Monthly Archives: April 2012

April 11, 2012 · 8:43 am

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD WITH THE MIGHTY WURLITZER on May 10

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD WITH THE MIGHTY WURLITZER
Presented by the Society for the Preservation of Music Hall
May 10
Over-the-Rhine

Feel surrounded by the sounds of cinematic memories, as the majestic Mighty Wurlitzer magically transports you to the golden age of Hollywood musicals. Revisit the grandeur of famous movie themes and enjoy the exuberant spirit of your favorite hit songs – starring the Mighty Wurlitzer and internationally-acclaimed theater-organist Jelani Eddington, and featuring rising new talents from Northern Kentucky University’s Department of Theatre and Dance, Carmyn Howe and Seth Wallen.

  • Thu, May 10 at 10:30am & 7pm

Official page with online ticketing |

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April 11, 2012 · 8:36 am

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA runs May 10-27

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Presented by Wright State University
May 10-27
Dayton

  • Thu, May 10 at 7pm
  • Fri-Sat, May 11-12 at 8pm
  • Sun, May 13 at 2pm
  • Wed-Thu, May 16-17 at 7pm
  • Fri, May 18 at 8pm
  • Sat, May 19 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Sun, May 20 at 2pm
  • Thu, May 24 at 7pm
  • Fri, May 25 at 8pm
  • Sat, May 26 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Sun, May 27 at 2pm

Official page |

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April 10, 2012 · 8:18 pm

BCT Youth Theatre Presents LOOKING GLASS LAND

Alexis Lyden as Hatta & Alexa Stevens as Alice.

Beavercreek Community Theatre’s stage will be transformed into a wonderland when the BCT Youth Theatre presents “Looking Glass Land,” an adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s original “Through the Looking Glass.”

The land, as seen through Alice’s looking glass, will come alive April 20 through April 29, with 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday performances and 3 p.m. Sunday matinees at the theater, located within the Lofino Center at 3868 Dayton-Xenia Road in Beavercreek.

This adventure with Alice in wonderland, directed by Teresa Connair of Dayton, retains a lot of the familiar characters, such as Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, Humpty Dumpty and numerous chess pieces, while introducing some new characters, such as a train conductor, a baseball team, a peanut salesman and detectives.

Beavercreek residents in the show are Joseph Sellers, Matthew Sellers, Jacob Anderson, Paige McNachton, Hunter McNachton, Alexa Storar, Alexis Lyden, , Gabriella Stauffer, Sachi Wilson, Alexi Hard, Alexis Rivera, , Brock Hoskins, Kendra Moran, Caroline Delaney, Charis Jacobson, Lexi Sullivan and Katherine Toronto.

Cast members from Xenia are Alexa Stevens, Judith Kroll and Sheridan Westray and those from Fairborn are Evan Hancock, Preston Hancock, Levi Hancock and Spencer Hancock.

The cast also includes Brooke Montgomery, Ava Storost, Emily Coffee and Emily Merritt from Kettering ; Leo Santucci and Max Santucci from Dayton; Dylan Serrano from Centerville; Emma Bergeron from Springboro; Shannon Henderson from Springfield; Macy McDowell from Clayton; Corinne Engber from Centerville and Ashley Davis from Miamisburg.

Connair is also the set designer and builder. Her assistant director and stage manager is Katie Kerry of Kettering. The costumer is Linda Sellers of Beavercreek and the producers are Lisa Stokely and Mary Mathieu, both of Beavercreek.

Tickets are $13 for adults, $11 for students, seniors and BCT members and $8 for those in 8th grade and younger. There will also be mat seating in front of the stage for children age 10 and younger for $5. Tickets can be reserved by calling BCT at 429-4737 and leaving a message or by e-mailing boxoffice@bctheatre.org. Tickets can also be ordered online, using a credit card, at www.bctheatre.org. Credit cards are not accepted at the theater.

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April 10, 2012 · 7:49 pm

CLP Announces Cast for Showboat Majestic’s GEORGE M!

