Monthly Archives: June 2012

June 5, 2012 · 12:10 pm

Maggiano’s Little Italy and The Whodunit? Players Presented MURDER WITH A TWIST

Have you been to Twist, the posh new martini bar? Now is your chance! Twist is having a gala opening and everybody who’s anybody will be there… including some people who would like to see the bar (or rather the owner) go bottoms up. How far will they go to ruin the evening? Will they stoop to… murder? Join the Whodunit? Players on June 23rd at Maggiano’s in Kenwood for a “twisted” evening of food and fun.

You are cordially invited to join Richard Toomie for the opening of his posh new martini bar, Twist. Twist is sure to be the next hot spot and things are about to get even hotter! Big Dick’s personal life is nearly as twisted as his lemon peels and some of the guests at his opening gala would not mind seeing him choke on a cocktail onion. Who has the best motive for murder? Is it the angry wife? The ex-con bar manager? The old army buddy? The best friend and business partner? The double-crossed ex-wife? Who is determined to get him out of the way?

The Whodunit? Players present Murder With a Twist, a fast-paced, interactive murder mystery where audience members become suspects and have a chance to solve the crime. An uproarious combination of theater and comedy and a chance to use your deductive skills with hilarious results! Join Maggiano’s Little Italy and The Whodunit? Players on June 23rd for a fun, fast-paced evening of mayhem and murder.

Don’t miss out on this unique combination of food and fun! May performances sold out, so book your reservation soon for Murder With a Twist on June 23rd. Two show seatings at 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. $75.00 per person includes Dinner, 1 Glass of Wine, Show, Staffing Fee & Sales Tax and a Casino Night, with Proceeds From Dinner and Casino Benefiting the Make A Wish Foundation. The Make-A-Wish Foundation® has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work since 1980.

Seating is limited. Reservations are required. For reservations call 513-794-0672. Credit card required to secure reservation.

ABOUT THE WHODUNIT? PLAYERS: The Whodunit? Players is a troupe of professional actors who create interactive murder mysteries for parties, company meetings, rehearsal dinners and receptions or team building events. The Whodunit? Players can spice up any party, dinner, meeting or other professional engagement with a challenging game of MURDER. Audience members become suspects and have a chance to solve the crime. The Whodunit? Players present a unique entertainment that combines live theater and improvisational comedy with hilarious results! Productions can also be used as a team building effort where groups use wit, wisdom and common sense to solve the crime. Contact Bud Walters at 513-542-4064 for pricing and availability.

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June 5, 2012 · 12:03 pm

Encore! Encore! THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) is Back by Popular Demand!

Travis McElroy, Nick Rose & Billy Chace. Photo by Jeanna Vella.

The annual tradition featuring an audience favorite comedy
returns for a limited run, June 8-30, 2012

CINCINNATI, May 2, 2012 — Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to announce a new annual Cincinnati tradition of the popular production of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, the madcap comedy that condenses all thirty-eight of Shakespeare’s plays into just ninety-seven minutes. Featuring Billy Chace, Travis McElroy and Nick Rose, “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” opens June 8, 2011 and runs through June 30, 2012.

“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” features three actors on a mission: to bring the entirety of Shakespeare’s canon to the stage in a single evening of theatre. Follow along as they careen wildly through all the comedies, histories and tragedies using a trunkful of props, wigs, and ridiculous costumes. Full of clever quips as well as silly slapstick, the script’s affectionate and irreverent treatment of Shakespeare’s plays has made it one of the most popular shows in America and England. Previous productions at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company have broken box office records and the title is one of the most requested by audience members. “I have never had so many requests to bring the production back so often. It is an absolute favorite!” says Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips.

Authors Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield formed The Reduced Shakespeare Company in Los Angeles in 1981 and debuted “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” in 1987 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. As they began touring the United States, the RSC and the play gained critical acclaim, praised by The Los Angeles Times as “wildly funny” and in the Montreal Gazette as “the funniest play you are likely to see in your lifetime.” In 1996, after years of touring the United States and abroad, The Reduced Shakespeare Company opened its extended run of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” and “The Complete History of America (Abridged)” at the Criterion Theatre in London’s West End. In 1997, the play was nominated for England’s prestigious Olivier Award for Best Comedy. The Reduced Shakespeare Company, refreshed often with new company members, continues to create fast, funny condensations of everything from the Bible, to Hollywood, to the Wide World of Sports from their home base in London.

“Whether you love Shakespeare or hate Shakespeare,” says Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips, “this script will leave you in stitches. Over the years, audiences of all ages have told us how much they love seeing three guys in sneakers do every play from “Romeo and Juliet” to “Titus Andronicus”. We have never done the show with this combination of actors, and we know their comedic timing is excellent! We plan to have a lot of fun.” CSC subscribers can purchase tickets for 15% off. Discounts are also available for students, as the show is highly-popular with teens, pre-teens and their families.

