We would like to welcome our 2020-2021 Executive committee:
For more information about ACT of Greater visit www.actcincinnati.org.
Filed under Press Releases
Fairfield Footlighters is pleased to announce their 2020-21 Season, starting with THE SUNSHINE BOYS by America’s playwright, Neil Simon. Directed by Richard Zenk and opening late September, this show is a classic comedy as two aging vaudevillians get one more chance at the spotlight.
In November, get your deerstalker cap on — the play’s afoot! Comedic genius Ken Ludwig transforms Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic The Hound of the Baskervilles into a murderously funny adventure with KEN LUDWIG’S BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY, directed by Kevin Noll.
In February, Anna Schindler directs Louisa May Alcott’s timeless story of coming of age and the importance of honesty, hard work, and true love. Home and family come to light in Thomas Hischak’s stage adaptation of the beloved novel, LITTLE WOMEN.
Finally, the season ends with the musical, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, directed by Nicholas Brown, which provides a backstory for the characters of Peter Pan, Mrs Darling, Tinker Bell and Hook, and serves as a prequel to J. M. Barrie’s Peter and Wendy.
Fairfield Footlighters is proud to be a former Grant Recipient of the Fairfield Community Foundation.
THE SUNSHINE BOYS
Sep 18, 2020 – Sep 27, 2020
Written by Neil Simon
Directed by Richard Zenk
Al Lewis and Willy Clark are a pair of feuding vaudeville comedians who performed together for 47 years before finally calling it quits. A network genius then has the brilliant idea of reuniting the duo for a TV special about the history of comedy. Once the reunion is on, the sparks and one-liners start to fly with equal speed. Enjoy this audience favorite where hilarity abounds in this comedy of showbiz and friendship.
All Ages. Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals
Ken Ludwig’s BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY
Nov 13, 2020 – Nov 22, 2020
Written by Ken Ludwig
Directed by Kevin Noll
Sherlock Holmes is on the case. The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Watch as our intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises, and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than forty characters. Does a wild hellhound prowl the moors of Devonshire? Can our heroes discover the truth in time? Join the fun and see how far from elementary the truth can be.
All Ages. Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals
LITTLE WOMEN
Feb 19, 2021 – Feb 28, 2021
Written by Thomas Hischak
Directed by Anna Schindler Brown
In 1860’s New England, we see the lives of the four March daughters – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy – play out before us and follow their triumphs and tragedies as they grow up, fall in love, and face life. With their chaplain father away serving in the Civil War and their mother doing all she can to hold things together at home, the girls employ creativity and courage to help their mother while pursuing their own passions—Jo’s writing, Amy’s art, Beth’s service to the poor, and Meg’s pursuit to become a proper young lady. Next-door neighbor Theodore “Laurie” Laurence, a lonely but charming teen, can’t resist the energy and grace of these little women and helps them to endure one trial after another.
All Ages. Presented by arrangement with Dramatic Publishing.
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
May 21, 2021 – May 30, 2021
A Play by Rick Elice
Based on the Novel by Dave Berry and Ridley Pearson
Music by Wayne Barker
Directed by Nicholas Brown
A young orphan and his mates are shipped off from Victorian England to a distant island ruled by the evil King Zarboff. They know nothing of the mysterious trunk in the captain’s cabin, which contains a precious, otherworldly cargo. At sea, the boys are discovered by a precocious young girl named Molly, a Starcatcher-in-training who realizes that the trunk’s precious cargo is starstuff, a celestial substance so powerful that it must never fall into the wrong hands. When the ship is taken over by pirates – led by the fearsome Black Stache, a villain determined to claim the trunk and its treasure for his own – the journey quickly becomes a thrilling adventure.
All Ages. Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International.
Filed under Press Releases, Season Announcements
Gift to support new theatre construction as well as ongoing operations
Digi and Mike Schueler
CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park today announced a $3 million pledge from Digi and Mike Schueler to help construct its new mainstage theatre complex and to support artistic programming for the next five years.
