Monthly Archives: June 2013

TCT Seeks Experienced Freelance Carpenter/Scenic Artist

TCT_logoThe Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is looking for an experienced freelance carpenter/scenic artist who can help build and paint scenery for four MainStage productions, a fundraising gala, and five small touring shows. Works directly with our resident set designer/TD in our fully-equipped scene shop.

Duties include, but are not limited to: layout, carpentry, basic scene painting, and equipment maintenance. Welding skills a plus! Employment starts in August and consists of approximately 32 weeks of work, on and off, through April. Hourly rate negotiable. Send resume to 1008 Kieley Place, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217. Fax to 513-569-8084 or e-mail to sets@fuse.net.D in our fully-equipped scene shop.

 

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THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET Review

David Lee Nelson. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

David Lee Nelson. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET presented by Keeping Watch as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Click here for a list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews.

David Lee Nelson’s one-man show, THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET is a laugh-out-loud, smart, straight-talking 60+ minutes.

For those of you worried the show might be a extreme party-bashing tirade, nothing could be farther from the truth. Nelson begins with a quick history of the Republican Party, then recounts his own personal political history by Presidential election by Presidential election.

Running as a thread throughout the show, is Nelson’s relationship with his father. The only two men in a house full of women, politics was one of underpinnings in their close relationship. How would voting for Obama in 2012 affect their relationship?

David Lee Nelson. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

David Lee Nelson. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

Nelson is a talented performer with great comic timing. He has an easiness on stage and quickly establishes a great rapport with the audience. The multi-media used for the show are well done and well-chosen.

For laughs per minute, the funniest show at the fringe and worth a stop.

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.

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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Filed under Cincy Fringe Festival, Reviews

ALL IN THE TIMING Run June 14-21

MU_All in the TimingALL IN THE TIMING
Presented by Miami University Summer Scholars & Western College Alumnae Association
June 14-21
Oxford

Directed by Robert C. Stimmel

Cast: Emily Potten, Tyler Gau, Keith Arcuragi, Abigail Cady, Adam Davisson, David Bryant, Shelby Becker, Bradley Becker

About the Stories:

  • In “SURE THING”, two people meet in a cafe and dodge their way through a conversational minefield as the sound of a bell interrupts their false starts and faux pas on the way to falling in love.
  • “WORDS, WORDS, WORDS” recalls the philosophical adage that three monkeys typing into infinity will sooner or later produce Hamlet and asks: What would monkeys talk about at their typewriters?
  • “THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE” brings together Dawn, a young woman with a stutter, and Don, the creator and teacher of Unamunda, a wild comic language. Their lesson sends them off into a dazzling display of hysterical verbal pyrotechnics—and, of course, true love.
  • “PHILIP GLASS BUYS A LOAF OF BREAD” is a parodic musical vignette in trademark Glassian style, with the celebrated composer having a moment of existential crisis in a bakery.
  • “THE PHILADELPHIA” presents a young man in a restaurant who has fallen into “a Philadelphia,” a Twilight Zone-like state in which he cannot get anything he asks for. His only way out of the dilemma? To ask for the opposite of what he wants.
  • “VARIATIONS ON THE DEATH OF TROTSKY” shows us the Russian revolutionary on the day of his demise, desperately trying to cope with the mountain-climber’s axe he’s discovered in his head.

FREE ADMISSION

  • Fri, June 14 at 7pm
  • Sat, June 15 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, June 16 at 7pm
  • Fri, June 21 at 7pm
    This performanc features four of the six acts as a special performance for the Western Alumnae, and is open to the public.

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PETUNIA & CHICKEN Review

CFF_Petunia and Chicken1

Carrie Brown & Karim Muasher. Photo by Matt Steffen.

PETUNIA AND CHICKEN presented by Animal Engine as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

“PETUNIA & CHICKEN is SOOO cute! You have to see it.” I told many of my co-fringers after seeing it on Sunday. And when I say “cute,” I mean it in the best sense of the word.

P&C is charming, clever, imaginative and mesmerizing. Armed only with a bowler hat and a shawl, Carrie Brown & Karim Muasher are the set, the sound effects and every character in this love story. Not only are both actors extremely talented, but their performances are extremely well-rehearsed. Great work by director Melinda Jean Ferraraccio.

CFF_Petunia and Chicken2

Karim Muasher & Carrie Brown. Photo by Matt Steffen.

I did not realize, until, near the end of the show, how emotionally invested I had become. A vocal reaction from the audience actually startled me because I had forgotten they were there. At the same time, I thought, “how awesome that they all are just as caught up in the story as I am.” That’s a bit of theater magic right there.

PETUNIA & CHICKEN is one of my favorites of all fringe shows I’ve ever seen.

P&C is being performed in (what I think) is the smallest venue. Tickets will go fast.

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for PETUNIA & CHICKEN.

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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Filed under Cincy Fringe Festival, Reviews

GLORY OF THE KING Auditions

MISC_Casting call2June 13th (5-7), 14th (5-7) and June 15th (noon to 4)

Call backs: TBD (Contact will be made on an individual basis)

Show dates: December 5, 6, 7, 8.

