Monthly Archives: August 2013

TOIL AND TROUBLE Review

Breona Conrad as Beth, Joshua Murphy as Matt & Chris Wesselman as Adam. Photo by Deogracias Lerma.

Chris Wesselman as Adam, Breona Conrad as Beth & Joshua Murphy as Matt. 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.

TOIL AND TROUBLE presented by Know Theatre of Cincinnati through Aug. 24. You can read the show description here.

Know Theatre of Cincinnati brings another quirky gem to the stage with the MACBETH homage, TOIL AND TROUBLE. Non-Shakespeare fans can relax though. Aside from some parallel plot points, and several lines quoted directly from the bard’s work, this is a contemporary play.

Breona Conrad as Beth, Joshua Murphy as Matt & Chris Wesselman as Adam. Photo by Deogracias Lerma.

Breona Conrad as Beth, Joshua Murphy as Matt & Chris Wesselman as Adam. Photo by Deogracias Lerma.

Initially we meet roommates Matt (Joshua Murphy) and Adam (Chris Wesselman). Both are unemployed “victims” of the current economy. Adam, the idea man, has come up with a multi-million dollar scheme to “take over a small island nation off the coast of Chile populated by miniature vicuña.” Murphy and Wesselman have an easy chemistry on stage and both give solid performances.

Rounding out the cast is Breona Conrad as Beth. Conrad brings great energy and characterization to the role. Beth, who is obviously wearing the pants in this trio, quickly makes a grab for power using her wits and wiles against both Matt and Adam.

The script is fun, with some great world-commentary from Matt. Director Eric Vossmeier makes smart use of the stage, keeping the action moving without seeming hurried. Opening night the show seemed to dip in energy near the beginning of the second act, but managed to get back on track fairly quickly.

Overall a fun, quirky comedy – the perfect ending to a summer evening in Over-the-Rhine.

Click here for a complete list of show times for TOIL AND TROUBLE.

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SLEEPING BEAUTY Runs Aug. 16-24

MTG_Sleeping BeautySLEEPING BEAUTY
Presented by Milford Theatre Guide
Aug. 16-24
Milford

Written by Linda Roll & Shaun Rue
Directed by Linda Roll

You are invited to the gardens of Jelibean to celebrate the birthday of the princess!  Hildegarde’s invitation is lost. A beautiful princess, a mischievous jester and an angry evil fairy all come together in this retelling of the classic tale. This is Milford Theatre Guilde’s Youth Production which includes the talents of many area young people.

  • Fri-Sat, Aug. 16-17 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Aug. 18 at 2pm
  • Fri-Sat, Aug. 23-24 at 7:30pm

Official page |

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TCP Announces Auditions for DEATHTRAP and THE CURIOUS SAVAGE

TCPTri-County Players are having combined auditions for their Winter and Spring plays. Auditions are 2 to 4pm on Sunday Sept. 15, and 7 to 9 pm on Monday Sept. 16. The auditions will be held at the North College Hill City Center, 1500 W. Galbraith Rd. Cincinnati OH 45231.

DEATHTRAP by Ira Levin
Show dates : January 17, 18 , 19, 24, 25, 2014

Directed by Judy Berrens

  • Sidney Bruhl – A playwright, 40’s to 60’s
  • Myra Bruhl – Sidney’s wife, classy/stylish/self-effacing 40’s to 50’s
  • Clifford Anderson – A writer 20’s to 40’s
  • Helga Ten Drop – A clairvoyant, any age
  • Porter Milgrim – A lawyer, Sidney’s contemporary 40’s to 60’s

Plot: Sidney Bruhl, a successful writer of Broadway thrillers, is struggling to overcome a dry spell which has resulted in a string of failures and a shortage of funds. A possible break in his fortunes occurs when he receives a script from one of his students – a thriller which Sidney recognizes immediately as a potential hit. He plans offer collaboration, an idea which the younger man quickly accepts. Thereafter suspense mounts steadily as the plot begins to twist and turn with devilish cleverness and an abundance of thrills and laughter until the final startling moments of the play.

