Monthly Archives: May 2019

May 28, 2019 · 1:04 pm

Julie Gieseke Presents BORDERLINE A**HOLE at Cincy Fringe

CFF19_Borderline AssholeRelationships can be so triggering . . .

BORDERLINE A**HOLE
Performed by: Julie Gieseke
Written by: Julie Gieseke in collaboration with Nina Wise
Directed by: Nina Wise (www.ninawise.com)

Dates/Times:   June 1-11, 2019

Place : Cincinnati Fringe Festival – The Mini Microcinema (MMC) 1329 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Link for tickets: https://knowtheatre.vbotickets.com/event/Borderline_Ahole/34688

BORDERLINE A**HOLE, a darkly funny comedy that examines the complex dynamics  of identity, mental health  and romantic relationships.

What do you do when your new girlfriend accuses you of having Borderline Personality Disorder?

After years of chasing unavailable women, Julie may have found her ideal girlfriend. Monica isn’t afraid to break all the rules, prefers to make art rather than watch Netflix and thinks Julie’s a creative genius. Best of all, she’s really into Julie. The only trouble is they can’t agree on one thing – that Julie is the problem.

What follows is a one-hour story about one woman’s struggle with her sense of self, love, expectation and her mental health all while dealing with her mother’s terminal illness.

The work is surprisingly funny, insightful, and deeply moving.

Reviews from New York and Dublin, Ireland:

Bio
Julie Gieseke is a performance artist and writer from San Francisco. Her autobiographical work, notable for being both moving and hilariously funny,  has been performed internationally. She has gained an avid and loyal following for her no-holds-barred and courageously authentic true stories. Gieseke has been featured at  Frigid New York Festival, International Dublin Gay theater Festival, San Francisco  Solo Performance Festival,, Vancouver Fringe Festival,  Cincinnati Fringe Festival, and the Toronto Soulo Festival, Toronto.

Julie studied solo performance  with Martha Rymberg, Tanya Taylor Rubinstein, Ann Randolph and Tracey Erin Smith and is working in collaboration with Nina Wise on her current shows.

Julie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts and Film and Video Production from UC Santa Cruz.

Julie  went on to earn a Masters in Organizational Management and Development from Fielding Graduate University. In addition to working as a performer, Julie coaches and consults individuals and corporations in storytelling, creativity, and strategic visioning. Her clients include,  Facebook, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Apple, Stanford, the University of California, and Cal State University.

Websites: 

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May 28, 2019 · 12:47 pm

Gideon Productions Present THIS HOUSE WILL NEVER LET US GO as Part of Cincy Fringe Festival

CFF19_This House Will Never Let Us GoWORLD PREMIERE AS PART OF THE CINCY FRINGE FESTIVAL!
WRITTEN BY MAC ROGERS
DIRECTED BY JORDANA WILLIAMS 

JUNE 2nd – JUNE 7th @ GABRIEL’S CORNER

Gideon Productions, the company behind the Cincy Fringe hits God Of Obsidian (2017 Linda Bowen Full Frontal Pick) and Musical Chairs (2018 Critic’s Pick Award), will present the World Premiere of playwright Mac Rogers’ (The Honeycomb Trilogy; the global hit podcasts The Message, LifeAfter and Steal The Stars) horror drama THIS HOUSE WILL NEVER LET US GO, running from June 2nd to June 7th at Gabriel’s Corner as part of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. The production will be directed by Jordana Williams (The Honeycomb Trilogy; Steal the Stars) and will feature Rebecca Comtois (Viral; Crystal Skillman’s Geek! with Vampire Cowboys), Mac Rogers (NYIT Outstanding Lead Actor Nominee for The Adventures of Nervous-Boy with Nosedive Productions), and Kristen Vaughan (Frankenstein Upstairs, The Honeycomb Trilogy, NYIT Outstanding Lead Actress Winner for Benefactors).

