Category Archives: Press Releases

Get Ready for a Hilarious Lesson in Language! ETC Presents SEX AND EDUCATION, Oct. 15-27, 2019

ETC_Sex and Education logo

(Cincinnati, OH) Sharpen  your pencils! Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati takes lousy language to school with the regional premiere of Sex and Education by Lissa Levin. This limited 2-week event is a spirited (and not-so-family-friendly) comedy about a duel between an overworked educator and an underachieving high school athlete. Playing October 15-27, 2019. Directed by Dan Guntzelman.

Meet Joe Marks, a graduating basketball star whose college scholarship is suddenly in jeopardy when his poorly-written, sexually explicit note to his girlfriend is confiscated during a final exam. Meet Miss Edwards, his jaded public high school English teacher on her last day of teaching. With nothing to lose and resentment from years of disinterested students, she assigns him the task of turning the purloined letter into a polished, persuasive essay. This scintillating romp is a hilarious lesson for all in life, sex, sports, and grammar.

“This play is very much a comedy, but it’s also very much a valentine to teachers and the importance of formal education,” says playwright Lissa Levin. “In a play about an English teacher impressing the value of language skills upon a sports phenom, I wanted to make an arena out of a classroom, and a battle of wills and viewpoints to play out with the drive, pace, intensity, and excitement of an NBA playoff game.” Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers adds, “I think the show is enormously funny and very smart, but I also think it has enormous heart. I’m thrilled with the show, and am very excited to tell this story.”

Ensemble Theatre is thrilled to welcome Dan Guntzelman back to his hometown of Cincinnati, having moved to Los Angeles in 1976 to work in television and film. He is not only the director of this production, but also the husband of the show’s playwright, Lissa Levin, who met Dan while they were working together on the Emmy-nominated hit sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. 

About the Cast

Dale Hodges (Miss Edwards) returns to Ensemble Theatre, where she was last seen in Ripcord, as well as Outside Mullingar, Other Desert Cities, Grey Gardens, and Mrs. Mannerly. Select regional credits include Wit, King Lear, To Kill a Mockingbird, 23 years of A Christmas Carol with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and Noises Off with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Ms. Hodges has worked on Broadway in Equus and Benefactors, off-Broadway in Top Girls and A Woman in Mind, and in regional theatres around the country, including 15 summers with Peterborough Players in New Hampshire. 

Esther Cunningham (Hannah Winters/Every Cheerleader) was last seen at Ensemble Theatre in A Doll’s House, Part 2, Bob: A Life in Five Acts, and as the Mad Hatter understudy for Alice in Wonderland. Off stage she works with the ETC Education Department as a teaching artist for the Hunter Heartbeat Program. She is a graduate of Wheaton College, where some of her credits include Julius Caesar, The Sparrow, and Bertolt Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

R. Graham Rogers (Joe Marks) makes his Ensemble Theatre debut with this production. He is an actor and playwright who recently earned his BFA in Acting from University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. His recent credits include Sam in The Flick, The Esquire; H2O: A Play About Water, 2018 Edinburgh Fringe; The Government Inspector, Middletown, and the world premiere of The Earth is Flatby Todd Almond, CCM. His original play Black & White was a part of Fringe Development at the 2019 Cincinnati Fringe Festival and his series Happy Hour: The Bar Series was a part of Play(under)ground at Know Theatre of Cincinnati in November 2018.

Production Team: D. Lynn Meyers (Producing Artistic Director), Brian c. Mehring (Set & Lighting Designer), Jack Murphy (Technical Director), Matthew Hollstegge (Production Manager), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Master & Design Assistant), Matt Tibbs (Sound Designer), and Stormie Mac (Costume Designer). Production Stage Manager is Brandon T. Holmes. Stage Manager is Lexi Muller.

Performance Information
Performances run Tuesday through Sunday. Evening preview performances are at 7:00; evening performances are Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 pm; Friday and Saturday, 8:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 2:00 pm; and Sunday, 7:00 pm. A complete calendar of performances is available online at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.

Ticket Prices
Ticket prices start at $35 for adults; student tickets are $28; and children are $24. Half-Price Rush Tickets: All remaining tickets for the current day’s performance(s) are available two hours prior to each show time for half-price (discount does not apply to children’s tickets) when purchasing by phone or in person. $15 Student Rush Tickets: Students may purchase up to two $15 student rush tickets two hours prior to show time with valid student I.D. Available in person only.

