Monthly Archives: October 2015

October 16, 2015 · 12:47 pm

DEATHTRAP Offers Thrills at The Drama Workshop

Cynthia Mottel, Dennis Murphy & Robert Macke work their way through the twists and turns of DEATHTRAP, running October 23 through November 8 at The Drama Workshop. Elaine Volker image.

Cynthia Mottel, Dennis Murphy & Robert Macke work their way through the twists and turns of DEATHTRAP, running October 23 through November 8 at The Drama Workshop. Elaine Volker image.

(Cheviot, OH) The Drama Workshop is pleased to present the classic comedy-thriller DEATHTRAP, by Ira Levin, at The Glenmore Playhouse at 3716 Glenmore Ave in Cheviot. The show runs from October 23 to November 8, 2015; Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 8 pm, and Sunday afternoon performances start at 2 pm.

World-famous thriller playwright Sidney Bruhl (Dennis Murphy) is suffering from a chronic case of writers’ block. When one of his former students (Robert Macke) shows up at his doorstep with what might be the next Broadway hit, Sidney and his wife Myra (Cynthia Mottel) concoct a deadly plan to make the manuscript their own. Holding the record for the longest running comedy-thriller on Broadway, DEATHTRAP is filled with twists and turns in a series of thrilling events that will keep you guessing on the edge of your seat until the very last moment!

In 1982, the play was made into a hit motion picture starring Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve, and Dyan Cannon. TDW’s production is helmed by award-winning director Joe Penno, and is produced by Ray Persing. In addition to Murphy, Macke, and Mottel, the cast features the talents of Anne Wrider and Bill Keeton.

DEATHTRAP includes some violent content and adult situations, and may not be suitable for younger patrons.

Tickets for DEATHTRAP are $16 each when ordered in advance, or $17 at the door. Shows at TDW frequently sell out, so advance reservations are strongly recommended. Tickets may be ordered by phoning the TDW 24/7 ticket line at 513.598.8303, or by ordering online through the TDW website at www.thedramaworkshop.org.

The Drama Workshop was founded in 1954. TDW is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to advancing education and promotion of the theatrical arts. The Drama Workshop is widely recognized as one of greater Cincinnati’s most accomplished community theater organizations, garnering dozens of awards annually from the Association of Community Theatres of Greater Cincinnati. In 2015, they were the most-recognized group in the greater Cincinnati area for theatrical excellence.

TDW productions are frequently been selected to represent the Southwest Ohio region at the Ohio Community Theatre Association annual conference. TDW was also honored to represent the state of Ohio at the 2013 American Association of Community Theatre regional conference in Hartford, Wisconsin. The Drama Workshop has been recognized the Cincinnati Preservation Association for their efforts to rehabilitate the former Glenmore Bowl into The Glenmore Playhouse.

Prospective members, and individuals or businesses interested in becoming involved or in helping advance TDW’s mission are encouraged to contact the group through our website at www.thedramaworkshop.org, or by phone at 513.598.8303.

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October 16, 2015 · 12:07 pm

THE BOOK OF MORMON On Sale Soon!‏

“THE BEST MUSICAL OF THIS CENTURY.
Heaven on Broadway!  A celebration of the privilege of living inside that improbable paradise called a musical comedy.”
Ben Brantley, THE NEW YORK TIMES

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

BIC_Book of Mormon logo

Performances Begin March 29 at the Aronoff Center 

American Express® Card-members Online Pre-sale begins at 10 a.m., Friday, October 23. 

Public On Sale November 13

David Larsen. THE BOOK OF MORMON National Tour (c) Joan Marcus, 2014.

David Larsen. THE BOOK OF MORMON National Tour (c) Joan Marcus, 2014.

Back by popular demand, THE BOOK OF MORMON, which played a record breaking 3 week run in 2014 returns to Cincinnati for a limited engagement March 29 – April 4, 2016 at the Aronoff Center. An exclusive online pre-sale for American Express ® Card-members will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 23. Single tickets will go on sale October 30 at 9:00AM. Tickets will be available at the Aronoff Center box office downtown at 650 Walnut Street, online at CincinnatiArts.org or by phone at 513.621.ARTS. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 513.369.4363.  

THE BOOK OF MORMON features book, music and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone.Parker and Stone are the four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of the landmark animated series, “South Park.” Tony Award-winner Lopez is co-creator of the long-running hit musical comedy, Avenue Q.  The musical is choreographed by Tony Award-winner Casey Nicholaw (Monty Python’s Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone) and is directed by Nicholaw and Parker.

