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January 21, 2020 · 2:28 pm

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN Runs Feb. 21-March 1

FFL_Youre a Good Man Charlie Brown logoYOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN
Fairfield Footlighters
Feb. 21-March 1
Fairfield Community Arts Center

Directed by Nicholas Brown

Cast: Derek Daniel as Charlie Brown, Mimi Witsken as Lucy Vanpelt, Sarah Grace McCollough as Sally Brown, Dylan Turner as Linus Vanpelt, Alex Cottle as Schroeder & Megan Rademacher as Snoopy

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN (Revised) is a fresh approach to the all-time 1967 classic, based on the beloved comic strip by Charles Schulz. Sally Brown joins Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, and Snoopy in this charming revue of vignettes and songs. Two new songs, “Beethoven Day” and “My New Philosophy,” have been added to the twelve numbers from the original version, which include “My Blanket and Me,” “The Baseball Game,” “Little Known Facts,” “Suppertime,” and “Happiness.”

  • Fri-Sat, Feb. 21-22 at 8pm
  • Sun, Feb. 23 at 2pm
  • Fri-Sat, Feb. 28-29 at 8pm
  • Sun, March 1 at 2pm

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January 21, 2020 · 2:14 pm

THE KING AND I Runs Feb. 20-April 5

LAC_The King and I logoTHE KING AND I
La Comedia Dinner Theatre
Feb. 20-April 5
[Springboro]

COVID-19 & Public Health Update
We are closely monitoring developments of COVID-19 and are doing everything possible to safeguard the health and well-being of our patrons, audience, staff, and artists.

Your health and safety is important to us. We encourage you to take standard precautions yourself, including frequent hand washing, and to stay home if you feel ill.

Performances are continuing as scheduled. If it becomes necessary to postpone, reschedule or cancel performances, a notice will be placed on our website and Facebook page.

We are offering a 30-day ticket exchange policy as long as we have at least a 24-hour notice prior to the reserved performance. To reschedule your reservation, give us a call at (937) 746-4554.

We are carefully monitoring the situation and will follow the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) as well as the Ohio Department of Health as they develop. Thank you for your ongoing patience and support.

Two worlds collide in this breathtaking and exquisite musical. Set in 1860’s Bangkok, The King and I tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children. One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s finest works, The King and I boasts a score that features such beloved classics as “Getting To Know You,” “I Whistle A Happy Tune,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Shall We Dance” and “Something Wonderful.”

  • Thu-Fri, Feb. 20-21 at 10:30am & 5:30pm
  • Sat, Feb. 22 at 5:30pm
  • Sun, Feb. 23 at 10:30am & 5:30pm
  • Thu-Fri, Feb. 27-28 at 10:30am & 5:30pm
  • Sat, Feb. 29 at 5:30pm
  • Sun, March 1 at 10:30am & 5:30pm
  • Thu-Fri, March 5-6 at 10:30am & 5:30pm
  • Sat, March 7 at 5:30pm
  • Sun, March 8 at 10:30am & 5:30pm
  • Thu-Fri, March 12-13 at 10:30am & 5:30pm
  • Sat, March 14 at 5:30pm
  • Sun, March 15 at 10:30am & 5:30pm
  • Thu-Fri, March 19-20 at 10:30am & 5:30pm
  • Sat, March 21 at 5:30pm
  • Sun, March 22 at 10:30am & 5:30pm
  • Thu-Fri, March 26-27 at 10:30am & 5:30pm
  • Sat, March 28 at 5:30pm
  • Sun, March 29 at 10:30am & 5:30pm
  • Thu-Fri, April 2-3 at 10:30am & 5:30pm
  • Sat, April 4 at 5:30pm
  • Sun, April 5 at 10:30am & 5:30pm

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January 21, 2020 · 12:56 pm

Cincinnati Ballet Presents SWAN LAKE Just in Time for Valentine’s Day!

CB_Swan Lake 814

Photo by Aaron M. Conway.

CINCINNATI, OH.  (January 21, 2020) — Cursed by an evil sorcerer, the beautiful princess Odette spends her days as a swan and her nights in human form. Only true love can break the spell, but an evil imposter is out to steal her prince and their happy ending. Experience what may be the most recognizable ballet of all time at Cincinnati Music Hall Thursday, February 13 to Sunday, February 16. With Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s spectacular score performed by Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and choreography by Kirk Peterson, it’s a classic love story that can’t be missed. The ballet is also a tour-de-force experience for the dancer playing the dual role of Odette/Odile, the white swan and the black swan, her evil nemesis. On stage for much of the ballet, the dancer is required to perform a head-spinning 32 turns in a row as Black Swan.