Discounts
$40 Sunday Saver: Sunday evening performances at 7:00 pm are always $40 all season long (excludes holiday production).
Half-Price Rush Tickets: All remaining tickets for the current day’s performance(s) are available two hours prior to each show time for half-price (discount does not apply to children’s tickets) when purchasing by phone or in person. $15 Student Rush Tickets: Students may purchase up to two $15 student rush tickets two hours prior to show time with valid student I.D. Available in person only. Group discounts available for 8+. Complete details available at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.

###

2019-2020 Season Presenting Sponsor is the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Additional support provided PNC.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich and inspire our audiences.

Leave a comment

Filed under Press Releases

Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department Creates a New World in Imaginative Production of Simon Stephens’ THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

WHhs_Curious Press-35“Do you know who killed Wellington?”

A dog, a gardening fork, and a family secret. How are these three things connected? Discover the mystery and join us this November for this organic and inventive production of the Simon Stephens’s deeply moving drama. The Curious Incident  of the Dog in the Night-Time presents the novel of a young Christopher Boone, a student and amateur detective with a developmental disability living with his father in Swindon, England. Christopher, upon discovering the death of his neighbor’s dog, decides to uncover the truth about the incident and detail his discoveries in a book. Going against his father’s wishes in the search for answers, what secrets will he find in his search? This minimalistic and innovative production will immerse you thoroughly in Christopher’s world through the use of stylistic staging and unconventional technical elements. The cast and crew highlight the complexities of personal relationships and the confusion  that comes with navigating our contemporary world with nuance and beauty. Delving into themes of bravery, empathy, and the importance of human connection; you will not want to miss this chance to see the world through a new perspective.

Runs Thursday, November 7, Friday, November 8, and Saturday November 9 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, November 9 at 2:00 pm

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for staff and students

WHhs_Curious Press-37Show Synopsis:
15 year old Christopher Boone, who is on the autism spectrum, lives with his father in Swindon. He excels in math and loves school with Siobhan, but not everything is fun and games. He finds his neighbor’s dog Wellington murdered in her garden and is determined to find the culprit, even after his dad tells him not to investigate. Along the way he meets new people, has new experiences, and even discovers a new mystery along the way which puzzles him even more. Narrated by his teacher Siobhan, Christopher’s diary goes through every detail of his fantastic adventure.

Directed by Michael Sherman, Movement Directed by Erin Carr
Production Stage Manager: Reeya Dighe

WHHS_Curious Press-42Featuring:
Kyra Krummins as Mrs. Shears, Clare Brennan as Siobhan, Jack Giglia as Christopher Boone, Derrick McHale as Swindon Policeman, Louis Martini as Duty Sergeant/Uncle Terry, Oliver Vockell as Ed Boone, Sam Frank as Reverend Peters, Aiden Litmer as Mr. Thompson / Man With Socks, Megan Graeler as #40, Aaron Tossey as Mr. Wise, Olivia Busche as Mrs. Alexander, Elle Bisheimer as Mrs. Gascoyne/Woman on the train, Katie Sutkamp as Judy Boone, Alex Kirk as Lady in the Street, Nick Wittenauer as Station Policeman, Rafael Ramirez as Man Behind Counter/London Policeman, , Owen Cummings as Drunk 1, Brando Donaldson as Drunk 2, Cam Hogue as Station Guard, Kathryn Daniher as Information, Nia Stefanov as Punk Girl 1, Adeleigh Karoutchi as Punk Girl 2, Lily Jones as Punk Girl 3, Mama Njie as Shopkeeper, and Matthew Eggers as Roger Shears.  Understudies include Jackson Prus (Christopher), Anika Vockell (Siobhan), Avery Frank (Judy and Mrs. Shears), Loretta Rubin (Mrs. Alexander), Charles Bishop (Male Ensemble Swing), and Uyen Dao (Female Ensemble Swing).

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for staff and students. Tickets may be purchased by visiting:

https://sites.google.com/view/whhstheatredepartment/tickets

 

Photos courtesy of Mikki Schaffner Photography

Leave a comment

Filed under Events, Press Releases

Tom Stoppard’s ARCADIA Opens October 4th at Village Players of Fort Thomas

VP_Arcadia 2September 25, 2019, Fort Thomas, KY—Village Players of Fort Thomas is excited to announces its season opener, Arcadia, by Tom Stoppard. All performances will be staged in Village Players’ intimate theater on the bottom level of the building the organization inherited last year from the Fort Thomas Woman’s Club at 8 N Fort Thomas Ave. The show runs October 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 & 12.

