Platte River Bard Podcast

Get ready for a whirlwind of mystery, mayhem, and masterful disguises as Bellevue Little Theatre opens Ken Ludwig's "Moriarty: A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure" on June 6th! We spoke with four of the five incredible cast members who take on over 40 characters in this fast-paced and thrilling production! The story begins with a royal scandal — the Bohemian king’s stolen letters spark an internationa...

We sat down with Denise Putnum, Jae Starling, Michelle Batzer, and Caroline Kelly to talk about their roles in Steel Magnolias, opening May 9th at the Hoff Center at PACE! This heartwarming and humorous comedy-drama is an unforgettable celebration of friendship, resilience, and Southern charm. Don’t miss the sharp one-liners, heartfelt moments, and hilarious female bonding that make this show a "m...

The Omaha Community Playhouse has their 101st Season lined up -  and we were fortunate to have the chance to hear all about it.  You'll not want to miss this interview with Becky Noble, Executive Director and Mary Carrick, Director of Marketing and Public Relations. We hear a little about their backgrounds and also all the things they have planned for the remaining 100th Season as well as next sea...

SNAP Productions! / Ghost Light Theatre in Bellevue opens "Sweeney Todd:  The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, A Thriller Musical" on April 25th - but there's more!  An added performance to the schedule, sing-along performance, an Industry night that is pay-what-you-can and an ASL performance!  Hear it from the Barber, Jonas Fogg and Judge Turpin, or ahem... John Celesky, Nick Andersen, and Xavier Ca...

We had the distinct pleasure to talk to three very talented Omaha Creatives involved in the upcoming production "Scissoring" written by C. Quintana at VIA Omaha!  We spoke with Asia Nared, Delaney Jackson, and TammyRa who are part of this small cast about the experience of a Catholic schoolteacher who is also in a relationship with another woman and is forced to step back into the closet.  This is...

The Platte River Bard attended the 2025 Omaha Fringe Festival Lottery and was able to talk to Board President Nic Jansen, Artistic Director Lara Marsh, Board Member Carrie Nash and Button Contest Sponsor Paul Pape of Paul Pape Designs.  There are cash prizes for the button contest this year that is due April 20th!  There is a lot of excitement about this year's many applicants, opportunities to vo...

Once again, we speak with Nia Karmann about her upcoming art show at the Mahoney State Park!  This year, the vendors will span both the 1st and 2nd floor of the Peter Kiewitt building at the Mahoney State Park.  She has 21 artists of all kinds:  photography, paintings, sculptures, pottery, fiber arts and more!   Join the kick off event on Friday, April 4th from 6pm - 9pm for wine, cheese and music...

We spoke to Leo Adam Biga, local freelance cultural journalist and non-fiction book author.  His works have spanned many years and subjects.  Many times he has traveled for his story, including when he accompanied a group of local students to President Obama's Inauguration, and when he went on the set of well-known writer, director, screenwriter, and Oscar winner,  Alexander Payne.  This experienc...

Marie Schuette, local Playwright and Creative, premieres her play "Stuck with Lemons" at the Shelterbelt Theatre February 13th-March 2nd.  We talked with Marie Schuette and the Director of this play, Amy Lane about the origins and development of this play that was created and brought to life here in Omaha!   This play is a collaboration with Great Plains Theatre Commons and Shelterbelt Theatre! Th...

"Misery" adapted by William Goldman (who also wrote "Princess Bride") is based on the novel by Stephen King. SNAP! Productions will open this production on February 7th and it will run through February 23rd.  This three-person show will entertain you with it's wacky and dark plot, as well as it's well-done fight scenes.  We talked to Kaitlyn Rudeen who plays Annie Wilkes, Jeremy Earl who plays Pau...

We talk with Actor Hannah Post and Director Mackenzie Zielke about their production, "The Girl on the Train" which opens January 31st at Bellevue Little Theatre. This is a suspenseful thriller was originally a book by Paula Hawkins and a New York Times Best Seller before it was a movie, and then a play adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel. If you like a suspenseful story, you'll enjoy this s...

The 19th Annual Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards (OEAA) Awards are here!  On February 16, 2025, the awards will be held at The Admiral Theater ( admiralomaha.com/ ).  We have the scoop here for you about this prestigious Omaha tradition! Find out why the OEAA puts on their awards, how the voting works, how the venue dictates the award show, and learn more about the theme for this year.  We talk...

