St. John's Conservatory Theater (SJCT) was a not-for-profit theater company at the St. John's Episcopal Church in Ogdensburg, NY.
History
In 2014, Michael A. O'Donnell, St. John's Church rector invited his brother Richard O'Donnell, who founded several theatre companies including New Age Vaudeville, The New Variety, and the Black Pearl Cabaret, to produce and create a theatre in the St. John's Parish Hall located on the corner of Knox and Franklin, Ogdensburg, NY.
Richard O'Donnell (principal founder) then recruited several church members including Stephen Chambers, Angela Dwyer, Christopher Dwyer, and Ryan Woodard (along with Michael O'Donnell, accredited as co-founder) to mount the first production.
R. O'Donnell initially produced, wrote and directed a readers theater-style interactive show titled Alice Isn't All There which eventually developed into full-scale musical comedy productions.
He continued producing at the St. John's Parish Theater until June 2017 where productions were relocated to the all-digital 900+ seat George Hall Auditorium – OFA, 1100 State Street, Ogdensburg, NY.
The theater officially closed in 2019.
Theatrical Genre
St. John's Conservatory Theater's theatrical genres include musical theatre, satire, interactive theatre, improvisational theatre, variety show, circus, and vaudeville. St. John's Conservatory Theater incorporates these genres in all-original musical comedies written by Richard O'Donnell and based on literature, folklore, and legend. Their production and costume design are "reminiscent of Tim Burton’s Gothic ingenuity." Adaptations such as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, A Christmas Carol, and Oliver Twist have been presented as well as folklore such as the musical Orchard Of Hide & Seek, based on the Celtic Folk Tales of the 1800s.
Digital Orchestrations
St. John's Conservatory Theater takes the composer's score and produces a digital orchestration that is played over a complex sound system. The cast then sing to the score to great effect in front of a live audience.
The digital orchestrations emulate the instrumental sounds of a full orchestra, often adding sound effects and vocal enhancements, as well.
Notable Productions
Alice Isn't All There - book, music, lyrics by B. R. Kreep Twist - book, music, lyrics by B. R. Kreep Orchard of Hide & Seek - book, music, lyrics by Richard O'Donnell A Kreepy Christmas Carol - book, music, lyrics by B. R. Kreep Mr. Scrooge - book, music, lyrics by B. R. Kreep Kreepy Hollow - book, music, lyrics by B. R. Kreep
Principal Creative Staff
St. John's Conservatory Theater principal creative staff includes producing artistic director Richard O’Donnell, musical director and choreographer Angela Conzone Dwyer, digital orchestrator and vocal arranger Ryan C. McNally, scenic and Prop Designer Stephen Chambers, costume and makeup designer Karen Fischbeck, and technical director and production coordinator Christopher Dwyer. Collectively they have over five decades of professional theatrical and academic experience including regional, stock, bus and truck, off-off-Broadway, off-Broadway, and Broadway stages.
Other creative staff are senior costumer Heron Hetzler, assistant costumer Ann Losurdo, sound designer Richard Patton, lighting designer Barry Pratt, and props master Tonya Ott.
Photo: (L-R) Karen Fischbeck, Richard O'Donnell, Ryan C. McNally, Christopher Dwyer, Angela Conzone Dwyer, Stephen Chambers
St. John’s Parish Theater Productions
Alice Isn’t All There
St. John's Conservatory Theater (JCT) presented an original musical comedy "Alice Isn’t All There", a 90-minute theatrical with book, music, and lyrics accredited to Richard O'Donnell's nom de plume Brazillia R. Kreep. “Alice Isn't All There” is an adaptation on Lewis Carroll’s classic “Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.” It was presented by the St. John's Conservatory Theater on October 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 2014 at the St. John's Parish Theater in the city of Ogdensburg, NY.
Alice Isn’t All There was executive produced by rector Michael O’Donnell, produced and directed was by Richard O'Donnell, musical direction by Angela Conzone Dwyer, and digital orchestrations by Pat Duffy. Original Alice costumes where created by Ann Losurdo, set and props were hand-crafted by fine artist Stephen Chambers. Other production team included Christopher Dwyer (Technical Director), Alynia Hermaine Rule (stage manager).
