Author Archives: robbucher

November 4, 2025 · 5:24 pm

Casting Call for Fever’s THE JURY EXPERIENCE – DEATH ON THE PORT SIDE (Non-Union)

Currently in 120+ cities worldwide, The Jury Experience is an immersive theatrical courtroom drama where the audience plays the role of the Jury – votes throughout the experience will determine the events of the trial and ultimately decide the fate of the defendant.

Cases are being tested, developed, and scaled based on success. Touring opportunities are possible in select markets.

Learn more here: https://thejuryexperience.com/

You have been asked to audition for the DEATH ON THE PORT SIDE murder case.

The privileged child of a powerful Senator stands accused of murder after a fatal boating crash leaves their former lover dead and two friends critically injured.

Was this a tragic accident brought on by youth, alcohol, and jealousy—or a deliberate act of revenge? Did the accused’s powerful family influence the investigation, or is there truth behind the defense’s claim of sabotage?

The Jury will decide.

SHOW DATES
Fever is casting for show dates in Cincinnati. You must be available for all scheduled dates listed below. Additional dates will be added depending on local interest and will be communicated to actors well in advance.

The show will rehearse locally 2-3 weeks before the first performance.

  • 11/23
  • 01/16

COMPENSATION
Rehearsal pay is $16/hour (up to 46 hours) and a flat rate of 325$ per day for performances at Memorial Hall OTR.

To audition for The Jury Experience, please prepare the requested materials and submit them using this audition form.

The deadline for submission is Thursday 11/06 at 5pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Noah Silver at noah.silver@feveroriginals.com.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

  • PROSECUTOR – Female (20-30)
    A brilliant but relatively young Assistant District Attorney with something to prove. Sharp-tongued, confident, and ambitious, the Prosecutor is determined to convince the Jury that Dylan Gilroy acted out of jealousy and rage—and that this so-called “accident” was, in truth, an act of murder.
  • DEFENSE ATTORNEY – Male (40s)
    Seasoned and eloquent, the Defense Attorney brings charm and gravitas to the table. He believes that Dylan is a victim of circumstance, fighting not only to prove innocence but to also expose the political and media bias that threatens to destroy the accused’s life. A master storyteller who knows how to sway a Jury with empathy and intellect.
  • JUDGE – Any Gender (40+)
    The Jury’s trusted guide and voice of reason. Firm yet approachable, the Judge maintains order in a courtroom filled with strong personalities and high-stakes emotion. They act as the bridge between the audience and the trial, ensuring every decision the Jury makes feels meaningful and fair.
  • DYLAN GILROY (the Defendant) – Any Gender (20s)
    Young, privileged, and visibly shaken. The child of a Senator, Dylan straddles the line between remorse and resentment. Haunted by the loss of his lover Parker Trivanti, Dylan insists the crash was an accident—but mounting evidence, emotional instability, and public scrutiny threaten to unravel their composure.
  • SENATOR GILROY – Any Gender (50s+)
    A seasoned politician and the parent of the accused. Protective and commanding, the Senator brings both credibility and controversy to the stand. Torn between personal love and public image, they introduce the chilling possibility that the crash was sabotage—and not murder at all.

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November 4, 2025 · 5:11 pm

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Runs Nov. 7-16

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
The Lamplight Theater Company
Nov. 7-16
Madeira-Silverwood Presbyterian Church

Official cast list |

Set in 1946, the WBFR Radio Station, part of the golden age of radio, in snowy New York City is set to tell the tale on Christmas Eve over the airwaves when their live studio audience (you, the ticket holders) begin to experience the story unfolding around them.

  • Fri, Nov. 7 at 7pm
  • Sat, Nov. 8 at 6:30pm (includes dinner)
  • Sun, Nov. 9 at 3pm SOLD OUT
  • Fri, Nov. 14 at 7pm
  • Sat, Nov. 15 at 6:30pm (includes dinner) LIMITED AVAILABILITY
  • Sun, Nov. 15 at 3pm 

Official page | 

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November 4, 2025 · 4:57 pm

THE HEART SELLERS Review

By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds

THE HEART SELLERS presented by Cincinnati in the Park through November 23rd. I attended the Opening Night performance.

The cast of The Heart Sellers presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

This fall, Playhouse in the Park is bringing audience’s THE HEART SELLERS by Lloyd Suh in its The Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre. (Playhouse produced Mr. Suh’s The Chinese Lady in the same space in 2023. Yes: his writing is that good.) Described as “a funny and moving new comedy about finding direction in the land of opportunity”, we find ourselves in Luna’s apartment where she is determined to celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving with her new friend (and fellow Asian immigrant), Jane.

Director Desdemona Chiang (so jealous of this name!) is thoroughly impressive in her vision’s execution. The use of the intimate playing space – a very modest studio apartment – is top notch and pacing of the action is steady. Set Design by Sasha Jin Schwartz is thoughtful with exceptional attention to detail. Costume Designer Christine Tschirgi exceeds expectations with the period-appropriate wardrobe which combines the characters’ wishes to blend into American dress with homage to the culture(s) they have known most of their lives. Special shout-out to Sound Designer Sharath Patel for some of the best executed sound effects I’ve ever heard.