“The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” features CSC Resident Ensemble Members Billy Chace and Nick Rose joined by Travis McElroy. Mr. Chace was in last year’s production of “Complete Works” as well as the ever wildly successful and highly comedic “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)” this past holiday. Nick Rose is an audience favorite a 15 year veteran of the company. He joins the cast for the first time since the 2000 CSC production of “Complete Works”. A new cast member, Travis McElroy recently appeared at CSC in this season’s “Henry VIII: All is True”. He is part of the popular comedy podcast “My Brother, My Brother and Me”, which is a part of the “Maximum Fun” production organization and is available at maximumfun.org and on iTunes.

Performances of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” are scheduled Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm beginning June 8 and continuing through June 30, 2012. Previews are on June 6 & 7 at 7:30pm and tickets are $14. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is located at 719 Race Street, downtown Cincinnati, two blocks west of the Aronoff Center. Single Ticket prices range from $22-$28 on Thursday nights and Sunday matinees and from $26-32 on Friday and Saturday nights. CSC Subscribers receive a 15% discount on single tickets. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted. Discounts are available for students and group discounts are available for any group with six people or more. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273), or visit us online at tickets.cincyshakes.com.

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June 5, 2012 · 11:44 am

A LITTLE NIGHT MAGIC on June 29 & 30

A Little Night Magic: An Intimate Evening of Wonder and Illusion

Award Winning Magicians Donavan and Sir Pat-Trick will be starring in A Little Night Magic: An Intimate Evening of Wonder and Illusion. This family friendly magic and illusion show will be held at the Monmouth Theatre at 636 Monmouth Street Newport, Kentucky 41071.

Show Dates:

  • Friday, June 29th 2012 at 8pm
  • Saturday, June 30th 2012 at 8pm

Doors open at 7:15pm

Tickets prices:

  • $15 general admission
  • $18 dollars VIP Package (includes admission to the show, 1 free soft drink, and a special gift)
  • $10 dollars children 12 and under
  • $13 dollars Children’s VIP Package.

For show information or to order tickets call: (513) 784-6883.

About the Magicians:
Donavan is an award winning magician. He has made many appearances at such stellar locations as The Magic Castle, Auis Ten Bosch Hotels Theme Park in Nagasaki, Japan, Opryland Amusement Park, and an extensive tour of the Far East. Donavan has also worked with many Fortune 500 companies as well as cruise lines and casinos. Donavan has never been satisfied with performing common magical illusions. Early in his career he featured primarily illusions with doves and skilled manipulation but he quickly grew by studying the famed course developed by Maestro Chavez. Now he combines his limitless imagination with his Engineering degree to envision, design and build his own one-of-a-kind illusions to perform the impossible. Donavan’s magic is uniquely his own since he specializes in creating new, never before seen illusions that have even baffled the masters. Donavan is a proud member of The Covington Royal Academy of Prestidigitation and is a member of the Society of American Magicians, the oldest magic organization in the world. Website: www.donavanmagic.com.

Sir Pat-Trick is an award winning magician. He got his start in the world of magic when his grandfather taught him a Card trick on his 10th birthday. Since then he has always had a passion for performing and for magic. As a performer Sir Pat-Trick has performed at such venues as the Vatican in Rome, Italy, the Island of Assisi, The Aronoff Center, The Covedale Center, The Ensemble Theater, and the Historic Showboat Majestic in Cincinnati, Ohio and the Town Hall Theatre in Dayton, Ohio. During Halloween season he is a regular at Kings Island Halloween Haunt. He also served as the opening act for Comics Tom Cotter of Comedy Central fame and Gary Guelman of NBC’s Last Comic Standing. He is also a proud member of The Covington Royal Academy of Prestidigitation and is also a member of The International Brotherhood of Magicians and The Society of American Magicians, the oldest magic organization in the world. And always remember “Trick is in the name!” Website: www.sirpat-trick.com

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June 5, 2012 · 11:25 am

THE SCREW YOU REVUE Review

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 SCREW YOU REVUE presented by Screw You Entertainment as part of the 2012 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

Is there a little too much political-correctness in your life? If so, you need to meet Wayburn Sassy. Sassy is an 89 year old equal-opportunity bigot (think an ancient Archie Bunker on a bad day) who headlines THE SCREW YOU REVUE. At his side is his ever-faithful girl Friday and songstress, Miss Didi Panache.

THE SCREW YOU REVUE may be blue, but it’s not mean-spirited. If you are easily offended though, this is not the show for you. I’d say about 25 percent of the show is scripted, with the remainder tied to audience interaction. Saturday night’s sold out audience was in on the joke, and we had a great time.

