Monthly Archives: March 2018

MARY POPPINS JR. Runs April 7-15

TCTC_Mary Poppins Jr BERT MARY

Kayla Burress as Mary Poppins & Eric Byrd as Bert. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

MARY POPPINS JR.
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
April 7-15
Taft Theatre [Downtown]

Directed by Roderick Justice
Choreographed by Paula Rakestraw

Cast: Brian Anderson as George Banks, Kayla Burress as Mary Poppins, Eric Byrd as Bert, Jon Caspian as Von Hussler/Ensemble, Liz Comstock as Miss Andrew/Ensemble, Eileen Earnest as Ms. Brill, Kyndra Dyanne as Mrs. Corry/Ensemble, A. James Jones as Northbrook/Ensemble, Joey Logan as Robertson Ay, Kristie Rose Mills as Katie Nanna/Mrs. Smyth/Ensemble, Danielle Muething as Bird Woman, Jason D. Weaver as Bank Chairman/Ensemble & Michelle Wells as Winifred Banks
Ensemble: Andrew Blake, Hannah Browning, Madeleine Burgoon, Chris Logan Carter, Nick Godfrey & Renee Stoltzfus
Young Artists Company: Madelynn Glenn as Neleus/Ensemble, Nicholas Gundrum as Ensemble, Payton Hines as Jane Banks, Aubrey E. Jones as Ensemble, Benny Mitchell as Michael Banks, Maddi O’Connell as Ensemble & Jack Walz as EnsembleZ

The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again. Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and astonishing stagecraft.

  • Sat, April 7 at 2pm*
  • Sun, April 8 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Fri, April 13 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, April 14 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, April 15 at 2pm
    *Signed for the hearing impared.

Official page |

 

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Auditions Announced for THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME at Fairfield Summer Theatre

FST_logoBased on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by Menken and Schwartz. Peter Parnell’s new book embraces story theatre and features verbatim passages from Hugo’s gothic novel.

A sweeping score and powerful story make THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME an instant classic. Audiences will be swept away by the magic of this truly unforgettable musical.

SIGN-UPS
Auditioners will need to register online for a time slot.

AUDITION DATES

  • Thursday, May 10, 2018 beginning at 7:00 PM
  • Friday, May 11, 2018 beginning at 7:00 PM
    Callbacks will be on May 12, 2018 at TBA.
    (Performance: July 26-29, 2018)

WHAT TO PREPARE
Please prepare one minute of an appropriate Broadway song. You may be asked to dance, so please plan accordingly. An accompanist will be provided.

WHERE
FHS Performing Arts Center
8800 Holden Blvd.
Fairfield, Ohio 45014

CASTING
All ages. All types. All ethnicities. All actors must be strong singers. Some must be strong dancers. A choir of excellent singers remains onstage throughout and accompanies the action.

CHARACTER LIST

Quasimodo (Tenor)
The deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame and Claude Frollo’s charge. Lonely and staunchly obedient to Frollo, he possesses a vivid imagination that brings to life the bells and gargoyles of the cathedral. Despite his shyness and uncertainty, he quickly befriends Esmeralda. Big-hearted, and brave when need be.

Esmeralda (Mezzo)
A beautiful and free-spirited gypsy who possesses the strong sense of justice and morality that Frollo lacks. Compassionate, she frees Quasimodo from the frenzied mob at the Feast of Fools and, against her better judgment, falls for the cocky Phoebus.

Claude Frollo (Baritone)
Archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral and the most powerful cleric in Paris, he is the reluctant caretaker of Quasimodo. He will do whatever it takes to rid the city of the gypsy “vermin,” even as he lusts after Esmeralda. Calculating, manipulative, and obsessive.

Jehan Frollo (Tenor)
Claude’s reckless younger brother. With the gypsy Florika, he fathers Quasimodo, who he leaves in his brother’s care. Wild, passionate, and strong-willed.

Florika (Soprano)
A gypsy and Quasimodo’s mother.

Father Dupin (Baritone)
A priest of Notre Dame and Claude and Jehan’s guardian.

Clopin Trouillefou (Baritone/Tenor)
The clever and charismatic King of the Gypsies. An air of mystery surrounds Clopin, who often leaves the scene in a puff of smoke. As the master of ceremonies for the Feast of Fools, he is witty and playful, but he boasts a darker, serious nature when not performing for the crowd.

Captain Phoebus de Martin (Tenor)
Returning to Paris after serving in the war, Phoebus takes up his new position as Captain of the Cathedral Guard. Overconfident yet charming, this handsome, strong soldier makes the ladies swoon, yet his moral compass is also strong, and he openly defies the corrupted Frollo.

