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Cincinnati Playhouse’s RAPUNZEL Offers Fairy Tale, Friendship and Female Empowerment

PIP_Rapunzel

Photo by Tony Arrasmith/Arrasmith & Associates.

Off the Hill production visits community centers April 6-May 20

CINCINNATI—Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s Off the Hill production of RAPUNZEL will begin touring community centers around the region beginning April 6. A charming adaptation of the beloved fairy tale, the production travels from Oxford to Columbia Tusculum to Covington, and other places in between, before it closes May 20.

In this story, young Rapunzel lives in a tower with her overprotective grandmother, safe from the dangers of the world. As her curiosity about the outside grows, Rapunzel meets Rafi, a local boy whose friendship finally gives her the courage to be free.

With a script from award-winning playwright Mike Kenny, RAPUNZEL stays faithful to its fairytale setting that fans of the Brothers Grimm adaptation have come to know and love, while offering a nuanced perspective of independence, friendship, and family relationships. The production will feature magical design elements from Playhouse artisans and is directed by Playhouse Director of Education and Community Engagement Daunielle Rasmussen.

“One of the things I love about this version is that it’s not about a boy saving a girl,” says Rasmussen, who emphasizes that the show celebrates both male and female empowerment. “Their friendship brings meaning to the girl. She finds her own life and she finds her own destiny that’s different from his.”

The story also explores how the relationship between Rapunzel and Nana changes as Rapunzel matures. Nana must learn that she cannot keep her granddaughter safe from the world no matter how scary it is. It is a theme that Rasmussen hopes will resonate with parents today.

“It’s really a story about growing up. It’s about becoming your own person as a child, and as a parent, it’s about letting your child become their own person while still providing a sanctuary where they can become who they’re meant to be,” adds Rasmussen.

RAPUNZEL tours the Greater Cincinnati area from April 6 to May 20, 2018 and is appropriate for ages 4 and up.

For information on locations and tickets, visit cincyplay.com.

Off the Hill is supported by The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation, The Charles H. Dater Foundation, John C. Griswold and KeyBank.The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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In Response to the #METOO Movement, Walterhoope’s TOO LIKE THE LIGHTNING to be Screened at People’s Liberty

WH_Too Like the Lightning logo

Walterhoope will screen their short film TOO LIKE THE LIGHTNING, a satirical love poem to catcallers, mansplainers, followers on the street, and other sundry unsavories . Based on the feminist poetry of Teresa Spencer, TOO LIKE THE LIGHTNING pulls back the curtain on street harassment against women.

The screening will take place on Monday, March 26 at 7 PM at People’s Liberty, 1805 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202 . Single tickets, which include gourmet snacks created by In The Field, are now on sale for $10 at walterhoope.com, and can also be purchased with cash at the door. Pre-purchased tickets are recommended due to limited seating. All tickets are general admission.

Directed by Walterhoope founding members, Audrey Bertaux, David Mavricos, and William Vaughan; Featuring Audrey Bertaux, Billy Chace, Ernaisja Curry, Tatiana Godfrey, Padma, Teresa Spencer, and William Vaughan. Sound and original music by Matthew M. Neilson, The Curious Music Co. Surrounding the film will be community engagement, conversation, and poetry reading. Chef Kristen St. Clair of In the Field will be creating refreshments inspired by the film.

“Our goal with this project is to empower women of all background and experiences,” says Producing Artistic Director, Audrey Bertaux. “We are using comedy not to make light of the subject matter, but to rise above it.”

Walterhoope is a Cincinnati theatre arts organization, whose mission is to create the best theatre while uniting diverse art forms, to treat audiences as family and provide unique experiences for them, to use arts education to foster a healthy community, and to do it all responsibly.

For more information visit www.walterhoope.com or contact them at artistic@walterhoope.com or 646-481-8643. Connect with them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walterhoope.

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MEN ARE FROM MARS – WOMAN ARE FROM VENUS LIVE! | April 13-14 | Aronoff Center – Jarson Kaplan Theater |

CAA_Men are From Mars logo

MEN ARE FROM MARS – WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS LIVE!
Returns to the Aronoff Center’s Jason-Kaplan Theater
Friday, April 13 & Saturday, April 14

The New York Times says a “First-person, funny domestic tales and retro stand-up comedy based on The New York Times best-seller.”

Cincinnati, OH – The Off-Broadway hit MEN ARE FROM MARS – WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS LIVE! is a one-man fusion of theatre and stand-up and a light-hearted theatrical comedy based on The New York Times #1 best-selling book of the last decade by John Gray. Moving swiftly through a series of vignettes, the show covers everything from dating and marriage to the bedroom.  This show returns to the Aronoff Center’s intimate Jarson-Kaplan Theater on Friday, April 13 at 7:30 PM and Saturday, April 14 at 4:00 PM & 7:30 PM.

Tickets are on sale now at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. Group discount tickets for ten or more are available by calling (513) 977-4157.

MEN ARE FROM MARS – WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS LIVE! is more than just the book.