If nothing else convinces you to head to The Shelterhouse, this cast of two ridiculously talented performing artists should. Bursting onto the scene in exuberant fashion we see Luna played marvelously by Angeleia Ordoñez. Her enthusiasm is not only contagious, but so pure you could cry from joy. Luna feels things deeply and while it is clear she has been advised more than once to suppress said feelings, the comfort she feels with Jane allows them to be expressed. Ms. Ordoñez is able to voice so many things Asian immigrants have felt and continue to feel as they try to navigate the minefield of American society with an innate relatability.

As a SoCal daughter of an immigrant mother and many friends from many different places, I instantly felt connected to Jane who reminds me of a dear childhood confidante. This is no doubt thanks to the immaculate portrayal by Bridget Kim. Ms. Kim embodies everything that is the picture of a Korean woman trying to adjust to life in a foreign country. Her entire manner is formal and polite, something expected if not demanded of her at all times. When her politeness is juxtaposed by sternness in moments where she needs to take control, you will take heed. Ms. Kim’s performance feels like home in every way possible.

With an incredibly strong script and talented artists to bring it to life, THE HEART SELLERS is a beautiful show. You will find it hard not to love these women and as much as you will be moved you will also laugh – a lot. This is the perfect show for Thanksgiving: rife with nostalgia, good laughs, some indulgence, and so many warm-and-fuzzy feels. This is a highly recommended show to get you through your November.

Click here for more information about the production.

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November 3, 2025 · 6:47 pm

SHUCKED Tickets On Sale Now

“More hilarious than any show since The Book of Mormon” – New York Stage Review

“More laughs than every other Broadway show put together” – Chicago Tribune

“Shucked is totally original, unexpected, and brilliant!”  – Forbes

SHUCKED
A New Musical Comedy

TICKETS NOW ON SALE

ARONOFF CENTER
FEBRUARY 10 – 22, 2026

CINCINNATI – Broadway in Cincinnati is pleased to announce that tickets for Shucked, the Tony Award® winning musical comedy The Wall Street Journal calls “flat out hilarious,” will go on sale Friday, October 31 at 10 AM EST. The musical plays the Aronoff Center February 10 – 22 as part of the First Financial Bank Broadway in Cincinnati 25/26 Season Presented by TriHealth. Tickets will be available online at CincinnatiArts.org, by phone at 513.621.ARTS or in person at the Aronoff Center Box Office, downtown.

Shucked features a “superb book” (New York Post) by Tony Award winner Robert Horn, a score filled with “earworm songs” (The Daily Beast) by Grammy Award winners, Tony Award nominees and Nashville music superstars Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, and direction with “an infectious spirit of glee and warmth” (Variety) by four-time Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien.

The cast includes Miki Abraham (Shucked on Broadway) as Lulu, Nick Bailey (Waitress) as Beau, Maya Lagerstam (The Gospel According to Heather) as Storyteller 1, Joe Moeller (& Juliet) as Storyteller 2, Mike Nappi (Darling Grenadine) as Peanut, , Quinn VanAntwerp (Shucked on Broadway) as Gordy and Danielle Wade (“Cady” in the Mean Girls National Tour) as Maizy.

The cast also includes Elijah Caldwell, Carly Caviglia, Zach Cossman, Cecily Dionne Davis, Jaden Dominique, Ryan Fitzgerald, Sean Casey Flanagan, Dominique Kent, Nick Raynor, Celeste Rose, Kyle Sherman and Mallorie Sievert.

What do you get when you pair a semi-neurotic, New York comedy writer with two music superstars from Nashville? A hilarious and audacious farm-to-fable musical about the one thing Americans everywhere can’t get enough of: corn. Shucked is the new musical comedy that proves sometimes tearing down a few walls, rather than growing them, is the only way to preserve our way of life. Shucked is turning musical theater on its ear and is offering a kernel of hope for our divided nation.

With choreography by Sarah O’Gleby, and music supervision, music direction, orchestrations, and arrangements by 2023 Tony Award, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award nominee Jason Howland, the design team for Shucked includes 2023 Tony Award nominee and Tony Award winner Scott Pask (scenic design), 2023 Drama Desk Award nominee Tilly Grimes (costume design), Tony Award nominee Japhy Weideman (lighting design), Tony Award winner and 2023 Drama Desk Award nominee John Shivers (sound design), Academy Award® winner and Emmy Award® winner Mia Neal (wig design), and Stephen Kopel, C12 Casting (casting director). Shucked is produced by Mike Bosner and Jason Owen.

The Grammy Award nominated Shucked – Original Broadway Cast Recording is available on all streaming platforms and CD HERE.  The album is produced by Jason Howland, Billy Jay Stein, and the show’s composers Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark.