This brilliant play moves smoothly between 1809 and the present at the elegant estate owned by the Coverly family and explores the nature of truth and time, the difference between classical and romantic temperaments, and the disruptive influence of sex on our life orbits—the attraction Newton left out.

Arcadia is directed by jef brown and features the talents of eleven local actors: Jeannine Aliee, Bill Brohaugh, Oliver Kai Davis, Wayne Kirsch, Josh Roden, Gretchen Schultz, BJ Simpson, Stephen Stricker, Alexander Walz, Bryce Willson, Aubrey Wilson, and Ashley Wuerdeman.

Village Players of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, is a vibrant community theatre that has produced plays and musicals for more than 50 years. Performing in an intimate space, you will feel like you are part of the action, sitting inches from the actors on three sides of the stage. We strive to appeal to a broad audience, producing three main-stage shows of varying styles and a children’s show each winter. Village Players is a member of the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT), Association of Community Theatres Cincinnati (ACT), Ohio Community Theatre Association (OCTA), and the Kentucky Theatre Association (KTA).

###

Leave a comment

Filed under Press Releases

Rescheduled | ABBAFAB – The Premier ABBA Experience | Sat., Sept. 26 | Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater

CAA_ABBAFAB logoABBAFAB – THE PREMIER ABBA EXPERIENCE

RESCHEDULED
NEW DATE: Saturday, September 26, 2020
Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater

CINCINNATI, OH – Due to Ohio Governor DeWine’s recent order banning public gatherings of 100 or more people until further notice to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, ABBAFAB – The Premier ABBA Experience (originally scheduled for March 28) has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2020 at 4:00 PM & 8:00 PM at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater (note that the original 5:00 PM show has been rescheduled for 4:00 PM).

Current ticketholders will be sent new tickets with the rescheduled date and time that corresponds to their original tickets, per above. The new tickets will be sent the week of April 13, 2020.  

Ticket holders who are unable to attend the rescheduled performance may contact the Aronoff Center Ticket Office for refund or exchange information prior to April 10, 2020 at (513) 621-2787 (Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM) or ticketing@cincinnatiarts.org.

Tickets are on sale now at www.CincinnatiArts.org and (513) 621-ARTS [2787] for the rescheduled performances on September 26. 

Please note that the Aronoff Center Ticket Office will be closed for walk-up business until further notice for the health and safety of our guests, staff, artists, and volunteers.

For the most up-to-date information about the impact of the coronavirus on events at the Aronoff Center and Music Hall, visit www.cincinnatiarts.org/health-update.

[Cincinnati, OH] – Having played to sold-out crowds across the U.S. and abroad, ABBAFAB brings a stunning tribute to the music of ABBA to the Aronoff Center’s intimate Jarson-Kaplan Theater on Saturday, March 28 at 5:00 PM & 8:00 PM.

Ticket prices range from $37.75 to $51.75 (prices subject to change; applicable services fees may apply). Tickets go on sale Friday, September 26 at 10:00 AM at www.cincinnatiarts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.  For group rates (10 or more), call (513) 977-4157.

This multimedia production is a tribute to some of the greatest music produced in the ‘70s and ‘80s, including monster hits such as “Waterloo,” “Fernando,” “Honey Honey,” “Dancing Queen,” and countless others. From ABBA’s earliest hits to the sensational “Mamma Mia,” ABBAFAB takes audiences on a technicolor journey that is unmatched.

ABBA’s record-breaking string of hits has stood the test of time and continues to thrill audiences of all ages. With vocals and musicianship that are second to none, the ABBAFAB vibe is infectious! ABBA fans love it and new ABBA fans are created at every show. There is no generation gap, so let’s ALL party like it’s 1979!

