THIS WEEK WITH MCP ...
ON STAGE NEXT ...
Don't miss the next show of our 2024 Season, Timeless.
Performances are April 12th, 13th, 18th, 19th, and 20th at 8:00 PM and April 14th at 2:00 PM in the Mason Community Playhouse.
Get your tickets HERE !
IN THE NEAR FUTURE ...
Performance Committee
April 17th
Virtual
Trivia Team of Theatre Nerds
April 18th, and 25th at 7pm
James' Third Base in Mason
Timeless Performances
April 18th, 19th, and 20th at 8pm
Playhouse
Coffee Corner
April 20th at 9am
Biggby Coffee in Pisgah
Membership Committee
April 22nd
Playhouse
PlayBook meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm at the Playhouse
The gatherings for the remainder of 2024 and beyond are:
April 24:
Show Boat by Edna Ferber
May 22:
Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener
June 26:
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
July 24:
Shane by Jack Schaefer
No August Gathering
September 25:
Working by Studs Terkel
October 23:
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
November/December (Date TBD):
Coney Island Christmas/A Coney Island of the Mind by Lawrence Ferlinghetti
January 22, 2025:
Of Mice & Men by John Steinbeck
Gift MCP with Items ...
If you are interested in making a donation to MCP, one of the ways you can do so is to purchase something from our Wish List or from the Needed Supplies List.
To access the Wish List,
click here to see the list of items and make a purchase.
To donate supplies.
click on this link
.
You can have the item shipped directly to the Playhouse. If your account does not automatically change the delivery site, please add a site to your account and have it delivered to 5529 Mason Rd, Mason, OH 45040. The Playhouse is being monitored daily and all deliveries are taken inside as soon as they are noticed.
No show is successful without the leadership of a skilled staff. Timeless, MCP’s second show of the 2024 Season is no exception. Last week you met four wonderful women who guide all the staff members on the journey. But they do not work in a vacuum. They are being joined by nine other members who have taken on coordinating responsibilities for the show.
Laureen Catlin is serving as the Technical Director for the show. Jim Watson was responsible for the Set Design. Mary Stan Fizer, along with Producer Gail Rudolph, completed the Set Decor. Steve Catlin is serving as the Lighting Designer, while Charlie Rader takes on Sound Design.
Serving the audience is Leslie DeVoe as the House Manager, Gaylene May Schumacher as the Box Office Manager, Mary Beth Benken-Riesenberg as the creator of the Lobby Display, and Susan Berger as the Program Editor.
And, the truth is, these nine individuals do not work in a vacuum and rely on the skills of many others to bring the show to the boards. Phil Catlin, Jim Cronin, Darren Lee, John Miller, Mike Pateras, Julie Poux, and Mike Turner constructed the set; Phil Catlin. Laureen Catlin, and Eric Grimm helped with Set Decor, and Karly Hasselfeld’s contribution to the decor was her wonderful scenic artistry.
Though Steve Catlin will execute his own lighting design, Tim Geering will be at the board for Sound Execution. The cast was responsible for their own costumes.
Leslie DeVoe’s team includes catering by Dread Chef Roberts (Linda Geering) who is bringing a special touch to the show’s Concessions, Mary Stan Fizer, who executed the House Decor with the help of Eric Grimm, as a consultant, and a team of ushers. Gaylene May Schumacher has the help of Box Office Personnel in Phil and Laureen Catlin, Ray Lebowski, and Ray Smith. The program, the lobby display, and publicity called upon Dan Rudolph for Photography. And, Julie Poux designed the logo, which was used for many different types of promotion, as well as the program cover.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. It takes one to put on a production, too! This is some village!
Timeless boasts a stellar cast and a distinctive cabaret style that will make for a fun and enjoyable show!
You do not want to miss the song stylings of David Abbott, David Bower, Darren Lee, Jennifer Lisa, Chris Murphy, Sonya Neff, Bianca Page, Sadie Petry, Monika Rudolph, and Mary Taylor or the nimble fingers of Sara Davis seated at a grand piano!
You don't want to miss songs by Ashman, Carnelia, Coleman, Flaherty, Gordon, Herman, Howard, Menken, Newley, Schwartz, Sondheim, Styne, and Lloyd Webber. Broadway tunes, pop classics, and Disney favorites are all represented.
