Monthly Archives: March 2021

March 9, 2021 · 9:45 am

2021-2022 Season Announced by Mariemont Players

MPI_logo 2020Mariemont Players, Inc. is pleased to announce our 2021-2022 season! Circumstances permitting, we are hopeful to start our season as planned in September. This is, of course, subject to change, and specific dates for each production will be determined and announced closer to the summer. Information on ticketing and subscriptions will also be available at a later date. We look forward to welcoming you all back to the theater when it is safe to do so!

The Outsider – By Paul Slade Smith
Directed by Doug Berlon
Comedy
September 2021

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 2021

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.

To Be Announced
Directed by Derek Snow
January 2022

Ripcord – By David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by Becky Collins
Comedy
March 2022

For 4 years, irritable and sarcastic Abby Binder has kept a room to herself at the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility, through sheer force of her rude personality. Nursing disappointment at the direction her life has taken, she has no room for distraction. When bubbly, bright, and unbearably cheerful Marilyn Dunne is placed in her room, Abby tries her usual tricks, but fails to scare her annoying new roommate away. Ripcord is an enemies-to-friends story for a pair of excellently well-rounded, mature women.

Ada and the Engine – By Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Darren Lee
Biographical/Drama
May 2022

As the British Industrial Revolution dawns, young Ada Byron Lovelace sees the boundless creative potential in the “analytic engines” of her friend and soul mate Charles Babbage, inventor of the first mechanical computer. Ada envisions a whole new world where art and information converge—a world she might not live to see. A music-laced story of love, friendship, and the edgiest dreams of the future.

Harvey – By Mary Chase
Directed by Jerry Wiesenhahn
Comedy
July 2022

Harvey is the story of a perfect gentleman, Elwood P. Dowd, and his best friend, Harvey – a pooka, who is a six-foot tall, invisible rabbit. When Elwood begins introducing Harvey around town, his embarrassed sister, Veta Louise, and her daughter, Myrtle Mae, are determined to commit Elwood to a sanitarium. A mistake is made, however, and Veta is committed rather than Elwood! Eventually, the mistake is realized, and a frantic search begins for Elwood and the invisible pooka.

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March 8, 2021 · 1:53 pm

LENA: A MOMENT WITH A LADY | Streaming March 17-31 + Candid Conversation | Online March 24

CAA_A Moment with a Lady logoLENA: A MOMENT WITH A LADY
Streaming March 17-31
+
Candid Conversation
March 24

CINCINNATI, OH – Acclaimed Broadway actress, Syndee Winters, portrays legendary Hollywood star, Lena Horne, in a virtual one-woman show, streaming March 17-31. In addition, Winters will be joined by local artists on Wednesday, March 24 at 7:30 PM for an intriguing and informative live, online Candid Conversation about the impact of their work on social justice, community wellbeing, and equity; the effects of racism on artists of color and arts communities as a whole; and the ongoing journey toward change.

These virtual events may be purchased separately at $6.00 each, or in combination for $10.00 at www.CincinnatiArts.org or (513) 621-2787 [ARTS].  Purchasers will receive links to the event after their purchase.

Keeping the legacy of African Americans in history alive, Lena: A Moment with a Lady transports us back in time to relish and rediscover the life of the one-and-only Lena Horne. Played by Broadway-star Syndee Winters, Lena uses music and shares stories to relay the most pivotal, personal, and professional moments of her life. On a mission to share her truth, she unexpectedly opens the emotional crevices that have eluded her for years.

Recognized as one of the most influential African-American pioneers in entertainment, Ms. Horne shattered the color barrier in Hollywood, was deeply involved with the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and collaborated with some of the greatest musical artists of the 20th century.

Like the American icon she portrays, Syndee Winters was born in New York. A graduate and Distinguished Alumni of Five Towns College, her Broadway credits include Hamilton: An American Musical (The Schuyler Sisters), Pippin (Leading Player u/s), Motown the Musical (Mary Wells), and The Lion King (Nala), for which she received a Denver Center Ovation Award nomination.

When asked, “Why Lena? Why now?”, Winters replied passionately: “Why NOT Lena? She was one of the first pop stars of all-time. She was featured in many films and records, and graced many stages. She paved the way for artists of color to follow in her footsteps. Ms. Horne was also an activist for the progression of people of color in our nation, primarily in the entertainment industry. I want my generation and generations to come to know and remember this passionate woman and her contribution to American life.”

