Category Archives: On Stage

TCT Cincinnati’s THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS Opening December 6

Jake Kolesar as Jack Frost  & Leo J. Northart III as Santa. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Jake Kolesar as Jack Frost & Leo J. Northart III as Santa. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati and Santa will bring local audiences a lot to smile about this holiday season with the world-premiere production “The Day Before Christmas,” December 6-8 and 14, 2013 at the Taft Theatre.

The show is directed by TCTC’s Artistic Director, Angela Powell Walker, with story and book by Ken Jones, music by Jamey Strawn, lyrics by Christine Jones. Ken Jones, wrote and compiled the hit “Santa’s Toy Factory” for The Children’s Theatre’s 12-13 season; and the trio worked together on the successful shows: “Burgertown,” “CHURCH GIRLS, Umatilla USA,” and “LINCOLN: A Pioneer Tale.”

There is a flurry of activity at the North Pole. Santa and Mrs. Claus, the elves, the reindeer, the forest animals and even the Toys themselves prepare for the biggest night of the year! It takes a lot of planning and hard work to get a sleigh off the ground and to deliver toys to children around the world, but Santa’s team is ready and willing. Or at least they think they are before a tricky Jack Frost decides to try to stop the Christmas Festivities with a little comical chaos and calamity!

Single tickets and subscriptions for the rest of the 13-14 season are available now by calling 513-569-8080 ext. 10. Visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com for more information.

“The Day Before Christmas,” The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, through December 14. 7:30 p.m. Friday December 6, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday December 7 & 14, 2 p.m. Sunday December 8. Taft Theatre, 317 East 5th Street in Downtown Cincinnati. Tickets $7-$25. 800-745-3000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Q102 and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati are proud to collect items for St. Joseph Orphanage at all performances of “The Day Before Christmas.” Children and adults are encouraged to bring any new or unwrapped item and we’ll collect them in the Taft Theatre lobby. Visit http://www.stjosephorphanage.org/ for a list of holiday requests.

And don’t miss Brunch with Santa on Saturday, December 14 at 11:30 AM. Tickets for this event are $50 including a ticket to the show, or $35 for brunch only. Join The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati in the Taft Theatre Ballroom for a festive holiday brunch, music, crafts, a visit from Santa and his friends and memories to last a lifetime. Seating is limited. Call 513-569-8080 ext. 14 for reservations.

Characters from Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s “A Christmas Carol”, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s holiday production of “Around the World in 80 Days,” Cincinnati Ballet’s “Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker” and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s production of “The Day Before Christmas” will be spreading the holiday spirit at festive events throughout the Tristate this season. For a full listing of Character Crew events, visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

“The Day Before Christmas” is made possible by the generous support of Macy’s. The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign. The Children’s Theatre’s Season Sponsors are the Charles H. Dater Foundation and the Marge and Charles J. Schott Foundation. Media sponsor are LOCAL 12, The Cincinnati Enquirer and Q102. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

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Trio of One Acts on Dec. 3

CPI_trio of One ActsTrio of One Acts
Presented by Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative
Dec. 3
Downtown

Written by Barbara M. Harkness
Directed by Arnie Shayne

HAUNTING SCARS
When a community is hurled into violent disaster, the tsunami-like wave penetrates every breakfast table, every water cooler.  No matter how urban, neighborhoods network into villages whose grief and pain flounders with no direction.
Cast: Sue Breving as Maggie Stevens, Charlie Goetz as Ed Stevens, Alex Escher as Chuck Stevens, Joanna Tyler as Darlene/Lucy/Minnie, Barbara Manning as Bertha/Edith, Colin Edgar as Bradley/Shane & Eric Weisheit as the Narrator

AT THE POTTING SHED
Just a little old lady growing herbs 
Cast: Sue Breving as Henrietta, Joanna Tyler as Margaret, Eric Weisheit as Howard/Narrator, Alex Escher as Dispatcher, Colin Edgar as Deputy & Charlie Goetz as Intruder

COMMUNICATION
Talking to, about, around and through
Cast: Barbara Manning as Nell, Joanna Tyler as Sheila & Eric Weisheit as the Narrator

  • Tue, Dec. 3 at 7:30pm

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EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD (AND THEN SOME!) Runs Dec. 17-28

Justin McCombs,  Sara Clark, Miranda McGee & Billy Chance.

Justin McCombs, Sara Clark, Miranda McGee & Billy Chance.

EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD (AND THEN SOME!)
Presented by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Dec. 17-28
Over-the-Rhine

Directed by Jeremy Dubin

Cast: Billy Chance, Sara Clark, Justin McCombs & Miranda McGee

All of your favorite Beloved Holiday Classics crammed into 90 minutes of high octane jollity and frivolity. Three actors (with the help of a slightly tipsy Santa) send up everything from Dickens to Dr. Seuss in this ever-evolving CSC holiday favorite. Back for an eighth straight year!

  • Wed-Thu, Dec. 17-18 at 7:30pm
  • Fri, Dec. 19 at 7:30pm & 11pm
  • Sat, Dec. 20 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Dec. 21 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Mon-Tue, Dec. 22-23 at 7:30pm
  • Fri, Dec. 26 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Dec. 27 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Dec. 28 at 2pm & 7:30pm

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NUNCRACKERS Runs Dec. 12-15

MATC_NuncrackersNUNCRACKERS
Presented by Mad Anthony Theatre Company
Dec. 12-15
Hamilton

Mother Superior, the sisters and Father Virgil of Mt. Saint Helen’s School and Nunsense are back along with four of Mt. Saint Helens’ most talented students! This holiday musical spectacular follows the action as the nuns and Father get ready to tape a cable-access Christmas special out of their convent basement. With its typical Nunsense sense of humor, favorite holiday carols, “Secret Santa” audience participation and all new parody songs like “Twelve Days Prior to Christmas,” “We Three Kings of Orient Are Us,” “Santa Ain’t Comin’ to Our House,” Nuncrackers is hilarious holiday fun for all.

  • Thu-Sat, Dec. 12-14 at 8pm
  • Sun, Dec. 15 at 2pm

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THE 12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS Runs Dec. 11-21

Annie Kalahurka in NET's THE 12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS.

Annie Kalahurka in NET’s THE 12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS.

THE 12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS
Presented by New Edgecliff Theatre
Dec. 11-21
Over-the-Rhine

Directed by Jim Stump

Featuring Annie Kalahurka

After seeing her fiancé kiss another woman at the televised Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mary’s life falls apart – just in time for the holidays. Over the next year, she stumbles back into the dating world, where “romance” ranges from weird and creepy to absurd and comical. It seems nothing can help Mary’s growing cynicism, until the charm and innocence of a five-year-old boy unexpectedly brings a new outlook on life and love. This heartwarming one-woman play offers a hilarious and modern alternative to the old standards of the holiday season.

  • Wed-Sat, Dec. 11-14 at 7:30pm
  • Tue-Sat, Dec. 17-21 at 7:30pm

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