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November 18, 2019 · 3:13 pm

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Presents Two Holiday Treats on the Showtime Stage

BAH HUMBUG: A ONE-MAN CHRISTMAS CAROL
and
MRS. CLAUS SAVES THE DAY

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is making the days merry and bright with two special productions presented by TCT On Tour (TCT’s touring division) on the Ralph and Patricia Corbett Showtime Stage on Red Bank Road this holiday season.

First, the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati invites audiences to see a Christmas classic with a fun twist. All characters in this 45-minute production are performed by ONE PERSON – from Scrooge to Tiny Tim!

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Chris Logan Carter as Scrooge. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

BAH HUMBUG! A ONE-MAN CHRISTMAS CAROL is back by popular demand! 

  • Saturday, November 30 at 2 PM and 5 PM
  • Sunday, December 1 at 2 PM

Charles Dickens’ famous holiday classic was adapted by Damian Gillen, directed by A. James Jones and features Chris Logan Carter playing every role. Audiences will be mesmerized by this imaginative and magical re-telling of the powerful holiday tale of hope and compassion.

This show is perfect for children in grades K-12 (and adults too!)  Visit https://thechildrenstheatre.com/shows/bah-humbug-a-one-man-christmas-carol/ for additional information. 

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Whitney Daniels, James Stringer Jr., LaShondra Hood and Lauren Everett. Photo by TCT.

Then, just a few days before Christmas, it’s your chance to stay off the naughty list as Mrs. Claus is making a list and checking it twice in MRS. CLAUS SAVES THE DAY.

  • Saturday, December 21 at 2 PM and 5 PM
  • Sunday, December 22 at 2 PM

When the holiday is threatened by a severe outbreak of the North Pole Pox two days before Christmas, and Santa himself is quarantined, it’s Mrs. Claus to the rescue! With traditional carols and a world-premiere script (commissioned by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati), this holiday musical is about leadership, goodwill and teamwork. 

This show is most enjoyed by those in grades K-5.  Visit https://thechildrenstheatre.com/shows/mrs-claus-saves-the-day/ for details.

The 4-person cast of MRS. CLAUS SAVES THE DAY includes members of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Resident Artist Company:  Whitney Daniels, Lauren Everett, LaShondra Hood, and James Stringer Jr. The production was written by Christopher Stewart and directed by TCT’s Associate Artistic Director, Eric Byrd. 

Both productions will be presented on the Ralph and Patricia Corbett Showtime Stage, 4015 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati, OH  45227. Only 152 seats are available for each performance. A question-and-answer session follows every show.

Tickets to each production are $10 each (plus service fees) and are available exclusively through ticketmaster.com or by visiting TCT’s Red Bank Road Ticket Office: Monday-Wednesday-Friday 10AM to 4PM ; Tuesday & Thursday 10AM to 7PM. (The Ticket Office will be closed for lunch each weekday from 12 PM to 1 PM.)  Mainstage subscribers pay just $7 per ticket – a savings of $3. Tickets available now.

TCT On Tour is bringing both productions to schools and venues around the Tri-State and throughout the region.  If you’re interested in booking, please contact Violet Webster at 513-569-8080 x20 or by emailing violet.webster@tctcincinnati.com.

Don’t miss The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Podcast, Audio Footlights. Hosted by Producing Artistic Director, Roderick Justice, this podcast is designed to look at the shows TCT produces, and to ignite, impact and inspire young listeners to have a lifelong love of theatre. This free TCT Podcast runs about 8 minutes, and will be available on iTunes as well as Stitcher, SoundCloud, GooglePlay, TuneIn and Spotify soon!

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s TCT On Tour productions are made possible by PNC.  The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by the Ohio Arts Council and the generosity of the tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. 

TCT On Tour Actor Bios:

CHRIS LOGAN CARTER:  Chris is a Cincinnati native and has been performing for 5 years now. His favorite regional credits include 42nd Street (Bert), The Wizard of Oz (Scarecrow), Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), and Madagascar: A Musical Adventure (King Julien). He’s thrilled that Bah Humbug! is back for a second year!

WHITNEY DANIELS – Whitney is excited to be making her debut with TCT. Past credits include It Should’ve Been You (Annie), Hunchback of Notre Dame (Esmeralda), Dreamgirls (Michelle), as well as performing in the Holly Jolly Trolley Show at Carowinds Amusement Park. Whitney is a graduate from Coastal Carolina University with a BA in Music Performance and Minor in Dramatic Arts.