THE BOOK OF MORMON is the winner of nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Book (Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone), Best Direction (Casey Nicholaw, Trey Parker), Best Featured Actress (Nikki M. James), Best Scenic Design (Scott Pask), Best Lighting Design (Brian MacDevitt), Best Sound Design (Brian Ronan) and Best Orchestrations (Larry Hochman, Stephen Oremus); the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical; five Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album; four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Best Musical, and the Drama League Award for Best Musical.

THE BOOK OF MORMON features set design by Scott Pask, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design byBrian MacDevitt and sound design by Brian Ronan.  Orchestrations are by Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus.  Music direction and vocal arrangements are by Stephen Oremus.

The Original Broadway Cast Recording for THE BOOK OF MORMON, winner of the 2011 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, is available on Ghostlight Records.

THE BOOK OF MORMON will play the Aronoff Center, March 29 – April 3, 2016 with performances at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 1:00pm and 6:30pm. For more information, please visit BroadwayinCincinnati.com.

For more information, visit www.BookofMormonTheMusical.com

  Follow THE BOOK OF MORMON on Twitter and on Facebook.

# # # #

Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati presented by TriHealth is committed to bringing the very best of Broadway to the Tri-State, presenting touring Broadway plays and musicals in Cincinnati since 1987. For the past twenty years, Broadway in Cincinnati has presented all shows at the Aronoff Center, and joins in celebrating the Aronoff’s landmark 20th Anniversary this year.  The Broadway in Cincinnati series brings more than 185,000 people downtown to the Aronoff Center each year, and contributes an average of $30 million to the local economy each season. Broadway in Cincinnati is a member of the Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and The Broadway League. Fifth Third Bank is the sponsor of the Cincinnati 15/16 Season and the season is presented by TriHealth. LOCAL 12 is the official television station of the 15/16 Cincinnati Season.  

 

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA is part of the Key Brand Entertainment family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, under the supervision of John Gore (Owner & CEO).  BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 38 markets. Current and past productions include Beautiful,Finding Neverland, It Shoulda Been You, Million Dollar Quartet, Hairspray and The Producers. BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com; Broadway.com

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October 16, 2015 · 12:00 pm

Matthew 25: Ministries Presents TICKETS TO THE RADIO PLAY by Reverend Wendell Mettey

TICKETS TO THE RADIO PLAY is a family-friendly holiday treat!

MISC_Matthew 25 Ministries logoOctober 14, 2014  CINCINNATI, OH – Matthew 25: Ministries, an international humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization located at 11060 Kenwood Road in Blue Ash presents the third annual production of Matthew 25: Ministries by Reverend Wendell Mettey on December 4th and 5th.

Matthew 25: Ministries is based on the short story Tickets originally written by Matthew 25’s Founder and President Reverend Wendell Mettey in 1976 for his Walnut Hills congregation and was produced by his congregation at Montgomery Community Church in 1985 as a radio program.  Reverend Mettey conceived the idea of turning the radio program into a staged old-style radio play and the original radio script was adapted for the stage in 2012. TICKETS TO THE RADIO PLAY received its world premiere production in December of 2013.

Reverend Mettey was the Senior Pastor at Walnut Hills Baptist Church from 1972 – 1979 and at Montgomery Community Church for twelve years from 1979 – 1991.  During that time, he preached weekly, wrote stories, reflections, prayers, guided enrichment programs and performed many additional roles that were inspirational to his congregations and provided them with growth and guidance in creative ways.

One of those ways was through the crafting of short stories like Tickets and the adaptation of Tickets into an audio play that he and members of his MCC congregation recorded at WCET studios in downtown Cincinnati in 1985.  The radio recording was a huge success and a tremendously enjoyable experience for all involved.  Now, TICKETS TO THE RADIO PLAY has become a part of the yearly Christmas celebrations at Matthew 25: Ministries.  The original short story Tickets is included in a compilation of Reverend Mettey’s Christmas stories (Lost and Found, Stories of Christmas), released in November of 2013.

Performances of TICKETS TO THE RADIO PLAY are 12/4 (7:30) and 12/5 (3:00 and 7:30).   Tickets for TICKETS are available at www.ticketstheradioplay.org or by calling (513) 793-6256 or e-mailing katie@m25m.org.

More than 99% of Matthew 25: Ministries’ cash and in-kind donations go toward programs. Matthew 25 also welcomes volunteers six days a week at their Blue Ash facility.  For the most up-to-date information about Matthew 25: Ministries’ humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts please contact Joodi Archer at (513) 793-6256 or visit their website at www.m25m.org. Follow Matthew 25: Ministries on Facebook facebook.com/m25m.org, Pinterest http://pinterest.com/m25m/, Instagram http://instagram.com/m25m_org and Twitter twitter.com/M25M_org.

