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PHOTOS: INSIDE OPENING NIGHT OF WELCOME TO THE BIG DIPPER

The York Theatre Company is presenting the World Premiere of Welcome to the Big Dipper, a new musical comedy based on a true event (inspired by the play All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go, by Catherine Filloux). Performances run for a limited engagement through Sunday afternoon, December 29, 2024. Check out photos from opening night!

PHOTOS: WELCOME TO THE BIG DIPPER AT YORK THEATRE COMPANY

Check out production photos from the world premiere of Welcome to the Big Dipper at the York Theatre, running through December 29th, 2024.

YORK THEATRE COMPANY'S WELCOME TO THE BIG DIPPER TO HOST POST-PERFORMANCE DISCUSSIONS

The York Theatre Company will host a series of post-performance discussions for the World Premiere of Welcome to the Big Dipper.

FLORIDA REP ENDS THE SEASON WITH OLEANNA BY DAVID MAMET

Oleanna stars two New York-based actors returning to Florida Rep after appearances during Season 25. Ella Olesen, last seen in The Importance of Being Earnest plays 'Carol' and Michael Turner plays ‘John' after appearing as C.S. Lewis in Freud's Last Session.

Nanaimo News Bulletin

NANAIMO ACTOR APPEARS IN FLORIDA PLAY DEPICTING POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN PROFESSOR AND STUDENT

Ella Olesen, a Nanaimo-raised actor, will return to the Florida Repertory Theatre (one of America's top repertory theatres), to headline as 'Carol' in Oleanna, the two-person play written by Pulitzer-prize winner David Mamet. The production opens in April 2024.

Lehigh Acres Citizen

FLORIDA REP EXTENDS “THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST”

Florida Repertory Theatre’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde is now extended through March 11 in the ArtStage Studio Theatre. With the preview, opening weekend, and many matinee performances selling out in advance, the run extension will provide eight more opportunities for community members to experience the classic comedy.

MEET THE CAST OF WELCOME TO THE BIG DIPPER WORLD PREMIERE

The York Theatre Company will present the World Premiere of Welcome to the Big Dipper, a new musical comedy based on a true event (inspired by the play All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go, by Catherine Filloux). Click here to meet the cast of the show in new photos!

ROBERT CUCCIOLI & MORE TO STAR IN WELCOME TO THE BIG DIPPER

The York Theatre Company has revealed the cast and creative team for the World Premiere of Welcome to the Big Dipper, a new musical comedy based on a true event (inspired by the play All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go, by Catherine Filloux) with music & lyrics by Jimmy Roberts (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change), book by Catherine Filloux and John Daggett, with additional lyrics by Mr. Daggett. Directed by DeMone Seraphin, choreographed by Ashley Marinelli, with music direction by Beth Falcone, performances are set to begin Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 7:30PM for a limited engagement through Sunday afternoon, December 29, 2024 at The Theatre at St. Jean’s.

YORK THEATRE ANNOUNCES WELCOME TO THE BIG DIPPER CASTING

The cast will feature Maybe Burke (Love Letters to Nobody), Jennifer Byrne (Summer: The Donna Summer Musical), Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde), Christian Magby (Galileo), Jillian Louis (Twist of Fate), Mia Pinero (Sweeney Todd), DeMone Seraphin (Ragtime), Pablo Torres (The Jerusalem Syndrome), Debra M. Walton (Storyville), and Michael Yeshion (Imaginocean). Rounding out the company will be understudies Darius Harper (Kinky Boots), Ella Olesen (Fiddler on the Roof), Jayae Riley, Jr. (Trevor: The Musical), and Erik Schark (Rock of Ages). Casting is by Michael Cassara.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SEEING ‘THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST’ AT FLORIDA REP

“The Importance of Being Earnest” is well-guided by director Chris Clavelli, who keeps the action moving swiftly and wrings every last possible laugh out of the material. This is a cast that knows how to hit all the right notes and work well as a comedic ensemble. [...] Great lines are tossed about like confetti or delivered as asides to the audience. And this ensemble of actors are all superlative at comedic timing and delivery.

FLAMINGO AWARD: BEST ACTOR (TIE)

For their performances in the Importance of Being Earnest as Algernon and Jack, respectively, Jake Murphy and Max Roll win the Flamingo Award for Best Actor in Florida Weekly.

VIDEO: BACKSTAGE PASS: “THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST”

Actors Max Roll and Jake Murphy from the Florida Repertory Theatre's production of The Importance of Being Earnest are interviewed about the show on ABC7 News.

North Fort Myers Neighbor

A WITTY AND WILDLY FUNNY COMEDY – ‘THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST’ – UP NEXT AT FLORIDA REP

“Wilde’s comedy classic sparkles with dazzling wordplay and hilarious situations,” said producing artistic director Greg Longenhagen. [...] The Importance of Being Earnest stars ensemble member David Breitbarth (Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help) and returning guest artists Chase Brackett (And Then There Were None), Carol Halstead (Into the Breeches!), Jake Murphy (Hay Fever), Jan Neuberger (Into the Breeches!), and Seth Robert Patterson (And Then There Were None), with Talley Gale, Ella Olesen, and Max Roll making their Florida Rep debuts.

