by Dustin Grovemiller, (former) Donor Relations Manager

For the last three years and nine months, I have had the pleasure of working for CAPA in support of its theatres, operations, and impact here in the central Ohio community. Today is my last day.

(And not to worry–I’m leaving for very positive reasons.)

During my time here, I have gotten to work with some incredibly amazing folks, co-workers and donors alike. The people behind the scenes at CAPA have been its hallmark from the very beginning, when a small group of arts supporters from the community worked together to save the Ohio Theatre from imminent destruction nearly 42 years ago. Though the faces have changed over time (mostly — one of CAPA’s founders is still on the board and is actively involved!), the quality of the people that support CAPA from both inside and out has never ceased to amaze me. Staff, board, volunteers, donors… it’s across the board.

Which brings me to the final thought of my time here–a giant round of thanks to all the donors that I’ve had the pleasure to meet at events, chat with on the phone, or with whom I’ve exchanged notes. Even on days that weren’t my best, getting to see the support for CAPA’s theatres, programs, and impact in our community always made a difference to me and has moved me to do good work. Even as I leave, I look forward to the opportunity to stay involved in the work here by donating and by joining the more than 500,000 people that see shows in our theatres each year.

Thanks, CAPA. I’m proud to have been a part of it.

by Joe Cortez, Web & Social Media Coordinator

One of the biggest Broadway shows I’ve been looking forward to all year is ROCK OF AGES, coming to the Palace Theatre December 7-12. Its a love story told to the greatest arena rock hits of the 80′s – NIGHT RANGER, STYX, PAT BENETAR, and so on. And in my personal opinion: anything that involves 80′s rock has to be pretty…well, rockin’!

Earlier this week, I had the chance to sit down with MiG AYESA, who plays hard rocker STACEE JAXX in the touring production. We talked about their life on the road as rock stars, the show itself, and what our resident rockstars plan on doing once they come to Columbus!

Joe: So with touring with the show, you guys really do travel like rock stars! What’s the craziest thing that’s happened on the tour so far?

MiG: Besides us being evacuated from the Colonial Theatre just seconds before starting our first show in Boston, crazy things happen on an hourly basis. However one of my fave moments come at the “Hot Mess” award ceremony, on the mornings of our travel days. Because not only is the holy trophy awarded, the stories that come with the nominations and the winning candidate blows my mind. (Names have been excluded to protect the innocent… and the guilty).

Joe: Subsequently, what has been the best part of touring with the show? What have you enjoyed most about being a part of this show?

MiG: The best thing about this tour is that it gets a fresh start every couple of weeks. We open to a new city, a new theatre, a new  environment… It keeps the show fresh and keeps us on our toes. How we adapt to the new places is a tough task but I am so proud of how our cast and crew rise to the challenge every time. I’m also still very much a tourist and although I’ve travelled a lot around the USA, I am really getting to spend quality time in places I have never been to or just passed through.

Joe: Do you have any time off while you are in Columbus? If so, what will you be looking forward to seeing while you are here?

MiG: We have a few days off during the day (no fully free days-to-nights!) and I hear the Fort Rapids Indoor Water park is a blast. Love a good water slide…

Joe: Talk to us about ROCK OF AGES. When people come to the show/concert, what are we going to see and feel?

MiG: They are going to see the loudest, most bad-assed awesome show they never thought they’d see. It may shock some people, it may move some people but it will rock everyone. Be expected to have the best time you’ve ever had at the theatre. It’s not a show, it’s an earthquake.

Joe: What is your favorite song in the show?

MiG: Wanted Dead or Alive. It sparkles…

The show start THIS TUESDAY, December 7th, at the Palace Theatre, and runs through Sunday, December 12. The show also features former American Idol Constantine Maroulis, reprising his critically acclaimed role on Broadway as Drew, and Broadway veteran Rebecca Faulkenberry as Sherrie. You can still get great tickets – just call 614-469-0939, visit the Ticket Office at the Ohio Theatre, or click here to get yours online from Ticketmaster. There are still plenty of ways to win your way into the opening night performance on Tuesday – just visit our Facebook Page to learn how!