LAUREN EVERETT – Lauren is a proud graduate of Wright State University’s BFA Musical Theatre Program. She was last seen with TCT at the Taft Theatre as Cinderella/Trinhilda in Sleeping Beauty. Regional Credits: Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown), Twelfth Night (Olivia). WSU Credits: No, No, Nanette! (Nanette), The Music Man (Marian u/s), The Great Gatsby (Daisy u/s), Peter Pan (Wendy u/s). Website: www.laureneverett.net Instagram: @misslaureneileen.

LASHONDRA HOOD – LaShondra is honored to join The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati for their 100th season! She recently received her M.F.A. from the University of Louisville and is excited about this new chapter of her career. Some of LaShondra’s proudest theatrical credits include The Mountaintop, Fabulation, Eurydice, Our Country’s Good, Crowns, Fences, and Flyin’ West. Other opportunities include an apprenticeship with Williamstown Theatre Festival ‘16, a company member of U of L’s Repertory Theatre Company, and partner of the 2019 winner of the Kennedy Center Irene Ryan competition.

JAMES STRINGER JR. – James is ecstatic to be joining The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati this year as part of their touring company. James just finished the internship program at The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park as part of the 18-19 season where he was seen in mainstage shows such as Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley and A Christmas Carol. Touring shows included Cyrano and Five Little Monkeys. James graduated from The University of Louisville in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in Theatre Arts. He is looking forward to another great year in Cincinnati and working with the amazing team at TCT!

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November 18, 2019 · 2:51 pm

THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR Quick Review

THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR presented by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company through Dec. 7. I attended the opening night performance. 

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The cast of THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography

After their dark and bloody Halloween-appropriate production, Cincinnati Shakespeare offers an (over-) over-the-top comedy to close out the year with William Shakespeare’s THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR.

Now don’t get me wrong: there are plenty of moments that are laugh-out-loud funny. Some of the comic bits work really well. But on opening night, the ones that landed were outnumbered by the ones that did not. And with a run time of almost three hours with intermission, the show could use a bit of “bit” trimming.

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Abby Lee as Mistress Ford, Billy Chace as Falstaff, and Jennifer Joplin as Mistress Page. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography

Visually, the show looks great. The costume designs by Rainy Edwards are colorful and appropriate for the characters. The “found object” fairy costumes near the end of the play were very clever with great attention to detail. Shannon Robert’s set, dominated by two individually rotating towers worked well for the various locations and the need for numerous quick entrances/exits.

Billy Chace is fun as Falstaff, the boozing braggart with an over-inflated sense of sexual prowess. The objects of his unwanted advances are the hyperactive and slightly dingy Mistress Alice Ford, wonderfully played by Abby Lee and the down to earth but mischievous-minded Mistress Margaret Page, wonderfully played by Jennifer Joplin. The two characters balance each other well.

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Abby Lee as Mistress Ford & Billy Chace as Falstaff. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography

It is the second tier of characters that throws off that balance. When you have five or six over-the-top characters on stage together, their antics can overshadow the story. There were times when I longed for the return of Mistress Margaret Page, Mistress Quickly (Miranda McGee) or Anne Page (Kahla Tisdale) to bring a bit of sanity to the stage (in a good way). Also, several of the character voice/accent choices were difficult to understand when the actors had their backs to you. I think for me, as a fairly frequent audience member at CSC, the casting choices and sense of humor of this production does not cross into new territory.

If you are looking for a big and bawdy night of quirky comedy, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR has that in spades.

My rating: 4.25 out of 5.

Click here for more information on the production.

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November 18, 2019 · 1:29 pm

Auditions Announced for RING OF FIRE at The Drama Workshop

TDW_VERTThe Drama Workshop and director Linda Abbott announce auditions for:

Ring of Fire – The Music of Johnny Cash
Created by Richard Maltby, Jr.
Conceived by William Meade

Audition Dates and Times

  • 7 PM Sunday, December 8th
  • 7 PM Monday, December 9th
    Doors open at 6:30 PM

Possible callbacks Wednesday, Dec. 11th

Location: The Glenmore Playhouse
3716 Glenmore Ave.
Cheviot OH  45211

Performance dates:  May 1-17, 2020

Synopsis
This is the original version of Ring of Fire.   From the songbook of Johnny Cash comes a celebration of his life in this musical that tells a fascinating story of love and faith, struggle and success, rowdiness and redemption, and home and family.  With more than two dozen classic Cash hits – “I Walk the Line,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Ring of Fire” and many more, creates a unique portrait of an American music legend.  Though never impersonated, Cash’s remarkable story is told in an exhilarating and moving stage production.

