Author Archives: robbucher

June 8, 2023 · 3:24 pm

Cyndi Lauper’s Tony-Winning KINKY BOOTS Kicks Off a New Season of Hit Musicals in Covington at The Carnegie 

TC_Kinky BootsThe high-heeled hit struts onto The Carnegie stage June 30–August 19

COVINGTON, Ky. (June 8, 2023) – This summer, The Carnegie invites audiences to the “Land of Lola” with its production of KINKY BOOTS. Performances run June 30 through August 19, 2023.

KINKY BOOTS, the winner of six Tony® Awards, including Best Musical, is a huge-hearted, high-heeled hit featuring music and lyrics by pop legend Cyndi Lauper. Factory owner Charlie is struggling to save his business when he meets Lola, a drag queen with a wildly exciting idea that just might save the day. Inspired by true events, KINKY BOOTS tells the story of a mismatched pair of friends who together learn that sometimes, the best way to fit in… is to stand out!

Director Lindsey Augusta Mercer returns to The Carnegie after previously helming an acclaimed production of THE LAST FIVE YEARS in 2016. Julia Schick supplies high-energy choreography and Steve Goers is the production’s music director. Popular Cincinnati drag queen, Kora Sline, will ensure the cast is runway ready as the drag consultant and wig and makeup designer.

“KINKY BOOTS offers a path forward that embraces our differences to build a brighter future. It celebrates the transformative power of drag: the gift of seeing the world not just as it is but as it might be,” said Director of Theatre, Tyler Gabbard. “I can’t imagine a better team to bring this bold vison to life at The Carnegie.”

New Orleans-based actor and Cincinnati native Montez O. Jenkins Copeland returns home to star as Lola/Simon, a London drag queen in need of a quick fix for a broken boot. University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) student Tomi Newman plays Charlie Price. Also joining the cast are Sujaya Sunkara (Nicola), Monique Churchill (Lauren), Jathan Briscoe (Don), Andres Martinez (George), Dylan Van Camp (Mr. Price), Kyle Taylor (Harry), Regan Utrup (Pat), Caroline Bowers (Trish), and Eliza Levy (Marge). The Angels, Lola’s fellow drag queens, are played by Kyle Angel, Anthony Contreras, Anderson Rothwell, and Zach Van Camp.

Rounding out the creative team are Tyler Gabbard (scenic designer), Erin Donnelly (costume designer), Alaina Pizzoferrato (lighting designer), and Avery Reynolds (sound designer). Diane Senffner is the dialect coach and Carissa Gandenberger is the production stage manager.

Tickets to KINKY BOOTS may be purchased by calling (859) 957-1940 or by visiting thecarnegie.com.

The Carnegie season continues this summer with LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL and GUYS AND DOLLS:

LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL is a riveting portrait of Billie Holiday and the songs that made her famous. In a captivating evening of story and song, audiences will be transported to the gritty Philadelphia bar where the legendary jazz singer gave one of her final public performances in 1959. The hard-hitting musical chronicles the singer’s life story and celebrates the music she gave the world including “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” “Strange Fruit,” “God Bless the Child,” and “Ain’t Nobody’s Business if I Do.”

LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL runs July 15 – August 20, 2023. Tickets may be purchased by calling (859) 957-1940 or by visiting thecarnegie.com.

GUYS AND DOLLS, A Musical Fable of Broadway is musical theatre at its show-stopping best! Hailed by many as the perfect musical comedy, this colorful classic follows a rowdy bunch of gamblers and showgirls in a wild game of chance and love. Set in bustling 1950s Manhattan, GUYS AND DOLLS features some of the most memorable showtunes of all time, including “Luck Be a Lady,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” and the irrepressible anthem “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.”

GUYS AND DOLLS runs July 29 – August 18, 2023. Tickets may be purchased by calling (859) 957-1940 or by visiting thecarnegie.com.

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About The Carnegie
The Carnegie is Northern Kentucky’s largest multidisciplinary arts venue providing theatre events, educational programs and art exhibitions to the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati community. The Carnegie facility is home to The Carnegie Galleries, the Otto M. Budig Theatre, and the Eva G. Farris Education Center. More information about The Carnegie is available at www.thecarnegie.com or by calling (859) 491-2030.

The Carnegie is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Carnegie receives ongoing operating support from the Kentucky Arts Council, City of Covington, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and Cincinnati International Wine Festival.

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June 8, 2023 · 11:48 am

THE KNOCK Runs June 19-July 7

CO_The KnockTHE KNOCK
Cincinnati Opera
June 19-July 7
Music Hall Wilks Studio [Over-the-Rhine]

A group of military wives gathers after rumors of a possible incident on the battlefront. Their husbands are fighting the war in Fallujah. Meanwhile, a young Army officer makes the long journey to their gathering place. Named for the expression military spouses use for notifications of death, The Knock explores what must be endured by the loved ones of those who serve. Based on years of interviews with real spouses of American soldiers, this new opera tells dramatic stories of heroism that often go unheard, tragedies that go far beyond the conflict. Sung in English with projected lyrics.

