Yearly Archives: 2019

2020-2021 Season Announced by Mariemont Players

MPI_logoTHE OUTSIDER – By Paul Slade Smith
Directed by Doug Berlon
September 11-27, 2020

Ned Newley doesn’t even want to be governor. He’s terrified of public speaking, and his poll numbers are impressively bad. To his ever-supportive Chief of Staff, Ned seems destined to fail. But political consultant Arthur Vance sees things differently: Ned might be the worst candidate to ever run for office – unless the public is looking for… the worst candidate to ever run for office. A timely and hilarious comedy that skewers politics and celebrates democracy.

THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO – By Alfred Uhry
Directed by Aaron Whitehead
Comedy/Drama
November 6-22, 2020

In December 1939, Gone with the Wind is having its world premiere and Hitler’s invading Poland, but members of Atlanta’s Jewish-German elite are more concerned with who’s going to Ballyhoo, the social event of the season. Amidst comedy, romance, and unexpected turns, the Freitag family is forced to face where they come from and deal with who they really are. Winner of the 1997 Tony Award for Best Play.

THE CAT’S MEOW – By Steven Peros
Directed by jef brown
Drama
January 15-31, 2021

Based on the true story of a mysterious Hollywood death, a fascinating cross section of Jazz Era characters including William Randolph Hearst, Charlie Chaplin, Marion Davies, and Thomas Ince intersect in this fictionalized account of one notorious weekend on board Hearst’s yacht in 1924.

THE CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE STAKES – By Bruce Graham
Directed by Dan Maloney
Comedy/Drama
March 12-28, 2021

It’s a special day at the racetrack where “Champagne” Charlie, a racetrack regular, has a race named in his honor. A dreamer and teller of tall tales, Charlie conspires to place his entire meager savings – “the whole she-bang” – on a long-shot hunch. This gentle and poignant comedy mixes family, love, and an oversized bet to illustrate the power of loyalty, integrity, and growing older gracefully.

CRY IT OUT – By Molly Smith Metzler
Directed by Becky Collins
Comedy/Drama
May 7-23, 2021

In the sweet spot between their yards where both baby monitors get reception, new moms Jessie and Lina bond over coffee during naptime while laughing through the highs and lows of motherhood. A comedy with dark edges, Cry It Out takes an honest look at the absurdities of being home with a baby, the power of female friendship, the dilemma of going back to work, and the effect class has on parenthood in America. **Contains Strong Language**

BEEHIVE: The 60’s Musical – Created by Larry Gallagher
Directed by Linda Abbott
Musical Revue
July 9-25, 2021

Beehive celebrates the powerful female voices of the 1960’s with such timeless hits as “My Boyfriend’s Back,” “Be My Baby,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” Told from the perspective of six young women who come of age in this enigmatic decade, BEEHIVE takes us from their first Beehive Dance to the challenges we faced as a nation.

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MEAN GIRLS Quick Review

MEAN GIRLS presented by Broadway in Cincinnati through Nov. 17. I attended the opening night performance. 

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Danielle Wade as Cady Heron, Megan Masako Haley as Gretchen Wieners, Mariah Rose Faith as Regina George, Jonalyn Saxer as Karen Smith, Mary Kate Morrissey as Janis Sarkisian, and the National Touring Company. Credit: © 2019 Joan Marcus.

Interested in a more immersive experience? You can join cast members from MEAN GIRLS in a Broadway Weekends theater camp for adults.

The stage adaption of the movie MEAN GIRLS arrived Tuesday at the Aronoff Center for a two week stay.

The vocals of the leads are strong across the board and the ladies have some great belting solos. Danielle Wade is easily likable as fish out of water Cady. The titular “Mean Girls” play off of each other well: Mariah Rose Faith as queen bee Regina, Megan Masako Haley as desperate people-pleasing Gretchen, and Jonalyn Saxer as the extremely dim-witted Karen. Mary Kate Morrissey is solid as angst-ridden artist Janis.

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Eric Huffman as Damian Hubbard and the National Touring Company. Credit: © 2019 Joan Marcus

It is CCM-alum Eric Huffman though who steals the show as Damian. Serving as co-narrator, he establishes a great rapport with the audience and his enjoyment leading the production numbers is contagious.

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Gaelen Gilliland as Mrs. George and Danielle Wade as Cady Heron. © 2019 Joan Marcus

Special shout out to Gaelen Gilliland who displays great versatility and comic timing tackling three roles: both Cady’s and Regina’s mom as well as math teacher Ms. Norbury.

The choreography is high-energy and fun to watch with clever use of set pieces and props throughout. The support of talented ensemble is instrumental in setting the scene and keeping the pacing tight.

The LED walls of the set work very well and are used to great effect. They allow the location of the scene to change instantaneously when needed. At times they even trick the eye, making the exits disappear entirely. The brief delay to address a flooring issue for the safety of the cast was handled quickly and professionally.