Shucked will play the Aronoff Center February 10 – 22, 2026: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM. Tickets start at $48 and can be found online at CincinnatiArts.org, by phone at 513.621.ARTS or in person at the Aronoff Center Box Office downtown. For groups of 10 or more, contact the group sales department at 513.369.4363. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice. For more information, please visit BroadwayInCincinnati.com.

# # # #

First Financial Bank Broadway in Cincinnati presented by TriHealth is committed to bringing the very best of Broadway to the Tri-State, presenting touring Broadway plays and musicals in Cincinnati since 1987. For over twenty years, Broadway in Cincinnati has presented all shows at the Aronoff Center. The Broadway in Cincinnati series brings more than 185,000 people downtown to the Aronoff Center each year and contributes an average of $30 million to the local economy each season. Broadway in Cincinnati is a member of the Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and The Broadway League. The season is sponsored by First Financial Bank and presented by TriHealth. 

The John Gore Organization is a leading presenter, distributor, and marketer of Broadway theater worldwide. Under the leadership of 25-time Tony-winner and owner John Gore, its family of companies includes Broadway Across America, Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office and Broadway Brands. The company presents shows in over 45 cities across North America as well as on Broadway, Off-Broadway, London’s West End, Japan, and China. It has won Tony Awards in every producing category as well as numerous other Drama League, Drama Desk, and Olivier Awards. The John Gore Organization is committed to supporting theater access and education programs that introduce Broadway to the next generation of audiences and theater professionals.

Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of the John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office, and Broadway Brands. Led by 25-time Tony Award winner John Gore (Owner & CEO), Broadway Across America pioneered the Broadway subscription touring model and is a leading presenter of the first-class productions across more than 45 North American markets. Since inception, Broadway Across America has produced and/or invested in hundreds of Broadway, touring Broadway, and international productions that have won countless Tony awards and introduced millions of fans to the power of live theater.

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November 3, 2025 · 6:41 pm

A STEADY RAIN Review

By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds

A STEADY RAIN presented by Beechmont Players through November 8th. I attended the Opening Saturday performance.

Rick Grant and Dan Cohen. Photo by Kiya Fix.

This fall, Beechmont Players is bringing audiences A Steady Rain by Keith Huff. Described in short as “a gripping psychological drama exploring loyalty, morality, and the thin line between right and wrong”, this two-hander packs quite the emotional punch. Mr. Huff’s talent for writing great dialogue is extraordinary with the ideal mix of humour, suspense, and grit. The tale of two policemen who have been friends since childhood is a testament to the playwright’s skills as a storyteller.

Fortunately for the audience (and his performing artists), Director Ed Cohen is no slouch as a storyteller, either. His veteran leadership only helps to amplify the differences between the characters while staying true to the common bonds they share. The set is brilliantly simple; the characters are and should be the focus without any unnecessary distractions. Lighting Design by Kiya Fix and Michael Yarick (who wears many hats for this production including Technical Director) complements the simplicity of the set and contributes to the feeling of intimacy as we bear witness to the story unfolding before us.

Kudos to Stage Manager and Assistant Director Kate Collins for offering an additional point of view on Ed’s vision – the two come together nicely. (Please note I am not trying to be overly familiar with our director – but there are two Mr. Cohens of which I will be speaking. Besides, I know he wouldn’t mind.)

Under the capable direction of his father (and due to his own talents, of course), Dan Cohen hits his turn as Denny out of the park. His carefully chosen and executed mannerisms correlate seamlessly with his dialogue in telling you exactly who his character is. Yet, we see the vulnerability of a human who really does want to “protect and serve” those for whom he has a soft spot. Mr. Cohen has a command of the stage any actor would envy.

Going toe-to-toe with Mr. Cohen is Rick Grant as Joey. Joey is a character from the same beginnings as Denny and is no saint himself but has made some changes and is keeping an open mind. Mr. Grant’s handle on the complicated emotional journey his character takes is nothing short of excellent, balancing admittance of his flaws with acceptance of the facts as they are. It is a privilege to see how he embodies a character with perceived ease.

The chemistry between Mr. Cohen and Mr. Grant is the thing of which dream casts are made. Each masters the fine line between evoking sympathy for an unsympathetic act and truly hitting home that they are not always good guys. Thus, together these two actors are an untouchable team; they make it easy to believe everything they are telling you even when you know you should not. Bravo to two fine artists!.

I am a sucker for a show which has universal appeal. On the face of it, how many people can relate directly to being a cop in the not-so-hot spots of Chicago? But a good play isn’t just about that: it is about the shared emotions and struggles and even laughs to which anyone can relate. This one is no exception. In short, A Steady Rain is an emotional journey – but it is worth every moment.

A Steady Rain presented by Beechmont Players runs now through November 8th at Gabriel’s Corner in OTR. Run time is approximately 90 mins with no intermission.

For more information about the show, please visit this site.

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