Category Archives: Press Releases

October 24, 2019 · 12:48 pm

ON CUE Newsletter Fall 2019

ACT_vON CUE
The electronic newsletter of the Association of Community Theatres of Greater Cincinnati

Another season of theatre has begun and as in past years, it will be a great one. There are so many shows to see, that it is difficult to see them all. You are urged to support local community theatre. Get out and see the shows and see the great theatre that happens in this area.

ACT saw the demise of two theatre groups this past season, Stagecrafters and Milford Theatre Guilde. However, it added 3 new groups, INNOVtheatre, Inspiring Arts and Merit Theatre. Show your support for all of the groups that make up ACT of Greater Cincinnati.

The OCTA conference took place over Labor Day weekend in Perrysburg, OH and our region was well represented. We had 4 groups plus our alternate in attendance.

These were:

  • Innovatheatre-Ordinary Days
  • The Drama Workshop-Love, Loss and What I Wore
  • Mariemont Players-Out Of Sterno
  • The Village Players-The Last Days of Judas Iscariot
  • Footlighters-First Date

These are the awards presented to the various shows:

LOVE, LOSS AND WHAT I WORE

  • Rose Vanden Eynden – Merit in Directing
  • The Cast – Excellence in Ensemble
  • Kristy Rucker – Excellence in Acting as Geralyn
  • Linda Callahan – Excellence in Acting as Gingy
  • Holly Sauerbrunn – Outstanding in Acting as Nora
  • Rose Vanden Eynden & Jason Cox – Outstanding in Sound Design

THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT

  • Elena Sokoloski – Excellence in Light Design
  • Dan Maloney – Excellence in Directing
  • The Cast – Excellence in Ensemble
  • Amy Sullivan – Excellence in a Featured Role as Sister Glenna
  • Rose Vanden Eynden – Excellence in Acting as Mother Teresa
  • Chris Payne – Excellence in Acting as Simon the Zealot
  • Michael Ireland – Excellence in Acting as Satan
  • Scott Unes – Outstanding in Acting as El Fayoumy
  • Michael Ireland – Outstanding Use of the Sense of Smell as Satan

OUT OF STERNO

  • Dan Maloney – Merit in Sound Design
  • Peggy Stouffer – Excellence in Costumes
  • Dan Dermody – Excellence in Set Design
  • Dan Maloney – Excellence in Directing
  • Patricia Mullins – Excellence in Acting as Dotty
  • Julia Hedges – Excellence in Acting as Zena
  • Patrick Kramer – Outstanding in Acting as Dan

ORDINARY DAYS

  • Eric Bardes – Merit in Light Design
  • Jacqlyn Schott – Excellence in Directing
  • The Cast – Excellence in Ensemble
  • Alex Ross – Excellence in Musical Theater Performance as Jason

FIRST DATE

  • Amanda Marasch – Excellence in Costumes
  • Alan Masters – Excellence in Musical Directing
  • Xan Waddell Jeffrey – Excellence in Vocal Directing
  • Jerry Wiesenhahn – Excellence in Directing
  • Gregory K. Shaffer – Excellence in Musical Theater Performance as Man #1
  • The Cast – Outstanding in Ensemble

As you can see, all of these shows displayed the quality of the theatre we create here. Congratulations to all of the shows.

Other awards were given at the conference:

  • Ray Lebowski was presented with the Dick Beale Outstanding Regional Representative award. This is given to the regional representative who demonstrates the qualities of leadership necessary to be an effective representative.
  • Norma Niinemets was inducted into the OCTA Hall of Fame this year. This is such a great honor and it recognizes the years of service by the individual to their theatre and to OCTA as well.

We congratulate them as well.

Attendance at this year’s OCTA state conference was down from previous years.  For years, people have asked that the excerpts be presented in a legitimate theater. This was done for the first time this past September. Because the events were held in 2 places, it meant that the cost of attending this year was increased. Was this the reason for the low turnout? Was it the location and having to navigate between locations? Was it because people were not involved in any excerpt, so therefore chose not to attend? Whatever the reason was, it created a budget deficit for OCTA. If this holds true for the 2020 conference, then there will have to be some decisions made.  An organization cannot continue to lose money and exist.

Now, mark your calendar for Labor Day Weekend 2020. The conference will be here in our region. Dan Maloney is the conference chair, and he has already put together a great support group to help organize the event. Again this year, all excerpts will be held in a THEATER! This has been requested over the years and it finally took place at this past conference. Yes, there were some problems this past year with the logistics, but it is hoped that these will be worked out for 2020. The theme this year is Roaring 20S and as always it will be the best. There will be lots of fun and games for everyone. Southwest Region rocks conferences.

ACT held their annual elections in May and the following is a list of officers for the 2019-2020 season.

