Category Archives: Family-Friendly

January 29, 2019 · 11:21 am

GOONEY BIRD GREENE AND HER TRUE LIFE ADVENTURES Runs March 1-10

bct_gooney bird greene logoGOONEY BIRD GREENE AND HER TRUE LIFE ADVENTURES
Beavercreek Community Theatre
March 1-10
[Beavercreek]

Cast: Ally Miller/Allie Fischer as Gooney Bird Greene, Karis King as Mrs. Pidgeon, Miranda Ammon as Mrs. Greene Track, Chris Atherton as Mr. Greene Track, Kalee Passage as Felicia Ann, Charley Minehart as Chelsea, Molly Mayne as Beanie, Laura Badenhop as Tricia, Jacob Thompson as Keiko, Sullivan Rasmussen as Malcom, Lincoln Kmon as Barry, Caedis King as Nikki, Darian Beck as Ben, Scarlett Southard as Catman Track & Silas King as Farmer Track/Moving Van/TV Reporter/Orchestra Member

Summer has come to a crashing halt in the little town of Watertower. The kids don’t want to be back in school; they are listless and bored. Suddenly, the classroom door bursts open and there, wearing pajamas and cowboy boots, stands red-headed Gooney Bird Greene! “Hi! My name is Gooney Bird Greene—that’s like the color with a silent ‘e’ on the end and I like to be smack in the middle of everything!” The class is never the same again. Gooney Bird speaks with confidence and dresses in outrageous outfits including Capri pants, blue knee socks, high-topped basketball sneakers, and elbow-length black gloves. But most wondrous of all, she casts herself as the hero in the most improbable, outlandish stories: how she arrived from China on a flying carpet, how she got a lovely pair of diamond earrings at the local palace, how she directed a symphony orchestra while driving through the center of town, and how her beloved cat, Catman, was consumed by a cow! Are these stories really true? Of course they are because, as Gooney Bird proudly proclaims, she only tells “absolutely true stories!” In blending funny and memorable characters with colorful details and her distinctive flair for suspense, Gooney Bird awakens the students’ dormant imaginations. They come to realize their lives are as unique as Gooney Bird’s and that they, too, can cast themselves as the heroes in their own true tales of discovery and adventure.

  • Fri-Sat, March 1-2 at 7pm
  • Sun, March 3 at 3pm
  • Fri-Sat, March 8-9 at 7pm
  • Sun, March 10 at 3pm

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January 29, 2019 · 9:58 am

Anderson High School’s SHE KILLS MONSTERS Celebrates Geek Culture

ahs_she kills monsters promo2

The students of Anderson Theatre have steeped themselves in 90’s rock music, daring stage combat, and medieval fantasy as they prepare for their production of Qui Nguyen’s SHE KILLS MONSTERS on February 8th through 10th. The comedic play explores the world of role-playing games when the lead character, Agnes, learns to play Dungeons & Dragons in an attempt to understand her deceased sister, Tilly.

“Through the game, my character learns not only about her sister, but also about bullying, creativity, and the struggle many people face to be accepted.” says Senior Hailey Mauk, who plays Agnes. “In reality, she is afraid to be different and have fun, but in the fantasy world she can be whoever she wants. And there’s a lot of humor!”

The play, which is best suited to adults and children age 12 and up, is directed by Theatre Teacher Hannah Linser-Wilder who is a D&D player and admitted geek herself. “Everyone is geeky or nerdy in some sense,” she says, “Meaning that they have something they are deeply passionate about, whether that be games or football or cooking. But then Society decides that certain things are socially acceptable to be obsessed with, and others are not.”  The beauty of this play, says Linser-Wilder, is that it reveals “how important passion is. The most important thing is to be passionate, and be proud of your passion. No one should be judged for the things, or people, they love.”

SHE KILLS MONSTERS really is for everybody,” says Junior Caitlin Walsh, who plays Kaliope, an elven adventurer who fights alongside Anges. “For the D&D geeks, there are little nuances in the script and the design that true fans will understand. For everyone else, there are lovable characters and comedic romps intertwined with serious, real-world topics. It’s hard not to fall in love.”

