Monthly Archives: October 2018

October 12, 2018 · 9:59 am

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Runs Nov. 8-18

TMU_logoA MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Thomas More University
Nov. 8-18
[Crestview Hills]

Magic and laughter are on the loose in Shakespeare’s most popular and enduring play, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. The enchanting comedy follows four young lovers as they find their way through the forest and to each other. But as Lysander says “the course of true love never did run smooth.” Gods mix with mortals, a feuding king and queen unleash magical practical jokes on one another, spells yield improbable love affairs and a band of comical tradesmen wander into the enchanted wood and are transformed in the most unlikely of ways. Full of madcap chases and mistaken identities, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM is an exploration of the mystery, madness, and power of love.

  • Thu-Sat, Nov. 8-10 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Nov. 16-17 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Nov. 18 at 2pm

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October 11, 2018 · 3:46 pm

SUPERMAN Review

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Brandi Langford-Sherrill as Lois Land & Evan Koons as Clark Kent.

SUPERMAN presented by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati through Oct. 14. Click here for a synopsis and more information on the production. I attended the opening Sunday matinee performance.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati kicks off its 2018-19 season with a children’s adaption of the musical, IT’S A BIRD…IT’S A PLANE…IT’S SUPERMAN. This was too much for this theater-lovin’ comic book nerd to pass up.

Evan Koons is pitch perfect in the dual roles of Clark Kent and Superman. As Kent, Koons seems to be channeling his inner Christopher Reeve in appearance and mild-mannered-ness. As Superman, Koons’ depiction embodies “the big blue boy scout” of the 1950s comics. Kyle Krichbaum plays scientist Dr. Sedgwick with evil laugh, hand-wringing abandon. As heavy Max Mencken and his poor put-upon secretary Sydney (Spenser Smith & Kristi Rose Mills) this pair gives Lex Luthor and Eve Teschmacher a comic run for their money. The remaining cast and ensemble help bring the colorful world to life and I really enjoyed the mischievous fun of the henchmen.

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The ensemble.

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Kyle Krichbaum as Dr. Sedgwick.

Speaking of bringing the colorful world to life, it was great seeing NKU grad Samantha Reno’s excellent scenic design work once again on a Cincinnati stage. Her colorful, art deco inspired, forced perspective sets and backdrops were near-perfect homages to the comics. How the phone booth was tricked out was also very clever. The only element out of place for me was the Daily Planet logo on the building’s interior. Traditionally the newspaper’s logo features a globe, which was used in the in-show movie and on all the hand-held newspapers. (Did I mention I was a comic book lovin’ nerd?). Also bright and primary color-ful were the costumes designed by Jeff Shearer. From the purple-stripped henchmen to the ladies’ period ensembles, there was plenty to take in. Traditionally in the comics, green and purple are paired in villians’ costumes, so it would have been fun to see that reflected in Dr. Sedgwick’s look as well.

The choreography worked well for the production. I thought the synchronized typists was a cute idea and nothing beats a good old-fashion tap number. The big fight scene could have used a bit more variety, perhaps showcasing some of Superman’s other powers for laughs (i.e. super-breath, invulnerability, and using his super-strength to tie the bad guys up by bending metal around them).

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Evan Koons as Superman.

Overall, a big colorful comic book brought to life on stage, celebrating a simpler time of truth, justice, and the American way that will appeal to fans of all ages.

My rating: 4.5 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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October 11, 2018 · 12:40 pm

Expect the Weird and Unusual with MARISOL at NKU

NKU_Marisol logoHIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts continues its 2018-2019 Theatre + Dance season with MARISOL, which runs Oct. 23-28 in NKU’s Stauss Theatre. Please be advised that MARISOL contains mature language and subject matter.

Winner of the 1993 Obie Playwriting Award, MARISOL follows a young, book-smart woman named Marisol Perez, who works in Manhattan as a copy editor. After narrowly escaping a vicious attack, she is visited by her guardian angel who informs her that she can no longer serve as Marisol’s protector. The angel has been called to lead an angelic campaign – a struggle which throws the human world into complete chaos. MARISOL is a poetry-infused dark fantasia that grapples with a combination of surreal situations, spiritual and social issues, and political consciousness – a fascinating mix of the gritty and the sublime.

From its 1992 debut at the Humana Festival of New American Plays, Louisville, Kentucky, through its 1993 opening at the Joseph Papp Public Theatre in New York City, to multiple more recent venues around the country since its inception, critics and scholars have classified José Rivera’s Obie-award winning MARISOL variously as Magical Realism, Theatre of the Absurd, and Sociospatial Theatre. This production explores all of those facets of this complex script, and perhaps, just a bit more.

