Yearly Archives: 2012

OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD runs March 22-April 1

OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD
Presented by Northern Kentucky University
March 22-April 1
Highland Heights

Australia is the perfect dumping ground for the worst British convicts in the 1780’s, but with only a few guards to keep the unruly inmates in line the Governor suggests a simple but bizarre solution to create order — have the inmates put on a play. Much to the dismay of both the prison workers and the prisoners themselves, the plan takes to the stage. Multiple agendas, clashing opinions, violent outbursts and mental illness all challenge the success of the play. With jobs on the line and lives at stake, tensions skyrocket in this one of a kind play.

Directed by Daryl Harris

Cast: Yunina Barbour-Payne as Lieutenant George Johnston/Mary Brenham, Travis Black as 2nd Lieutenant Ralph Clark, Cody Dale as Captain Jemmy Campbell/Harry Brewer/John Arscott, Mackenzie Durham-Smith as Major Robbie Ross/Ketch Freeman, Bradley Evans as Captain Arthur Phillip/John Wisehammer, Derek Evans as Captain David Collins/Robert Sideway, Blair Godshall as 2nd Lieutenant William Faddy/Dabby Bryant, Rebecca Howell as Reverend Johnson/Liz Morden, Deandra Jackson as Aboriginal Australian (Daringha), Philip Krinsky as Aboriginal Australian (Colebee), Rex Martinez as Captain Watkin Tench/Black Caesar, Cynthea Mercado as Aboriginal Australian (Barangaroo), Carey Parsons as Lieutenant Will Dawes/”Shitty” Meg/Duckling Smith & Kyle Segar as Aboriginal Australian (Bennelong)

  • Thu-Sat, March 22-24 at 8pm
  • Sun, March 25 at 3pm
  • Tue-Sat, March 27-31 at 8pm
  • Sun, April 1 at 3pm

Official page | Online ticketing | FaceBook event |

Local media coverage: WVXU interview |

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ALMOST, MAINE runs March 22-25

ALMOST, MAINE
Presented by Xavier University Players
March 22-25
Evanston

On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost’s residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. Knees are bruised. Hearts are broken. But the bruises heal, and the hearts mend—almost—in this delightful midwinter night’s dream. Rated PG.

Cast: John Prijatel as Pete, Kathleen Rossman as Ginette, Blake Gibson as East, Jackie Hart as Glory, Ollie Birckhead as Jimmy, Laura Birckhead as Sandrine, Cambell Tuel as Waitress, Nick Lehan as Steve, Bethy Jarus as Marvalyn, Alex Spindler as Lendall, Jessie Sherman as Gayle, Nate Fischer as Randy, Justin Hanks as Chad, Paul Hogue as Phil, Jessica Baskin as Marci, Zach Julian as Man, Mary Schuessler as Hope, Alex Rogers as Dave & Allie Hart as Rhonda

  • Thu-Sun, March 22-25 at 7:30pm

Official page | Online ticketing | FaceBook event |

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David A. Centers Earns LCT Award for Children’s Theatre Production, Disney’s MY SON PINOCCHIO, JR.

(CINCINNATI, FEB. 14, 2012) – David A. Centers, scenic designer for The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, has been recognized with a League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) Award for the company’s production of Disney’s My Son Pinocchio Jr.

Centers’ set design for Pinocchio journeys all the way from Geppetto’s Toy Shop to inside the belly of a whale as Pinocchio undergoes a magical transformation from a wooden puppet to a real boy. According to one panelist, “Centers presents a beautifully turned out set with enough heft and scale to fill the large stage at the Taft Theatre. Detailed and captivating, with the flying elements for young audiences, it supports the story with professional polish.”

Centers, a graduate of Cincinnati’s School for Creative and Performing Arts with degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and New York University, designs most of the productions for The Children’s Theatre. He also works throughout the region, including at Cincinnati Opera and Dayton’s Human Race Theatre Company. His designs have been seen at opera, theatre and ballet companies nationally, as well as internationally with La Traviata at the Sakai Opera Company in Osaka, Japan.

Grammy Award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell) adds original songs to the classic Pinocchio film score that includes “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “I’ve Got No Strings.” Performances for Disney’s My Son Pinocchio Jr. continue through Feb. 18. Ticket information is available at www.thechildrenstheatre.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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Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati Announces 25th Anniversary 2012-2013 Season

SEASON PACKAGES ON SALE NOW! 

Cincinnati, OH (February 19, 2012) – Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati announces its 2012-2013 25th Anniversary Blockbuster season which includes some of the hottest shows fresh from Broadway including several brand new shows and a few family favorites.

2012-2013 SEASON SHOWS

BLUE MAN GROUP                             October 16 – 28, 2012
MEMPHIS                                               January 22 – February 3, 2013
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET        February 19 – March 3, 2013
WAR HORSE                                          March 26 – April 7, 2013
SISTER ACT                                           April 30 – May 12, 2013
JERSEY BOYS*                                     November 28 – December 9, 2012
Cathy Rigby is PETER PAN*           March 12 – 17, 2013

*Season Ticket Holders pick one for six-show season package.

