Monthly Archives: January 2022

January 24, 2022 · 10:27 am

The Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department Presents an Optimistic Tale in the Midst of Cynicism, Through Cartoon Comedy in THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL

WHHS_The SpongeBob MusicalFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cincinnati, OH-The Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department is elated to be welcoming back live audiences to its 2021-2022 school year senior high musical, the regional high school premiere of The SpongeBob Musical.

Adapted from the iconic Nickelodeon series, The SpongeBob Musical follows SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Squidward and all of Bikini Bottom as they face total annihilation when a local volcano, Mount Humongous, threatens to erupt in 24 hours. Spongebob, Patrick, and Sandy attempt to save the day, while Plankton cooks up another one of his evil schemes and attempts to thwart our heroes—until a most unexpected hero rises to take center stage.

Regarding the musical, director Mike Sherman says, “While this is certainly a fun show based on a cartoon loved by so many, it also has a really great message about friendship and community. In a very cynical time, this show brings a joyous message of hope and optimism.”

The show runs February 17-19, 2022 at 7 p.m. in the Walnut Hills High School Auditorium.

WHHS_SpongeBob1

Mikki Schaffner Photography.

The SpongeBob Musical
With New Songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I., and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny & Andy Paley / Additional Lyrics by Jonathan Coulton / Additional Music by Tom Kitt / Music Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements by Tom Kitt / Original Choreography by Christopher Gattelli

Based on the series by Stephen Hillenberg, Book by Kyle Jarrow, and Musical Production Conceived and Directed by Tina Landau.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students. They are now available, and can be purchased at: https://sites.google.com/view/whhstheatredepartment/tickets, where audience members can also read the COVID 19 policies for attending the performance.  Please be advised that seating is currently limited for all performances.

This production and the entire WHHS Theatre Season is graciously sponsored by the Walnut Hills High School Class of 1964 Performing Arts Fund.

Featuring:
Leo Jenkins as SpongeBob Squarepants, Valerie Dreith as Patrick Star, Diana Hutchinson as Sandy Cheeks, Nate Caudill as Krabs/French Narrator, Ella Vaughn as Pearl, Brando Donaldson as Plankton, Lily Canter as Karen, Emma Dalton as Squidward, Owen Cummings as Perch Perkins, Wolf Singer as Patchy the Pirate/Johnny the Bartender, Avery Frank as The Mayor, Loretta Rubin as Mrs. Puff, Hadrian Dwyer as Larry the Lobster/Gary, Sophie Christian as Old Man Jenkins/Pirate, Oscar Stec as Buster Bluetang/Pirate, Riley Soutar as Security Guard 1/Mob Fish/ Jellyfish Puppeteer, Alonzo Mongomery as Security Guard 2/Sardine Devotee 1/Sea Anemone, Anika Vockell as Electric Skate 1 / Girl Fish Trio/Cowboy Fish, Clare Graff as Electric Skate 2 / Girl Fish Trio/Cowboy Fish/Sea Anemone, Maya Busche as Electric Skate 3/Girl Fish Trio/Cowboy Fish, Izzy Lachey as Hip Hop Dancer/ Plankton Backup Fish/A Fish/Pirate/Sea Anemone, Nick Kaufmann as Mob Fish/Jellyfish Puppeteer, Lily Clark as Sardine Devotee 5/Jellyfish Puppeteer, Andrew Canter as A Sardine/Pirate/ Sea Anemone, Sophia Cotton-Riker as Plankton Backup Fish/Sardine Devotee 2/Sea Anemone, AJ Frecker as Hip Hop Dancer/Plankton Backup Fish/Sardine/Sea Anemone, Kyra Doty as Sardine Devotee 3/Pirate/Sea Anemone, Chloe Goodman as Sardine Devotee/Sea Anemone, Katie Berich as Plankton Backup Fish/Sardine Devotee/ Teen Fan 3/Sea Anemone, Lizzy Rebber as Another Fish/Sardine/ Pirate/Sea Anemone, James Overton as Another Sardine/Pirate/Sea Anemone, Mya Verticchio as Sardine Devotee/Pirate/Teen Fan 2/Sea Anemone, and Josie Leanza as Sardine Devotee 4/Teen Fan 1/Jellyfish Puppeteer.

