Author Archives: robbucher

THE THRILL Runs Nov. 17-19

VF_The ThrillTHE THRILL
Vulcan’s Forge Performing Arts Collaborative
Nov. 17-19
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati [Oakley]

THE THRILL is a captivating play that unfolds the powerful love story between Elora, an unwavering disability advocate, and Julian, a firm believer in beginning and end-of-life choices. Their passionate connection forces them to navigate the uncharted waters of divergent beliefs, sparking a compelling exploration of love, dignity, and the boundaries of personal autonomy in the face of life’s most profound questions.

  • Fri-Sat, Nov. 17-18 at 8pm
  • Sun, Nov. 19 at 3pm

Official page | Facebook events |

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The Carnegie Announces Cast for Upcoming Production of HELLO, DOLLY!

TC_logo_newThe musical spectacular takes The Carnegie stage February 2–18, 2024

HELLO, DOLLY! is a blockbuster Broadway hit bursting with romance, humor, and some of the greatest songs in musical theater history. Boisterous and charming from start to finish, the musical follows the exploits of meddling matchmaker Dolly Levi over the course of one unforgettable day. Audiences will delight in one crowd-pleasing musical number after another including “Put on Your Sunday Clothes,” “Ribbons Down My Back,” “Before the Parade Passes By,” and the effervescent title song.

A favorite of Cincinnati audiences, Sara Mackie will light up the Carnegie as widow, matchmaker, and professional meddler, Dolly Levi in the beloved Broadway musical HELLO, DOLLY! Mackie is seen frequently on local stages including Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Human Race Theatre Company, and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. At The Carnegie, Mackie received acclaim for her appearances in PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES and a concert production of CAMELOT.

Allen R. Middleton plays Horace Vandergelder, returning to The Carnegie where he appeared in PROOF and TENDERLY: THE ROSEMARY CLOONEY MUSICAL. Middleton is also a familiar face to audiences at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and Falcon Theatre. Horace’s shop clerks, Cornelius and Barnaby are played by Jack Manion and Matthew Callas. Manion was celebrated for his performance as the Scarecrow in The Carnegie’s 2016 production of THE WIZARD OF OZ. Callas, a student at Xavier University, makes his Carnegie debut.

Kara Ann Scullin plays hat shop owner Irene Molloy. Scullin, a Cincinnati native, returns home after graduating from University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has been seen locally at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Landmark Productions, and Kings Island. Her shop assistant, Minnie Fay is played by Wright State University student Aliya Pimental. Carson Mehlbauer, an acting student at the University of Cincinnati—College Conservatory of Music (CCM) plays Ambrose Kemper opposite Campbell County High School senior Arabella Bertucci as Ermengarde. Bertucci previously appeared at The Carnegie in SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN and THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

The multi-talented ensemble features several faces familiar to The Carnegie audiences including Christian Arias and Christopher Wells. New to The Carnegie stage are Hunter Broyles, Randolph Geers, Emily Hilbrecht, Adrian Graff, Elexis Selmon, and Alexa Mueller. The teen ensemble includes Elli Maddock, Jenna Uterstaedt, and Kavan Vadivelu.

The production is directed by Joe Bertucci, an accomplished director and educator making his Carnegie debut. Bertucci leads the Northern Kentucky Institute for Arts Education, a program of the Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services. His frequent collaborator Elizabeth VandeWater choreographs. Together they have partnered on productions at Kincaid Regional Theatre, Stage Right Musical Theatre Company, and Campbell County Theatre Arts. CCM faculty member Steve Goers is the Music Director. Most recently at The Carnegie, Goers led music on KINKY BOOTS, GUYS AND DOLLS, and SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN.

“HELLO, DOLLY! is the first musical I worked on and it’s been a favorite ever since. I’m delighted to share it with audiences discovering it for the first time and those for whom it is a beloved classic,” said The Carnegie Theatre Director Tyler Gabbard. “The role of Dolly Levi has been tackled by a parade of iconic actresses and I would put Sara Mackie up there with the best of them. Audiences are in for a truly spectacular night on the town!”

Tickets to HELLO, DOLLY! may be purchased by calling (859) 957-1940 or by visiting thecarnegie.com.

