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November 4, 2019 · 2:20 pm

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Presents A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

TCTC_A Charlie Brown Christmas 2015

Sara Kenny as Lucy and Trey Paris as Charlie Brown from TCT’s 2015 staging of A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The beloved holiday classic, now live on stage.

CINCINNATI:  The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s yuletide favorite A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS returns to the Taft Theatre December 7-16, 2019, and this production features Local 12’s own Bob Herzog as Man’s Best Friend, Snoopy!

Just like the television special everyone knows and loves, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS will warm your heart this December, no matter how cold it gets outside!

Back by popular demand, the whole family is invited to celebrate the season with this live rendition of your favorite holiday TV special! Don’t let the hustle, bustle and commercialism of the holidays get you down. Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy and the entire Peanuts gang are here to remind us about what’s most important during the Yuletide season. 2019 marks the 54th anniversary of the animated TV special, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Produced by Lee Mendelson and directed by Bill Melendez, the CBS program debuted on December 9, 1965. 

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS was originally written by Charles M. Shulz. Based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mandelson. Stage adaptation by Eric Schaeffer. By special arrangement with Arthur Whitelaw and Ruby Persson. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS is presented by arrangement with TAMS-WITMARK. This show will be directed and choreographed by Roderick Justice, TCT’s Producing Artistic Director.

Showtimes for A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS include:

  • Saturday, December 7 at 2 PM* (this performance is signed for the hearing impaired)
  • Sunday, December 8 at 2 PM and 5 PM
  • Friday, December 13 at 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, December 14 at 2 PM and 5 PM
  • Sunday, December 15 at 2 PM

All of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Broadway-style MainStage productions, including A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, are performed in the historic Taft Theatre, 5th and Sycamore Streets in Downtown Cincinnati. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased via ticketmaster.com.

Q102 and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati are proud to collect items for St. Joseph Orphanage at all performances of A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS. Children and adults are encouraged to bring any new and unwrapped item to the show and we’ll collect them in the Taft Theatre lobby.  In addition, TCT will collect gifts at our Red Bank Road location. Patrons can drop off items in the lobby of our building during business hours.

School performances of A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS will be held December 10-13 and December 16, 2019 during the daytime hours.  For details about how to purchase tickets to TCT’s school performances, visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s production of A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS is made possible by the generosity of Production Sponsor Macy’s; Season Sponsors H.B., E. W. and F. R. Luther Foundation and the Charles H. Dater Foundation; and ArtsWave and the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.  The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.  Media sponsors are LOCAL 12 and Q102.  Sea of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is TCT’s Ticket Envelope Season Sponsor.  First Watch: The Daytime Café is TCT’s Crown Club Sponsor.

CAST (in Alphabetical Order)

  • Shermy…David Armando
  • Peppermint Patty…Amy S. Baumann
  • Franklin…Donald Burns
  • Marcie…Madeleine Burgoon
  • Linus…Jeremy NEALE Cox
  • Pig Pen…Ian TIMOTHY ForsgrEn
  • Lucy…Haley Gillman
  • Frieda…Faustina Gorham
  • Charlie Brown…Joseph Green
  • Snoopy…Bob Herzog
  • Sally…Aubrey E. Jones
  • Woodstock…Joey Logan
  • Schroeder…Evan Koons
  • Santa…John Wenstrup
  • Violet…Alexandra Williams
  • Ensemble:  BROOKE CHAMBERLIN†, SYLAS CRAVEN†, MARLO D’ASCENZO†, MIA BELLA D’ASCENZO†, CHLOE GOODMAN†, Geoffrey Hill
    † Denotes TCT’s Young Artists Company

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November 4, 2019 · 12:41 pm

THE FROG PRINCESS Runs Dec. 4-Jan. 4

ETC_Frog Princess logoTHE FROG PRINCESS
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
Dec. 4-Jan. 4
[Over-the-Rhine]

Book by Joseph McDonough
Music and lyrics by David Kisor

Prince Ivan’s father has declared that it is time for his sons to marry, but when Ivan discovers his bride-to-be is actually a frog, he is toad-ally disappointed. Vasilisa is more than your typical hoppy-go-lucky frog, though…she’s a kindhearted princess under a curse! When the villainous Old Bones takes Vasilisa to a far-away land, Ivan sets out to save her, discovering along his journey that love sees beyond outside appearances. With a revitalized script and score, this modern, musical spin on the famous Russian fairy tale celebrates the beauty within each of us. This production is suitable for all audiences.