  • Directed by Mike Sherman
  • Technical Direction by Helen A. Raymond-Goers
  • Assistant Director: Sophia Rooksberry
  • Production Stage Manager- Lucia Johns
  • Assistant Stage Managers- Jamiera Jones and Abbie Kershner
  • Choreographer- Maggie Perrino
  • Student Choreographers- Lael Ingram and Izzy Lachey
  • Costume Designer- Sadie Gray
  • Hair and Makeup Designer- Laurel Prince
  • Lighting Designer- Allison Calkins
  • Makeup and Hair Designer- Laurel Prince
  • Master Electrician- Reagan Warvel
  • Marketing and Publicity Head- Avery Frank
  • Music Director- Tony Nims
  • Orchestra Conductor- Ed LeBorgne
  • Props Designer- Oran Wilkins
  • Scenic Designer- Chloe Goodman
  • Sound Designers- Mary Sullivan and Reagan Warvel

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January 21, 2022 · 11:31 am

ROT ‘N GRUB Runs Feb. 11-13

AHS_Rot N Grub promoROT ‘N GRUB
Anderson High School
Feb. 11-13
Titus Auditorium [Anderson]

This original play is a comedy like no other. ROT ‘N GRUB focuses on what happens after the zombie apocalypse is over—and the zombies have won. Written and directed by Anderson Theatre’s own Hannah Linser-Wilder, ROT ‘N GRUB is a buddy comedy for the modern age, exploring loyalty and friendship in ways both totally unique and pointedly familiar. The play’s dark humor, slapstick comedy, and wry view of humanity’s future make this a world premiere production that teen and adult audiences won’t want to miss.

  • Fri-Sat, Feb. 11-12 at 7pm
  • Sun, Feb. 13 at 3pm

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January 21, 2022 · 9:40 am

Auditions Announced for THE ODD COUPLE at Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre

GHCT_logoTHE ODD COUPLE

Directed by Rhonda Lucas
Produced by Brett Sandlin
Sponsored by The Crum Family

Thursday, March 10 at 7PM
Friday, March 11 at 7PM

Auditions will take place at The Creative Center at the Palace
​215 S. Third Street
Hamilton, OH 45011

Rehearsals will depend upon actor availability, but will most likely consist of Sunday and Friday evenings and 1-2 additional weeknights. Show dates are April 28-May 1, 2022.

SYNOPSIS
​This classic comedy opens as a group of the guys assembled for cards in the apartment of divorced Oscar Madison. And if the mess is any indication, it’s no wonder that his wife left him. Late to arrive is Felix Unger who has just been separated from his wife. Fastidious, depressed and none too tense, Felix seems suicidal, but as the action unfolds Oscar becomes the one with murder on his mind when the clean-freak and the slob ultimately decide to room together with hilarious results as The Odd Couple is born.

WHAT TO PREPARE
Auditions will consist of reading from the script.

​CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
Oscar Madison – A carefree, good-natured, divorced sportswriter who lives alone in a messy eight-room New York apartment. He is completely oblivious to dirt, clutter, and the overdue child-support payments about which his wife telephones weekly. Oscar’s lifestyle is abruptly turned around when he takes in one of the members of the group, Felix Ungar, whose wife has thrown him out.

Felix Unger – A fussy man who knows that he is difficult to live with but cannot—or will not—make any concessions or compromises. His wife, unwilling to continue their marriage, asks him to leave the family despite his suicide threat, and he then moves in with Oscar.

Gwendolyn Pigeon – Oscar and Felix’s giggly upstairs neighbor, one of a pair of English sisters. She is a widow.

Cecily Pigeon – Oscar and Felix’s giggly upstairs neighbor, one of a pair of English sisters. She is a divorcée.

Speed – One of Oscar and Felix’s poker buddies. Gruff and sarcastic, often picking on Vinnie and Murray.