After beginning in Paris in 2007, MEN ARE FROM MARS – WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS LIVE! has been seen by more than one million people around Europe. It debuted in the United States in February 2013 in Raleigh, North Carolina and will be playing to audiences around the United States and Canada throughout the year.

This hysterical show will have couples elbowing each other all evening as they see themselves on stage. Sexy and fast paced, this show is definitely for adults, but will leave audiences laughing and giggling like little kids!

When Mars and Venus collide, the adventures are earth-shatteringly hysterical. It’s a great recipe for a night out: a little storytelling blended with some comedy and a dash of sage wisdom from the book. A delicious evening of entertainment!

CAA_Amadeo FuscaStarring in this one-man theatrical comedy is AMADEO FUSCA. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Amadeo currently performs on the Upright Citizens Brigade Maude House Sketch Comedy team ‘Hot Bird’.

In 2013, he won the legendary Friars Club “So You Think You Can Roast?” competition, beating out fifty-five other comedians, roasting ‘80s child-star Ricky Schroeder and NBA Hall-of-Famer Dennis Rodman in the process. As the winner, Amadeo was among the dais to roast comedic actor Jack Black, along with comic legends such as the “Roastmaster” General Jeff Ross, Sarah Silverman, Artie Lange, Bob Saget, Amy Schumer, and more. Amadeo’s success at the roast landed him two quotes in Entertainment Weekly’s funniest jokes of the event.

In addition to his comedy, Amadeo also can be seen in various television and film productions. His wide range of dramatic and comedic roles include a co-starring role in the final episode of the HBO hit series Boardwalk Empire, a co-starring role in the season finale of the Netflix series Marvel’s Daredevil, a co-starring role in the CBS show As The World Turns, and a supporting role in the feature film A New York Heartbeat, starring Eric Roberts and Rachel Brosnahan.

His influences in film and comedy include Robert De Niro, Paul Newman, Steve Martin, Don Rickles, and Sebastian Maniscalco.  Amadeo currently lives in New York City.

For more information, please visit his website at www.amadeofusca.com.

Since being published in 1992, John Gray’s Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, exploring the differences between the sexes, has sold in excess of fifty-million copies, been translated into forty different languages, and is one of the most recognizable titles in the world. Gray has written seventeen books and become one of the most trusted relationship authors today, appearing on the national lecture circuit and on such TV shows as Good Morning America, Oprah, and Larry King Live.

Producer, St. Louis-based Emery Entertainment, has produced or promoted thousands of events around the globe, including superstar attractions Blue Man Group, David Copperfield, and James Taylor.

The talented team assembled for this production continues with the award-winning playwright Eric Coble, direction by Broadway-veteran Mindy Cooper, and animation and video production by the talented animators at Bazillion Productions.

CINCINNATI ARTS ASSOCIATION SPONSORS

Season Sponsors:  AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), CINCINNATI-NORTHERN KENTUCKY HONDA DEALERS,  FIFTH THIRD BANK (Lifetime Endowment Partner), FURNITURE FAIR, LOCAL12 WKRC, The P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS:  21C Museum Hotel, Cincinnati Herald, CityBeat, Courtyard Marriott Cincinnati Midtown/Rookwood, Heidelberg Distributing, Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, Hyatt Regency Cincinnati, Macy’s, Pepsi, Prosource, Skyline Chili, Spoon & Cellar, TriHealth, Ultimate Air Shuttle, USI

Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of 600,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than 1.6 million students. For more information, visit www.CincinnatiArts.org.

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Cincinnati Opera Presents OPERA GOES TO CHURCH April 26-28 and June 4

co_logoTickets Available Online Only
Monday, March 19 at 10 a.m. 

Celebrating its thirteenth year, this inspiring free concert series will
present four unique concerts in two inspiring community churches.

CINCINNATI—Cincinnati Opera’s hugely successful free community concert series, Opera Goes to Church, will present performances on three consecutive evenings at Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Churchin Woodlawn on April 26, 27, and 28, featuring the choirs of Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist ChurchNew Jerusalem Baptist Church, and Southern Baptist Church. On Monday, June 4, Opera Goes to Church will present a concert at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church in Bond Hill featuring the Allen Temple A.M.E. Church Choir. Channel 5 news anchor Courtis Fuller will emcee all four concerts. Cincinnati Opera artists will also perform in the concerts, with soloists to be announced at a future date.

Now in its thirteenth year, the series features internationally acclaimed artists from Cincinnati Opera, dynamic congregational choirs, and young artists, performing a variety of musical genres including gospel, jazz, and classical. Cincinnati Opera works closely with the music staff and performers at each location to create powerful, unique programs which are individually crafted for each concert.

Admission to each event is free, though tickets are required (limit four tickets per household per venue). Tickets are available beginning Monday, March 19 at 10 a.m. by visiting cincinnatiopera.org/church andusing the promo code PRAISE at the ticketing link.

