Hamilton, Ohio – Talk about your full-circle moment.
Noah Warner grew up watching local performers, starting with the Rhapsody in Blue show choir at Hamilton High School. Now the 2019 HHS graduate - who also has a degree in opera performance and dance from Northern Kentucky University – is the one people come to see.
Warner plays the title role in the Lexington Children’s Theatre touring production of Winnie the Pooh coming to the Fitton Center for Creative Arts to open the 2024-2025 Fitton Family Fridays series Friday, September 13.
“It means everything,” Warner said of his homecoming. “My family is always so supportive; having a chance to perform for them in my hometown is really special.
“Hamilton can go beyond the 513 (area code). It’s great to get to come home, but I’m expanding into other
places, kind of being an ambassador for Hamilton in the arts. It’s important for the next generation to see that, but it’s also important for the current generation. We can make a career in the arts.”
One of the first shows Warner saw as a child was Rhapsody’s grand-champion performance of 2015.
“I said to myself, ‘I want to do that. I have to do that,’” he said.
So he did.
Warner sang in show choir through high school, helping the group return to grand-champion status his senior year. He also did musical theater at Hamilton, performing in shows like Young Frankenstein and Godspell, as well as doing tech work on shows like Jesus Christ Superstar.
“I think my experiences at Hamilton really set me up for success,” he said. “I learned a lot, not just about singing, about performing, but about how to carry myself, how to present in auditions, how to do the job.”
“Noah’s work ethic is one that you don’t run across in students every day,” said Kelly MacKenzie-Thurley, an NKU faculty member and Warner’s vocal coach. “He is highly organized, self-motivated and a natural-born leader. He will do amazing things in his career, I am absolutely positive of that.”
He’s off to a good start professionally.
Warner performed in The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati production of Finding Nemo earlier this year. His contract with LCT takes him to several states while playing more than 40 dates with Pooh through December.
“It’s a great show,” he said. “It’s glorious telling the story of Pooh with our set, with the costumes we have, with the music. It’s a great production. You can expect (to see) Pooh and all his friends. You can expect some problem solving by some of the characters who don’t normally step into the spotlight.
“And you can expect honey. Lots and lots of honey.”
Tickets to Winnie the Pooh at the Fitton Center are $8 for members, $10 for non-members (plus a $2 fee per ticket) and are available online here, by phone at 513-863-8873, ext. 110 or in person at the Fitton Center. Only about 40 seats remain.
In addition to the show, guests will enjoy the first-ever Kids Opening Night festivities, which include pre-show kid-friendly snacks and drinks in the ballroom, a red-carpet paparazzi walk to show off their formal attire or Pooh-themed costumes, as well as themed activities with both MetroParks of Butler County and the Lane Library bookmobile.
The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.
Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture
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