Theater veterans share tales of first love

Here is the fourth round of a continuing series of local theater veterans sharing their stories about the shows and experiences that made them fall in love with live theater:

Liz Conrad,

Cortland

I had been doing school programs and singing solos in elementary school, but I didn't think people actually could do theater outside of school.

Then we went to see "Charlotte's Web" at Kent-Trumbull in third grade.

Being in that theater, the wonderful performances from everyone and the costumes -- Charlotte was on stage with eight legs and on a web -- and it was mind blowing. It opened my eyes to being able to do this outside of school. It was life changing.

Renee Johntony, Champion

My first experience with theater was when I was 8 years old and I saw a high school production of "Oklahoma!" I remember hoping that some day I could be in a show, but I didn't think I could actually perform because I was painfully shy.

When I was in junior high, we moved to Connecticut and sometimes we would travel to NYC to see professional theater. I actually saw Yul Brynner in "The King and I" and it literally took my breath away.

I decided that I would take a small step to get over my shyness and audition for a chorus part in our high school production of "Kiss Me Kate." That was it! I was hooked.

Fast forward through college and moving to Champion 30-plus years ago, and I've been performing, directing and enjoying live theater ever since.

There's just something about the energy, the relationships you build, the things you learn, the excitement and the joy of bringing written material to life, that live theater provides. It can't be replicated in any other way. I truly can't imagine my life without it.

Tony E. Kovacic, Southington

A friend in high school convinced me to audition for "Kismet" in my junior year. That was the beginning.

A trip later in the year to Kent State Trumbull Campus to see "Sweet Charity" was all it took to persuade me to attend Trumbull and pursue a career of some sort in live entertainment.

I acted in many productions and developed skills in construction at "The Branch" and found my calling to be in creating scenery. That was easy for me, and I enjoyed it. And somebody has to do it.

This led to a 50-year career in the live entertainments arts. It has been my very good fortune to work for four colleges and over a dozen professional venues. At each place I have made lifelong friends and have worked with some incredibly talented and gifted individuals.

I owe much of what I claim as my success to the supportive community of people I have been privileged to work with.

James Penn, Warren

When I was 9 or 10, the first "live" theatrical event I ever saw was Mary Martin in a televised performance of "Peter Pan." I was fascinated watching the show. I knew then that someday I would be on a stage somewhere. My school didn't have a theater program, and I had no idea that community theater even existed.

Fast forward to my early college years. I found myself auditioning for a part, any part, in "The Roar of the Greasepaint … the Smell of the Crowd." Not only did I get cast, but the part I played was originated by Cyril Richard, who I had seen as Captain Hook all those years ago.

Since then I have been able to work with many talented people on both the community and professional levels. All this has led to a lifelong devotion to live theater and a lifetime of great friends and great experiences.

Terry Shears,

Boardman

I suppose what perked my interest was being asked by (begged by?) a high school English teacher to play Mortimer in "Arsenic and Old Lace."

It was magical to me, the fact that I could say words that an audience would react to -- would laugh at, even. It planted the seed to get onto the stage.

Of course, that seed had to wait 25 years to grow, but I nurtured it, finally, and auditioned at the Youngstown Playhouse on a dare for "See How They Run." I got the part and that did it. Theater had its hooks in me.

Khaled Tabbara

Formerly of Youngstown and now living in Studio City, Calif. -- When I was 12, I was going through a hard time. I was getting in fights and was on house arrest, so my mom made me take a theater class at the Youngstown Playhouse to keep me out of trouble.

I ended up doing spotlight for "Jesus Christ Superstar" and my view of theater did a 180 in one night of tech rehearsal. It was so cool.

A loud rock band in the pit, moving songs, and amazing performers -- it was nothing like what I expected the theater to be. It genuinely changed my whole world.

I suddenly had an outlet to put my energy, had new creative theater friends and ended up doing 18 different shows in the next five years. … and that's how I was saved by "Jesus Christ Superstar."

To share your story about falling in love with the theater, email agray@trib today.com.

Theater veterans share tales of first love

Here is the second round of a continuing series of local theater veterans sharing their stories about the shows and experiences that made them fall in love with live theater:

Maureen Collins of Youngstown, co-founder of Easy Street Productions -- I am a child of the Valley. My grandmother brought me to Kenley Players every summer. Her seats were right by the ramp that led from the stage to seating. I remember Bert Parks (the Devil in "Damn Yankees") sang "Miss America" to her.

She became my agent, and I started singing for many parties and bands. I was probably 12 years old. I tried out for "The King and I" and was singled out by John Demain, a Mooney grad who served as musical director. I loved live performance then.

Todd Hancock, Youngstown, co-founder of Easy Street Productions -- In 1979 I went on a school field trip with the Boardman Band to be in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. As part of the trip, I was taken to see my first Broadway show. The show happened to be "Annie," and I was completely blown away.

Not by just the musical itself -- the role of Rooster Hannigan I particularly loved -- but by all of it. The incredible lighting, the scenery moving around by itself, the beautiful theater with its marquee lights … I was hooked.