Murray – A NYPD policeman, one of Oscar and Felix’s poker buddies.

Roy – One of Oscar and Felix’s poker buddies. Oscar’s accountant. Roy has a dry wit but is less acerbic than Speed.

​Vinnie – One of Oscar and Felix’s poker buddies. Vinnie is mild-mannered and henpecked, making him an easy target for Speed’s verbal barbs.

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January 21, 2022 · 9:36 am

The Passing of Ed Spencer

BPI_logo1/25/21 – Obituary and service information.

Edward L. Spencer, beloved husband of Mildred C. Spencer (nee Carter) devoted father of Steve (Gail) Spencer, Judy (Tom) Luke, Barbara McMahon, Cindy (Jim) Beatty, Marcia Spencer, & Natalie Spencer, dear brother of Peaceful Dawn, loving grandfather of Abby (Garrie), Becca, Nick (Jen), Tori, Ian, Jake (Mandy), & Glen, great-grandfather of Cordi, Garrie, & Zara, also survived by many nieces & nephews. Died Jan. 19, 2022 at his home at the age of 93. Resident of Anderson Twp. Memorial Service at T. P. WHITE & SONS Funeral Home 2050 Beechmont Ave., Mt. Washington on Fri. Jan. 28, at 3 PM. Friends may visit on Fri. from 2-3 PM. Memorials to The Beechmont Players, 7850 Five Mile Rd., Cincinnati, 45230. http://beechmontplayers.org

Eddie was born in Columbus, OH on December 21, 1928.

Eddie attended Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati, OH (class of 1947) and Princeton
University, where he was graduated in 1951 with a B.A. in chemistry.

Returning to Cincinnati, he worked for Emory Industries before becoming president of Cincinnati Gold and Silver Refining Company.

Active in local theater in the Greater Cincinnati area, Eddie directed, performed and worked
behind the scenes with many companies, including Cincinnati Music Theater, Mariemont Players,
Deerpark Players, Edgecliff Theater, the Showboat Majestic, and Beechmont Players. He was
instrumental in the creation of the Anderson Center Theater in 2009, for which he was awarded Citizen
of the Year by the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce.

It is with heavy hearts Beechmont Players announces the passing of dear friend and Lifetime Member, Ed Spencer. Known as “Fast Eddie” to his friends. Ed graced Beechmont Players and the rest of the theater community with wit, charm, and endless dirty jokes as he directed and performed on many local stages.

Often, Ed was the first person to show up at load in and strike, and usually was the oldest in the crew by quite a few years. His energy and love of community theater was boundless. Ed was honored to win the Art Rouse Award, Mario Pittoco Award and countless Orchids for his work over 50+ years.

We offer our condolences to his wife and producer Millie, his daughters and son. Information on arrangements will be passed on as soon as received. Meantime, hoist a cheap beer and tell a bad joke in Ed’s honor.

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January 20, 2022 · 10:19 am

HERE’S TO LIVING On Feb. 22

CPI_logoHERE’S TO LIVING
Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative
Feb. 22
Aronoff Center Fifth Third Bank Theater [Downtown]

CPI New Voices Series presents a reading of Here’s to Living by local playwright Dr. Leo Bradley.

Living and enjoying a full and satisfying life while growing old is proving to be a challenge to Jesse Kincaid as he grapples with the challenges of retirement.  Everyone around him, both family and friends, seems to feel he is “losing it” and is in dire need of advice as to how to live out his life.

His daughter is worried about both his health and how to preserve his life-long accumulated wealth. The fact that Jesse thinks love can still happen at any age only increases the family tensions.

Jesse’s friends, ranging from former professional colleagues to financial, legal, real estate advisors, and golf partners, all have different perspectives on needed changes in Jesse’s life.

Helping Jesse to navigate this labyrinth is Glenn, his life-long friend and soul mate. Together they attempt to convince themselves and others to not stand on the shoreline and watch the river flow by, but to sail their vessels until the river runs dry.

1/20/22 – Health and Safety Guidelines

  • Tue, Feb. 22 at 7:30pm

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