Monthly Archives: April 2019

2019-2020 Season Announced by Xenia Area Community Theatre

xactTWO SHORT PLAYS
No Mother to Guide Her: or, More to be Pitied than Censured and The Potman Spoke Sooth
Directed by Kirk and Melodee Bass
Aug. 30-Sept. 8

CATFISH MOON
Directed by Saul Caplan
Oct. 4-13

PICNIC 
Directed by Kyle Mercuri
Nov. 1-10

OUR FAMILY HOLIDAY SHOW
Directed by Jennifer Sparks
Dec. 6-15

THE GLASS MENAGERIE
Directed by Mike Taint
Jan. 10-19

THE FACE OF EMMETT TILL
Directed by Joyce Barnes
Feb. 14-23

RUMORS
Directed by Carter Hume
March 27-April 5

RABBIT HOLE 
Directed by Sara Duibley
May 8-18

For more information visit www.xeniaact.org.

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TARTUFFE and TWELFTH NIGHT Runs May 23-June 2

XACT_Tartuffe and Twelfth Night logosTARTUFFE and TWELFTH NIGHT
Xenia Area Community Theatre
May 23-June 2
[Xenia]

TARTUFFE
Directed by Connie Strait

Cast: John Wysong as Orgon, Allie Dyer as Dorine, Kyle Mercuri as Tartuffe, Nathan Hudson as Cleant, Janet Wasson as Elmire, Dawn Schluetz as Mme. Pernelle, Amanda Bass as Marianne, Patrick Taylor as Damis, Matthew Benefiel as Valere, Franco Villongco as M. Loyal, Brian Laughlin as Police Officer & Edith Waugh as Flipote

First performed in 1664, it is considered one of Moliere’s best comedies. The story of a man who falls prey to misplaced adoration.  Controversial and popular from the time of its release, Moliere’s Tartuffe remains a biting satire aimed at religious hypocrisy. When the kind, yet dim, Orgon invites the religious zealot known as Tartuffe into his home, he has no idea that he has accepted a snake into his den. While Tartuffe acts like a kind minister, he is — in fact — a con man plotting to rob Orgon of everything he holds dear! While Orgon becomes hopelessly entranced by Tartuffe and plans to give him his only daughter’s hand in marriage, his family rallies to expose Tartuffe for the rascal that he is. Will they be able to save the hapless Orgon from Tartuffe’s clutches? It may take an act of fake seduction– and an obvious Deus ex Machina — to help defeat this lascivious hypocrite.

TWELFTH NIGHT
Directed by Tony Copper

Cast: Betsy Benefiel as Viola, Edith Waugh as Captain, Matthew Benefiel as Count Orsino, Tobey McKee as Valentine, John Wysong as Sir Toby Belch, Janet Wasson as Maria, Franco Villongco as Sir Andrew Aquecheek, Patrick Taylor as Feste, Allie Dyer as Countess Olivia, Brian Laughlin as Malvolio, Carter Hume as Sebastian, Kyle Mercuri as Antonia & Edith Waugh as Fabiana

Viola has been shipwrecked in a violent storm off the coast of Illyria; in the process she has lost her twin brother, Sebastian. She disguises herself as a boy and assumes the name Cesario for protection. Thus disguised, Viola becomes a page in the service of Orsino, the Duke, whom she falls in love with. Orsino is in love with the Countess Olivia, and sends Viola to court her for him, but Olivia falls for Viola instead.

  • Thu, May 23 at 6:30pm (Gala fundraiser) [T]
  • Fri, May 24 at 6:30pm (Gala fundraiser) [TN]
  • Sat, May 25 at 7:30pm [T]
  • Sun, May 26 at 3pm [TN]
  • Thu, May 30 at 7:30pm [TN]
  • Fri, May 31 at 7:30pm [T]
  • Sat, June 1 at 7:30pm [TN]
  • Sun, June 2 at 3pm [T]

Official page |

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Auditions Announced for CASPER the Friendly Musical and A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

TCTC_new logoTCT AUDITION CASTING NOTICE

The World-Premiere Adaption of CASPER the Friendly Musical
and the holiday favorite, A Charlie Brown Christmas

CINCINNATI:  The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) is holding auditions in May for two MainStage productions in the company’s 100th Season: the World-Premiere Adaption of CASPER the Friendly Musicaland the holiday favorite, A Charlie Brown Christmas.

