Category Archives: Family-Friendly

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA: Youth Edition Runs Feb. 17-25

TCTC_CinderellaRodgers & Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA: Youth Edition
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Feb. 17-25
Taft Theatre [Downtown]

Directed by Chris Stewart
Music Direction by Jason Alexander Holmes
Choreographed by Tina DeAlderete

Cast: Jathan “JB” Briscoe as Herald, Juno Brosas as Cinderella, Anna Rose Deleon Guerrero as Joy, JT Langlas as Prince, Jazz McMullen as King, Spring Star Pillow as Stepmother, Tia Seay as Fairy Godmother, Karli Smith as Portia & Michelle Wells as Queen
Ensemble: Lena Andrews, Brinley Culver, Marlo D’Ascenzo, Lucia Duque, Antwnazia Fant, Avery Fox, Griffin Hatfield, Dez Flynn Hutchens, Noah Jeffreys, Ethan Kuchta, Aaron Marshall, Gabriel Kanai Nakata, Sarina Patel, Kip Richardson, Chelsea Russell, Tre Taylor III, Keya Vadivelu, Jordan Ward & Camryn Wilkinson

This magical musical by Rodgers & Hammerstein will feature a BIPOC creative team, and diversity will be celebrated as your favorite characters show us “Impossible” is possible! If you loved the 1997 film version of this classic musical, you won’t want to miss this enchanting production!

Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella was the most widely viewed program in the history of the medium. Its recreation in 1965 starring Lesley Ann Warren was no less successful in transporting a new generation to the miraculous kingdom of dreams-come-true, and so was a second remake in 1997, which starred Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother. As adapted for the stage, with great warmth and more than a touch of hilarity, this enthralling fairy tale still warms the hearts of children and adults alike. Ages 4 and up.

  • Sat, Feb. 17 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, Feb. 18 at 2pm
  • Fri, Feb. 23 at 7pm
  • Sat, Feb. 24 at 11am & 2pm
  • Sun, Feb. 25 at 2pm

Official page |

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Auditions Announced for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF JR at Performing Arts Academy

PAA_logoFIDDLER ON THE ROOF JR – Grades 5-12

AUDITIONS: Saturday, February 3 @ 10:00 AM

Performing Arts Academy, 4400 Lewis Street, Middletown

Audition material can be found at www.theperformingartsacademy.com.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO DO TO PREPARE

  • Please choose the character you wish to audition for and memorize ALL SCRIPTS for that character.
  • MEMORIZE the song for that character. Ensemble people need to memorize the song, “Tradition.”
  • Bring your stage shoes for working with the choreographer.

Rehearsals: Tuesday & Thursday, 5:30 – 7:30 PM and Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Beginning: February 10, 2024

Performances: April 26, 27 and May 3, 4 @ 7:00 PM, April 28 and May 5 @ 3:00 PM

Tickets: $14 Adults, $10 Sr. Adults (65+) and children (10 and under)

Character Roles

Tevye -Tevye is the heart and conscience of Fiddler on the Roof JR. Tevye is often cast as a larger young man, but his stature really comes from his integrity and zest for life. Tevye should be able to show the wide range of conflict, joy and pain that this character feels throughout the story.

Golde – Golde is the backbone of the family. She has a rather gruff exterior, but in her heart is sheer dedication to her family. When casting Golde, remember that she must be able to manage Tevye. She runs the household, and must be able to keep Tevye s more emotional side in check.

Tzeitel -Tzeitel is the oldest daughter of Tevye and Golde. She is the first to challenge the traditions of Anatevka by pleading with her fateher to let her marry Motel the tailor, to whom she has pledged her love.

Hodel – Hodel is a strong, independent middle child. She is outspoken but respectful. She has her eye on the Rabbi s son at the outset of the story, but she is charmed by the revolutionary Perchick the moment she meets him, though she may not show it right away. Her dedication and love is real as she follows him to Siberia.

Chava – Chava is the scholarly daughter who loves to read. Her love the Russian, Fyedka, tests her father to the very limit and provides the largest conflict in the story.

Shprintze and Bielke – Shprintze and Bielke are the youngest daughters of Tevye and Golde. They are considerably younger than the three matchmakerdaughters.

Motel – Motel is the poor, young tailor who is charmed with Tzeitel. He is an endearing sort of Woody Allen type.

Perchik – Perchik is a young student who brings with him radical new ideas that challenge the traditions of the community. Perchik should be able to hold his own with Tevye.

Lazar Wolf – Lazar Wolf is a butcher, the town s wealthiest citizen and is the same age as, if not older, than, Tevye.

Fiddler – The Fiddler must be an actor who can hold the attention of an entire audience with stylized movement, facial expression and dance. The Fiddler is a silent role, yet an important one, and can easily be played by either a boy or a girl.

Yente – Yente is the middle-aged widow who matches up the young people of the village in hopes that they will marry. She is a village busybody and knows all the news of the town.

Constable – The constable is the local sheriff representing the Russian government. The constable is a complex character, caught between his good nature towards the people of Anatevka and his duty to the non-Jewish Russian government.

