Mike performed with us in Oliver (1979), The Music Man (1980), and we’ll never forget his Gaston in our 2008 production of Beauty and the Beast.

Nita was involved with 16 Cincinnati Music Theatre productions. Nita’s first CMT Production was playing Keyboard in the Orchestra of ‘Secret Garden’ in 1996. She spent 17 years with CMT, from playing in the pits of many orchestras to accompanying auditions and rehearsals as well. Her most recent CMT credits include ‘A Chorus Line’, ‘Titanic’, and many more. She even played the piano for CMT President Kathy Beiting and husband John’s wedding.

Nita retired as a Speech-Language Pathologist in 1993, when she then focused on her true passion: music. She became a sought-after accompanist for many theatre and choral groups. Nita’s obituary can be found here.

From designing makeup for our very first Aronoff Center production, Sweeney Todd, to assistant directing My Fair Lady, and appearing on-state as Isador Strauss in Titanic: The Musical, Robert left an indelible mark on our organization. 

As the ‘Real Santa Claus’ for thousands of families and children in the Tri-State Area, Robert created magic and countless memories each holiday season at the Cincinnati Zoo and other holiday events.  His larger-than-life personality, intoxicating laugh, and bright smile will be missed on and off stage. 

“Rosie” produced Chess in 2016 and was a props person for many CMT shows. Her obituary can be found here.

From Neverland to Edgewater, Indiana and the towering Notre Dame, Skip Fenker was a masterful storyteller and director. His passion was palpable, his productions radiant. Skip had the ability to bring people together, creating art and memories that will never be forgotten. Skip’s attention to detail and knack for authentic storytelling made his productions the “must-see” theatrical events of Cincinnati. He truly helped to shape Cincinnati Music Theatre into the organization it is today. To know Skip was to love him.

Fr Dan Anderson was a Franciscan priest, theater director at Roger Bacon High school, and active with CMT from the mid-1980’s until the early 2000’s when he took the job as Secretary to the Provincial for the Cincinnati Province of St. John the Baptist. Dan served on our Board, had roles in several shows over the years, and directed The King and I, My Fair Lady, Oliver and The Sound of Music. He was a kind and generous man, thorough and conscientious, with the best laugh. His obituary can be found here

Jack was a long-time music instructor, and performed in the orchestra with CMT on many, many shows throughout the years. His Obituary can be found here.

Kim played Stella Deems CMT’s November 2007 production of Follies. She also was active locally in Angel Follies and in the music ministry at St. Michael’s Church in Sharonville.  Her obituary is here. 

Karen served as our props mistress for Crazy for You as well as crew for Mary Poppins and Young Frankenstein. She was also member of our creative committee during the 2015-16 season.  Karen volunteered not only for CMT but for the Carnegie and Playhouse in the Park. During her 40 year marketing career she lectured at Universities, conferences and was a marketing cabinet member of the United Way of Greater Cincinnati.

Gary participated in more than a dozen CMT shows spanning five decades from the 1960s through the 2000s. Most recently he was on the set crew and played Max Deems in the 2007 fall production of Follies. He produced 1990’s Oklahoma and served on the stage crew for CMT’s first show in the Jarson-Kaplan Theater at the Aronoff Center, Sweeney Todd, in 1995.

Cathy had a strong commitment to the Cincinnati theater community having directed and performed  in numerous local productions. She performed in both of CMT’s productions of Mame (’70 and ’03) and directed Mack and Mabel (’97) with her late husband, Stuart, on set construction.

Warren was one of CMT’s dearest friends and supporters serving on CMT’s Creative Committee for over 9 years. He helped guide the seasonal show selection resulting in many successful productions. Warren was a lover of the arts, attending every CMT production — to not only support CMT — but his husband Fred Martens’  performance in the orchestra. Warren was a talented accordion player performing with Fred in the group SqueezePlay.  In addition to the arts, Warren was a doctor of Psychiatry with a speciality in neuropsychiatric aspects of AIDS. In 1994, Warren became the Director of Residency training at University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine.  Under his leadership, the program was transformed into one of the top residency programs in the country.  On September 24th, 2016 during a celebration of Warren’s life, WarrenFest, the City of Cincinnati proclaimed “Warren Liang Day”.

David was active in community theater throughout his life in both Jackson, Tennessee and Cincinnati.  He has performed various roles in 12 CMT shows from Mystery of Edwin Drood in 1998 to  Chess: The Musical in 2006.

Art was a loyal orchestra member and supporter of CMT. He usually played oboe and English horn in 19 of our productions from 1994 to 2009. The most recent being “Guys and Dolls” (2009). He also performed in Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra, Cincinnati Civic Orchestra and the Phoenix Woodwind Quintet.