It’s January 20th, 2025!  And we have the scoop of the year!  Opera Omaha has announced their 2025-2026 season effective today, January 20th, and we have all the information here to share it with you! We talk with Allison Swenson, General Director and Katrina Thurman the Director of Artistic Administration about all of the exciting line-up of productions! Their new season has subscriptions beginni...

The Lied Center for Performing Arts and the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra will be celebrating the music of "RENT" with their performance of "RENT In Concert" on January 18th, 2025!  We had learned there are incredibly talented young Nebraska performers that will be part of this fun production and we wanted to share a few of those with you!  We spoke to Elise Anderson, Will Hastreiter, and Samara Foll...

We talked with Director Sara Scheidies about her upcoming production "She Kills Monsters" by Qui Nguyen which opens January 20th at the Chanticleer Community Theatre at the Hoff Center at PACE.  "She Kills Monsters" was published in 2011 and was nominated for the Drama Desk Awards, GLAAD Media Awards, and ITBA Patrick Lee Awards in 2012.  In 2013 it won the AATE Distinguished Play Award. Even if y...

With the addition of the technological age, bullying has become even more apparent as a big problem that our kids and even adults face.  We spoke with Dr. Patricia Newman, Founder and Executive Director of RESPECT.  RESPECT is a not-for-profit organization formed of professional actor-educators, led by a child psychologist, advised by community organizations. Their Educators and Actors visit schoo...

What is Christmas without music, friendship and snow?  The 1954 movie "White Christmas" was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2008, and will give you all the great feelings of the famous Hollywood movie.  While we were at PACE, visiting Chanticleer's production of this play, we heard lots of dancing and singing and spoke with Music DirectorJennifer Orvis and Actor, Christine Reiners.  This cast i...

We are blessed with another holiday collaboration between Benson Theatre and Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Co.! This holiday you will see inside seven different apartments at Holiday Tower.  We talk with Dulcie Mueller, Writer and Actor, and also Midge Radcliff, Co-Executive Director of Benson Theatre.  They reveal what this holiday show is about, the unique and diverse ways to celebrate the season,...

Exciting things have been in the works at Bellevue Little Theatre!  On December 6th they will open the world premiere of "It's A Wonderful Life"!  This play was adapted from the movie version by Dr. D. Laureen Pickle and John Arnsdorff.  It contains the wonderful story from the movie that so many people adore, plus some well-placed music to get you in the nostalgic Christmas spirit!       We talke...

After a 5 year hiatus, The Madrigal Christmasse Feast is back!  The event is presented by Dwayne Ibsen, Ibsen Costume Gallery, & Chanticleer Theater on December 5th and 6th.  We talked with Denise Putnam, Howard Swain and Musical Director, Mark Morello.  This festive event promises an evening filled with music, entertainment, and delicious food, all set in a charming Renaissance-themed atmosph...

We had the pleasure of speaking to Steve Krambeck, Director of "A Very Special Holiday Special", and Dan Wach, Executive Director of Shelterbelt Theatre.  This production is a celebration of Christmas and Hanukkah, and where they meet, since they will both be celebrated on December 25th this year.  Writer Mark Harvey Levine produced 8 short funny, yet poignant plays, full of humor and heart, and t...

The Fall Platte River Art Show is here!  This weekend, November 15th through the 17th, head on out to Mahoney State Park to the Peter Kiewitt Lodge and enjoy the day!  We talk with Nia Karmann, Promoter and Organizer of the Platte River Art Show and Owner of Nye Street Studios.  On Friday evening, there is a wine and cheese event to kick off the evening, and you can get food anytime this weekend a...

Five different women - all named Betty - who are of different backgrounds and gender identities, all converge to share their story about anger, sex, love and theatre.  The play was written by Jen Silverman, and it premiered in Washington DC in 2018.  High comedy and high energy, this play is sure to entertain and yet address the issues of women, feminism, LGBTQ identity, sexuality and loneliness....

Here's a serious and deeply complex play you don't want to miss this season:  "Freakshow" (1999) by Carson Kreitzer at SNAP! Productions opens November 8th!  The Platte River Bard spoke to Giles Russo and Nick Knipe and discussed what this production has in store for you! The setting: Behind the scenes of a traveling Freakshow, those who have been outcasts from society bond into a unique but dysfu...

Find out why you won't want to miss "American Psycho The Musical" at SNAP! Productions at Ghost Light Theatre.  This Musical opens September 20th and runs until Septemeber 29th.   We talk with Stage Manager, Christina Belle; Set Builder and Designer, Doug Hartshorn; and actor and comedian who is also new to Nebraska, Geoffrey Eggleston.   Don't miss this fun musical, filled with dancing, singing,...