Joan hasn’t had a real home since she left Griffin. Instead, she’s been living off of house-sitting, maintaining the neglected homes of rich people who live far away. It looks like she just  landed the perfect summer gig – watching a lavish beach house with an absent owner – until Joan discovers there’s another woman already living there. A mysterious, ageless woman named Iris, who has plans for Joan. As Griffin worms his way back into her life and frightening forces close in, Joan realizes she’s going to have to make an agonizing choice.

This House Will Never Let Us Go will run June 2nd at 7:00pm, June 4th at 8:30pm, June 5th at 6:30pm, and June 7 at 6:30pm, as part of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival at Gabriel’s Corner (Sycamore & Liberty, Cincinnati, OH, 45202). Tickets ($15) may be purchased online at www.cincyfringe.com. The show will run 60 minutes with no intermission.

MAC ROGERS (Playwright and Griffin) is an award-winning playwright and audio dramatist. His sci-fi thriller podcasts THE MESSAGE, STEAL THE STARS, and LIFEAFTER were downloaded over 7 million times.  His plays God of Obsidian and Musical Chairs were both Cincy Fringe award-winners. His plays include THE HONEYCOMB TRILOGY (New York Times and Backstage Critic’s Picks and winner of the NYIT Award for Best Premiere Production), VIRAL (winner of Outstanding Play at FringeNYC 2009), and UNIVERSAL ROBOTS (nominated for four New York Innovative Theatre awards). Mac’s plays have earned acclaim from The New York Times, The Guardian, Time Out New York, The New York Post, and many others. 

JORDANA WILLIAMS (Director) has directed numerous plays by Mac Rogers, including the CityBeat Critic’s Picks God Of Obsidian, Musical Chairs, and Ligature Marks, as well as The Honeycomb Trilogy (NY Times and Time Out NY Critics’ Picks), Universal Robots and Viral. She also directed Mac’s Steal the Stars, a 2018 Audie Award finalist for Best Audio Drama. Other favorite directing work includes Kill Shakespeare at NY Comic Con, Vince Gatton’s Alexandria and The Particulars at FringeNYC.

REBECCA COMTOIS (Joan) previously worked with Mac Rogers and Jordana Williams on CityBeat Critic’s Picks God Of Obsidian, Musical Chairs, and Ligature Marks, as well as Viral (Winner of FringeNYC’s Outstanding Production of a Play) and The Honeycomb Trilogy (NY Times and Time Out NY Critics’ Picks).  Other notable roles include Minnie the Minotaur in Cystal Skillman’s Geek! (Vampire Cowboys), Jenny in James Comtios’ Infectious Opportunity (Nosedive Productions) and Mag in Taylor Mac’s The Hot Month  (Boomerang’s Legacy Reading Series).

KRISTEN VAUGHAN (Iris) is a three-time NYIT Awards nominee for Lead Actress, winning for Jane in Benefactors (Retro Productions).  Among Kristen’s other roles; Amelia Cooke in The Honeycomb Trilogy and Victoria Frankenstein in Frankenstein Upstairs (Gideon Productions), and Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire (Bleecker Company).  www.kristenvaughan.com

Critical acclaim for Gideon Productions:

“Television is where you find complicated storytelling. Film is the home of epic sci-fi trilogies. Giant aliens are expensive. Mac Rogers’s “Honeycomb Trilogy,” a titanic story about humanity in crisis wedged into a small theater in Queens, laid waste to these truisms, and provided giddy, cerebral fun along the way.” The New York Times 

“Mac Rogers—genre playwright extraordinaire—can rant like Sorkin, plot like Mamet, banter like Whedon and sting like a bee.”  Time Out New York

“One of the most intelligent and complex theatrical events of the year.” Flavorpill 

GIDEON PRODUCTIONS crafts gripping plays that explore what’s strange about being human and what’s human about being strange, using familiar genres and cultural touchstones as a springboard to something wholly unexpected.