  • President-Dan Maloney
  • 1st VP-Amanda Emmons-Shumate
  • 2nd VP-Fred Hunt
  • Secretary-Micheal Kiser
  • Treasurer-Amelia Burke
  • Awards Chair-Dennis Murphy
  • Scholarship Chair-Melissa Smith
  • Long Range Judging Standing Committee Chair-Laureen Caitlin
  • Membership Standing Committee Chair-John Wesseling
  • Publicity Chair/Website-Chuck Ingram
  • Pre-Registration-Joy Sharp
  • Librarian/Historian/Newsletter-Linda Roll

In other ACT news, there is a committee looking at updating the By-Laws of the organization. This has not been done for several years and there are areas that need updating. One such area is the need for a code of conduct. Is this something that individual theatre groups have in their by-laws? Is it necessary for ACT itself to have one if groups have it?

The issue of how to raise funds is always on the table. There have been basket raffles, a raffle ticket for a trip/money (which has NEVER been very profitable).

One thing that is currently being discussed is fund raisers in conjunction with various restaurants. Groups are already doing that, so how would that work for ACT? Lots of things to consider.

Be sure to check out our website http://www.actcincinnati.org. Chuck Ingram is doing a great job in updating the site. Send him notices of your auditions and shows and he will make sure they get placed on the website. Email is Actweb@fioptics.com.

While you are at it, send these to Rob Bucher who also publishes auditions and shows on his site . You can locate him at Behind the Curtain Cincinnati. Find him at robbucher@me.com

The final place for you to make any announcements or search for something for your production is the Wesseling One List at wesseling@yahoogroups.com. Let’s keep information flowing.

Any errors, mistakes or omissions are not intentional.

Thanks to all of you for being a part of Greater Cincinnati theatre.

Leave a comment

Filed under Press Releases

Tagged as

October 23, 2019 · 10:22 am

MARJORIE PRIME is Next up at Falcon Theatre

FT_Marjorie Prime logoA Life Lived vs. a Life Remembered
MARJORIE PRIME is Up Next at Falcon Theatre!

What would we choose to forget from our past if given the opportunity? What have we forgotten already that we might wish we could remember? Do we remember the past as it actually occurred or as we–for whatever reason–prefer to remember it?

These are just a few of the questions addressed in Jordan Harrison’s drama Marjorie Prime, a touching, emotional, and painfully believable story set in the not-too-distant future.

Marjorie Prime is the second production of Falcon Theatre’s 30th Anniversary Season, opening November 22.

The story revolves around 85-year-old Marjorie, who is in the early stages of dementia. Ten years after the death of her husband Walter, Marjorie now lives with her daughter Tess and son-in-law Jon who have installed a holographic “prime” of Walter to keep Marjorie company and perhaps aid in holding onto part of her rapidly failing memory. The “prime” takes on the form of Walter as a vibrant young man rather than the Walter from his final, older years and is programmed with the ability to learn from the information that he has been fed. Jon, particularly, has shared with the prime certain aspects and details of Marjorie’s past, but for Tess, some things are too uncomfortable to share.

“The more I read and work with this script, the less I see it as about aging and dying and more about the nature of memory,” says director Ed Cohen. “Memories, by their nature, are images frozen in our mind. But what are they made of? And how do they relate to our humanity…to whatever it is that makes us human?”

Cohen, who has directed multiple productions at Falcon, including In the Heat of the Night, The Pillowman, and The Beauty Queen of Leenane, sees the story’s treatment of memory as the key that unlocks our humanity. He points to multiple episodes in the story where Marjorie is struggling with details of memories, but what she’s trying to recapture is the feelings and emotions that she associates with the memories.

The New York Times says the play, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for drama, “operates by stealth…landing skillfully targeted punch after punch, right where it hurts” and when it’s least expected. The Los Angeles Times says Marjorie Prime “…is the kind of experience that keeps unfolding in the mind long after the 80-minute play is over” and “is primarily concerned with something eternal: the way our humanity is shaped and warped by the mysterious ebbs and flows of memory.”

Falcon’s production features Sue Breving as Marjorie, Ryan J. Poole as Walter, Tara Williams as Tess, and Terry Gosdin as Jon.

Performances are at 8 PM on November 22, 23, 29, 30, and December 5, 6, and 7. Tickets prices are $25 for adults and $15 for students with ID. Patrons enjoy a $5 discount for Thursday performances. Visit falcontheater.net for tickets.

Leave a comment

Filed under Press Releases

Tagged as

October 21, 2019 · 11:07 am

Raucous New Comedy PUFFS Brings Its Magic to Know Theatre

KTC_PuffsPosterEver feel like you’re not the hero of your own story?

PUFFS
By Matt Cox

November 22nd – December 21st 

Friends, Magic, England… This is Not the Story You’re Thinking of. 

