By Andy Furman
NKyTribune staff writer
The transformation may have started four years ago – but for Tyler Gabbard, well, it started back at Campbell County High School.
“I was doing theater when I was young,” he told the Northern Kentucky Tribune, “and was always interested in becoming a producer.”
Fast forward to today — the 35-year-old Gabbard serves as Production Director of Theater at Covington’s The Carnegie.
“I’ve been here four years, and we’ve found our identity,” he told the audience at the Covington Rotary Club’s weekly meeting. “We want to be a place for people to see musicals and live performances.”
Gabbard’s claim – he says — The Carnegie is Cincinnati’s home for musical theater. “That means, no plays,” he said.
And, he sees to it.
“I serve as producer of our shows, choose the shows as well,” he said. “Actually, I am the guiding creative force of a given show.”
The shows at The Carnegie – musicals.
Why?
“Prior to our recent decision,” he continued, “we didn’t have a national profile. Now we do.
“We used to be a mix of plays. We’re a musical theater now.”
Yet, The Carnegie inspires creativity for all. It is the largest and only multidisciplinary arts venue in Northern Kentucky, with The Carnegie Galleries, the Eva G. Farris Education Center and, the Otto M. Budig Theatre housed together under their dome.
Originally constructed in 1904 as a Carnegie Library, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is one of only a few remaining Carnegie Libraries in the United States with a full-scale auditorium.
The Carnegie was founded in 1972.
“We are committed to presenting fresh takes on popular musical titles that speak to contemporary audiences,” he said. “Live theater is a rare gift where a few hundred people share one gift at the same time.
“Our goal is to delight audiences, create impactful connections through live storytelling and expand the art of musical theater.”
And they are doing just that.
In fact, Gabbard says The Carnegie’s attendance has doubled over the past two years. “We choose the right shows, have a great social media presence, and really we are the only live show in town,” he said.
Next season, he says, will even be bigger. This year’s five-show season expands to seven shows in 2027.
The highlight may very well be Jodi & Delaney – mother and daughter – who attended the University of Cincinnati’s CCM. Together, Wherever We Go — an evening with Disney Legend and Tony Award nominee Jodi Benson – the iconic voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid – and her daughter Delaney will be on The Carnegie stage January 9th.
Delaney delighted Carnegie audiences in Singin’ in the Rain.
“We seem to be gearing to a younger audience,” Gabbard said, “but we can never forget the classics.”
The Carnegie stage will present Rodgers, Hammerstein and Hart next May – with songs that built Broadway.
The Music Man, with a small cast of 16 actors, arrives at The Carnegie in July of 2027.
Gabbard got his taste of Broadway on Broadway.
“I graduated NYU with a degree in Theater Management and Design. And I interned on Broadway as a producer for a year,” he said.
And it shows.