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www.gideonth.com

www.cincyfringe.com

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May 28, 2019 · 12:37 pm

The Drama Workshop Present Annual Showcase of Local Playwrighting, HOME BREW THEATER

TDW_Home Brew 2019 logo

The Drama Workshop is thrilled to present its annual showcase of the best of local playwrighting, HOME BREW THEATER.

This is the fourth installment of the annual festival, which runs one weekend only, June 7, 8 at 8pm and June 9 at 2pm. The production features ten short plays by ten local playwrights. It’s followed by a “Meet the Artists” reception featuring beer sponsored by West Side Brewing. Audience members are encouraged to meet and toast the authors, directors, and cast members. All performances are at The Glenmore Playhouse, 3716 Glenmore Ave in Cheviot.

HOME BREW THEATER was the brainchild of Co-Producer and Artistic Director Clint Bramkamp, who is one of the featured authors this year as well. HOME BREW THEATER is one of the few opportunities to see short plays produced. Short plays are typically no more than ten minutes and pose unique challenges to the author. “I enjoy the short format; it makes you stick to the essentials,” Clint said. “In 2016, I suggested doing a program of ten-minute plays to The Drama Workshop, and they adopted the idea.” Home Brew has continued to grow over each of the four years. This year there were a record 38 short plays submitted by local Cincinnati playwrights.

HOME BREW THEATER has added a couple new elements this year. The Drama Workshop received a generous grant for Home Brew Theater from Summerfair Cincinnati, toward the promotion of the local arts of Cincinnati. This year will also feature awards! A Best on the Page award will be voted on by the play selection team, the directors and The Drama Workshop board. A Best on the Stage award will be voted on by the audience after each performance and awarded at the end of the weekend.

TDW’s production will include plays written by local authors Clint Bramkamp, Chris Charlson, Susan Decatur, Jennifer Davis, Teri Foltz, AK Forbes, Greg Hatfield, Fred Tacon, Eric Thomas, and Robb Willoughby. Ten very different plays from ten authors means there will be something for every taste, including silly comedies (with and without extra-terrestrials!), touching dramas and heartfelt romantic plays.

Author of ‘Denise’s Do-Over’, Susan Decatur said, “I wrote this play to inspire adults to never give up on finding love at any age.”. Author of ‘Brave’, Jennifer Davis added, “Participating in a production like Home Brew as a writer is an exercise in trust and ego-checking. Once the script is in the directors’ hands, our jobs are done. I’m excited to see what (director) Richard Zenk and his cast find in ‘Brave’ that maybe I didn’t even realize was there.”

HOME BREW THEATER has again attracted the best talent in local community theater, including directors Lynne Aronson, Elizabeth Beatty, Greg Hatfield, Julie Jordan, Ray Lebowski, Patricia Mullens, and Richard Zenk. Director of ‘The Ten Minute Play’ and ‘The Seminar’, Julie Jordan said, “What first drew me to the ten-minute plays was the chance for local playwrights’ work to be showcased. The whole concept lends itself to community and local flavor.” Director of ‘Indian Sign’ and ‘Denise’s Do-Over’, Lynne Aronson added, “Working with two different shows and casts stretched my directing muscles a bunch.”

This year’s HOME BREW THEATER production team is rounded out by pillars of the Cincinnati theater community: Jason Cox, Alexa Justice, Dennis Murphy, Eric Thomas, Elaine Volker, and Narissa Williams.

A large and talented cast was selected to present the local authors’ works, including Heather Abbot, Peggy Allen, Jamie Ball, Aaron Bates, Chris Bishop, Betsy Brossart, Trevor Browning, Trisha Cooper, Ally Donohue, Amy Eyers, Cathy Judge, Ben Lacy, Rusty Lacy, Darren Lee, Fred Murrell, Megan Schultheis, and Arny Stoller. Actor and NKU student Trevor Browning said, “I am so excited and honored to perform in my first production with The Drama Workshop. It’s been an incredible experience to meet so many kind-hearted, passionate people.”

Tickets to HOME BREW THEATER are $12 each. Show dates and times are June 7th and 8th at 8pm, and June 9th at 2pm. Shows frequently sell out, and reservations are strongly recommended.

