Monthly Archives: October 2018

October 29, 2018 · 9:42 am

Madcap Education Center Announces Grand Opening Weekend

MEC_logoPublic Grand Opening Announced
for November 3-4

Open House-Style Party Planned, Including Sampling of Educational Programs and First Public Performances in New Theater in Westwood

After 7 years of hard work, tireless persistence and immeasurable community support, the new Madcap Education Center is opening to the public!

The Opening Weekend Party is planned for Saturday, November 3 from 10am to 1pm and Sunday, November 4 from noon to 3pm.

Attendees will be among the first to see the new $3.4 million arts education facility in Westwood that will host dance, acting, puppet and visual arts classes and workshops as well as children’s performances in a brand new theater designed for families to enjoy together. While touring the completely renovated and reimagined building, families will be able to “sample” the kinds of classes and workshops that the Madcap Education Center will host all year-round. Jump into a quick session of yoga in one of the dance studios, make a mini-comic book in the art studio or learn to play a chord on the guitar in one of the music studios. (Full schedule of events below.)

The Opening Weekend Party will also kick off the first production in the Family Performance Series with 4 performances of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by Madcap Puppets. They are: 11am and 1pm on Saturday and 1 and 3pm on Sunday.

“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” is a ticketed event – $10 per person or $48 for the 6-show season. Call (513) 241-6550 to purchase tickets to the show.

 All other activities during the Opening Weekend Party are free and open to the public!

Madcap Puppets have been planning the Center since the Westwood Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (WestCURC) purchased the building for the organization in 2012. The Center becomes a “home base” for the touring company and a venue for expanded children’s programming on the west side, including special events and arts education classes, workshops and summer camps.

In March 2017, Cincinnati Landmark Productions and Madcap Puppets announced a merger of the two venerable west-side arts organizations and a re-invigoration of the “Bell Building” project, at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Urwiler Avenue.

At the merger announcement, CLP announced new funding – the allocation of New Markets Tax Credits from Cincinnati Development Fund – that would make the project possible. Since that time, CLP has partnered with US Bank and the City of Cincinnati to finalize the New Markets deal.

The City of Cincinnati had planned and previously budgeted $4 million for the renovation of Westwood Square, the land around Westwood Town Hall. Upgrades include new landscaping and seating, the addition of an event stage area, a promenade for event vendors, a new playground area and a dog park, effectively activating a space that serves as the center of the city’s largest neighborhood. In December, CLP officials presented and received approval from the Cincinnati Planning Commission, Park Board and City Council to bundle the two projects together in order to maximize the New Markets benefit.

On December 29, 2017, the financing deal was closed, resulting in $2.1 million net benefit for the Madcap Education Center project. With that and other recent funding, the project could officially break ground. Interior demolition began in February 2018 with full renovation/construction starting in April.

Cincinnati Landmark Productions (CLP) is the non-profit owner and operator of the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts in West Price Hill and the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater in East Price Hill. Madcap Puppets – based in Westwood – has provided touring children’s programming since 1981 and annually presents over 600 performances across 15 states for 160,000 children. Since the merger, Madcap Puppets has operated as a division of Cincinnati Landmark Productions and will continue to tour and offer its in-town programming.

SATURDAY SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

  • 10am – “Westwood Family Photo” – outside the building, all public encouraged to attend!
  • 10:30am – Create a Mini Comic – Art Studio
  • 10:30am – Intro Guitar – Music Studio #1
  • 10:30am – Face Painting – Music Studio #2
  • 11am – Musical Theatre Dance Mini Class – LaRosa’s Dance Studio
  • 11am – Balloon Animals – Hand Dance Studio
  • 11am – “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” performance – TriHealth Performance Hall (ticket required)
  • 11:30am – Puppet Creation Q&A – Art Studio
  • 11:30am – Intro Piano – Music Studio #1
  • noon – Yoga Mini Class – LaRosa’s Dance Studio
  • noon – Preschool Puppets – Hand Dance Studio
  • 12:30pm – History of the Madcap Education Center by Greg Hand – Art Studio
  • 1pm – “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” performance – TriHealth Performance Hall (ticket required)
  • ALL DAY – roaming puppets and photo opps!