“Digi and Mike’s extraordinary gift leads us into the homestretch of our capital campaign,” says Blake Robison, artistic director. “And making a five-year commitment to our future artistic programming speaks volumes about their love of the Playhouse and the confidence they have in work we put onstage for the community. We can’t thank them enough.”
Included in the pledge is a capital campaign gift of $1.75 million that gives the Schuelers naming rights to the lobby of the new facility. The Playhouse now has $41.5 million in funds committed toward the project total of $49.5 million. The Schuelers join Moe and Jack Rouse and the Rosenthal Family as the lead donors of the Playhouse’s capital campaign.
“Digi and I hope our gift inspires others to join us in helping deliver this project to the community,” says Mr. Schueler, who is Chairman and CEO of The Schueler Group, a real estate, development and construction company located in Warren County.
The Schuelers are active throughout Greater Cincinnati with numerous social service and arts organizations. Mrs. Schueler has been a member of the Playhouse Board of Trustees for 16 years and has filled a variety of leadership positions during that time. She also currently serves on the boards of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Every Child Succeeds, 4C for Children and East End Adult Education.
“The Playhouse is a national treasure right here in Cincinnati,” says Mrs. Schueler. “We are so pleased to play our part in securing its future for generations to come.”
With the other $1.25 million of their pledge, the Schuelers have committed to continue their season sponsorship of the mainstage series in the current Marx Theatre and future Rouse Theatre as well as a select production sponsorship in the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre through the 2025-26 Season.
The Playhouse began site preparation work for the building construction in the spring to move utilities, change traffic patterns and create the staging area for the new theatre. That work is on track to be completed by the end of the summer. Ground-breaking for the new theatre is slated for late fall 2020, assuming no delays related to COVID-19 issues. Projected opening of the new theatre complex remains late 2022.
Filed under Press Releases
The Primary Lineup Just Wasn’t Enough. Fringe Brings You Special Events, Live Conversations, Family-Friendly Programming, Bar Series Events, and More!
When the COVID-19 public health crisis manifested, the Know Theatre team knew that the Cincinnati Fringe Festival – our beloved, silly, joyful two-week celebration of weird art and of community – couldn’t proceed as planned. Fortunately, there’s a lot of space between “can’t proceed as planned” and “giving up on it,” and that space is where we dug in and built a new home.
We’ve spent the last few months designing and building an all-digital, fully-online 17th Annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival. We’ve consulted with our artists and community partners, learned from other theatres’ experiments, and done a lot of innovating. In April, we rolled out a Primary Lineup of twenty shows, featuring everything from world premieres to revisits of favorite Fringe shows from years past. The Primary Lineup is available through either single-ticket purchases or as part of the All-Access Pass, and all the shows will be available to stream on-demand for the entire run of the festival, May 29 – June 13. See the full Primary Lineup at cincyfringe.com/digital-line-up.
Setting up the Primary Lineup was the taste of victory we needed; we couldn’t just stop there. With Fringe kickoff just days away, we are so excited to announce everything else that is coming to Cincy Fringe this season.
Special Events
In addition to the Primary Lineup, Cincy Fringe presents additional livestreamed Special Events. The ticketed events are available as single tickets or through the All-Access Pass. We’ve also got some more special events in the works, featuring exciting guest artists; we’re putting finishing touches on the plans now, but keep an ear out for exciting news about new special events during the festival!
Virtual Fringe CUSS from Travis McElroy and the Cincinnati Underground Secret Society. Livestreaming June 5, 9 PM. Can you keep a secret, Cincy? Travis McElroy and the Cincinnati Underground Secret Society bring local guests together to chat all things art, Fringe, and life!
