Monthly Archives: June 2020

June 15, 2020 · 2:59 pm

CFF20: Fringe Encores/Pick of the Fringe

CFF_Orange logo text onlyDue to overwhelming artist and audience demand, we’ve extended our “Best of the Fest” Fringe Picks through Saturday, June 27. Tickets for will be available for PROXIMITY, LOVE AND OTHER LURES, KILLJOY, OH, FORBIDDEN CITY! and m-o-u-s-e, until 11pm that day. If you’ve already purchased access to any of these five titles: you can continue to watch them through that date.

The 2020 Cincinnati Fringe Festival slate of award-winners is:

  • Audience Pick – FORBIDDEN CITY from Martin Dockery
  • Fringe Next Pick – TALES FROM THE CUCKOO CLUB from Caldera Studios!
  • Artists’ Pick – m-o-u-s-e from Ink Blot Inc.
  • Critics’ Pick – PROXIMITY from Pones
  • Producer’s Pick – LOVE AND OTHER LURES from Dr. Dour and Peach!
  • All-Access Pick – KILLJOY, OHIO from Queen City Flash!

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June 15, 2020 · 2:38 pm

Disney’s NEWSIES the Musical Runs July 17-26

CAST_Newsies logoDisney’s NEWSIES the Musical
Commonwealth Artists Student Theatre
July 17-26
Coney Island [Anderson Township]

Cast list |

New York City, 1899. Jack Kelly and his ragtag team of newsboys make a meager living selling newspapers on the city streets. But when the prices of “papes” are hiked and the newsies are hung out to dry, there is nothing left to do but “open the gates and seize the day!” Led by charismatic Jack and independent, young newspaper reporter Katherine Plummer, the Newsies form a union and organize a strike against the greedy publisher of the New York World. Can a group of idealistic newsboys win against a foe as powerful as acclaimed publisher Joseph Pulitzer? Inspired by the true story of the 1899 Newsboys Strike, Newsies is an ebullient, joyful, and entertaining musical capturing the strength that young people have when they join together and stand up against injustice. With a funny, poignant book by Harvey Feirstein and stunning music by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman — including the show-stopping Seize the Day, power ballad “Santa Fe” and lovely new songs like Katherine’s “Watch What Happens — Newsies is a classic with the power to inspire.

  • Fri-Sun, July 17-19 at 7pm
  • Sat-Sun, July 25-26 at 7pm
    *Fri, July 24 is reserved as a rain date

Official page |

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June 15, 2020 · 12:50 pm

The Passing of Russ Derek McGee

MISC_Russ Derek McGeeFrom his brother Steve regarding services:

Sunday, June 21st. Service at 1:30, Viewing 2:30 to 4:00-ish and reception at our home immediately afterwards.

We know this is Father’s Day and are sorry to all the fathers out there, but it was the best date to compromise for out of town guests and the funeral home’s other services already scheduled.

Funeral home will be Dawson’s Funeral Home in East Liverpool, Ohio. Their website is www.dawsonfuneralhome.com.

Unsure when Russ’ tribute and message page will be up, so keep checking the site.

Because of the virus, we can’t have the service in our childhood church, so viewing and the service itself will be at the funeral home.
Only the service will need to be limited to 25, so unfortunately that will necessitate it be limited to just family and a few friends. I am sorry for this. The service will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website and archived there to watch at a later time. Also, for this reason we have chosen to have the service first and then have the viewing for as many folks as would like to come. There is no limit to the number of guests at the viewing.

After the viewing, refreshments and stories will be shared at our house on  Meadowbrook Circle, East Liverpool OH.

We will post additional details as they become available.

From the Russ Derek McGee Memorial Fundraiser:

For those of you that knew Russ, you knew his heart for theater and the love he held for those who shared it with him.

His passion permeated every role entrusted to him and his comedic timing and emotional instincts were magic to behold.

He gave everything he had to the theater companies he worked with. Often volunteering to log hours on set builds, ushering shows to support friends and watch productions he loved several times per run, juggling roles in several shows at one time just to stay immersed in the experience and community.

It is fitting Russ took his exit from this world doing what he loved most, surrounded by theater family. He succumbed to a heart attack on the afternoon of June 13th while working on the set for an upcoming production.

In the spirit of our theatrical community, please join me in supporting Russ’s family as they lay him to rest and give what you can to help with his final expenses.

Russ, I love you. You will be deeply missed. -Amanda Borchers

You can click here to donate.

From his brother Steve’s Facebook account:

…my brother Russ died of what is presumed a heart attack. He was working on the set of his latest play, doing what he so loved to do, when he collapsed. His theater mates and the paramedics did what they could, but he could not be revived. I want to thank them for all they did.

We are working on his final arrangements and will post them when we know. I will miss my brother. Pray for my family.

If I were to pick anywhere for my brother to leave this world, it would have been a stage.

MISC_Welcome to PAAfter the pandemic hit, Russ performed in an online performance of Teri Foltz’s short play WELCOME TO P.A. The video is available on YouTube.

 

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June 15, 2020 · 12:05 pm

TUCK EVERLASTING Cancelled at Beavercreek Community Theatre

bctIt is with great disappointment that BCT must announce that due to the current COVID situation, we must cancel our opening production of TUCK EVERLASTING.

While things are beginning to open up, we feel we must keep the health and best interest of our performers and patrons the top priority, and to move forward with this production would not do that.

We miss you all and hope that things return to normal soon.

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June 15, 2020 · 11:43 am

THE CURIOUS SAVAGE and CHRISTMAS DREAMS Postponed to 2021 Season at Brookville Community Theatre

BVCT_logoThe Brookville Community Theatre Board of Directors has been carefully following all updates and guidelines regarding COVID-19. We have been closely monitoring the impact it is having on the public and we are especially concerned about the health of our volunteers and patrons. Even though things are opening up, we have weighed all options regarding our upcoming events, to determine the best course of action to protect everyone’s health in this difficult time.

We have sadly decided to cancel the rest of our 2020 season. THE CURIOUS SAVAGE and CHRISTMAS DREAMS will be moved to our 2021 season.

We apologize for any inconvenience this causes to our patrons. We hope that all of our patrons remain safe during these uncertain times, and we will get through this together! This is our current plan, but as circumstances unfold, and if things change, we will keep you informed.

We will announce any updates on our website and on our Facebook page.

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