Places to go and things to see by Gypsy Bev

Posts tagged ‘Sound of Music’

Musical World of Brent Miller

Brent Miller plays a role in many community events. Most are in the field of music where his rich baritone voice is a favorite at area concerts and performances.

The five Miller children often sang together with Eric and Brent in the front while Scott, Grant and Lynn stand behind.

His singing began as a youngster. While Brent started life in Cambridge, for most of his life he lived near Indian Camp with his parents, Glen and Alleen Miller and four siblings. “We always sang hymns at home and music was always part of our family reunions.” He recalled that one of his earliest public performances was when he and his three brothers and sister sang at the Indian Camp Grange. Family has been important to him throughout his life.

Brent graduated from Cambridge High School before heading to Ohio Valley (College) University. He then finished his education at Harding College in Arkansas where he was part of the Harding A Capella Chorus. It was at Harding that he met his wife, Judy, who was from Mesquite, Texas.

Brent has been part of the Cambridge Singers for 44 years.

When he returned to Cambridge after graduating from Harding College, the first group he joined was the Cambridge Singers, perhaps the oldest continuously performing mixed choral group in Ohio. They officially became Cambridge Singers in 1965 after the group won the Fred Waring Sacred Heart Competition in New York City. Brent has been part of that group for 44 years now.

In an early Lions Club Show, The Decades Quartet sang dressed as farmers, which included Brent, his dad Glen, Berk Jones, and Roger Love.

For a short time, he was part of a harmonious group called “The Decades Quartet.” It was comprised of Brent, his dad Glen, Berk Jones, and Roger Love. They enjoyed singing throughout the state as well as locally.

Anne Chlovechok and Brent took the lead roles in “Hello Dolly.”

His first show was at the Cambridge Performing Arts Centre playing a small role of Prince Charming in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Since then he has played a variety of roles there as music is a source of relaxation for him.

Brent has appeared in many musicals at CPAC, The Living Word, and Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center. Some of his favorites include “The Music Man” where he played Harold Hill, the band leader. Playing Captain Georg Von Trapp in “Sound of Music” had a wonderful setting at The Living Word as the songs echoed off the hills in the outdoor amphitheater.

Jim Whitehair and Brent are always a big hit in “White Christmas.”

A favorite of Brent’s and many who appreciate local musicals was his performance paired with Jim Whitehair in “White Christmas.” People never tire of hearing the wonderful songs from this holiday movie. Brent and Jim bring it to life on stage year after year.

In the role of Daddy Warbucks in “Annie.” Brent even had his head shaved.

A couple other favorites include “Beauty and the Beast”, “Annie” where he actually shaved his head to play Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, and “Little Mermaid” in the role of King Titan.

His parents, Glen and Alleen Miller, were a tremendous influence in his life.

Brent often leads singing at the Stop Nine Church of Christ, where he also serves as a deacon. His faith is a very important part of his life as he feels, ‘This life is just a pathway of the life to come.”

During the summer months, Brent can be found at the Cambridge City Band concerts held in the big pavilion at the Cambridge City Park. This band is Ohio’s oldest continually performing community bands beginning in 1841. There his rich voice delights the crowd with old favorite songs. He also gives a little historical background on some of the pieces…if he can read Berk Jones’ handwriting!

Brent and his wife Judy have been happily married for 42 years.

Brent and Judy, who have been married for 42 years, have a beautiful family of four daughters and several grandchildren. Three of those daughters have participated in the Cambridge City Band keeping the family music tradition living on. Brent is owner/manger of Milfair Carpet & Linoleum in Cambridge which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Judy is a Fourth Grade Teacher at North Elementary in Cambridge.

Much of his time is spent being owner/manager of Milfair Carpet & Linoleum in Cambridge.

If you want to listen to Brent’s performances this summer, check the Cambridge City Band’s schedule on Facebook. They usually perform on Thursday evenings or at special events around ten times during the year. He’s also part of the Salt Fork Festival Chorus, which performs each season during the festival.

You will also be able to listen to Brent at the Cambridge Singers Spring Concert “Get Happy” on May 3-5 at the Scottish Rite Auditorium as well as their Christmas Concert “Holiday Magic” on December 7 -8.

This area is home to many excellent voices that bring enjoyment throughout the year at concerts and special events. Brent Miller is one of those popular voices.

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Cambridge, Christmas, Family Fun, Festivals, Music, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Cambridge Performing Arts Center

Cambridge Performing Arts Center is located in the old Strand Theatre.

As a youngster, Saturday afternoons at the Strand Theatre were spent watching westerns which included my hero Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, and Hopalong Cassidy. This was a time when you could attend a movie and get popcorn with a quarter…and have change!

Camelot was performed at CPAC several years ago.