Fyedka – Fyedka is a strong, young, Russian soldier who falls in love with Chava.

Featured Ensemble – Mordcha, Yussel, Avram, the Rabbi and Mendel are smaller roles that add much to the richness of the community portrayed in Fiddler on the Roof JR. Mordcha is a friendly, interesting innkeeper. Yussel is a hatter. Avram is a bookseller. Mendel is the Rabbi s son. The Rabbi is the spiritual center of the community and the actor should be able to play an old man onstage. He should have a comic feel, although this is a serious role. These roles have a short part in To Lifethat can be spoken or sung.

Villagers- The Villagers will portray the people of the village as Papas, Mamas, Sons or Daughters. Also included in this group are the Guests, Inn Patrons, Motels Parents and Motels Relations. Keep the musicians consistent throughout the show, choosing a few actors with a great rapport. Also, keep family units when casting Motel s parents and relations. This can be as large a group as your stage can safely accommodate. They are the faces of Anatevka. This is a wonderful opportunity to cast anyone regardless of his or her talent level or experience.

Ensemble – The First Man, Second Man, Another Man, First Woman, Second Woman and Third Woman all have spoken lines and are great featured roles, perfect for performers who are new to the stage.

Russian Soldiers – The Russian Soldiers are under the command of the Constable. These are perfect roles for kids who have had little or no experience. Sasha has two short lines, and all the Russians sing together.

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PUSS IN BOOTS Runs Jan. 19-21

THT_Puss in BootsPUSS IN BOOTS
Town Hall Theatre
Jan. 19-21
[Centerville]

Who’s the cleverest cat in the kingdom? Who else? Puss in Boots! Tom, the miller’s son, is left his father’s cat for an inheritance. He expected to get the family mill. Unfortunately, that went to his bossy elder sister, Gabrielle. The cat, however, is no one’s fool. He promises that if Tom gets him a pair of boots he will make his fortune. Once he has the footwear and becomes Puss In Boots, the cat sets out on an amazing adventure. It involves meeting the King, the Queen and the lovely Princess Pam, who Puss thinks will make a nice wife for his master! There is only one real obstacle to the cat’s brilliant scheming — The Great Ogre! This scary creature lives in a magnificent castle high on a mountaintop. He eats trees and keeps prisoners in the dungeon, where they are fed nothing but oyster crackers. By the final curtain, all of the cat’s plans have come to pass, and we’ve met a hilarious cast of characters, including the Ogre’s giggling bride-to-be and her snobbish mother, the Ogre’s servants and his comical dog, who’d like a new owner.

  • Fri, Jan. 19 at 7pm
  • Sat-Sun, Jan. 20-21 at 3pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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The Ghostlight Stage Company Presents A HOLIDAY CABARET on Dec. 22

TGSC_logoSit back and relax as The Ghostlight brings you the sounds of the season! Our Holiday Cabaret will feature the classic songs you know and love, some musical theater holiday songs, and an original by local singer-songwriter Linsey Rogers. This event can be enjoyed by the whole family!

Hosted by Know Theatre of Cincinnati (1120 Jackson Street, Cinti, OH 45202), the performance is Fri, Dec. 22. Doors open at 7pm for first come first serve seating. Show starts at 7:30pm and will run for 90 minutes with no intermission. Mocktails, cocktails, christmas cookies, raffle tickets and more available for purchase.

Ticket Info:

  • $15 – adults (18+)
  • $10 – youth

Cast & Creative Team:

  • Director / Emcee: Alyssa Batsakis
  • Music Director: Janet Langhorst
  • Vocalists: Andrea Davies, Christian Hall, Diana Hutchinson, Linsey Rogers, Grant Zentmeyer

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The KSO Brings MERRY CHRISTMAS, DARLING to Greaves Concert Hall Dec. 15-16

KSO_logoMERRY CHRISTMAS, DARLING
(Forty sacred, pop, traditional & classical yuletide favorites)

7:30 p.m. Friday, December 15, 2023
7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 16, 2023

Greaves Concert Hall, NKU

The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra’s programming philosophy seeks to presenting works first or at least differently than other orchestras. After 1999, the KSO left the Christmas holidays to local institutions with their annual traditional fare.

Stumbling upon a special edition re-issue of the 1978 Carpenters Christmas Portrait album, KSO music director James Cassidy, found a treasure trove of nearly 40 tunes associated with
Christmas. Traditional carols, pop songs, sacred tunes, standards, even The Nutcracker were all in this wonderful frappe of yuletide favorites featuring Karen and Richard Carpenter, backed by a studio choir and orchestra playing arrangements of Billy May, Peter Knight and Richard Carpenter.

The Carpenters were the #1 selling American music act of the 1970s, selling over 100 million singles and albums world-wide. Richard’s piano, writing and producing together with sister Karen’s drums, and inimitable contralto vocals produced a 14-year run of hit recordings
(including 3 number ones), before Karen’s untimely death in 1983.