While the show is very enjoyable, I never connected to the characters emotionally. The consequences of Cady’s actions are few and short lived. Forgiveness from those she wronged is nearly immediately and makes the final scenes of the show seemed rushed.

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The National Touring Company. Credit: © 2019 Joan Marcus

Overall a fun, colorful, and very enjoyable production.

My rating: 4.75 out of 5.

Click here for more information on the production.

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Additional Auditions Announced for HONK! at Beechmont Players Inc.

BPI_logoBeechmont Players, Inc is holding additional auditions for both adult and children!

Join an already talented and creative cast for our production of HONK!  We still need a couple of roles covered and would like to see some adults. Specifically, we are looking for:

  • 3 men: Ages 20-50; baritones
  • 2 women: Ages 30-50; alto, mezzo, or soprano

Also, we’re ready to cast ducklings, poults, froglets and frogs for HONK! For these roles, we are looking for:

  • 4-8 young people: boys and girls ages 10-15 or young adults 16-20  (all voice ranges welcome, dance background a plus)

Auditions are by appointment only on Wednesday, November 13, from 7pm – 8:30pm OR Friday, November 15 from 7pm – 8:30pm at:

Cherry Grove United Methodist Church
1428 Eight Mile Road
Cincinnati, OH 45255

Please contact Maggie Ingram King at maingram87@gmail.com to request your specific day and time. If these dates/times don’t work, but you are interested, please email Maggie at the same email above to discuss other arrangements.

Auditionees should prepare 16-32 measures of a song that best showcases their vocal talents. An accompanist will be provided. Cold readings from the script may also occur.

Performances run Feb. 14-22.

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Cincinnati Opera Presents THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE: The Stories of Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price

CO_Adrienne Danrich

Adrienne Danrich.

Cincinnati Opera Presents
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
The stories of Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price

At College Hill Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 17

Emmy Award-winning soprano Adrienne Danrich performs a musical tribute honoring the groundbreaking careers of opera singers Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price

Cincinnati, OH – Cincinnati Opera proudly presents THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE, performed by Emmy Award-winning soprano Adrienne Danrich on Sunday, November 17 at 4:00 p.m. at College Hill Presbyterian Church.

Written and performed by Danrich, the one-woman show is a musical tribute to the groundbreaking careers of African American opera singers Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price. Danrich’s storytelling, the beauty of her voice, and multimedia images document the lives of these two renowned artists who overcame many racial barriers in the Jim Crow era, through the Civil Rights Movement, and beyond.

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE is presented as part of Cincinnati Opera’s 100th Anniversary Season.

Admission to THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE is free, though tickets are required (limit four tickets per household). Tickets are available beginning Monday, November 11 at 10 a.m. by visiting cincinnatiopera.org or calling (513) 241-2742.

About Cincinnati Opera
Founded in 1920 and the second oldest opera company in the nation, Cincinnati Opera presents a thrilling season of grand opera every summer. The company’s repertoire includes beloved classics and contemporary masterworks brought to life by some of the world’s most dynamic performers and creative teams.

Cincinnati Opera’s 2020 100th Anniversary Summer Festival takes place June 18 through August 1, 2020, and features Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, the world premiere of William Menefield and Sheila Williams’s Fierce, Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka, the world premiere of Gregory Spears and Tracy K. Smith’s Castor and Patience, and Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida. The 2020 season is made possible with support from ArtsWave, Ohio Arts Council, The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, and many generous individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Cincinnati Opera’s mission is to enrich and connect our community through diverse opera experiences.

cincinnatiopera.org

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A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS Runs Dec. 7-15

TCTC_A Charlie Brown Christmas 2015

Sara Kenny as Lucy and Trey Paris as Charlie Brown from TCT’s 2015 staging of A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Dec. 7-15
Taft Theater [Downtown]

Directed and choreographed by Roderick Justice

Cast: David Armando as Shermy, Amy S. Baumann as Peppermint Patty, Donald Burns as Franklin, Madeleine Burgoon as Marcie, Jeremy Neale Cox as Linus, Ian Timothy Forsgren as Pig Pen, Haley Gillman as Lucy, Faustina Gorham as Frieda, Joseph Green as Charlie Brown, Bob Herzog as Snoopy, Aubrey E. Jones as Sally, Joey Logan as Woodstock, Evan Koons as Schroeder, John Wenstrup as Santa & Alexandra Williams as Violet
Ensemble: Brooke Schamberlin, Sylas Craven, Marlo D’Ascenzo, Mia Bella D’Ascenzo, Chloe Goodman & Geoffrey Hill

Back by popular demand, bring your family and celebrate the season with our live rendition of your favorite holiday TV special! Don’t let the hustle and bustle of the holidays get you down. Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang are here to remind us about what’s most important during the Yuletide season.

  • Sat, Dec. 7 at 2pm* & 5pm
  • Sun, Dec. 8 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Fri, Dec. 13 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Dec. 14 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, Dec. 15 at 2pm
    *Sign language interpreted.

Official page |

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