Monthly Archives: June 2013

June 4, 2013 · 10:41 am

MTG Auditions for Summer Youth Show

mtgMilford Theatre Guilde announces auditions for their summer youth show SLEEPING BEAUTY by Michele L. Vacca, directed by Linda Roll.

Audition dates are June 10 and 11 from 7-8:30 pm at the Day Heights Fireman’s Memorial Building, 1313 SR 131, Milford, OH.

Show dates are Aug 16,17,18,23&24 at St Andrew Parish Center, Milford, OH.

The cast consists of 6 males/6 females-ages 18 and younger. The auditions consist of cold readings from the script.

For further information, contact the director at 513-575-9351.

Produced by Special Arrangement with “Classics on Stage! of Chicago.”

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June 3, 2013 · 4:05 pm

THE WAVE 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.

Jon Kovach. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

Jon Kovach. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

THE WAVE presented by Unity Productions as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

Jon Kovach has a knack for finding some truly interesting one-man shows. Following up last year’s entry of Nothing, this year, Jon brings us THE WAVE by Ron Jones.

Based on a true story, the show recounts a social experiment that quickly created a fascist state on campus. The play deftly illustrates how individual freedoms can be abandoned for collective goals.

Addressing the audience as his class (the fact that the audience is actually sitting in a classroom doesn’t hurt), Kovach serves as both narrator and participant, and is easily convincing as a young, enthusiastic, history teacher in 1960s California. Jon transitions well from naivety of what his character has started, to excitement, worry and fear as the experiment comes close to “hopping the rails.”

Jon Kovach. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

Jon Kovach. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

Overall a strong performance of a strong script. Definitely worth checking out.

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

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 3, 2013 · 3:10 pm

MATER FACIT Review

CFF_Mater Facit1

Anna Carroll Horton, Jodie Linver & Willemien Patterson. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

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.

MATER FACIT presented by Performance Gallery as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

The Performance Gallery is a group I can count on, every Fringe, to challenge my perceptions of theater. This year’s entry, MATER FACIT succeeds as well.

CFF_Mater Facit2

Willemien Patterson, Jodie Linver, Kevin Macku & Anna Carroll Horton. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The strong four-member cast, supported by an on-stage band, examines the role of motherhood as supplier of soldiers for war. TPG members began the rehearsal process with a two-day workshop with award-winning Minneapolis-based physical theatre artist, Jon Ferguson (theatreforever.com).

At times the performance style and cartoon-y violence was reminiscent of a Kukla, Fran and Ollie puppet show. Solo male ensemble-member Kevin Macku runs the gamut of son, soldier, rabbit and more. Each of the three ladies get to shine in their role as “Mother.” Jodie Linver’s impassioned monologue was one of my favorite moments.

A few times I felt the show lost a bit of momentum during the scene transitions. Also a few times, some of the visual elements pulled my focus from the speaking actors.

As always, a truly unique experience that keeps you thinking after the performance ends.

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for MATER FACIT.

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 3, 2013 · 11:08 am

Falcon Theatre’s DUCK HUNTER SHOOTS ANGEL Earns 2 LCT Nominations

Matt Dentino & David Bogenschutz as the brothers Duane and Dewell.

Matt Dentino & David Bogenschutz as the brothers Duane and Dewell.

Panelists for the League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) have recognized Falcon Theatre’s production of DUCK HUNTER SHOOTS ANGEL with 2 LCT nominations, for director (Ted Weil) and group performance (Matt Dentino/David Bogenschutz) as well as distinguishing it as a recommended production.

Recently off some very successful runs across the country, DUCK HUNTER SHOOTS ANGEL is a big comedy with a huge heart. Written by Mitch Albom, author of Tuesday’s With Morrie, DUCK HUNTER is about two bumbling Alabama duck hunters who think they’ve shot an angel instead. The story finds its way to the offices of a New York tabloid newspaper and the comedy blossoms from there. Hailed as “an outrageous comedy with a heartfelt message,” DUCK HUNTER SHOOTS ANGEL is written with crisp, captivating dialog that will both entertain and move audiences.

Panelists praised Ted Weil’s “seamless direction”: “He directed this play fluidly and the pace was sharp.” Matt Dentino and David Bogenschutz, as the brothers Duane and Dewell, had a “pitch perfect” performance. “They played off each other very well and their performances felt authentic.” Overall, the show was “laugh out loud funny, wacky with some nice twists and touching revelations in the end…understated and effortless.”

DUCK HUNTER SHOOTS ANGEL continues through June 15th. Tickets can be purchased at www.falcontheater.net.

Final LCT awards will be determined at the end of the 2014 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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June 1, 2013 · 12:52 pm

AIN’T TRUE AND UNCLE FALSE 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.

CFF_Aint TrueAIN’T TRUE AND UNCLE FALSE presented by Paul Strickland Presents as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. You can read the show description here.

The Troubadour of the Trailer Park

In the show description, Paul Strickland is described as a nationally acclaimed comedian, storyteller and musician. Sitting in the Know’s bar Friday night, I heard a fellow-fringer describe him as a wordsmith. I thought that was a great compliment and I couldn’t agree more.

It’s Paul’s attention to words that elevates the stories in AT&UF, and in some ways, reminds me of the homespun humor of Will Rogers or Mark Twain. Paul is a charismatic and entertaining performer, easily pulling the audience in for each outrageous story, always with a twinkle of mischief in his eye.

Have you met my friend Paul? He tells the greatest stories…

Click here for a complete list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews for AIN’T TRUE AND UNCLE FALSE.

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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