Cincinnati Landmark Productions announces the cast for GEORGE M!, as part of the 90th season aboard the Showboat Majestic, running July 11-29.

GEORGE M! tells the life story of George M. Cohan, a giant of the American musical theater who gave us such songs as Yankee Doodle Dandy, Over There, You’re A Grand Old Flag, and Give My Regards to Broadway, and who transformed the Broadway variety show into a book-driven musical where song and dance advance plot. We follow him over a 60-year period from his childhood in Rhode Island on the vaudeville circuit with his parents and sister as “The Four Cohans,” to New York, where he starts his 25-year absolute reign of the Broadway stage.

The cast includes: Matt Dentino as George M, Rick Kramer as Jerry Cohan, Rachel Meyer as Ethel Levey, Marypat Carletti as Nellie Cohan, Kate Glasheen as Anges Nolan, Eileen Earnest as Josie Cohan, Allison Muennich as Fay Templeton, Teresa Wellman as Rose & Justin Thompson as Sam Harris. The ensemble features Joe Kuchey, Korey Harlow, Scott Neal, Karolyn Keeler, Allison Evans, Abigail Kohake and Mollie Fingerman.

GEORGE M! is directed by Matt Wilson, with music direction by Eric Baumgartner and choreography by Jeni Schwiers.

For tickets and more information visit http://www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com/sbm/Default.aspx.

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April 9, 2012 · 7:49 pm

THE GRAPES OF WRATH Review

Justin McCombs as Tom & Sherman Fracher as Ma Joad.

Links to all reviews can be found on the BTC REVIEWS page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my FaceBook fan page. You can receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

THE GRAPES OF WRATH presented by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company through April 29. You can read the show description here.

Everyone involved in the production brought their A-game and it shows. The effort and attention to detail is visible in every aspect of the production and elevates the entire work.

Director Brian Isaac Phillips leads the large, strong ensemble with a deft hand and clear vision. Sherman Fracher is incredible as Ma Joad, the family matriarch. The strength and determination in her performance are palpable, as if she can will the family to a better life in California.

Maggie Lou Rader as Rose of Sharon & Sherman Fracher as Ma Joad. Photo by Rich Sofranko Photography.

Solid work by Drew Fracher as Pa Joad, Jim Hopkins as Uncle John, Justin McCombs as Tom and Nick Rose as Jim Casey. I was also impressed with Jeremy Dubin’s range in portraying several supporting roles. For me, the most powerful moment of the show is Rose of Sharon’s (Maggie Lou Rader) transformation at the end of the play. The final moments, as the myriad of emotions play across her face, are near perfect.

Emotionally, favorite scenes for me include Tom’s homecoming, the end of Act I and the latter portion of Act II. I also thought the night scenes were very successful in invoking the uncertainly, apprehension and fear of the situations.

Nick Rose as Jim Casey & Jim Hopkins as Uncle John. Photo by Rich Sofranko Photography.

Andrew J. Hungerford’s scenic and lighting designs are extremely well-thought out and executed. The simplicity of the set pieces and the material choices created a great atmosphere for the play. The set also holds several surprises that I really enjoyed. Hungerford really puts the new LED lighting equipment through its paces. One thing that really stood out is the amount of control now available in lighting the set. Combined with Phillips’ blocking, it creates some truly memorable stage pictures.

Miranda McGee, Kelly Mengelkoch & Jeremy Dubin. Photo by Rich Sofranko Photography.

The addition of the house band during many of the scene changes worked very well. Great work from all band members and to Cary Davenport and Jeremy Dubin who arranged the music.

Extremely well-done emotionally, visually and technically. THE GRAPES OF WRATH is one of my favorite productions of the year.

Click here for a complete list of show times, articles and other reviews for THE GRAPES OF WRATH. 

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the showor my review. All I ask is that you express your opinion without attacking someone else’s opinion. You can post your comments below.

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