Category Archives: Events

January 31, 2017 · 7:00 pm

ROCKTOPIA: A Classical (R)evolution | Sun., April 1 | Aronoff Center

ONE NIGHT ONLY!caa_rocktopia-logoROCKTOPIA ANNOUNCES CAST OF INAUGURAL NATIONAL TOUR

CO-CREATORS ROB EVAN AND MAESTRO RANDALL CRAIG FLEISCHER ASSEMBLE WORLD CLASS PERFORMERS FOR ROCKTOPIA CAST

Saturday, April 1, 2017 – 8:00 PM

Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! 

Music from Mozart to U2, Beethoven to Pink Floyd, This Live Concert Is a
Powerful Fusion of Classical Music, Opera and Classic Rock   

Now a PBS-TV Special Filmed Live at the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest

CINCINNATI, OH  –RTT is thrilled to announce the cast of the inaugural live concert tour ROCKTOPIA: A Classical (R)evolution.   ROCKTOPIA Co-Creators, vocalist and recording artist Rob Evan, a member of the multi-platinum-selling rock band, Trans- Siberian Orchestra; and Maestro Randall Craig Fleischer, a national leader in the area of symphonic rock and world music fusion have collaborated to bring together a world class cast of vocalists and musicians. ROCKTOPIA LIVE will debut at the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall for one night only on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 8:00 PM.

Tickets are on sale now at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.

This groundbreaking live concert performance celebrating the combination of classical music and opera with classic rock features world-class vocalists and top rock musicians including renowned vocalists Rob Evan, Chloe Lowery, Kimberly Nichole, Tony Vincent, Ximena Borges and esteemed musicians Tony Bruno, Alex Alexander, Mat Fieldes and Henry Aronson. 

Accomplished actor, singer and producer Rob Evan’s 20 years in the entertainment profession includes seven leading roles on Broadway and performances at Presidential Inaugural Galas, World Series Celebrations, the Millennium World Forum and Monday Night Football.  A member of the multi-platinum-selling rock band, Trans- Siberian Orchestra, Rob has opened and performed with Sir Elton John, REM, Joe Walsh, Usher and Michael Crawford among others.  As co- creator of ROCKTOPIA he will be on stage with vocalist Chloe Lowery another member of Trans-Siberian Orchestra and featured on Yanni’s 2013, 2014 and 2016 releases: Truth of Touch, Inspirato, and Sensuous Chill.  Tony Vincent Broadway star of Rent who also originated the role of St. Jimmy in Green Day’s American Idiot and competed on NBC’s The VOICE on Team Ce-Lo joins Kimberly Nichole, another VOICE veteran as a winning finalist in Season 8. She has been described as an “Avant-Rock n Roll” song stylist and songwriter by VOGUE, Seventeen Magazine and MTV UK.  Classically trained Opera star Ximena Borges has traveled the world from the Lyon Conservatory in France to the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, Germany to study under the tutelage of Opera’s most legendary teachers including Bill Schuman, Mariena Malas and more.   ROCKTOPIA musicians include lead guitarist Tony Bruno, guitarist for such musical giants as Enrique Iglesias, Rihanna, E K’naan, Karmin, Delta Goodrem and many others. Multi genre drummer and percussionist Alex Alexander who has recorded with an eclectic mix of performers Eminem, Chaka Kahn and Bruce Springsteen.  Grammy Nominated Bassist Mat Fieldes and Musical Director, Pianist Henry Aronson, one of the most in demand music directors in the Broadway theater and conductor of The Who’s Tommy and the Broadway run of Rock of Ages make up the ROCKTOPIA musicians roster.

This electric cast along with local orchestras and choirs will launch a 4-week national tour beginning  March 28 in Portland, Maine continuing to Reading, Pennsylvania March 29; Albany, New York March 30; Greensburg, Pennsylvania March 31; Cincinnati, Ohio April 1; Ft. Wayne, Indiana April 2; Davenport, Iowa April 4; Peoria, Illinois April 5; Kansas City, Missouri April 6; Joliet, Illinois April 7; Columbus, Ohio April 8; E. Lansing, Michigan April 9;  Buffalo, New York April 11, Detroit, Michigan April 12; Cleveland, Ohio April 13; Baltimore, Maryland April 14;  Charlotte, North Carolina April 15; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida April 18; Jacksonville, Florida April 19; Atlanta, Georgia April 20; Melbourne, Florida April 21; Tampa, Florida April 22 and Pensacola, Florida April 23.  Complete tour dates, venues and ticket information can be found on www.rocktopia.com.