ELLA OLESEN – UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SMTD ALUMNI UPDATE

Ella is featured in the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance's Summer 2023 Alumni Updates posting, featured in MUSE Magazine and on the SMTD website.

Broad Street Review

PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA PRESENTS FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

"Fiddler is back with its first major performance in Philadelphia since theaters reopened. It's going to be a special one: it's a "semi-staged concert production" featuring Broadway stars Chuck Cooper, Loretta Ables Sayre, and Chad Jennings in the main roles, along with students from the University Musical Society, and the score played by the Philadelphia Orchestra. The production was performed first in Ann Arbor before arriving in Philadelphia."

Philadelphia Inquirer

ECHOES OF UKRAINE FILL PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA’S ‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’

"Fiddler, which takes place during the pogroms that murdered and terrorized Jews in the Russian Empire, is “ever more searing in light of the invasion of Ukraine.” But the production [...] aimed for a more universal approach. [...] The casting was multiracial, suggesting that people are people, and what ails the world right now is our fixation on differences. [...] Among the student performers, Ella Olesen as the daughter Tzeitel and Diego Rodriguez as the tailor/suitor Motel were particularly promising."

University Musical Society

CELEBRATING THE DEBUT OF ‘FIDDLER’ IN CONCERT!

UMS highlights, including photos and videos, from the Ann Arbor debut of Fiddler on the Roof at Hill Auditorium with the Grand Rapids Symphony. Next stop: Philadelphia!

The Detroit Jewish News

NEXT DOR: AN EVENING WITH FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Twenty-six young Jewish professionals attend Fiddler at Hill Auditorium, which featured the Grand Rapids Symphony playing the first-ever live performance of John Williams’ orchestral arrangement of the movie score, which premiered over 50 years ago. This unique collaboration explored the beloved musical and its timeless theme of “Tradition!” through a modern lens and proved relevant given the current conflict in Ukraine.

Detroit Free Press

THIS WEEKEND'S U-M PRODUCTION OF 'FIDDLER ON THE ROOF' WILL BE LIKE NOTHING HEARD BEFORE

"...Ella Olesen, who plays eldest daughter Tzeitel, glowed with enthusiasm when she spoke about the production and its creative team..."

A Detroit Free Press article featuring quotes from Ella about the Fiddler on the Roof production process.

PBS One Detroit

VIDEO: UMS, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA PREMIERE ‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’ IN CONCERT

John Williams’ orchestrations from the 1971 film “Fiddler on the Roof” is finally coming to the theater stage for a first-ever live performance. Before taking the stage, One Detroit’s Arts & Culture team sat down with key members from the upcoming performance to find out what audiences can expect from the concert and hear how the message of “Fiddler on the Roof,” continues to apply today.

The Legacy of John Williams

PODCAST: BACK TO ANATEVKA: MORE TALK ON ‘FIDDLER ON THE ROOF’

Leading Broadway Music Director and Conductor Andy Einhorn joins Mike Matessino to talk about a truly unique and very special initiative: the presentation of a lightly-staged production of Fiddler On The Roof featuring the world-premiere concert performance of John Williams’ Oscar-winning orchestrations.

University of Michigan SMTD

STUDENT PERSPECTIVE: ELLA OLESEN ON FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

An article Ella wrote detailing the research done by the Fiddler on the Roof company prior to rehearsals commencing.

University of Michigan SMTD

A RARE OPPORTUNITY

University of Michigan SMTD Musical Theatre Students Undertake Extensive Preparation for Roles in UMS’s Production of Fiddler on the Roof.

Arts at Michigan

REVIEW: THE WILD PARTY

"The vocalists were amazing, the dancing was quite impressive, and the storyline had me hooked. [...] I would recommend this show highly." A detailed review of Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY, directed by MiMi Scardulla and featuring Ella as MAE.

U-M PRODUCTION UPDATES THE ROARING TWENTIES-SET MUSICAL "THE WILD PARTY" FOR THE CELL PHONE AGE

A stellar review of THE WILD PARTY at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, highlighting Ella's portrayal of MAE in the production, directed by MiMi Scardulla.

American Theatre

BACK TO SCHOOL AFTER A YEAR OF HARD LESSONS

An article about coming back to in-person education in acting, playwriting, tech, and more at some of American college theatre programs, featuring interviews with some cast members of THE WILD PARTY, Alyssa Carol and Ryo Kamibayashi.

‘MY ONE AND ONLY’ FOCUSES ON THE ENSEMBLE

Linda's Goodrich's MY ONE AND ONLY was supposed to be presented at the Power Center at the University of Michigan in the spring of 2020, but was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. Ella was a member of the ENSEMBLE.

Arts at Michigan

REVIEW: BROADWAY OUR WAY

A sensational review of the BROADWAY OUR Concert, directed by Michael McElroy, that Ella was featured in at the University of Michigan in Stamps Auditorium.

University of Michigan SMTD

BRINGING BROADWAY'S BEST

A feature on Grammy Award Nominee Michael McElroy, director of the BROADWAY OUR WAY Concert Ella performed in at the University of Michigan in Stamps Auditorium.

Nanaimo News Bulletin

BEST & BRIGHTEST: ROUNDS OF APPLAUSE AWAIT AS GRAD GOES TO NEXT LEVEL

Ella Olesen's accomplishments led her to be featured in the Nanaimo News Bulletin's BEST AND BRIGHTEST special series.

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