Starting this month, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, university theatre performers and regional cabaret headliners will span musical genres four nights a week
CINCINNATI, October 8, 2020 – Ghost Baby in Over-the-Rhine was designed specifically to surprise and welcome its guests, or denizens, with open hospitality and a see-it-to-believe-it experience. Live music has been as much a part of Ghost Baby as the carefully detailed décor, art, color palette, cocktails, wine list and arched limestone walls wrapping the rooms. Shortly after opening this past February, the establishment closed due to the pandemic and since July has been pushing forward even with a current 10 p.m. last call curfew limiting attendance.
“We always envisioned Ghost Baby as a spot for people to come and find something new every time they join us,” said founder Josh Heuser. “Music plays an important role in our experience, but we don’t want people to identify us by the type of music we play. We want the overall experience to
be why they come.” Case in point: Ghost Baby has been energizing audiences on Friday and Saturday nights with a mix of artists ranging from R&B to hip hop to jazz stylings to the brass of the Ghost Baby House Band curated by Afrochine.
As one of the first venues to safely usher back live music in Cincinnati, the Ghost Baby team has been carefully establishing protocols to protect performers and audiences through socially distanced banquettes and cocktail seating, table service and separate entrances and backstage rooms for the artists. Starting this month, Ghost Baby will double down by expanding live performances to Wednesday and Thursday evenings and opening up the main room dubbed The Den. “We’re not only expanding the number of nights,” said Heuser. “ We’re expanding the style of performances you’ll be able to discover.”
Through an exclusive partnership with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, CSO musicians will be performing once again within walking distance of their iconic Music Hall home on Thursdays in October and November from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. “The CSO is happy to partner with Ghost Baby and continue to find outlets to share music with Cincinnati. We hope guests will enjoy the talent and passion our musicians have for performing live music, especially in such a unique space.” said Jonathan Martin, President, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Ghost Baby is also adding another layer of performance with the premiere of the new Wednesday night “Ghostlight Cabaret,” an homage to all of the talented professional and community performers who have had the traditional “ghostlight” lit on their stages across the region while live musical theatre has been paused by the pandemic. “We were struck by the realities of all of the theatres and performers who have been impacted by the closures throughout our neighborhood and city,” said Heuser. “The irony of a “ghostlight” representing a safe haven on a dark stage waiting for performances to begin again was not lost on us.” Ghostlight Cabaret presented by Ghost Baby draws on the history of the neighborhood that in the 1870s boasted Heuck’s Opera House, The People’s Theatre and countless vaudeville and variety showplaces and today is home to the city’s ever-growing theatre district. Ghostlight Cabaret will feature regional cabaret
performers and university student headliners and start each performance with a live Open Mic showcase at 6 p.m. where anyone who has been missing their chance to perform can bring sheet music and sign up for a spot on stage that night with CCM faculty member Steve Goers at the piano.
The premiere performance will feature an evening of burlesque with Queen Bee Cabaret on Wednesday, October 14 starting at 7:30 p.m. Ghostlight continues October 21 with headliner Spring Starr Pillow at 7:30 p.m. preceded by the Open Mic showcase. Beth Ann Wipprecht will headline November 4 at 7:30 p.m. with the Open Mic showcase again beginning at 6 p.m. The plan is to produce an ongoing series of performances that celebrate the numerous talents that have been waiting in the wings for far too long this year.
Ghost Baby is located at 1314 Republic Street and is currently open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Reservations are recommended for live performances and can be made at www.ghost-baby.com.
For a complete list of upcoming events visit www.ghost-baby.com/events
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A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER
“We are grateful for the opportunity to honor Don and Chuck’s memory, their love of music and their service to our community through the Music Therapy Studio,” said Carri Chandler, Vice President of St. Elizabeth Foundation. “This studio exemplifies their lifelong passion for the arts and will serve as a resource for musical expression for patients and caregivers.”
