Category Archives: Press Releases

May 28, 2019 · 12:47 pm

Gideon Productions Present THIS HOUSE WILL NEVER LET US GO as Part of Cincy Fringe Festival

CFF19_This House Will Never Let Us GoWORLD PREMIERE AS PART OF THE CINCY FRINGE FESTIVAL!
WRITTEN BY MAC ROGERS
DIRECTED BY JORDANA WILLIAMS 

JUNE 2nd – JUNE 7th @ GABRIEL’S CORNER

Gideon Productions, the company behind the Cincy Fringe hits God Of Obsidian (2017 Linda Bowen Full Frontal Pick) and Musical Chairs (2018 Critic’s Pick Award), will present the World Premiere of playwright Mac Rogers’ (The Honeycomb Trilogy; the global hit podcasts The Message, LifeAfter and Steal The Stars) horror drama THIS HOUSE WILL NEVER LET US GO, running from June 2nd to June 7th at Gabriel’s Corner as part of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. The production will be directed by Jordana Williams (The Honeycomb Trilogy; Steal the Stars) and will feature Rebecca Comtois (Viral; Crystal Skillman’s Geek! with Vampire Cowboys), Mac Rogers (NYIT Outstanding Lead Actor Nominee for The Adventures of Nervous-Boy with Nosedive Productions), and Kristen Vaughan (Frankenstein Upstairs, The Honeycomb Trilogy, NYIT Outstanding Lead Actress Winner for Benefactors).

Joan hasn’t had a real home since she left Griffin. Instead, she’s been living off of house-sitting, maintaining the neglected homes of rich people who live far away. It looks like she just  landed the perfect summer gig – watching a lavish beach house with an absent owner – until Joan discovers there’s another woman already living there. A mysterious, ageless woman named Iris, who has plans for Joan. As Griffin worms his way back into her life and frightening forces close in, Joan realizes she’s going to have to make an agonizing choice.

This House Will Never Let Us Go will run June 2nd at 7:00pm, June 4th at 8:30pm, June 5th at 6:30pm, and June 7 at 6:30pm, as part of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival at Gabriel’s Corner (Sycamore & Liberty, Cincinnati, OH, 45202). Tickets ($15) may be purchased online at www.cincyfringe.com. The show will run 60 minutes with no intermission.

MAC ROGERS (Playwright and Griffin) is an award-winning playwright and audio dramatist. His sci-fi thriller podcasts THE MESSAGE, STEAL THE STARS, and LIFEAFTER were downloaded over 7 million times.  His plays God of Obsidian and Musical Chairs were both Cincy Fringe award-winners. His plays include THE HONEYCOMB TRILOGY (New York Times and Backstage Critic’s Picks and winner of the NYIT Award for Best Premiere Production), VIRAL (winner of Outstanding Play at FringeNYC 2009), and UNIVERSAL ROBOTS (nominated for four New York Innovative Theatre awards). Mac’s plays have earned acclaim from The New York Times, The Guardian, Time Out New York, The New York Post, and many others. 

JORDANA WILLIAMS (Director) has directed numerous plays by Mac Rogers, including the CityBeat Critic’s Picks God Of Obsidian, Musical Chairs, and Ligature Marks, as well as The Honeycomb Trilogy (NY Times and Time Out NY Critics’ Picks), Universal Robots and Viral. She also directed Mac’s Steal the Stars, a 2018 Audie Award finalist for Best Audio Drama. Other favorite directing work includes Kill Shakespeare at NY Comic Con, Vince Gatton’s Alexandria and The Particulars at FringeNYC.

REBECCA COMTOIS (Joan) previously worked with Mac Rogers and Jordana Williams on CityBeat Critic’s Picks God Of Obsidian, Musical Chairs, and Ligature Marks, as well as Viral (Winner of FringeNYC’s Outstanding Production of a Play) and The Honeycomb Trilogy (NY Times and Time Out NY Critics’ Picks).  Other notable roles include Minnie the Minotaur in Cystal Skillman’s Geek! (Vampire Cowboys), Jenny in James Comtios’ Infectious Opportunity (Nosedive Productions) and Mag in Taylor Mac’s The Hot Month  (Boomerang’s Legacy Reading Series).

KRISTEN VAUGHAN (Iris) is a three-time NYIT Awards nominee for Lead Actress, winning for Jane in Benefactors (Retro Productions).  Among Kristen’s other roles; Amelia Cooke in The Honeycomb Trilogy and Victoria Frankenstein in Frankenstein Upstairs (Gideon Productions), and Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire (Bleecker Company).  www.kristenvaughan.com

Critical acclaim for Gideon Productions:

“Television is where you find complicated storytelling. Film is the home of epic sci-fi trilogies. Giant aliens are expensive. Mac Rogers’s “Honeycomb Trilogy,” a titanic story about humanity in crisis wedged into a small theater in Queens, laid waste to these truisms, and provided giddy, cerebral fun along the way.” The New York Times 

“Mac Rogers—genre playwright extraordinaire—can rant like Sorkin, plot like Mamet, banter like Whedon and sting like a bee.”  Time Out New York

“One of the most intelligent and complex theatrical events of the year.” Flavorpill 

GIDEON PRODUCTIONS crafts gripping plays that explore what’s strange about being human and what’s human about being strange, using familiar genres and cultural touchstones as a springboard to something wholly unexpected.

