Monthly Archives: August 2014

August 21, 2014 · 10:35 am

“One Stop Arts Shop” – New Online Directory of Arts Education Programs

Greater Cincinnati Alliance for Arts Education
Launches “One Stop Arts Shop” 

A comprehensive and searchable directory of arts education programs in Greater Cincinnati

www.cincyartsalliance.org

GCAFAE_logo(CINCINNATI, OH) – Looking for a creative and engaging arts adventure for your children or students? The Greater Cincinnati Alliance for Arts Education (GCAAE), working with the Strive Partnership and KnowledgeWorks, has developed an online directory of arts education programs offered by Greater Cincinnati arts organizations and artists – “One Stop Arts Shop” at www.cincyartsalliance.org.  The online directory includes:

  • One-stop online shopping for parents and teachers looking for arts education programs, resources, and opportunities in Greater Cincinnati;
  • Information right at your fingertips about the many arts programs for children, adults, and families;
  • Searchable database to help you find the right arts education program for your needs;
  • Search by art form, subject area, grade level, location, type of program, and more;
  • Contact information of organizations and artists to help you plan your arts experiences.

“GCAAE is excited about offering this new resource for the Greater Cincinnati community. Our region has a depth of arts education opportunities for children and adults of all ages, and we are grateful to the many arts and cultural organizations that are participating in this new online directory.  We hope that this unique resource will be used often by parents and teachers looking for arts education programs in our area,” said Kathleen Riemenschneider, 2013-14 GCAAE co-chair.

The One Stop Arts Shop online directory was made possible with grants from ArtsWave and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. /U.S. Bank Foundation.

Greater Cincinnati Alliance for Arts Education (GCAAE) is a collaborative community that advocates for the arts in people’s lives. Membership is open to any individual or organization that supports arts education, and provides a dual membership in the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education.

Member Organizations: The Carnegie, Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Arts Association, Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Children’s Choir, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Contemporary Arts Center, Dramakinetics of Cincinnati, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Greater Cincinnati American Orff Shulwerk Association, Greenacres Arts Center, MamLuft & Co. Dance, Marjorie Book Continuing Education, May Festival, Melodic Connections, Music Resource Center, Ohio Music Teachers Association – Southwest District, Pones Inc., School House Symphony, The Taft Museum of Art, University of Cincinnati – CCM Preparatory Department, Visionaries & Voices, Wild Carrot.

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August 21, 2014 · 10:29 am

ETC Opens 2014-2015 Season With HANDS ON A HARDBODY

ETC_Hands on a Hardbody_logoENSEMBLE THEATRE CINCINNATI OPENS 2014-2015 SEASON
WITH REGIONAL PREMIERE MUSICAL, HANDS ON A HARDBODY

(Cincinnati, OH) Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati opens its 29th season with the regional premiere of Hands on a Hardbody, the thrilling, powerfully emotional new musical featuring a country-rock-pop score by Trey Anastasio (frontman for the rock band Phish) and Amanda Green (High Fidelity, Bring It On), and a script by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Doug Wright (Grey Gardens, I Am My Own Wife). The show, which features a full-size Nissan hardbody truck on stage alongside its cast of 15, plays September 2-21, 2014 and is directed by D. Lynn Meyers.

The story, inspired by the acclaimed 1997 cult-hit documentary of the same name, depicts the real-life gritty struggles of ten contestants at a Longview, Texas Nissan dealership as they laugh, cry, and stand for days under the grueling sun touching the truck—and they stand there…and stand there…until one by one, people get tired and drop away, and one person is left standing. That person gets to keep the truck. An endurance/sleep deprivation contest, this new musical is a peek into the lives of everyday, ordinary Americans, struggling to survive against the backdrop of a broken and beaten working middle class.

Featuring a catchy combination of rhythm and blues, rockabilly, gospel, rock and roll, and country songs, one by one the quirky characters share what winning would mean to them. There’s J.D., who lost his oil-rig job and just got out of the hospital, and Jesus, whose only hope for veterinary school is to win and resell the truck. Also vying for the American Dream are an Iraq war veteran, an ex-cheerleader, a crafty previous winner full of advice for his rivals, a run-down mother of six, and a desperate chocolate bar addict.

Cast includes several regular Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati performers, including: Michael G. Bath (Frank Nugent), Michael Gerard Carr (Greg Wilhote), Charlie Clark (Benny Perkins), Denise Devlin (Heather Stovall), Annie Fitzpatrick (Cindy Barnes), Deb G. Girdler (Janis Curtis), Sara Mackie (Norma Valverde), Brooke Steele (Kelli Mangrum), and Kate Wilford (Virginia Drew).

Additionally, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati welcomes the following performers in their debuts at Ensemble: Geoffrey Warren Barnes II (Ronald McCowan), Jordan De Leon (Jesus Peña), Phil Fiorini (JD Drew), Michael Flannery (Don Curtis/Dr. Stokes), Dallas Padoven (Chris Alvaro), and Michael Shawn Starks (Mike Ferris).

Production team includes Brian c. Mehring (Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer), Matthew Hollstegge (Technical Director, Production Coordinator & Master Electrician), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Master & Design Assistant), Jeremy Lee (Sound Designer), Patti James (Choreographer), Scot Woolley (Musical Director), and Reba Senske (Costume Designer). Production Stage Manager is Brandon T. Holmes.

Performance Information
Performances run Tuesday through Sunday. Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 pm; Friday and Saturday, 8:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 2:00 pm; and Sunday, 7:00 pm. A complete calendar of performances is available online at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.