Performance Details: 

OPERA GOES TO CHURCH
Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church
9991 Wayne Avenue, Woodlawn, OH 45215

  • Thursday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m.
  • Friday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m.

Featuring the Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church Choir; New Jerusalem Baptist Church Choir; Southern Baptist Church Choir; Cincinnati Opera artists; and more performers to be announced

OPERA GOES TO CHURCH
Allen Temple A.M.E. Church
7080 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45237 (Bond Hill)

  • Monday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m.

Featuring the Allen Temple A.M.E. Church Choir; Cincinnati Opera artists; and more performers to be announced 

Admission:
FREE, though tickets are required (limit four tickets per household per venue). Tickets are available beginning Monday, March 19 at 10 a.m. To reserve, visit cincinnatiopera.org/church and use the promo code PRAISE at the ticketing link.

Founded in 1920 and the second oldest opera company in the nation, Cincinnati Opera presents a thrilling season of grand opera every June and July. The company’s repertoire includes beloved classics and contemporary masterworks brought to life by some of the world’s most dynamic performers and creative teams. 

Cincinnati Opera’s 2018 Summer Festival runs June 14 through July 31, featuring Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, Claudio Monteverdi’s The Coronation of Poppea, Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman, Laura Kaminsky’s As One, and the United States premiere of Another Brick in the Wall, based on the Pink Floyd album The Wall. Cincinnati Opera’s 2018 season is made possible with support from ArtsWave, Ohio Arts Council, Macy’s, The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, and many generous individuals, corporations, and foundations.

www.cincinnatiopera.org

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Mars Hill Academy High School Drama presents THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE

MHA_Pirates of Penzance promo

Senior Andrew Cunningham of Liberty Twp. as Frederick; sophomore Tessa DeBra of Loveland as Ruth; and senior Aaron Admiraal of Mason as the Pirate King.

MASON — Come join a band of swashbuckling buccaneers, frolicsome Victorian maidens, and the “model of a modern Major-General” when Mars Hill Academy presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE.

Set on a rocky Cornish coast, this musical comedy tells the story of a bumbling group of pirates and their young charge Frederic, who has decided it’s time to hang up the sword and become a respectable gentleman. As the pirates attempt to bring him back into the fold, there are confrontations with the police and romantic entanglements with the Major General’s daughters.

“Audiences will enjoy the rich sounds of a full orchestra, as well as the classic elegance and power of the students’ vocal performances. Their energy and sense of humor keep the show alive and exciting – the interaction between the pirates, policemen, and daughters is particularly playful,”  said Lisa Cunningham, producer for the show.

Performances of the show will be at Parrish Auditorium, Miami University Hamilton, March 22-24 at 7 p.m. and March 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at www.marshill.edu or at the door. Tickets for the Thursday performance are $10 for general admission and $15 for premium reserved seats. Tickets for Friday and Saturday performances are $12 for general admission and $20 for premium reserved seats. Seats for premium tickets may be selected online.

The cast includes Frederick played by Andrew Cunningham of Liberty Twp.; Mabel played by Quinn York of West Chester Twp.; Pirate King, Aaron Admiraal of Mason; Major General, Jacob Oedy of Lebanon; Ruth, Tessa DeBra of Loveland; Kate, Emma Kirk of Cincinnati; Edith, Gita O’Brien of Cincinnati; Samuel, Daniel Taylor of Liberty Twp.; and Sergeant, Kyle Chu of Cincinnati.

Appearing as pirates are Cara Admiraal, Kyle Chu, Nate Cox, Brynn Gage, Anna Kate Hicks, Drew Hicks, Lucy Hicks, Peyton Hutchinson, Eli Mullucey, Etienne Pienaar, and Meredith Weber.

The Major General’s daughters are played by Olivia Baker, Abby Bowling, Marianne Erickson, Rylen Erickson, Michaela Estruth, Frances Hultgren, Abby Kirk, Sophie Kirk, Talita O’Brien, Lizzie Pereira, Claire Robey, Rachel Tipton, Katrina Trees, Danielle Yang, and Michelle Yang.

The police are played by Samuel Beatty, Christopher Cunningham, Michaela Estruth, Frances Hultgren, Sarah Isaacs, Julia Leonard, Jacob McGuire, Etienne Pienaar, Marcel Pienaar, and Lauren Williams.

Mars Hill Academy is Cincinnati’s only private, independent K-12 classical Christian school. One of only 42 schools nationwide accredited by the Association of Classical and Christian Schools (ACCS), Mars Hill Academy offers a proven educational method used for millennia to build sharp minds and a love for learning. For more information, please call 513-770-3223 or visit www.marshill.edu.

Mars Hill Academy presents THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
March 22-24, 7 p.m., March 24, 2 p.m.

Parrish Auditorium, Miami University Hamilton
1601 University Blvd., Hamilton

Tickets
Thursday: $10, general admission, $15, premium reserved seats.
Friday, Saturday: $12, general admission, $20, premium reserved seats.

For more information visit www.marshill.edu.

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