Tickets can be ordered through The Drama Workshop’s ticket line at 513.598.8303, or ordered online via the TDW website at www.thedramaworkshop.org.

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May 28, 2019 · 12:15 pm

Royal Theatre Company Stages FOOTLOOSE the Musical

RTC_Footloose cast

ROYAL Theatre Company, Home of The Children’s Theatre of Mason, is proud to present FOOTLOOSE The Musical June 7-9 at Mason High School.  The show will run for four performances – Friday, June 7th at 7:00pm; Saturday, June 8th at 2:00pm and 7:00pm; and Sunday, June 9th at 2:00pm. VIP reserved seating tickets can be purchased for any show for $25 each, and General admission tickets for any show are $12 each.  All tickets can be purchased online at www.ROYALTheatreCompany.com and at the door starting one hour before each show.

One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory comes to the live stage with exhilarating results. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town’s youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost, and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. FOOTLOOSE The Musical celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people and guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.

ROYAL Theatre Company is proud to honor the Shine Like Sable Foundation, which began in honor of Sable Gibson, a Mason 4th grader who passed suddenly in February.  Shine Like Sable’s mission is to spread kindness through weekday and weekend food packs, buddy bench awareness, supporting teachers or wherever kindness leads them. While she was at Western Row Elementary, Sable was known for hovering near the Buddy Bench, where students would sit when they were sad or needed a friend.  She was a friend to many, a loving daughter, and a beloved sibling.  Karen Kilgore, President of ROYAL Theatre Company said, “We are so proud to be able to honor the Shine Like Sable Foundation and continue the mission to spread kindness to others.”  We request that everyone wear pink to our shows, which was Sable’s favorite color.  ROYAL Theatre Company will be accepting donations and donating a portion of the proceeds from Footloose to the Shine Like Sable Foundation.

Fans can follow ROYAL Theatre Company on Facebook (ROYAL Theatre Company, Home of Children’s Theatre of Mason), Twitter (@ROYALTheatre_Co) and Instagram (royal_theatre_company).

About ROYAL Theatre Company, Home of The Children’s Theatre of Mason
ROYAL Theatre Company produces two large-scale productions each season, from West Side Story and Seussical to The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Tarzan as well as many other popular favorites. ROYAL Theatre Company offers children from ages 5-18 from all over the Cincinnati area the opportunity to take part onstage as performers as well as off stage as crew members, make-up assistants and many other behind-the-scenes roles. To volunteer, donate or learn more, visit www.ROYALTheatreCompany.com or call 513.398.0116. 

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May 28, 2019 · 12:04 pm

Additional Auditions Announced for HISTORY IN ACTION at Caesar’s Ford Theatre

CFT_logoCaesar’s Ford Theatre, Inc will hold additional auditions for HISTORY IN ACTION: A Festival of New Historic Drama on Saturday June 15, 2019 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the first floor meeting room of the Xenia Branch of the Greene County Library 76 E. Market Street Xenia, Ohio 45385.

The festival will consist of staged readings of selected plays about the history of Ohio. Historical content will include but not be limited to plays about the Col. Charles Young, the Wright Brothers, and the Underground Railroad.

The festival is scheduled for September 14, 15, 21, and 22, 2019 in Greene County Ohio.

Some roles have been cast but more roles are available. These include:

  • Female in her 20’s (2) – African American, Caucasian
  • Female in her 30’s (2) – African American, Caucasian
  • Female in her 40’s (2) – African American, Caucasian
  • Male in his 20’s (2) – African American, Caucasian
  • Male in his 30’s (2) – African American, Caucasian
  • Male in his 40’2 (2) – African American, Caucasian

Participants are asked to prepare a short monologue from a play or movie and will be asked to read scenes from one or more scripts. For additional information about Caesar’s Ford Theatre, Inc visit www.caesarsford.com  or contact us at info@caesarford.com or 937.376.3857 evenings only.

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