CB_Swan Lake256

Photo by Aaron M. Conway.

Cincinnati Ballet also got creative with this production and decided to put our ‘swans’ in Mirror Lake at Eden Park. As our production is in the middle of winter, we planned the photo shoot during the summer. On a sweltering day in August, our dancers, videographer, production and wardrobe staff, and Artistic Director Victoria Morgan spent several hours creating some unbelievable photos in Mirror Lake. Clever photographer Aaron M. Conway didn’t just want our ‘swans’ in the water, he also wanted them en pointe ON the water! So how do you make dancers walk on water? Conway and his team brought along cinder blocks for the dancers to balance on. Principal dancers Sirui Liu and Melissa Gelfin took turns balancing on the blocks. What you may not know — pointe shoes are made of densely packed layers of fabric, cardboard, and sometimes paper hardened by glue, when immersed in water they quickly disintegrate. Each dancer, supported by staff, had seconds to create an indelible pose while balanced on the stacked cinder blocks. Bravo! What we ended up with are truly magical photos.

CB_Swan Lake047

Photo by Aaron M. Conway.

Cincinnati Ballet would also like to thank the City of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Parks for all their help in the creation of these images.

WHO:                   Cincinnati Ballet

WHAT:                 Swan Lake

WHEN:                 February 13 – 7:30 pm

February 14 – 8:00 pm

February 15 – 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm

February 16 – 1:00 pm

WHERE:               Music Hall
1241 Elm St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202

TICKETS:               Call 513.621.5282, visit cballet.org or visit the Cincinnati Ballet Box Office at 1555 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45214

Tickets start at $29

#  #  #

About Cincinnati Ballet
Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Under the artistic direction of Victoria Morgan, Cincinnati Ballet has become a creative force within the larger dance community, commissioning world premiere works and exploring unique collaborations with artists as diverse as Grammy winning guitarist Peter Frampton and popular, Ohio-based band Over the Rhine. With a mission to inspire hope and joy in our community and beyond through the power and passion of dance, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of dance. To that end, Cincinnati Ballet presents exhilarating performances, extensive education outreach programs and offers top level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy.

CONNECT: READ / WATCH / LISTEN / LEARN / ENJOY at cballet.org

Cincinnati Ballet 2019-2020 Season Sponsors: Rhonda & Larry A. Sheakley, ArtsWave, Mercy Health, Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Ohio Arts Council, John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust, Frisch’s Big Boy, Knowlton

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January 21, 2020 · 12:23 pm

Xavier University Theatre Presents HEATHERS The Musical, Jan. 31-Feb. 8

XU_Heathers logo(CINCINNATI, Jan. 21, 2020) – Xavier University Theatre begins 2020 with its production of the off-Broadway hit Heathers the Musical. Written by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy and based on the 1989 cult classic movie starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, the show runs Jan. 31 through Feb. 8 in Xavier’s Gallagher Student Center Theatre.

Veronica Sawyer is a brainy, beautiful misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High School. But before she has time to get comfortable atop the teenage food chain, Veronica falls in love with the dangerously sexy new kid, J.D. When the almighty Heather Chandler kicks her out of their group, Veronica decides to bite the bullet and kiss Heather’s aerobicized ass … until J.D. suggests a more sinister plan for that bullet. Heathers is a hilarious, heartfelt, and homicidal show based on one of the all-time great teen comedies.

Stage Manager Emi Suarez believes the juxtaposition of the show’s style and unconventional set design will provide a uniquely intimate experience for audiences. “Our production of Heathers is unusual, as we have chosen to perform this big musical using an arena stage,” she said. “As an audience member, it’s impossible to look away from Veronica Sawyer as she battles with her peers to find beauty in her world.”

Senior Gigi Relic, who plays Heather Chandler, agrees. “Seeing the musical in this setting will be eye-opening,” she said. “I hope audiences leave inspired to speak up and be kinder to one another.”

That intimacy is important, according to sophomore Connie Kavensky, who plays Veronica. “It’s a dark yet relatable show,” she said, “that has taught me how we are all capable of being better to each other.”

The cast for Heathers includes first-year students Annalese Cahill, Anna Campise, Anthony Contreras, Faith Macko, Zac Martin, Lillian Reynolds, Liz Sundstrom, and Jenna Treinen; sophomores Elliot Auch, Danielle Jacobs, Connie Kavensky, and Ryan Whitford; juniors Matthew Benedek, Caroline Conard, Andrew Leonard, Julia Olinger, Amara Shroba, and Dylan Van Camp; and seniors Andy Girmann, Emily Jorgenson, and Gigi Relic.

