LCT Gives 4 Awards to Playhouse’s THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR

League of Cincinnati Theatres Gives Four Awards to
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR

David St. Louis as Marvell Thunder, Terry Burrell as Good Sister Dupree, Jennie Harney as Glory Dupree & Trent Armand Kendall as Jaguar Dupree, Sr. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

(CINCINNATI, MAY 1, 2012)– Panelists from the League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) have recognized Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s production of THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR with four awards for its ensemble, costume design, lighting design and band.

THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR is a fairy tale of love, family and the blues by Keith Glover, Anderson Edwards and Keb’ Mo’. Once upon a time, a mysterious stranger named Marvell Thunder arrives at the home of the Dupree family with a unique challenge: a cutting contest, in which guitars are the weapons of choice. If he has his way, the epic musical showdown will change everyone’s life. Thunder was produced at the Playhouse in 1999, and it became the theatre’s most popular musical of the last 20 years. Awards were given to the following:

• Outstanding Ensemble, described by one LCT panelist as “the best I’ve seen on this stage.” The cast includes Terry Burrell, Jennie Harney, Trent Armand Kendall, David St. Louis and Timothy Ware;
• Paul Tazewellfor his costume design. “Costumes were astounding,” said one panelist. “The shiny suits perfectly reflected the era and the characters in fabric and fit. Every character had great clothes with attention to detail.”
• Thomas C. Hasefor the show’s lighting design, described as “a work of art, creating a fluid landscape for the various locales and brilliantly bridging the concert and theatre worlds”; and
• Steve Ditzell (guitar),Art Gore (drums),Larry C. Humphrey (bass), Michael Leroy Peed (keyboards, music direction)and Billy Thompson (guitar and harmonica), the show’s musicians, for their specialized contributions to the production. According to one panelist, “I go yearly to the Cincinnati Blues Fest, and the band playing for this production is better than many of the bands I have heard. They were simply outstanding.”

Thunder Knocking on the Door continues through May 20. 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.