Monthly Archives: October 2018

October 25, 2018 · 5:55 pm

DEAR EVAN HANSEN On Sale Tomorrow, Oct. 26th at 9am

“ONE OF THE MOST REMARKABLE SHOWS IN MUSICAL THEATER HISTORY.”
–The Washington Post

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TICKETS FOR THE CINCINNATI PREMIERE OF
DEAR EVAN HANSEN

WILL GO ON SALE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 AT 9:00AM

ARONOFF CENTER ENGAGEMENT RUNS
APRIL 30 – MAY 12, 2019

Broadway in Cincinnati announced today that individual tickets for the Cincinnati premiere of Dear Evan Hansen will go on sale Friday, October 26 at 9am. Tickets are available at Aronoff Center box office downtown at 650 Walnut Street, online at CincinnatiArts.org or by phone at 513.621.ARTS. Dear Evan Hansen is a part of the Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati 18/19 season presented by TriHealth.

The winner of six 2017 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen features a book by Tony Award-winner Steven Levenson, a score by Grammy®, Tony® and Academy Award® winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La Land, The Greatest Showman), and direction by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Next to Normal).

Declared “One of the most remarkable shows in musical theater history” by the Washington Post’s Peter Marks, Dear Evan Hansen opened at the Music Box Theatre to rave reviews on December 4, 2016, where it’s broken all box office records and struck a chord with critics and audiences alike.

In addition to winning six Tony awards, Dear Evan Hansen has won numerous other awards, including the 2017 Drama League Award for Outstanding Musical Production and for the off-Broadway production, two Obie Awards, a Drama Desk Award, and two Outer Critics Circle Awards and two Helen Hayes Awards. The show’s original cast recently won a Daytime Emmy Award for “Best Musical Performance on a Daytime Talk Show” for their April 2017 performance of “You Will Be Found” on NBC’s “Today Show,” only the second Broadway show in history to win that category.

The Grammy Award-winning Original Broadway Cast Recording of Dear Evan Hansen, produced by Atlantic Records, was released in February 2017, making an extraordinary debut on the Billboard 200 and entering the chart at #8 – the highest charting debut position for an original cast album since 1961 – and went on to win the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

A special edition coffee table book authored by Levenson, Pasek and Paul, Dear Evan Hansen: through the window (Grand Central Publishing / Melcher) is now available, offering an in-depth, all-access look at the musical, including never-before-seen production photos and cast portraits, behind-the-scenes stories, and a fully annotated script by the authors.

In addition to the touring production and the record-breaking Broadway production, Dear Evan Hansen will launch its first international production in Canada, in March 2019 at Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre,followed by a production in London at the Noël Coward Theatre later in 2019.

Dear Evan Hansen features scenic design by David Korins, projection design by Peter Nigrini, costume design by Emily Rebholz, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, and hair design by David Brian Brown.  Music supervision, orchestrations and additional arrangements are by Alex Lacamoire.  Ben Cohn is the Associate Music Supervisor.  Vocal arrangements and additional arrangements are by Justin Paul. Danny Mefford is the choreographer.  U.S. Casting by Tara Rubin Casting/Lindsay Levine. Adrienne Campbell-Holt, Sash Bischoff and Adam Quinn are the Associate Directors. Judith Schoenfeld is the Production Supervisor.

The touring production of Dear Evan Hansen is produced by Stacey Mindich. The co-producers are Mickey Liddell, Hunter Arnold, Caiola Productions, Double Gemini Productions, Fakston Productions, Roy Furman, Harris Karma Productions, On Your Marks Group, Darren Bagert, Roger & William Berlind, Bob Boyett, Colin Callender, Caitlin Clements, Freddy DeMann, Dante Di Loreto, Bonnie & Kenneth Feld, FickStern Productions, Eric & Marsi Gardiner, Robert Greenblatt, Jere Harris and Darren DeVerna, The John Gore Organization, Mike Kriak, David Mirvish, Eva Price, Zeilinger Productions, Adam Zotovich, Ambassador Theatre Group, Independent Presenters Network, and the Shubert Organization, in association with Arena Stage, Molly Smith and Edgar Dobie, and Second Stage Theatre, Carole Rothman, and Casey Reitz. Wendy Orshan and Jeffrey M. Wilson are Executive Producers.