TCT is the nation’s oldest children’s theatre and is a professional theatre company. All roles are paid positions.

TCT is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace and committed to diverse casting process. All roles are open to all ethnicities and backgrounds.

Upon audition registration, you may indicate which shows you would like to be considered for this season. Auditions are by appointment only.

Young Artists ages 9-18 and Adults 18+ may make an audition appointment.

You only need ONE audition appointment even if you are interested in both productions.

New to auditioning or want to know more about the process or the shows?  Visit thechildrenstheatre.com to sign up for TCT’s Audition Prep MasterClass on May 4th!

Visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com/mainstage/auditions to sign-up for an audition appointment.

Appointments can be made for:

  • Monday, May 13, 2019 between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM
  • Tuesday, May 14, 2019 between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM
  • Wednesday, May 15, 2019 between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM
  • May 16, 2019 between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM

You may be asked to return and attend a “movement callback” on the day of your audition, which will take place from 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

CASPER the Friendly Musical callbacks will take place on Saturday, May 18, 10:00AM – 2:30PM

A Charlie Brown Christmas callbacks will take place on May 19, 6:00PM – 10PM

Auditions and Callbacks are held at TCT’s headquarters located at: 4015 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati OH 45227.

For information concerning auditions email Eric Byrd at eric.byrd@tctcincinnati.com.

Visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com/mainstage/auditions to sign-up for an audition appointment.

PREPARE:

Please prepare one memorized song that best shows your vocal range. (1-minute max). The song must be an age appropriate. Remember to have your PIANO SHEET MUSIC, as we will NOT be auditioning your a cappella skills. An accompanist will be provided. Your sheet music MUST have the piano part, not just the vocal line, and music should be in a 3-ring binder with the cut CLEARLY marked for the accompanist.

You only need a song. You do NOT need to prepare a monologue.

You may be asked to show your dance ability later in the evening. Please bring attire with you to change into in case we ask you to return.

You must bring a RECENT 8×10 headshot and UPDATED performance resume. Even if you upload to the audition website, a hardcopy of your headshot and resume is required.

Plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes ahead of your appointment to check/correct previously submitted paperwork. If we are ahead of schedule, we may audition you early.

Due to concentrated rehearsal periods, we ask that you do not have conflicts during rehearsals. In an effort to best facilitate all rehearsal times, all those auditioning will be asked to list all conflicts at the time of the audition. Conflicts will result in a stipend adjustment. Please take note of when rehearsals begin, the day and evening tech and performance schedule, and bring your calendar with you to the audition.

ABOUT THE SHOWS:

CASPER the Friendly Musical
Book and lyrics: Stephen Cole
Music: Matthew Ward
Orchestrations: Luke Holloway & Dave Christensen

Adaptation: TCT and Roderick Justice. By special arrangement from Universal Theatrical Group.

Directed by: Roderick Justice
Choreographed by: Eric Byrd

TCT takes Casper center stage in this world-premiere musical adaptation for young audiences! Everyone’s favorite friendly ghost and his three uncles live a rather uneventful existence in the family mansion. Fifty years after their lives were cut short in a lightning storm, Magdalena, their former maid, re-enters their (after)lives! Now a celebrity TV Host, she is looking for the deed to the mansion… not because she wants the house, but because she believes there’s a message on the back that will lead her to a “great treasure”. As competition reality TV is all the rage, she hosts a live treasure hunt in the mansion on Halloween. One lucky young contestant could win $1 million if they find the deed! It is up to young Casper and his new friends, the contestants, to save the mansion from Magdalena, and discover the greatest treasure of all! Casper the Friendly Musical is in the style of a typical big Broadway musical with standard vocal requirements.

