CINCINNATI – The Playhouse’s Off the Hill touring series begins its season of fairy tales and fables with SNOW WHITE, a free virtual production for children ages 6 and up and their families. In this fun-filled and fantastic retelling, Snow White and her most trusted companion, Dwarf #4, discover the true meaning of happily ever after: friendship, family and a whole lot of laughter. The tour will be streamed virtually on weekends from now through Nov. 14.
SNOW WHITE is adapted by Greg Banks, plays are familiar to Playhouse audiences. He also created contemporary versions of classics like Robin Hood and The Jungle Book that delighted students and families in previous seasons.
“Greg Banks is a playwright that I love to program,” says Daunielle Rasmussen, Playhouse Director of Artistic Engagement and the director of the show. “His adaptations of classic tales are vibrant, funny and give female characters agency over their participation in the story.”
While princes and magic wands are left to “save the day” in some stories, Snow White and Dwarf #4 discover what it means to share one’s truth in full in this new tale. Together, the two characters retell the story we all know — in which Snow White finds refuge with seven dwarfs after the evil queen tries to have her killed — but relay it from their own perspective. Two actors put their performance skills to the test by embodying all the characters themselves. With twists and tweaks from the original, Banks’ script reimagines the classic fairy tale as Snow White takes ownership of the story named after her and becomes a brave and adventurous heroine.
“I connect to her resiliency, and I love how Snow White creates an entire world for herself that reflects the love she gives to those around her,” says Rasmussen. “It is that love, and her found family, that save her — versus a prince coming to the rescue.”
SNOW WHITE will be available virtually on weekends through Nov. 14, with each performance hosted by a community organization. The Playhouse will also present two additional Off the Hill performances this season: Hare and Tortoise will be available both virtually and in person this winter and The Little Mermaid will be performed in person during the spring.
Seasonal support of education and outreach is by The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation. Off the Hill Sponsors are Key Bank and John C. Griswold Foundation.
The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of more than 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.
Dates for each production are below. For additional details on each production visit https://cincyplay.com/tickets/off-the-hill.
Off The Hill 2021-22 Touring Schedule
SNOW WHITE (ages 6 & up)
By Greg Banks
Now available virtually every weekend through Nov. 14 — (Click on the host link to reserve tickets)
Oct. 29-31
Kennedy Heights Arts Center
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Nov. 12-14
The Barn
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
ASL Performance Hosted by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Hare and Tortoise (ages 3 & up)
By Brendan Murray
Live, Weekends of Jan. 22 to Feb. 20, 2022
Virtual, Weekends of Feb. 18 to 27, 2022
Meet two competing friends in this fantastic adaptation of Aesop’s fable. Hare and Tortoise tells the sweet story of opposites and friendship. From sun-shining spring to snow-falling winter, this much-loved tale is brimming with ideas, characters, live music and wonderful physicality – all leading up to their famous race and its nail-biting, medal-winning end.
The Little Mermaid (ages 5 & up)
By Mike Kenny; based on the tale by Hans Christian Andersen
Live, weekends of April 9 to May 7, 2022
Far below the crashing waves of the ocean’s surface lives a young mermaid. Enthralled by the unknown world above the sea, the Little Mermaid finds herself falling in love with a mysterious human. After a vicious storm throws him from his ship, she saves him but must make a deal with the evil sea witch. Will she break the spell and find true happiness? Young theatregoers will delight in this magical, charming adaptation.
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