Fast forward four years later, and I landed the role of Rooster alongside Maureen Collins as Mrs. Hannigan at the Youngstown Playhouse. Our big number in the show was "Easy Street," the name we chose for our company when we started producing musicals ourselves.

Joe Asente, Girard, artistic director of Millennial Theatre Company -- The show that made me fall in love with theater was "Annie" at Easy Street Productions in, I believe, 2003. My parents brought me to see the show and I absolutely fell in love with it. I could not believe that kids just like me were able to perform on that level.

Maureen Collins, with whom I studied voice at the time, then gave me a VHS copy of their show so I could watch it over and over again. I was then able to perform in their revival production of Annie in 2012, and it was a perfect full circle moment for me that I cherish to this day.

Savannah Florkowski, Girard, vice president and music director of Millennial Theatre Company -- There are many different reasons why I fell in love with theater. The first show that I saw was "Annie" at the Carousel Dinner Theater in Akron in 2004. I remember being amazed to see kids my age on stage singing and dancing. Plus, a live dog on stage, what kid wouldn't be impressed by that?

I was exposed to theater way before that though. Both my parents are musicians and we always had musicals on or playing while I was growing up in the house. I vividly remember watching "Joseph and Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," Brandi's "Cinderella" and "Sound of Music" all of the time.

It wasn't until I got to high school that I finally got to play musicals myself (piano in the pit), and the obsession just grew from there. As much as I love being on stage, music directing and being able to build characters is the part that I love, and I know that eventually will make another kid fall in love with theater. Plus, as a music director, I essentially get to be every part at some point in the rehearsal process.

Patience Miles of Warren, president of the Trumbull New Theatre board -- I was fortunate growing up that my sister liked theater, and we lived across the street from Jack Brizzi, who fueled her love for the arts. Because of this, I was exposed to theater basically from the time I could hear.

"Phantom" and "Les Mis" were the ones I heard the most. However, for me personally, when I heard "Rent" for the first time, I was hooked. It was so raw and real. Jonathan Larson wrote every line, every word, every melody himself. So much of his life is woven into the story. It's a masterpiece!

It was so inspiring to me that one person could do all that. Jonathan Larson single-handedly wrote a musical that revolutionized Broadway. That emotion and connection is what started my deep passion for the arts.

Jenna Cintavey, Youngstown -- The summer of my freshman year in college, my mom took me to New York City and surprised me with tickets to see "Hairspray" on Broadway. I sat squished in the tiny theater seat tapping my toe, laughing and even crying, because for the first time in my life, I finally felt like I belonged.

Growing up as a "plus-sized" girl, I never saw "big" characters like me portrayed positively in plays, movies or television until now. "Hairspray" made me fall in love with theater because it made me realize that onstage, everyone is celebrated, everyone has a story to tell, and everyone has a voice.

Even I have a voice. Theater is where I belong. Theatre is where EVERYONE belongs.

Christopher Fidram, Boardman -- My answer is not a "what" but a "who." My wonderfully talented sister, Diane, made me fall in love with theater. She surprised me with front row seats to Yul Brynner in "The King and I" at the Benedum. She let me sit in on all her "Pippin" rehearsals.

When I finally found the nerve to try acting, she made sure I had rides to and from rehearsals. Diane opened the door for me to experience live theater and find my place in it.

Lisa Bennett, Warren -- My love of theater started very early. My oldest brother was in college and volunteered to help as stage crew for a theater on campus. I was in and around the activities of the production a few times before I saw the show.

The energy and diversity of activities was fascinating -- people shouting across the stage, things going in and out of the rafters, giant canvas walls being painted, fabric bits everywhere. I had no idea what was going on or why. My young mind couldn't begin to put it together, but it was exciting.

When the production opened, my sister took me to see the show. Even though I had seen all the pieces-parts during my visits, I was not prepared for what they became. I watched wide-eyed as the familiar scenery moved in and out, the fabric bits were now fabulous clothing, and an actress flew in from the rafters! It was magical and I was thoroughly enchanted. I was 6 and I was hooked.

Two years later, we moved to a larger town with an active community theater. I found my place. I have been participating in theater ever since.

Ron Sinesio, Poland -- I have a few. The Mary Martin "Peter Pan" on TV. I adored her and always wanted to fly, so this was magical to a kid.

Seeing the touring company of "Camelot." This was my first taste of a live stage show. Those glorious sets and wonderful score captured me. I later got to play Mordred at TNT.

And the wonderful movie of "Carousel" was amazing. Only later when I directed the show did I realize how much they changed it for the movie. This is still one of my favorite musicals.

To share your story about falling in love with the theater, email Andy Gray at agray@tribtoday .com.

Theater veterans share tales of first love

For some, it was their first experience seeing professional theater, whether it was Kenley Players or Broadway.

For others it was a local production, one they saw from the audience or one in which they were cast.

Whatever the reason, many possess a passion for the theater, which is reflected in the number of theater groups that exist locally and the wide range of talent the area has produced over the years.