  • Fri, June 23 at 7:30pm SOLD OUT
  • Tue, June 27 aT 7:30pm SOLD OUT
  • Sun, July 2 at 3pm SOLD OUT
  • Wed, July 5 at 7:30pm
  • Fri, July 7 at 3pm & 7:30pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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June 8, 2023 · 11:46 am

LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR Runs June 22-24

CO_Lucia Di LammermoorLUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR
Cincinnati Opera
June 22-24
Music Hall [Over-the-Rhine]

The heart wants what the heart wants. At Scotland’s Lammermoor Castle, Lucia and Edgardo are entwined in a forbidden romance. Despite their families’ age-old feud, they vow to give everything up for love. But Lucia’s disapproving brother Enrico endeavors to undo the lovers’ promise and marry Lucia off in a more lucrative pairing. The deception becomes a curse, leading Lucia and Edgardo to make terrible new vows once hope for love is lost. Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

  • Thu, June 22 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, June 24 at 7:30pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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June 8, 2023 · 11:28 am

SAY IT LOUD On June 17

RDT_BlackBrown&Ballet#BlackBrown&Ballet Summer Festival: SAY IT LOUD
Revolution Dance Theatre
June 17
Washington Park [Over-the-Rhine]

Incredible dancers from across the country join Cincinnati’s own Revolution Dance Theatre for an unapologetic display of black dance! The #BlackBrownandBallet Summer Festival is the PERFECT Juneteenth celebration for the whole family. Bring a lawn chair. Free.

  • Sun, June 17 from 6-8pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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June 6, 2023 · 2:48 pm

Three Tri-State Schools Awarded Fully Funded JumpStart Theatre Program

TCTC_JumpstartSupported by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati 

Cincinnati – After a three-month selection process, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) has named the newest tri-state area schools that will partner with the JumpStart Theatre Program. The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), in collaboration with New York City-based companies iTheatrics and Music Theatre International (MTI) created JumpStart Theatre, a three-year scalable program designed to build sustainable musical theatre programs in underserved schools that previously had none.

Batavia Middle School, Shroder High School (grades 7-8), and Covedale Elementary School were selected to be part of the three-year program beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.

The selection process included a formal written application, site visits to the schools, and interviews with administrators and the faculty who would be spearheading the program.

Kim Kern, Managing Director and CEO of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Batavia Middle School, Shroder High School, and Covedale Elementary School as JumpStart Theatre partner schools for the 2023-24 school year. TCT has seen over 10 schools complete this program and build their theatre programs into self-sustaining entities. We are so excited to see the momentum of this program, and to work alongside the Educational Theatre Foundation to continue the growth locally while they expand the reach and impact nationally.”

Each school will receive services and materials valued at $12,000 in the form of training, mentoring, and production support for a full-scale show for their community. Students will be involved in every aspect of the production, and TCT with EdTA will also host an annual JumpStart Theatre showcase, bringing all the participants together to share their work.

The selected schools make a three-year commitment, and teams of three or more teachers from each school will participate in professional development “boot camps” in a variety of areas lead by a master teacher in the fall and spring. These workshops will provide training in all areas of musical theatre production, with the goal of empowering the teacher teams to guide the programs independently.

For questions about the JumpStart Theatre Program and application process, visit https://thechildrenstheatre.com/jumpstart-theatre-program/.

About The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT):
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is the oldest children’s theatre in the country. Its mission is to educate, entertain and engage audiences of all ages through professional theatrical productions and arts education programming. Its vision is to awaken a lifelong love of theater in children and the young at heart. Today, the Children’s Theatre brings art to life for our audiences through three key programs: TCT MainStage at the Taft Theatre, TCT on Tour (including Workshops) and TCT Academy. Each season TCT strives to reach more than 200,000 people in our region. For more information visit https://thechildrenstheatre.com/.

About the Educational Theatre Association:
The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) is the fundraising arm of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

ETF’s mission is to provide all students with equitable access to quality theatre education. The Foundation achieves this mission by providing financial support to programs that expand access to and participation in school theatre for underserved and marginalized communities and funding theatre programs’ growth and sustainability.

The JumpStart Theatre program creates sustainable theatre arts programs in middle schools where there previously were none. Participating schools are chosen through a rigorous application process and receive training, materials, and budget support to produce their first full-scale musical production. The support continues for three years until the program becomes self-sustaining. Non-theatre teachers are equipped with skills and resources to produce their school’s first musical through a proven combination of bootcamp style training and hands-on mentoring. The Educational Theatre Association operates JumpStart Theatre through a national network of regional theatre company partners who are selected based on their track-record of success in running educational programs for children. JumpStart Theatre partners are Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Ga.; La Jolla Playhouse, La Jolla, Calif.; Mountain City Center for the Arts, Frostburg, MD; Stages St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; The Children’s Theatre, Cincinnati, OH*

*Original pilot site

-end-

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