Rehearsals begin:  Mid-September (Schedule pending)

GLORY OF THE KING 2013 Character Breakdowns and descriptions

GLORY OF THE KING 2013
“A Soldier’s story”

Location:
Hartzell United Methodist Church
8999 Applewood Drive
Blue Ash, Ohio 45236
Contact Zach Riggins at: gripmeister2001@yahoo.com

Characters:

  • Church Staff – Leads – all speaking: Names: Age range:
  • Church Secretary………Mrs. Mariah “Miss M.” Mangrum (60 to 70)
    Mariah is a very spiritual woman with great knowledge of the bible and bible stories. She is dedicated to serving the poor and under-privileged. She has a great understanding of the church, the neighborhood, and the people who live in it. She is a great care-giver and humanitarian.
  • Church Minister…………………….…Rev. Aeneas J. Mackenzie (50-60)
    An experienced Minister, but is rather naïve to the new surroundings he is in. However, he is a capable man and is willing to work hard to bring things to fruition and loves the children who stay in the mission. He is dedicated to making their lives better.
  • Homeless Woman: Limited speaking
    Homeless Woman………………………Cecilia “C.C.” Gentile (60’s-70’s)
    C.C. is a fixture at the mission church and is a member of the surrounding community. A quiet woman, she is very attached to the Mission church and has made it her home.
  • Soldiers- Three main characters:
    • Marine (Lead)……….……Major, John Wesley “J.W.” Wright AGE: 35-40
      A soldier just returning from the war. He is a very upstanding individual with great vitality and spirit! He is a family man with a good upbringing. He has a great attitude toward life and takes his Christian beliefs very seriously and wants others to believe as well. He is dedicated to the idea of perseverance and initiative while trying to help the spirit of others.
    • Army (Supporting role)………Staff Sgt. Thomas “Tommy” Powell 35-40
      Thomas is a man that has lost his way spiritually…he was actively involved in battle and saw a lot of death, horror and injustice, he has become cynical about life and in particular Christianity and religion. He is a person that is struggling to find his way in life. That said; we get the feeling that Thomas still has a good heart, but is afraid to let go and establish lasting relationships with anyone, especially a re-establishment of his Christian beliefs. He is most definitely a tortured soul.
    • Navy (Supporting role)……Petty officer Hezekiah “Hezie” Isaacs AGE: (25-35)
      A Lover of life and a very affable Man. He has seen much battle as well, but has a belief that it is his Christian duty to defend his country and to reach out to others. He is willing to help almost anyone and has a close attachment to children. We get the feeling that he grew up in a large family where religion and people are respected. He is very close to his parents and his siblings.
  • Coast Guard*………….……..……. (non-speaking)……………………. (25-35)
  • Air Force*……………………..…… (non-speaking)…………………….. (25-35)
  • Voice of General (recorded)………….………..Gen. Josiah A. Bartlett (60-70)
    The voice of the general should be a person with a weathered tough sound….a man that has seen battle and won many. He is A strong vibrant, and tough personality but not afraid to reveal some emotion.
  • Voice of Captain (recorded)……………………Capt. Russell Mitchell (45-50)
    A strong commanding voice worthy of a leader and a person determined to move up in rank. There is great authority in his voice.
  • Represented at the ceremonies but not actors in the show.
    • Parents and family of John Wesley Wright (Speaking):
    • Mom/Grandma……………………………….…Faye B. Wright (50’s-60’s)
      A Christian woman with a touch of worldliness…very caring and loving. She prides herself on being a good cook and a great grandma.
    • Dad/Grandpa……………………………………John C. Wright II (50’s-60’s)
      A loving, caring father figure…and because he has a military background, there is some hint of toughness in his demeanor…but he is understanding and compassionate.
    • Wife………………..………………………………………Angela Wright ((35-40)
      Angela is a dedicated wife and mother who held down the household while JW has been away at war. She has raised the two children, mostly by herself and has done a good job of it. She is respectful and loving.
    • Child/Girl (speaking and singing)……………..……….Sonja Wright (8-12)
      A smart, thoughtful, bundle of energy! There is NO doubt the Sonja is headed toward a leadership role of some sort when she reaches adulthood.
    • Child/Boy (speaking and singing)…………………………..Billy Wright (8-11)
      Another bundle of energy smart and thinks a lot of his sister. But there is no doubt that he looks to Sonja for guidance.
  • Child Leads – *all speaking and singing (10) Homeless and poor; 5 Girls: 5 Boys:
    • Lauren – Teen* Leader (13-16) Aaron – Teen* Leader (13-16)
    • Elizabeth – Child* (8-12) David – child* (8-12)
    • Hannah – child* (8-12) Zach – child* (8-12)
    • Grace – child* (8-12 Colin – child* (8-12
    • Sarah – Pre-teen* (12-13) Ajay – Pre-teen* (12-13)
    • (10) Extra children-non speaking roles, but all will sing. 

NOTE: We will be using an additional choir made up of singing extras and children on the following songs….”Son of God” “The Promise” and “Let there be peace on Earth”. The additional choir will also participate in the Ceremonial Pageant and Soldier dismissal Ceremony. We want 20 – 30 people for these scenes, mostly made up of adults of all ages and sexes. MUST BE ABLE TO SING!

You will need to attend some choir and blocking rehearsals in the fall.

Other characters/non-speaking/non-singing:

  • Mary and Joseph
  • Wise Men (3)
  • Shepherds (6)
  • Cross bearer – muscular young man (1)
  • Roman Soldiers (6) Older teens/robust young men
  • Dancers (10) Teens to adults

NOTE:
The ages specified are only guidelines for auditions and character development. A higher or lower age will be considered if it is determined that the actor can portray the part with credibility.

This is a spiritually based production!

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