Monthly Archives: October 2014

October 28, 2014 · 12:38 pm

THE IRISH TENORS – The Premiere Irish Holiday Celebration Tour | Tue., Dec. 9 | Aronoff Center

CAA_The Irish Tenors(Cincinnati, OH) – The Irish Tenors – Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, and Ronan Tynan – return to the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall on Tuesday, December 9 at 7:30 PM with their new Premiere Irish Holiday Celebration Tour, featuring traditional carols and classic Irish ballads.

Tickets are on sale now at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.  Group discount tickets for 10 or more are available by calling (513) 977-4157. A Half-Price Student Rush tickets will be available two hours before curtain, with a limit of two tickets per person with a valid student ID at the Aronoff Center Ticket Office only (subject to availability).

Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, and Ronan Tynan have been touring together as The Irish Tenors since 1998, with sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall, Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, The Hollywood Bowl, and major concert halls throughout the world. Their faces and voices are familiar to PBS audiences through several specials, including the “Ellis Island” recordings that sold a million CDs and DVDs.

Since they first joined voices in 1998, The Irish Tenors have made countless traditional treasures breathe with new life.  Moreover, they’ve proven themselves gifted interpreters of a wide range of material, with such songs as “My Heart Will Go On” (from Titanic), “Fairytale Of New York” (previously recorded by Kirsty MacColl and The Pogues), and even Jimmy Kennedy’s “South Of The Border (Down Mexico Way).”  These songs live comfortably in their repertoire alongside “Danny Boy,” “Whiskey in the Jar,” and “Fields of Athenry.”  Among their best-selling albums, Heritage ranks as one of the finest with classic recordings of many of the most beautiful Irish songs.  We Three Kings is their best-selling Christmas Album and includes all of the superb Christmas gems that feature year after year in their legendary Holiday Tour, which has become a firm tradition for so many families who love their music and the special sparkle that marks their holiday program.

The Irish Tenors powerful vocal line-up of Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, and Ronan Tynan are unquestionably the leading brand of this genre.  All classically trained singers, each having performed in leading concert halls across the world, together they combine to produce a sound and concert experience which touches hearts and stirs the emotion with happy songs of celebration and humor.

They are surely versatile, but for many, Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, and Ronan Tynan are synonymous with Irish music.  There is a melodic loveliness, emotional intensity, and achingly bittersweet quality to much of Ireland’s musical heritage. The dazzling technique and depth of feeling that defines this musical genre is the hallmark of The Irish Tenors.

The magic they’ve captured on previous releases has resulted in millions of albums sold and the upper reaches of Billboard’s music charts.  The Irish Tenors have appeared on several incredibly successful and highly-rated PBS specials, including Ellis Island and Live from Belfast, as well as The Today Show, Good Morning America, Regis and Kelly, Martha Stewart, and A&E Breakfast with the Arts, and they are one of the best-selling acts to appear on QVC.

The Irish Tenors continue to tour constantly, thrilling old fans and winning new ones all around the globe.  In the United States, they are one of the most successful Irish touring acts ever, second only to U2.

For more information, visit the The Irish Tenors’ website at www.theirishtenorsmusic.com.

CINCINNATI ARTS ASSOCIATION SPONSORS

SEASON SPONSORS:  AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), FIFTH THIRD BANK (Lifetime Endowment Partner),FURNITURE FAIR, LOCAL12 WKRC, The P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

THE IRISH TENORS PRESENTING SPONSORS:  Horseshoe Casino, Ultimate Air Shuttle

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS:  21C Museum Hotel, Cincinnati Herald, Coldwell Banker/West Shell, CityBeat, Garfield Suites Hotel, Heidelberg Distributing, Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell, Pepsi, Skyline Chili

THE IRISH TENORS MEDIA PARTNER:  WARM98-FM

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October 28, 2014 · 12:25 pm

Princess Party and PIP’s ROSES AND THORNS at The Arts Center at Dunham

Princess Party and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s Off The Hill Production
ROSES AND THORNSs at the Arts Center at Dunham

PIP_Roses and ThornsThe Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s Off the Hill family series production of ROSES & THORNS (A TALE OF BEAUTY & THE BEAST) by Bret Fetzer will be performed at the Arts Center at Dunham on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 2:00 pm. The show is free and open to the public and made possible by a grant from Price Hill Will Arts CAT.

Prior to the performance, children can join the “Be Our Guest” princess party with Bella and her friends from 12:30-1:30 p.m. The princess party costs $5 per child with proceeds benefiting the renovation of the Arts Center at Dunham. To RSVP to the “Be Our Guest” princess party, go online to Sunset Players website (www.sunsetplayers.org) or call 513-588-4988.

The twisted comedy ROSES & THORNS revisits the original story of beautiful Rose who sacrifices her own happiness to be the servant of a hideous Beast in order to protect her father and family. Based on the 18th, century version of the story, the play embraces slapstick, satire and high camp styles even as it explores the darker depths of the tale, which proves that true beauty is always more than skin deep. This performance will be sign language interpreted.

Off the Hill is made possible by the John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust, PNC Bank, Trustee. Seasonal support is the Playhouse in the Park’s outreach programs is provided by the Hearst Foundations and the Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation.