ROCKTOPIA is an inspiring and uplifting entertainment spectacle that brings a whole new way of enjoying the best of classical music and classic rock to audiences.  ROCKTOPIA delivers one-of-a-kind musical arrangements blending Beethoven with Journey, Strauss with The Who, and more in musical mash-ups that surprise and delight.  Musically arranged by Maestro Randall Craig Fleischer, the concert showcases the works of classical composers as well as rock bands, including the music of Mozart, Journey, Handel, U2, Tchaikovsky, Heart, Beethoven, Styx, Foreigner, Rachmaninoff, Pink Floyd, Copland, The Who and more.  

ROCKTOPIA performances creates an incredible dynamic concert experience sure to blow audiences away as proven in Budapest at the State Hungarian Opera House, now a PBS TV special airing in cities across the United States.

For complete bios, tour and ticket information visit www.rocktopia.com. 

View/Download  Video here

View/Download Photos here 

About RTT
ROCKTOPIA is produced and presented by RTT.  The company is headed by William Franzblau, Rob Evan and Maggie Seidel-Law who collectively have been creating, producing and presenting national tours, Broadway shows and concerts worldwide for over 30 years.  William Franzblau has produced such award- winning shows as the Tony Nominated Best Play Say Goodnight Gracie, and the tour of LITTLE HOUSE on the PRAIRIE the Musical starring Melissa Gilbert.  Maggie Seidel-Law has spearheaded multiple tours and live entertainment events associated with PBS including the global phenomenon Celtic Woman.  ROCKTOPIA will be RTT’s first project and will tour through 20+ US cities in the spring of 2017.  Their offices are located in New York, NY and Nashville, TN.

About Rob Evan
Rob Evan is an accomplished actor, singer and producer with 20 years of professional experience in the entertainment industry.  During the span of his diverse career, he has performed in seven leading roles on the New York Stage including the original Broadway cast of Jekyll & Hyde, playing the title roles for three years and over 1,000 performances worldwide. As a vocalist and recording artist, Rob is a member of the multi-platinum-selling rock band, Trans- Siberian Orchestra. He can be heard on TSO’s The Lost Christmas Eve (Certified Double Platinum – Lava/Atlantic) and their latest release, Nightcastle, which debuted at #5 on Billboard’s Top 100 (currently certified Platinum – Atlantic Records). He has played in arenas across the country and the world for up to 20,000 people per show. Rob has toured Europe and the US with TSO as Beethoven in TSO’s Rock Opera, Beethoven’s Last Night. Rob has opened for and performed with Sir Elton John, Trisha Yearwood, Linda Eder, Phil Collins, REM, Bonnie Tyler, John Cougar Mellencamp, Joe Walsh, Usher and Michael Crawford, among others. He was also lead vocalist for Jim Steinman’s The Dream Engine and recently released the debut album for his progressive rock band, Menrva Realm.

About Randall Craig Fleischer
Mr. Fleischer has appeared as a guest conductor with many major orchestras in the United States and internationally including engagements with the Boston Pops, China Philharmonic Hong Kong Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, Houston Symphony, Philly Pops, Moscow State Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Utah Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Festival Cesky Krumlov (Czech Republic) and many others.   “…There was purpose and meaning in the performance, and Fleischer let the lyricism of the music flow in seamless lines.” Deseret News – Salt Lake City, Utah.  As Music Director/Conductor of three symphony orchestras, Youngstown Symphony, Hudson Valley Philharmonic and the Anchorage Symphony, Mr. Fleischer has led each orchestra through a dramatic period of artistic growth, demonstrating his abilities as a proven orchestra builder. This sounds like a different symphony orchestra, and this season should be an exciting experience.“ Arizona Daily Sun 1998. “The HVP’s music director was heartily affirmed by the extended standing ovation.” Times Herald Record.

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January 25, 2017 · 6:02 pm

The Carnegie Hosts TEAM KARAOKE CHALLENGE

karaoke-finalSaturday, February 11, 2017
Registration Deadline: Friday, February 3, 2017

(COVINGTON, KY) – Carpool crooners, secretive singers, and daring divas are invited to show off their karaoke chops on Saturday, February 11, as part of The Carnegie’s Team Karaoke Challenge. 