“I always thought this Christmas album would make a great live concert, but getting it from CD or vinyl to notes on a page, then finding someone, to not necessarily imitate Karen Carpenter, but to bring her vocal style to the mix was going to be a challenge. It all finally came together when KSO long time (27 years) arranger Terry LaBolt moved back to Cincinnati from Bloomington (IU), and agreed to take on adapting the recording to live performance. Terry also recalled a vocalist — Denise Parroco — whom he had worked with at Kings Productions in Mason and in Virginia, who had recently sung “Merry Christmas, Darling” as a video Christmas card to friends (www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ntfe1p8DJU),” Cassidy explained.

It is extremely rare for fans to experience an entire album performed live or enjoy the nostalgia of one of America’s most celebrated recording duos, all wrapped in a bow for KSO holiday audiences.

This season try something old and new for your holiday/arts entertainment by joining Denise Parroco, an octet of professional singers, and the KSO for Merry Christmas, Darling (two nights only) — 7:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday, December 15 & 16 at Greaves Concert Hall on the campus of NKU. For additional info and tickets — kyso.org or (859) 431-6216. (Mistletoe not included.)

MERRY CHRISTMAS, DARLING
featuring Denise Parroco with the KSO Carolers
7:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday, December 15 & 16, 2023
Greaves Concert Hall, NKU

Act I

“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” Edmund Sears / Richard Storrs Willis
Overture

  • “Happy Holiday” Irving Berlin
  • “The First Noel” Traditional English Carol
  • “March of the Toys” from Babes in Toyland Victor Herbert
  • “Rocking” Traditional Czech Carol
  • “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” Tommie Connor
  • “O Little Town of Bethlehem” Phillips Brooks / Lewis Redner
  • “Good Christian Men, Rejoice” Cyril Alington
  • “Gesu Bambino” Pietro Yon
  • “Angels We Have Heard on High” James Chadwick / Traditional French Carol

“An Old Fashioned Christmas” Richard Carpenter & John Bettis
“The Christmas Waltz” Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
“Sleigh Ride” Mitchell Parish / Leroy Anderson
“It’s Christmas Time” Al Stillman & Victor Young
“Sleep Well Little Children” Alan Bergman & Leon Klatzkin
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Ralph Blane & Hugh Martin
Santa Claus is Coming to Town” Fred Coots & Haven Gillespie
“The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) Mel Tormé & Robert Wells
“Carol of the Bells” Mykola Leontovych
“Merry Christmas Darling” Frank Pooler / Richard Carpenter
“Christ is Born” Charles Bartolucci / Ray Charles
“O Holy Night” Adolphe Adam
“Home for the Holidays” Al Stillman / Robert Allen

Act II

“Here Comes Santa Claus” Gene Autry / Oakley Haldeman
“Frosty the Snowman” Steve Nelson / Jack Rollins
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” Johnny Marks
“Good King Winceslas” John Mason Neale
Winter Medley:

  • “Winter Wonderland” Felix Bernard / Richard Smith
  • “Silver Bells” Jay Livingston & Ray Evans
  • “White Christmas” Irving Berlin
  • “Ave Maria” J.S. Bach / Charles Gounod

Nutcracker Selections: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

  • Overture Miniature
  • “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”
  • “Waltz of the Flowers” Kimberly Russ Olka, piano

“Little Altar Boy” Howlett Peter Smith
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” Kim Gannon / Walter Kent
“Silent Night” Franz Gruber / Joseph Mohr

About Denise
Denise Parroco is an American singer and recording artist from coastal Virginia. She began her career performing as a singer-dancer in live shows, including theme park shows at Kings Dominion and Kings Island, industrial shows, and Department of Defense Overseas Shows, where she entertained U.S. troops throughout the South Pacific and the Mediterranean. She launched out as a solo artist in the Contemporary Christian Music genre, releasing her first solo album, Don’t Give In, on an independent label in 1992. Upon acceptance of a position as the Director of Music & Arts for New Life Christian Fellowship in Chesapeake, VA, she shifted her focus toward leading and directing worship for many years. During that time she and her husband recorded and produced several worship recordings and compilation albums, including albums with churches in Ghana and Belgium. Denise has always held a great love for jazz and standards, and has sung with several jazz bands through the years.

Denise has also worked extensively as a camera actor, spokesperson and voiceover talent. Her credits include Jackson Hewitt, Sprint, Colonial Williamsburg, The Family Channel, America West Airlines, Sodexo, Newport News Shipbuilding, Norfolk Airport, Chesapeake Regional Health Center, Mayflower Movers, Charisma Magazine, Grand Furniture, Regent University, Operation Blessing and Washington Headquarters Service. She and her husband, Jim Parroco, established Parroco Production Group in 1999 as a video and audio production company and successfully expanded into federal government contracting. Denise is currently the Vice President and oversees the company’s operations.

Denise has recently returned to her love of recording and her latest projects are Everything is Beautiful (EP 2020) and Carpenters Tribute (EP 2023). Her new release, Christmastime, was produced by Jim Parroco with arrangements and orchestrations by Emmy-nominated composer Rob Pottorf. Denise is thrilled to be performing with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra in their 2023 Christmas production of “Merry Christmas Darling”.

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