Michael Semanic
Actor/Singer, Chicago/Suburbs
Past Events
"Quisquidi" - Visual and Performing Arts Academy - 2015
As a freshman Michael was cast in the lead role of Quisquidi for the VPAA fall play which was performed in black light.
"Over the Tavern" - Harper Ensemble Theatre Company - 2015
Michael enjoyed playing the lead role of Rudy Pazinski in this wonderfully hilarious and poignant production with the Harper Ensemble Theatre Company.
"13 The Musical" - The Ensemble at the Performer's School - 2015
Michael had a blast playing the role of "Archie" in this wonderful production!
Michael played the role of "Louis Leonowens" in the critically acclaimed Marriott Theatre production of "The King and I" in 2014/2015. For more information about the show click here: http://www.marriotttheatre.com/show/the-king-and-i
"The King and I" at Marriott Theatre - 2014/2015
"The Sound of Music" with the Lyric Opera of Chicago - 2014
Michael was cast as the understudy for Kurt in this grand production of The Sound of Music at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The show April-May, 2014. For more information about the show click here: http://www.lyricopera.org/soundofmusic/
"The Merry Wives of Windsor" with Chicago Shakespeare Theater - 2013/14
Michael played the role of Robin Page in the Chicago Shakespeare Theater production of "The Merry Wives of Windsor" on Navy Pier in Chicago. The show opened on December 3, 2013 and ran through January 19, 2014. For more information about the show (including cast bios) click here: http://www.chicagoshakes.com/plays_and_events/merrywives
"Pie Jesu" from Faure's Requiem - November 2013
The Parish Choir of Saints Faith Hope and Charity church presented a performance of Fauré's Requiem using the new David Hill arrangement for violin, cello, harp and organ.
YouTube Video of this performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8JZpNLImaM
"Suor Angelica" and "Gianni Schicchi" (Puccini) - September 2013
Main Street Opera presented 4 performances of Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi in Arlington Heights, Stone Park and Chicago. Michael played the role of "Ghirardino" in the former and "the child" in the latter.
Vocal Soloist with the Wheaton Symphony - Selections from "Oliver!" - August 2013
Michael joined forces with soloists David and Christine Pfenninger, Music Director Kevin McMahon and the Wheaton Symphony Orchestra to perform selections from "Oliver".
"The Music Man" - July 2013
Footlighters Theater Company in Des Plaines presented "The Music Man" in July 2013. Michael played the role of Winthrop Paroo and enjoyed singing "Gary Indiana" -- with a lisp, of course.
"Oliver!" - April 2013
Music on Stage in Palatine presented "Oliver!" just a few months after the Light Opera Works production. Michael was thrilled to play the Artful Dodger... and learning his lines (and Cockney dialect) were easy since he had just heard them performed so well by Darren with LOW. He's hoping to play "Dodge" again... this has been one of his favorite roles, so far!
"Oliver!" - December 2012
Light Opera Works in Evanston selected Michael to play the role of Oliver Twist in their 2012 production of "Oliver!" One of his funniest "actor stories" comes from this production... "On New Year's Eve (which was also our last show) I lost my tooth (which was loose) on stage just before singing my big solo "Where is Love?". It landed in the dish of "dog food" that Charlotte takes from me, and I was worried that my tooth would get thrown out. Also, I didn't know if I was bleeding or not, and I wondered if anyone in the audience could tell what happened. (I wasn't bleeding and my parents didn't notice what happened so I don't think anyone else did.) I wasn't able to leave the stage until much later at the end of Act 1 and when I looked for the tooth in the dish during intermission it was still there!" :-)