  • Wed-Fri, Dec. 4-6 at 7pm
  • Sat, Dec. 7 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, Dec. 8 at 2pm & 6pm
  • Tue-Fri, Dec. 10-13 at 7pm
  • Sat, Dec. 14 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, Dec. 15 at 2pm & 6pm
  • Tue-Fri, Dec. 17-20 at 7pm
  • Sat, Dec. 21 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, Dec. 22 at 2pm & 6pm
  • Mon, Dec. 23 at 7pm
  • Thu, Dec. 26 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Fri, Dec. 27 at 2pm
  • Sat, Dec. 28 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, Dec. 29 at 2pm & 6pm
  • Mon, Dec. 30 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Thu-Fri, Jan. 2-3 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sat, Jan. 4 at 2pm

Official page | Facebook event |

 

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November 4, 2019 · 12:07 pm

NUNCRACKERS Runs Dec. 4-8

GHCT_Nuncrackers logoNUNCRACKERS: The Nunsense Christmas Musical
Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre
Dec. 4-8
MUH Parrish Auditorium [Hamilton]

Directed by Pat Ganz
Produced by Kevin Brunck & Carrie Rusche

Cast: Bec Howard as Reverend Mother, Molly Bowen as Sr. Robert Anne, Virginia Pollack as Sr. Hubert, Julia Bowen as Sr. Amnesia, Brett Parr as Br. Brendan, Jim Ward as Fr. Virgil, Joe Nagle as Fr. Wilhelm, Teresa Bayer-Iltzsch as Sr. Leo, Evie Sias as Sr. Celeste, Dan Schindler as Br. Daniel & Wayne Wright as Br. Wayne
Ensemble: Brett Parr, Joe Nagle, Teresa Bayer-Iltzsch, Pam Naab, Evie Sias, Dan Schindler, Barb Winkler & Jane Winkler
Children’s Chorus: Aimee Mikulich & Angela Rusche

This holiday musical is presented as the first TV special taped in the Cable Access Studio built by Reverend Mother in the convent basement. It stars the nuns you love, plus Father Virgil, and four of Mount Saint Helen’s most talented students. It’s the perfect way to insure that your holiday season is merry and bright!

  • Wed-Sat, Dec. 4-7 at 7:30pm
  • Sun at 2pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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November 4, 2019 · 11:19 am

NKU To Premiere Disney’s FREAKY FRIDAY Musical

NKU_Freaky Friday promo2HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts continues its 2019-2020 Theatre + Dance Season with a regional premiere of a new musical – Disney’s FREAKY FRIDAY. The production runs Nov. 15-24 at NKU’s Corbett Theatre. For more information and tickets, visit nku.edu/freakyfriday.

When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again. By spending a day in each other’s shoes, Katherine and Ellie come to appreciate one another’s struggles, learn self-acceptance, and realize the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter. FREAKY FRIDAY, a new musical based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, is a heartfelt, comedic, and unexpectedly emotional update on an American classic.

The concept of walking in someone else’s shoes is an age-old concept. In a world filled with division and polarizing personalities, it seems particularly fitting to present a work that delivers a message of compassion and empathy. Freaky Friday does just that. Several characters in the musical are so fully immersed in their own goals and agenda that they have no room for alternate points of view. For Katherine and Ellie Blake, the opportunity to live each other’s life for a day yields frustration, confusion, and ultimately, respect and understanding. The central metaphor of Freaky Friday resounds in all of us in our daily lives.

