Yearly Archives: 2012

November 12, 2012 · 1:45 pm

Cincinnati Playhouse’s HANK WILLIAMS Earns Four LCT Nominations

The cast. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Panelists for the League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) have recognized Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY with 4 LCT nominations for Outstanding Production (Musical), lead actor (Peter Oyloe), Featured Actor (Brian Gunter) and Ensemble Acting in a Musical, as well as distinguishing it as a recommended production.

HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY is a journey through the life and music of Hank Williams, which starts in the backwoods of Alabama and winds up at center stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Featuring more than 20 of the singer’s most popular songs, including “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Hey, Good Lookin’” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” LOST HIGHWAY is an honest and mesmerizing portrait of the drifting cowboy who became one of the most influential country artists of all time.

Panelists praised Peter Oyloe’s portrayal of Hank Williams as “flawless in his performance…watching him made you feel as if Hank was truly there on the stage in front of your very eyes.” Brian Gunter was “superb” as Jimmy and acted as a “nice foil for Hank Williams.” The ensemble was “impressively convincing both musically and in the rendition of their roles. A stand-out cast!” The production as a whole was “spirited and heartbreaking…The audience found themself laughing, crying, clapping and most of the time singing along as they were drawn into the story.” “This was an absolutely wonderful evening of theater even if you don’t care about country and western music in the least.”

HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY continues through December 23rd. Tickets can be purchased at www.cincyplay.com.

Final LCT awards will be determined at the end of the season and announced at the LCT gala in the spring.

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.com.

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November 9, 2012 · 9:19 am

HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY Mini-Review

Peter Oyloe is legendary singer-songwriter Hank Williams. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

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.

HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park through Dec. 23. You can read the show description here.

Playhouse mounts an excellent production of HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY. It’s been quite some time since I’ve heard this much buzz from an audience at intermission.

HANK WILLIAMS features a strong ensemble with direction from Randal Myler, extremely-talented musicians, excellent set (Vicki Smith), beautiful costumes (Gordon DeVinney) and music (directed by Dan Whtteman) , with excellent sound quality (design by Timothy J. Ryan) throughout. Opening night, the performance had many patrons tapping their feet and clapping along to Williams’ hits.

Seventy-four year old Mississippi Charles Bevel is awe-inspiring as ever-present Tee-Tot. His experience and vocal talent brings an authenticity to the production that instantly resonates. Peter Oyloe in the title role brings many layers to his performance and does well in capturing Williams’ unique sound. Other favorites include Sally Mayes as Mama Lily and the hysterical rendition of “Happy Rovin’ Cowboy” by Stephen G. Anthony, Brian Gunter and H. Drew Perkins. The vaudeville-esque number brought back some fond childhood memories of “Hee Haw” with the family on a Saturday night.

If you have enjoyed past productions such as ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE, you’ll have a great experience.

The cast. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Click here for a complete list of show times, articles and other reviews for HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY.

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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November 8, 2012 · 4:26 pm

UT Offers Only Storefront Theatre Experience in Cincinnati for Unbeatable Price

Untethered Theater Offers the only Storefront Theatre Experience in Cincinnati
for an Unbeatable Price!

Leah Strasser as Denise Savage. Photo by Kirk Sheppard Photography.

Untethered Theater is offering $5 RUSH tickets for their season opener SAVAGE IN LIMBO directed by Kevin Crowley. Making our venue The Clifton Performance Theatre the ONLY storefront theatre in Cincinnati, and the ONLY theatre in Cincinnati selling RUSH tickets. At 7:55pm all available seating (limited) will be offered at the price of $5. An extremely well valued ticket price to see the work of Kevin Crowley, who has previously worked with Steve Carell and Mike Meyers at The Second City in Chicago. For anyone who wants a guaranteed seat, just pay the normal $15 price as soon as you get to the theater. No waiting! Plenty of time to enjoy a soda or a glass of wine.