THE CURIOUS SAVAGE by John Patrick
Show dates April 4 , 5, 6, 11 & 12, 2014

Directed by Nancy Hughes

  • Florence – A young mother 20’s to 30’s.
  • Hannibal – An unusual man aged 30’s to 50’s.
  • Fairy May – An ethereal young woman 20’s to 30’s.
  • Jeffrey – A handsome young man 20’s to 30’s.
  • Mrs. Paddy – An unusual woman of any age.
  • Titus Savage – Pompous and well dressed aged 30’s to 50’s.
  • Lily Belle Savage – Chic and assured and a real bitch 30’s to 50’s.
  • Samuel Savage – Undistinguished and overshadowed 30’s to 50’s.
  • Ethel Savage – Sweet and a little off center 60’s to 70’s.
  • Mrs. Wilhelmina – Attractive nurse age 20’s to 30’s.
  • Dr. Emmet – Distinguished and calm aged 30’s to 50’s.

Plot: Ethel Savage is a widow with unusual ideas of how to spend her late husband’s millions. Her grown up stepchildren very much want to get their hands on the negotiable securities that represent ten million dollars, before Ethel gives it all away. Hoping to bring her to her senses, the stepchildren have her committed to a sanatorium. At The Cloisters she meets various social misfits, who just cannot adjust themselves to life, but who become true friends to Mrs. Savage. They even help her thwart the efforts of the stepchildren to get the millions for themselves.

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SHOWBOAT FOLLIES Runs Sept. 11-29

SBM_logoSHOWBOAT FOLLIES
Presented by The Showboat Majestic
Sept. 11-29
Downtown

Directed by Tim Perrino

Cast: Megan Callahan, Kate Glasheen, Eileen Earnest, Torie Pate, Jeni Schwiers, Matt Dentino, Mike Hall, Rodger Pille, Jonathan Zeng & Rich Roedersheimer

A joyous Showboat tradition returns! It’s all the fun of Majestic musical revue, featuring great songs from dozens of past shows, comic sketches, specialty dance numbers and a few surprises – in and out of the audience! Plus we’ll bring back the original salute to Porkopolis – the fabulous Queen City Toast – skewering all things Cincinnati, including politicians, athletes, local celebrities, glitterati and literati, living or not! It’s a float down Memory Lane when the Majestic brings back one of its absolute favorite kinds of shows- The Showboat Follies!

  • Wed-Sat, Sept. 11-14 at 8pm
  • Sun, Sept. 15 at 2pm
  • Wed-Sat, Sept. 18-21 at 8pm
  • Sun, Sept. 22 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Wed-Sat, Sept. 25-28 at 8pm
  • Sun, Sept. 29 at 2pm

Official page |

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HAIR Runs Sept. 13-22

BCT_HairHAIR
Presented by Beavercreek Community Theatre
Sept. 13-22
Beavercreek

Directed by Doug Lloyd
Music direction by Linday Sherman
Choreographed by Stacy Gear

The original rock musical that changed the face of theatre, Hair tells the story of the “tribe” – a group of politically active, long-haired hippies living a bohemian life in New York City – fighting against the draft and the Vietnam War. Claude, Berger, Sheila and their friends struggle to balance their young lives, loves and the sexual revolution with their rebellion against the war and their conservative parents and society. Ultimately, Claude must decide whether to resist the war as his friends have done, or to succumb to the pressures of his parents (and conservative America) to serve in Vietnam, compromising his pasafistic principles and risking his life. Filled with songs that became anthems of the anti-war movement and rock classics including, Aquarius, Let the Sun Shine In, Hair, Easy to be Hard, and Good Morning Starshine, Hair is the voice and the ideals of a generation that will continue to be relevant for years to come.

  • Fri-Sat, Sept. 13-14 at 8pm
  • Sun, Sept. 15 at 3pm
  • Fri-Sat, Sept. 20-21 at 8pm
  • Sun, Sept. 22 at 3pm

Official page |

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