Yearly Archives: 2017

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED] Runs Feb. 17-March 4

ssp_the-complete-works-of-william-shakespeare-abridged-logoTHE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED]
Sunset Players
Feb. 17-March 4
The Arts Center at Dunham [West Price Hill]

Directed by Michael Burke

Cast: Alex Cumbox, Zachary John Newman & Victoria Covarrubias

A high-speed roller-coaster type condensation of all 37 (gasp!) of Shakespeare’s comedies, tragedies and histories in one wild ride that will leave you breathless with laughter. This hilarious, fast-paced show is the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s flagship production. Performed for decades, all over the world, it brings together Shakespeare, satire, sight gags, pop culture references, improv, and some audience interaction for a great night of theatre.

  • Fri-Sat, Feb. 17-18 at 8pm
  • Fri-Sat, Feb. 24-25 at 8pm
  • Sun, Feb. 26 at 3pm
  • Thu, March 2 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, March 3-4 at 8pm

Official page |

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THE BOYS NEXT DOOR Run Feb. 17-26

ffl_the-boys-next-door-logoTHE BOYS NEXT DOOR
Fairfield Footlighters
Feb. 17-26
Fairfield Community Arts Center

Directed by Kevin Noll

Cast: Kevin Roach as Arnold Wiggins, Jamie Ball as Norman Bulanski, Malcolm Casey as Lucien P. Smith, John Lawson as Barry Klemper, Nick Bellmyer as Jack, Rachel Smith as Sheila, Bob Tyson as Mr. Klemper, David Brabbs as Mr. Hedges/Mr. Corbin/Sen Clarke & Jackie Marshall as Mrs. Fremus/Mrs. Warren/Clara

At a communal residence in a New England city, four mentally-handicapped men live under the supervision of an earnest, but increasingly “burned out,” young social worker named Jack. Norman, who works in a doughnut shop and is unable to resist the lure of the sweet pastries, takes great pride in the huge bundle of keys that dangles from his waist. Lucien has the mind of a five-year-old, but imagines that he is able to read and comprehend the weighty books he lugs about. Arnold, the ringleader of the group, is a hyperactive, compulsive chatterer who suffers from deep-seated insecurities and a persecution complex. Barry, a brilliant schizophrenic who is devastated by the unfeeling rejection of his brutal father, fantasizes that he is a golf pro. Mingled with scenes from the daily lives of these four, where “little things” sometimes become momentous (and often very funny), are moments of great poignancy when we are reminded that the handicapped, like the rest of us, want only to love and laugh and find some meaning and purpose in life.

  • Fri-Sat, Feb. 17-18 at 8pm
  • Sun, Feb. 19 at 2pm
  • Fri-Sat, Feb. 24-25 at 8pm
  • Sun, Feb. 26 at 2pm

Official page |

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Executive Director Being Sought by Cincinnati Academy of Performing Arts

capa_logoCAPA Executive Director:

The Executive Director is the key management leader of CAPA. The Executive Director is
responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the organization. Other key duties include fundraising, marketing, and community outreach. The position reports directly to the Board of Directors.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Board Governance: Works with board in order to fulfill the organization mission.
    • Responsible for leading CAPA in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors.
    • Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions.
  • Financial Performance and Viability: Develops resources sufficient to ensure the financial health of the organization.
    • Responsible for the fiscal integrity of CAPA, to include submission to the Board of a proposed annual budget and monthly financial statements, which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization.
    • Responsible for fiscal management that generally anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position.
    • Responsible for fundraising and developing other resources necessary to support CAPA’s mission.
  • Organization Mission and Strategy: Works with board and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning and community outreach.
    • Responsible for implementation of CAPA’s programs that carry out the organization’s mission.
    • Responsible for strategic planning to ensure that CAPA can successfully fulfill its Mission into the future.
    • Responsible for the enhancement of CAPA’s image by being active and visible in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic and private organizations.
  • Organization Operations. Oversees and implements appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the organization are appropriate.
    • Responsible effective administration of CAPA operations.
    • Responsible for the hiring and retention of competent, qualified staff.
    • Responsible for signing all notes, agreements, and other instruments made and entered into and on behalf of the organization.