Season tickets for the 2012-2013 Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati Season will go on sale Sunday, February 19 ONLINE. Beginning Monday, February 20 there will be three convenient ways to purchase season tickets:

  1. Select your seats in person at the Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati Box Office in the Mercantile Center downtown at 120 East Fourth Street, Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
  2. Order online 7 days a week/24 hours a day at BroadwayinCincinnati.com.
  3. Call the Broadway Across America toll-free Cincinnati Season Ticket Hotline at 800.294.1816. The Hotline hours are Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 5:00pm

Prices for the six-show season ticket package range between $149.00 and $543.00 depending on seat location.

MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN Order before April 2 and make three easy monthly payments. This offer is only available using a credit card.

EXCLUSIVE SEASON TICKET HOLDER BENEFITS

  • Exclusive no-fee ticket exchange privileges.
  • Priority purchase opportunities for additional tickets to series shows and any season specials.
  • Lost ticket insurance and replacement service.
  • Purchasing privileges in any of our other Broadway Across America cities.
  • Same premium seat location for all two-week season shows.
  • Priority renewal for future seasons.
  • Discounts to community businesses.

SEASON PATRON CLUB
In addition to all of the regular season ticket holder benefits, special Patron Club season tickets (available with an annual membership fee of $105) guarantee seating in the front orchestra or first three rows of the loge and include extended benefits such as complimentary parking for season shows, name recognition in the PLAYBILL program and starting this year, a Broadway Concierge Line to assist patrons with purchasing tickets for shows on Broadway.

CLOUD CLUB
For theatre lovers on a budget, the “Cloud Club” offers our six-show package with COMPLETE subscription benefits for $149 for all performances.

THE JANET TAYLOR EDUCATION PROGRAM
Season ticket holders are encouraged to consider an optional $5.00 contribution to support the Janet Taylor Broadway in Cincinnati Education Program. The Education Program was founded in 1988. Its mission is to introduce students and teachers to the outstanding education value of quality touring Broadway shows. Students throughout the region — from public, private and parochial schools — have the opportunity to participate in this ticket subsidy program and interact with professional performers and technicians from the touring productions.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Broadway in Cincinnati shows typically run for two weeks at the Aronoff Center. Performance options are Tuesday through Friday evenings at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 2:00 & 8:00pm and Sundays at 1:00 & 6:30pm.* (All times are subject to change.) An audio-described performance for the visually impaired and an American Sign Language interpreted performance for the deaf are available. Anyone requiring either of these services or accommodations for the physically challenged should request so when purchasing season tickets. *Cathy Rigby is PETER PAN will start at 7:30pm on Tuesday through Friday evenings, Saturdays at 2:00 & 8:00pm and Sundays at 1 & 6:30pm.

GROUP SALES AND SINGLE TICKETS
Group sales information is now available for all shows. Reservations may be made by calling Group Sales Manager Peggy Holthaus, at 513.369.4363 or email at Peggy.Holthaus@BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. For more information visit BroadwayinCincinnati.com.

Tickets for individual shows are not available at this time.

2012-2013 Season Show Descriptions:

Blue Man Group National Tour. Photo by Paul Kolnik.

BLUE MAN GROUP
Oct 16 – 28, 2012

Experience the Phenomenon. BLUE MAN GROUP is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine comedy, music, and technology to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The New York Times heralds the show as “One of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged.” E! Entertainment News exclaims, “BLUE MAN GROUP is what every live performance aspires to be.” The Baltimore Sun raves, “BLUE MAN GROUP packs a wallop. It’s a big, loud, funny, silly, visually arresting production!” Although it is impossible to describe, people of all ages agree that BLUE MAN GROUP is an intensely exciting and wildly outrageous show that leaves the entire audience in a blissful, euphoric state. With no spoken language, BLUE MAN GROUP is perfect for people of all ages, languages, and cultures. BLUE MAN GROUP is now on the road for its first U.S. theatrical tour. This unique experience is a form of entertainment like nothing else; guaranteed to be an outing you will never forget.

Michael Lomenda, Joseph Leo Bwarie, Preston Truman Boyd & John Gardiner. Photo by Joan Marcus.

JERSEY BOYS
Nov 28 – Dec 9, 2012
More than 64,000 theatergoers cheered when JERSEY BOYS made its sell-out premiere in Cincinnati in 2008. Worldwide, more than 13 million people have seen JERSEY BOYS. And now, the show that made critics and audiences cheer is “Working Its Way Back” to Cincinnati!

JERSEY BOYS is the Tony®, Grammy® and Olivier Award-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were 30! JERSEY BOYS features their hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” “IT WILL RUN FOR CENTURIES!” proclaims Time Magazine.

MEMPHIS. Photo by Paul Kolnik.

MEMPHIS
January 22 – February 3, 2013

TURN UP THAT DIAL… From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, comes a hot new Broadway musical that bursts off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, MEMPHIS is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves – filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock ‘n’ roll. Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, MEMPHIS, which played pre-Broadway at the La Jolla Playhouse, features a Tony®-winning book by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change) and a Tony-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan. Directing is Tony nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu), and choreography is by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys). Get ready to experience Broadway’s most exciting new destination ¬¬- what AP calls “The very essence of what a Broadway musical should be.”