The NKU cast features Blair Lamb (Ellie Blake), Sarah Hack (Katherine Blake), Charlie Lindeman (Fletcher Blake), Jackson Hurt (Mike), Danielle Ullman (Gretchen), Andie Angel (Hannah), Jake Hunter (Adam), Ellie O’Hara (Savannah), Cian Steele (Parker), Mattison Sullivan (Wells/Fish Vendor), Arianna Catalano (Laurel/Minion), Thomas Smith (Florist/Marquis), Victoria Avery (Torrey/Adam’s Mom), Logan Anthony (Louis/Wells’ Dad), Alex Slade (Grandpa Gordon/Mr. Blumen/Senor O Brien/Parker’s Dad/Gym Asst), Megan Carlson (Grandma Helene/Mrs. Luckenbill/Mrs. Time/Gretchen’s Mom), Kali Marsh (Danielle/Ms. Meyers/Officer Sitz/Savannah’s Mom), JeShaun Jackson (Dr. Ehrin/P. Bruno/Officer Kowalski/Security Guard/Gym Asst.). The Ensemble is comprised of Ethan Brooks Baker, Chloe Hedrick, Kanai Nakata, and Grace Vetter. The show is directed by Jamey Strawn. Other creative team members include Damon Stevens (Musical Director), Tracey Bonner (Choreographer), Anna Catton (Scenic Designer), Isabel Sleczkowski (Props Design/Master), Ronnie Chamberlain (Costume Designer), Mark Brackman (Lighting Designer), Zach Collins (Sound Designer), and Halee Hood (Hair/Makeup Designer). The Stage Manager is Emily Vicars, and Assistant Stage Managers are Jensyn Bowman and Holden Casada.

For more information, call the NKU School of the Arts Box Office at (859) 572-5464 or visit nku.edu/sotatickets.

### NKU ###

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November 1, 2019 · 3:55 pm

THE WIZARD OF OZ Quick Review

THE WIZARD OF OZ presented the Cincinnati Ballet runs through Nov. 3. I attended the Halloween evening performance. 

CB_Dorothy and the Munckins

Melissa Gelfin as Dorothy and the Munchkins.

In her curtain speech, Artistic Director Victoria Morgan described this production of THE WIZARD OF OZ as ballet meets Broadway. While the production values are easily equal to current touring Broadway productions, the dance artistry if always forefront in this wonderfully entertaining production for all ages.

The main characters are enchanting to watch as they perform choreographer Septime Webre’s amazing work: Melissa Gelfin as Dorothy, Sirui Liu as Aunt Em/Glinda, Maizyalet Velazquez as Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West, Cervilio Miguel Amador as Hunk/Scarecrow, Taylor Carrasco as Hickory/Tin Man, Michael Mengden as Zeke/Lion and Luca De-Poli as Professor Marvel/Wizard of Oz. They are supported by an incredibly strong ensemble who make the bigger numbers a joy to watch. Toto is brought to amusing and scene-stealing (in a good way) life by puppeteer Sterling Manka.

CB_The Scarecrow and the Yellow Brick Roadies

Cervilio Miguel Amador as the Scarecrow and the Yellow Brick Roadies.

Visually the show is stunning; from the limited pallet at the beginning of the show to the explosion of color when Dorothy opens the door to catch her first glimpse of the Land of Oz. The looks of the leading characters, while not traditional, are stunningly unique and readily identifiable. Liz Vandal’s imaginative costume designs make every scene memorable: the children’s grasshoppers in Munchkinland, the Yellow Brick Roadies, the citizens of the Emerald city, and the Winkies guard are just a few highlights.

CB_Emerald City Selfie

Taylor Carrasco as Tin Man, Cervilio Miguel Amador as Scarecrow, Sterling Manka as “Toto,” Melissa Gelfin as Dorothy & Michael Mengden as Lion in the Emerald City.

There is a great balance to the various elements of the show. The visual special effects, the flying of the multiple characters, the children’s ensemble, and even the humor are perfectly integrated into the production. None of these elements feel over-used or out of place.

Everything good thing you have heard about this production is true. As my guests remarked, this could easily have a return engagement in a couple of years and be just as successful.

Thank you for an unforgettable experience.

P.S. Where can I get a Toto puppet for Christmas? Asking for a friend… 

My rating: 5 out of 5.

Click here for more information on the production.

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