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Arts & Entertainment

Q&A With Ocean City Theatre Company's Michael Hartman

The artistic director shares his thoughts about a successful 2012 season.

The year 2012 was a great one for Ocean City Theatre Company. The addition of administrative offices, a costume shop and a set design shop helped the nonprofit organization achieve a great season.

Patch: What was your favorite production of 2012? 
Michael Hartman: This is like asking a parent which child is their favorite! Our 2012 season brought us some really special memories. Out of all the shows there was something very magical about "Cinderella." I think it was because the kids in the audience brought such a special energy to the experience. We all loved watching their faces as they watched the story unfold before their eyes!


Patch: Which production took the most effort?
Michael Hartman: "Crazy For You" was a huge show for us. It was the biggest out-of-town cast we ever brought into Ocean City for two and a half weeks. There was a ridiculous amount of dancing, a massive set, over 500 costumes and the largest orchestra we worked with in 2012.

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Patch: What was your favorite part of 2012 for OCTC as a company?
Michael Hartman: I really enjoyed how much OCTC grew this past season. With establishing a "home base" on Asbury Avenue, we took a giant leap towards becoming a year-round organization. Our fall/winter programming tripled and our summer season literally stretched our limits to the extreme. In looking back, Team OCTC handled it with ease!  

Patch: Which performer traveled the farthest in 2012?
Michael Hartman: We had a few performers from Florida, Georgia and California. 

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Patch: What will OCTC repeat this year from success in 2012?
Michael Hartman: We are already solidifying our five-show Children's Series that will take place in Ocean City, Cape May and West Chester, PA. We will continue our wonderful collaboration with the Ocean City Pops on two of our Mainstage productions, and Broadway On The Boardwalk will return on June 26, 2013.

On Feb. 16, the Greater Ocean City Theatre Company's Professional Broadway Series will perform "A Cabaret of Love Songs" at the Hughes Performing Arts Center.

This show will include a pre-show dessert in the lobby at 7 p.m. with a show following at 8 p.m. Songs from popular shows such as Footloose, Anything Goes, Little Mermaid, Singing In The Rain, and more. The junior company will have an encore performance of songs from the summer show "Xanadu."

Additionally, the company will make an official announcement about the 2013 season productions, announce sponsors of the year and the winners of the "Mikey Awards." OCTC audiences have chosen favorite performers of the memorable 2012 season.

Tickets purchased before 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14, are $18 per person. Tickets will be $20 thereafter. All tickets include the dessert reception and show. Tickets may be purchased on the web at www.ocnj.us/boxoffice, in City Hall or by calling 609-525-9300. Reservations strongly recommended.

All proceeds to benefit the 501c3 Greater Ocean City Theatre Company.

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