The National Tour of Million Dollar Quartet. Photo by Joan Marcus.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
February 19 – March 3, 2013
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, inspired by the true story of the famed recording session that brought together rock ‘n roll icons Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash for the first and only time.

On December 4, 1956, these four young musicians were gathered together by Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” at Sun Records in Memphis for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions of all time. MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring timeless hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “That’s All Right,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Walk the Line,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hound Dog” and more.

This thrilling musical brings audiences inside the recording studio with four major talents who came together as a red hot rock ‘n’ roll band for one unforgettable night.

Cathy Rigby in PETER PAN. Photo by Michael Lamont.

Cathy Rigby is PETER PAN
March 12 – 17, 2013
“Peter Pan sparkles with fairy dust! Rigby has mastered the boy who wouldn’t grow up.” – Washington Post

Tony Award® nominee Cathy Rigby takes flight in an all new production of PETER PAN! Discover the magic all over again of this two time Emmy award winning and two-time Tony Award® nominated production. The New York Times says “Rigby still carries off the flights, fights and acrobatics that make PETER PAN audiences mesmerized.” PETER PAN is filled with timeless magical moments and a captivating hook. The legend you thought you knew, is now the adventure you never dreamed possible… Cathy Rigby is PETER PAN!

http://www.cathyrigbyispeterpan.com

WAR HORSE. Photos Brinkhoff/Mogenburg 2011 London Cast.

WAR HORSE
March 26 – April 7, 2013
A remarkable tale of courage, loyalty and friendship.

England, 1914. As World War One begins, Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped from England to France. He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man’s land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home.

This powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness that is currently playing to packed houses in London and New York. At its heart are astonishing life-sized puppets created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, that bring to life breathing, galloping, charging horses strong enough for men to ride.

Alena Waters, Rashidra Scott & Patina Miller. Original Broadway Production Photo. Credit: Joan Marcus.

SISTER ACT
April 30-May 12, 2013
SISTER ACT is Broadway’s feel-amazing musical comedy smash hit. The New York Post calls it “ridiculously fun,” and audiences are jumping to their feet in total agreement! Featuring original music by 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), SISTER ACT tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look – a convent. Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, SISTER ACT is reason to rejoice.

Broadway in Cincinnati is a member of the Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and The Broadway League. Fifth Third Bank is the sponsor of the Cincinnati 11/12 Season. LOCAL 12 is the official television station of the Cincinnati Season.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA (Producer), part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies which includes Broadway.com, is owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman). Broadway Across America presents first-class touring musicals and plays across 40 North American cities. Broadway.com is the premier theatre website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. Under the supervision of Beth Williams (CEO – Theater Division), Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse theatre. Current Broadway productions include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Nick Jonas and Beau Bridges, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, Godspell, Memphis, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and the New York and US touring productions of Million Dollar Quartet. For more information, please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.

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Ten Most Viewed Blog Entries, Feb. 13-19

  1. CCM Musical Theatre Celebrates Distinguished Chair with Sondheim’s INTO THE WOODS
  2. INTO THE WOODS runs Feb. 23-March 4
  3. Clifton Players’ DISGRUNTLED EMPLOYEES Earns Two LCT Awards for Acting
  4. Miami Students Seek Actors for Short Video
  5. DISGRUNTLED EMPLOYEES runs Feb. 10-26
  6. TENDERLY: THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY MUSICAL runs Feb. 21-March 4
  7. RENT runs Feb. 16-March 3
  8. CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE – Dark Side of the Moon on Feb. 25 at the Aronoff
    BLACKBIRD runs March 2-11
    BERLIN TO BROADWAY WITH KURT WEILL runs March 2-4
    NKU Presents THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION
  9. Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Review
    CCM Presents Acclaimed Rock Musical SPRING AWAKENING
    MASTERS OF ILLUSION – LIVE! on Feb. 24 at the Aronoff Center
  10. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s SPEAKING IN TONGUES Earns Three LCT Award
    Playhouse Special Offer for MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG 

Top Ten Search Terms Leading to BTC

  • the farnsworth invention nku
  • behind the curtain cincinnati
  • blood brothers cincinnati
  • last of the boys the play
  • behind the curtain shatner
  • 42nd street musical
  • 42nd street
  • next to normal + diana
  • babes in hollywood
  • dixie swim club review sunset players cincinnati

Top Ten Clicks

  1. calendar.uc.edu/wv3/wv3_servlet/urd/run/wv_event.Detail?id=13947213;dates=1
  2. facebook.com/events/239741819392199
  3. leagueofcincytheatres.info/?p=62
  4. facebook.com/events/264053980331060
  5. cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com/sbm/Auditions.aspx
  6. footlighters.org
  7. beechmontplayers.org
  8. falcontheater.net
  9. highlandstheatre.com/Highlands_Theatre/C.A.S.T._-_Summer_Theatre_Program.html
  10. citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-24919-speaking_in_tongues_(review).html

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