The NKU cast features Kearston Hawkins-Johnson (Marisol), Je ‘Shaun Jackson (Angel), Ashley Martin (June/2nd Voice), Calvin Taylor (Lenny), Charles Adams (Man with Golf Club/Subway Announcer), Jarod Higgins (Man with Scar Tissue/Radio Voice), Christian Silva (Man with Ice Cream/3rd Voice), Brenda Moran (Woman with Furs/1st Voice), and Emma Moss (Angel of Chaos/Dance Captain); Angels of Chaos: Arianna Catalano, Heather Handrich, & Grace Vetter.

The show is directed by Daryl Harris. Other creative team members include Farley Norman (Directing Consultant), Brian Robertson (Fight Choreographer), Katie Tierney (Fight Captain), and Tracey Bonner (Dance Consultant). Anna Catton (Scenic Designer) is supported by an award from the Tom and Christine Neyer Family Visiting Artist. The Stage Manager is Holden Wiggins and Assistant Stage Manager is Emily Coffey.

For more information, call the NKU School of the Arts Box Office at (859) 572-5464 or visit nku.edu/sotatickets.

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October 11, 2018 · 11:55 am

Xavier University Theatre Presents URINETOWN the Musical Oct. 19-21

XU_Urinetown logo(CINCINNATI, Oct. 11, 2018) — Xavier University Theatre continues its 2018-19 season with Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis’ musical satire Urinetown: The Musical. The show runs Oct. 19 through 21 in Xavier’s Gallagher Student Center Theatre.

Urinetown tells the story of a city in turmoil over a water crisis that has left all public amenities in the hands of a private company. There is a sharp division between the haves and the have-nots, those who can pay the fee and those who can’t afford it. When a young custodian, Bobby Strong, decides to take a stand against the capitalists in power, he inspires a revolution. Along the way, he discovers love, purpose and the truth about his own society. Inspired by the plays of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, this hilarious political satire looks with care and nuance at the extremes of our world and begs the question of what it means to be free.

For its cast members, most of whom are first- and second-year students, Urinetown has proved to be a timely fable. “When you sit back and let the material really soak in … you realize that the world in the show is not very far off from the one we live in today,” says sophomore Kelsey Schwarber. “Everyone wants to be right, but there is danger in the lengths that some people go in order to be correct.”

The cast for Urinetown features Elliot Auch (Officer Lockstock), Kelsey Schwarber (Little Sally), Claire McCreave (Penelope Pennywise), Josh Carandang (Bobby Strong), Julia Olinger (Hope Cladwell), Dylan Van Camp (Cladwell), Ellie Deutsch (Officer Barrell), Danielle Jacobs (Josephine Strong), Dylan O’Leary (Old Man Strong), Matthew Sherman (Hot Blades Harry), Steven Lindner (Tiny Tom), Amara Shroba (Soupy Sue), Gigi Relic (Bobby the Stockfish), Michael Rowlett (Billy Boy Bill), Tina Boffa (Becky Two Shoes), Ryan Whitford (Senator Fipp), Andy Girmann (McQueen), Nick Minion (Dr. Billeaux) and Jo Dearman (Ms. Millennium). Caroline Marino, Peyton Wright, Victoria Forbes, Olivia Hardy, Alyssa Gries, Connie Kavensky, Christine Gallagher and Jackson Frazier make up the ensemble.

The creative team includes Stephen Skiles (director), Scot Buzza (music director), Dee Anne Bryll (choreographer), Joe Leonard (set designer/technical director), Jessica Pitcairn (costume designer), Joe Beumer (lighting designer) and Kevin Semancik (sound designer). The stage manager is Katherine Ivins. The assistant stage managers are Brooke Drinkwater, Ally Knizer, Liz Apollonio and Lauren Davidson.

Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 19; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 20; and 2 p.m. on Oct. 21. Tickets for Urinetown are available now through the Xavier University Theatre Box Office. They are $18 each for adults and $13 each for students, as well as Xavier faculty and staff. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.xavier.edu/theatretickets or call 513-745-3939.

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October 11, 2018 · 11:41 am

Auditions Announced for JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT at La Comedia Dinner Theatre

LAC_logoLa Comedia Dinner Theatre in Springboro, Ohio, is holding auditions for its upcoming production, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro, Ohio.

SEEKING:

  • 9:00 AM – CHILDREN: Ages 7-14 years old for a Children’s Chorus. The children will be double cast.
  • 10:00 AM – ADULTS: Strong musical theatre performers for all principal and ensemble roles. Be prepared to dance if asked.

All adults and children should prepare 16 bars of music.
Please provide a current headshot and resume.
Director/Choreographer is Chris Beiser.

Rehearsals begin Feb 4, 2019. Performances Feb 21 – April 14, 2019.

Questions call Kris Byerly 937.746.4554 ext. 241
Non-Equity.

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