Category Archives: Events

March 23, 2015 · 12:33 pm

Playhouse in the Park’s 2014-15 Off the Hill Season Concludes with BIRD BRAIN

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK’S 2014-15 OFF THE HILL SEASON
CONCLUDES WITH BIRD BRAIN BY VERN THIESSEN

PIP_Bird Brain logo(CINCINNATI) – The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s popular Off the Hill series for families wraps up its 2014-15 season with Vern Thiessen’s BIRD BRAIN, a charming and funny fable full of laughs and the lesson that strange behavior isn’t always foolish. Recommended for ages 5 and up,BIRD BRAIN will tour to community venues throughout the Tristate from April 10 through May 23.

Based on the story Vogelkopp by Albert Wendt, BIRD BRAIN tells the tale of a kindhearted woodcutter who finds a nest of freezing baby birds and decides to give them a warm home under his hat. The problem is that he lives in a world where tipping your hat to others is not only a courtesy, but also the law, with severe punishments for disobeying. The woodcutter finds himself torn between doing what he feels is right and following the social norms.

Kelsey Torstveit, Claire Simba, Alex Purcell and D'Amante M. Wilson in BIRD BRAIN. Photo by Tony Arrasmith/Arrasmith & Associates.

Kelsey Torstveit, Claire Simba, Alex Purcell and D’Amante M. Wilson in BIRD BRAIN. Photo by Tony Arrasmith/Arrasmith & Associates.

“I am so looking forward to this delightful play for this most delightful of audiences,” says Playhouse Education Director Mark Lutwak, who will direct the production and serve as the sound designer.

“BIRD BRAIN begins in a forest and returns there a couple of times, so I wanted an environment that set the mood for this cold, wooded land,” says set designer Christopher Boone. “I realized we didn’t need any graphics to tell this story, just panels of fabric, a couple of hat stands to hold hats and costume pieces, and a lot of imagination, which is perfect for younger elementary students.” Both the set and costumes feature simple bits of fabric that get folded, twisted and used in multiple ways. The music and sound effects will be created vocally by the actors.

“It’s very simple, but beautiful and fantastical,” adds Lutwak. “As with a lot of theatre for this age group, we celebrate the imagination of the story by engaging the imagination of the viewers.”

The BIRD BRAIN cast includes Alex Purcell, Claire Simba, Kelsey Torstveit and D’Amante M. Wilson, all members of the Playhouse’s 2014-15 Bruce E. Coyle Acting Intern Company. In addition to Lutwak and Boone, production team members include costume designer Melanie Mortimore and stage manager Tracy Hoida.

BIRD BRAIN will tour to nearly 20 community venues (see schedule below). Admission is free or inexpensive and is available at the door. Contact the center near you for ticket information.

For more information about the Playhouse’s education and outreach programs, contact the Education Department at 513-345-2242 or visit www.cincyplay.com.

Off the Hill is supported by the Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation, ArtsWave and the Ohio Arts Council.

The Cincinnati Playhouse season is presented by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation and Heidelberg Distributing Company. The season sponsor of new work is The Lois and Richard Rosenthal Foundation.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of the community contributors to the ArtsWave 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.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE (as of March 23, 2015)

  • Friday, April 10, 7 p.m., Springfield Township’s Grove Banquet Hall and Event Center
  • Saturday, April 11, 2 p.m., The Drama Workshop at Glenmore Playhouse (Cheviot)
  • Saturday, April 11, 7 p.m., Blue Ash Recreation Center
  • Sunday, April 12, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., The Lebanon Theatre Company, Inc.
  • Saturday, April 18, 10:30 a.m., Woman’s Art Club Cultural Center (Mariemont)
  • Saturday, April 18, 7 p.m., Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center (Covington, Kentucky)
  • Sunday, April 19, 3 p.m., Evendale Cultural Arts Center
  • Saturday, April 25, 2 p.m., Fort Wright Civic Club
  • Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m., District A, The Character Building (former Shroder School, Kennedy Heights)
  • Sunday, April 26, 2:30 p.m., Kenton County Library – Covington Branch (Covington, Kentucky)
  • Saturday, May 9, 11 a.m., Covedale Center for the Performing Arts
  • Sunday, May 10, 2 p.m., Clifton Cultural Arts Center
  • Friday, May 15, 7 p.m., Boone County Library – Scheben Branch (Union, Kentucky)
  • Saturday, May 16, 2 p.m., Hyde Park Health Center
  • Saturday, May 16, 7 p.m., Bi-Okoto Cultural Institute (Pleasant Ridge)
  • Sunday, May 17, 2:30 p.m., Carnegie Center of Columbia Tusculum
  • Friday, May 22, 7 p.m., Oxford Community Arts Center
  • Saturday, May 23, 7 p.m., Circus Mojo (Ludlow, Kentucky) – Pre-show begins at 6:30 p.m.

Note: Details vary by location. Contact the individual sites for tickets and prices. Contact information is available on the Playhouse website at www.cincyplay.com (click on the SCHEDULE tab).

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March 16, 2015 · 1:12 pm

Renowned Theatre Designer Jean Guy Lecat to Speak at NKU

Jean Guy Lecat.

Jean Guy Lecat.

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – Internationally famed technical director, theatrical space designer and scenographer Jean Guy Lecat will give a presentation of his work at Northern Kentucky University, March 23 at 10am.

The presentation, hosted by the Department of Theatre and Dance, is free and open to the public. Lecat will speak in NKU’s Corbett Theatre, located in the Fine Arts Center at 100 Nunn Drive. Visitors should park in the Visitor Center Parking Garage or the Kenton Garage.