Ticket asked local actors, directors and tech crew members to talk about how they first fell in love with the theater, and we'll share those stories over the next several weeks. Maybe their stories will inspired others to get involved, once live theater returns to the Mahoning Valley, the state of Ohio and the country.

Kim Akins of Youngstown, artistic director of the Mahoning Valley Players -- The Mahoning Valley Players are staging "King Lear" this summer, God willing. I meet this production with trepidation.

My fear comes from the fact that "Lear" was the very first Shakespearean production I ever saw, and I saw it in Central Park with James Earl Jones as Lear. It's not just that Jones was a commanding embodiment of Lear, it was that he was surrounded by actors of color in all the roles -- Rosalind Cash, Raul Julia, Rene Auberjonois. I've been chasing that level of diversity in Shakespeare ever since.

And for a little black girl from a small town, it was my guiding star, to bring Shakespeare to my community with all the diversity we can muster.

Amanda Beagle, Howland -- One of the most impactful live performances I saw was during my junior year of high school. Howland High School Choir went to New York City that year and saw "Les Miserables." It was my first time seeing a Broadway show, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

I remember hanging back after all my classmates had returned to the bus to stand in awe of the magic of that space. It was an experience I'll never forget.

Brendan Byers of Boardman, director of Oakland Center for the Arts / Kids First Theatre Initiative -- While I appeared in other shows, the one that made me realize that I would do this for the rest of my life was "Hello Dolly" (1982) at the Youngstown Playhouse. Both of my lifelong mentors were involved. Sandy Vansuch was the director, and it starred Maureen Collins.

John Cox, president of the Youngstown Playhouse board -- I was 7 years old. We were living in Kentucky, and my dad was the milkman in "Come Back Little Sheba." I remember walking backstage, watching the actors rehearse, seeing the costumes, walking the catwalks … it was magical. I was captivated from that moment on.

We always had cast albums, but "A Chorus Line" was our favorite. Finally, at 10 years old, I saw a touring production of "A Chorus Line" at downtown at Powers (at the time). Watching, finally the movement and acting that was in between the songs I already knew, was mesmerizing. I've been bitten since.

Only took me till I was in medical school to start to do any theater. Haven't looked back.

Thomas Engstrom, Mecca -- When I encountered William Hanley's "Slow Dance on the Killing Ground," I was bowled over by the powerful script, the exquisite story telling and the complex characters. I was cast in the play by Jack Brizzi in 1966, the second fully staged play done by the fledgling theater program at Kent State Trumbull Campus, which was then known as the Warren Extension Center of KSU.

In bringing the character of Mr. Glas, a non-Jewish German shopkeeper in Brooklyn, to life I was forced at the age of 19 to confront my own identity as an American kid who was deeply connected with his German heritage.

The process of discovering a person as an actor and bringing them to life, of providing an environment with a designed setting and controlled lighting to aid the audience in living the story along with the characters and then telling a powerful and provocative story, some of it in this case my own story, bit me. I was hooked, totally hooked. I felt like I had found my voice.

Patricia Latham of Warren -- There is absolutely only one answer for me to this question: "West Side Story" at Kenley Players. It starred Anna Maria Alberghetti.

My best friend and I went to auditions to be extras in the gang scenes. We didn't get the parts, and looking back at our photos from that day, I can see why. We were teenagers, but we looked about 12.

We went to see the show, and to me, it was the best thing I'd ever seen. It was romantic, the music was beautiful, and the dancing was stunning. I left the Packard Music Hall that night thinking I HAD to be a part of that! I didn't care how -- backstage or on stage -- but somehow I was going to do that.

Melanie Lucas, Champion -- I was hooked on theatre with "Da… Da da da da daaaaa…" Those first powerful notes immersed the audience in the story of "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Pantages Theatre in Toronto and stole my 9-year-old heart.

I wore out my CD, dressed as the Phantom for Halloween and remember the smell of the souvenir program I pored over. I am still grateful for the friendship of my fourth-grade recess friends who allowed me to star in and direct them in the playground production of "Phantom."

Robert Spain, Warren -- Many years ago, I was having lunch at the Saratoga with my father, John Spain, and Ron Sinesio. Ron said he was directing "Othello" at Trumbull New Theatre and needed a lot of men. I auditioned and got the role of Cassio. The year was 1978. I was hooked on theater.

Brian Suchora, Poland -- Going to The Youngstown Playhouse on field trips in elementary school sparked the first ember. NBC's Must See TV on Thursday nights kept the fire going, mostly the comedic genius of Michael J. Fox on "Family Ties." Other sitcoms, dramas and shows like "Cheers," "Cosby," "LA Law," "ER," etc., helped me to escape the reality that was my life.

Theater took over in the late '90s with my first role outside of high school. (Clive in "See How They Run"). Making a couple hundred people laugh or cry at once to me is a feeling yet to be matched.

To share your story about falling in love with the theater, email Andy Gray at agray@tribtoday .com