Monthly Archives: March 2012

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Earns Five LCT Awards

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Earns Five League of Cincinnati Theatres Awards for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park 

The cast of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

(CINCINNATI, MARCH 13, 2012)– Panelists from the League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) have recognized Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG with five awards for its ensemble, set design, musical direction and orchestrations.

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG is directed by John Doyle, using the same actor-musician technique he employed in the Playhouse’s Tony Award-winning production of Company. The show, a musical fable of friendship and the price of success, moves backward in time, tracing the relationships of a jaded composer and his two closest friends from their estranged ending to idealistic beginnings. The following awards were given:

  • Outstanding Ensemble, described by one LCT panelist as “full of remarkably talented individuals who could sing, move, act AND play musical instruments — extraordinary.” The cast of Broadway veterans includes Becky Ann Baker, Matt Castle, Matthew Deming, Ben Diskant, David Garry, Malcolm Gets, Lee Harrington, Daniel Jenkins, Jane Pfitsch, Leenya Rideout, Fred Rose, Bruce Sabath and Jessica Tyler Wright;
  • Becky Ann Baker, as featured actress, for her “nuanced and very real” performance as Mary Flynn;
  • Scott Paskfor his scenic design. As one panelist stated, “The use of sheet music and manuscripts, the elements that started and held together the friendship of the three main characters, was incredibly inventive”;
  • Matt Castlefor “coaxing this great vocal and instrumental performance from this cast” through his musical direction; and
  • Mary-Mitchell Campbell for her new orchestrations of the score, which “made it possible for a full sound to be derived from a group that are primarily actors and singers.”

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG continues through March 31. Tickets are available at www.cincyplay.com.

The League of Cincinnati Theatres was founded in 1999 to strengthen, nurture and promote Cincinnati’s theatre community. LCT provides its member companies and individual members with education, resources and services to enhance the quality and exposure of the theatre community in Cincinnati and increase community awareness, attendance and involvement. More information about the League can be found at www.leagueofcincytheatres.info.

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A NIGHT TO REMEMBER on April 14

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
Presented by Human Race Theatre Company
April 14
Dayton

Captain Kevin Moore and the crew of the RMS Human Race cordially invite you aboard for our 25th Anniversary Celebration: A NIGHT TO REMEMBER. On April 14, 2012 from 6-9pm at the Dayton Art Institute in the Gothic Cloister and Great Hall.

Open bar and unlimited hors d’oeuvres buffet, auction of our original 25th anniversary season artwork, entertainment and valet parking. Attire is formal, life jackets are optional.

Please RSVP by April 6, 2012. Click here for the formal invitation.

  • April 14 from 6-9pm

Official page | FaceBook event |

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DANCING FOR THE STARS on April 14

DANCING FOR THE STARS
Presented by Cincinnati Arts Association 
April 14
Downtown 

A benefit for the Overture Awards and Academy. Inspired by the hit ABC-TV show “Dancing with the Stars,” DANCING FOR THE STARS will feature eight Cincinnati celebrities paired with some of the area’s finest professional dancers in a competition program at which the audience will vote for their favorite celebrity dancer. The stars include: Janeen Coyle (On-Air Personality, WGRR-FM), Chief James Craig (Police Chief, Cincinnati Police Department), Peter Hiltz (Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo Investments), Candace Klein (Attorney, Ulmer & Berne, LLP; CEO, Bad Girls Venture), Dr. Michael Leadbetter, MD (Cosmetic Surgeon, Plastic Surgery Group), Joe Rigotti (Creative Director, Accent on Cincinnati; Event Planner), Moe Rouse (Community Volunteer), Regina Russo (Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Cincinnati Art Museum).

  • Sat, April 14 at 6pm

Official page with online ticketing |

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PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES runs April 13-29

PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES
Presented by The Carnegie
April 13-29
Covington

Reviews: Enquirer | CityBeat | Cincinnati Examiner |

A piece down Highway 57 from Frog Level is a shabby gas station (with a hot tub out back), the Double Cupp Diner, and the best foot-stompin’ good time you’ve ever had at the theatre. Five rowdy filling station boys and sassy diner waitresses sing and play their own instruments in this hilarious and heartwarming country western music revue, with songs including “Farmer Tan” and “The Night Dolly Parton Was Almost Mine.” The New York Times wrote that PUMP BOYS is “as refreshing as an ice cold beer after a bowl of five-alarm chili.”

Directed by Jared Doren
Music directed by Steve Goers
Choreographed by Patti James
Produced by Joshua Steele

Cast: Brad Myers as Jackson, Steve Goers as L.M., Jon Kovach as Jim, Sara Mackie as Rhetta Cupp & Annie Kalahurka as Prudie Cupp

  • Fri*-Sat, April 13-14 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, April 15 at 3pm
  • Fri*-Sat, April 20-21 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, April 22 at 3pm
  • Fri-Sat, April 27-28 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, April 29 at 3pm

Official page | Online ticketing | FaceBook event | Goldstar discount |

Local media coverage: Cincinnati Examiner article |Enquirer article |

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THE FANTASTICKS runs April 13-22

THE FANTASTICKS
Presented by Xenia Area Community Theatre
April 13-22
Xenia

Two fathers decide that they want their children to fall in love. The girl, Luisa, is a daydreamer with an active imagination. The boy, Matt, is a romantic. The two fathers decide to instigate a mock feud amongst themselves in order to help the boy and girl fall in love. They figure that this feud will give them the excuse to say no to the relationship, which of course will simply encourage the children’s love even more. The fathers go as far as to hire El Gallo to stage a mock abduction of Luisa, in which Matt can become a hero and save her. After this act, Luisa and Matt fall deeply in love. Soon though, the children realize their parents staged the feud and their love fades away. Later, after both children experience a little life experience on their own and are hurt by it, they reunite once again with much less drama. StageAgent.com 

Directed by Lynda Troy

Cast: Jordan Du Vall as Matt, Jesseca Williams as Luisa, Michael Taint as El Gallo, Dan Donahue as Bellomy, John Falkenbach as Hucklebee, Timothy Haney as Henry, Cody Dodge as Mortimer III, Olivia Gladman as Fortune Teller, Don Henry as Ring Master, Leyla Dodge as Stilt walker, & DeLeon Narcisse as Clown

  • Fri-Sat, April 13-14 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, April 15 at 3pm
  • Fri-Sat, April 20-21 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, April 22 at 3pm

Official page | Online ticketing |

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