Dear Evan Hansen will play the Aronoff Center from April 30 – May 12, 2019: Tuesday – Thursday at 7:30PM, Friday at 8:00PM, Saturday at 2:00PM and 8:00PM, Sunday at 1:00PM and 6:30PM. Tickets start at $35 and 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. For groups of 15 or more, contact the group sales department at 513.369.4363. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice. For more information, please visitBroadwayInCincinnati.com.

# # #

www.dearevanhansen.com
www.instagram.com/dearevanhansen
www.twitter.com/dearevanhansen
www.facebook.com/DearEvanHansen

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 over twenty years, Broadway in Cincinnati has presented all shows at the Aronoff Center.  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 18/19 Season and the season is presented by TriHealth. LOCAL 12 is the official television station of the 18/19 Cincinnati Season.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA (BAA) is part of The John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com and The Broadway Channel.  Led by 11-time Tony-winning producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 44 markets with over 400,000 subscribers. Current and past productions include Beautiful, Cats, Chicago, Dear Evan Hansen, Groundhog Day, Hairspray, Hello, Dolly!, Million Dollar Quartet, On Your Feet!, The Producers, School of Rock and Waitress. Broadway.com is the premier theater website for news, exclusive content and ticket sales. For more information please visit BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com and Broadway.com.

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October 25, 2018 · 4:26 pm

THE MAN-BEAST Review

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Jennifer Joplin as Virginie & Jim Hopkins as Jean. Photo by Dan R. Winters Photography.

THE MAN-BEAST presented by Know Theatre of Cincinnati through Nov. 10. Click here for a synopsis and more information on the production. I attended the opening weekend Sunday matinee performance.

Know Theatre of Cincinnati continues its 21st Season, FEAR ITSELF, with a new drama based on the 18th Century legend of the Beast of Gévaudan. Previously produced works  at Know by the playwright Joseph Zettelmaier include All Childish Things (2015) and Pulp (2016).

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Jim Hopkins as Jean & Jennifer Joplin as Virginie. Photo by Dan R. Winters Photography.

Many thanks to director Brant Russell for bringing together what may now be my new favorite on stage couple: Jim Hopkins and Jennifer Joplin. Together the pair are electric to watch as Jean and Virginie, a mismatched pair of social outsiders that find companionship and more in each other’s company. Despite their physical differences, Joplin’s character is every bit the equal to Hopkins’ Jean. Their performance styles are very compatible and their chemistry so natural that I almost forgot it was a monster tale. One small complaint would be that I did lose the dialogue a couple of times when Hopkins’ character bellowed quickly.

This intimate and engaging show works well in the Underground space. Russell makes great use of the play area and elicits great character work from the two actors. Every moment rings authentic and I found myself rooting for the unlikely couple. The choreography by fight director Jonn Baca gives the show a great physicality and is very convincing; no small feat considering how close the audience is to the action.

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Jim Hopkins as Jean & Jennifer Joplin as Virginie. Photo by Dan R. Winters Photography.

The set design by Andrew J. Hungerford is perhaps the most ambitious to date downstairs. I loved the weight of it with all the dark wood and stone. It was fun to see Jean constantly bump into items hung for the convenience of the much shorter Viriginie. The lighting design (also by Hungerford) and sound design by Doug Borntrager only enhances the atmosphere of the piece. I was also very pleased with the taxidermy designed by Mara Tunnicliff. Great to see items so essential to the plot executed so well.

Picky picky: When so much work is done to set the mood and period it was disappointing to see (and hear) the caster wheels used on one of the pieces. It was also mentioned to me that from some seats the lighting instruments were visible within the fireplace. It was such a great effect from my seat that I would hope every audience member would have the same experience.

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Jennifer Joplin as Virginie & Jim Hopkins as Jean. Photo by Dan R. Winters Photography.

Overall, an engrossing tale, smartly written and directed only enhanced by the wonderful performances of the two leads. A perfect tale for the season without the gore or body count.

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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October 25, 2018 · 2:34 pm

MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY Review

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Andrew Fallaize as Arthur de Bourgh & Ayana Workman as Mary Bennet. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park through Nov. 10. Click here for a synopsis and more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park continues its 2018-19 Marx season with an imagined sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. In this production, the focus shifts to the bookish middle Bennet sister, Mary.