The team-based karaoke event, part of The Carnegie’s new G.E.T. Together series, will pit teams of two to four against each other in a knock-out style tournament with audience members as judges. During the first round, teams will sing their best group number, then play or steal in the karaoke trivia round, and finally put up their best soloist to win the game. Audience members will have fun cheering for their friends, jeering for their opponents, and voting for the winner. The 1st – 3rd place teams will receive $1,000 in prizes.

“Karaoke is one of those things that just screams party,” said Maggie Perrino, Theatre Director at The Carnegie. “We want people to give us their best popstar impression and have a blast doing it, all in a fun, friendly atmosphere at The Carnegie.”

Doors open for happy hour in The Carnegie Galleries at 6pm, with the karaoke challenge beginning at 7pm.

Team registration is $60 and must be completed by Friday, February 3. Teams can register by emailing Carnegie Theatre Director Maggie Perrino at mperrino@thecarnegie.com. Registration includes one complimentary drink per person.

Tickets to the Team Karaoke Challenge are $21 for adults and $18 for students, and include one complimentary drink.  Tickets are available at The Carnegie Box Office, open Tuesday-Friday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., online at www.thecarnegie.com, or by phone at (859) 957-1940.

New for the 2016-17 season, the G.E.T. Together series is a collaborative, interactive series brining together the talents of The Carnegie’s Gallery, Education, and Theatre departments. The series Media Sponsor is WMKV.

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 Cincinnati Wine Festival, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, the Kentucky Arts Council and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. / US Bank Foundation. The Carnegie is also supported by the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.

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January 24, 2017 · 5:57 pm

DANCING FOR THE STARS 2017 | Sat., April 8 | JACK CASINO Ballroom

CAA_Dancing for the StarsCINCINNATI, OH – Who will be voted Cincinnati’s best celebrity dancer?  Which stars have the right moves to rule the dance floor?  Find out on Saturday, April 8, 2017 when the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) celebrates the eleventh season of its annual fundraiser DANCING FOR THE STARS at the JACK CASINO Ballroom (1000 Broadway Street in downtown Cincinnati) to benefit CAA’s Overture Awards – the nation’s largest locally-run high school arts scholarship competition – and Arts Education Programs.

Inspired by the hit ABC-TV show Dancing with the Stars, DANCING FOR THE STARS will feature eight Cincinnati celebrities paired with some of the area’s finest professional dancers in a competition program, at which the audience will vote for their favorite celebrity dancer. The competitive dance for the evening will be Foxtrot, and each dance pair will have ninety seconds to woo the crowd and the judges.

In addition, DANCING FOR THE STARS will feature:

  • Silent auction
  • Dance music by guest DJ “Rockin’ Ron” Schumacher, WGRR-FM
  • Pre-event reception and wine tasting
  • Open dancing before and after the competition
  • Lite bites provided by some of Cincinnati’s finest restaurants and caterers
  • Cash bar

In addition to the winner of the dance competition, DANCING FOR THE STARS will crown a Fundraising Champion – the celebrity dancer who raises the most revenue toward the event’s fundraising goal through table/ticket sales and donations. Fans may add a donation under their favorite celebrity’s name at the time of ticket purchase, or simply make a donation if they cannot attend the event. These direct donations (outside of the event ticket price)  will help one of the fans’ favorite celebrities win the Dancing for the Stars Fundraising Champion award – which will be announced the evening of the event – and are 100% tax deductible.

Tickets are currently on sale at the following levels (a portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible):

  • $150 – Patron (includes pre-event reception and two drink tickets)
  • $1,500 – Corporate Table (ten Patron level tickets and a half-page program ad)
  • $2,000 – Celebrity Circle Table (premium “first-row” viewing of competition area, ten Patron level tickets, full-page program ad, recognition on event signage)

RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION:

Tickets on sale February 1

THE STARS:

  • Alvin H. Crawford, MD (Honoris Causa, FACS, Professor Emeritus, Orthopaedic & Pediatric Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine)
  • Robin Creighton (Owner/Photographer, Robin McKerrell Photography/Mecca OTR/Cheapside Café)
  • Amal Daoud (Community Volunteer)
  • Mark Heidrich (Director of National Accounts, ProSource)
  • Rohan Hemani (Procter & Gamble Fabric Care Intrapenuer)
  • Allison Holzapfel, MD (Plastic Surgeon, Mangat-Holzapfel and Lied)
  • Joe Rozzi (Vice President of Sales, Rozzi Famous Fireworks)
  • Amy Tobin (Director, The Event Center at New Riff Distillery Event Center)