Research shows people living with cancer who engage in creative arts therapy experience less depression and anxiety than those who don’t. Arts therapy provides a relaxing escape for patients and caregivers, who can embrace the creative process to express emotions. Developing this form of self-expression not only inspires personal growth, but also nurtures social interaction, which can relieve anxiety and enhance healing. For St. Elizabeth, this studio will bring music therapy to its inpatient and outpatient programs. The therapy will provide patients and their families with the options to play, listen to, or create music – providing emotional, sensory, and spiritual support. For more information on the Center’s approach to integrative oncology, take a 
“During their combined 17-year tenure with Suits That Rock, Chuck and Don helped raise more than $1M for arts education programming,” said Kim Best, Executive Director of The Carnegie. “Subsequently, this helped The Carnegie’s art education programming to grow and serve more students each year. We are touched to know that Don and Chuck’s memory will live on through the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center’s Music Therapy Studio.”
The Change Fund to 
GEOFFREY BARNES* (Silas, SILAS) is thrilled to be a part of this project and to have the opportunity to work with this wonderful group of artists! Credits include: Gabriel in FENCES, A FLEA IN HER EAR, MACBETH and THE WINTER’S TALE with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Other credits include MARIAN: OR THE TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD at Know Theatre of Cincinnati, HANDS ON A HARDBODY (Ronald McCowan) with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Seattle Children’s Theatre, the ZACH Theatre in Austin, Texas, American Globe Theatre and the Storm Theatre Company in NYC. “Be well, stay safe, and yes…please wear a mask. Thank you.”
NOAH BERRY (Stevie, UGLY LIES THE BONE) has spent the last four years touring the country in various musicals and regional productions. Before the pandemic, he could be seen in the National tour of BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY (Jerry Allison). Other favorite tours and regional credits include the National tour of SPAMALOT (Ensemble), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Seymour), [TITLE OF SHOW] (Hunter Bell), and THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Leaf Coneybear). Noah is very thankful to be able to bring a bit of art to these troubling times. Much love to his family, friends, and his Sunshine.
JASIMINE BOULDIN (Olivia Dotson, SILAS) is a Cincinnati native who attended Northern Kentucky University to obtain a BA in Acting. After taking a five-year hiatus from performing, she’s been making strides to be more present in Cincinnati’s acting scene. She’s been a member of OTRImprov since 2017. She made her Cincinnati Fringe Festival debut in 2018 and has since also appeared in the Festival with Performance Gallery in KUMFERTED (2019) and HIVE MIND (2020). She’s been featured in independent films such as “Slasher” (written and directed by Jonathan Rowan, 2019) and “Wildfire, OH” (written by David James, 2019).
BURGESS BYRD* (Marlene Hartfield, SILAS) is delighted to perform with a great group of folks in a show that’s not over a Zoom call. Recent credits: “Monologues of Hope” Cincinnati Playhouse in The Park, “Say Their Names” with Pones, Monologues For Us By Us with Cincinnati Black Theatre Collective, GLORIA: A LIFE at Human Race Theatre, and THE FROG PRINCESS at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Some of her favorite credits include SKELETON CREW (Faye) with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, A RAISIN IN THE SUN (Lena) with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, MERCHANT OF VENICE (Shylock) with UT Austin, AVENUE Q (Gary) with Showbiz Players, and the solo show PRETTY FIRE (Charlayne) with Know Theatre of Cincinnati. “Thank you for being here!”
CHRISTINE DYE* (Vincent, SILAS) is delighted to be part of this production alongside fellow actors for whom she holds great admiration. She is an actress who has enjoyed a 30-year career on stage and has now added film and television to her resume as well. She takes get pride in reading the words of her longtime friend, Derek Snow. She would also like to show her gratitude to you, the audience for supporting this project, and hopefully many more to come.