Cast Requirements
The cast consists of 4 male and 4 female performers.

Please prepare one verse of a song in country or gospel style.  Please bring sheet music.  An accompanist will be available.  If you’d prefer to sing with an accompaniment you bring on a device, a speaker will be available.

While no one impersonates Johnny Cash in the show, his story is told through song.  Singers do not have to play instruments in this production, but if you do, it’s a plus.  If you play guitar, upright bass, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, or piano, prepare a short piece to show your ability.  A keyboard will be available.  If you do play an instrument, you don’t have to accompany yourself on your song, but you may.  Otherwise, please prepare a short piece to show your ability.

You do not need to prepare a monologue but may be asked to read from the script.

Please use the sign-up genius link below to reserve your audition slot.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094FA8A622A6FC1-auditions1

Rehearsals will begin around mid-February with a possible read-through in late January.

Please bring known conflicts. Headshots and resumes are appreciated but not required.

For additional information, please contact the director at labbott1@cinci.rr.com or the producer, Valeria Amburgey at vamburgey257@gmail.com

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November 18, 2019 · 11:17 am

Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department Brings Four Performances to One Stage in A Student Directed One Act Festival

“We’re all mad here”

You won’t want to miss Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department’s very first Student Directed One Act Festival, with two junior high plays: ALICE adapted by Lindsay Price from the novel by Lewis Carroll, & SUPERHEROES: WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY by Ian McWethy; and two senior high plays: TERMINAL LUCIDITY: A DADA INSPIRED FEMINIST SCREAM by Amy Bernstein, & THE ACTOR’S NIGHTMARE by Christopher Durang. Each of the four plays will run with two performances in the Rick Steiner Black Box Theater.

WHHS One Act press-AliceALICE Show Synopsis:
ALICE follows the white rabbit down the rabbit hole into Wonderland, where she meets a cornucopia of strange creatures. A caterpillar gives advice, the Mad Hatter and March Hare are always at tea time, and the Queen of Hearts continually cries, “Off with her head!” The Cheshire Cat says everyone in Wonderland is mad, and therefore Alice must be too. Has Alice lost her head? Only the Cheshire Cat knows for sure.

Directed by Sophia Rooksberry
Stage Manager: Lucia Johns

Featuring:
Kaelyn Carr as Alice, Wolf Singer as Cheshire Cat 1/Mad Hatter, Khara Rosebrook as Cheshire Cat 2/March Hare, Molly Rebber as Cheshire Cat 3/Doormouse, Ella Shaffer as White Rabbit, Nate Caudill as Caterpillar/King of Hearts, Josie Leanza as Pigeon/Queen of Hearts, Clare Graff as Duchess/Jury Member, Lizzy Rebber as Low Door/Cook, Theresa Nguyen as Door 1/Baby/Knave, Charleigh Bates Door 2/Footman 1/Card 2, Shannon Speaker as Door 3/Footman 2/Card 5, Aidan Brogan as Door 4/Lackey/Card 7, Paloma Lanzador as Key/Stove/Jury Member, Naima Jones as Bottle/Stove/Jury Member, Kyra Doty as Cake/Stove/Jury Member

WHHS One Act press-SuperheroesSUPERHEROES: WITH GREAT POWER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY Show Synopsis:
For superheroes, saving the world is tough, but the time spent away from work is tougher. The Hulk has to do taxes, a crime-fighting sidekick joins a support group, and Batman goes stir-crazy without enough criminals to take down. SUPERHEROES is a funny, fast-paced series of vignettes that explores how the caped crusaders deal with life in street clothes.

