JUNIE B. JONES – JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS
Town Hall Theatre
Dec. 3-19
[Centerville]
It’s time for another adventure with Junie B Jones at Christmas time. The upcoming Holiday Sing-Along offers a Secret Santa gift exchange and Junie picked the tattletale student, May. Will Junie be naughty or nice?
Filed under Family-Friendly, On Stage
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
Sinclair Community College Theatre
Dec. 2-5
[Dayton]
Directed by Gina Kleesattel
This 40-minute production has become a family tradition and a perfect introduction for young children to LIVE theatre. First shown as an animated TV special based on Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts characters in 1965, this faithful stage adaptation features Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang as they grapple with the real meaning of Christmas. Featuring colorful costumes and scenery, the show is perfect for school, church, scout and other youth groups.
11/2/21 Masks required on all Sinclair campuses. Masks for children under 6 not required, but encouraged.
Filed under Family-Friendly, On Stage
CINDERELLA
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
Dec. 1-30
[Over-the-Rhine]
Book by Joseph McDonough,
Music by David Kisor
Composed by Fitz Patton
Directed by D Lynn Meyers
Cast: Rachel Barkalow as Aristotle the Crow, Michael G. Bath as King Frederick, Darnell Pierre Benjamin as Gaston, Deb Girdler as Brunhilda, Christian Hall as Plato the Toad, Sara Mackie as Priscilla, Abby Palen as Socrates the Spider, Patrick Earl Phillips as Prince Frederick, Brooke Steele as Cinderella, Torie Wiggins as Clarissa & Kate Wilford as Gwendolyn
What do you get when you combine a nearsighted bookworm heroine, two fabulously self-absorbed stepsisters, one devilishly diva stepmother, along with a self-empowering Well-Wisher? A fun spin on the classic fairy tale that demonstrates being smart is true beauty! When the King pressures his romantically challenged son to choose a bride from hundreds of “applicants,” a cross-country tour of the kingdom ensues to reunite a missing sneaker—yes a sneaker!—with its rightful owner. Cinderella is suitable for all ages.
11/2/21 Health and Safety Policy
Filed under Family-Friendly, On Stage
Cast of 2019’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Nov. 24-Dec. 30
Marx Theatre [Eden Park]
Directed by Michael Evan Haney
Music directed by Rebecca N. Childs
Choreographed by Dee Anne Bryll
Cast: Bruce Cromer as Ebenezer Scrooge, Charlie Cromer as Young and Mature Scrooge |/ Ghost of Christmas Future, Paulina De La Parra as Mary (Scrubwoman at Fezziwig’s) / Mrs. Dilber / Streets, Annie Fitzpatrick as Mrs. Fezziwig / Patience / Streets, Parker Flautt as Peter Cratchit / Gregory / Apprentice at Fezziwig’s / Streets, Ryan Wesley Gilreath as Bob Cratchit / Schoolmaster Oxlip / Guest at Fezziwig’s, Ashlynn Isabel Hezlep as Belinda Cratchit / Guest at Fezziwig’s / Streets, Maeada King as Business Person with Newspaper / Guest at Fezziwig’s / Streets, Taha Mandviwala as Mr. Sosser / Dick Wilkins / Topper / Man with Shoe Shine, Sara Masterson as Belle / Catherine Margaret, Matthew McGinn as Constable at Fezziwig’s / Undertaker / Streets, Kelly Mengelkoch as Mrs. Cratchit / Laundress / Streets, Daniel Petzold as Fred / Guest at Fezziwig’s, Gianna Porfano as Rose / Poulteress / Guest at Fezziwig’s / Caroler / Streets, Greg Procaccino as Jacob Marley / Old Joe, Douglas Rees as Mr. Fezziwig / Ghost of Christmas Present, Makenzie Ruff as Martha Cratchit / Guest at Fezziwig’s / Streets, Benjamin Sheffer as Boy Scrooge / Guest at Fezziwig’s / Ignorance / Streets, Britney Nicole Simpson as Ghost of Christmas Past / Mrs. Peake, Sabian Swan as Charles / Apprentice at Fezziwig’s / Bootblack / George / Streets, Braylen Underwood as Tiny Tm / Matthew / Guest at Fezziwig’s / Streets, Athena Updike as Fan / Guest at Fezziwig’s / Want / Streets, & David Whalen as Mr. Cupp / Percy / Rich Man at Fezziwig’s
A holiday family favorite! Our production of A Christmas Carol combines faithful storytelling with spellbinding stage magic to bring to life the familiar story of a sinner given one last chance at redemption by four persuasive ghosts. Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes a miraculous Christmas Eve transformation as he views with new eyes his past, present and the possibilities of the future. As he witnesses all those who have improved his life — his first love Belle, his kindhearted employer Fezziwig, his nephew Fred and his heartily abused clerk Bob Cratchit — he realizes that it’s never too late to change his miserly ways. A Christmas Carol’s heartwarming message, hundreds of costumes and thrilling special effects help to make the show one of the Playhouse’s most popular productions each year. Special price for kids! Recommended for all general audiences, including children ages 5 and older. Due to the full-length nature of the show, children younger than 5 cannot be admitted. Please contact the Box Office if you have questions or require additional information.
