Sunset Players announce auditions for SLEEPING BEAUTY. 17 roles (8 women/girls, 9 men/boys).
Prefer adults for the King, Queen, and Amaryllis but performers of all ages are encouraged to audition for all roles.
Auditions will be held Wednesday, Oct 2nd, and Sunday, Oct 6 7PM both nights at the Arts Center at Dunham (1945 Dunham Way, 45238).
Show dates: December 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 2013
Please direct any questions to the Director: Dave Myers, myersdam@fuse.net. 513-451-6641.
Filed under Auditions
DEATHTRAP
Presented by Dayton Playhouse
Oct. 25-Nov. 3
Dayton
Directed by Jennifer Lockwood
Cast: David Shough as Sidney, Ellen Finch as Myra, Jared Mola as Clifford & Chuck Larkowski as Porter
Thriller writer Sidney Bruhl suffering from a dry spell. When he receives a promising script from one of his students, he immediately sees the potential. Sidney convinces his wife to assist him with a contrived collaboration snare, and the plot thickens. Twists, turns and murder follow with devilish cleverness. An abundance of thrills and laughter will keep you enthralled until the final, startling moments of the play.
Filed under On Stage
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Steven Grant Douglas as Sam & Katie Postotnik as Molly. Photo by Joan Marcus 2013.
GHOST THE MUSICAL presented by Broadway in Cincinnati through Oct. 6. You can read the show description here.
The good news is that the opening night audience at GHOST The Musical enjoyed the production alot more than I did. The not-so-good news is it doesn’t take much to enjoy the production alot more than I did.
To be fair, this is a new, non-equity, technically-demanding production with only one week under its belt. It’s still very rough around the edges.
The best thing about the show are the voices. All four leads (Steven Grant Douglas as Sam Wheat, Katie Postotnk as Molly Jensen, Carla R. Stewart as Oda Mae Brown & Robby Haltiwanger as Carl Bruner) sound great…when you could hear them. At times they were overpowered by the orchestra and/or background vocals.
Douglas and Postotnik have a very short amount of time to establish their relationship. In such a big venue as the P&G Hall, we need to hear the emotion in their voices but they haven’t quite reached that point yet. I’d also encourage Sam to explore a bit more vocal variety as there is a whole ‘lotta yelling going on.
Carla R. Stewart as Oda Mae Brown and cast. Photo by Joan Marcus 2013.
Stewart as Oda Mae Brown was a highlight of the show. Her performance seemed more comfortable in the scenes outside of the psychic parlor and she had a fun and believable rapport with Sam’s ghost. Opening night a wardrobe malfunction (well hair-accessory malfunction) turned “I’m Outta Here” into a one woman battle with a plastic bird. Stewart struggled valiantly without missing a note or step and the audience was rooting for her the entire number. Personally, I was hoping she would bring it out with her for curtain call.
Katie Postotnik as Molly, Steven Grant Douglas as Sam & Robby Haltiwanger as Carl. Photo by Joan Marcus 2013.
The video elements worked well at times, especially for several of the special effects. The opening sequence through the city is great. Unfortunately the video technology is overused to the point that many times it’s just moving “white noise” that interferes and distracts from the action on stage.
Katie Postotnik & Steven Grant Douglas, Ghost the Musical Tour. Photo by Joan Marcus 2013.
The special effects when they worked were impressive. The three onstage deaths worked very well as did the scene in Carl’s office. The slow motion effects in the subway car were great, but the shift in perspective (and perhaps a timing issue) gave away the stage magic. Oda Mae, in rushing from the bank to Sam & Molly’s apartment, stopped somewhere to don a large black cloak. It’s need was a bit too obvious. I was also confused why the “evil deaths” video effects didn’t match. It might also be fun to see them dragged offstage feet first, screaming and clawing at the air as a homage to scenes in the movie.
The ghosts in the ensemble could use a bit more liveliness. Give the audience some fun, quirky characters to watch, especially since they are serving as the comic relief. Some of the spirits have had decades to go a little squirrelly. Physical elements, such as giving Orlando a strut that Oda Mae can mimic, would add a visual element to the characters and to the possession.
Robby Haltiwanger as Carl and cast. Photo by Joan Marcus 2013.
The biggest disappointment for me was the choreography by Ashley Warren. Boring, confused, repetitive and under-polished, I believe I saw the same combination result in a dancer collision in both acts. At times it looked like the ensemble of “Fame” dancing in the streets with no relationship to the story line of GHOST. Choreographing for the stage is a different animal than for music videos and commercials. For being set in modern day, the costumes didn’t really help in establishing the time period.
Overall an uneven production that will benefit from two weeks in the same venue. Cleaning up the timing and technical problems should be a priority. The cast has worked hard to get GHOST on the road. Now they need to start having fun with it. Fans of the movie should find enough nostalgia for an enjoyable evening. Also be prepared to have “Unchained Melody” stuck in your head for the next week. 🙂
Click here for a complete list of show times for GHOST THE MUSICAL.
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.