The cast included Allexa Hooper as Alice Brimble, Hailey Weber as Alice Liddle, Paige Merz as the Cheshire Cat, Sloane Ryan as Boo Hoo and the Caterpillar, Steve Summers as Itsy Bitsy, Deanna Bellinger as the Dormouse, Bill LaMere as the Jack Rabbit, Angela Conzone Dwyer as the Queen of Hearts and Mrs. Zizzlebot, Christopher Dwyer as Tweedledee and Mr. Zizzlebot, Ryan Woodard as Tweedledum, Joel Burke as The Narrator, and Richard O’Donnell as Belvedere Brumbleton, Derk Powers, The Knave of Hearts, and the Mad Hatter.
The story of Alice is told by the Bells & Wheezle Circus Company, a European-style commedia dell’arte and runs 90 minutes. A contemporary Alice finds herself in Wonderland haunted by the Victorian Alice while interacting with all the usual classic characters.
Original songs included The Bells & Wheezle Circus, Tic Toc, Wish Myself, We're All Mad Here, Not For Me, The Oswegatchie, All Hail the Queen/Off with His Head, and Many Reflections.
Photo: Allexa Hooper as Alice sings Wish Myself in Alice Isn't All There
A Kreepy Christmas Carol
St. John's Conservatory Theater (SJCT) presented “A Kreepy Christmas Carol,” a musical comedy adaptation on the Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol" with book, music, and lyrics by Richard O'Donnell's nom de plume Brazillia R. Kreep. It was presented by the St. John's Conservatory Theatre on December 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20, 2014 at the St. John's Parish House in the city of Ogdensburg, NY.
A Kreepy Christmas Carol was produced and directed by Richard O'Donnell, musical direction by Angela Conzone Dwyer, digital orchestrations by Ryan C. McNally, technical direction by Christopher Dwyer. Original costumes and makeup were created by Ann Losurdo and Maggie Gebo, set and props were hand-crafted by fine artist Stephen Chambers.
The cast (in order of appearance) Sloane Ryan as Nipper, Makayla Lovely as Abby, Hailey Weber as Letty, Jillian LeBel as Gusie, Elizabeth Bascom as Trudy, Cole Siebels as Cager, Anton Skamperle as Ollie, Dee Bellinger as Zinger and Tiny Tina, Christopher Dwyer as Bob Cratchit, R O’Donnell as Scrooge, Brad Mintener as Jacob Marley, Rebecca Bascom as the Ghost of Been There Done That, Ryan Woodard as Fezziwig, Angela Conzone Dwyer as the Ghost of Christmas Presents, and a surprise guest each night as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
Original songs included Kreepy Overture, Counting Silver, So Happy Happy, To Be a Zombie, Ghost of Been There Done That, Heed Our Warning, I Hear The Bells A Ringing, and Wish.
Photo: Angela Conzone Dwyer as the Ghost of Christmas Presents and the street urchins sing I Hear The Bells A Ringing in A Kreepy Christmas Carol
Orchard of Hide & Seek
St. John’s Conservatory Theater presented “Orchard of Hide & Seek,” on July 9 – 12 and 16th – 19th, 2015. It featured an original story and songs written, produced, and directed by Richard O’Donnell. With musical direction by Angela Conzone Dwyer and Ryan C. McNally, digital arrangements by Ryan C. McNally, choreography by Johanna Carmany, set and prop designs by Stephen Chambers, costumes and makeup by Ann Losurdo and Karen Fischbeck Carmany, technical direction and production coordination by Christopher Dwyer, and stage managed by Sadie Smith.
The cast included Taylor Morrill as fairy Queen Gossamer, Myah Myers as Battyboo, Hailey Weber as Stargleam, Emily Gardner as Raindew, Meghan Gardner as Heartglow, Sloane Ryan as Prixy Pringle, Madalyn Bascom as Trixy Tringle, Caitlin Kelly as Ariah Ropidy, Payten Walsh as Opidy Dobity, Grace Wills as Zopidy Yopity, R O’Donnell as pirate Capt. Jean-Pierre Beunet, Stefanie Jones as Scallywag, Lizette Haenel as Shivers, Rebecca Bascom as Ophelia Hollyhock the evil Witch of Hubbub, Angela Conzone Dwyer as Misty Cauldron, and Ryan Woodard as Bob the juggling Troll.
