A DRAGON’S HEART PART 1: THE COLONY
Town Hall Theatre
Jan. 17-Feb. 2
[Centerville]
Filed under Family-Friendly, On Stage
Photo by Tony Arrasmith/Arrasmith & Associates.
Jukebox Musical Memoir Coming to Cincinnati on Jan. 18
CINCINNATI – Everyday, it’s a getting; closer to Jan. 18, when BUDDY HOLLY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY begins previews at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. The original jukebox musical featuring 20 of Holly’s timeless hits runs through Feb. 16. The official opening night is Jan. 23.
Written by Alan Janes, BUDDY HOLLY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY chronicles Holly’s meteoric 18-month journey to fame as one of the pioneers of rock and roll, who influenced The Beatles, Brice Springsteen, Elton John and countless others. The energetic cast portrays Holly in all of his stages: from his country roots in Texas to his songwriting in the 1950s, and his final concert before the plane ride that took his life, “the day the music died.”
Seven musician-actors will perform Holly’s own hits to help tell the story, with live performances of familiar tunes like “It’s So Easy to Fall in Love,” “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be the Day,” “Not Fade Away,” “Oh Boy!” and “Everyday,” as well as Ritchie Valens’ “La Bamba” and The Big Bopper’s “Chantilly Lace.” The result is an experience that’s half-theatre, half-electrifying rock concert. In the words of the Chicago Tribune, the show “sends people out of the theatre on an unstoppable high.”
Tony Award-nominated director Marcia Milgrom Dodge will bring her prior direction of BUDDY HOLLY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY and will build on that experience in the Playhouse production.
“We are referencing the original recordings as much as possible,” says Dodge. “Andy Christopher, who plays Buddy and also serves as our Music Director, and I are devoted to making the show sound as authentic as possible.”
Dodge plans to keep the focus of the musical on Holly’s incredible story and legendary songs. She explains, “I wanted to get to the music quickly, so we are always living in Buddy’s artistry.”
CAST
Andy Christopher (Buddy Holly/Guitar); Joe Cosmo Cogen (Jerry Allison/Drums); Jayson Elliott (Hipockets Duncan/The Big Bopper and others/Guitar/Harmonica/Bass); Ryan Jagru (Tommy Allsop/Ritchie Valens and others/Guitar); Shayna Nicole Small (Apollo Headliner/Maria Elena Santiago and others/Keyboard): Byron St. Cyr (Apollo Headliner and others/Saxaphone and Guiro); Spiff Wiegand (Joe B. Maudlin/Bass and Brass);
PRODUCTION
Alan Janes (Playwright); Marcia Milgrom Dodge (Director); Andy Christopher (Music Director); Christian Boy (Set Designer); Tracy Christensen (Costume Designer); Rob Denton (Lighting Designer); Matt Kraus (Sound Designer); Stephanie Klapper, CSA (Casting Director); Andrea Shell (Stage Manager); Jenifer Morrow (Second Stage Manager)
TICKETS
To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Playhouse Box Office at 513-421-3888 (toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana at 800-582-3208) or visit www.cincyplay.com. Patrons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deafblind or speech disabled dial 711 to connect to our Box Office via Ohio Relay services.
Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, at 8 p.m. Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Individual tickets start at $35, depending on seat location and performance day. Tickets to all 7 p.m. Sunday performances are priced at just $10 for college students with a valid school ID. Student tickets are just $15 on the day of the show for all other performances. Discounted ticket prices for children and teens are available for all productions and are $30 to $50, depending on show and seat location.
CONTENT ADVISORY
BUDDY HOLLY: THE BUDDY HOLLY story is recommended for ages 12 and up. Buddy’s thick-framed glasses may seem nerdy and innocent today, but his songs about teenage romance, lust and heartbreak were edgy for their time period. Lyrics contain mild sexual innuendo, and there are other mature themes.