Griffin Maraan plays Chuck, the DM who teaches Agnes the game, and says, “Everyone should come see it, because it is a hugely funny show, so fun to watch. The music is great. My favorite parts are when we do the on-stage battles.”

Walsh agrees. “My favorite has to be the final battle,” she says. “It’s technically challenging, and it engages practically the entire cast. It’s the ultimate hero’s battle truly come to life on stage.”

The play also examines the personal secrets that sometimes even sisters cannot share. “LGBT issues have advanced so far now from the way they were in the 1990’s,” says Linser-Wilder, “But there is still a long way to go. This play helps remind us of both where we were, and what we still struggle with.”

“I hope people will leave with a different perspective of the world and the people around them,” says Mauk, “I hope this show helps them be more accepting toward others.”

Walsh adds, “At the end of the day, SHE KILLS MONSTERS is a compelling play that will make you laugh until you hurt, then inspire tears you didn’t know you had. The audience should just have fun, because, to quote the show, ‘That’s the point in all this.’”

Tickets for SHE KILLS MONSTERS at Anderson High School are $10, and can be purchased at the door or at www.ShowTix4U.com. Visit www.AndersonTheatre.com for more information.

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January 22, 2019 · 12:40 pm

Disney’s THE JUNGLE BOOK Runs Feb. 16-24

tctc_disney's the jungle book kids 2010

Danielle Meo as Kaa the Snake and Will Graber as Mowgli from The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s 2010 production of DISNEY’S THE JUNGLE BOOK KIDS.

Disney’s THE JUNGLE BOOK
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Feb. 16-24
Taft Theatre [Downtown]

Cast: Kavan Vadivelu as Mowgli†, Joanna Bennett as Baloo, Matt Krieg as Bagheera, James Jones as Shere Khan, Ava Jewell Kroener as Baby Elephant, Dain Alan Paige as Colonel Hathi, Renee Stoltzfus as Kaa, Nyla Jolie Thomas as Shanti & John Woll as King Louie
Ensemble: Rhys Boatwright, Madeleine Burgoon, Donald Burns, Jordan Collins, Marlo D’ascenzo, Ian Timothy Forsgren, Nick Godfrey, Anna Gortner, Nicholas Gundrum, Heather Hale, Chanduni Herath, Rishi Mathur, Ashley Olivia Morton, Jeremiah Plessinger, Edrico Evans-Pritchett, Caroline Rakestraw & Rosvic Siason

The jungle is jumpin’ with a jazzy beat in Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS. Specially adapted from the classic Disney animated film, this musical features a host of colorful characters and your favorite songs from the animated movie.  Based on the works of Rudyard Kipling, the “Man-Cub” Mowgli, bounds through the jungle and learns what it means to be human.  You won’t want to miss this culturally-infused and spectacular Disney classic!

  • Sat-Sun, Feb. 16-17 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Fri, Feb. 22 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Feb. 23 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, Feb. 24 at 2pm
    Feb. 15 at 2pm signed for the hearing impaired.

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January 10, 2019 · 10:18 am

Auditions Announced for SLEEPING BEAUTY KIDS at Rivertown Players

RP_logoIt’s Princess Aurora’s sixteenth birthday, and three fairies – Flora, Fauna and Merryweather – must use their magic to save her from the spell of the evil sorceress, Maleficent! The fairies ensure that Aurora only falls into a deep sleep that can be ended with a kiss from her betrothed, Prince Phillip. To prevent Phillip from rescuing Aurora, Maleficent kidnaps and imprisons him. The good fairies are the last hope to free Phillip so that he can awaken Aurora.

Performers ages 5-15 are welcome to audition one the following dates:

  • Thursday, January 17th from 6-8 PM
  • Saturday, January 19th from 10 AM -12 PM
  • Thursday, January 24th from 6-8 PM

Hamline United Methodist Church
102 W High Street
Lawrenceburg, IN

Please prepare a song one minute or less in length to be sung a capella, and be ready to read from the script and show off your favorite dance move!

