April 2005
MGP production is one of Titanic proportions for directing couple
Courtesy of THE PRESS By Lori E. Switaj

You have to give Mighty Goliath Productions credit. They give a whole new meaning to "going all out" in this year's production, "Titanic: The Musical." Everything about this year's show is large: the set, the cast and the crew and even the name.

"There are 98 people on stage," director Bernie Hisey said. "There are over 150 volunteers in total." Hisey, in her second straight year as director, is partial to large productions including last year's "The Music Man." "The Music Man had over 100 people and we wanted to keep that idea going," she said. "Six years ago we did "Fiddler on the Roof" with 90 people with a smaller stage. The bigger the better; it fosters camaraderie.

Patrons shouldn't confuse "Titanic: The Musical," a Tony winning Broadway production that opened in 1997, with the movie Titanic. The show is produced by Kathy Snezek. "Unlike the characters in the movie who were fictional, the people in the musical were real," Hisey said. "They were on the ship's actual rolls."

The audience will have an opportunity to see what people in various sections in the ship were experiencing during the sinking. "There are no 'stars' in the show, instead there's about 40 different roles," Hisey said. "First you'll meet the crew and serving staff, then third and first class. You'll see different aspects of why they're on the ship. That's another reason we picked it, it gives lots of people an idea of what was going on throughout the ship."

MGP has established itself as one of Avon Lake's longest standing traditions. The all-volunteer musical theater company donates all profits to the Performing Arts Group at Avon Lake High School. Over 45 years, the group has donated more than $130,000 to the Avon Lake School District.

"Titanic" is the 24th production Hisey, who hails from Avon Lake's musical Ilg family, has been involved in. Over the years she's been involved in almost every aspect including acting, providing her with a well-rounded view of how the production should run. "I've been the music director, taken lead roles, was the choreographer and have been in the chorus. I started with MGP as a piano player in the pit. This marks the eighth production where I've directed drama."

She isn't the only Hisey directing. Her husband Ernest is Titanic's music director, another monumental task. "There's 100 singers and a 30-piece chamber," he said. "There's music playing all the time, even over dialog." Ernest had the challenge of orchestrating a musical that represents the diversity of emotions the night the Titanic sunk. "There's incredible heart wrenching drama," Ernest said. "When the ship is sinking, the music changes from melancholy to crashing sounds. It's not necessarily pretty, but dying isn't pretty. Everyone in the third class on that ship dies, some from the second class, but no one from first class died. It really affected the psyche of America and made people realize the differences in classes. "Then there's the romantic music with couples, which is different." Musically, Ernest said the MGP production is more complex than a Broadway show. "It's called a 'poperatta' for a 'popular operatta," Ernest said. "There's more singing, more drama."

Ernest has a long history with Avon Lake. Titanic marks his fifth production with MGP; the first three were in the 1960s. He went on to spend 16 years as Avon Lake High School's music director and went to become a professor at Cleveland State University, where current music director Bill Zurkey was a graduate student. Ernest sees the production as not just a school district benefit, but a long-standing community tradition. "It's neat seeing faces from the 1970s back this year," Ernest said. "And their kids and grandkids are now involved. You'd be shocked how many families are involved each year, and the families keep coming back. I am seeing faces from 40 years ago that I haven't seen who are now involved."

Ernest complimented his wife for creating a moving experience with limited resources, including a set designed by Lorain architect Gary Fisher that features a recreated stern that lifts 15 feet off the stage. "It's really a panoramic kind of experience," Ernest said. "Bernie has the ability to create a lot of dramatic movement and energy with a lot of people. It's hard to do that. She's created a dramatic synergy."

Titanic: The Musical, is set to open at the Daniel B. Ross Performing Arts Center at the Avon Lake High School April 8. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students/seniors. Tickets are good for any of the five performances and can be purchased at Hartsel's Automotive at 149 Lear Road during business hours. Tickets for the April 9 dinner theater are an additional $10. More information can be obtained by calling 930-2886 during business hours or MGP's 24-hour ticket info line at 246-7950.

March 2004
MGP's 'Music Man' celebrates 45 years of tradition
Courtesy of THE PRESS By Lori E. Switaj

Noting that this was the 45th season of Avon Lake's longest running production, the Mighty Goliath Productions theatre company wanted to do something big. And big it is. Meredith Willson's "The Music Man," opening March 26 in the Performing Arts Center at Avon Lake High School, will feature over 130 performers on stage.

"We wanted a big, big show," publicity chair and former director Sheila Hartsel said. "'Music Man' encompasses so many people." Pulling double-duty, Hartsel will play the role of Mrs. Paroo. MGP is a musical theatre company that contributes funds toward the performing arts programs of the Avon Lake City Schools. To date, they have donated over $100,000 in proceeds. The show was selected last spring, immediately following the production of the 2003 show, ''A Grand Night for Singing.''

MGP has become one of the area's most enduring traditions. More than 2,000 volunteers have assisted over the years. Although an Avon Lake mainstay, the show features actors and musicians from all over the Northeast Ohio area including Avon, Westlake, Lakewood, Medina, from all over, Lorain and North Ridgeville. The show calls for a barbershop quartet, and stepping up to the plate are professional singers Rhythm-n-Rhyme Barbershop Quartet. In addition to real-life barber Ron Granneman of North Ridgeville, are members Dr. Jim Kasten, Bill Fernkown and Al Downey. Vocal director Ernie Hisey was instrumental in securing the quartet, who are donating their time. His wife, Bernadette Hisey, is the show's director. Hartsel noted dedicated volunteer Randi Schmarch will be playing piano for the production. "She is at every practice and she's really terrific," Hartsel said. "She's done a lot of offsite programs-her fingers must be worn to the bone."

Kathy Snezak, "an original Avon Lake girl" is producing the show. Snezak, along with Hartsel co-produced last year's show, but is taking on solo responsibility this year. Christoper Barbaro is the show's orchestra leader Conductor and PRESS court reporter Doug Warnke is the technical director. Sandi Gerha is responsible for ticket sales and Joann Sarvas is handling costumes. When not on stage, the show's actors disperse to a variety of fields. "There are doctors, students, professionals...quite a mix," Hartsel said. "There are also about 30 children, some as young as preschool. There are also a lot of families involved." "It's become a great traditions for many people," Hartsel said. "Ken and Jeanne Sisson (ALHS Class of 1942) have never missed a production." The plot revolves around "Professor" Harold Hill (played by Mike Nickley, of Medina,) a con-man who in order to sell band instruments convinces the citizens of River City, Iowa that he can teach their children to play in a marching band. Hill doesn't count on falling in love with the town librarian, Marian Paroo (played by Kitty O'Shea, of Lakewood,)and instead of skipping town before the instruments arrive, he is convinced to stay.