CANDID CONVERSATION:  Wednesday, March 24, 7:30 PM

Join national and local artists in intriguing discussions about the impact of their work on social justice, community wellbeing, and equity. Presented by the Cincinnati Arts Association, Candid Conversations is an opportunity to start a dialogue concerning the effects of racism on artists of color and arts communities as a whole, as well as the journey toward change.

The first in a series of five Candid Conversations will feature the star of Lena: A Moment with a Lady, Syndee Winters, who will be joined by local artists, for a special online discussion about passing along information about individual legends of change to new generations; the value and importance of teaching a broad, truthful history; and what the participating artists believe needs to change to increase the awareness of the contributions of artists of color.

The local artists, arts educators, and arts administrators joining the Candid Conversation with Syndee Winters include:

  • Lauren Elyse – Singer, Songwriter
  • Laura Gentry – Founder, LAG Productions; LLC & President, Jazz Alive, Inc.
  • Jason Alexander Holmes – Artistic Director, Cincinnati Boys Choir
  • Napoleon Maddox – award-winning Composer, Writer, Vocalist, and Hip-Hop Performance Artist
  • Kathy Wade – Emmy-nominated, award-winning international Jazz Entertainer; Producer; CEO, Learning Through Art

VIDEO LINKS 

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS       
Ameritas, ArtsWave, Fifth Third Bank,
Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers, Procter & Gamble Fund, St. Gregory Group 

Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of 600,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than 1.8 million students. For more information, visit www.CincinnatiArts.org.

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March 8, 2021 · 11:30 am

Summer Drama Camps Available at Cooper High School

Cooper HS Drama CampRandall K. Cooper High School Drama Club in Union, KY has Summer Drama Camps every year in June and we’d love to have your kiddos join us!

Camps are available for (incoming) Grades 1-9.

All information regarding dates, times, costs, etc. and registration can be found on our website. Check us out: ​www.tinyurl.com/cooperdramacamps

Questions? Contact karen.wiebe@boone.kyschools.us

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March 8, 2021 · 11:06 am

Love, Time and Starting Over at the Heart of NOW AND THEN at Human Race

HRTC_Now and Then logoThe Human Race Theatre Company, Dayton’s premier professional theatre company, is excited to begin its 34th season with the romantic comedy/drama Now and Then by Sean Grennan.  It will be available exclusively on the streaming platform Broadway On Demand starting April 28, 2021 – the 35th birthday of The Human Race.

“Our timing of this first production marks both our commitment to keeping our artists safe while also celebrating our 35 years as Dayton’s professional theatre company,” states Human Race Artistic Director and Founding Member, Kevin Moore.  “Unlike previous ‘pandemic projects,’ this production is fully staged on location and filmed, another first for us.  This allows us to share our work with our audience while keeping everyone safe until we can return to in-person performances at the Loft Theatre.”

The play takes us to a neighborhood bar in 1981 where Jamie is closing up when a last-minute customer enters and offers Jamie and his girlfriend Abby $2,000 to sit and have a drink with him.  Who wouldn’t take it?  But the unusual conversation, and the appearance of a second customer, makes the unbelievable begin to look like it just might be true.

Director Marya Spring Cordes has assembled an amazing quartet of actors.  Playing the couple Jamie and Abby are real-life married couple, Justin McCombs and Maggie Lou Rader.  And as the unexpected customers are Human Race Resident Actor and Founding Member Scott Stoney, and local actress Libby Holley Scancarello.

The fifth character in the play is the bar, and we are grateful to Mudlick Tap House for providing the location for our production.  Our Director of Photography, Editor and head of film production is Shaunn Baker of WorldStage Media.  Our Production Stage Manager is Jacquelyn Duncan.  Costume by Janet G. Powell;  Scenic Elements and Props by Alexander Capeneka; Lighting by John Rensel;  Sound by Jay Brunner.

Now and Then will be available on the Broadway on Demand platform from April 28 – May 9, 2021.  Current subscribers will receive an email with their personal link to watch the show.  Single tickets will be available April 1 (no fooling) at Broadway on Demand by using this link:  https://livestream.broadwayondemand.com/human-race/

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March 5, 2021 · 8:57 am

LEVELING UP Available March 12-14

XU_Leveling Up logoLEVELING UP
Xavier University Theatre
March 12-14
[Online]

Three twenty-something roommates are glued to their video games. They are masters of the virtual worlds behind the computer screens in their Las Vegas basement. When one of them uses his gaming skills to land a job with the National Security Agency launching actual drones and missiles, online battles begin to have real consequences.

Leveling Up is a fresh, contemporary look at how we navigate the blurry line between worlds both virtual and real and what it means to grow up.

  • Available for streaming Fri-Sun, March 12-14

Official page |

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