That’s Showbiz!

This fall the theater department will razzle-dazzle the Kingswood Oxford community with an extraordinary line-up. Director of Theater Kyle Reynolds announced all the activities on tap for the upcoming season at a recent assembly.

The fall play, Melancholy Play, written by our Baird English Symposium author Sarah Ruhl, centers around the main character, Tilly’s melancholy and emotions which drive the story’s development and her exchanges with the other characters. Another significant motif is love that causes both pain or joy for the characters and who use it as a means to free themselves from their day-to-day drudgery. Dates for the play in the Black Box Theater will be on November 14 and 15 at 7:00 p.m.

Since the fall play requires only a limited number of actors, and there is extraordinary interest in the theater program and a deep bench of talent, Reynolds wanted to offer more opportunities for the students to “stretch” their skills.   Reynolds announced a new program to KO, “Choreographer Showcase” in which choreographers and professional dancers from around the country are slated to visit the school and work with the students in various dance forms. The following choreographers will head to the KO campus: NBA dancer Rosie Karabetsos, ballet performer Avery Cassassanta, modern/contemporary choreographer from Los Angeles Nick Rollo, hip hop dancer Geo Mantilla and a Broadway actress with a long list of credits, including 42nd Street, Mary Cadorette. You might also recognize Mary Cadorette from Three’s a Crowd, where she was John Ritter’s co-star. Choreographer Showcase will be presented to the public on November 22nd at 7:00 p.m. in the Roberts Theater. 

In addition to the fall excitement, the yet-to-be-determined Winter Musical dates are set for February 28 and 29. Coming off the heels of a fantastic experience learning with Broadway veterans last year, three new Broadway stars will teach three master classes throughout the year. Middle School students can join in the fun, and they will learn the art of physical comedy in December. A group of Wyverns will visit Broadway in June on a field trip.

Reynolds said, “Along with the wonderful support of the Goodman Banks Foundation, I am so excited to continue to raise the bar of the KO Theater Department this year with our 2019-2020 season. Last year, we became an award-winning program with our production of Chicago. This year, in an effort to continue our award-winning status, our students will be singing, dancing and acting more than ever. Our “Broadway at KO” masterclass series offers tremendous opportunities for skill development. The “Choreographer Showcase” will level up our students’ physicality and overall dance technique. The fall play will introduce comedy to balance out last year’s riveting drama, Rabbit Hole. Finally, my “Broadway Triple Threat” class will continue to grow the voices of our students in both a contemporary and classical manner. Overall, I truly believe that Kingswood Oxford’s theater program will continue to find great success.”