Stacie Boord, general manager and performer for Shadowbox Newport: To be honest, it was all happenstance. I was an opera and dance major in college. I heard from a friend about this guy writing a rock opera who needed a back up singer. I decided to do it so I could show my "versatility" as a singer/actress on my resume. (That's where I fell in love with rock music. Once I graduated with my degree I never sang an aria again!)

When the rock opera was over, we decided to open a black box theatre so we could train actors to sing and vice versa. After we had been in operation for a year doing traditional theatre, we literally sat around the office one day and said, "You know what? SNL sucks. I bet we could do a better job than that." So we challenged ourselves to write a two-hour sketch comedy show in ten days, and it was a huge hit! Then a little bit later we decided to get a liquor license, offer some food and the rest is history!

Cincy Chic: How did that comedic path lead you to Shadowbox?

Boord: Well, as I said above, it was the other way around! Shadowbox lead me down the comedic path. I was just crazy enough to go there and stay there!

Cincy Chic: What makes Shadowbox different from other entertainment opportunities?

Boord: It's a unique entertainment experience. Nowhere else can you experience sketch comedy, rock 'n' roll, and dance, all under the same roof in this type of format. That, coupled with our bistro style menu and bar, makes for a great evening out! Our entertainment is definitely geared toward mature audiences — although you're not going to see or hear anything you wouldn't on cable television!

Cincy Chic: This is for our Humor issue, so what have been some of the funnier moments at Shadowbox?

Boord: Wow! [Pause] Well, costume malfunctions are always worth a good laugh. Oh, and not too long ago I was performing at the Shadowbox Columbus and during the song "With a Little Help from My Friends," I pulled an older gentleman up from the audience. He kind of lost his balance a little and then leaned into me and yelled into my live head mic, "I'm getting a new hip on Wednesday!" Everyone in the audience heard it!

Cincy Chic: You and the rest of the crew at Shadowbox Newport just finished up your "Shadowbox After Dark" show, so what can Cincy Chic readers expect to see now?

Boord: Next up is Spring Fling, and it looks like it's going to be a great show! We've got a great line up of music, including Heart, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Tower of Power to name a few. And we're doing a stage version of the classic Bugs Bunny cartoon, "What's Opera Doc?"

Cincy Chic: When you aren't on stage, what do you like to do for fun?

Boord: I'm a complete homebody. My husband always thinks it hilarious how my image on stage is this crazy rocker/comedienne, and yet all I like to do on my down time (which isn't much, doing eight shows a week) is work out, cook gourmet meals, drink a great bottle of cabernet and spend time with my husband and kids!

Cincy Chic: What do you love most about Cincinnati?

Boord: Well, I love the river. It reminds me of my hometown in Marietta, Ohio. But the best part of Cincy is the people. I find people to be incredibly gracious here. I'm very fortunate to have the opportunities I do.

PHOTO CREDITS

Photo courtesy of Stacie Boord

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