Category Archives: Press Releases

October 2, 2023 · 6:21 pm

HOME BREW THEATRE 7 Selections Announced by The Drama Workshop

TDW_Home Brew 7HOME BREW THEATRE, The Drama Workshop’s weekend-long celebration of short plays by local playwrights has completed the selection process for this season’s event.

HOME BREW THEATRE will be staged at The Glenmore Playhouse, the home of The Drama Workshop, on January 19-21, 2024. Each performance will be followed by a “Meet the Artists” reception featuring beer from a local brewery. This is the seventh instalment of the festival which began in 2016.

The production features ten short plays, selected from 53 submissions. The final selection was made by the directors themselves. HOME BREW THEATRE 7’s final selections are as follows:

The Fence
By Robb Willoughby
Directed by Jeff Nieman

Hope Springs a Turtle
By Bill Brohaugh and Lisa Holt
Directed by Suzanne Stymiest

I’m Friggin’ Retired
By Eric Thomas
Directed by Jessie Faye

Just Listen
By Teri Foltz
Directed by Nick Dunker

Occupations
by Keith Vanden Eynden
Directed by Diane Senffner

Pet Therapy
By Christie Bishop
Directed by Dane Rogers and Sarah Hoback

The Royal Treatment
By Alan Jozwiak
Directed by Adam Drake

The Rules
By Jessie Faye
Directed by K.B. Scheiding

Squirrels in a Knothole
By Peter D. Stavros
Directed by Allie Webber

Stabbed in the Backwards
By Fred Tacon
Directed by Micheal Kiser

Ten very different plays from ten authors means there will be something for every taste, including silly comedies, compelling dramas and heartfelt romantic plays.

Tickets to ‘Home Brew Theatre’ are $20. Show dates and times are January 19th and 20th at 8pm, and January 21st at 2pm. Tickets can be ordered through The Drama Workshop’s ticket line at 513-598-8303, or ordered online via the TDW website www.thedramaworkshop.org

Auditions are scheduled for October 8th and 10th at The Drama Workshop. Find more information and sign up at https://thedramaworkshop.org/news/2090/auditions-announced-for-beckys-new-car-and-home-brew-theatre-7-at-the-drama-workshop

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September 28, 2023 · 7:11 pm

PERFECTLY MARVELOUS: Music and Comedy with a Midcentury Flair

QCC_Perfectly MarvelousThe Carnegie and Queen City Cabaret presents PERFECTLY MARVELOUS: Music from THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL

COVINGTON, Ky. (SEPTEMBER 14, 2023) – The Carnegie is thrilled to announce PERFECTLY MARVELOUS: Music from THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL, an evening of song and comedy from Queen City Cabaret and Two Sketchy Dames. The performance will run for one night only on October 14th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at TheCarnegie.com or by calling the Box Office at 859-957-1940.

Immerse yourself in an evening of midcentury melodies from the soundtrack of the hit show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. The Amazon Original chronicles a lonely New York City housewife’s meteoric rise to fame in the cut-throat 1950’s stand-up comedy industry.

Local musical duo, Queen City Cabaret, will swing their way through the 50s and 60s with hits by Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington, and more accompanied by a band of Greater Cincinnati’s top musical talent. Plus, enjoy performances by Cincy’s favorite vintage comedy team, Two Sketchy Dames featuring Alison Rampa and Eileen Earnest. The pair is known for their midcentury flair and signature combination of sketch comedy and improv. Sit back, relax, and get ready to laugh out loud.

Queen City Cabaret was founded by professional musicians Sarah Folsom and Matthew Umphreys in 2018. From intimate cabarets to large-scale concerts: QCC celebrates the beloved songs of the 20th century. With their signature twist of whimsy, Folsom and Umphreys revive classics from the Great American Songbook that still resonate with today’s audiences.

Plus, Tomi Newman and Monique Churchill from The Carnegie’s hit production of KINKY BOOTS will be featured as Guest Vocalists in PERFECTLY MARVELOUS. Newman starred as leading man and down on his luck shoemaker, Charlie Price.  Monique Churchill will also return to The Carnegie stage after an acclaimed performance as Charlie’s love interest, Lauren, and her showstopping rendition of “The History of Wrong Guys.”