Don’t forget your calendar! We will ask for a list of potential rehearsal conflicts and we’re happy to schedule around them if possible.

Show Dates:

  • April 5th
  • April 6th

Performances take place at:

South Dearborn High School
5770 Highlander Place
Aurora, IN 47001

Rehearsals:
Our first rehearsal will be Sunday, January 27th from 1-3 at Hamline Chapel. We request a parent or guardian attend this as it is mostly informational. The remaining rehearsal schedule will include Sundays from 1-3, and one week night from 6-8 to be determined.

Cast of Characters:
Chorus of Loyal Subjects
Guards
King Stefan
Queen Stefanie
King Hubert
Young Prince Phillip
Flora
Fauna
Merryweather
Chorus of Fairies
Maleficent
Chorus of Goons
Princess Aurora (Briar Rose)
Prince Phillip
Animal Chorus

If you have any questions or need to make special accommodations, please reach out to Shea Haney at haneycshea@gmail.com.

Please note that a Rivertown Player’s membership is required to perform in a production. Student memberships begin at $3

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December 20, 2018 · 9:42 am

CYRANO Will Bring Romance, Comedy and Sword Fighting to Community Centers This Winter

PIP_Cyrano_Visual

Promotional photo by Tony Arrasmith/Arrasmith & Associates.

Off the Hill series production based on Cyrano de Bergerac runs Jan. 18 – Feb. 17, 2019

(CINCINNATI)—CINCINNATI – The Playhouse’s family-friendly, Off the Hill series tours its second production of the season this January and February to community centers in Greater Cincinnati with CYRANO, a youth-oriented adaptation that’s based on the 1897 classic play Cyrano de Bergerac. The production runs Jan. 19 to Feb. 17, 2019.

“This play has endured more than a century because of its beloved, noble hero and the tragicomedy of the story’s love triangle,” explains Daunielle Rasmussen, director of education and community engagement for the Playhouse. “Its themes of virtue, conviction and the conflict between inner and outer beauty make it ideal for younger audiences. It has clever wordplay, exciting swordplay and a really big nose, all of which will keep kids’ and parents’ attention.”

The Playhouse’s Bruce E. Coyle Acting Intern company performs the show, which takes place in France in the 1640s during the Thirty Years War. Cyrano believes having a “Mount Everest of a nose” means he’ll never have his love returned by the beautiful Roxane, and so he hides his feelings for her. A handsome soldier named Christian also has feelings for Roxane but battles insecurities about his cleverness. Cyrano selflessly chooses to help Christian woo Roxane with Cyrano’s own clever words, in an effort to ensure Roxane’s happiness.

“As a parent, I am always hopeful that our plays will open the door to deeper conversations about things that concern children that they don’t always have the words to express,” Rasmussen states. “This story can help children give voice to their own internal struggles.”

Rasmussen says that while the full-length version of this play is traditionally told on “a grand scale,” this adaptation simplifies the story into a production that’s a perfect fit for an Off the Hill show.

“Through this condensed version, we can focus on the relationships between Cyrano, Roxane and Christian as they each yearn to be loved. In this way, the story is about so much more than just inner beauty versus outer beauty,” says Rasmussen.

Playhouse Directing Fellow Katie Baskerville, who is directing the production, says she is most interested in exploring the characters more fully by examining their primary flaws:

“They have such pride in their positive attributes, values and convictions; and yet this same pride holds them back from true happiness due to incredibly human doubts, insecurities and misconceptions.”

This amusing and thought-provoking production is recommended for children ages 8 and up.

For the full list of performances and community centers, visit cincyplay.com.

Off the Hill is sponsored by The John C. Griswold Foundation and KeyBank. Seasonal support of education and outreach by The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation and The Charles H. Dater Foundation. The Bruce E. Coyle Acting Intern Company is supported by Jerry and Betsy Shroat.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of almost 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.

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