Yearly Archives: 2012

April 4, 2012 · 11:00 pm

BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON Review

Kellen York as Andrew Jackson. Photo by Deogracias Lerma.

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.

BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON presented by Know Theatre of Cincinnati through May 12. You can read the show description here.

So this is “a raucous blend of outrageous comedy, anarchic theatricality and an infectious rock n’ roll soundtrack.” Yeah…it’s not really my thing. I mean, I’m not a fan of impressionism painting either, but that doesn’t make it an invalid style of expression. Many patrons in the audience enjoyed the show, but for me, it’s just not why I go to see theater. Amid all the chaos, I never found anything or anyone to connect to emotionally.

Chance Kilgour, Datus Puryear, Kellen York, Drew Bowen & Matt Hill. Photo by Deogracias Lerma.

Visually the set design worked with its multiple levels and ramps. I liked the washed-out look of the flag background and would have like to have seen that continue across the Presidential seal on the center platform. It also would have been nice to have the motif of the set carry somehow to the band platform, especially since the band was incorporated into several of the scenes. Good work on the lighting as well. Both were designed by Andrew Hungerford.

Also nicely-done were the costumes (design by Noelle Wedig). A few didn’t quite mesh, but overall they worked well. The lead’s blood stained shirt and jacket were personal favorites.

Musically I felt there were a few rough spots. Singing with a live rock band is difficult and different from regular musical theater. Some of the harmonies were a little off, a few song entrances were muddy as singers didn’t start together and a soloist or two did come in flat. Soloists were also a little difficult to hear against the full band. A bump to the mics and a equal decrease in the band volume is an easy fix. I also thought ??? ???? [Verifying actor’s name -Rob] acoustic number was well done. BTW I did notice that the bio for the music director is missing from the program.

Kellen York as Andrew Jackson & Kelsey Crismon as Rachel Jackson. Photo by Deogracias Lerma.

There was some strong character work from several actors in the ensemble. Personal favorites included Matt Hill, Datus Puryear, Chris Wesselman & Tori Wiggins. Kelsey Crismon as Rachel Jackson found a great balance between her character and the chaos going on around her.

Overall I felt the book of the show was buried by all the “outrageous comedy and anarchic theatricality” layered on top of it. At times it felt more like a comedy sketch than a musical.

BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON concludes KTC’s 2011-2012 season. I also attended GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES, ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S BIG GAY DANCE PARTY and COLLAPSE. Of the four, my personal favorite was the well-done COLLAPSE with a solid ensemble and a strong performance by Annie Fitzpatrick. COLLAPSE reminded me of the scripts that were produced by-the-then Know Theatre Tribe at Gabriel’s Corner. I miss that.

Photo by Deogracias Lerma.

Click here for a complete list of show times, articles and other reviews for BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show, Know’s 2011-2012 season, 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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April 4, 2012 · 1:58 pm

CLP Seeks Two Male Tappers for GEORGE M!

Cincinnati Landmark Productions ss seeking two male tap dancers to join the ensemble of George M! Lots of featured material for the Ensemble too.

(17 + years of age): MUST HAVE A RESUME listing theatrical experience in order to be considered. A headshot/picture is appreciated as well. If available and interested, please send resume, and headshot to Jennifer Perrino, Business Manager Producer @ jenniferperrino@covedalecenter.com

These are paid positions.

Show includes tunes: “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “Over There,” “You’re A Grand Old Flag,” and “Give My Regards to Broadway.”

George M!
Music and Lyrics by George M. Cohan; Book by Michael Stewart, John Pascal and Francine Pascal
Lyrics and Musical Revisions by Mary Cohan

GEORGE M! tells the life story of George M. Cohan, a giant of the American musical theater! 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.

Matt Wilson, Director; Eric Baumgartner, Music Director; Jeni Schwiers, Choreographer; Ashley Bowman, Production Stage Manager

Rehearsal details: Rehearsals will take place at The Covedale Center for the Performing Arts until we move aboard the Showboat. Rehearsals will begin Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 6:30 pm. The rehearsal schedule will be based on specific portions of the show to be rehearsed.

Please note: Rehearsal dates are subject to finalization based upon cast selections/availability. You may not miss the last six rehearsals. Rehearsal schedule:

Weds., May 23 6:30 – 10 p.m. Read thru
Thurs., May 24 6:30 – 10 p.m.

Sunday, May 27 6:00 to 9:30 pm
Monday, May 28 MEMORIAL DAY OFF
Weds., May 30 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Thurs., May 31 6:30 –10 p.m.
Sat., June 2 2:00 – 5:30 pm

Sunday, June 3 2:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Monday, June 4 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Weds., June 6 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Thurs., June 7 6:30 – 10 p.m.

Sunday, June 10 6:00 to 9:30 pm.
Monday, June 11 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Weds., June 13 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Thurs., June 14 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Saturday, June 16 2:30 to 6:30 pm.

Sunday, June 17 6:00 to 9:30 pm
Monday, June 18 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Wed., June 20 6:30 –10 p.m.
Thurs., June 21 6:30 –10 p.m.
Saturday, June 23 2:30 to 6:00 pm.

Sunday, June 24 2:00 –5:30 p.m.
Monday, June 25 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Tuesday, June 26 6:30 – 10:pm
Weds., June 27 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Thurs., June 28 6:30 – 10 p.m.

Mon., July 2 May Not Miss
Wed., July 4 HOLIDAY OFF
Thurs., July 5 May Not Miss
Fri., July 6 May Not Miss

Sun., July 8 (Tech) May Not Miss
Mon., July 9 (Tech) May Not Miss
Tues., July 10 (Tech/Final dress/Preview) May Not Miss
Wed. July 11 6:30 p.m. Call OPENING NIGHT!

