reliable, competitive, and efficient utility products and services to Coldwater residents including, electric, water & wastewater, garbage, Skitter TV, high speed internet, and digital phones services.
Tickets for “West Side Story” range from $15-36 including fees. Discounts are available for members, groups and students. Performances run July 25, 26, 27 and August 1, 2, 3 at 7:30pm as well as 2pm matinees on July 25 and 31.
To add to the Tibbits experience, Tibbits’ Ghost Light Bar in the theatre’s elevator lobby is open before the show and at intermission. After the July 27 performance, the public is invited to join the cast and crew for a talkback to discuss the show and ask questions. After the August 2 performance, the public is invited to the lower level art gallery to grab a drink and mingle in an informal setting during “Cocktails with the Cast and Crew.”
Tickets are available online at Tibbits.org, through the Tibbits Box office at the theatre 9 am to 5 pm weekdays or by calling 517-278-6029. All performances are held at the beautiful historic Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett Street, in Coldwater. For more information, call or visit Tibbits.org. To learn more about the cast members, go to Tibbits.org/blog.
West Side Story,” a Tibbits Summer Theatre production, will be on stage at Tibbits Opera House July 25- August 3. The show features professional actors Rhys Scheibe as Tony and Julia Salatti as Maria.