Directed by Peter Godsey
Stage Manager: Chloe Burwinkel

Featuring:
Isabella Lachey as Black Widow, Maya Busche as Storm, Jude Shotwell as Batman, Sarah Gebremeskel as Nelly/Ventnor, Marcus Ray as Clark/Tommy, Anna Visger as Ulma/Teen 2, Iris Westfall as Tucker/Teen 1, Caitlyn Hollywood as Hulk/Jimmy, Nola Stowe as Woman/Tina/Fan, Helen Sandhu as Felicia/Mia, Alejandra Frecker as Orin/Client, Andrew Canter as Robin/Boss, Julia Wasem as Garth/Manager, and Katie Berich as Penelope/Teen Girl.

Both Junior High One Acts run Friday, December 6 at 7 PM, and Saturday, December 7 at 2 PM.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for staff and students.

WHHS One Act press-Terminal LucidityTERMINAL LUCIDITY: A DADA INSPIRED FEMINIST SCREAM Show Synopsis:
She could be your friend, your neighbor, your relative: And she’s struggling to cope with a monster in her midst. What’s the right thing to do? Is there a right thing?

Directed by Bettina Ernst
Stage Manager: Grace Allen

Featuring:
Sophie Christian as Journalist, Lily Clark as Senator, Diana Hutchinson as Soldier, Uyen Dao as Offspring, Grace Kelly Fulton as Wife/Mistress, Avery Frank as Old Woman, Anna Gavin as BPC, Nina Roberto as Girl, and Sarah Mansfield as Baroness.

WHHS One Act press-Actor's NightmareTHE ACTOR’S NIGHTMARE Show Synopsis:
Having casually wandered onstage, George is informed that one of the actors, Eddie, has been in an auto accident and he must replace him immediately. Apparently, no one is sure of what play is being performed but George (costumed as Hamlet) seems to find himself in the middle of a scene from Private Lives, surrounded by such luminaries as Sarah Siddons, Dame Ellen Terry, and Henry Irving. As he fumbles through one missed cue after another the other actors shift to Hamlet, then a play by Samuel Beckett, and then a climactic scene from what might well be A Man for All Seasons—by which time the disconcerted George has lost all sense of contact with his fellow performers.

Directed by Talia Raider-Roth
Stage Manager: Hannah Wardlow

Featuring:
Allison Robertson as George Spelvin, Christina Picklo as Sarah Siddons, Lily Canter as Dame Ellen Terry, Colby James as Meg, Ella Vaughn as Executioner, and Jackson Prus as Henry Irving.

Festival Production Stage Manager: Olive Leonardi
Festival Assistant Stage Managers: Reagan Warvel & JP Oberst

Both Senior High One Acts run Saturday, December 7 at 7 PM, and Sunday, December 8 at 2 PM.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for staff and students.

To purchase tickets: https://sites.google.com/view/whhstheatredepartment/tickets

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November 18, 2019 · 10:35 am

2020-2021 Season Announced by Beavercreek Community Theatre

bctBeavercreek Community Theatre is pleased to announce our 2020-2021 Season celebrating our 25th anniversary.

TUCK EVERLASTING the Musical
Book by Claudia Shear & Tim Federle
Music by Chris Miller
Lyrics by Nathan Tysen
based on the children’s classic by Natalie Babbitt
Orchestrations by John Clancy
Production: August 28- September 6, 2020
Auditions: June 29 & 30, 2020
Directed by Doug Lloyd

BLOODY, BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON
Book by Alex Timbers
Music by Michael Friedman
Production: October 23 – November 1, 2020
Auditions: August 24 & 25, 2020
Directed by John Falkenbach

WINNIE THE POOH A CHRISTMAS TALE
By James W. Rogers
Inspired by A.A. Milne’s Winnie The Pooh
Production: December 4 – 13, 2020
Auditions: October 10 & 11, 2020
Directed by TBA

PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE
By Steve Martin
Production: January 29 – February 7, 2021
Auditions: November 9 & 10, 2020
Directed by Chris Harmon

THE SURPRISING TALE OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS
By Linda Daugherty
Production: March 5 – 14, 3021
Auditions: January 25 & 26, 2021
Directed by TBA

THERE SHOULD BE ROSES
By Dave Williams
Production: April 23 – May 2, 2021
Auditions: March 1 & 2, 2021
Directed by Saul Caplan

SOMETHING ROTTEN
Book by: Thomas Meehan & Mark O’Donnell
Music by Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman
Based on the New Line Cinema Film, written & directed by John Waters
Production: June 18 – 27, 2021
Auditions: April 19 & 20, 2021
Directed by Matt Owens

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