GEOREGE M!
(Performances run July 11 – July 29, 2012)

Wed. July 11th – Thurs. July 12th – Fri. July 13th – Sat. July 14th – Sun. July 15th
Wed. July 18th – Thurs. July 19th – Fri. July 20th – Sat. July 21st – Sun. July 21st
Wed. July 25th – Thurs. July 26th – Fri. July 27th – Sat. July 28th – Sun. July 29th

Please note: There are two performances on Sun., 7/21 at 2 pm and 7 pm.

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April 4, 2012 · 9:47 am

THE ADVENTURES OF FLAT STANLEY JR runs May 4-20

THE ADVENTURES OF FLAT STANLEY JR
Presented by Town Hall Theatre 
A Landmark Children’s Theatre Company All-Cast Production
May 4-20
Centerville 

Stanley Lambchop’s life is boring! He wishes to see the world and have great adventures. Be careful what you wish for, Stanley! When a bulletin board falls on him, pressing him flat as a pancake it’s just the beginning of a world-wide adventure as he searches for a cure! From Washington D.C. to Paris, France to Hawaii – all for the cost of a postage stamp! But will he ever be 3-dimensional again? After an accident leaves him flat, Stanley Lambchop makes the most of his new shape, embarking adventures courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service! Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Cast list

  • Fri, May 4 at 7pm
  • Sat-Sun, May 5-6 at 3pm
  • Fri, May 11 at 7pm
  • Sat, May 12 at 11am & 3pm
  • Sun, May 13 at 3pm, optional Mother’s Day pre-show tea available
  • Fri, May 18 at 7pm
  • Sat-Sun, May 19-20 at 3pm

Official page | Online ticketing |

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April 4, 2012 · 9:30 am

RAVENSCROFT runs May 4-12

RAVENSCROFT
Presented by Troy Civic Theatre
May 4-12
Troy

This psychological drama is a thinking person’s Gothic thriller, a dark comedy that is both funny and frightening. On a snowy night, Inspector Ruffing is called to a manor home out in the country to investigate the headlong plunge of Patrick Roarke down the main staircase. Inspector Ruffing becomes involved in the lives of five alluring and dangerous women: Marcy, the beautiful Viennese governess with a past; Mrs. Ravenscroft, the flirtatious and lonely widow of the manor; Gillian, her charming but possibly demented daughter; Mrs. French, the formidable, passionate and loyal cook, and Dolly, a terrified but simple maid. They lead him through a bewildering labyrinth of contradictory versions of Patrick’s demise. There are ghosts on the staircase, skeletons in the closet, and much more than the Inspector bargained for. Prepare to be teased, seduced, bewildered, frightened, but most of all tickled.

Directed by Barbara Lurie

Cast: Dave Nickel as Inspector Ruffing, Tina Hayes as Marcy Kleiner, Libby Scancarello as Mrs. Ravenscroft, Jenny McClain as Gillian Ravenscroft, Barbara Lurie as Mrs. French and McKenzie Stotler as Dolly

  • Fri-Sat, May 4-5 at 8pm
  • Sun, May 6 at 4pm
  • Fri-Sat, May 11-12 at 8pm

Official page | FaceBook event |

Local media coverage: WVXU interview |

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April 3, 2012 · 8:14 pm

Grammy winning Béla Fleck and The Flecktones to perform at MU on April 20

Béla Fleck and the Flecktones: The Original Line-up. Photo provided by Ted Kurland Associates.

Oxford, Ohio- For the first time since 1991, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones are touring with their original line-up of pianist/ harmonica player Howard Levy, bassist Victor Wooten, percussionist/Drumitarist Roy “Futureman” Wooten and banjoist bandleader Fleck to create some of the most forward-thinking music of their long, storied career. The group will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 20th at Millett Hall, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.

While all manners of genres come into play – from classical and jazz to bluegrass and African music to electric blues and Eastern European folk dances – the result is an impossible to pigeonhole sound all their own, a meeting of musical minds that remains, as ever, utterly indescribable. Simply put, it is The Flecktones, the music made only when these four individuals come together.

“There were a lot of unfinished aspects to this line-up of the band,” Fleck notes, “in that it stopped right when we were peaking creatively.” For Fleck, Levy’s return enables the Flecktones to follow through on the original concept of a band “where each person was reinventing their instruments, where every one of us was a kind of mutant.” “There’s a special thing that happens when the four of us get together and play,” notes Levy. “We all have the same attitude of trying to do things that we haven’t done before and coincidentally, no one else has either.”

The Flecktones first played together in1988, ostensibly for a single performance on PBS’ Lonesome Pine Special. From the start, there was a special kinship between the four musicians, a bond forged in a mutual passion for creativity and artistic advancement. After band member Howard Levy left to pursue other interests, the band played in different reincarnations, garnering five Grammy® Awards in a variety of categories. They recently won the Best Instrumental Composition Grammy Award for “Life In Eleven,” composed by Béla Fleck & Howard Levy and available on the band’s latest album, Rocket Science.

Béla Fleck and The Flecktones are presented by the Miami University Performing Arts Series in collaboration Miami Hamilton and Middletown Artist Series, and issponsored by the Baymont Inn & Suites and Kona bistro. Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students and youth. $50 floor seats are already sold out. For tickets or more information, go online to www.muohio.edu/PerformingArtsSeries or call the Miami Box Office at (513) 529-3200.

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