THE PROS (WITH STAR PAIRING):  

  • Doreen Beatrice (Independent Dance Instructor) – Rohan Hemani
  • Leigh Bradshaw (Cincinnati Ballroom Company) – Mark Heidrich
  • Bonita Brockert (Independent Dance Instructor) – Dr. Alvin Crawford
  • Desiree Mainous (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Cincinnati) – Joe Rozzi
  • Jeremy Mainous (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Cincinnati) – Dr. Allison Holzapfel
  • Jozsef Parragh (Independent Dance Instructor) – Amy Tobin
  • Josh Tilford (Independent Dance Instructor) – Amal Daoud
  • Alyenendrov (Lenny) Tsorokean (Phoenix Rising Ballroom) – Robin Creighton

THE HOSTS: Chris O’Brien & Janeen Coyle (“Married With Microphones,” 103.5 WGRR-FM)

THE JUDGES:   

  • Douglas Beal (Independent Dance Instructor)
  • Barbara Hauser (Manager, Ohio Community Relations, Procter & Gamble – Dancing for the Stars 2015 Celebrity participant)
  • Jamie Humes  (Vice President-Marketing, Traditions Group – Dancing for the Stars 2016 Fundraising Champion)
  • John Morris Russell (Conductor, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra)

EVENT COMMITTEE:  Terry Foster (co-chair, Dancing for the Stars 2010 Celebrity participant),  Joe Rigotti (co-chair, Dancing for the Stars 2012 Celebrity participant), Christina Bolden, Sue Gilkey, Jim Howland, Ginger Loftin, Rosemary Schlachter, Phil Schworer, and Tracey Skale.

EVENT SPONSORS:  Arthur Murray – Cincinnati; Cincinnati Ballroom Company; Crest Graphics, Inc.; Pebble Creek Group; Bonita Brockert; Jozsef Parragh; Phoenix Rising Ballroom; Josh Tilford.

TEN YEARS OF DANCING FOR THE STARS WINNERS:

  • 2007:     Dr. O’dell Owens (former Hamilton County Coroner)
  • 2008:     Jenell Walton (former WCPO-TV9 Anchor and Reporter)
  • 2009:     Phil Schworer (past President, Cincinnati Bar Association; Environmental Lawyer, Frost, Brown and Todd)
  • 2010:     Donna Speigel (Owner, The Snooty Fox)
  • 2011:     Tracey Skale (Chief Medical Officer, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services)
  • 2012:     Regina Russo (former Director of Marketing and Communications, Cincinnati Art Museum)
  • 2013:     Chris Seelbach (Cincinnati City Councilman)
  • 2014:     Neal Schulte (Founder & President, Schulte Financial Group, LLC)
  • 2015:     Johnny Chu (Owner, AmerAsia Kungfood Restaurant)
  • 2016:     Jay Lame (Financial Analyst, Lenox Wealth Management)

CINCINNATI ARTS ASSOCIATION’S ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
CAA’s Education Department promotes life-long learning through its programs, which are diverse, multidisciplinary, and accessible to all ages and cultural groups. SchoolTime presents a series of programs that feature nationally-recognized artists at CAA’s two venues (the Aronoff Center and Music Hall), and Artists On Tour brings the finest local artists in the region to Tri-state schools for interactive arts experiences aligned with the curriculum.

The Overture Awards Scholarship Competition is the largest locally run arts scholarship competition in the country.  The program annually provides a $4,000 scholarship to six area high school students for education and training, with 18 finalists each winning a $1,000 scholarship. Each year, nearly 500 students are nominated by their schools to compete in one of six artistic disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art or Vocal Music. There are three levels of competition: Regional, Semi-Finals, and Final.

The Overture Awards was developed to recognize, encourage, and reward excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12. It also provides students an opportunity to share their talents and interests among their peers in a supportive environment outside of their individual schools.  Now in its 20th year, The Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation and Leadership Cincinnati (a Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce program).

Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of two 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 more than 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, including Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony/Pops Orchestras, May Festival, and Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati, presented by TriHealth. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached nearly 1.5 million students.

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January 23, 2017 · 6:53 pm

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS Will Travel Around Cincinnati This Winter

Playhouse’s Off The Hill tour begins Jan. 21

pip_around-the-world-in-80-days-promo(CINCINNATI) The Playhouse’s popular, family-friendly Off the Hill Series embarks on an imaginative adventure with Around the World in 80 Days, which will tour to community centers throughout Greater Cincinnati from Jan. 21 through Feb. 18, 2017.