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for THE SCREW YOU REVUE.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show or 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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June 5, 2012 · 10:50 am

Shakespeare Comes to Xenia

Josh Jatawick as Benedick and Juliet Howard-Welch as Beatrice. Photo by Lisa Bernheim.

X*ACT, Xenia Area Community Theater, is pleased to present William Shakespeare’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, June 15 through 24th at Kettering Health Network Theater in Xenia, Ohio. This production closes the 2011/ 2012 theatre season.

This production, directed by Lisa Howard-Welch, founder and former Artistic Director of W. Shakespeare & Co. Theatre Company, features a cast of seasoned actors from all over the Dayton and Springfield area. She has assembled an ensemble that brings a multitude of professional, regional and local experience, including Josh Katawick of Springfield as Benedick, Juliet Howard-Welch of Dayton as Beatrice, Elizabeth Dillard of Springfield, as Hero, Jared Mola of Beavercreek as Claudio and Anthony Copper of Xenia as Don Pedro. Katawick and Howard-Welch have been seen locally in numerous productions. Katawick has appeared in both HAMLET and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’s DREAM with Springfield StageWorks, amongst others, as well as spending last summer with Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Howard-Welch is an Actor’s Equity Membership Candidate and has worked both locally and nationally, having stage managed for New Orleans Shakespeare Festival, Dayton Opera and Clark State. She also played the role of Stella in X*ACT’s fall production of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE.

Josh Katawick as Benedick, Juliet Howard-Welch as Beatrice & Jared Mola as Claudio. Photo by Lisa Bernheim.

Elizabeth Dillard, a student in Illinois State University’s Acting Program, has also been seen in numerous local productions including HAMLET with Springfield StageWorks, EURIDYCE at Clark State and TWELFTH NIGHT with Playhouse South. Liz has also appeared most recently with Illinois State University’s production of JULIUS CAESAR. Jared Mola was most recently seen in the Dayton Theatre Guild’s production of WITTENBERG, but has also appeared in such shows as MOUSETRAP, LITTLE WOMEN and SEUSSICAL. Mola’s first original play, I LOVE YOU, LET’s LIGHT OURSELVES ON FIRE was produced at Millikin University as part of their studio theatre season. He is now a student at Wright State. Anthony Copper has appeared on the X*ACT stage for seven productions including THE CRUCIBLE, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, and directed this season’s production of THE UNINVITED. Anthony spent 15 years at Magic Waters Theatre in Bainbridge, Ohio where he acted in, directed and wrote numerous plays.

Also featured is a strong company of performance and production team members from all over the Dayton and surrounding areas, including Adam Hardy, Hayley Justice, Quillin Stocker, Michelle Graham, Kathleen Day, and Mike Fazio of Springfield; Abby Reisinger of Urbana; John Fredland, Ofoname Eguaroje, Nathan Hudson, Cher Collins and Anthony Chiles of Dayton; John Bukowski of Centerville; Kelly Bennington and Jon Hung of Beavercreek; Katie Paeg of Trotwood; Jon Dowler, Lisa Bernheim, Patrick Taylor and Austin Smith of Kettering; and Jacinda Bridger of Vandalia.

This production marks Howard-Welch’s third directing contract during the 2011/2012 theatrical season, having just finished A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’s DREAM for Springfield StageWorks. She also directed A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE for X*ACT in September, which marked her return to directing following a 9 year break from theatre. During her career, which has spanned 27 years in both the United States and the United Kingdom, she has directed more than 100 regional, pre-professional and professional projects and appeared in over 75 productions. She will soon be preparing her next directorial season, which includes WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE for Clark State’s Theatre Arts Program’s 2012/2013 Season. Lisa is currently the Artistic Director of The Shakespeare Project, and works as a theatre educator and actor’s coach.

General and Production Information
X*ACT – Xenia Community Theatre presents MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, June 15th, 16th, 22nd & 23rd at 7:30pm and June 17th, 23rd and 24th at 3:00pm at The Kettering Health Network Theater, in Xenia. The venue is located at 45 East Second Street, near the intersection of US 68 and Second Street. Regular information on the production process can be obtained by following the Director’s Blog at http://astardancedmaan.blogspot.com/. Tickets are are $15.00 for general admission seats and $12 for Seniors and Students. Tickets are available at the door, online at www.XeniaAct.org, or by calling the theater at (937) 372-0516. Very limited seating is available, so reservations or pre-purchase is strongly advised. This production contains violence, mature themes and situations and is not suitable for children or those sensitive to this subject matter.

For further information, please contact X*ACT by calling (937) 372-0516. If you would like to contact the director for more specific information, you may call her at (937)238-3938 or e-mail at Lisalhw@att.net. General performance information can be obtained by contacting the theater at (937) 372-0516.

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