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About Us

STRIVING TO PRESENT ENTERTAINING AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING THEATRE SINCE 2004.

Founded in 2004, The Melodramatics Theatre Company is a theatre arts organization based in Ithaca, NY, which strives to present entertaining musical theatre productions of artistic excellence. Since its founding, the company has entertained thousands of audience members.

Today, the company continues to grow and evolve, boasting an eclectic mix of members from Cornell University, Ithaca College, and the Ithaca community. To look at the history of The Melodramatics Theatre Company, check out our previous, now archived, website: www.melodramatics.com

Our Most Recent Productions
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Chicago
Fall 2023
 

Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb

Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse
Screen Adaptation by David Thompson
Based on the play by Maurine Dallas Watkins

Following the recent successes of our last two productions, we wanted to find a show that would be large enough for the community we had created, but still fit in our beloved Risley Theatre. Chicago fit perfectly in those requirements, even with the new element of a heavy dance requirement. Chicago is the first ensemble show Melos has produced since 2018, with 42 people involved in this production! This flashy and incredible musical takes place in 1920s Chicago. Roxie Hart has just murdered her lover, been convicted, and sent to death row. She competes with Velma Kelly and the other "Merry Muderesses" for headlines and fame while awaiting trial with help from the silver-tongued lawyer Billy Flynn. To everyone who supported us through this feat and came to see the show, we thank you!

Producer: Ethan Ordower
Directors: Emily Pugh, Tiffany Kumar
Choreographers: Molly Hudson, Emily Rubinstein
Music Directors: Charlie Hill, Thomas Stamey
Band Director/Conductor: Charlie Hill
Stage Managers: Bella Peters, John Capwell
Assistant Stage Manager: Katie Rueff
Set Designer: Linda Fei
Costume Designer: Brianna Ramnath

Technical Director: Ethan Ordower

Chicago is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

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The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 
Spring 2023
 

Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine

After putting on Avenue Q, we wanted to keep the momentum of a big show while also introducing many more people into the Melos family. Originally meant for Spring 2020, we decided to put on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Revolving around 6 bright young spellers and the various adults adjacent to the Bee, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee asks us, in a world focused on winning, what really matters? To our cast, crew, audience, and especially audience participants, thank you for supporting the show!

Read more: The Cornell Daily Sun

Producers: Kenny Aune, Ethan Ordower, Daniela Rodriguez-Chavez
Directors: Olivia Scaperotti
Assistant Directors: Darby Krugel, Cameron Howland

Music Director: Thomas Myers
Band Director: Daniela Rodriguez-Chavez
Assistant Band Director: Masha Kobin
Conductor: Charlie Hill

Stage Manager: Ethan Ordower
Technical Director: Ethan Ordower

This musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

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Avenue Q 
Fall 2022

Based on Original Concept by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
Arrangements and Orchestrations by Stephen Oremus
Book by Jeff Whitty

When looking at musicals, for this semester we wanted to go bigger in terms of length but keep a small cast like we have done in the past. Avenue Q borders that liminal space between black box intimacy and grand-stage spectacle that the post COVID-Melodramatics audience loves. Avenue Q is a show that invites audience members to be as loud as they want: whether it's from the laughs or from the gasps. In this changing political climate, and especially as a college campus, we are in an environment that uniquely fosters difficult conversations and enables confrontation. 2022 is a very different world from 2003, and between the classic songs like “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist,” or “Internet is for Porn,” some of the content might not have aged… gracefully. It’s offensive, it’s raunchy, it's “edgy,” but underneath all that grime, Avenue Q puts into the forefront challenges we find easier to ignore, and a challenge we wanted to take on. But remember… it’s a comedy about puppet sex; don’t take it too seriously and have fun! 

Read more: The Cornell Daily Sun

Producers: Kenny Aune, Ethan Ordower, Daniela Rodriguez-Chavez
Directors: Emily Rubenstein and Thomas Myers
Music Director: Daniela Rodriguez-Chavez
Stage Manager: Ethan Ordower
Technical Director: Ethan Ordower

This musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

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Now. Here. This 
Spring 2022

Music and Lyrics by Jeff Bowen

Book by Hunter Bell and Susan Blackwell

Based on a collaboration by Hunter Bell, Michael Berresse, Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Jeff Bowen and Larry Pressgrove

Now. Here. This is a one-act vignette-style of musical with music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen and a book by Hunter Bell and Susan Blackwell. It is a collaborative work by Hunter Bell, Michael Berresse, Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Jeff Bowen, and Larry Pressgrove. The four-person show, set in a natural-history museum, explores many questions of life ranging from reptiles and outer space to friendship and dying.
Taken from Wikipedia

Producer: Arin Sheehan
Director: Kenny Aune
Music Director: Daniela Rodriguez-Chavez
Stage Manager: Ethan Ordower
Technical Director: Jillian Parrino

Now. Here. This. is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

Other Past Shows

Rent
(2018)

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