The story of the “Orchard of Hide & Seek” concerns Queen Gossamer and her eclectic band of fairies that inhabit the old apple orchard on top of the cliffs overlooking the St. Lawrence Sea. They are preparing for their spectacular Midsummer's Eve celebration when the children of Ennui (the tiny village that surrounds the bottom of the cliff) are playing their annual games of hide and seek. However, unbeknownst to any of them, all are in danger of the Pirate Capt. Jean-Pierre Beunet, Ophelia the Queen Witch of Hubbub, and her cauldron Misty who want to take over the entire Orchard for themselves.
Songs included: The Orchard of Hide & Seek, Dip-pity Day, Sailors of St. Labyrinth, Believe, Yo Ho Ho, The Regal C'est la Vie, Ophelia's Brew, Ready or Not, Hide & Seek, Poison, Come All Ye Children, Doom, All Around You
Photo: Sloane Ryan as Prixy Pringle sings Believe to Myah Myers as the pixie Battyboo in Orchard of Hide & Seek
Kreepy Hallow
Kreepy Hallow is a musical comedy adaptation of Washington Irving’s classic short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" with book, music, and lyrics penned under O’Donnell’s nom de plume B. R. Kreep. It was presented by the St. John's Conservatory Theater on October 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25, 2016 at the St. John's Parish Theater in the city of Ogdensburg, NY. executive produced and Directed by O'Donnell, musical direction and choreography by Angela Conzone Dwyer with arrangements and digital orchestrations by Ryan C. McNally, and technical direction and production coordination by Christopher Dwyer. Original costumes and makeup design were created by Karen Fischbeck Carmany with additional costumes made by Ann Losurdo with set and props hand-crafted by fine artist Stephen Chambers.
Kreepy Hallow stars Hailey Weber as Parthenia Goste, Dee Bellinger as Etta Hobbs, Jillian LeBel as Alia Hobbs, Grace Brunet as Abitha Hobbs, O’Donnell as narrator Brazillia R. Kreep, Angela Conzone Dwyer as Ichaboda Krane, Cole Siebels as Thaddeus Frye, Myah Myers as Felicity Caldwell, Christopher Rodriguez as Abner Frye, Haley Dawley as Mercy Faith, Grace Wills as Oheo Seneca, Meghan Gardner as Chasity Smyth, Emma Murray as Charity Smyth, Christopher Dwyer as Bartholomeus Van tassel, Shelly Murdock as Electra Van Brunt, and Ryan Woodard as the Town Crier.
Story synopsis: Kreepy Hallow is set in the 1860s along the St. Lawrence River, when the first appointed female teacher, Miss Ichaboda Krane, takes over the ghostly schoolroom built on-top of a sacred Iroquois burial ground. With a classroom filled with eclectic children, her “eye” on Bartholomeus Van Tassel, a few unexpected guests, and a jealous local woman Electra Van Brunt watching her every move, Miss Ichaboda Krane's Halloween celebration turns into a most haunting affair. Narrated by B. R. Kreep, Kreepy Hallow tells the tale of Ichaboda Krane's encounter with all things that go bump in the night as the dreadful Headless Horseman rides again.
Original songs included Halloween, Welcome to my Lighthouse, See Me, Kreepy Hallow, Proper Peace of Mind, Ballad of the Headless Horseman, I’m Lamenting, Ode to Wealth, and A Horseman. Additional period music included Shall We Gather at the River by Robert Lowry, Battle Hymn of the Republic, lyrics by Julia Ward Howe, music by William Steffe, and The Funeral March of a Marionette (Marche funèbre d'une marionnette) by Charles Gounod.
Photo: Jillian LeBel as Alia Hobbs, Hailey Weber as Parthenia Goste, Grace Brunet as Abitha Hobbs and Dee Bellinger as Etta Hobbs in Kreepy Hallow
Alice Isn’t All There Re-staged