CAST BIOS

Hollie Cavanagh (Agnetha)
Hollie Cavanagh catapulted into the spotlight on the eleventh season of American Idol. Hollie was a frontrunner in the live shows, impressing the judges with her powerful diva-like voice. She advanced to the final four earning praise from industry legends such as Stevie Nicks and Mary J. Blige for her larger than life vocals. After the show, Hollie delighted crowds in sold-out arenas across the country in the American Idol Tour. Since her start on American Idol, Hollie has released singles, sung the title track for an award-winning short film and racked up millions of views on YouTube. Hollie is back to what she does best, performing live for audiences across the world.

Kayla Kenzior (Anna-Frid)
Kayla Kenzior has always dreamed of performing on stage. Little did she know that her dreams would become reality when she auditioned for Idol in the Skye, a singing competition, when she was just 13 years old. Now, at 24 years old, she performs in five TAD Management productions such as AbbaFab, Those British Girls, Rock Me Gently, Diamond Rocks, and Adventures in Parrotdise.

Chris Whiteley (Benny/Piano/Sax)
With nearly thirty years of performance experience, Chris touts himself as a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger. He began playing saxophone in grade school and picked up flute and clarinet in high school. Between college and his professional career, he’s added piano, guitar, percussion, bassoon, folk whistles, and some brass. Throughout his years as a cruise ship musician and touring member of both tribute and original acts, Chris has had the pleasure of backing up renowned artists such as Judy Carmichael, Dale Kristien, Fabio Zini, Kenny Cetera, and Melissa Manchester.

Scotty Pearson(Bjorn/Guitar)
Scotty loves to say he was “Bjorn” to be in AbbaFab as the guitarist and one of the two front men. “Any opportunity to put smiles on people’s faces is what makes my job as a performer so fulfilling.” Scotty grew up in Portland, Oregon, and as a teenager began learning, playing, and performing music as soon and as often as he could. Now living in Phoenix, Arizona, Scotty has a wife and two boys that mean the world to him. If he is not on the stage trying to entertain an audience, he is probably with his family trying to achieve the same thing.

ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS, INC. (Producer) is based in New York City.  EEI has made its mark on the theatrical touring industry by offering a variety of new and exciting plays and musicals to an ever growing list of professional presenting organizations throughout the country. In addition, EEI has performed over 1,500 fundraising events for schools, church groups, and private parties. EEI brings all aspects of producing under one roof: sales, production, casting, creative, and technical. EEI productions have been produced and presented in all 50 states as well as in Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Since 1999, EEI has produced Late Nite Catechism: The Series, Maybe Baby, It’s You, The Yiddish Are Coming, The Yiddish Are Coming!, Shout! The Mod Musical, Tony N Tina’s Wedding, Defending the Caveman, and We’re Still Hot! The Musical, and are former producers of Jeanie Linders’ Menopause The Musical. EEI is now proud to present Girls Night: The Musical, ‘Twas A Girls Night Before Christmas: The Musical, Dishing With the Divas, Help! My Husband Has Gone Missing: My Daughter is Getting Married & I Am Having Hot Flashes!, Panties in a Twist, Cuff Me: The Fifty Shades of Grey Musical Parody, Late Nite Catechism, Sister Strikes Again!: Late Nite Catechism 2, ’Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3, Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold, Sister’s Easter Catechism: Will My Bunny Go to Heaven?, Late Nite Catechism Las Vegas: Sister Rolls the Dice!, Sister’s Summer School Catechism: God Never Takes a Vacation!, and Sister’s Back to School Catechism: The Holy Ghost and Other Terrifying Tales!. York

# # #

Leave a comment

Filed under Events, Press Releases

Improvised Rock Opera Coming to NKU SOTA

NKU_Anarchy promoHIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts will be hosting a free performance of “ANARCHY: the improvised rock opera” on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. in Corbett Theatre. A masterclass with the cast will take place earlier that day at 11 a.m.

ANARCHY is a completely sung, completely improvised rock opera featuring Chicago’s finest musical improvisers. Specializing in long-form narratives composed of grounded characters with something to fight for, ANARCHY gets you rocking out and fighting the power. Established in 2013, ANARCHY has rocked various Chicago stages including The Annoyance, the Second City Training Center, iO Chicago, and Stage773 to name a few.

For more information or to reserve a spot, please contact Charlie Roetting at roettingc1@nku.edu or the NKU SOTA Theatre + Dance office at (859) 572-6362.

For more information about NKU’s School of the Arts, please visit nku.edu/sota or follow on social media @NKUSOTA.

### NKU ###

Leave a comment

Filed under Events, Press Releases