Desperately Seeking the Exit: Online Live, from Peter Michael Marino. Livestreaming May 31, 7 PM, June 4, 9 PM & June 8 7 PM. In 2007, American actor/writer Peter Michael Marino wrote a musical based on the Madonna film “Desperately Seeking Susan,” featuring the hit songs of Blondie. It opened on London’s West End…and closed a month later. Whoops! Attend the internationally acclaimed tale – LIVE on your device. In 2007, American actor/writer Peter Michael Marino wrote a musical based on the Madonna film “Desperately Seeking Susan,” featuring the hit songs of Blondie. It opened on London’s West End…and closed a month later. Whoops! This high-octane, comical solo train ride fills in the blanks of how the $6 million musical was made and unmade. May 31 at 7pm, June 4 at 9pm, June 8 at 7pm | Press release | Facebook event |
trueFRINGE 2020, from True Theatre. Livestreaming June 11, 7 PM. “trueFRINGE 2020” is True Theatre’s 10th consecutive appearance at Cincy Fringe. The show features artists tied to the Festival, sharing their true stories about their lives as artists (it’s not as easy as they make it look!). See their shows then hear their stories at this one-night-only Fringe tradition! | Facebook event
ComedySportz LIVE!, from ComedySportz Cincinnati. Livestreaming May 31, 11 AM. Two teams of trained ComedySportz improvisers go head to head in a family friendly match akin to Whose Line Is It Anyway, but for the whole family and this time the points DO matter! CSz Cincinnati is excited to be part of the first virtual Cincy Fringe Festival! AND we are taking the field with CSz Manchester. That’s right it’s an international match – USA versus Britain. Sound familiar history buffs? This will be all the puns, games and laughter with a British accent. Join us for our LIVE online match Sunday May 31st at 11:00 am. At ComedySportz every joke is for everybody. It’s a treat your entire family will enjoy! | Facebook event
OTRimprov Open Jam, from OTRimprov. Livestreaming June 1, 9 PM. Join our own local improv team for a round-up of consistently interesting and frequently funny scenes, and get a chance to get in on the inventive action! This is a free event.
Family-Friendly Fringe
Every Fringe, we bring you a lineup of free events that parents and kids can enjoy together! Here’s what we have streaming for families this year. (And if you’re craving even more Family-Friendly content, ComedySportz LIVE! is a ticketed Special Event that is great for families.)
Storytime with Sparkle! May 30 and June 6, 11 AM. This family-friendly show has been described as a hybrid of Mr. Rogers and Pee-Wee’s Playhouse with a Muppet garnish. Sparkle Leigh is the lovechild of Roger and Jessica Rabbit, and is often mistaken for a drag queen. Let’s read a book, not each other!
DRAGON UP! May 30, 1 PM. Oro the Dragon and Meetra the Meerkat Knight embark on a quest and learn about cooperation, conflict resolution, and how to talk about your feelings in this social-emotional learning fairy tale.
Alice in Neverland. June 6, 1 PM. Peter Pan has gone missing! Families at home will use their critical-thinking skills alongside Alice (of Wonderland fame) to crack the case.
KNOW Your Body. May 30, 12 PM and June 7, 11 AM. Join us for a movement and physical education class! We’ll learn some fun new ways to stretch our bodies, and then healthcare professionals will answer real questions from real kids about how bodies work.
Visual Fringe
Every year, Visual Fringe highlights a variety of visual mediums, and this year is no different – but now, audiences can find the gallery online! This free exhibit will be available on the Cincinnati Fringe Festival website during the run of the festival, under the “Visual Fringe” tab at the top of the homepage.
Talkbacks
We’ve got nineteen scheduled talkbacks, hosted and produced by theatre artist and educator Kate Coley. In these free, live conversations with Fringe artists, audiences can get a glimpse behind the curtain into how artist-produced, “kinda weird” theatre is made, and will have a chance to ask their own questions. These conversations will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube; the full schedule is available in the Fringe Guide.
Bar Series
One of the most memorable parts of every Cincy Fringe is the silly, creative, and oft-raucous after-hours fun at the Know Theatre Underground, and we weren’t going to miss out on that just because we can’t be together! We’ll be livestreaming nightly Hard-Hitting Channel Fringe Action News Updates, just like you’ve seen in the Underground in years past, and we’re also bringing you some of the same wacky events in digital format. Join us for activities like Fringe Olympics, where audiences compete for gold and glory (well, maybe just glory) from the comfort of home, and Mix Your Own Craft Cocktail, when local mixologists will talk you through creating custom cocktails from what you’ve got around the house! The full schedule is available in the Fringe Guide. And just like usual during Fringe, these events are totally free.