KATIE GRONEMAN (Jessie, UGLY LIES THE BONE) is a proud Cincinnati native and graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington where she studied performance. She is an Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati acting apprentice alumna, who has also been seen at Know Theatre Cincinnati in Serials and as part of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. shows. She is very excited to have just finished recording THE ELECTION OF MS. REBECCA’S THIRD GRADE CLASS as an audio play for the Know. She has filmed commercials for Macy’s, Gold Star Chili, Bob Evan’s, KY Lottery, and Cradle Cincinnati, to name a few. Recent film credits include the Amazon Prime series “Wildfire” and the movie “Hard Kill” starring Bruce Willis Some of her favorite performance moments to date are RABBIT HOLE (Izzy), the off-Broadway tour of THE JEWELER’S SHOP (Anna), and recording her own stories for FBi Radio when she lived in Australia. Follow along on IG: @katie_groneman
DARYL HARRIS (Director, SILAS, THE UNINVITED) is a Full Professor in the Theatre and Dance Program in the School of the Arts (SOTA) at Northern Kentucky University. He is a 52-year veteran of traditional, experimental, educational, and applied theatre. He has studied and worked throughout North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. In addition to teaching diverse interdisciplinary theatre courses, Daryl also acts in, directs and costume-designs theatrical productions. His primary passion: engaging scholars and communities transculturally and transnationally across disciplines.
LINSEY ROGERS (Kacie, UGLY LIES THE BONE) is so thankful for this opportunity to return to live theatre! AKA The Wandering Linstrel, she has performed professionally all over the world as a violist, fiddler, pianist, vocalist, and actress. Locally she has worked with Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati Landmark Productions, and The Carnegie. Favorite local theatre credits include DARKEST NIGHT AT THE GNARLY STUMP (Band), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Annas), THE WINTER’S TALE (Musician), and GUYS AND DOLLS (General Cartwright). She is also a competitive pinball player and co-hosts the What The Flip pinball stream on Twitch. She’d like to thank the countless people who have supported her crazy career choice, including you for keeping live theatre alive! 
SPRING STARR PILLOW (Voice / Mom, UGLY) graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a degree in Musical Theatre Performance and holds Master’s Credits from the University of Cincinnati in Education and Counseling. She is currently employed as the Education Specialist for Wordplay Cincy. Spring is a very active part of the initiative to combine theatre and education. She has developed several after school and in school workshops combining curriculum and drama in the Tri-state schools. Spring has worked for several tri-state theatres, including Ensemble Theatre, Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Covedale Theatre, and The Showboat Majestic, and was a featured cabaret performer at The Celestial. Spring has also had the privilege of singing and writing with David Kisor, a prolific children’s song writer, on several nationally recognized CDs and play projects through Growing Sound. In her spare time, Spring enjoys writing poetry, short stories, plays and music, rehabbing old homes, singing with her band No Guarantees whenever possible, and spending time with her boys, Nick, Eli, and Max and her dogs, Sophie and Herman.
DEREK SNOW (Playwright, SILAS) has been in the Cincinnati theatre community as an actor, writer and director for over 35 years. A graduate of the School for Creative and Performing Arts, Derek then continued his education in New York City before returning after graduation to teach dramatic arts to inner-city youth in the public school system. He has been with the popular physical theatre group Performance Gallery for the past 18 years. His written work has been produced in Atlanta, New Jersey and Sydney, Australia. He recently had his latest short play, WIND KILL FACTOR, read for a sold-out audience at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, and is thrilled to be bringing SILAS, THE UNINVITED to audiences for the first time.
PHILLIP WEBSTER (Director, UGLY LIES THE BONE) is a musician, actor and all-around dilettante who’s been onstage and behind the scenes at the Horizon Theatre (Atlanta), the Georgia Shakespeare Festival, Prince George’s Co. Shakespeare in the Park, The Carnegie and New Stage Collective, among others. He is also veteran of the US
AARON WHITEHEAD (Kelvin, UGLY LIES THE BONE) is happy to be making his first appearance at Memorial Hall. Working by day at a Cincinnati non-profit, Aaron spends his evenings involved with as much theatre as possible. Some of Aaron’s recent local appearances include THE ELEPHANT MAN (Merrick) with Center Stage Players, THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS (Melvin) at Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, and DRY LAND (Janitor) at Clifton Performance Theatre. Aaron was rehearsing the role of Anthony in THE END OF THE RAINBOW at the Carnegie when COVID-19 hit, cancelling the show. Aaron was also scheduled to direct THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO at Mariemont Players, but this was rescheduled for autumn 2021. Aaron is glad to have the opportunity to be involved with theatre that has such strong social relevance as a means of speaking out for marginalized voices in these difficult times.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 