Category Archives: On Stage

ARTRAGEOUS Show Announced!

Fairfield Community Arts Center
411 Wessel Dr, Fairfield, OH 45014

ON SALE NOW!

DATE & TIME: Friday, Feb. 28 at 7pm

TICKETS: $34 Adults | $24 Youth | Plus $1 Facility Fee and $1 Transaction Fee
In person at the Fairfield Community Arts Center
By Phone: 513-867-5348
Online: https://bit.ly/parksboxoffice

The one-of-a-kind family experience that has CBS raving “Go see this show!” announces their national tour stop in Fairfield. Imagine the excitement of a team of exceptional artists painting at electric speed, creating giant works of art, right before your very eyes. Artrageous is a 3D visual concert that fuses the mesmerizing music of original recording artists and composers from Artrageous with multisensory, dynamic live art curated by the award-winning artists. The combined experience creates an immersive journey designed to create lasting memories and a sense of purpose and joy while stimulating your mind and senses. 

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES INCLUDE:

• Carnegie Hall
• NBA All Star Halftime entertainment center court
• Private performance for Sir Richard Branson on Necker Island
• World Cup Soccer Finals in Paris
• Opening for Kenny Rogers for 10,000 VFW and friends
• Opening for Jay Leno
• Mardis Gras Main stage with special guests Luke Perry and KC and the Sunshine Band
• Main Stage with Cirque du Soleil
• Las Vegas alongside Blue Man Group.
• Artrageous has performed in 49 states & 10 Countries – Mexico, Bahamas, Bermuda, Austria, France, Canada, Tanzania, Panama, Japan, Abu Dhabi.

ABOUT THE ARTRAGEOUS PERFORMERS

Formed in the 1980s, Artrageous is a theater arts community based outside of Albuquerque, NM. From their roots of children’s theater and street performance, this group of like-minded and gifted, “misfit” performers has grown into an international phenomenon, revolutionizing live performance art and interactive entertainment. Their shows — composed of a fresh mix of fine art, live music, singing, dancing, humor, and audience participation.  Audiences around the world have fallen in love with Artrageous’s uncanny ability to turn any audience into a community!

Photo by Scottie Jackson.

Dayton, Ohio – February 7 – Sinclair Theatre is proud to present The Tempest, Shakespeare’s magical comedy about revenge and romance, live on stage from March 28-April 5 in Blair Hall Theatre, Building 2, on Sinclair’s downtown Dayton campus. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students/seniors and are available online at  www.sinclair.edu/tickets. Groups of 20 or more ordering online save all ticketing fees.

Twelve years before the start of the story, Prospera was usurped by her sister, Antonia, and exiled from Milan. Now living on a remote island with her daughter, Miranda, Prospera is presented with an opportunity to wreak havoc on her traitorous sister and her shipmates by way of a magical tempest.

“Taking on a well-known Shakespearean play is always a challenge as audiences have preconceived ideas of what the story should look or sound like,” says director, Kimberly Borst. “This cast is making each of these famous characters their own and tackling all of the challenges with energy and a wonderful sense of humor.  For many cast members, this is their first time performing in a Shakespearean production and they are doing a wonderful job of embracing the language and making it easily accessible for audience members.  Their enthusiasm and originality is a breath of fresh air and a joy to work with.”

The cast consists of Courtney Collinsworth, Emma Smith, Hannah Ramey, Kelly Boehm, Sierra Ward, Shae Trauthwein, Matthew Poliachik, Amelie De La Nuez, Dominick Griffin, Jorge Melo, Henry Ballard, Joy Wood, Falyn Sherck, and Adalia Gaynier.

Where: Sinclair Community College, Blair Hall Theatre (Building 2), 444 W. Third St., Dayton

Ticket Information:  Adults: $20 Students/Seniors $15 plus $2 service fee. No at-the-door ticket sales. All tickets must be purchased online at: www.sinclair.edu/tickets

By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds

PRIMARY TRUST Review presented by Cincinnati in the Park through February 23rd. I attended the Opening Night performance. 

Shane Taylor as Bert, DeShawn Harold Mitchell as Kenneth and Lilian Oben as Wally’s Waiter. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

I love when I can go into a new play “cold”, aka knowing very little to nothing about what I am going to see. While it can be a gamble, the audience will be a winner when they attend Primary Trust by Eboni Booth at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s The Rouse Theatre (Moe & Jack’s Place), co-produced with McCarter Theatre Center. Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for drama, Primary Trust introduces us to a shy, Black 38-year-old man named Kenneth who works at a local bookstore by day and enjoys a mai tai or two at a local Happy Hour by night.

Director Timothy Douglas’s vision is an absolute work of art. The pacing is excellent and the use of the playing space is a choreography of brilliance. Set Designer Tony Cisek chooses inventive ways to change the scenes and manages to always keep the main action front and centre. Special shout-out to Costume Designer Trevor Bowen: such a mastery of finding the sweet spot in those who have frequent changes to those who do not alter their looks at all. Ridiculously well done!

Huge praise to Casting Director Stephanie Klapper in assembling a strong and mighty cast of four performing artists to tell the tale of life and friendship. While this is a cohesive ensemble with a lot of chemistry, there are certainly moments of note. As our beloved protagonist, DeShawn Harold Mitchell is nothing short of perfection as Kenneth. His ability to portray who is ultimately a great human just trying to get by in this world is exemplary. It can be a tall order to play a character who is seemingly simple without keeping him in that corner and Mr. Mitchell is able to keep the pure heart of Kenneth present while finally unravelling some unpleasant happenings. It was a wonderful feeling when I realized I was not alone in my championing of Kenneth as the audience was right behind him at every move. Bravo, Mr. Mitchell – you understood the assignment.

Taking on several different roles in Kenneth’s life is Lilian Oben. To loosely quote my partner in crime, “This show is hers.” Ms. Oben is a genius of comedy and characterization as well as so relatable that you wish she were your friend. Additional character support of Shane Taylor as Bert and Peter Bisgaier in multiple roles round out this team beautifully. Each actor possesses incredible skills and knows exactly how to use them.

It will come as no surprise to you that this show is beyond deserving of its 2024 Pulitzer. The dialogue flows easily and is both entertaining and poignant. No matter what beginnings we have, there is always room for us to be kind and accomplish something great. And with the help of friendships, anything is possible. 

Click here for more information about the production.