Filed under Reviews
THE SPITFIRE GRILL
Presented by CCS
Oct. 11-13
Fairfield
Directed by Wayne Beaver
Cast: Katie Kulp/Megan Boyle as Percy,Keegan Burton/Jacon Bober as Joe, Wynter Connell/Hannah Smith as Hannah, Vanellden/Madeline Arn as Shelby, Nick Conner/Alex Dunman as Caleb, Olivia Louis/Bernadette Beacham as Effy & Jesse Keller as Eli. Chorus: Alyssa Anneken, Sam Curtis, Chris Fallat, Hope Krieger, Melody May, Ellen Roush & Laura Silvashy
A feisty parolee follows her dreams, based on a page from an old travel book, to a small town in Wisconsin and finds a place for herself working at Hannah’s Spitfire Grill. It is for sale, but there are no takers for the only eatery in the depressed town, so newcomer Percy suggest to Hannah that she raffle it off. Entry fees are set at one hundred dollars and the best essay on why you want the grill will win. Soon, mail is arriving by the wheelbarrow-full and things are definitely cookin’ at The Spitfire Grill.
Filed under On Stage
Cincinnati Shakespeare Classes for Adults and Teens, starting soon!
CINCINNATI, September 25, 2013 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati’s stage for the classics, is proud to be kicking off another season of their popular adult and teen acting courses! This year, CSC will be offering Adult Contemporary Acting, Adult Shakespeare Acting and Advanced Adult Contemporary acting along with a session of Teen Contemporary acting. All details and dates on the courses are below. There are 5 sessions meeting for 7 weeks on Tuesday evenings throughout the year beginning in October, February and April. More information is available http://www.cincyshakes.com/acting-classes.html
These courses include engaging in-depth study of classical acting techniques, contemporary and Shakespeare texts, movement, stage combat and more taught by a member of Cincinnati Shakespeare resident professional ensemble. All skills levels and experience backgrounds are welcome! A past adult participant of the programs said they were “extremely impressed with the adult classes, the instruction and kindness shown” and that they were “compelling, challenging and above all FUN program on community and learning.” The spaces are limited for these programs and registration has been open. The first session begins on Oct. 15!
CSC’s new 7-week Teen Acting class is also enrolling now. This course only meets in October so students should plan to join us now. A former teen acting class participant said that “CSC’s acting classes have helped me to grow as an person, student and a leader. These programs helped to open up my mind to new things and become more social and a better team player.”
For additional information on the above classes, please contact Director of Education and Communication Jeanna Vella by email jeanna.vella@cincyshakes.com or by phone 513.381.2273 x. 3202 or visit http://www.cincyshakes.com/acting-classes.html
Teen Contemporary Acting (9th-12th Grade)
Session 1: Oct. 15-Dec. 3, 2013; 5:30pm-7:30pm
Teen Contemporary Acting
Register Now- Log in will be required
This course is for 9-12th graders. Teens will work with a professional actor from CSC’s resident ensemble to explore different theater techniques and methods from various practitioners and apply them to contemporary scene study and performance. Class meets at CSC from 5:30-7:30pm on Oct. 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 26 & Dec. 3. No audition required.
Cost: $195
Adult Contemporary Acting Classes
Session 1: Oct. 15-Dec. 3, 2013; 7:35-9:35pm
Adult Contemporary Acting
Register Now- Log in will be required
This course is for adults only. Students will work with a professional actor from CSC’s resident ensemble to explore different theater techniques and methods from various practitioners and apply them to contemporary scene study and performance. Class meets at CSC from 7:35-9:35pm on Oct. 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 26 & Dec. 3. No audition required.
Cost: $195
Session 2: Feb. 11,- Apr. 1, 2014; 7:35pm-9:35pm
Adult Contemporary Acting
Register Now- Log in will be required
This course is for adults only. Students will work with a professional actor from CSC’s resident ensemble to explore different theater techniques and methods from various practitioners and apply them to contemporary scene study and performance. Class meets at CSC from 7:35-9:35pm on Feb. 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4, 11, 18 & Apr. 1. No audition required.
Cost: $195
Session 3: Apr. 8- May 20, 2104; 7:35pm-9:35pm
Adult Contemporary Acting
Register Now- Log in will be required
This course is for adults only. Students will work with a professional actor from CSC’s resident ensemble to explore different theater techniques and methods from various practitioners and apply them to contemporary scene study and performance. Class meets at CSC from 7:35-9:35pm on Apr. 8, 15, 22, May 6, 13, 19 & 20. No audition required.
Cost: $195
Adult Shakespeare Acting
Session 2: Feb. 11- Apr. 1, 2014; 5:30pm-7:30pm
Adult Shakespeare Acting
Register Now- Log in with be required
This course is for adults only. Students will learn techniques and methods from a professional Shakespeare actor from CSC’s resident company and apply those skills to Shakespeare study and performance. Class meets at CSC from 5:30-7:30pm on Feb. 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4, 11, 18 & Apr. 1. No audition required.
Cost: $195
Advanced Adult Contemporary Acting
Session 3: Apr. 8- May 20, 2014; 5:30pm-7:30pm
Advanced Adult Contemporary Acting*
Register Now- Log in will be required
This course is for adults only. Building upon skills from Adult Contemporary Acting, students will study more advanced theater techniques and methods and apply them to contemporary scene study and performance in this rigorous course. Class meets at CSC from 5:30-7:30pm on Apr. 8, 15, 22, May 6, 13, 19 & 20. No audition required but there is a prerequisite course*.
Cost: $195
*Prerequisite: Adult Contemporary Acting.
Filed under Training
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 