Monthly Archives: July 2014

SSP Present Local Community Theater Premiere of NEXT TO NORMAL

Megan Callahan, Luka Ashley Carter, Jered Ryan, Jen Ryan, Gregory Shaffer & Robert Breslin IV.  Photo Credit: Kortness Kate Photography.

Megan Callahan, Luka Ashley Carter, Jered Ryan, Jen Ryan, Gregory Shaffer & Robert Breslin IV.
Photo Credit: Kortness Kate Photography.

CINCINNATI, OH – June 30, 2014 —Sunset Players will be the first Greater Cincinnati community theater to present the Pulitzer-Prize winning rock musical NEXT TO NORMAL by Tom Kitt with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey.

“NEXT TO NORMAL offers several firsts for Sunset Players,” explained show director Jerry Yearout. “The theater group is premiering the show in the Greater Cincinnati area. It is also the first summer show for Sunset Players and goes outside the theater group’s usual comedic fare into a serious musical.”

NEXT TO NORMAL tells the story of a mother who struggles with bipolar disorder and the effect her illness has on her family. This contemporary musical is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life. With provocative lyrics and a thrilling score, this musical shows how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family’s world intact.

The cast for the Sunset Players’ performance includes real-life husband and wife (Jen and Jared Ryan) who portray husband and wife Diana and Dan Goodman. The entire cast is:

  • Jen Ryan as Diana Goodman
  • Jered Ryan as Dan Goodman
  • Megan Callahan as Natalie Goodman
  • Robert Breslin IV as Gabe Goodman
  • Gregory Shaffer as Dr. Fine
  • Luka Ashley Carter as Henry

Hear from the cast on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8d5CzMLpdqi1TkMf5qsfw17w7lrnlgNW

Show dates for NEXT TO NORMAL are: July 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25 & 26. All performances begin at 8 pm with a 2 pm Sunday matinee. Tickets are $16 for general admission and $14 for students, seniors or groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased through the Sunset Players website (www.sunsetplayers.org) or reserved by calling 513-588-4988.

Sunset Players, Inc. is a community theater group located on the west side of Cincinnati. Founded in 1979, the group performs at the Arts Center at Dunham and has produced more than 120 plays. For more information, visit our website at www.sunsetplayers.org or like us on Facebook.

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MOON OVER BUFFALO Runs July 31-Aug. 2

PPL_Moon Over BuffaloMOON OVER BUFFALO
Presented by Paradise Players
July 31-Aug. 2
Mount Washington

Directed by Jeanne Spurlock

Cast: George: Paul Brockman, Charlotte: Peggy McDonald-Allen, Ethel: Sharon Shelton, Rosalind: Lindsey Morgan, Paul: Micheal Kiser, Howard: Eric Thomas, Eileen: Jess Kennedy & Richard: Richard Zenk

In the madcap comedy tradition of Lend me a Tenor, the hilarious Moon Over Buffalo centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading stars of the 1950’s. At the moment, they’re playing Private Lives and Cyrano De Bergerac in rep in Buffalo, New York with 5 actors. On the brink of a disastrous split-up caused by George’s dalliance with a young ingénue, they receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee, and if likes what he sees, he might cast them in his movie remake of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Unfortunately for George and Charlotte, everything that could go wrong does go wrong, abetted by a visit from their daughter’s clueless fiancé and hilarious uncertainty about which play they’re actually performing, caused by Charlotte’s deaf old stage-manager mother who hates every bone in George’s body. -Samuel French

  • Thu-Sat at 7:30pm

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THE JESTER PRICE Runs Aug. 1-9

BPI_The Jester PrinceTHE JESTER PRICE
Presented by The Beechmont Players Inc.
Aug. 1-9
Anderson Township

Directed by Frederic Tacon
Musical Direction by Julie DeMatteis
Choreography by Pam Blessing
Produced by Pam Kaesemeyer

Cast: Lester the Jester – Brody McKinnon, Princess Leona – Emma Jencson, King Wigglesworth – Steve Phelan, Jumpstart – Nicole Simon, Tumblestump – Bryson Sanders, Sir Rocco Wretched – Karl Bolinger, Ma Wretched – Jody Hart, Divot/Edgar – Stanton Granger, Prince Vince – Bryce Willson & Prince Darin – Frederic Tacon
Ensemble: Amy Sullivan, Bert Bathiany IV, Kyle Joseph Green, Molly Barresi, Stephanie Crawford & Stephanie Mooney

The spirited Princess has been kidnapped, and her friend, the Court Jester, is leading a cowardly thief, a clumsy page and the disguised king to rescue her. Through forest and cave, past a dragon and kidnappers, this band of unlikely heroes seeks princess, adventure, love and a happy ending in this funny, heart-warming family musical by local playwright Frederic Tacon.

  • Fri, Aug. 1 at 8pm
  • Sat, Aug. 2 at 3pm & 8pm
  • Sun, Aug. 3 at 3pm
  • Fri, Aug. 8 at 8pm
  • Sat, Aug. 9 at 3pm & 8pm

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CSP(OH) 2013-2014 Orchid Awards

CSPO_logoMIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

  • Angela K. Boyle as Helena
  • Gary Glass as Theseus/Oberon
  • Colin Thornton as Egeus/Flute

BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER

  • Olivia Dunn as Alice Wendleken
  • Tatum Wilmes as Beth Bradley
  • Fred Hunt and Cast for Excellence in Ensemble
  • Trisha Cooper for Excellence in Stage Management

THE ROYAL FAMILY

  • Betty Coulter as Fanny Cavendish
  • Traci Taylor as Julie Cavendish

WUTHERING HEIGHTS

  • Clint Bramkamp as Mr. Lockwood
  • Dee Dunn as Ellen Dean
  • McLane Nagy as Catherine Earnshaw Linton

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