The Arts Center at Dunham is a fine arts center for the west side of Cincinnati. Housed in one of the three remaining buildings of what was the first municipally owned tuberculosis sanatorium in the United States, the Arts Center includes a 350-seat performance venue as well as extensive studio and programming space. The Arts Center is located in the Dunham Recreation Complex. See what is happening at the Arts Center at Dunham on Facebook.

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October 27, 2014 · 10:40 am

24 HOUR THEATRE on Nov. 2

XP_24 Hour Theatre24 HOUR THEATRE
Presented by Xavier Players
Nov. 2
Evanston

Join us as we create a full show in a single day! We start writing at 7:00pm on Saturday, rehearsing at 7:00am on Sunday, and perform at 6:00pm that night (this is due to daylight savings time throwing an extra hour in for us; can’t have 25 Hour Theatre, now can we?).

  • Sun at 6pm

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October 26, 2014 · 1:27 pm

Covedale’s INTO THE WOODS Awarded a 4 Star Recommendation

Rodger Pille as The Baker & Megan Ainsley Callahan as Little Red Ridinghood. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Rodger Pille as The Baker & Megan Ainsley Callahan as Little Red Ridinghood. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Panelists for the League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) have awarded Covedale Theatre’s production of INTO THE WOODS with a 4 star recommendation. Into the Woods is the award winning Broadway musical by Stephen Sondheim which takes favorite storybook characters and brings them together for a timeless musical and modern classic.

Panelists called the show “a visual treat…one of the best productions I have seen at the Covedale.” Panelists were thrilled with Brett Bowling’s scenic design: “When the curtains opened during the Prologue to reveal the set I was elated to see such a beautiful set full of many levels and smartly utilizing the entire stage to create this world of enchantment.” Music director Michael Kennedy was also praised: “the ensemble sounded superb under his direction…a treat for the ears.” Finally, Elizabeth Chinn Molloy was singled out for her puppetryas the cow, Milky White: “the cow puppet showed emotion and feeling…Elizabeth was able to bring her to life.”

INTO THE WOODS continues through November 16th. Tickets can be obtained online at www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.

Nominations for LCT awards will be determined and announced at the end of the season and winners awarded at the annual LCT party in the summer.

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.info.

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October 26, 2014 · 1:16 am

SAFE HOUSE Review

Links to all reviews can be found using the REVIEWS link at the top of the page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my Facebook fan page. You can also receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

Please note: Beginning with this review, I’ve increased the size of the larger photos. Just click on any photo for a bigger version.

Clarissa (Deonna Bouye) and Frank (Shane Taylor) meet in secret to discuss their feelings for each other and future plans. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Clarissa (Deonna Bouye) and Frank (Shane Taylor) meet in secret to discuss their feelings for each other and future plans. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

SAFE HOUSE presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park through Nov. 15. Click here for more information on the production.

A dramatic tale of two brothers takes over the Marx Theatre as the second show of the season. The play boasts a solid ensemble that brings this dark play to life.

For me, the first act did struggle a bit in both story and pacing. It contains much exposition to set up the show, and at times it seems to meander a bit, providing information in smaller portions on multiple fronts. The pacing does gain a nice momentum near the end of the act. In contrast, the second act begins and progresses much strongr. When the audience learns to what extreme brother Addison (LeRoy McClain) will go to attain his dream, it’s a proverbial gut-punch that sends an audible shock through the audience.

Bracken (Wilbur Edwin Henry, second from right) confronts Addison (LeRoy McClain, left) about whether he has seen a runaway slave as Dorcas (Stephanie Berry) and Frank (Shane Taylor) listen. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Bracken (Wilbur Edwin Henry, second from right) confronts Addison (LeRoy McClain, left) about whether he has seen a runaway slave as Dorcas (Stephanie Berry) and Frank (Shane Taylor) listen. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Favorite moments include: Shannon Dorsey as escaped slave Roxie, sharing her story of why she became a runaway; Stephanie Berry as the brothers’ aunt, Dorcas, as she pleads with Deputy Bracken (Wilbur Edwin Henry) to help her nephew; the good-byes in the shed, and the final scene with brothers Addison and Frank (Shane Taylor) at the river.

One issue for me is that when Frank becomes upset and begins yell/taking rather fast, I lost much of what was being said. The scene with Bracken and Dorcas mentioned above, was staged heavily to audience right, that those of us audience left were unable to see the actors faces for a bit too long.

Addison (LeRoy McClain, center) returns home as his brother Frank (Shane Taylor) and his aunt Dorcas (Stephanie Berry) work in the family’s shoe business. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Addison (LeRoy McClain, center) returns home as his brother Frank (Shane Taylor) and his aunt Dorcas (Stephanie Berry) work in the family’s shoe business. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

The set by Tony Cisek works well and is visually interesting. The slated walls allow the audience to see through to the outside of the house, including the tall trees standing upstage. The wood floor’s pattern, transitioning from house to river, was nicely done. The latter was enhanced by Michael Gilliam’s lighting to turn it into a flowing river late in the play. I was a bit confused by the shoes and boots hanging above the set, until their presence was explained late into the play.

SAFE HOUSE is an impactful and heart-breaking tale of the oppression of slavery from the viewpoint of two brothers, who are free people of color, with opposing ideologies.

My rating: 4.0 out of 5

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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