Monthly Archives: July 2015

July 27, 2015 · 11:39 am

Know Theatre’s Welcome Experiment Returns for HUNDRED DAYS

Lindsey Augusta Mercer, Abigail Bengson, Brian Koch, Shaun Bengson & Colette Alexander. Photo by Daniel R. Winters.

Lindsey Augusta Mercer, Abigail Bengson, Brian Koch, Shaun Bengson & Colette Alexander. Photo by Daniel R. Winters.

Know Theatre is proud to announce the return of The Welcome Experiment with this Wednesday’s FREE performance of Hundred Days.

The Welcome Experiment provides FREE performances on Wednesdays throughout the run of all MainStage productions. Know Theatre piloted The Welcome Experiment in 2014 to make sure anyone who wants to see a show can do so—be they neighbors facing economic hardship, fellow artists, students struggling to make ends meet, or people who simply don’t regularly attend live theatre (but might, if it were offered at a lower cost).

Our first Welcome Experiment performance of Season 18 is the Wednesday, July 29 performance of The Bengsons’ Hundred Days at 8 PM.  This fierce, triumphant folk-rock odyssey tells the story of a young couple who fall in love, only to have their time together cut short by a fatal illness. With the brash intensity of youth, they decide to try and live the 100 days they have left together as though it were the 60 years they had imagined they would have.

Hundred Days is a Z Space and piece by piece production directed by 2-time Obie Award Winner Anne Kauffman and features local dancers from Exhale Dance Tribe choreographed by Emmy nominated Sonya Tayeh (So You Think You Can Dance), alongside a cast of rockstar performers led by show creators, Shaun and Abigail Bengson.

Patrons can reserve free Welcome Experiment tickets via the knowtheatre.com website (just look for the performances marked Welcome Experiment), or they can come to the Know Theatre Box Office after 7 PM on the night of each Welcome Experiment performance to claim their free seat.

Please note: Pre-reserved tickets that are not picked up by 10 minutes before showtime are subject to redistribution in the case of a sold-out show.

For more information about The Welcome Experiment, Hndred Days, or any of our other programs,  visit www.knowtheatre.com

About Z Space

Z Space is a hub for artists and audiences to revel in the creation, development, and production of outstanding new work. We commission, develop, present and produce a full season of new works from a variety of disciplines including theater, dance, music, performance art, and new media. We foster opportunities around the nation for these works and we engage diverse audiences through direct interactions with the process, the projects, and the artists.

About Exhale Dance Tribe

Exhale Dance Tribe is Cincinnati’s first Contemporary Jazz Dance company, and was named one of “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine. Exhale celebrates the full range of modern and rhythm-based dance and features diverse, versatile performers. Their programs, performances, and original choreographies speak to the region’s need for expressionistic and multilingual dance rooted in rhythmic language and storytelling. Exhale Dance Tribe shares the exhilarating gift of performing live with adult and young adult professional dancers in the Cincinnati area as well as performances around the U.S. and New Zealand.

About Know Theatre

KNOW THEATRE OF CINCINNATI, now in its 18th season, is Cincinnati’s Theatrical Playground. The Know showcases unexpected voices, new works, and plays that embrace the inherent theatricality of the live experience. Know Theatre seeks to be a place where artists and audiences feel welcome to take artistic risks, creating work that is cutting edge and accessible.

Know Theatre’s work is made possible, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Know Theatre with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Know Theatre is also supported by The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation, helping to change our communities for the better through collaboration and innovation, and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, which provides a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving.

Know Theatre is a member of Theatre Communications Group and an Associate member of the National New Play Network.

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July 27, 2015 · 11:17 am

Cast Announced for THE MAGIC FIRE at Beechmont Players

BPI_logoBeechmont Players is excited to announce the cast for the Fall 2015 production, The Magic Fire, directed by jef brown and produced by Pam Kaesemeyer. The Magic Fire runs October 16-24, 2015.

  • Maddalena Guarneri – Jan Costello
  • Paula Guarneri – Faye Crawford
  • Gianni “Juan” Guarneri – Art Kibby
  • Otto Berg – Ray Lebowski
  • Amalia Berg – Eliza Martin
  • Rosa Arrua – Elaine Michael
  • Elena Guarneri – Patricia Mullins
  • Clara Stepanek – Cathy Roesener
  • Lise – Amy Stier
  • Young Lise (Lise 2) – Audrey Stith
  • Henri Fontannes – Collin Wenzell
  • Alberto Barcos – Bryce Willson

For more information visit http://beechmontplayers.org/.

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July 26, 2015 · 4:34 pm

Cast Announced for RENT at Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre

WFIT logoCincinnati Landmark Productions have annouced the cast for RENT, coming to the Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre on Dec. 2-20.

The cast includes:

  • Kelcey Steele as Mark
  • Tyler Kuhlman as Roger
  • Lisa Glover as Mimi
  • C. Aiden Sims as Maureen
  • Allison Muennich as Joanne
  • Christopher Carter as Angel
  • RJ Caldwell asCollins
  • Akeem Campbell as Paul
  • Chris Darnell as Benny
  • Andrew Maloney as Steve
  • Matt Krieg as Gordon
  • Adrienne Williams as Alexi Darling
  • Cierra Watkins as Mrs. Jefferson
  • Hannah Gregory as Mrs. Cohen
  • Sean Mize as Mr. Jefferson

RENT is directed and choreographed by Matthew Wilson with music direction by Michael Kennedy. For more information visit http://www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com/Incline/Default.aspx.

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July 25, 2015 · 12:32 pm

1776 Review

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

Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

1776 presented Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre. through July 26. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening Sunday performance.