“I am very excited to share Toby Hulse’s adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days with students and families throughout the Tristate area,” says Daunielle Rasmussen, the Playhouse’s director of education and community engagement. “This is a fast-paced, exciting romp around the world with smart and funny dialogue that will delight all ages.”

The classic Jules Verne story features intrepid Londoner Phileas Fogg in the world’s first amazing race, traversing the globe in just 80 days to claim a large wager on the enterprise. Along the journey of a lifetime — via boat, rail and even elephant — Fogg and his faithful French servant Passepartout encounter all sorts of obstacles, from a snooping Scotland Yard detective to the whims of Mother Nature. The hilariously entertaining comedy is recommended for ages 8 and up.

Verne’s novel was published in 1873, long before the advent of such modern transportation modes as automobiles and airplanes. The adventure’s itinerary starts in London and hits such exotic locales as Egypt, India, Hong Kong and Japan before crossing the United States and returning to London.

The Playhouse’s production will journey all over Cincinnati, from Fort Thomas to Mason to Oxford to Delhi. The final performance on Feb. 18 takes place at the Playhouse as part of Macy’s Arts Sampler Weekend, ArtsWave’s free annual arts festival. Around the World in 80 Days will be directed by Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr., the artistic director and co-founder of Civic Ensemble in Ithaca, N.Y.

Visit the Playhouse website for the most up to date Performance Schedule
Click on SCHEDULE tab

Three members of the Playhouse’s 2016-17 Bruce E. Coyle Acting Intern Company, George Bull, Candice Handy & Koray Tarhan, will portray the play’s 19 different characters.

“Kids will enjoy actors creating whole worlds without huge sets or a huge stage,” explains Rasmussen. “There are moments of action, romance and intrigue in the play that will hook any audience. Children will also get a sense of how immense changes in technology transformed the world 100 years ago.”

Around the World in 80 Days is the second of three Playhouse Off the Hill productions for the 2016-17 season, which will wrap up with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in the spring. Off the Hill is supported by The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation.

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January 17, 2017 · 6:03 pm

Xavier Theatre signs on to join THE GHOSTLIGHT PROJECT

XUT_logo(Cincinnati, Jan. 17, 2017) – At 5:30pm on JANUARY 19, 2017 Xavier Theatre will join over 500 theaters, ensembles and companies, high school and university theater programs who will gather across the country to “light a light” and make a pledge to stand for and protect the values of inclusion, participation, and compassion for everyone – regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

The Ghostlight Project will bring together over 500 participating organizations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. From Broadway to high school auditoriums, members of the theater community will gather from coast to coast on January 19, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. in each time zone to “light a light” and make a pledge. Inspired by the theatrical tradition of keeping a “ghost light” on in a darkened theater, we create light for the challenging times ahead.

On January 19th, at 5:30PM, Xavier Theatre will host a Ghostlight Project event. Everyone is invited to come together in the Gallagher Theatre for a short ceremony, located in Gallagher Student Center. Gathering together on the stage, people of all walks of life can come together in camaraderie. Feelings of strength, safety, and solidarity will be shared in order to designate the theatre as a safe space for ALL. From the darkness, all participants will ignite their own light source, to stand together as a beacon of hope and strength for the future.

Xavier University’s Theatre Department prides itself on being a company open to all walks of life. Xavier Theatre strives to create an open and accepting environment for every student. In creating a dialogue between people of differing backgrounds, our program will always include opportunities for the growth and development of anyone passionate about theatre.

From Saheem Ali, Director and member of the Ghostlight Project Steering Committee:

“The act of expressing something out loud has significance. [It] demonstrates solidarity and a firmness of belief. Our most solemn ceremonies—weddings, graduations, ordinations—are by design public and communal because they demand witnesses. By standing outside the privacy afforded by one’s four walls and declaring something in full voice, one asks to be held accountable for the stance being taken.”

Anyone who wishes to participate in this event may join by coming to the Gallagher Theatre located on the lower level of Gallagher Student Center on Xavier’s Main Campus. All that is needed to participate is an open mind, and a cell phone with flashlight capabilities. The ceremony will last approximately 20-30 minutes. The theatre doors will be open at 5:00pm, with the ceremony beginning promptly at 5:30PM.

www.theghostlightproject.com #GhostlightProject #BeALight #AllAreWelcome

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