Category: mtvarts

WNZR talks to Isabella Oster from the MTVarts production of Beauty and the Beast

MTVarts presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr. this weekend at the Knox Memorial Theater

WNZR was honored to chat with several cast members about their experience in this fantastic show.

Today, we shared a conversation with Isabella Oster who is playing the part of Madame de la Gande Bouche – the famous singing wardrobe.

Isabella talked about how she is preparing to play this character and she likes being a diva.

She shares her favorite songs from the show and encourages the community to come see this classic tale come alive on the Memorial Theater stage this weekend.

Click HERE to enjoy our conversation with Isabella.

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR Show Times:

Friday, February 28 • 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 1 • 2 PM
Saturday, March 1 • 7:30 PM
Sunday, March 2 • 2 PM

Tickets
$20 Main Floor • $15 Balcony

Click HERE to purchase tickets.

Presented by: Ariel Corporation

Event Sponsors: Knox County Foundation and Classroom Connections with Knox County Education Service Center YES

Venue: Knox Memorial Theater – 112 East High St, Mount Vernon OH 43050

Synopsis:

Beauty and the Beast JR. tells the story of Belle, an adventurous young girl, and the Beast, her hideous captor who is actually a young prince trapped under a spell. In order to break the spell, the Beast must learn to love another and earn her love in return – before time runs out.  With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, including a loving teapot, a charming candelabra, and a nervous mantel clock, Belle and the Beast find a beautiful friendship and love that neither knew was possible. Beauty and the Beast JR. features classic songs from the Academy Award®-winning film score such as “Be Our Guest” and “Belle,” as well as original songs from the 1994 Tony®-nominated Broadway musical.

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Experience Mount Vernon hosts their annual Investor & Awards Breakfast

On Friday, 1/31/25, Experience Mount Vernon handed out the 2024 Investor Awards.
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart and Eric Brown talked with the winners.
Click HERE to hear the conversations.

Congratulations to:
Janis Stone – Walter Rudin Award
Paragraphs Bookstore – Small Business of the Year
TD Landscape – Mid-Size Business of the Year
Park National Bank – Large Business of the Year
Mount Vernon Arts Consortium – Non-Profit of the Year
Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau – Community Pride Award
Emily Morrison – Spirit of Heritage Award

This prestigious Walter Rudin Award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and impact on the Downtown Mount Vernon community. Janis Stone’s unwavering commitment
to enhancing our city’s vibrancy through the performing arts and fostering a spirit of collaboration has made her a cornerstone of our community’s growth and success.

Janis Stone has played a transformative role in shaping our cultural landscape through her remarkable dedication to the arts and tireless efforts to enrich Downtown Mount Vernon. Her unwavering commitment to downtown Mount Vernon and various arts initiatives has made high-quality, accessible arts programming a cornerstone of our community. Janis’ leadership and vision have brought unforgettable performances to Mount Vernon’s heart and fostered a deeper connection to the arts for residents and visitors alike.

Janis Stone’s influence extends beyond her work with MTVarts. She has actively engaged with local businesses, collaborated with fellow arts organizations, and passionately contributed to Experience Mount Vernon events, all while advocating for the vibrancy of our downtown area. Through her leadership, countless individuals have been inspired to explore the arts, and Downtown Mount Vernon has become a cultural hub that draws people together through shared creative experiences.

In addition to the Walter Rudin Award, Experience Mount Vernon awarded six additional business and community awards at its Annual Investor & Awards Breakfast on January 31st:
● Small Business of the Year: Paragraphs Bookstore, for its outstanding service to the community and dedication to fostering connections in Downtown Mount Vernon.
● Mid-Size Business of the Year: TD Landscape, for its exemplary work in enhancing vibrancy in Downtown Mount Vernon.
● Large Business of the Year: Park National Bank, for its long-standing commitment to outstanding leadership, community involvement, and a commitment to fostering local partnerships.
● Non-Profit of the Year: Mount Vernon Arts Consortium, for enriching the cultural fabric of our city through innovative programming and tireless advocacy for the arts.
● Community Pride Award: Knox County Convention & Visitors Bureau, for unwavering commitment to enhancing the beauty and pride of Mount Vernon and for promoting Mount Vernon as a top destination in Ohio.
● Spirit of Heritage Award: Emily Morrison, for her selfless volunteerism and a deep passion for capturing our community’s spirit through her photography.

Experience Mount Vernon extends heartfelt thanks to the sponsors who made these awards possible: The Mount Vernon Grand Hotel for the Small Business of the Year Award; Dumbaugh Insurance for the Mid-Size Business of the Year Award; Flappers Bar & Grille for the Large Business of the Year Award; Kidwell & Cunningham for the Non-Profit of the Year Award; Griffin Insurance for the Community Pride Award; CES Credit Union for the Spirit of Heritage Award; and Park National Bank for the Walter Rudin Award. Their generosity and dedication to supporting our community’s leaders and businesses help make this recognition possible.