And the Intermission desserts are to die for!
The show is only two weeks away and the cabaret style makes the seating somewhat less than the traditional rows. Be sure to secure your seat soon! Timeless tickets are on sale now! Just click here!
On April 3rd, the MCP Board held their monthly meeting at the Playhouse.
The minutes from last month and Treasurer Report were reviewed and approved.
Committee minutes were reviewed, and the following was discussed:
Building Committee
– A motion was made to pre-approve $500 towards the dedication of a bench in memory of Joel Lind. An additional $1000 was assigned toward the design/creation of a memorial garden and that others could donate to add to the garden. The motion was approved.
– Building is having a work weekend on April 27th and 28th, there will be a need for individuals who can lift/carry heavy loads. (More details will be in the newsletter soon.)
– It was motioned to approve the amended Facility Use Guidelines, there were a few corrections made and then the updated document was approved.
Finance Committee
– A meeting is on Wednesday to start working on a 3 year financial plan.
– Finance is investigating the possibility of offering some ATP shifts to other groups to lighten the demand on MCP members for the Cincy Open.
Liaison Committee
– Tickets were sold and flyers were distributed at the Mason Community Center.
– OCTA Award Nominations were reviewed and were agreed upon by the Board.
– The Board reviewed and decided on the show to take to excerpt, Above the Sand. The playwright and Director have agreed to excerpt, cast and crew have also been contacted. The board also reviewed and approved a budget to allow for technical improvements and other needs to bring the excerpt to the regional conference.
**Registration for the regional ACT signups are now online! **
Membership Committee
– The new season announcement/summer cookout will be on Sunday, June 2 @ 4pm.
Play Review Committee
– The Board reviewed the submitted plays and for the 2025 Season. A motion was made and the 2025 season was chosen.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in the Playhouse @ 7:30pm.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ...
SEND GOOD THOUGHTS ...
P
lease keep in thought and prayer Linda Masterson
and
Carol Wright.
If you know someone hurting, who could use good thoughts or prayers, please let the McPost Staff know and we will share it here.
MCP's 2025 Season Announcement and Summer Picnic will be held on June 2nd at 4pm at the Mason Community Playhouse.
Warren County's Oldest
Continuously Operating
Community Theatre...
Celebrating
51 Years
MCP had it's first Quarterly Birthday Celebration this past Thursday. Good food and a good time were had... and there was even a dancing robot! Membership is working on planning our next one for June/July, we hope you can join us in the summer.
If you have been around MCP for any time at all, you are most likely aware that proceeds from tickets do not cover all of the expenses of the troupe. That has become especially true since the acquisition of the building. If you would like to help MCP financially, one of the ways that you can do that is through the Patron Program. Patrons are listed on the web site and in each program. And, if you would rather not have your name published, you can make the gift and ask that it remain anonymous.
MCP offers the following patron levels:
Angels - $2,500+
Producers' Guild - $1000-$2,500
Directors' Circle - $500-$1000
Players' Club $100-$500
Patron $20-$100
You can become a patron by making a donation online, just click here! You can also make out a check to MCP and mail to Mason Players, P.O. Box 300, Mason, OH 45040 or hand it to Treasurer Susan Berger. Be sure to put "Patron Donation" on the memo line.
Don't Miss These MCP Members Appearing in Area Shows/Events:
MCP members Jay Fultz, Lara Gonzalez, and Julie Poux will appear with their parish choir in a "one night only" preview of the concert they will perform on their Italy tour. The event will be at 7:30pm on Friday, April 12th at St. Michael Parish in Sharonville.
MCP member Amy Sullivan will appear as the Giant in Lumos Players' Into the Woods. McKenzie Kugler is Assistant Director to Director Corey Nieman. Show dates are April 19th-27th.
Get tickets here!
Are you an MCP member who is participating in a show with another theatre group? Let us know the details by sending an e-mail to this address and we will publish the information here in the newsletter.
TICKETS ON SALE ...
Tickets for any of the remaining shows in 2024 are on sale now!
Click here to access MCP's ticket sales page.