By Joe Cortez, Web & Social Media Coordinator

With the national tour of CATS coming to the Palace Theatre this weekend (November 19-21), it wouldn’t be right if we didn’t take the time to stop and talk to our two homegrown talents that are among the cast of the show. Chaz Wolcott (who plays Mr. Mistoffelees) and Nathan Morgan (who plays several of the CATS throughout the weekend) both call Columbus their original home. Since then, they have both toured the world on different shows. CATS will be the first time that both Chaz and Nathan have come home to play their native stage. We talked to them about coming back home on the national tour of CATS, what they’re looking forward to, and the best parts about life on the road.

Columbus' Chaz Wolcott and Nathan Morgan from the national touring production of CATS

Q: It must be great being able to return to your hometown on the tour of CATS. What emotions come out when you are playing in Columbus?

Chaz: I’m so excited to perform in Columbus for the first time in over 10 years! It’s so bittersweet to be performing in the very theatre that I went to as a child to see the magic of Broadway tours.

Nathan: I’m very proud of Columbus, so first, I’m happy to share it with my cast!  How does it feel to come here to perform?  Like riding a roller coaster!  I am feeling a range of emotions from excitement to fear.  I don’t want to let people down…especially not the hometown audience!  I’m also excited to show my high school friends and teachers who I have become, both as a person, and as a performer.  In short, I can’t wait…but I’m very nervous!

Q: What has been the best part of touring with CATS? Are there any highlights that come to mind?

Chaz: One of the most inspirational things about this job is to see the children experience the magic that this show is capable of showing them. I love passing the “performing bug” on to the next generation!

Nathan: Well, I love every place I’ve been, but I would be telling a half truth if I didn’t single out Central and South America!  Last year we got to perform for six weeks in Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Panama!  I actually took a zip line tour of the rainforest canopy in Costa Rica!  I also was able to go snorkeling off of the Island of Tortuga!  It is amazing to get to see so much of the world (and get paid for it!)  I have two states left to see in the USA, and Hawaii is on the schedule for this year!  Now, if I could just find a tour going to Alaska…I think Columbus will also rank pretty high on the list of amazing visits!

Q: Now that you’re back in Columbus for the weekend, is there anything in particular you are looking forward to? Anywhere you plan on going between performances?

Chaz: I’m a huge Buckeye fan, so I can’t wait to be back around other Buckeyes! “Hang on Sloopy”!! And I must have a Terita’s Pizza!

Nathan: I get to spend time with friends and family!  I don’t often get to visit, and I can’t wait to spend as much time with them as I can!  I was also looking forward to Spinnaker’s, but I hear that is now gone.  So sad!  I guess I’ll have to get a Donato’s Pizza instead!  I wonder if they still have that Mariachi beef?  Ok, my mouth is watering!

Q: Tell us about the production. What can we expect when you take the stage for CATS at the Palace Theatre?

Chaz: I think this show has something for everybody. I always say if you don’t like one part, wait five minutes and something very different will grace the stage! There’s such a variety of music styles & dance styles, and the show is extremely family friendly. It inspired me to become a performer and I hope our tour continues to do that for audiences!

Nathan: Well, you can expect, certainly, an escape from reality for 2.5 hours! CATS is a great show for the whole family, and there’s something in it for everyone!  No matter who you are, or what you’ve been through in life, there is someone on that stage with whom you can relate!  I think that’s why this show has been so successful!  The more one sees it, the more they find themselves in the characters.  I’ll be playing Gus/Growltiger/Bustopher Jones for the Saturday matinee, and I personally plan on bringing three COMPLETELY different characters to life.  I hope the audience doesn’t even realize that just one person is performing the three roles!  Also, the entire cast is wonderful, and I am proud to share the stage with each of them!  Columbus is going to have a great time at CATS, and the cats are going to have a great time in Columbus!

We’re grateful that Chaz and Nathan both took the time to talk to us about their experience with CATS, and we’ll look forward to seeing them on stage! Great tickets are still available for this weekend’s performances of CATS – to buy tickets, call 614-469-0939, visit the CAPA Ticket Office at the Ohio Theatre, or click here to order from Ticketmaster!