“Each of these award winners exemplifies the best of what Mount Vernon has to offer,” said Lacey Filkins, Executive Director of Experience Mount Vernon. “Their collective efforts contribute to the ongoing transformation of our community into a thriving and inspiring place to live, work, and visit.”

Experience Mount Vernon is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing the vibrancy of Downtown Mount Vernon through events, programs, and partnerships that celebrate its unique charm and foster community pride.

For more information about Experience Mount Vernon, visit experiencemv.org.

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The Morning Thing Friday Favorites – we love Disney musicals!

All this week on the show, we have shined the spotlight on the MTVarts Production of The Little Mermaid Jr.
In honor of opening night (tonight), our Friday Favorites took on a musical theme..
This week for our Friday Favorites, The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite Disney Animated Movies.
Click HERE to hear from Alyssa, Xander, Shawn and Marcy.

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Congratulations to the Mount Vernon Volunteers of the Year

At August First Friday, Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr announced the Volunteers of the Year: Janis Stone and Kevin Mishey.

Janis has been involved with theater in our community for several decades. She is a founding member of MTVarts. She has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund the performing arts in Mount Vernon. She has helped to develop many theater options for our community including dinner theater, Broadway musicals, the Classic Series based on American Literature, Arts IQ and youth performances.

Kevin Mishey has been an advisory board member with the Salvation army for over 25 years. He is Chair of the their Maintenance Committee and serves on the Capital Campaign Committee and the Christmas Kettle Committee. He is also an integral part of music here in Mount Vernon – teaching guitar lessons, leading a music program at Danbury Senior Living and providing special music at Faith Lutheran Church. He is a regular performer at Praisestock and other festivals. He is also a member of the Front Porch Concert Committee.

Click HERE to hear our conversation.

Congratulations to these two amazing volunteers!

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MTVarts presents HONK Jr. – A Heartwarming Celebration of What Makes Us Special

MTVarts presents HONK Jr. this weekend at the Knox Memorial Theater.
WNZR was honored to chat with several cast members about their experience in this fantastic show.
The actors talked about their characters and how they prepared to play these roles. They talked about their favorite songs and shared memories. The actors also shared encouragement for other kids with an interest in theater.

Enjoy our conversations with:
Kale Oswalt – Ugly
Briggs Swallow – Drake, Ugly Duckling’s Father
Kamryn Van Valkenburg – Ida, Ugly Duckling’s Mother
Will Pletcher – Greylag, Goose General
Mollie Jurkowitz – Downy, Sibling of Ugly

Click HERE to hear the conversations.

Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling.”

Directed by: Serra Barrett

Music Director: Laura Ackert

Choreographer: Anthony Ingham

Synopsis:

This delightful adaptation of the beloved fable and the award-winning musical is a heartwarming celebration of what makes us special.

Ugly looks quite a bit different from his darling duckling brothers and sisters. The other animals on the farm are quick to notice and point this out, despite his mother’s protective flapping. Feeling rather foul about himself, the little fowl finds himself on an adventure of self-discovery, all the while unknowingly outwitting a very hungry Cat. Along the way, Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and finds out that being different is not a bad thing to be.


Performances:

7:30pm Friday March 15

2:00pm Saturday March 16

7:30pm Saturday March 16

2:00pm Sunday March 17

Click HERE to buy tickets.

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MTVarts receives the Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award from Experience Mount Vernon

Jessica Ryals, Development for Education and Bruce Jacklin, Artistic Director with MTVarts share their thoughts about winning the award for Non-Profit Organization of the Year. They highlight upcoming events for the spring and summer.
They talk about being part of First Fridays and Community Corner.
New website is coming soon –  mtvarts.com
Click HERE to hear Marcy Rinehart’s conversation with Jessica and Bruce.

Stay connected with MTVarts:
Website – www.mtvarts.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MTVarts

Stay connected with Experience Mount Vernon!
Website – experiencemv.org
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceMountVernon
Phone – 740-393-1481
Email – director@experiencemv.org

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MTVarts presents Our Town this weekend at the Knox Memorial Theater

WNZR was honored to chat with several cast members about their experience in this fantastic show.

The actors talked about their characters and how they prepared to play these roles. They shared their history with the stage and how they got involved with theater.

The actors shared their favorite lines from the show. They also share why the community should come to see this class tale come alive on the Memorial Theater stage this weekend.

Click HERE to enjoy our conversations with:

Jeff Scott – Mr. Webb

Mackenzie Leland – Emily Webb

Christopher Hartman – George Gibbs

Thor Collard – Dr. Gibbs

Stephanie Scott – Mrs. Webb

Jacqueline Sanders-Allen – Mrs. Soames

Our Town Show Times:
Friday, May 5, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 6, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 7, 2 p.m.
Daytime School Performance – Friday, May 5, 8:30 a.m.

