COLDWATER – As the musical “Grease” wraps up its final performances, Tibbits Summer Theatre extends its appreciation to Frederick Family Dental for its sponsorship of the show as well as its overall support of the theatre.
Dr. Evan Frederick began sponsoring Summer Theatre shows in 2019 and has also sponsored the Theatre Workshop for the past four years. Past support has also included Tibbits Annual Auction and the golf tournament.
Frederick Family Dental provides quality dentistry for the whole family in a comfortable, friendly environment. The staff prides itself on treating patients like family providing the best possible treatment options. They offer preventative dental care, cosmetic dentistry, same-day crowns, fillings, dentures, and even dental emergencies. Locally owned and operated, they take the time to keep their patients informed, assist with insurance and billing and provide a comfortable supportive atmosphere.
Dr. Evan Frederick and his wife Kate are Coldwater natives and Evan enjoys being able to serve the community he calls home. In their fifth year as a Tibbits sponsor, Dr. Frederick and his staff are excited to give to such a cultural cornerstone in the Coldwater community. Dr. Frederick says, “Tibbits was a part of my formative years. I took part in plays like ‘The Music Man’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’, and volunteered as a stage hand for our high school productions. I am excited to now be able to start to give back all that Tibbits has given me.”
Final performances of “Grease” are tonight and tomorrow night. Tickets are available online at Tibbits.org. Frederick Family Dental is located at 323 W. Chicago St, Coldwater, MI 49036, (517) 278-6077, For more information visit www.frederickfamilydental.mi.com.
COLDWATER – Rock and roll with the hit musical “Grease” as Tibbits Summer Theatre returns to the 1950s July 13 through July 22 at Tibbits Opera House in Coldwater.
Tibbits Summer Theatre will present the hit musical “Grease” July 13 through July 22 at Tibbits Opera House in Coldwater. The professional cast includes Cade Ostermeyer as Danny and Kate Turner as Sandy. Tickets are available at Tibbits.org.
“Grease” celebrates Rydell High’s class of 1959 in all its duck-tailed, bobby-soxed, gum-snapping glory. Full of energy, charm and fun, this musical follows the romance between “greaser” Danny and the sweet new girl in town, Sandy. “Shooby do wap” along with this iconic soundtrack of a generation. With a rollicking, rock ‘n’ roll book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, the show features many recognizable hits like “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin'” and “We Go Together.” Additionally, several songs from the iconic movie including “You’re The One That I Want,” “Sandy,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” and “Grease” will be included with special arrangement by Robert Stigwood.
“Grease” director Chad Tallon says, “When it comes to American musicals none is as historically well-known and incredibly fun as ‘Grease.’ I’m ecstatic to have this amazing young company bring this classic to the Tibbits stage. The nostalgia will be strong and the energy even stronger as our production brings audiences an evening they won’t soon forget.”
“Grease” is choreographed by Dennis Dizon with musical direction by Sarah Altenburg. The professional cast includes Kate Turner as Sandy, Cade Ostermeyer as Danny, Johnny Doty as Doody, Ethan Petersen as Sonny, Gianna Branca as Rizzo, Dominic Green as Kenickie, Aidan Eddy as Roger, Annie Ross as Frenchy, Rachel Schoenecker as Marty, Cheyanne Marie as Jan, Ken Delaney as Vince Fontaine, Brenda Sparks as Miss Lynch, Rachel Sarles as Cha-Cha, Megan Stier as Patty Simcox, Dennis Dizon as Eugene, Isaac Kumpula as Johnny Casino, Neil Devlin as Teen Angel. The ensemble includes Dennis Dizon, Neil Devlin, Tucker Gold, Olivia Goodman, Carlie Jones, Rachel Sarles, Megan Stier, and Ephraim Takyi.
The design staff features Lexa Walker as scenic designer, Ashlynn Swauger as costume designer, and 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.
“Grease” is generously sponsored by Dr. Evan Frederick, who first began sponsoring Summer Theatre shows in 2019. Frederick Family Dental has also sponsored the Theatre Workshop for the past four years as well as supported the Tibbits Annual Auction and the golf tournament. Frederick Family Dental provides quality dentistry for the whole family in a comfortable, friendly environment. They offer preventative dental care, cosmetic dentistry, same-day crowns, fillings, dentures, and even take dental emergencies.