“Kinda Weird” Fringe Curbside Pickup
For those who like to raise a toast to the spirit of Fringe: we’ve got you covered. In partnership with our friends at Karrikan Spirits Co, Revel Urban Winery, and Grainworks Brewing Company, we’re giving you a new way to pick up your beverage care packages while supporting Cincy Fringe! From May 25th to June 5th, order from Grainworks Brewing Company, Karrikin Spirits, or Revel Urban Winery, select “Kinda Weird Fringe Curbside Pickup” as your delivery option, and between 12 PM and 2 PM on Saturday May 30th or Saturday June 6th, you can conveniently pick up all of your orders at the Know Theatre on Jackson Street! A small percentage of your purchase will be donated to Know Theatre, so make sure to grab your beer, wine, and liquor to support the arts.
Get tickets to all Fringe programming by visiting us at cincyfringe.com, or follow Cincinnati Fringe Festival on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for updates.
Know Theatre is Cincinnati’s Theatrical Playground. The Know showcases unexpected voices, new works, and plays that embrace the inherent theatricality of the live experience. Know Theatre seeks to be a place where artists and audiences feel welcome to take artistic risks, creating work that is cutting edge and accessible.
Know Theatre’s work is made possible, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.
The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Know Theatre with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.
Know Theatre is also supported by The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation, helping to change our communities for the better through collaboration and innovation, and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, which provides a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving.
Know Theatre is a member of Theatre Communications Group and an Associate Member of the National New Play Network.
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Filed under Press Releases
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is proud to participate
Friday, May 22, 2020, CINCINNATI: Amid the global pandemic which has forced the temporary closure of many performing arts venues, 16 youth-serving theatres across the country have come together to share a national tribute, performed by children within each community, to honor frontline workers, including five students from the Greater Cincinnati area representing The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT). These young Cincinnati artists include:
Bios can be found below.
Led by Seattle Children’s Theatre’s Interim Artistic Director Kathryn Van Meter, the project titled So Many Heroes empowers and amplifies the voices of young people during this time.
“We will be forever changed by our current events, and forever connected and bound together by our shared experience of isolation. As we begin to redefine what it is to share space, there is hope in our future because we are resilient…just like the young people in our communities,” said Van Meter.
Jeff Revels, Artistic Director of Orlando Repertory Theatre and writer for the nationally televised Memorial Day parade, presented the idea knowing that the network of theatres for young audiences could mobilize this tremendous effort. Together, Revels, Van Meter and Rich Gray, songwriter of So Many Heroes, began collaborating on what the national tribute could be.
“We have heard from the doctors and politicians, but not much from the kids of America. Writing musicals for young audiences has taught me how observant kids are. They see everything and absorb it all. They have been processing this like crazy, so, when asked to write this tribute, I knew it had to be in the direct, honest language that kids use,” said Gray, emphasizing the importance of hearing from young people during this time.
The tribute, which will be released today, Friday May 22, can be viewed on the participating theatre’s Facebook pages (including The Children’s Theatre’s page) at 6 a.m. (HST), 9 a.m. (PST), 11 a.m. (CT) or 12 p.m. (EST):
Adventure Theatre MTC (Glen Echo, MD)
Childsplay Theatre (Tempe, AZ)
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)
Dallas Children’s Theater (Dallas, TX)
First Stage (Milwaukee, WI)
Growing Stage (Netcong, NJ),
Honolulu Theatre for Youth (Honolulu, HI)
Imagination Stage (Bethesda, MD),
Lexington Children’s Theatre (Lexington, KY)
Northwest Children’s Theater & School (Portland, OR)
Oregon Children’s Theatre (Portland, OR)
Orlando Repertory Theatre (Orlando, FL
Seattle Children’s Theatre (Seattle, WA).