Tickets
$20 Main floor
$15 Balcony
$3 discount for Students K-12

Buy the 2023 Season and save $5 on every Our Town ticket.

Click HERE to purchase tickets.

Director – Bruce Jacklin

Described by Edward Albee as “the greatest American play ever written,” Our Town presents the small town of Grover’s Corners in three acts: “Daily Life,” “Love and Marriage” and “Death and Eternity.” Narrated by a stage manager and performed with minimal props and sets, the play depicts the simple daily lives of the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry, and eventually – in one of the most famous scenes in American theatre – die. Thornton Wilder’s final word on how he wanted his play performed is an invaluable addition to the American stage and to the libraries of theatre lovers internationally.

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MTVarts presents Seussical JR. 3/10 – 3/12 at the Knox Memorial Theater.

WNZR was honored to chat with several cast members about their experience in this fantastic show.
The actors talked about their characters and how they prepared to play these roles. They talked about the amazing process of costumes and makeup and the transformation that happens with each of their characters. They also shared their favorite songs and memories.

Click HERE to enjoy our conversations with:

Kale Oswalt – Horton the Elephant

Isabella Oster – Gertrude McFuzz

Evelynn Brandenburg – Mayzie Le Bird

Zach Cramer – Wickersham Brother

Izzy Cook – Bird Girl

Serra Barrett – Director

Click HERE to buy tickets.

Click HERE to see the full cast list. What an amazing group of talented young performers!

PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIME:

  • Friday, March 10, 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 11, 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 11, 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 12, 2 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION:

$20 Main floor

$15 Balcony

$3 discount for children 10 and under

Buy the 2023 Season and save $2 on every Seussical Jr ticket.

All patrons including small children must have an assigned seat.

For more details about the show, Click HERE

Seussical JR. Synopsis

“Oh, the thinks you can think” when Dr. Seuss’ best-loved characters collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper! Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in Seussical JR., a fantastical musical extravaganza.

Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that’s been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant!

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The Morning Thing takes you to the swamp with MTVarts and the cast of Shrek Jr.

MTVarts presents Shrek Jr. 9/23 – 9/25 at the Knox Memorial Theater.

WNZR was honored to chat with several cast members about their experience in this fantastic show.
The actors talked about their characters and how they prepared to play these roles. They talked about the amazing process of costumes and makeup and the transformation that happens with each of their characters. They also shared their favorite songs and memories.

Click HERE to enjoy our conversations with:
Jackson Barrett – Shrek
Logan Montgomery – Donkey
Minda Bates – Princess Fiona
McKinley Figurski – Mama Ogre and Princess Fiona Ogre
Kate Marhefka – Teen Fiona
Maggie Richardson – Dragon Puppet
Kiarah Smith – Dragon
Kate Gottke – Young Fiona

Click HERE to buy tickets.

Click HERE to see the full cast list. What an amazing group of talented young performers!

PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIME:

  • Friday September 23 @ 7:30 pm
  • Saturday September 24 @ 2:00pm
  • Saturday September 24 @ 7:30 pm
  • Sunday September 25 @ 2:00 pm

TICKET INFORMATION:

$20 Main floor

$18 Balcony

$3 discount for children ages 3 – 10

For more details about the show, Click HERE

Shrek Jr Synopsis

Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek The Musical JR., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical. It’s a “big bright beautiful world” as everyone’s favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.
Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he’s handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn’t be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.

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Tonight is September First Friday! Get ready for some FUN!

WNZR is honored to partner with Experience Mount Vernon for some amazing community events.

Tonight is September First Friday – an amazing night of fun for everyone!

Experience Mount Vernon Downtown Manager, Anthony McNeal talked with The Morning Thing about this wonderful event and how your visit to downtown greatly impacts our city!

Click HERE to hear the conversation.

Anthony shared:

  • Thoughts about August First Friday
  • The theme for September First Friday – Back to School Night
  • Highlights of a full schedule of activities including: MTVarts performances including flash mobs, Johnny Appleseed Apple Challenge, Cruise-In, Jersey (a Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band), The Activity Zone, Touch a Truck, and more!
  • Food options at September First Friday
  • Parking options, including where handicap parking is located. He shares about the bike valet option if people choose to bike to downtown.
  • Anthony thanks the sponsors for September First Friday.
  • Preview of the next upcoming events for Experience Mount Vernon including the Johnny Appleseed Apple Festival which will take place on October 7. He also shares some dates for holiday events: Saturday, November 26 will be the lighting ceremony 5:30pm – 6pm, then pictures with Santa at the MV Grand Hotel. Sunday, 11/27 at 2pm they will host the holiday season parade. The Festival of Lights date will be announced soon.

Stay connected with Experience Mount Vernon online at https://www.experiencemv.org/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ExperienceMountVernon

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