More Otterbein Graduates Performing on Broadway
By Michael Grossberg, The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio
Jun. 22–An increasingly popular path to Broadway winds through Westerville: More Otterbein College graduates than ever are singing, dancing, acting or working on New York’s Great White Way.
Among those onstage: Lindsay Nicole Chambers, a swing dancer in Legally Blonde; and Aaron Ramey, a featured ensemble member in Curtains. Daniel Everidge, temporarily out of Grease because of an injury, will return soon to the original cast of the Tony-nominated revival, in which he plays Roger, the lead Burger Boy who sings Mooning in a duet.
“From the time I met them as high-school seniors, they had a sparkle in their eyes, a sense of humor, tremendous drive to succeed and a very strong work ethic,” said John Stefano, chairman of Otterbein’s Theater and Dance Department.
No recent graduate has reached the level of success of Dee Hoty — the 1974 alumna who became a Broadway star and received three Tony nominations for best musical actress.
But during the 2007-08 season, quite a few Otterbein talents were active in New York — including Dan Knechtges (a 1974 graduate), who received his first Tony nomination for choreographing Xanadu; Dublin native Jeremy Bobb (2003), who appeared in Is He Dead?; and Mandy Bruno (2004) who appeared off-Broadway in the musical Frankenstein.
And more are on the way, with Drew Aber (2007) recently cast in A Tale of Two Cities, a new Broadway musical to open in September.
What spurred the increasing success of Otterbein graduates?
Beyond the training students receive on campus, Stefano credits the college’s growing visibility in New York — especially its annual spring showcase, launched eight years ago to introduce performers to agents and casting directors, and its ongoing internships in New York casting offices.
“Our internship program really gives them an edge over other graduates because they get to see the business from the inside,” Stefano said.
“Our students get to stay in the room and hear what the creative team has to say about the audition after the performer leaves the room. They very quickly learn what to do — and what not to do — in auditions.”
Here are profiles of two Otterbein grads performing nightly on Broadway:
Lindsay Nicole Chambers
As an original company member in Legally Blonde, which opened in April 2007, Chambers has had ample opportunity to show off her versatility.
As a swing performer, the 2002 graduate understudies all the female ensemble members and a principal role.
She has performed more than 200 times in the stage musical, which is approaching its 500th performance.
“There are people who really don’t like to swing . . . but it keeps me interested because I’m not doing the same thing every night,” she said from New York.
Chambers, 28, grew up in Worthington and attended Thomas Worthington High School, where she found drama teacher Bronwyn Hopkins to be a major influence.
She demonstrated her talent at Otterbein as Lola in Damn Yankees, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Anita in West Side Story.
“In college, I learned to be the most that you can be . . . and to put as much of your heart into it as you can possibly give,” she said.
Her New York internship proved invaluable, she said.
“It was interesting to see the process from the other side of the casting table.”
She made her Broadway debut in Hairspray. For two years, she sang and danced in the ensemble and understudied the role of Penny Pingleton, the central character’s best friend.
“Performing on Broadway for the first time was fantastic. . . . The weird thing — after doing it eight times a week for months — is how it becomes your job, your livelihood.
“It’s amazing to actually live the dream that you’ve had since you were a kid.”
Aaron Ramey
After making his Broadway debut as the “third guy from the left” in the ensemble of Thoroughly Modern Millie, the 1998 Otterbein graduate has appeared in larger roles in Curtains since December.
Ramey, 32, understudies the leading role of the conductor and plays Harv Freemont, a character in the musical within the Kander and Ebb musical, a backstage murder mystery.
“I love the funny songs and jokes,” Ramey said.
“Musical comedy is great; it doesn’t try to be anything that it’s not.”
While paying his dues during the past decade in New York, Ramey pursued larger roles in regional theater, including the title role in Maury Yeston’s Phantom and Chris in Miss Saigon, a musical he dreamed of starring in when he was 14.
“I’d also love to do plays, but that’s one of the challenges Broadway musical performers face,” he said.
“Being taken seriously by those who cast plays is a serious uphill battle.”
At Otterbein, choreographer-teacher Stella Kane inspired Ramey the most.
“She encouraged me to take advanced jazz and tap in my senior year,” he said.
“I thought she was crazy, but the two Broadway shows I’ve been in have been dance shows.
“If not for her, I would have been flat-out unprepared.”
mgrossberg@dispatch.com
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