Author Archives: robbucher

August 13, 2020 · 10:40 am

NEWSIES Runs Aug. 20-29

INNOV_Newsies logoNEWSIES
INNOVAtheatre
Aug. 20-29
Caesar Ford Amphitheatre [Xenia]

Directed by Richard Lee Waldeck
Assistant director Emily Kallenberg
Vocal & music direction by Sarah Plaugher
Choreographed by Kara Castle

Official cast list (Scroll down) |

Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right!

Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, NEWSIES features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). It features the now classic songs Carrying the Banner, Seize the Day, and Santa Fe.

  • Thu-Fri, Aug. 20-21 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Aug. 22 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Thu-Fri, Aug. 27 & 28* at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Aug. 29 at 2pm & 7:30pm
    *Performance features understudies.

Official page | Facebook event |

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August 12, 2020 · 10:02 am

SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD Available Online Aug. 10-30

D2D_Songs for a New WorldSONGS FOR A NEW WORLD
Dare to Defy Productions
Aug. 10-30
[Online]

Directed by Philip Drennen
Music directed by Norman Moxley II

Cast: Jamal Cann, Naman Clark, Allie Haines, Mackensie King, Zach King, Brennan Paulin, Danielle Ruddy, Thomas Cole Schreier, Lindsay Sherman & Garrett Young

2020 has proven not just to be a difficult year but also a year for major change. With our new take on Songs for a New World, we present these songs about love, heartbreak, birth, and struggle through a 2020 lens. Scored with brilliant music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, this show has stood the test of time and we look forward to bringing you plenty of laughs, asking you questions, and diving deep into the current state of the world. Each of us has a story to tell.

  • Available to rent for 48 hours

Official page |

 

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August 11, 2020 · 3:08 pm

FEAST Quick Review

FEAST presented by Know Theatre of Cincinnati through Sept. 20. 

KTC_Feast1

Jennifer Joplin as Grendel’s mother.

The gang at Know Theatre have been at the forefront of bringing online content to local audiences. With FEAST, Know brings a fully-staged production to our “little boxes” with great success.

Playwright Megan Gogerty re-tells the legend of Beowulf from the viewpoint of Grendel’s mother. As history is written by the victors, she-who-was-not-named in the epic poem takes us to tasks for her grievances against our fathers, who not only killed and mutilated her son, but who also painted him as a “monster” for all time.

Gogerty’s script is smart, insightful and cleverly weaves 21st century themes into the narrative. Unexpected laughs, great turns of phrase, and thought-provoking conclusions permeate the performance.

Jennifer Joplin handles the dense and demanding script extremely well. Her verbal stream of consciousness flows from doting mother to vengeful, not to be trifled with demigod, and every emotion rings true.

Director Tamara Winters’ deft hand shows a strong understanding of the material. The show is well staged, being mindful of the camera but not beholden or tied to it. The flow of the show feels natural and makes great use of the entire play space.

The set, designed by Andrew Hungerford, not only defines the confined space, but allows the use of light and shadow to enhance the visual component of the show. Clever stage lighting plays with Joplin’s features as the character’s emotions ebb and flow. Stringent use of sound and visual effects, supplied by Douglas Borntrager, do much to add to the atmosphere of the work.

Congratulations all on a well-done, engaging production.

My rating: 4.75 out of 5.

Click here for more information on the production.

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August 10, 2020 · 12:49 pm

Auditions Announced for THE FLYING DOCTOR at Equality Productions

EP_logoEquality Productions happily announces auditions for the virtual production of the comedy THE FLYING DOCTOR by Molière directed by Gabriel Brosius. Hilarious? Absolutely. Commedia and The Marx Brothers meet modern humor? Heck yeah. A couple of lines in French to tie the piece back to its roots? Sure, why not?

This director’s take on the play will be collaborative and inventive. So audition on Sunday, August 16th from 5-8P or Monday, August 17th from 6-8P. Please prepare one of the sides available on the sign-up page. You may also present a comedic monologue up to one minute as well. Sign up at this link (note the audition times are listed in CST): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B4EABA62DABFD0-theflying. Then please email your theater resume and headshot to the director at gmbrosius@gmail.com prior to your audition.

Callbacks are scheduled for Tuesday, August 18th from 6-8P. If that time does not work for you,  please let the director know at the time of your audition.

Non-union. This production will be done as a fundraiser and therefore these roles will not be paid. All rehearsals will take place online in a Zoom format. The tentative rehearsal schedule is 3-4 rehearsals a week for 4 weeks starting on Saturday, August 22th. Actors will not be called for every rehearsal. The show will be recorded in late September.

Synopsis: Lucile wants to marry Valère, but her father Gorgibus says no. Fortunately, Gorgibus is quite dense, so Valère gets his servant Sganarelle to help. Sganarelle, desperate to earn a buck or two, pretends to be a doctor, recommending that Lucile goes to a place where she can “hang” with Valère. Mayhem and mischief quickly ensue when Sganarelle is spotted by Gorgibus in his servant garb. He spins a tale of a doctor and his twin brother and all of a sudden he’s jumping back and forth through a window to deceive good ol’ Gorgibus.

Equality Productions encourages submissions from artists with a broad range of backgrounds, including all races, ethnicities, abilities, sexual identities, ages, and genders/gender identities. This production is open to variation regarding the age and gender of the characters. Below is the original format, but please audition for whichever part(s) you desire.

Characters:

  • Sganarelle: Young man. Servant to Valère who pretends to be a doctor. Just trying his best. Clever. Eager to please.
  • Valère: Young man. Deeply romantic. Stubborn and short-sighted.
  • Lucile: Young woman in love with Valère. Blinded by love. Desperate for respect and autonomy from her father.
  • Sabine: Young woman. Cousin to Lucile. Smart, quick-thinking, loyal.
  • Lawyer: An older man. Supportive, loves the sound of his own voice. Would absolutely define himself as a sapiosexual.
  • Gros-Renè: A young man. Respects honesty above all else. Valet to Gorgibus
  • Gorgibus: An older man. Stubborn. Dense.

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August 10, 2020 · 10:39 am

Young Performers’ Benefit Concert 2 for Theaters from Equality Productions

EP_logoTalented young performers recorded Broadway songs to benefit theaters as part of Equality Productions’ mission to encourage donations to theaters during the pandemic.

To view the concert on YouTube, send a donation to the following email: equalityproductionscincy@gmail.com through Paypal or Venmo. The suggested donation is $10, but donate what you can. Specify which theater should receive your donation.

Once your donation is received, you will be emailed a YouTube link to watch the concert for those in your household. Equality Productions will distribute 100% of the donations to the theaters chosen.

The second concert includes these performers (listed with the song and theater they chose for donations):

  • Locke Hargis sings “What If” from THE ADDAMS FAMILY benefiting Redline Performing Arts in Louisville, KY.
  • Abby Guinigundo sings “Alyssa Greene” from THE PROM benefiting Greater Hamilton Civic Theater.
  • Adeleke Goring sings “I’d Rather Be Sailing” from A NEW BRAIN benefiting Mason Community Players in Mason, OH, and Beechmont Players in Cincinnati, OH.
  • Elsa Hargis sings “Dead Mom” from BEETLEJUICE: The Musical” benefiting Sacred Heart School of the Arts in Louisville KY.
  • Kennedy Smith – Waiting for Life” from ONCE ON THIS ISLAND benefiting Andrews Osbourne Academy in Willoughby, OH.

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