Fresh off its triumphant Off-Broadway debut comes this raucous new comedy about seven eventful years at a certain school of magic and magic. From November 22 – December 21, Know Theatre is proud to bring Cincinnati our version of the uncensored, unexpected flipside of the fantasy world you only THINK you know so well.

Puffs follows the adventures of a trio of friends, three “Puffs,” as they study magic at school of male magic and female magic, concurrent with a certain boy wizard and his friends. Through their wacky adventures, they encounter characters like “The Death Buddies,” “Blondo Malfoy,” “The Headmaster,” “Professor McG,” “A Certain Potions Teacher,” and of course, the evil “Mr. Voldy”!

Magic, sports, and a battle against evil collide in a hilarious new play for anyone who’s ever felt like they weren’t the hero of their story.

Puffs is directed by Know Theatre Producing Artistic Director Andrew Hungerford. Here’s what he had to say about why the Know just couldn’t resist bringing this smash-hit new play to Cincinnati audiences this season: 

Puffs is the story of what happens when your dreams come true, but not in the way you thought they would. Using pop culture fantasies of the 80’s and 90’s as a jumping off point, it takes flight as a story of friendship, adventure, and magic. Rising above satire, it’s a delightfully satisfying play with a big silly heart at its core.

Puffs is a play for everyone who ever wanted someone to tell them, “yer a wizard;” everyone who felt the power of Grayskull; everyone who thought they could bear that ring to the fires whence it came; everyone who knew the force would be with them; everyone who has ever dreamt of a larger world beyond the everyday, and thought about what might happen if they were able to step through that wardrobe into a place where magic is real. It’s a perfect way to close out 2019.

Puffs features a script that offers tons of opportunities for improvisation, so be prepared for each night of this five week run to offer something new. To navigate this comedic adventure, Know has assembled a crack team of actors who will bring this boisterous, unpredictable and magical world to life.

Ben Dudley returns to the MainStage after his 2015 starring role in Joe Zettlemaier’s All Childish Things, as well as many adventures in our episodic theatre program Serials! and our annual celebration of live arts, the Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

He’ll play new-student-in-town Wayne Hopkins, an otherwise normal, run of the mill, pop-culture-obsessed kid. Thrust into a magical world from decidedly non-magical origins in New Mexico, he thinks he just might be destined for something great… when he’s sorted into the Puffs! But, just because you’re an underdog doesn’t mean you can’t become the hero…right?

Brandon Burton also makes his return to the Know as Wayne’s new pal, Oliver Rivers. Last seen at the Know as the hilarious Castle Guard in Marian, or The True Tale of Robin Hood and Islington & Lord Rat Speaker in Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, this time he plays a whiz-kid who excelled in the non-magical world, suddenly forced to cope with being extremely below average as a wizard.

Regular Know fans will recognize SCPA alum Maliyah Gramata-Jones from 2018’s RED BIKE or 2012’s The Afghan Women’s Writing Project. This time, she gets to sink her teeth into the role of Megan Jones, the Puff-Who-Would-Be-Snake. Will she ever find a reason to embrace the lovable Puff inside? Or will she finally convince her schoolmates that she belongs with the “cool” kids over with Blondo Malfoy? 

Bringing to life the rest of this enchanted environment is a cast of comic and improv sorcerers including Andrew Ian Adams, Merritt Beischel, Brianna Bernard, Maggie Cramer, Jared Earland, Elizabeth Chinn Molloy, Jordan Trovillion, and Know Theatre’s own Producer of Irregular Programming, Chris Wesselman. 

Follow their adventures as the otherwise entirely un-noteworthy Puffs house tries to stop losing every competition to the Braves… and the Smarts. And the Snakes.

If only the Puffs and their de facto leader Cedric could find their confidence and figure out how to take first place… Okay, that’s perhaps shooting too high; how about second place? No? Okay, third! Yeah, THIRD OR NOTHING!

Will the Puffs ever rise above the lowest rung on the ladder? Will Cedric survive Year 4? Will Wayne overcome his non-magical past to become not just an adequate wizard but maybe even the hero? To find out, grab your broom and wand and badger your way to Puffs, running November 21st – December 25th, only at Your Theatrical Playground.

Cast in Alphabetical Order

  • Andrew Ian Adams – Cedric/Mr. Voldy
  • Merritt Beischel – Narrator
  • Brianna Bernard – Sally Perks
  • Brandon Burton – Oliver Rivers
  • Maggie Cramer – Leanne, etc
  • Ben Dudley – Wayne Hopkins
  • Jared Earland – Ernie Mac etc
  • Maliyah Gramata-Jones – Megan Jones
  • Elizabeth Chinn Molloy – Hannah etc
  • Jordan Trovillion – Susie Bones, etc
  • Chris Wessleman – J Finch, etc

Production Team

  • Director & Lighting Designer: Andrew Hungerford
  • Scenic designer: Baron E. Pugh
  • Costume Designer: Noelle Wedig-Johnston
  • Sound Designer: Douglas Borntrager
  • Props Designer & Scenic Charge: Kayla Williams
  • Stage Manager: Meghan Winter
  • Technical Director: Henry Bateman

Calendar Listing

Production:
Puffs, or seven increasingly eventful years at a certain school of magic & magic by Matt Cox

When:

  • 8:00 pm   Nov 22, 23;  27, 29, 30; Dec 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21
  • 3:00 pm   Nov 24; Dec 1, 8, 15

Where: Know Theatre of Cincinnati. 1120 Jackson Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. In historic Over-the-Rhine.

