Author Archives: robbucher

It’s Back! TO BE BLACK is Available to Stream through June 27

CBTAC_To Be Black logo2Cincinnati Black Theatre Artist Collective (Cincy BlackTAC) with Falcon Theatre is excited to announce that back by popular demand, TO BE BLACK is available for streaming through June 27, 2021.

Whether you’re seeing these special performances for the first time or re-visiting these dynamic and nuanced works, we can’t wait to bring these stories back into your homes.

Cincy BlackTAC is excited to expand their work to focus on new voices. In their successful 2020 summer weekly series, Monologues For Us By Us, they featured the work of August Wilson and his contemporaries. In this new collaboration, they will continue to showcase the stories of Black life in the most varied and multi-faceted way; promoting the awareness that the Black experience is not monolithic. Under the direction of Piper N. Davis and Candice Handy, local playwrights will have the opportunity to have their work brought to life by some of Cincinnati’s favorite faces, including Geoffrey Barnes, Burgess Byrd and Ernaisja Curry. Featured playwrights include Derek J. Snow, Cris Eli Blak, A.J. Baldwin Arethia Hornsby Rinfrow, and Curtis Shepard.

“The audience will get to hear from a variety of Black voices with TO BE BLACK. I hope that viewers will gain some perspective in subject matters like identity, gentrification and trauma that affect Black people every day in a different way than our white peers. I also hope that the audience will have a good time! There are some new, fresh and comedic voices in TO BE BLACK that truly showcase the vibrancy of Black culture and quick-wittedness of Black folks!” says Cincy BlackTAC Artistic Director, Candice Handy.

Falcon Theatre is proud to bring Cincinnati Black Theatre Artist Collective to their space to produce this virtual theatrical event. “Theatre, at its core, is a collaborative process. Part of Falcon Theatre’s mission is to advocate new voices, foster talent and vision and provide a safe, inviting environment for all artists to grow and share their work. Collaborating with Cincy BlackTAC is a fundamental way Falcon can help support the efforts of BIPOC artists so the momentum gained through tragedy is not lost to complacency,” says Artistic Director and Founder of Falcon Theatre, Ted Weil.

TO BE BLACK will be available for streaming through June 27, 2021, for $15. Tickets will be available for purchase on both the Falcon and Cincinnati Black Theatre Artist Collective’s websites. Ticketholders will be able to view the show for 48 hours after their purchase.

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CFF21: My Fringe Show Rankings

CFF_The Belle and Boone HelmUpdated 6/18/21 1:30pm

Below I am ranking the shows I’ve attended to date, based on a number of criteria from the voices in my head. 🙂 Please understand that differences between shows in the rankings can be infinitesimal. Only 15 more video on demand shows to go! -Rob

  1. THE BELLE AND BOONE HELM (VOD)
    Smartly written, beautifully filmed, and a strong ensemble led by Gregory and an intense and scary Dylan Shelton.
  2. YOU WILL LIVE UNDER THE SEA (VOD)
    Written by Trey Tatum. Directed by Bridget Leak. Performed by Tatum and Jordan Trovillion. This team never disappoints. Join them this year as they ruin a children’s book. Rated R for language. “I want my f@#$ing jet pack!”
  3. THE PRIME OF MISS JEN JOPLIN (VOD)
  4. HORSETALE (VOD)
  5. THE BUTTERFLY HEIST (OS)
  6. UNBOXING (VOD)
  7. PLANET OF THE GRAPES LIVE (LS)
  8. UNINTENTIONAL SIGNIFICANCE (VOD)
  9. BETSY CARMICHAEL LIVE AT THE BINGO PALACE (LS)
  10. HARAMBE (OS)
  11. ONE EASY LIE (LS)
  12. PANTHER WOMAN (OS)
  13. NAUGHTY BITS (VOD)
  14. DIED IN A TRAILER PARK, WOKE UP A MERMAID (VOD)
  15. AWAY, NOW (VOD)
  16. AN EVENING WITH GWENDOLYN (VOD)
  17. DANGEROUS WHEN WET: BOOZE, SEX, AND MY MOTHER (LS)
  18. MEERA’S KITCHEN (LS)
  19. #TXTSHOW (ON THE INTERNET) (LS)
  20. TILTED FRAME @ HOME (LS)
  21. TWITTERHATED (OS)
  22. REWIND-A-BUDDY (LS)
  23. SAFE (VOD)
  24. FROM RUSSIA WITHOUT LOVE (LS)
  25. CONTINUUM (LS)
  26. THE PARK CRUISING DIARIES (OS)
  27. ON MAINTENANCE (OS)

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INDECENT Runs July 1-11

CAST_Indecent logoINDECENT
Commonwealth Artists Student Theatre
July 1-11
The Carnegie [Covington]

Directed by Michael Sherman

By Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, is a deeply moving play inspired by the true events surrounding the controversial 1923 Broadway debut of Sholem Asch’s God of Vengeance—a play seen by some as a seminal work of Jewish culture, and by others as an act of traitorous libel. INDECENT charts the history of an incendiary drama and the path of the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it.