SAVAGE IN LIMBO is a comedy about unrealized potential and realizing you never had potential to begin with. Denise Savage has a consuming need to make a change in her life, starting with the apartment she shares with her mother. At the Bronx bar where the show takes place, she’s surrounded by other stunted losers, fellow 32 year olds who peaked long ago. Some of them find freedom at the bottom, while others find they’re still alone.

Runs Fridays through Sundays, November 9-25 at the Clifton Performance Theatre. All shows at 8pm. (RUSH tickets at 7:55pm)

Cast includes:

  • Leah Strasser as Denise Savage
  • Mindy Heithaus as Linda Rotunda
  • Carter Bratton as Tony Aronica
  • Carol Brammer as April White
  • Glenn Schaich as Murk

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November 8, 2012 · 4:06 pm

CSP (OH) Call-Out for Directors 2013-2014 Season

CenterStage Players of Ohio are now accepting applications for Directors in their 2013-2014 season. Generally, CenterStage Players (OH) produce 3-4 shows a year, which have been performed at the North College Hill City Center in Cincinnati, OH.

For more information on CenterStage Players (OH), our history, and our current season please visit: http://www.centerstageplayersinc.com.

Interested applicants should send information to Hannah Goodman, Vice-President of Production before the deadline of December 17th, 2012. The CenterStage Board will schedule interviews with applicants in early January 2013.

Please respond to this notice by e-mail to centerstageplayersinc@yahoo.com, or by snail mail:

Attn: Hannah Goodman
2889 Jerri Terrace
Hamilton, OH. 45011

Please include the following information with your response:

  1. Your theatrical resume and contact information.
  2. List any production or technical crew persons that work with you on a regular basis.
  3. List a play (or plays) you would like to direct and please answer the following questions:
    • What technical issues does the show present, and how would you resolve them?
    • Are there any foreseen casting difficulties with the show? How would you over-come them?
    • What draws you, as a director, to want to work on this show?
  4. One copy of the script (s) so that the CenterStage Board can read through it before your interview.

Thank you!
We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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November 8, 2012 · 3:52 pm

CMT Announces SUNSET BOULEVARD Auditions

CINCINNATI, OH – Cincinnati Music Theatre (CMT) will be holding open auditions for all roles in their Spring Production of SUNSET BOULEVARD on Sunday and Monday, December 2 and 3, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Auditions will be held at the Clifton United Methodist Church, 3416 Clifton Avenue, just north of the intersection of Clifton and Ludlow. The production calls for a cast of 30 male and female performers of varying ages.

A cast breakdown and complete synopsis are available at www.cincinnatimusictheatre.org.

Auditions are by appointment and may be made by contacting Kevin Burton at (513) 702-4002 or Kevin_burton@me.com. Walk-ins will be seen in the first available slot.

Those auditioning are asked to provide a current resume and headshot and to prepare 32 bars of a song that best shows your vocal range. Accompaniment will be provided. (Please, no cd’s, tapes or accapella numbers.). Please provide sheet music in the proper key, with cuts marked.

A basic dance audition will be a part of the audition. Please wear shoes and clothing appropriate for a dance audition.

Based on the classic Billy Wilder film, SUNSET BOULEVARD weaves a cynical yet romantic tale of faded glory and unfulfilled ambition, all set to a haunting score by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Having been discarded by Tinseltown with the advent of the “talkies,” silent film star Norma Desmond is living in the past in her decaying mansion on the fabled Los Angeles street.Though her glamour and her fame have faded in all but her mind, she still longs for a return to the silver screen. When struggling, young screenwriter Joe Gillis accidentally crosses her path, she sees in him an opportunity to make her comeback. Their subsequent passionate and volatile relationship leads to an unforeseen and tragic conclusion.

This production is being produced by Deb Schubert and directed by Skip Fenker, with musical direction by Kendra Struthers and choreography by Brian Anderson.

Rehearsals for this production will begin in late February, 2014 with performances beginning May 10 and running through May 18, 2013 at the Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center

For more information about Cincinnati Music Theater, visit www.cincinnatimusictheatre.org or follow us on Twitter @cinmusictheatre.

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