SUNDAY SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

  • noon – Musical Theatre Dance Mini Class – LaRosa’s Dance Studio
  • noon – Create a Mini Comic – Art Studio
  • noon – Preschool Puppets – Hand Dance Studio
  • noon – Face Painting – Music Studio #2
  • 1pm – Hip Hop Dance – LaRosa’s Dance Studio
  • 1pm – Puppet Creation Q&A – Art Studio
  • 1pm – Yoga Mini Class – Hand Dance Studio
  • 1pm – “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” performance – TriHealth Performance Hall (ticket required)
  • 2pm – Tap Mini Class – LaRosa’s Dance Studio
  • 2pm – Make a Mask – Art Studio
  • 2:30pm – History of the Madcap Education Center by Greg Hand – Distance Learning Center
  • 3pm – “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” performance – TriHealth Performance Hall (ticket required)
  • ALL DAY – roaming puppets and photo opps!

For more information about Cincinnati Landmark Productions/Madcap Puppets, visit www.clpshows.org or call (513) 241-6550.

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October 29, 2018 · 9:31 am

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Announces Significant Gift to Capital Campaign  Shelterhouse Theatre will Become Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre in 2019-2020 Season

PIP_logoCINCINNATI–Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Capital Campaign Co-Chairmen Woody Taft and Rob Reifsnyder announced today that the Rosenthal Family Foundation has made a significant pledge to the Playhouse’s capital campaign, a gift that includes naming rights to Shelterhouse Theatre.

The newly christened Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre will be unveiled at the beginning of the 2019-2020 season, after interior seating improvements are made as the first piece to be completed in the Playhouse’s capital project.

“The Rosenthal Family’s long history of supporting new work has been key to the Playhouse’s ability to produce world premieres every season,” said Blake Robison, artistic director. “The majority of those plays are staged in the Shelterhouse, which is what makes naming it for the Rosenthals such a perfect match. Lois Rosenthal, Dick Rosenthal’s late wife, an emeritus board member of the Playhouse, was an enthusiastic advocate for original, edgy theater. And, she and Dick loved the process of helping to present new works.”

“I’ve always enjoyed seeing the performances that resulted from our sponsorships of new, compelling work found and produced by the talented artistic producing directors of the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park,” said Mr. Rosenthal. “And, we look forward to seeing them for many more years.”

The Rosenthal Family has supported 28 world premiere plays at the Playhouse since 1988, when they founded the New Play Prize, which continued through the 2002-2003 season. They serve as Season Sponsor of New Work, which they began supporting in 2013.

In February 2017, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park announced a major capital campaign to build a new, state-of-the art Mainstage Theatre Complex. The construction timetable and building project design are not final, but the current projected opening date will fall in late 2021. The new mainstage theatre complex will cost $39.5 million. During the summer of 2019, all the seats in the Shelterhouse will be replaced and leg room will be added for the start of the 2019-2020 season in the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre.

“The Rosenthal Family Foundation’s generous gift continues the fantastic momentum we’re experiencing with the capital campaign,” said Woody Taft, campaign co-chairman. “To date, we’ve raised $18 million, which includes $14.4 million toward the cost of the new building and an additional $3.6 million for endowment.”

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park began performances in 1960 after a park shelterhouse was converted into a theatre. The Shelterhouse has been named for Jay Thompson since 1979. Mr. Thompson made the name available to the Playhouse for its capital campaign prior to passing away last year.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of almost 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also received funding from the Shubert Foundation.

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October 26, 2018 · 4:34 pm

Cast Announced for SUSAN SWAYNE AND THE BEWILDERED BRIDE at Know Theatre of Cincinnati

KTC_logoMeet Susan Swayne and the Society of Lady Detectives – aside from their interest in swordplay, they’re all perfectly proper Victorian women. Or are they? When the distraught Isabelle Fontaine-Kite insists that a member of the S.o.L.D. is actually her missing husband, Eric, Susan Swayne is on the case!

The cast includes:

  • Lisa Marie DeRoberts as Susan Swayne
  • Regina Pugh* as Bomberry
  • Ernaisja Curry as Isabelle
  • Jordan Trovillion as Denn
  • Alexx Rouse as Madeline
  • Kearston Johnston as Adelaide
  • Chris Wesselman as Man #1
  • Nathan Tubbs as Man #2

Directed by Tamara Winters, performances run Nov. 24-Dec. 16.