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John Ford-Dunker as Charles Bingley, Andrew Fallaize as Arthur de Bourgh & John Keabler as Fitzwilliam Darcy. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Ayana Workman is endearing as Mary Bennet who is struggling to be recognized as the woman she is becoming and not as the young sister who was left behind. Bookish and factually blunt, she finds an intellectual soul mate in Arthur de Bourgh, well-played by Andrew Fallaize. The pair are supported by a strong ensemble. The closeness of the sisters and the connections between the extended family members work well and rang emotionally true.

Director Eleanor Holdridge does a great job of bringing these emotional connections and the humor of the script to the forefront. The production is nicely paced and well-staged. That being said, I did feel that Lydia Wickham was a bit too broad in the first act, coming off a bit more caricature than character. Arthur’s checked exit near the end of the show had him upstage of the set’s columns, blocking him from view for a portion of the audience.

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Ayana Workman as Mary Bennet, Maribel Martinez as Jane Bingley, Marina Shay as Elizabeth Darcy & Mia Hutchinson-Shaw as Lydia Wickham. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Visually the show is stunning thanks to the set design by John Coyne and the costumes design work of Helen Q. Huang. The wigs worked well for the most part although Arthur’s looked, well…like a wig from the audience and held the crease from his hat for most of the show.

Overall, a charming and funny romantic comedy that should appease Austen fans, but is easily appealing to all.

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 25, 2018 · 11:28 am

Auditions Announced for Staged Reading of HAVABERGER’S DISEASE at Troy Civic Theatre

TROY_logoPlaywright and director Todd Bryant is seeking 13 actors (6 male, 6 female, 1 either gender) interested in participating in a staged reading of his original comedy, HAVABERGER’S DISEASE. There will be 2 rehearsals (to be determined), with the reading taking place on January 19, 2019.

Auditions will be Monday and Wednesday, November 12th and 14th at 7 pm at the Barn in the Park, and will consist of cold readings from the script. Please note: There will not be auditions on Tuesday, November 13th.

Dr. Lindsey Zigler is a brand new doctor who comes across a patient with all of his life’s priorities out of whack – he cares more about his job than his family. She hatches a plan to tell the patient he has a rare disease, giving him only months to live. The original idea is to wait a week or so, then simply tell the patient that there was a glitch in the lab testing. Her hope is that, in the meantime, he will re-think his priorities, fix his relationships, and then be overjoyed when he finds out he is actually healthy after all. What could go wrong? An off-the-rails comedy about focusing on what is important in life.

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

  • Dr. Lindsey Zigler: Female, late 20s, new doctor (major)
  • Daniel Zigler: Male, mid 20s, Lindsey’s brother (major)
  • Julie Frampton: Female, mid 20s, Daniel’s girlfriend (major)
  • JP Peterson: Male, 20s-30s (major)
  • Pierre St. Martin: Male, late 40s – early 60s (supporting)
  • Evelyn St. Martin: Female, late 40s – early 60s (supporting)
  • Michelle St. Martin: Female, 15-17 (supporting)
  • Mary Miller: Female, 50s-60s (bit)
  • Restaurant Host: Any (bit)
  • Viktor: Male, 50s-60s (supporting)
  • Kaz: Male, 20s-30s (supporting)
  • Mrs. Berry: Female, 40s-80s (bit)
  • Lester Finkelstein: Male, 30s-50s (bit)

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October 25, 2018 · 10:52 am

SUSAN SWAYNE AND THE BEWILDERED BRIDE Runs Nov. 24-Dec. 16

KTC_logoSUSAN SWAYNE AND THE BEWILDERED BRIDE
Know Theatre of Cincinnati
Nov. 24-Dec. 16
[Over-the-Rhine]

Directed by Tamara Winters

Meet 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!

  • Sat, Nov. 24 at 8pm
  • Sun , Nov. 25 at 3pm
  • Wed-Sat, Nov. 28-Dec. 1 at 8pm
  • Sun, Dec. 2 at 3pm
  • Wed-Sat, Dec. 5-8 at 8pm
  • Sun, Dec. 9 at 3pm
  • Wed-Sat, Dec. 12-15 at 8pm
  • Sun, Dec. 16 at 3pm

Official page |

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