Rehearsals: September 7 – October 5, 2019

Mon – Thurs: 6:30-9:30 PM, Sat: 10AM – 4PM

Tech in the Taft Theatre: October 9 – 11, 2019

Daytime/Evening Performances: October 12 – 21, 2019

Morning and Afternoon performances during school days. Afternoon and evening performances Friday-Sunday.

SEEKING THE FOLLOWING:

  • CASPER: Young Male, Unchanged voice. Portrays 11-12 years old. A joyful and curious boy whose life was recently cut short because of a lightning storm. Must be able to carry the show and captivate the audience. Will fly. Loveable and friendly, but never scary. Actor, Singer, Dancer. Experience flying and using heely shoes a plus.
  • MAGDALENA: Adult Female between 60-70 years old… but being a big Hollywood star… she doesn’t look it. Her style is a mixture of Daphne Guinness, Iris Apfel, and Elvira. Fame and treasure are all she seeks and will do whatever it takes to find the greatest treasure of all. Actor, Singer, Dancer. Alto
  • DONALD: Young Male, changed-voice Bari-tenor, Portrays 12-13 years old. Clumsy and an outsider, but not a pushover. He is revealed as Magdalena’s nephew, and she has asked him to rig the competition.
  • UNCLES STRETCH, STINKY, and FATSO: Adult Males. Casper’s Uncles. As former Vaudeville performers, they miss their tap-dancing days. Unlike Casper, the Uncles are a bit grouchy they are no longer living and are pretty annoyed they are unable to cross over to the other side because Casper is waiting for his parents to return. Unfortunately, they do not have the heart to tell him they’ve already on the other side. Character Singer/Actors, with strong tap skills. Experience using heely shoes a plus.
  • BETTINA: Teen Female, Belter, Portrays 15 years old. Bettina is the oldest of the kids in the competition and the tallest. She is a popular, beautiful, bully. But she eventually changes her ways. Bettina experiences flight when Casper takes her hand during a game of pretend. Flight experience a plus. Actor/Singer/Dancer.
  • MINNIE, COCO, and LANE: Casper’s Aunts (wives of Stinky, Fatso, and Stretch) return after a failed “ghostbusting” attempt by Magdalena. The Aunts were also zapped in the lightning storm which offed Casper and the Uncles. Unfortunately, they were soaking their feet in water and are footless ghosts. With the Uncles, the Aunts are part of a big show-stopping blacklight tap number to reunite with their feet. Tapper, Actor, Singers
  • PIERCE: Teen Male. Pierce is your typical 15-year-old, beach loving, wave surfing, California tween. Dude, everything is like so totally awesome in Pierce’s world! Actor, Singer, Dancer
  • GRETCHEN: Teen Female. Portrays 14-15, Alto. Tough, Tall, Mighty. Don’t mess with her.  She is Bettina’s side kick and does whatever Bettina wants her to do. Actor, Singer, Dancer
  • PRECIOUS: Young Girl. Very small. Must Portray 7-8 years old. Tiny, adorable and LOVES sweets of any kind.  She is always seen with some form of candy in her hand.  Actor, Singer, Dancer.
  • BRADLEY:  Young Male. Portrays 10-11 years old. Smallest boy. Slightly smaller than Casper. He is a Preppy, technology loving fashion plate. Think Ritchie-Rich from a very well-off family.
  • ENSEMBLE: A group of 10+ Adults and Teens who play a wide variety of characters and features including parents, television crew members, tappers, and flashback characters. Many of these roles understudy other characters. Dancer, Singer, Actors.

A Charlie Brown Christmas
By Charles M. Schulz

Based on the television special by:
Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson

Stage adaptation by Eric Schaeffer

By special arrangement with: Arthur Whitelaw and Ruby Persson.

Directed and Choreographed by: Roderick Justice

Back by popular demand! The whole family can celebrate the season with our live rendition of your favorite holiday special! Following the famous television special word-for-word (and frame-by-frame), Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang are here to remind us all about what’s most important during this Yuletide season.

Rehearsals: November 4 – 27 and December 1, 2019

Mon – Thus: 6:30-9:30 PM, Sat: 10AM – 4PM, Sun the 1st: 6:30-9pm

Tech in the Taft Theatre: December 4-6

(Daytime/Evening)

Performances: December 7 – 16

Morning and Afternoon performances during school days. Afternoon and evening performances Friday-Sunday.