MCP's 2024 Season:
Proof
February 29 - March 2
Timeless, A Musical Revue
April 12
- 20
God's Favorite
June 21
- 29
Schoolhouse Rock Live!
September 6 - 14
The Mousetrap
November 15 -23
Joel Lind, friend to many in the Community Theater companies in SW Ohio, died in January after a prolonged illness. A memorial for Joel, organized by Tim and Linda Geering, will be hosted at the Mason Community Playhouse on May 4th at 2:30pm.
This memorial is to allow his friends (theater and otherwise) and family to mingle and reminisce about Joel. Our plan is to have as many people who want to, to stand on stage and tell an anecdote about our friend.
There will be music, and participants will be encouraged to join in on songs to honor him.
After the stories, appetizers will be served, both Italian food (because he loved Italian food) and hot dogs with a variety of mustards (so Joel!)
Attire is casual but should include the craziest socks you own, and if you have one, a Hawaiian shirt
Let us know if you plan to attend, and if you want to tell a story. You can access the event here!
Please RSVP so that an appropriate amount of refreshments can be prepared. If you are not on Facebook, please e-mail your RSVP here, so that the hosts can have an accurate number.
If you have any photos of Joel to share, send them to Tim Geering via this e-mail, and they will be incorporated into the memorial presentation.
There is no charge for this event.
Expressing Gratitude...
Thank You ...
...
To Laureen Catlin, Calix Rudolph, and Gail Rudolph,
who sorted all of the jewelry in the inventory, so that it can be stored in some semblance of order.
... To Mary Stan Fizer, who has been finalizing the set decor this week.
... To Phil Catlin, prepped the areas that will hold all of the hats, purses, and jewelry.
... To Kim Toft, Sara Davis, and the cast of Timeless, for all of their work preparing for the show.
... To Mary Stan Fizer , for mowing at the Playhouse to make sure we look great for Timeless. And to Tim Geering for mentoring her on the new riding mower.
MCP belongs to three community theatre organizations:
The Ohio Community Theatre Association has many programs. One of its most popular centers around Regional Festivals. THe MCP Board of Directors at its recent April meeting chose to send an excerpt from last summer's Above the Sand, to represent MCP at this year's Southwest OCTA Regional, which is being held June 13-15. It has not yet been determined on which of the dates, Sand will be excerpted. There is a pick meeting scheduled for May 6th in which the order of exceprts will be determined. McPost will publish the date of the excerpt in the issue published on May 12th.
What does it mean to perform an excerpt at the Regional?
First rights must be secured, but that is not an issue for this exceprt, since the playwrihgt is our own Tom Davis, who has given permission. Tom and Director Lara Gonzalez have completed the second step of selecting a cutting from the show. A theatre has 45 minutes of time to place a set, perform the cutting, and strike the set.
There is a specified acting space that coincides with the size of the stage at State Conference. Even at Regionals, the theatre must place its set and act within the confines of those dimensions.
The performers must be those who appeared with the theatre in that production for their season. There is the ability to make substitutions in the case of scheduling conflicts, but only up to 25% of the cast may be substitutes.
Three responders, who are chosen for the Regional by OCTA, view every excerpt. They make comments immediately following each excerpt to the cast and crew in the presence of those attending the Festival. It is these responders who decide individual honors of merit, excellence, and outstanding work in performance, in tech, and in support, and who make the invitations on behalf of OCTA to bring excerpts to State Conference.
If you have never attended OCTA Regionals, you may want to mark your calendars now for that weekend and attend a day or two of the event. It is quite an experience to see the work of so many theatres here in the Southwest. It is also an opportunity to learn more about plays that you have never seen. Some members of MCP have submitted to direct a play that they became familiar with through excerpts.
This newsletter will be sent to you each Sunday evening. It is the hope of the leadership of MCP that this will be an easy communication for you to refer to throughout that week and that you will not have as many messages from the group in your inbox over the course of the week. You can always reach out to us at any time with suggestions.
513-398-7804
newsletter@masonplayers.org
www.masonplayers.org
The Mason Community Post is edited by Robert Terry with support from Assistant Editor Tess Catlin, Staff Writer Laureen Catlin, and IT Technician Phil Catlin.