Professional Qualifications:

  • Minimum Bachelor’s degree.
  • Transparent and high integrity leadership.
  • Three to Five or more years Arts management or Fund raising experience with the Arts.
  • Budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making
  • Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitation
  • Ability to convey a vision of CAPA’s strategic future to staff, board, volunteers and
    donors
  • Knowledge of fundraising strategies and donor relations unique to nonprofit sector
  • Skills to collaborate with and motivate board members and other volunteers
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to interface and engage diverse volunteer and donor groups
  • Demonstrated ability to oversee and collaborate with staff
  • Strong public speaking ability

Actual Job Responsibilities:

  1. Planning and operation of annual budget.
  2. Establishing employment and administrative policies and procedures for all functions and for the day-to-day operation of the nonprofit.
  3. Serving as CAPA’s primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media and the general public.
  4. Establish and maintain relationships with various organizations throughout the state and utilize those relationships to strategically enhance CAPA’s Mission.
  5. Report to and work closely with the Board of Directors to seek their involvement in policy decisions, fundraising and to increase the overall visibility of the Foundation throughout the State.
  6. Supervise, collaborate with organization staff.
  7. Strategic planning and implementation.
  8. Oversee organization Board and committee meetings.
  9. Oversee marketing and other communications efforts.
  10. Review and approve contracts for services.
  11. Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

Please send resume to Kimberly Buczek: Kimberly@cincinnatiapa.org<mailto:Kimberly@cincinnatiapa.org>

Or mail to:
CAPA
7800 Laurel Avenue Suite 500
Cincinnati, Ohio 45243

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EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR on Feb. 13

qcqtc_exit-pursured-by-a-bear-logoEXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR
Queen City Queen Theatre Collective
Feb. 13
Below Zero Lounge [Over-the-Rhine]

Directed by Hannah Gregory

Cast: Ally Mellick, Noah Berry, Ellyn Broderick, Jack Manion & Rhys Boatwright

In this play loosely inspired by Shakespeare’s “A Winter’s Tale,” Nan has decided to teach her abusive husband Kyle a lesson. With the help of her friend Simon (acting as her emotional — and actual — cheerleader) and a stripper named Sweetheart, she tapes Kyle to a chair and forces him to watch as they reenacts scenes from their painful past. In the piece de resistance, they plan to cover the room in meat and honey so Kyle will be mauled by a bear. Through this night of emotional trials and ridiculous theatrics, Nan and Kyle are both freed from their past in this smart, dark revenge comedy.

Please note: performance is in the second floor Cabaret space, which is not handicap accessible.

Free, donations accepted. Benefits Women Helping Women Cincinnati.

  • Mon, Feb. 13 at 7:30pm

Facebook event |

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THE MUSIC MAN Review

tc_the-music-man1

Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

THE MUSIC MAN presented The Carnegie through Feb. 5. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

THE MUSIC MAN was possibly my first exposure to a Broadway musical. Knowing my parents, there is probably still a Betamax copy of it floating around the house somewhere. So for me, a visit to River City is a bit of a nostalgic homecoming and this production boasts the largest cast in a production by The Carnegie.

Dave Wilson is solid as the charming con man, Harold Hill. Sara Viola’s strong vocals are a highlight of the show and it is fun to watch her as Marion begins to fall under Harold’s spell. Together, the real-life husband and wife have an easy chemistry that plays well from the playful “Marion the Librarian” to the honest “Then There Was You.”

A favorite of the audience was the school board barbershop quartet played by Michael Bell, Paul Gilman, Mike Connelly & Zac Coleman. The “Lida Rose/Will I Ever Tell You” number was extremely well-received.

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Sarah Viola as Marian Paroo & Dave Wilson as Harold Hill. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Always fun to watch on stage, Sean Mette takes on the role of Marcellus. I would have like to have seen a stronger friendship between Marcellus and Hill. During “Shipoopi,” Mette did seem to get lost amid the young dancers. Maybe moving him downstage and to the side would have made him more visible. There was also fun character work by Angela Alexander Nalley as Mother Paroo, Jim Stump and Torie Pate as Mayor Shinn and his wife, and the Pick-A-Little Ladies (Lori Valentine, Sara Kenny, Burgess Byrd, and Lauren Carr).

Director Greg Procaccino kept the pacing tight and fast, but there were several times when I would like to have seen a bit more of a moment taken with the scene. Even the queues for some of the held poses at the end of the scenes seemed rushed.

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Torie Pate as Eulalie Shinn, Sara Kenny as Ethel Tofflemeier, Sarah Viloa as Marian Paroo, Burgess Byrd as Alma Hix, Lori Valentine as Maude Dunlop & Lauren Carr as Mrs. Squires. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

The eight musicians, under the conductor Michael Kennedy had a strong and full presence. Sound designer Eric Bardes did a great job in this somewhat temperamental venue.

Maggie Perrino’s choreography worked well for this production even when dealing with the entire cast on stage together. I thought the teen and youth ensembles really shined in their numbers.

Personally I was not a fan of the set. I think it’s great to use a local artist, and while I found the set to be functional, I also felt it was static and uninspired.

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The School Board and Sarah Viola as Marion Paroo. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography..

Small complaints aside, THE MUSIC MAN is a charming and fun, big musical perfect for the whole family.

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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