  • Thu-Sat, July 1-3 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sun, July 9-11 at 7:30pm

Official page |

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Cast Announced for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at The Carnegie

TC_Little Shop of Horrors logo

Little Shop of Horrors Kicks Off The Carnegie’s
2021-22 Theatre Season

Beloved musical to be performed outdoors Aug. 13-15 and 20-22, 2021

COVINGTON, KY – It’s an American classic featuring a meek floral assistant, a woman he loves … and a giant, fast-talking – and singing – plant. This August, get ready to experience the musical magic of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

A show that has delighted audiences for more than 30 years, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS kicks off The Carnegie’s 2021-22 theatre season with two weekends of rousing outdoor performances at Covington Plaza at Riverfront Commons (144 Madison Ave., Covington, KY 41011). The show tells the tale of Seymour, a down-on-his-luck floral assistant who lives on Skid Row and spends his days pining for his co-worker (and the love of his life), Audrey.

Once Seymour meets a plant that can talk, he suddenly sees his fortune change as his new companion (whom he promptly names “Audrey II”) promises wealth, fame and his dream girl can all be his. There’s just one problem: In exchange for his dreams, he must be willing to submit to Audrey II’s nightmarish dreams of world domination.

Featuring a beloved score in a Motown style, you’ll be hopping and bopping to hits like “Suddenly Seymour,” “Skid Row,” and “Somewhere That’s Green.” Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and ALADDIN) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world.

“The magic of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS crosses generations, stage and film. Given the setting of the beautiful new amphitheater at Covington Plaza, it’s a perfect production to bring to life this summer,” said Carnegie Theatre Director Maggie Perrino. “From the classic Motown flavor of the music to the inherent entertainment value of the dialogue and characters, this show’s name belies the fun and flair within that’s made it a classic.”

The Carnegie’s production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS will be presented Friday, August 13, 8 p.m.; Saturday, August 14, 8 p.m.; Sunday, August 15, 6 p.m.; Friday, August 20, 8 p.m.; Saturday, August 21, 8 p.m.; Sunday, August 22, 6 p.m. Shows will be performed at Covington Plaza’s amphitheater, located near Roebling Bridge spanning the riverfront from Madison to Greenup Street.

Subscriptions and single tickets for the 2021-22 Theatre Season are on sale now. Full season subscriptions are $106 and $102 for Carnegie Members. Pick three subscriptions are available for $82-87 depending on selected titles. Individual tickets for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS are $32 for adults, $29 Carnegie members and $25 for students. Individual tickets and subscriptions can be purchased through The Carnegie Box Office, Tuesday–Friday noon to 5 p.m., in person or by phone at (859) 957-1940 or online at www.thecarnegie.com. Patrons seeking group or student tickets should call to arrange.

Cast List

  • Seymour- Kyle Taylor
  • Audrey- Maddie Vaughn
  • Mr. Mushnik- Dan Cohen
  • Crystal- Sasha Spitz
  • Chiffon-Alloria Frayser
  • Ronnette- Christian Kidd
  • Orin- Ryaan Farhadi
  • Audrey II (Voice of the Plant)- Michael Lee Jr.
  • Featured Ensemble/ Audrey II Puppeteer- Jamal Stone
  • Featured Ensemble- Jack Johnson
  • Featured Ensemble- Je’Shaun Jackson
  • Featured Ensemble- Cassidy Steele

Production Staff

  • Director/Choreographer- Maggie Perrino
  • Music Director- Steve Goers
  • Stage Manager- Carissa Gandenberger
  • Asst. Stage Manager- Shauna Nelson
  • Technical Director- Doug Stock
  • Costume Designer- Cat Schmeal-Swope 

The Carnegie’s 2021-22 Theatre Series is presented by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. 

Additional production support for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS comes from Johnson Investment Counsel. 

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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 receives ongoing operating support from ArtsWave, Cincinnati International Wine Festival, City of Covington, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, the Kentucky Arts Council and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation. 

ABOUT THE CARNEGIE THEATRE SERIES:
The Carnegie Theatre Series produces professional, innovative stagings of an eclectic range of theatrical works. Striving to unite the greater Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati theatre community through partnerships and collaborations, the series engages and nurtures both emerging and established talent, including working professionals, committed part-time theatre artists, university performing arts students and younger students. The Carnegie Theatre Series productions bring together these forces to provide quality theatre for Northern Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati area.

 

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Directors Sought for 2022-2023 Season at Mariemont Players

MPI_logo 2020Director Applications are now being accepted for Mariemont Players’ 2022-2023 Season!

Mariemont Players is currently accepting applications for directing for the MPI 2022-2023 Season. To receive an application and additional information please contact Jackie Miesle at jmiesle@gmail.com.

Mariemont Players hopes to present theatre that makes our audience think and feel about what they see on our stage. We want our patrons to be entertained but, just as importantly, we want them to feel an emotional connection to the material.

Our season slots are September, November, January, March, May, and July. The committee is looking for comedies that can make an audience laugh, a drama that makes them cry, or best of all, a show that can do both. It could be a mystery that keeps them guessing until the end or a musical that has them singing in their seats. It could be a favorite classic with a fresh production or an exciting new show.

The committee is looking to create an exciting and well-rounded season filled with all genres. We are particularly interested in productions that would provide opportunities for local actors, designers, and technicians to continue to grow and develop as artists, and show depth and range for our audiences.

Deadline for applications is July 15, 2021.

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