ABOUT MATTHEW 25: MINISTRIES: Matthew 25: Ministries rescues and reuses approximately 15,000,000 pounds of corporate discontinues, misprints, overruns, off-spec, slightly damaged, returned and past season products each year and redistributes them to people in desperate need throughout the US and worldwide. Each year, Matthew 25: Ministries impacts the lives of more than 16,000,000 individuals throughout the United States and around the world. More than 99% of Matthew 25: Ministries’ cash and in-kind donations go toward programs. Matthew 25 is highly ranked on Forbes’ list of the Most Efficient Large Charities in the US. Matthew 25 is also highly ranked of more than 2,500 four star charities on Charity Navigator.  Matthew 25: Ministries is accredited by the Better Business Bureau through the “Wise Giving Alliance Standards”. For more information, or to schedule an interview, contact Joodi Archer at Matthew 25: Ministries (513) 793-6256 or visit www.m25m.org.

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October 16, 2015 · 8:30 am

Tune Into IF/THEN on Broadway Balances America on Oct. 20 & 27

BIC_IfThen logoTune in to “The Balancing Act” on Lifetime where we will meet the creative team behind this new contemporary musical IF/THEN as the national tour begins.

AirsTuesday, October 20 and 27 at 7:30am. (ET/PT)

Check local listings for details.

The contemporary new musical IF/THEN follows two distinct parallel paths in the life of the leading character and illustrates how fate plays a role in our own lives.  As rehearsals begin in New York for the national tour, the creative team talks about the inspiration behind this new production.

Check out our first two segments from this season of Broadway Balances America where we met the casts and creative teams behind Cinderella and Kinky Boots.

Don’t Miss IF/THEN in Cincinnati

February 2–7, 2016
Aronoff Center for the Arts

IF/THEN Tickets Are Available Now
When You Purchase a 2015-2016 Season Package
Get Package

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October 15, 2015 · 3:42 pm

PIPPIN 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.

Magic To Do. Photo by Shinobu Ikazaki.

Grabrielle McClinton as Leading Player and the cast in “Magic To Do.” Photo by Shinobu Ikazaki.

PIPPIN presented by Broadway in Cincinnati through Oct. 18. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

Full disclosure. I am a huge fan of the musical PIPPIN.  It holds a special place in my heart and I’ve been hoping to see the circus-themed, Tony Award-winning revival for quite some time.  The touring production, currently at the Aronoff Center, did not disappoint.

Brian Flores as Pippin & John Rubinstein as Charles. Photo by Shinobu Ikazaki.

Brian Flores as Pippin & John Rubinstein as Charles. Photo by Shinobu Ikazaki.

The cornerstones of the show: the score, the voices, the harmonies, the dancing, the Fosse, the humor, the costumes and the magic are all there. The circus theme works well for the most part, and the acrobatic ability of the cast adds a unique visually element (and a bit of danger) to the show.

Gabrielle McClinton as the Leading Player & cast. Photo by Shinobu Ikazaki.

Gabrielle McClinton as the Leading Player & cast. Photo by Shinobu Ikazaki.

The cast as a whole is excellent. Both Gabrielle McClinton and Brian Flores are strong performers as the Leading Player and Pippin. Sabrina Harper is an amazing triple-threat as the scheming Fastrada. Bradley Benjamin’s Catherine has a great, quirky charm.

Exciting for me, was being able to see two showbiz legends perform in the cast. Incredibly fun in the role of King Charles is John Rubinstein. Now the father of the titular character, Rubinstein originated the role of Pippin, opposite Ben Vereen, on Broadway. Serving as Berthe, Pippin’s irreverent, high-flying grandmother is Priscilla Lopez. In a little show called, A CHORUS LINE, she originated the role of Diana Morales who felt “Nothing” in acting class.

Priscilla Lopez as Berthe & Brian Flores as Pippin. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Priscilla Lopez as Berthe & Brian Flores as Pippin. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Also fun was having CCM alums returning to Cincinnati with the tour. Erik Altemus (’09) returns as self-loving Lewis, the role he originated in the Broadway revival. Laura Hall is a Player in the ensemble and Kate Wesler (’14) serves as a swing.

Sound-wise, I thought there was a good balance between the vocals and the orchestra. Personally I wouldn’t have minded being rocked-out a bit for a few of the numbers or to have the vocals vibrate the theater at the end of “Morning Glow.”

Overall an exciting, entertaining and visually-stunning production and a must-see for any PIPPIN fan.

My rating: 4.75 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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