Tibbits also receives grant funding from the Michigan Arts & Culture Council as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.
Tickets for “Grease” range from $20-43 including fees. Discounts are available for Tibbits members, groups and students. Performances run July 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22 at 7:30pm with 2pm matinees on July 13 and 19. 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 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 “Grease,” the mainstage fun continues with Ken Ludwig’s “Lend Me a Tenor.” Popcorn Theatre for families presents “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and Disney’s animated film “Encanto” 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 – From nuns to mermaids, greasers to opera singers, the 60th consecutive season of Tibbits Summer Theatre will be sure to please audiences with a mainstage season featuring three energetic musicals and a play, along with the popular Popcorn Theatre.
Professional actors Cheyanne Marie, Brenda Sparks, and Kiersten Vorheis entertained Tibbits audiences in a performance of “Nunsense”last summer. Gift certificates for the 2023 Tibbits Summer Theatre are currently on sale. Tibbits’ 60th consecutive summer theatre season features three musicals: the hilarious singing nuns are back with “Nunsense II,” then a musical adventure under the sea with Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” and finally, the 50s rock ‘n’ roll hit musical “Grease.” The main shows close with Ken Ludwig’s “Lend Me a Tenor,” a hilarious farce of backstage mischief and mistaken identities!
Tibbits 2023 Summer Theatre Season begins with three musicals: The hilarious singing nuns are back with “Nunsense II,” then a musical adventure under the sea with Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” and finally, the 50s rock ‘n’ roll hit musical “Grease.” The main shows close with Ken Ludwig’s “Lend Me a Tenor,” a hilarious farce of backstage mischief and mistaken identities! The summer theatre lineup offers eight performances of each show, featuring a variety of matinee and evening performances Wednesdays through Saturdays. Tibbits Popcorn Theatre returns with four kid-friendly shows most Friday and Saturday mornings beginning June 9.
“Nunsense II” opens the mainstage season and runs June 15-24. Featuring book, music and lyrics by Dan Goggin, the Little Sisters of Hoboken return…funnier, zanier and more lovable than ever! 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 zany 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!
Next, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and book by Doug Wright, the beloved Disney version of “The Little Mermaid” swims across stage with messages of kindness, tolerance and love at performances on June 29 – July 8. In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Based on a beloved Hans Christian Andersen story, Ariel, King Triton’s youngest daughter, pursues the human Prince Eric. Bargaining with the evil sea witch, Ursula, she trades her tail for legs with unexpected consequences. It takes Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull and Sebastian the crab to help Arial restore order under the sea. This fishy fable will capture audience’s hearts with irresistible songs like “Under the Sea,” “Kiss the Girl” and “Part of Your World.” No Popcorn Theatre performances will take place during the run of “The Little Mermaid.” There will instead be several 11am performances of this mainstage production.
The final musical of the season, “Grease,” will continue the fun on stage July 13-22. This show, rated PG-13, features a rollicking, rock ‘n’ roll score with book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. With many recognizable hits like “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin'” and “We Go Together,” “Grease” celebrates Rydell High’s class of 1959 in all its duck-tailed, bobby-soxed, gum-snapping glory. Full of sheer energy, charm and fun, this musical follows the romance between “greaser” Danny and the sweet new girl in town, Sandy. Audiences will definitely want to “shooby do wap” along with this iconic soundtrack of a generation.
The main season closes with farce and Ken Ludwig’s “Lend Me a Tenor,” which has performances July 27-August 5. This madcap, screwball comedy is guaranteed to leave audiences teary-eyed with laughter. Set in 1934, Henry Saunders, the General Manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is ready to welcome world-famous singer Tito Merelli for his starring role. Alas, Tito arrives late, his tempestuous wife Maria has a fit of jealousy, and it remains to be seen whether Saunders’ mousy but determined assistant Max can save the day.
Season tickets for the mainstage shows range from $126-$135 (including fees) and will be on sale mid-December. Evening summer performances begin at 7:30pm with matinees at 2pm with some special 11am performances for “The Little Mermaid.” Gift certificates are currently available at Tibbits.org for season tickets, individual shows, or in any denomination by calling 517.278.6029, visiting the administrative offices at 93 W. Chicago St., or going online to Tibbits.org. The historic Tibbits Opera House is located at 14 S. Hanchett St. in Coldwater, MI.
