The Cotton Club revisits the famous nightclub in New York City during the time of prohibition. This original musical presents a cast of colorful characters based on the famous – and sometimes infamous – as the story unfolds through an afternoon, evening and night of the people who work, perform and play in the most famous scene of the Jazz Age. This entertaining show for all ages uses both original songs and classic jazz tunes of Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway, Billie Hoilday and others as intrigue unfolds on and off the stage while flappers dance and the band plays on.

MEAT FOR THE MAW OF THE DAILY PRESS

SIMPLY PUT – THEY SCHMOOZE WITH THE BEST

THE FRONT PAGE AIN’T THE PLACE TO GO

FOR WHAT READERS WANT TO KNOW

AND PAPERS FIND ESSENTIAL

BECAUSE THEY’RE CONFIDENTIAL

HUSH-HUSH

OFF THE RECORD NEWS ABOUT

BIG SHOTS, BIG SHOTS, BIG SHOTS

Director and Author – John Fleming

Musical Director – Neal Kirkwood

Choreography – Jill Becker, Valerie Claggert and John Fleming

Costume Design-Ayn Wood and Karen Russell

A fantastical travelogue about the practicality of the imagination and the power of dreams that follows the adventures of a young girl named Darya who lives with her father, Babak, an inventor. Babak is never at a loss for ideas to solve even the most difficult problems using his logic and ingenuity. One day all this changes and he suddenly finds he cannot think of a single invention. His ideas are all dried up. Darya, who is not at all logical like her father, consults with her imaginary (but not so imaginary) friends who tell her she must take her father on a journey to the source of all Ideas: the Ocean of Notions. On the way, however,  their journey will first take  them through the Lakes of Mistakes.

Ideas are like water they flow

They follow their own logic

They seek their own level

They make things grow

Ideas are like water they flow

Author                          Louise Smith

Director                        Lenard Petit

Choreographer                        Jill Becker

Associate Director            John Fleming

Music by                        Gary Arnold

Costumes                         Ayn Wood

Stage Manager            Brenda Sheehan

We puzzle over the meaning of a painting

or a book.

When what we’re wanting to see

and understand

In this world, we are that.

Crew

Director – John Fleming
Composer and Musical Director – Neal Kirkwood
Puppets – D. Tristan Cupp
Costumer and Art Director – Pierre Nagley
Dance Choreographer – Tricia Gelmini
Song Lyrics – John Fleming
Musicians – Neal Kirkwood, Harry Mann, Skip Leeds, Mike Kremer, Claire Heister, Joshua Seitz, Shane Smith

YSKP’s Holiday Production–The New Bremen Town Musicians (December 17-19, 2009)

YSKP premiered what it hopes to be an annual holiday show – The New Bremen Town Musicians. Based on the Grimm Brothers fairy tale, the production also features, for the first time in company history, a mix of adult, teen and youth actors.

In the story a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster, all past their prime years in life and usefulness on their respective farms, are discarded or mistreated by their masters. One by one they leave their homes and set out together. They decide to go to Bremen, known for its freedom, to live without owners and become musicians there.

On the way to Bremen, they see a lighted cottage; they look inside and see a group of robbers enjoying their ill-gotten gains. Standing on each other’s backs, they decide to perform for the men in hope of gaining food. When their ‘music’ has an unanticipated effect; the men at first run for their lives, not knowing what the strange sound is. Eventually, after some slapstick cajoling, the robbers abandon the cottage to the strange creatures, including a cluster of dancing mice, where the animals live happily for the rest of their days. At the end of the play the audience will be invited to join in a community waltz in celebration of youth, art and the holidays.

The New Bremen Town Musicians will had four performances: December 17, 18, 19 at 7:30pm and December 19 at 2:00pm.  All performances took place at the Glen Helen Building.

Thanks to the Morgan Family Foundation and the YS Community Foundation for helping to make this production possible!

See the Cast List.

See the Cast List.

Since 1995, YSKP has been producing plays in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Beginning in 1997, we have annually commissioned an original musical from regional and nationally known playwrights including Carlyle Brown, Peggy Pettitt, Tony Dallas, George Sand and Louise Smith. Click on the shows below to see pictures, artists, and description of the show.

“And after Bunnicula came to live with us, the vegetables started turning white. And isn’t it strange that they only turned white at night? And isn’t it strange that night is the only time Bunnicula is awake? And isn’t it strange that a rabbit could still get out of his cage on his own? And isn’t it strange…?”

Kids are now doing research into their character, getting into their bodies and into their voices…teaching the kids the very basics of what theater is.–YS News

“Call it a miracle – to me it’s a hell. What have I done? Haven’t you wanted to do something dangerous? I once had dreams to keep a heart beating. What have I done? There’d be far less terror on this mortal plane, if only I’d used a female brain!”

YSKP doesn’t treat you like a kid.  It’s pretty amazing when you give kids the responsibility, how they will rise to the occasion. – YS News

A charming lesson for youth 10 -12 in what makes each individual special is a gentle lesson in how to endure taunts and criticisms from even our toys.

“Now, Rabbit, as I hold you tight, you have to wish with all your might; wish with all the love you feel; wish that now you could be real.”

This is one of a series of educational modules YSKP is implementing in order to enhance their existing theater arts training and skill building for youth.–YS News