Dubbed “Monsieur Space” by famed theatre director (and longtime collaborator) Peter Brook, Lecat has been, over a nearly fifty-year career, a critical contributor to the development of the avant-garde stage.

Lecat worked with Brook from 1976 to 2000 as technical director and space designer, charged particularly with research, transformation or creation of more than 200 spaces throughout the world. He left Peter Brook Company in 2000, and continued to take part in the creation or transformation of spaces at the side of directors and architects. Concurrently he began to share his experiments and discoveries by offering workshops about space around the world, for young professionals or students, theatre makers, architects, artists, set and lighting designers. He is also working on a project to create a “Theatre School of Techniques and Spaces” in Lisbon and Moscow.

Noted theatre writer Randy Gener (American Theatre, The Village Voice) characterized Lecat as “untiring in his exploration of the interaction of theater and architecture, design and performance, space and storytelling.”

WHO
Jean Guy Lecat, Theatre Designer
Hosted by Northern Kentucky University | Department of Theatre and Dance

WHEN
March 23, 2015 | 10am-11am

WHERE
NKU | Corbett Theatre | 100 Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099

Ticket prices
Free and open to the public

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March 5, 2015 · 3:04 pm

MEN ARE FROM MARS – WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS LIVE! | May 29-30, 2015 | Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater

MEN ARE FROM MARS – WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS LIVE!
RETURNS TO THE ARONOFF CENTER’S JARSON-KAPLAN THEATER

FRIDAY, MAY 29 AT 8:00 PM
SATURDAY, MAY 30 AT 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM

“You’ll leave the theatre with the intent to live in harmony with your partner.
Not to be missed!”– Elle Magazine

Tickets On Sale Now!

Peter Story.

Peter Story.

[Cincinnati, OH] – MEN ARE FROM MARS – WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS LIVE!, the one-man fusion of theatre and stand-up starring Peter Story, is a light-hearted theatrical comedy based on the New York Times #1 best-selling book of the last decade by John Gray. The show returns by popular demand to the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater on Friday, May 29 at 8:00 PM and Saturday, May 30 at 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM. Moving swiftly through a series of vignettes, the show covers everything from dating and marriage to the bedroom.

Tickets are $54 and are on sale now at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.The show is being presented by the Cincinnati Arts Association as part of its 2014-15 Season.

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!

Starring in this theatrical comedy is PETER STORY. Peter has appeared in prime-time shows on all three major networks – some of his favorite credits include CSI (directed by Quentin Tarantino), Without a Trace, Ugly Betty, and recurring roles on Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show and Rob Lowe’s The Lyon’s Den.  He stars opposite Steve Guttenberg in the cheesy horror film, Cornered, and can be seen opposite Weed’s Elizabeth Perkins in the hilarious short, Le Chat Est Mort.  He is proud alum of the New Harmony Project and an avid storyteller with The Moth.

Peter’s story of how he and his wife won a dream wedding competition was just featured nationally on NPR’s The Moth Radio Hour, a show featuring the country’s best storytellers.

Commenting on MEN ARE FROM MARS – WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS LIVE!, Peter said, “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.”

When Mars and Venus collide, the adventures are earth-shatteringly hysterical.

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 50 million copies, been translated into 40 different languages and is one of the most recognizable titles in the world. Gray has written 17 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 & video production by the talented animators at Bazillion Productions.

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March 2, 2015 · 11:03 am

The Frisch Marionettes present JUNGLE BOOK: The Story of Mowgli’s Fire at the Fitton Center on March 13

FMC_Jungle BookHamilton, Ohio – This presentation, based on Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book,” tells the story of the young boy Mowgli, who was raised by wolves in the jungle. Join us on Friday, March 13, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. as The Frisch Marionettes present Jungle Book: The Story of Mowgli’s Fire. This event is part of the Fitton Family Fridays series.

When Shere Khan, the tiger, threatens the jungle, Mowgli must face his destiny and bring peace to the jungle. The Frisch Marionette Company brings the story to life with stringed puppets in a production produced and directed by Kevin Frisch, with original music composed by Steve Frisch.

Fitton Family Fridays feature entertainment geared to kids of all ages, from preschoolers to teenagers – including parents and grandparents who are still kids at heart. Kid-friendly drinks and an assortment of light appetizers will be served before the show and are included in the ticket price. This series is sponsored by Vaden Fitton. The reception is sponsored by G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, Inc.

Adult tickets are $10 for members and $12 for non-members. Children (16 and under) are FREE! *Limit 4 children per paying adult. Otherwise, the price for children is $5 for members and $6 for non-members. The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Hamilton Rotary Vista Room and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.

To order your tickets, call 513-863-8873 ext.110 or visit www.fittoncenter.org.

The Fitton Center for Creative Arts would like to extend its gratitude to ArtsWave, the Hamilton Community Foundation, and the Ohio Arts Council for their support.

The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in Downtown Hamilton, Ohio.

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February 25, 2015 · 5:38 pm

KIDDIES ‘N’ KROWNS Fundraiser on March 28

GHCT_Kiddies N KrownsKIDDIES ‘N’ KROWNS: A Pageant Murder Mystery” is the second annual murder mystery dinner fundraiser for the Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre.

The dinner at Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Hamilton, Ohio costs $35 per person, and a cash bar will be available. Tickets for the March 28 event must be bought by March 21.

A synopsis of the show, originally written and produced by Justyn and Alison Rampa, is available at www.ghctplay.com. Tickets may be bought on that website or by calling (513) 737-PLAY.

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