Health and Safety page.
Filed under Family-Friendly, On Stage
CINCINNATI – The Playhouse’s Off the Hill touring series begins its season of fairy tales and fables with SNOW WHITE, a free virtual production for children ages 6 and up and their families. In this fun-filled and fantastic retelling, Snow White and her most trusted companion, Dwarf #4, discover the true meaning of happily ever after: friendship, family and a whole lot of laughter. The tour will be streamed virtually on weekends from now through Nov. 14.
SNOW WHITE is adapted by Greg Banks, plays are familiar to Playhouse audiences. He also created contemporary versions of classics like Robin Hood and The Jungle Book that delighted students and families in previous seasons.
“Greg Banks is a playwright that I love to program,” says Daunielle Rasmussen, Playhouse Director of Artistic Engagement and the director of the show. “His adaptations of classic tales are vibrant, funny and give female characters agency over their participation in the story.”
While princes and magic wands are left to “save the day” in some stories, Snow White and Dwarf #4 discover what it means to share one’s truth in full in this new tale. Together, the two characters retell the story we all know — in which Snow White finds refuge with seven dwarfs after the evil queen tries to have her killed — but relay it from their own perspective. Two actors put their performance skills to the test by embodying all the characters themselves. With twists and tweaks from the original, Banks’ script reimagines the classic fairy tale as Snow White takes ownership of the story named after her and becomes a brave and adventurous heroine.
“I connect to her resiliency, and I love how Snow White creates an entire world for herself that reflects the love she gives to those around her,” says Rasmussen. “It is that love, and her found family, that save her — versus a prince coming to the rescue.”
SNOW WHITE will be available virtually on weekends through Nov. 14, with each performance hosted by a community organization. The Playhouse will also present two additional Off the Hill performances this season: Hare and Tortoise will be available both virtually and in person this winter and The Little Mermaid will be performed in person during the spring.
Seasonal support of education and outreach is by The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation. Off the Hill Sponsors are Key Bank and John C. Griswold Foundation.
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.
Dates for each production are below. For additional details on each production visit https://cincyplay.com/tickets/off-the-hill.
Off The Hill 2021-22 Touring Schedule
SNOW WHITE (ages 6 & up)
By Greg Banks
Now available virtually every weekend through Nov. 14 — (Click on the host link to reserve tickets)
Oct. 29-31
Kennedy Heights Arts Center
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Nov. 12-14
The Barn
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
ASL Performance Hosted by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Hare and Tortoise (ages 3 & up)
By Brendan Murray
Live, Weekends of Jan. 22 to Feb. 20, 2022
Virtual, Weekends of Feb. 18 to 27, 2022
Meet two competing friends in this fantastic adaptation of Aesop’s fable. Hare and Tortoise tells the sweet story of opposites and friendship. From sun-shining spring to snow-falling winter, this much-loved tale is brimming with ideas, characters, live music and wonderful physicality – all leading up to their famous race and its nail-biting, medal-winning end.
The Little Mermaid (ages 5 & up)
By Mike Kenny; based on the tale by Hans Christian Andersen
Live, weekends of April 9 to May 7, 2022
Far below the crashing waves of the ocean’s surface lives a young mermaid. Enthralled by the unknown world above the sea, the Little Mermaid finds herself falling in love with a mysterious human. After a vicious storm throws him from his ship, she saves him but must make a deal with the evil sea witch. Will she break the spell and find true happiness? Young theatregoers will delight in this magical, charming adaptation.
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Filed under Family-Friendly, Online Performance
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 