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Local actor stands tall as giant in 'Jack and the Beanstalk'

Michael Richart, as Jack, Jennifer Scott, as the Giant’s wife and Coby Osborne, as the Giant, rehearse for “Jack and the Beanstalk” for Cincinnati Children’s Theatre at Taft Theatre. Osborne, a veteran of Fairfield Footlighters, is 6 feet, 7 inches tall.

Staff photo by Samantha Grier Michael Richart, as Jack, Jennifer Scott, as the Giant’s wife and Coby Osborne, as the Giant, rehearse for “Jack and the Beanstalk” for Cincinnati Children’s Theatre at Taft Theatre. Osborne, a veteran of Fairfield Footlighters, is 6 feet, 7 inches tall.

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer Updated 8:43 AM Friday, February 26, 2010

FAIRFIELD — Standing 6 feet and 7 inches tall can make life a game of ducking and scrunching, as Coby Osborne of Fairfield discovered long ago.

This weekend, however, he gets to use his stature to his advantage, playing in “Jack and the Beanstalk” by the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati.

“It makes it easier to play the giant,” said Osborne, 33.

The role is typecasting in two ways. Not only can Osborne easily pass for a giant, but his happy personality suits him to this version of the play.

Other versions portray the giant as mean and fearsome, but in this show, “It’s a bit of a twist. He’s a funloving giant who’s misunderstood. His wife is the controlling figure, but he’s really a big teddy bear of a guy,” Osborne said,

That pretty well sums up Osborne, too. He’s a Fairfield Footlighters veteran who has acted in shows such as “Godspell,” “Arsenic and Old Lace: and “Never Too Late.” He’s making his directorial debut in May with “The Grapes of Wrath.”

“I’ve been into acting for about 20 years or so,” he said. “I do what I can to make someone laugh or smile.”

But there are other reasons to look up to Osborne, said Jack Louiso, the show’s director, who said Osborne also agreed to be the offstage voice of a cow. “He’s very versatile and ... he’s got a great sense of humor.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.

Jack and  the Beanstalk

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday Feb. 26; 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, March 6.
Where: Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Cincinnati
Cost: $20, $18, and $7. Call (513) 569-8080 ext. 10, or visit www.livenation.com

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