For more information visit www.knowtheatre.com

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October 26, 2018 · 4:21 pm

Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Review

BIC_Charlie and the Chocolate Factory_8

Noah Weisberg as Willy Wonka and company. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY presented by Broadway in  Cincinnati through Nov. 4. Click here for a synopsis and more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

Broadway in Cincinnati opens its 2018-2019 season with a new musical version of the classic children’s novel. Premiering in 2013 in London’s West End, the musical closed after three and a half years before being reworked for the Broadway stage. There it ran for nine months beginning April 2017. This touring production launched last month.

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Noah Weisberg as Willy Wonka and company. Photo by Joan Marcus.

As someone who grew up with fond memories of the 1971 movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, this new musical is a bit of a mixed bag. Three songs from the movie have been incorporated into this production: “The Candy Man,” “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket,” and “Pure Imagination.” Mrs. Bucket’s ballad, “If Your Father Were Here” was my favorite of the new songs. That probably isn’t a fair statement as opening night was again plagued by sound issues. Any time the full orchestra kicked in, it became a struggle to hear the vocalists over the music. This happened most notably during the ticket winners’ intro numbers. Add in the heavy accents of the German Gloops and the now Russian Salts and the lyrics became unintelligible.

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Henry Boshart as Charlie Bucket & Noah Weisberg as Willy Wonka. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Performance-wise, I really enjoyed Amanda Rose as Mrs. Bucket. She had a lovely singing voice and it was easy to see where Charlie got his positive outlook on life. Tuesday evening Henry Boshart played Charlie Bucket and handled the demands of the role well. James Young was fun and charming in the role of Grandpa Joe. I did feel that Noah Weisberg has yet to find his footing in the role of Willy Wonka. Bigger and stronger choices would help in that regard. The show does sport a strong ensemble who handled the supporting roles (including the Oompa Loompas) and fun choreography very well.

The colorful costumes and intricate set pieces were visually interesting. The multi-media for the show was also hit-or-miss for me. For some scenes it added a fun visual element, for others its use seem to be an afterthought.

Overall, an entertaining but uneven musical with enough spectacle to keep audiences engaged.

My rating: 4.25 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 26, 2018 · 3:38 pm

Directors Call for 2019-2020 Season at Cincinnati Music Theatre

cmt_logoCincinnati Music Theatre is in search of qualified directors for the 2019-20 season.

Established in 1963, Cincinnati Music Theatre has a long and proud history of presenting popular, large-scale, award-winning musicals to enthusiastic audiences from across the Greater Cincinnati area. An all-volunteer group, each season CMT presents two large- or medium-scale musicals in the Jarson-Kaplan Theatre at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, and now an exciting new three-show Studio Series, performing in the Aronoff Center’s Fifth Third Bank Theatre.

We are seeking directors for three Studio Series shows and for the Spring 2020 mainstage production.  (Please note that the Fall 2019 mainstage show and director have been selected.)  CMT mainstage shows are large- or medium-scale, fully-produced musicals; the Studio Series is intended for cabaret, revue, and small-scale musicals with little to no set or tech requirements.

Interested directors should submit the following information:

  1. Name and contact information
  2. Theatrical experience and/or resume
  3. For each production you are interested in directing, please give the following:
  • Application for Mainstage or Studio Series?
  • Show title and creators
  • Licensing entity
  • Cast requirements
  • Production requirements (sets/costumes/props etc.)
  • Do you have staff or tech people you’ve asked (or plan to ask) to work on this production?
  • A brief synopsis
  • Your vision for the production
  • What challenges do you see with this show? How do you plan to meet them?
  • Why is this show a good choice for CMT’s 2019-20 season?

Please send the above information by November 19, 2018 to VP Creative Kendra Struthers at creative@cmtmail.org.

Finalists will be invited to present their show(s) to the Creative Committee and CMT board at the board meeting on Sunday evening, December 9, 2018. If you are not available at that time, Kendra will present for you.

More information about CMT can be found at our website (cincinnatimusictheatre.org).

Please note that CMT is an all-volunteer group, and there is no compensation for staff, actors, tech, or musicians.

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