Other Roles/Congregation/Ensemble (all vocal ranges)
Gypsies, gargoyles, soldiers, and citizens of Paris.

Choir (all vocal ranges)
High calibre singers, on stage throughout.

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Mars Hill Academy High School Drama presents THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE

MHA_Pirates of Penzance promo

Senior Andrew Cunningham of Liberty Twp. as Frederick; sophomore Tessa DeBra of Loveland as Ruth; and senior Aaron Admiraal of Mason as the Pirate King.

MASON — Come join a band of swashbuckling buccaneers, frolicsome Victorian maidens, and the “model of a modern Major-General” when Mars Hill Academy presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE.

Set on a rocky Cornish coast, this musical comedy tells the story of a bumbling group of pirates and their young charge Frederic, who has decided it’s time to hang up the sword and become a respectable gentleman. As the pirates attempt to bring him back into the fold, there are confrontations with the police and romantic entanglements with the Major General’s daughters.

“Audiences will enjoy the rich sounds of a full orchestra, as well as the classic elegance and power of the students’ vocal performances. Their energy and sense of humor keep the show alive and exciting – the interaction between the pirates, policemen, and daughters is particularly playful,”  said Lisa Cunningham, producer for the show.

Performances of the show will be at Parrish Auditorium, Miami University Hamilton, March 22-24 at 7 p.m. and March 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at www.marshill.edu or at the door. Tickets for the Thursday performance are $10 for general admission and $15 for premium reserved seats. Tickets for Friday and Saturday performances are $12 for general admission and $20 for premium reserved seats. Seats for premium tickets may be selected online.

The cast includes Frederick played by Andrew Cunningham of Liberty Twp.; Mabel played by Quinn York of West Chester Twp.; Pirate King, Aaron Admiraal of Mason; Major General, Jacob Oedy of Lebanon; Ruth, Tessa DeBra of Loveland; Kate, Emma Kirk of Cincinnati; Edith, Gita O’Brien of Cincinnati; Samuel, Daniel Taylor of Liberty Twp.; and Sergeant, Kyle Chu of Cincinnati.

Appearing as pirates are Cara Admiraal, Kyle Chu, Nate Cox, Brynn Gage, Anna Kate Hicks, Drew Hicks, Lucy Hicks, Peyton Hutchinson, Eli Mullucey, Etienne Pienaar, and Meredith Weber.

The Major General’s daughters are played by Olivia Baker, Abby Bowling, Marianne Erickson, Rylen Erickson, Michaela Estruth, Frances Hultgren, Abby Kirk, Sophie Kirk, Talita O’Brien, Lizzie Pereira, Claire Robey, Rachel Tipton, Katrina Trees, Danielle Yang, and Michelle Yang.

The police are played by Samuel Beatty, Christopher Cunningham, Michaela Estruth, Frances Hultgren, Sarah Isaacs, Julia Leonard, Jacob McGuire, Etienne Pienaar, Marcel Pienaar, and Lauren Williams.

Mars Hill Academy is Cincinnati’s only private, independent K-12 classical Christian school. One of only 42 schools nationwide accredited by the Association of Classical and Christian Schools (ACCS), Mars Hill Academy offers a proven educational method used for millennia to build sharp minds and a love for learning. For more information, please call 513-770-3223 or visit www.marshill.edu.

Mars Hill Academy presents THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
March 22-24, 7 p.m., March 24, 2 p.m.

Parrish Auditorium, Miami University Hamilton
1601 University Blvd., Hamilton

Tickets
Thursday: $10, general admission, $15, premium reserved seats.
Friday, Saturday: $12, general admission, $20, premium reserved seats.

For more information visit www.marshill.edu.

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Lerner & Loewe’s CAMELOT Presented by Cincinnati Music Theatre | May 11-19 | Aronoff Center

CMT_Camelot logo

Cincinnati, OH – Cincinnati Music Theatre (CMT), a resident company of the Aronoff Center for the Arts, returns to the intimate Jarson-Kaplan Theater from May 11-19 with seven performances of the Broadway triumph Camelot.

Tickets are only $26.00 for adults and $23.00 for students, seniors, military, and groups of 15 or more. Tickets are on sale now at Cincinnatiarts.orgCincinnatimusictheatre.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.  Discount tickets for groups of 15 or more are available at (513) 977-4157.

Borrowing from the Arthurian legends, Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot is the duo’s fantastical masterpiece. Its Original Broadway Cast Album topped the charts for sixty weeks, with a score boasting such gems as “If Ever I Would Leave You” and “I Loved You Once in Silence.” An idealistic young King Arthur hopes to create a kingdom built on honor and dignity, embodied by his Knights of the Round Table. His ideals, however, are tested when his queen, Guenevere, falls in love with Lancelot and the fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance. 