EVENTS
BUDDY BOURBON TASTING
Fridays, Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb. 7, and Feb. 14 | 6:30 p.m. at the Playhouse | Cost: $42 per person
Join us before Friday evening performances of BUDDY HOLLY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY for a special bourbon tasting and a three-course meal. Catered by The Littlefield, dinner will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $42 per person and does not include a ticket to the show. Reservations are required by the Monday before the tasting.
FLASHBACK FRIDAYS!
Fridays, Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb. 7, and Feb. 14
Every Friday during the run of BUDDY HOLLY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, we invite audiences to dress up in their favorite retro ensemble inspired by the iconic rocker and his contemporaries. Channel your inner 1950s music fan and don a chiffon party dress, leather jacket and blue jeans, poodle skirt or sport coat!
SPONSORS
Sponsored by U.S. Bank. Design Sponsor is Bahl and Gaynor, and Artist Sponsors are The Utility Group and BHDP. Season Sponsor is Schueler Group. Season Sponsor of New Work is The Rosenthal Family Foundation.
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 receives funding from the Shubert Foundation.
ACCESS
The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs, and complete wheelchair access are available.
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Filed under Press Releases
Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL JR., a fantastical musical extravaganza. Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger and a trial, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community emerge triumphant!
Performers ages 5-18 are welcome to audition one the following dates:
Hamline Chapel United Methodist Church
102 W High Street
Lawrenceburg, IN
Please prepare a song one minute or less in length to be sung a capella, and be ready to read from the script and show off your favorite dance move!
Not into performing in the spotlight? We need you too! Any kids in grades 6 or above interested in working behind the scenes should email Shea Haney at haneycshea@gmail.com for more information.
Don’t forget your calendar! We will ask for a list of potential rehearsal conflicts.
Show Dates:
May 29th, 7:00 p.m.
May 30th, 7:00 p.m.
South Dearborn High School
5770 Highlander Place
Aurora, IN 47001
Rehearsals:
Our first rehearsal will be Sunday, February 2nd from 1-3 at Hamline Chapel. We request a parent or guardian attend this as it is mostly informational. The remaining rehearsal schedule will include Sundays from 1-3, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8.
Cast of Characters:
If you have any questions or need to make special accommodations for a reading disability, etc., please reach out to Shea Haney at haneycshea@gmail.com.
Please note that a Rivertown Player’s membership is required to perform in a production. Student memberships begin at $10.
Filed under Auditions, Family-Friendly
Blues in the Night Productions is casting 3 men and 3 women for a weekly late night musical/theatrical production at a local vibrant event venue.
Singers need to be able to move well, have acting experience and are willing to engage with the customers.
Dancers/singers who can Lindy Hop and portray the elegance and enthusiasm of the Harlem Renaissance please apply!
Everyone should prepare a song from the Fats Waller repertoire and come with your best jazz song.
THIS JOINT IS JUMPING opens March 21st and runs every Friday and Saturday night.
Blues In The Night Productions is an equal opportunity company.
Auditions will be held by appointment only, send an email to: BITNCINCY@GMAIL.COM
Filed under Casting Call
INNOVAtheatre is proud to announce the cast of our upcoming production of RABBIT HOLE.
Performances will be March 20, 21, 27 & 28 at 8pm and 22 & 29 at 2pm at The Historic Baum Opera House in Miamisburg, Ohio.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at INNOVAtheatre.SimpleTix.com.
Becca and Howie Corbett have a picture perfect family life in the suburbs of New York until a random, tragic accident takes the life of their four-year old son. Soon after, Becca’s younger, irresponsible sister, Izzy, announces that she is pregnant: there will now be a new child in the family. As Becca and Howie grow apart, Becca’s mother, Nat, badgers Becca about her grieving process, and Jason, the young driver who killed their son, continually shows up to ask forgiveness, the group is on a bumpy road to healing with no road map in sight. Rabbit Hole delves into the complexity of a family navigating deep grief, and learning what it means to live a fruitful life when things fall apart.
Filed under Cast list
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 