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH)
Trike Theatre (Bentonville, Arkansas)
Wheelock Family Theatre (Boston, MA)
TCT’s Producing Artistic Director, Roderick Justice, said: “On behalf of everyone at TCT, we are forever thankful to the heroes who keeps us safe, happy and healthy in a time where we can’t physically come together to entertain our audiences. Through this collaboration with the Nation’s leading children’s theatres, we deliver a powerful and unified voice of gratitude. These heroes keeping us safe will also keep our mission alive for another 100 years.”
About The Artists:
Brinley Culver
Brinley appeared as Precious in TCT’s October 2019 production of Casper the Friendly Musical. She appeared as Little Girl in TCT’s Cinderella. Some of her favorite shows include: Seussical (JoJo), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Flounder), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Chip), and Disney’s Frozen (Middle Anna). During the last three summers, Brinley has participated in TCT’s STAR Intensive NKU program, and last year in TCT’s STAR ALL STARS. Brinley just completed seventh grade at Liberty Junior School. Off stage, she loves producing her own movies, dancing, and watching Master Chef.
Celia Joy D’Ascenzo
Celia made her TCT MainStage debut earlier this year in Annie JR. as Molly. In addition to being an avid singer, dancer, actress, pianist, and tumbler, Celia is a passionate storyteller. Other credits include: Awaited, Disney’s Cinderella KIDS (Fairy Godmother), Seussical (Young Kangaroo), and Disney’s High School Musical JR. (Cheerleader). Celia loves her homeschool community at HELP and CC and dances at Just Off Broadway. She enjoys spending time with her sisters, creating their own shows.
Diana Hutchinson
Diana was proud to make her theatre debut with The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati in the title role of TCT’s production of Annie JR.. Diana was born and raised in Cincinnati. She is currently heading into her sophomore year at Walnut Hills High School. Diana enjoys dancing, singing, and spending time with her family and friends. She is excited about sharing her love for the arts as she continues her performing career.
Annabelle Price
Annabelle is a recent eighth grade graduate of Summit View Academy in Northern Kentucky. She is an avid fan of TCT and has participated in their summer camp programs and other special events. Annabelle has performed in numerous school and community theatre projects including the role of Piggie in a pilot production of Elephant and Piggie – We are in a Play. She is passionate about the arts and hopes to continue in high school and beyond. Other credits include: Disney’s Lion King JR (Zazu), Alice in Wonderland JR (White Rabbit) and Madagascar JR. (Marty). Annabelle studies voice, acting and dance at Moss Performing Arts Academy and looks forward to more TCT opportunities in the future.
Nyla Thomas
Nyla is a recent eighth grade graduate of Crossroads Middle School in Fairfield, where she sings in the choir. She appeared in TCT’s 2020 production of Annie JR. and the 2019 production of Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS (Shanti). Nyla has a background in competitive hip-hop dancing and studies in voice. She was a TCT STAR Program participant from 2017 to 2019 and a TCT STAR All Stars participant in 2018 and 2019. Nyla received the TCT STAR Program “Rising Star” Award in 2018.
Kavan Vadivelu
Kavan is headed into the eighth grade at The Seven Hills School. In addition to theater, Kavan enjoys dancing and playing soccer for his club team. His previous credits include TCT’s 2019 production of Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS (Mowgli), Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (Charlie), and Disney’s Aladdin KIDS (Aladdin).
About The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati:
For 100 years, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati has provided education and entertainment for children and the young at heart through the art of stage performance. TCT is the oldest children’s theatre in the nation, and the only professional theater in the region that devotes its entire MainStage season to children. TCT directly impacts the lives of nearly 200,000 families and children annually, through Broadway-quality TCT MainStage performances as well as TCT on Tour touring productions and TCT Academy performing arts instruction for children ages 18 months to 18 years.
In March of 2020, in response to COVID-19 and school closures, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati launched TCT EVERYWHERE — an online resource for parents, teachers and students featuring crafts, acting and vocal exercises and contests from the professional artistic staff of TCT Academy; along with study guides, podcasts, videos of past productions, and more.
For more information about the TCT mission, check out our website or enjoy our programming through TCT EVERYWHERE.
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Filed under Family-Friendly, Press Releases
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 