It wasn’t until the 90s that I returned to the theater when a friend was playing in the orchestra. I so enjoyed the feeling of that old theater that I’ve made it a place I return to several times a year. Over the years, the abundance of fantastic local talent has always impressed me.

In 2012, a play I wrote The Magical World of Dickens was performed at CPAC on three weekends. It was a great chance for many locals to have their first chance on the stage and found they enjoyed it.

But how did this all begin?

The Strand was built in 1915 at a cost of $50,000, which included $10,000 for a fine pipe organ used as background music for the silent films. The new theater was built of bricks and concrete to make it basically fireproof. There was plenty of room for viewing as it seated 500 on the floor and 250 in the balcony.

This Roy Rogers film from 1950 is one I might have enjoyed.

It opened the day before Thanksgiving with a movie entitled Graustark. Stars of that film included Beverly Bane, Francis X. Bushmane, and Edna Mayo. They continued to operate as a movie theater for 43 years when the owners, the Shea Corporation, decided it was time to close the doors in 1958.

Nearly twenty years later in 1976, the Cambridge Performing Arts Center was organized under the direction of Don Mercer. They hoped to restore the Strand Theatre so live theatrical entertainment would be presented in Cambridge. First, they had to clear twenty years of rubbish from the old theater.

During a college summer break, Rick Booth recalls helping do restoration tasks at the old Strand Theater. “Some days I was the only volunteer working with Don as he worked alone for a while. I remember doing work on the arches that lead from the box office to the main auditorium. It seems like it was through Don’s incredible effort that the place got restored at that time.”

Sound of Music featured the talents of many outstanding local entertainers.

The doors opened again on September 10, 1977, with the musical Gypsy starring Barbara Jones. Soon afterward, Cambridge Performing Arts Center merged with the Cambridge Community Theater and with funds bequeathed by the late Sara Cowgill purchased the Strand Theater for the enjoyment of the community.

In the early 1990s, Dick Pavlov and friends decided to revive the tradition of showing movies on weekends when there were no theatrical performances. They obtained a couple of working projectors from a nearby theater and began renting hits like Toy Story, Sound of Music and original Westerns. Sometimes the theater was so packed, people even filled the balcony.

Money raised all went to CPAC. Their first project was rebuilding the seats with new upholstery and repairs as needed. The movies were shown for about four years. Dick recalled, “Two of my happiest memories were running the projectors for the movies and playing in the orchestra for the live performances.”

Ghost Hunters came to explore the spirits at CPAC.

An invitation to a Ghost Hunt at CPAC is something this gypsy could not possibly turn down. The Southeastern Ohio Paranormal Investigators were going to spend the late evening and early morning hours there as many stories have been told of hauntings in the building. Cameras and voice recorders were placed throughout the theater to catch voices and movement. Spirits seem to be plentiful there!

The performance of Willy Wonka drew large crowds to the theater with many children being involved.

Throughout the years, many locals have had a chance to be on stage at the theater and that continues to this day. Getting young people involved guarantees a future for the theater and gives them an outlet for their talents.

Reindeer Games was a popular comedy show involving many children.

Mary Beth Sills, director of Main Street, loves to talk about CPAC. “I have been in many roles and love to entertain. It helps me and others forget their trials and tribulations for a short time. CPAC is a valuable space in our community with a rich history.”

Pirates of Penzance was another favorite of years gone by.

Now extensive renovation is needed at the old Strand Theater with the original estimate being $3.5 million. At this time approximately $100,000 has been raised with $75,000 of that being from a Paul Bruhn grant. Their goal is to maintain the 1900 ambiance of the theater. One of the first things that must be replaced is the roof. Then attention will be given to the seats, box office, plumbing, heating, and electricity.

When exploring the old building, the original movie projectors were found that ran those silent movies and Western serials for Saturday matinees. Several movie tins were also found but have not been opened.

Debi DiVenti. CPAC president has great hopes for the future. “We plan to have a variety of performing arts with not only stage shows but magicians, musical groups, and even revive those old Western movies.” At this time, they are receiving a grant to purchase a movie projector so they can again entertain one day a month with Saturday matinees of those popular old Westerns that so many enjoyed.

Sister Amnesia’s Nunsense Country Western Jamboree will be performed June 9-11 and 16-18, 2023.

Shows in the future include Ron Spangler, magician from Columbus, who keeps the audience involved with amazing magic and wholesome content. Upcoming shows include another popular Nunsense directed by Anne Chlovechok and The Little Mermaid involving many local children.

Fund raising is taking place to ensure this treasure will be around for future generations. The renovation team is working hard to collect the monies needed to renovate the theater. If you are interested in performing, directing, building sets, helping with costumes, or contributing to the renovation give them a call at 740-785-1400 or visit their website at www.cambridgetheater.org.

Support the theater by attending their performances and maybe you too will get bitten by the theater bug.

Category:

Cambridge, Family Fun, Ohio, Uncategorized

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