Tickets:

  • $25 regular price tickets
  • $35 “Living Wage” tickets, supporting working artists in Cincinnati
  • $15 Rush tickets at the door 10 minutes prior to curtain (when available) 

FREE walk-up tickets are available on Wednesdays, as part of Know’s Welcome Experiment.
Advance reservations to Welcome Experiment performances are $10.00.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting knowtheatre.com or calling 513.300.5669 

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.

Leave a comment

Filed under Press Releases

Tagged as

October 18, 2019 · 3:21 pm

Springboro Community Theatre presents CHICAGO

SCT_Chicago logoSpringboro, OH – In Chicago during the Roaring Twenties, murder is the name of the game. When Roxie Hart shoots her faithless lover, she deceives her dutiful husband, Amos, claiming burglary as the cause of the murder. Amos takes the bait, until the truth is revealed and he turns on Roxie. Imprisoned for her crime, Roxie meets the other “Merry Murderesses,” including Velma Kelly, convicted for killer her cheating husband and sister. Under the watchful eye of Matron Mama Morton, the women of the Cook County Jail learn that anything is possible with a little bit of reciprocity.

Desperate for not only fame, but acquittal as well; Roxie seeks the counsel of slick lawyer Billy Flynn, who coaches Roxie through the media circus of her trial. As Roxie’s fame grows, Velma begins to slip into obscurity. Velma approaches Roxie with a plan to help both grow in their infamy, which Roxie turns down… Until another sordid crime of passion threatens to send her down the same path as Velma. Featuring musical theatre staples such as “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango,” “Roxie,” “Mister Cellophane,” and “Razzle Dazzle,” you won’t find a better story of the dangerous pursuit of fame, fortune, and acquittal than Chicago!

Chicago will be performed in the Premier Health Theatre at the Springboro Performing Arts Center.

Director Jenni Cypher, along with music director Judy Mansky and choreographer Kara Castle, has assembled an immensely talented cast to bring these larger-than-life characters, songs, and dances to the stage. Get your tickets today to experience “All That Jazz” at BoroTheatre.org!

When:
Evening: November 8, 9, 15 & 16 at 8PM
Matinee: November 10 & 17 at 2PM

Where:
Springboro Performing Arts Center, 115 Wright Station Way, Springboro, OH 45066

Leave a comment

Filed under Press Releases

Tagged as

October 18, 2019 · 2:01 pm

NKU SOTA’s THE FRENCH CONNECTION Concert Features Classical Selections, Jazz and Dancing

NKU_The French Connection logo

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts will present a collaborative concert entitled “The French Connection” on Oct. 29. Join in a celebration of the great French Composers and Pedagogues Nadia Boulanger and Darius Milhaud with performances of their music and the music of their distinguished students. Other featured composers from the Americas include William Bolcom, David Brubeck, Aaron Copland, Astor Piazzola, and Louise Talma.

Since the founding of the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau in 1921, innovative musical styles have flourished in France and the Americas. Nadia Boulanger and Darius Milhaud served as the composition teachers and mentors for literally hundreds of different composers representing all music genres. “The French Connection” was conceived to bring this connection to the forefront by showcasing the music of these two prominent French Composers and some of their great students from North and South America.

Featured performers include San Sung Aum, piano; Holly Attar, viola; Meghan Bennett, flute; Stephanie Brumer, Dance Troupe director; Joy Burdette, soprano; Kimberly Gelbwasser Lazzeri, soprano; Amy Gillingham, cello; William Herzog, violin; William Brian Hogg, saxophone; Kelly MacKenzie-Thurley, soprano; Mike Meloy, drums; Sam Reuscher, bass; Christina Lalog Seal, piano; Hye Eun Suh, piano; and Richard Van Dyke, piano.

THE FRENCH CONNECTION will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, at 7 p.m. in Greaves Concert Hall at NKU. Tickets range $5-$15 and can be purchased at nku.edu/sotatickets or by calling 859-572-5464. Parking is available for patrons in Lots D & I on campus. For more information about NKU’s School of the Arts, please visit nku.edu/sota or follow on social media @NKUSOTA.

Leave a comment

Filed under Events, Press Releases

Tagged as