SEEKING THE FOLLOWING:

  • CHARLIE BROWN: Adult or Potentially a Teen Male. Portrays a Young Boy. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Must Ice Skate. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater
  • SNOOPY:  Adult Male. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Must be able to do pratfalls, howl, and pantomime to tell a great story. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater. Tumbling a plus!
  • LUCY: Adult or Potentially a Teen Female. Portrays a Young Girl. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Must Ice Skate. Self-assured, somewhat bossy friend to Charlie Brown. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater
  • LINUS:  Adult or Potentially a Teen Male. Portrays a Young Boy. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Best friend of Charlie Brown. Actor, Singer
  • PIG PEN:  Adult or Potentially a Teen Male. Portrays a Young Boy. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Messy and dusty friend of Charlie Brown and part of the gang. Must be able to ice skate. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater
  • FRIEDA:  Adult or Potentially a Teen Female. Portrays a Young Girl. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Part of the gang. Lovely red head very proud of her curls. Must be able to ice skate. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater
  • SCHROEDER:  Adult or Potentially a Teen Male. Portrays a Young boy.  Part of the gang. Plays the toy piano and love interest of Lucy. Must be able to ice skate. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater
  • VIOLET:  Adult or Potentially a Teen Female. Portrays a young girl.  Part of the gang. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character.
  • SALLY:  Adult or Potentially a Teen Female. Portrays a young girl.  Charlie Brown’s sister who is in love with Linus. Must be able to ice skate. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater
  • PATTY:  Adult or Potentially a Teen Female. Portrays a young girl.  Part of the gang. Known as Peppermint Patty. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Actor, Singer.
  • FRANKLIN: Adult or Potentially a Teen Male. Portrays a young boy. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Part of the gang. Franklin was the first African American character in the strip. Must be able to ice skate. Actor, Singer, Ice Skater
  • MARCIE: Adult or Potentially a Teen Female. Portrays a young girl.  Part of the gang. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character.
  • SHERMY: Adult or Potentially a Teen Male. Portrays a young boy.  Part of the gang. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character.
  • WOODSTOCK: Adult or Teen, Any Gender. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon character. Must be able to puppeteer and pantomime to tell a great story. Actor, Puppeteer.
  • ENSEMBLE: The group of Teen Actors and Singers portraying a variety of iconic characters from the Peanuts gang and will understudy principle roles. Must embody the essence of the classic cartoon. They sing, dance, skate, and help make the television special come to life on stage.

The ability to ice skate is a plus for all characters.

-end-

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Kivie Productions Present a Double Feature

KP_Double Feature logoWritten and Directed by Kalman Kivkovich

Yes, August 2019 is about four months away, but is closing fast . . .

At my age of 84 . . . okay 74 . . . it is hard work for a guy who is considered a senior citizen.

One old friend once told me that to be awakened before 10 AM is immoral, period.  Well, Sandi and I, both senior citizens, wake up at 6 AM seven days a week.  We both have much to do and not enough time to do it.

A couple of months ago, I told the world about my new theatre venture, a double feature of two of my new short plays, SAVE a SOUL, SAVE the WORLD and GRANDMA ROZI.

KIVIE PRODUCTIONS is on record as the Production Company.

SAVE a SOUL, SAVE the WORLD – DRAMA – written and directed by Kalman Kivkovich,is a Holocaust Story: A Jewish Orthodox teenager with his strong determination to save another young life earns himself a new beginning. The story is set in 1965 in Israel and 1943 in the Ghetto of Nazi-Occupied Sosnowiec, Poland.

GRANDMA ROZI – COMEDY – written and directed by Kalman Kivkovich, loosely based on a short story by the Israeli author Ran Appelberg.
An eccentric Israeli grandmother makes a difference in her grandson’s life.
Set in present time in Israel.

The TWO PLAYS are heading to the stage of Aronoff Center in Cincinnati for a Double Feature in August 2019.