Ticket Prices
Ticket prices range from $28 to $44 for adults; student tickets are $25; and children are $18. For the 2014-2015 season, ETC continues its popular $15 student and half-price rush tickets for all performances, which are available two hours prior to show time and may be purchased by phone or in person at the box office.

Available Discounts
Military, Educator, Public Radio Perks Card, ArtsWave FunCard, AAA, Senior, and Enjoy the Arts discounts available; tickets and seating are subject to availability.

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Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

2014-2015 Season Presenting Sponsor is the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Additional support provided by Garfield Suites Hotel, the Shubert Foundation, and PNC.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich and inspire our audiences.

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August 21, 2014 · 10:16 am

REEFER MADNESS Runs Sept. 19-28

SBP_Reefer Madness1REEFER MADNESS
Presented by Showbiz Players
Sept. 19-28
Covington

Directed by Adam Drake
Music direction by Alan Masters
Vocal direction by Gregory Shaffer
Choreography by Jillian Schwab
Produced by Jennifer Ryan, Cathy Bennett & Bunny Arszman

Cast: Kevin Rutkowski as Jimmy, Jered Ryan as Lecturer, Julie Wacksman as Mary Lane, Gregory Shaffer as Jack, Michelle Grove Shaffer as Mae, Sean Mize as Ralph, Jen Drake as Sally, Emily Rowekamp as Placard Girl
Ensemble: Liz Koch, Kati Bakes, Jill Blessing, Caitlin Brown, Jenni Sheets, Robert Fields, Mike Davis, Colin Shimrock & Stephen Cox

Inspired by the original 1936 film of the same name, this raucous musical comedy takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the hysteria caused when clean-cut kids fall prey to marijuana, leading them on a hysterical downward spiral filled with evil jazz music, sex and violence. You won’t be able to resist the spoofy fun of REEFER MADNESS. The addictive and clever musical numbers range from big Broadway-style showstoppers to swing tunes like ‘Down at the Ol’ Five and Dime’ and the Vegas-style ‘Listen to Jesus, Jimmy,’ featuring J.C. Himself leading a chorus of showgirl angels. This dynamic show will go straight to your head! REEFER MADNESS is a highly stylized and satirical political commentary. It contains adult humor, religious parody, and drug use, as well as suggested violence and sexual explicitness. It therefore may be inappropriate for younger performers and audiences.

  • Fri-Sat, Sept. 19-20 at 8pm
  • Sun, Sept. 21 at 7pm
  • Wed-Sat, Sept. 24-27 at 8pm
  • Sun, Sept. 28 at 3pm

Official page |

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August 21, 2014 · 9:29 am

LCT’s Great American Theatre Ticket Giveaway

The Great Cincinnati Fall 2014 Theatre Ticket Give-Away

LCT_VCINCINNATI, OH – The League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT), together with United Dairy Farmers (UDF) and DR PEPPER and the Pepsi Bottling Company, kick-off the 2014-2015  theatre season with the “Great Cincinnati Theatre Ticket Giveaway.” Each of LCT’s 16 participating member theatres – from Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Ensemble Theatre, to Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Know Theatre – will be providing a free pair of season tickets for 16 lucky winners to celebrate and enjoy the new season.

TO ENTER: Simply visit any UDF retail store in the OH-IN-KY tri-state region now through August 31, 2014 to register. Details can easily be found on the LCT 2014-2015 theatre season Preview Poster prominently displayed in all UDF stores, or your local LCT member theatre.
No purchase is necessary. UDF and Dr. Pepper are proud sponsors of the LCT Rising Stars Award, which supports local theatre artists.

ABOUT THE LEAGUE OF CINCINNATI THEATRES:
The League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) 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 to help increase community awareness, attendance, frequency, and involvement. LCT is dedicated to the education of the public toward an expanded knowledge and awareness of the performing arts to enhance perception of the arts as a vital part of community life.

ABOUT UNITED DAIRY FARMERS:
United Dairy Farmers (UDF) combines the nostalgia of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor
with all the modern benefits of a neighborhood convenience store with quality products and fast, friendly service. More than 200 UDF stores are located throughout OH-IN-KY.

ABOUT DR PEPPER :
Originally made in Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas, DR PEPPER is the oldest major soft drink in America.  Wade Morrison, the drug store owner named it
DR PEPPER after Dr. Charles Pepper, the father of a girl he once loved! Debuting in 1885 and introduced to millions at the 1904 World’s Fair, DR PEPPER’s distinct flavor is a classic within the flagship, Pepsi Bottling Company’s family of products.

TO ENTER:  Look for the LCT season preview poster at any UDF store now through August 31, 2014 to register, or register at one of your LCT member theatres.

DRAWINGS HELD:  Monday, September 2, 2014   *No purchase necessary.

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August 21, 2014 · 9:17 am

SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM Runs Sept. 19-27

MLT_Side by Side by SondheimSIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM
Presented by Middletown Lyric Theatre
Sept. 19-27
Middletown

Directed by Charley Shafor
Musical Direction by Julia Abanto-Bethune

Cast: Robin Baker, Julia Abanto-Bethune, Tonda Hoefler, Melodie LaNicca, Alicia Moore, Kevin Stout & Beth Vestring Fischer Reinhart

This dazzling array of some of Sondheim’s best-known songs features numbers from landmark shows that revolutionized the musical theatre with their masterful craft and astounding creativity: COMPANY, FOLLIES, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, ANYONE CAN WHISTLE and PACIFIC OVERTURES, not to mention the classics written with musical theatre giants Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne and Richard Rodgers, WEST SIDE STORY, GYPSY, and DO I HEAR A WALTZ?

  • Fri-Sat, Sept. 19-20 at 8pm
  • Fri-Sat, Sept. 26-27 at 8pm

Official page |

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