QCC is a resident company at The Carnegie Theatre in Covington, KY, and their performances have been featured by numerous organizations across the region, including The Cincinnati Opera, The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Memorial Hall, The Washington Opera House, The Fitton Center for Creative Arts, as well as on TV and radio with CET, TVHamilton, WVXU and WGUC. In 2021, they released their first album, “Count Your Blessings: A Tribute to Rosemary Clooney.”

Two Sketchy Dames features comedy duo Alison Rampa and Eileen Earnest. The Cincinnati based troupe began in 2016 and has performed at the Detroit Improv Festival, Improv Festival of Cincinnati, Gatlinburg Improv Fest, and headlined the Damn Good Improv Festival in Louisville. In 2019, along with accompanist Mike Flohr, they developed “Comedy and Cocktails” a cocktail infused floor show combining music, improv and sketch comedy. During the 2020 season, the comedy team recorded “At Home with the Dames,” a variety show with weekly guest improvisers. Their format is self-described as La MOD. As in, Ladies Making Outstanding Decisions.

Queen City Cabaret will return to The Carnegie on May 4th with LIGHTS, CAMERA, CABARET! 100 Years of MGM. Celebrate the centennial of legendary film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer with a parade of songs from Hollywood’s golden age. Get swept away on a magical journey into the movies! Learn more at TheCarnegie.com.

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About The Carnegie
The Carnegie is Northern Kentucky’s largest multidisciplinary arts venue providing theatre events, educational programs and art exhibitions to the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati community. The Carnegie facility is home to The Carnegie Galleries, the Otto M. Budig Theatre, and the Eva G. Farris Education Center. More information about The Carnegie is available at www.thecarnegie.com or by calling (859) 491-2030.

The Carnegie is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Carnegie receives ongoing operating support from the Kentucky Arts Council, City of Covington, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and Cincinnati International Wine Festival.

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September 28, 2023 · 6:50 pm

Sinclair Theatre Presents LOVE/SICK

SCCT_LoveSick

Sinclair Theatre will present LOVE/SICK, Oct. 6-14 in Sinclair’s Black Box Theatre on the fourth floor of Building 2 on the downtown Dayton campus.  A darker cousin to Almost, Maine, John Cariani’s LOVE/SICK is a collection of nine slightly twisted and completely hilarious short plays. Set on a Friday night in an alternate suburban reality, this one-act romp explores the pain and the joy that comes with being in love. Full of imperfect lovers and dreamers, LOVE/SICK is an unromantic comedy for the romantic in everyone, according to Dramatist Play Service. (Adult themes).

Directed by Kimberly Borst, the ensemble includes:  Shae Trauthwein, Deangelo Powell, Tracie Puckett-Knight, Kofi Gunter, Ethan Harris, Josiah Callinan, Anna Senyk, Shaun Diggs, and Courtney Collinsworth.

Evening performances are at 7 p.m. with one Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on Oct. 8th. ASL interpreted performances are Oct. 8th and 12th. General admission seating at $10 per ticket. Tuesday Student Madness seats are $5 for students from any school. For more information visit the ticketing site at www.sinclair.edu/tickets. FREE parking in the Sinclair Visitor’s lot or student garage. Seating begins 30 minutes before curtain and early arrival is suggested.

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September 28, 2023 · 6:44 pm

Cincinnati Ballet Announces Departure of President and CEO Scott Altman

CB_Debbie BrantBoard of Trustees names Deborah S. Brant Interim President and CEO

Cincinnati, OH (September 28, 2023) – Cincinnati Ballet’s Board of Trustees announced today that President and CEO Scott Altman will depart the organization. Mr. Altman, who joined Cincinnati Ballet in August 2016, will assume the role of President and CEO of Los Angeles Master Chorale effective January 2024. Mr. Altman will remain as Cincinnati Ballet’s President and CEO through the end of the calendar year to ensure a smooth transition. The Board also announced the
appointment of Deborah S. Brant as Interim President and CEO effective January 1, 2024, as the Board searches for a permanent replacement. Ms. Brant is the current Chair of The Cincinnati Ballet Foundation, former Chair of the Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees, and led the capital campaign committee that secured funding to construct the new Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in Walnut Hills.