Aronoff Center, Fifth-Third Bank Theater
The dates: August 20, 21 & 22, 2019 – 7:30 PM . .. . Admission $20.
Tickets are already on sale at the Aronoff Center Box Office.
Also on line: www.cincinnatiarts.org and by phone: 513.621.2787.

Save and get the tickets at the ticket counter on Walnut Street.

What a CAST!!! Yes, what a CAST!!!

SAVE a SOUL, SAVE the WORLD – Holocaust DRAMA

  • Alan Kootsher – [MOSHEH / MOISHE]
  • Nik Pajic – [MOTI]
  • Dennis Blom – [YOSSEF / TADEK]
  • Michael Loos – [NAZI MAN]
  • Raine Mari – [Little MOTTEL] . . . the new little Yentl on the block.

GRANDMA ROZI – COMEDY

  • Chessie Vigran – [GRANDMA ROZI]
  • Jeremy Spitzig – [RAMI]
  • Elizabeth Hickerson – [NOMI]

SUPPORT TEAM:

  • Kalman Kivkovich – [Playwright / Director / Producer]
  • Sandi Kivkovich – [Associate Producer, Props]
  • Richard Zenk – [Stage Manager]
  • Sara Krehbiel – [Assistant Stage Manager]
  • Tom Deren – [Musician, Accordionist]
  • Tom Ralston – [Props, Sound]
  • Hagit Limor – [Presenter]
  • Michael Skaggs – [Photographer]
  • Carola Timmerding – [Photographer]

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MASTERCHEF JUNIOR LIVE! | Mon., Oct. 7 | Aronoff Center

CAA_MasterChef Junior Live logoANNOUNCING THE DEBUT TOUR OF MASTERCHEF JUNIOR LIVE!
COMING TO THE ARONOFF CENTER ON OCTOBER 7 

Tickets go on sale Friday, April 26 at 10:00 AM

[Cincinnati, OH]  TCG Entertainment and EndemolShine North America are thrilled to announce the hit culinary competition MasterChef Junior is debuting its first live tour this fall and coming to the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall on Monday, October 7, 2019 at 7:00 PM.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, April 26 at 10:00 AM at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-2787 [ARTS}, and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. $20 tickets are available for children (ages 2-12) and are available in select locations.

MasterChef Junior Live! brings the hit FOX-TV show MasterChef Junior directly to you LIVE! Featuring head-to-head cooking competitions with past MasterChef Junior all-stars and fan favorites, Q&A sessions, and an overall immersive audience experience that is fun for all ages.

Come be a part of MasterChef Junior Live!  It’s an experience for the whole family and a recipe for a guaranteed good time!

About TCG Entertainment
TCG Entertainment – www.TCGENT.com – is the industry leader in the creation, production, booking, and marketing of live entertainment productions and events. TCG has over twenty years of experience in the entertainment industry with a focus on symphonic, family, music, and other live touring properties.  Current and past productions include multiple productions of Cirque Musica (www.CirqueMusica.com), 4U: The Music of Prince with SymphonyA Night of Symphonic Hip HopA Night of Symphonic RockREWIND – Celebrating the ‘80s, and more.

About EndemolShine North America
Endemol Shine North America delivers world-class content and compelling storytelling to multiple platforms in the U.S. and across the globe. Endemol Shine North America is part of Endemol Shine Group, the global content creator, producer, and distributor with a diverse portfolio of companies that are behind some of the most prominent hit television formats and series in the world.

CINCINNATI ARTS ASSOCIATION SPONSORS

SEASON SPONSORS:  AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), FIFTH THIRD BANK (Lifetime Endowment Partner), CINCINNATI-NORTHERN KENTUCKY HONDA DEALERSFURNITURE FAIRLOCAL12 WKRC-TV, The P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS:  21C Museum Hotel, Cincinnati Herald, CityBeat, Courtyard Marriott & Residence Inn-Rookwood, Graphic Village, Heidelberg Distributing, Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Cincinnati Downtown, Macy’s, Millennium Cincinnati, Pepsi, Skyline Chili, TriHealth, Ultimate Air Shuttle

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