An ineffective Congress plagued by petty personalities and in-fighting. No, it’s not my Facebook news feed, but 1776, a musical which dramatizes the efforts of John Adams to persuade his colleagues, to vote for American independence, and to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Brett Bowling as John Dickinson and members of the Continental Congress. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Brett Bowling as John Dickinson and members of the Continental Congress. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

As a whole, the men’s ensemble is excellent. Each actor created a strong characterization for their role. Throughout the show, I never noticed anyone out of character or not being involved in the action on stage. Brett Bowling is very strong as the aptly named John Dickinson. Also strong are Rodger Pille as John Adams, Bob Brunner as Benjamin Franklin, Justin Glaser as Edward Rutledge and Allison Muennich as Abigail Adams.

Jamie Steele as Andrew McNair, Kelcey Steele as Courier & Cameron Alexander Nalley as Leather Apron. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Jamie Steele as Andrew McNair, Kelcey Steele as Courier & Cameron Alexander Nalley as Leather Apron. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

A vocally strong cast, favorite numbers included “For God’s Sake, Sit Down,”Momma Look Sharp” and “Molasses to Rum.” Rich Roedersheimer, as Richard Henry Lee, has a strong voice for “The Lees of Old Virginia,” but the accent used made understanding the lyrics difficult. Lindsey Franxman, as Martha Jefferson, struggled with some of the high notes in her solo work.

Matt Krieg as Thomas Jefferson, Bob Brunner as Ben Franklin & Rodger Pille as John Adams, Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Matt Krieg as Thomas Jefferson, Bob Brunner as Ben Franklin & Rodger Pille as John Adams, Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Caren Young’s wigs and costumes for the production are well-conceived and executed. With great attention to detail, each character had a distinctive look which created a believable world for this production.

Brett Bowling also serves as the resident set designer for Cincinnati Landmark Productions. I enjoyed the simple and balanced design of the set. The multiple levels and gradual curve of the main playing area created great sight lines for the audience. I do think a border curtain would help frame the stage. Without it, the cyc tends to carry your eye up to the pole where you can see the tie-offs and instruments hanging.

Allison Muennich as Abigail Adams. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Allison Muennich as Abigail Adams. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Overall, director Matthew Wilson and music director Michael Kennedy have created a strong, satisfying and entertaining production.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5

Also congratulations are in order for Allison Muennich on her engagement. “Mrs. Adams” was surprised with an onstage proposal during the second Sunday curtain call. And she said “yes.”

Individual tickets for the 2015-2016 Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre’s District series are now available. Productions include EXTREMITIES, RENT, AVENUE Q and GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS. For more information visit http://www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com/Incline/News3.aspx.

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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July 24, 2015 · 2:06 pm

Auditions Announced for 2015-2016 Season by Magnolia Theatre Company

MTC_logoSeason General Auditions for Magnolia Theatre Company 2015-2016 Season

July 27 from 4-7pm
July 28 from 4-7:30pm

THE K OF D: AN URBAN LEGEND
Directed by Kimberly Borst

Rehearsal starts: around September 6, 2015
Metropolitan Arts Center (2nd Floor) 126 N. Main St Dayton, OH 45402
Preview: October 1, 2015
Performances: October 2-4, 2015 (4 total)
Mathile Theatre in the Schuster Center for the Performing Arts

Seeking: (female 18+) Plays 17 characters. This role is physically demanding, and requires an actress with versatility and precise storytelling skills. We are also seeking an understudy for this role.

  • the girl (narrator), who does most of the talking
  • charlotte mcgraw, who no longer speaks
  • quisp drucker, who has the biggest mouth
  • becky ray voss, who smokes bubblegum cigarettes
  • steffi post, who romanticizes violence
  • brett hoffman, who keeps track of the facts
  • trent hoffman, who keeps track of the people
  • mrs. mcgraw, who expected more
  • mr. mcgraw, who provided less
  • jack whistler, who tends to the flowers
  • johnny whistler, who is the subject of much debate
  • johnny’s girlfriends, who change often, and rarely wash their hair?

Preparation: Please prepare a contemporary monologue not to exceed 5 minutes. Please bring 2 headshots and resumes to the audition.

Other: Callbacks (if necessary) will be July 30. Perusal scripts will be available on July 20. All company members will be paid a stipend based on experience. This production will be produced under AEA MPC (Member’s Project Code- approval pending).
BROADWAY BEVELED: A FEMININE CABARET
Magnolia Theatre Company’s first fundraiser

Directed by Gina Handy and Becca Kloha Strand
Music Director: TBA

Rehearsals: Rehearsals throughout December and Jauanry for solo and small groups, Full company starting January 18. Tech starts January 25.
Metropolitan Arts Center (2nd Floor) 126 N. Main St Dayton, OH 45402
Performances: January 29-31 (4 shows total)
Mathile Theatre at the Schuster Center for the Performing Arts

Seeking: Female actors, singers, and dancers to participate in Magnolia Theatre Company’s cabaret where women perform songs, monologues, scenes or dance numbers that were originally written for men. Performers will also be asked to be a part of 3 group numbers, and there will be performance opportunities for those who would like to be a part of smaller group numbers.

Preparation: A song, monologue or dance piece to be a part of the cabaret. All numbers must have been written for a man. We are looking for solo and group numbers. All audition slots will be 10 minutes. Please bring 2 headshots and resumes to the audition.

Other: Callbacks/additional auditions TBA. This is a fundraiser, so all company members will be considered volunteers.

LOCATION: 126 N. Main St Dayton, OH 45402 MAC Building, Second Floor, Studio A

To signup for an audition spot go to http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0544ada72daaf85-season.

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