“We thank Scott for his incredible leadership during a period of monumental growth and transformation at Cincinnati Ballet,” said Board of Trustees Chair Joel Stone. “From the construction of an iconic new home to the implementation of record-setting operating budgets, Scott had led Cincinnati Ballet to unprecedented new heights. We wish him well in the future and look forward to collaborating with our colleague Debbie Brant as Interim President and CEO. For many years, Debbie has fostered a deep and meaningful relationship with Cincinnati Ballet and has been one of the organization’s biggest supporters. This is a natural step for Debbie and the organization.”

“After seven and a half years as leader of this remarkable Company, I feel confident in the stability of Cincinnati Ballet,” said Mr. Altman. “This is a good point to hand over leadership and move into the next phase of my own journey. I want to thank the amazing Cincinnati Ballet team for their dedication, innovation, and creativity. I applaud the Board for choosing Debbie as my interim successor. Debbie is a thoughtful and capable leader with a passion for the art form, who is already deeply committed to the success of Cincinnati Ballet. I will be working closely with Debbie and the Board of Trustees over the next three months to ensure a seamless transition.” “I am honored that the Board has chosen me to steward Cincinnati Ballet as Interim President and CEO,” said Ms. Brant. “I will be working side-by-side with Scott, the Board, and the talented administrative and artistic teams over the next three months to learn how I can best support this incredible Company.”

CINCINNATI BALLET BY THE NUMBERS:

  • FY2024-2025 Approved Budget – $13.1 Million
  • Endowment Balance – $14.997 Million
  • Main Company Dancers – 29; Second Company CB2 Dancers – 10

MORE ABOUT SCOTT ALTMAN: Scott Altman assumed the role of President and CEO if Cincinnati Ballet in 2016. Cincinnati Ballet has reached many noteworthy milestones, among them, the construction of the 62,000 square foot, $32 million Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance; more than tripling asset growth to $75 million; implementation of record-breaking operating budgets exceeding $13 million; a dynamic new logo and brand identity; record-breaking ticket sales; the launch of a highly successful annual Family Series; and as expanded Academy and community and education programs. During his tenure, Altman was honored for three consecutive years by Cincinnati Magazine in its Cincinnati 300— a compilation of the city’s top three hundred executives. He has served as Trustee on the Board of DanceUSA and as its Executive Managers’ Council Chair, Trustee on the Board of Creative Ohio, and member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Altman has been
featured guest speaker for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Americans for the Arts and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

MORE ABOUT DEBORAH S. BRANT: Deborah S. Brant is the current Chair of The Cincinnati Ballet Foundation, former chair of the Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees, and led the capital campaign committee that secured funding to construct the 62,000 square foot, $32 million Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance in Walnut Hills. Ballet has been an important part of Debbie’s life since her childhood in Akron, Ohio. She started ballet lessons at age nine, beginning a life-long love of the artform. Debbie graduated from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts where she studied American Studies and Art History. She went on to create a successful fundraising career that included work in Washington, D.C. and New York City as a fundraiser and grants writer for The Kennedy Center | National Symphony Orchestra, as well as a fundraising consultant for New York City Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and Jacob’s
Pillow, among others. Debbie moved to Cincinnati in 1998 where she continued as a fundraising consultant for Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Prospect House, and the Art Academy of Cincinnati. In addition to her tireless philanthropic work for Cincinnati Ballet, Debbie is also a former Board Chair of the Mayerson JCC, Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, and board member for Most Valuable Kids of Cincinnati, Inc. (MVK). Brant is a past recipient of The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Women of the Year Award, the 2021 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Cincinnati Chapter, And Volunteer of the Year Award from the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati.

About Cincinnati Ballet
Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Cincinnati Ballet is a creative force within the larger dance community, commissioning world-premiere works and exploring unique collaborations. With a mission to enrich, expand, and excel in the art of dance through performance, a high-caliber academy, and impactful education and community engagement in local to global communities, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of dance. To that end, Cincinnati Ballet presents exhilarating performances, provides extensive education and community engagement programs, and offers top-level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy.