CAST

  • Dolly Levi – Sara Mackie*
  • Horace Vandergelder – Allen Middleton*
  • Cornelius Hackl – Jack Manion
  • Barnaby Tucker – Matthew Callas
  • Irene Molloy – Kara Ann Scullin
  • Minnie Fay – Aliya Pimental
  • Ermengarde – Arabella Bertucci
  • Ambrose Kemper – Carson Mehlbauer
  • Rudolph – Randolph Geers
  • Ernestina – Emily Hilbrecht
  • Mrs. Rose – Elexis Selmon

Ensemble – Christian Arias, Hunter Broyles, Randolph Geers, Adrian Graff, Zac Holman, Emily Hilbrecht, Elli Maddock, Alexa Mueller, Elexis Selmon, Jenna Uterstaedt, Kavan Vadivelu, Christopher Wells

*The Actor appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

PRODUCTION TEAM

  • Director – Joe Bertucci
  • Choreographer – Elizabeth VandeWater
  • Music Director – Steve Goers
  • Scenic Designer – Tyler Gabbard
  • Costume Designer – John Faas
  • Lighting Designer – Ashton Karp
  • Wig Designer – Candace Leyland
  • Technical Director – Doug Stock
  • Production Stage Manager – Morgan Becker
  • Producer – Tyler Gabbard

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PUFFS at Cooper Drama Club, Nov. 16-18

CDC_PuffsPUFFS Two Act Young Wizard’s Edition
Cooper Drama Club
Nov. 16-18
Cooper High School [Union, Ky.]

Puffs takes you on an adventure! You know the guy who had a scar on his forehead and found out he was a wizard? Well, this is the story about the OTHER people in that school – the ones who might have been forgotten.

This play goes through all seven books in about 2 hours.

  • Thu-Fri, Nov. 16-17 at 7pm
  • Sat, Nov. 18 at 1pm & 7pm

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Celebrate the Fourth of July in December With The Footlighters Inc.’s Production of Meredith Willson’s THE MUSIC MAN

FLI_The Music ManNEWPORT, KY — There’s trouble in River City when a silver-tongued salesman comes to town and gets his heart stolen by the town librarian as The Footlighters, Inc., presents the second show of its 60th anniversary season, Meredith Willson’s The Music Man.

The Music Man follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band that he vows to organize—despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. Will his plan to skip town with the cash be foiled when he falls for Marian, the town’s librarian? By turns wicked, funny, warm, romantic, and touching, and with its nostalgic score of rousing marches, barbershop quartets, and sentimental ballads, The Music Man is family entertainment at its best.

Not only is The Music Man family friendly, Footlighters’ production is definitely a “family affair” with a cast full of family members sharing the stage with one another. Tabitha Blanton takesthe stage for the first time with her husband, Evan Blanton, in her Footlighters debut. Board president Jen Day gets to act alongside daughter Hannah Richardson and great nieces Ava and Cora Hall, while her sister Greta Manolis helps backstage with costumes. Husband and wife Matt and Julia Hasl Miller return to the Footlighters’ stage for the first time since 1997’s Pirates of Penzance, and lastly, although he’s not onstage, Douglas Berlon gets to direct wife Debbi Berlon in what is undoubtedly a role reversal of their home life!

Performances:

  • Thursday – Saturday, November 30 – December 2 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 3 at 2:00 p.m.
  • Thursday – Saturday, December 7 – 9 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 10 at 2:00 p.m.
  • Thursday – Saturday, December 14 – 16 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 17 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets: $25 each and available online at footlighters.org/tickets or by contacting the box office via text at (859) 652-3849 or FootlightersTickets@gmail.com.

The Footlighters, Inc., has been producing quality community theater shows in Greater Cincinnati for 60 years. The group was established in 1963 by a small group of community theater volunteers who wanted to bring theater opportunities to the west side of Cincinnati.

In 1987, the group bought the Salem United Methodist Church in Newport and transformed it into The Stained Glass Theatre. The theater is on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated a Kentucky landmark. In September of 2021, Footlighters completed the third and final phase of their accessibility project by adding ADA-compliant seating in their theater to complement the ADA ramp and elevator installed in 2017 and 2018, allowing access for all patrons with limited mobility.

For more information, please visit footlighters.org or like The Footlighters, Inc., on Facebook.

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Southern Gateway Chorus’ A CINCINNATI CHRISTMAS On Dec. 9-10

SGC_A Cincinnati ChristmasA CINCINNATI CHRISTMAS – Sharing the Light
Southern Gateway Chorus
Dec. 9-10
Landmark Church [Evendale]

The Southern Gateway Chorus presents is annual Christmas performance, with this year’s production of A Cincinnati Christmas, followed by Sharing the Light.  The first half features people, places and traditions that have made Cincinnati a major impact on people’s Christmas celebrations around the world.  The show includes emcee Nancy James providing her experiences with Ruth Lyons and sharing some memorable songs.  Ms. James will then narrate Sharing the Light featuring many beautiful hymns of Christmas and Hanakkah.

Tickets: $25, $20 and $15 for students

  • Sat, Dec. 9 at 7pm
  • Sun, Dec. 10 at 2pm

Official page |

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