After wrapping a sold-out run of their first cabaret partnership with the Cincinnati Arts Association, CMT is back at the Jarson-Kaplan Theater with Camelot, the type of classic Broadway production that has helped make the company a staple in Cincinnati’s community theater scene for fifty-plus years.

For its production of Camelot, CMT attracted the finest talent in the city, casting real-life husband and wife team Sarah Viola as Guenevere and Dave Wilson as Lancelot. Sarah, a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, has performed regularly at both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center with the New York Choral Artists and Concert Chorale of New York. Dave has performed in theater, film, and television, included Guiding Light and One Life to Live.

“Sarah and Dave are a dynamic couple,” says Dennis Murphy, director of the musical. “They bring candor and affection to their scenes, and I am thrilled they are making their CMT debut with this production.”

Camelot is not new to CMT’s extensive repertoire of large-scale musicals, having been produced in 1989 with Rick Kramer (King Arthur) playing Lancelot. His wife, Kathy Kramer, played Nimue in the 1989 production and is the vocal director for this production. Rick, a two-time winner of the Cincinnati Entertainment Best Local Actor Award, is eager to play the role of King Arthur.

“While I loved singing the classic song, “If Ever I Would Leave You,” as Lancelot, Arthur’s character has more depth and dimension that I am excited to bring to life for the audience.”

One of the biggest surprises of CMT’s production of Camelot will be behind the stage, where a 28-piece orchestra (including a harp) will be directed and conducted by Charles Wilhelm, a long-time veteran of CMT who also played the French horn in the 1989 production. “An orchestra this large, especially for a community theater production, is a rarity,” says Charles. “But this score deserves it. It’s magic.”

The music and lyrics for Camelot are by the dynamic duo of Lerner and Loewe, and its Original Broadway Cast Album was on the charts for sixty weeks. Come hear the beautiful music and relive the legend with CMT’s production of Camelot at the Aronoff Center for the Arts this May!

CAMELOT is directed by Dennis Murphy and produced by Julie Beelman. It features Kathy Kramer as vocal director and Charles Wilhelm as musical director and conductor. Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot is presented by arrangement with Tams-Whitmark Music Library, Inc.

For more information about Cincinnati Music Theatre, visit www.cincinnatimusictheatre.org, LIKE us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cincinnatimusictheatre, and follow us on Twitter @CinMusicTheatre.

CAMELOT Performance Schedule 

  • Friday, May 11, 2018 – 7:30pm
  • Saturday, May 12, 2018 – 7:30pm
  • Sunday, May 13, 2018 – 2:00pm
  • Wednesday, May 16, 2018 – 7:30pm
  • Thursday, May 17, 2018 – 7:30pm
  • Friday, May 18, 2018 – 7:30pm
  • Saturday, May 19, 2018 – 7:30pm

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Auditions Announced for THE CANTERVILLE GHOST at Beechmont Players

BPI_logoTHE CANTERVIILLE GHOST at Beechmont Players
(A play by Marisha Chamberlain, based on the story by Oscar Wilde)

Directed by Steve Phelan
Produced by Cathy Roesener

A no-nonsense American family buys a 500-year-old mansion in rural England, scoffing at warnings of a fierce resident ghost.  The spirited (and skeptical) Americans – Mother, Father, young Virginia, and her mischievous little twin brothers – find their match in the equally spirited and clever ghost, who is determined to scare them away.  Will they go, or will the ghost?

Auditions: Sunday, April 8th at 7:00pm and Monday, April 9th at 7:00pm

Cherry Grove Methodist Church, 1428 Eight Mile Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45255

Production: Six performances July 27-August 4, 2018 at the Anderson Center Theater, 7850 Five Mile Road in Anderson Township

Rehearsals will begin the week of May 14th and will scheduled according to cast availability.

Audition will consist of cold readings from the script.

CAST

  • OSCAR WILDE (the narrator) age 30-50.  May double with ghost.
  • LORD CANTERVILLE (former owner of Canterville Chase) older
  • HIRAM B. OTIS (Father of the American Family) age 40-50
  • LUCRETIA TAPPAN OTIS (Hiram’s wife) age 35-50
  • VIRGINIA OTIS (Hiram & Lucretia’s daughter) age 15
  • CHIP OTIS (Hiram & Lucretia’s other son) age 9-11
  • CHARLIE OTIS (Hiram & Lucretia’s other son) age 9-11
  • THE DUKE OF CHESHIRE (Virginia’s admirer) age 16
  • MRS. UMNEY (the English housekeeper) older
  • THE CANTERVILLE GHOST (Simon de Canterville)

Questions?    Email the director at stevephelan7588@gmail.com

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