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September 26, 2023 · 6:34 pm

CELTIC WOMAN: 20th Anniversary Tour | Fri., April 19 | Aronoff Center

CAA_Celtic Woman 20

Photo by Kip Carroll.

Grammy-Nominated Music Sensation
Celtic Woman Brings 20th Anniversary Tour to the
Aronoff Center on April 19, 2024

Soprano Mairéad Carlin to Return
PBS to Air “20th ANNIVERSARY” Special in More than 60 Markets Later this Year 

[CINCINNATI, OH] – On the heels of the successful “Postcards From Ireland,” Celtic Woman will carry on its legacy of uplifting performances packed with breath-taking harmonies and instrumental virtuosity. The group today announced it will bring an all-new live show to celebrate its 20th anniversary to the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 7:30 PM. The Celtic Woman 20th Anniversary Tour will be delighting audiences with its fresh blend of traditional and contemporary Irish music that echoes Ireland’s rich musical and cultural heritage, while reflecting the vibrant spirit of modern Ireland.

Tickets go on sale Friday, September 29 at 10:00 AM at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. For groups of ten or more, call (513) 977-4157. Applicable services fees may apply. Prices are subject to change.

In the 20 years since the global musical sensation’s debut, Celtic Woman has emerged as both a formidable musical presence and a genuine cultural phenomenon. The group’s albums and DVD releases have been consistent multi-platinum best-sellers and its concert tours continue to touch the hearts of a devoted audience that spans the globe. Both an accomplished recording ensemble and a world-class performing collective, Celtic Woman introduces some of Ireland’s most talented singers and musicians to the world stage.

The group’s repertoire encompasses Irish classics, contemporary songs, classical favorites, and stirring originals. The lineup of performers has evolved in the years since the group’s inception, but the signature sound of Celtic Woman has remained consistent, showcasing the members’ individual and collaborative talents.

Celtic Woman is comprised of four young Irish women whose performing skills bring centuries of musical and cultural tradition to life. In concert, their angelic voices and instrumental virtuosity are accompanied by a robust ensemble that includes Irish dancers, bagpipers, and a full band playing an array of traditional Celtic instruments, including bodhrán, tin whistle, bouzouki, and Uilleann pipes.

Returning to the group is soprano Mairéad Carlin, a former member who joins the show for this very special anniversary tour. Joining her are fellow soprano Muirgen O’Mahony, fiddle and Irish harp maestro Tara McNeill, as well as the newest member of the group, the multi-talented Emma Warren, who has toured with Riverdance and Heartbeat of Home, and most recently performed in Les Misérables, London. 

Later this year, PBS will air the accompanying “20th ANNIVERSARY” TV special in North America across 60+ local PBS stations. Filmed in The Helix Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, it takes fans on a journey back to where it all began 20 years ago (and in the very same theater). The TV special features appearances from four very special guests, including original members Lisa Kelly, Máiréad Nesbitt, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha, and Chloë Agnew — who join Celtic Woman for this wonderful TV special packed with emotional and heart stirring performances.

Following the PBS broadcasts, the “20th ANNIVERSARY” album and DVD will be released in January 2024 and feature brand-new compositions and arrangements plus some fan favorites.

Since 2005, Celtic Woman has sold over ten million CDs and DVDs, and amassed more than three billion streams, making it the only all-female act to achieve multi-platinum success in the classical crossover and world music genres during the past decade. Named Billboard’s #1 World Music Artist of the Year six times, twelve of the studio CDs have debuted at #1 on Billboard’s World Album chart. Celtic Woman has also scored two Top 10 debuts on Billboard’s influential album chart and five Top Five DVDs on Billboard’s Top Video chart, as well as achieving platinum-level sales in nine countries. Their 2016 album release, Destiny, was nominated for a Grammy award in the category of Best World Music Album, marking the group’s first-ever Grammy nomination.

For the complete tour schedule, tickets and more information, visit www.celticwoman.com/tour-dates. Sign up for Celtic Woman’s newsletters at www.celticwoman.com to learn about new tour dates, album releases and special offers.

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