The creative team includes Stephen Skiles (director/producer), sophomore Nick Minion (assistant director), Scot Buzza (music director), Ashley Goos (choreographer), junior Grant Zentmeyer (assistant choreographer), Joe Leonard (set designer/technical director), junior Tatum Mann (lighting designer), and junior Steven Stapleton (sound designer). The stage manager is senior Emi Suarez, and the assistant stage managers are first-year student Sam Sadler and sophomore Josie Daley.

Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on January 31 and February 1, 6, 7, and 8, as well as at 2 p.m. on February 1. Tickets are available now at the Gallagher Student Center Theatre Box Office. They are $18 each for adults and $13 each for students, as well as Xavier faculty and staff. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.xavier.edu/theatretickets or call 513-745-3939.

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January 21, 2020 · 12:00 pm

Frederic Chiu Bringing “Classical Smackdown” to NKU SOTA

NKU_Smackdown logoHIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – Get ready to rumble as world-renowned pianist Frederic Chiu brings an epic classical piano showdown of Prokofiev versus Debussy to Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts. The concert will take place on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 at 7 p.m. at NKU’s Greaves Concert Hall. Admission is free and open to the public. Funding for this program has been made possible by the Ohio Music Teachers Association – Southwest District, the Northern Kentucky Music Teachers Association, and NKU SOTA’s Visiting Artist Fund as part of the Annual Winter Piano Pedagogy Conference.

Inspired by reality talent shows like “American Idol,” “Classical Smackdown” is a “tongue-in-cheek wrestling match” between contrasting composers with the audience voting for their favorite composer during the concert. The format is built so that any novice or professional can come and have an opinion. The program for Prokofiev-Debussy is arranged in four “rounds” of pieces specifically to provide an opportunity to compare and contrast.

Additionally, Frederic will present a session on “New Pedal Techniques” at 10:30 a.m. and facilitate a Masterclass at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 for students and teachers in Greaves Hall on the second day of the Conference. All events are free and open to the public. Advanced registration at nku.edu/piano is encouraged.

ABOUT FREDERIC CHIU
Frederic Chiu has recorded the most extensive complete piano works of Prokofiev, and his personal relationship with the Prokofiev family has made him a world-recognized advocate of the composer. Across 28 albums, he has recorded works of Chopin, Liszt, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Rossini, and Grieg, and most recently, the Beethoven/Liszt Symphonies V and VII. “Hymns and Dervishes,” music of Gurdjieff/de Hartmann, Distant Voices: Music of Claude Debussy & Gao Ping and Schubert’s Fantasy for Violin and Piano demonstrate his vast legacy in recording.

His innovative programming includes “Classical Smackdown,” where composers face off in head-to-head comparisons, with listeners voting for their favorite composer: Debussy vs. Prokofiev, Bach vs. Glass, etc. Results tracked at ClassicalSmackdown.com. With his wife, Jeanine Esposito, he co-created the arts non-profit, Beechwood Arts & Innovation, to explore collaboration across art genres and the use of the arts and technology to create community. His innovative vision of Romeo & Juliet – The Choice, an immersive, interactive production of the famous Prokofiev ballet, debuted in 2018. Frederic teaches at both Carnegie Mellon University and The Hartt School. • fredericchiu.com

ABOUT THE WINTER PIANO PEDAGOGY CONFERENCE
The Northern Kentucky Winter Pedagogy Conference has drawn local music teachers to the NKU campus to discuss important topics pertinent to music education for the past eleven years. The conference is co-sponsored by the Northern Kentucky University School of the Arts Music Program, Northern Kentucky Music Teachers Association, and the Ohio Music Teachers Association – Southwest District. Funds for the conference are provided by OhioMTA-SW, NKyMTA, and NKU-SOTA, allowing the conference to be offered at no charge to members of the community.

ABOUT NKU SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
SOTA is the Creative Engine of NKU. The School of the Arts combines Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts to bring unparalleled artistic opportunities to current and future students. In a changing world, SOTA prepares students to be creative trailblazers in the Arts and their careers. Whether we are creating motion graphics, producing on the stage, or utilizing our dance classes to collaborate with therapeutic exercise in health sciences, we are on the cutting edge of transdisciplinary studies. SOTA offers 11 degrees with 30 specializations in addition to 7 minors to develop graduates that are personally engaged, innovative, and curious with advanced skillsets in collaboration and creative risk-taking.

For more information about NKU’s School of the Arts, please visit nku.edu/sota or follow on social media @NKUSOTA.

### NKU ###

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