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www.gideonth.com

www.cincyfringe.com

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May 28, 2019 · 12:37 pm

The Drama Workshop Present Annual Showcase of Local Playwrighting, HOME BREW THEATER

TDW_Home Brew 2019 logo

The Drama Workshop is thrilled to present its annual showcase of the best of local playwrighting, HOME BREW THEATER.

This is the fourth installment of the annual festival, which runs one weekend only, June 7, 8 at 8pm and June 9 at 2pm. The production features ten short plays by ten local playwrights. It’s followed by a “Meet the Artists” reception featuring beer sponsored by West Side Brewing. Audience members are encouraged to meet and toast the authors, directors, and cast members. All performances are at The Glenmore Playhouse, 3716 Glenmore Ave in Cheviot.

HOME BREW THEATER was the brainchild of Co-Producer and Artistic Director Clint Bramkamp, who is one of the featured authors this year as well. HOME BREW THEATER is one of the few opportunities to see short plays produced. Short plays are typically no more than ten minutes and pose unique challenges to the author. “I enjoy the short format; it makes you stick to the essentials,” Clint said. “In 2016, I suggested doing a program of ten-minute plays to The Drama Workshop, and they adopted the idea.” Home Brew has continued to grow over each of the four years. This year there were a record 38 short plays submitted by local Cincinnati playwrights.

HOME BREW THEATER has added a couple new elements this year. The Drama Workshop received a generous grant for Home Brew Theater from Summerfair Cincinnati, toward the promotion of the local arts of Cincinnati. This year will also feature awards! A Best on the Page award will be voted on by the play selection team, the directors and The Drama Workshop board. A Best on the Stage award will be voted on by the audience after each performance and awarded at the end of the weekend.

TDW’s production will include plays written by local authors Clint Bramkamp, Chris Charlson, Susan Decatur, Jennifer Davis, Teri Foltz, AK Forbes, Greg Hatfield, Fred Tacon, Eric Thomas, and Robb Willoughby. Ten very different plays from ten authors means there will be something for every taste, including silly comedies (with and without extra-terrestrials!), touching dramas and heartfelt romantic plays.

Author of ‘Denise’s Do-Over’, Susan Decatur said, “I wrote this play to inspire adults to never give up on finding love at any age.”. Author of ‘Brave’, Jennifer Davis added, “Participating in a production like Home Brew as a writer is an exercise in trust and ego-checking. Once the script is in the directors’ hands, our jobs are done. I’m excited to see what (director) Richard Zenk and his cast find in ‘Brave’ that maybe I didn’t even realize was there.”

HOME BREW THEATER has again attracted the best talent in local community theater, including directors Lynne Aronson, Elizabeth Beatty, Greg Hatfield, Julie Jordan, Ray Lebowski, Patricia Mullens, and Richard Zenk. Director of ‘The Ten Minute Play’ and ‘The Seminar’, Julie Jordan said, “What first drew me to the ten-minute plays was the chance for local playwrights’ work to be showcased. The whole concept lends itself to community and local flavor.” Director of ‘Indian Sign’ and ‘Denise’s Do-Over’, Lynne Aronson added, “Working with two different shows and casts stretched my directing muscles a bunch.”

This year’s HOME BREW THEATER production team is rounded out by pillars of the Cincinnati theater community: Jason Cox, Alexa Justice, Dennis Murphy, Eric Thomas, Elaine Volker, and Narissa Williams.

A large and talented cast was selected to present the local authors’ works, including Heather Abbot, Peggy Allen, Jamie Ball, Aaron Bates, Chris Bishop, Betsy Brossart, Trevor Browning, Trisha Cooper, Ally Donohue, Amy Eyers, Cathy Judge, Ben Lacy, Rusty Lacy, Darren Lee, Fred Murrell, Megan Schultheis, and Arny Stoller. Actor and NKU student Trevor Browning said, “I am so excited and honored to perform in my first production with The Drama Workshop. It’s been an incredible experience to meet so many kind-hearted, passionate people.”

Tickets to HOME BREW THEATER are $12 each. Show dates and times are June 7th and 8th at 8pm, and June 9th at 2pm. Shows frequently sell out, and reservations are strongly recommended.

Tickets can be ordered through The Drama Workshop’s ticket line at 513.598.8303, or ordered online via the TDW website at www.thedramaworkshop.org.

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May 28, 2019 · 12:15 pm

Royal Theatre Company Stages FOOTLOOSE the Musical

RTC_Footloose cast

ROYAL Theatre Company, Home of The Children’s Theatre of Mason, is proud to present FOOTLOOSE The Musical June 7-9 at Mason High School.  The show will run for four performances – Friday, June 7th at 7:00pm; Saturday, June 8th at 2:00pm and 7:00pm; and Sunday, June 9th at 2:00pm. VIP reserved seating tickets can be purchased for any show for $25 each, and General admission tickets for any show are $12 each.  All tickets can be purchased online at www.ROYALTheatreCompany.com and at the door starting one hour before each show.

One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory comes to the live stage with exhilarating results. When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town’s youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost, and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. FOOTLOOSE The Musical celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people and guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.

ROYAL Theatre Company is proud to honor the Shine Like Sable Foundation, which began in honor of Sable Gibson, a Mason 4th grader who passed suddenly in February.  Shine Like Sable’s mission is to spread kindness through weekday and weekend food packs, buddy bench awareness, supporting teachers or wherever kindness leads them. While she was at Western Row Elementary, Sable was known for hovering near the Buddy Bench, where students would sit when they were sad or needed a friend.  She was a friend to many, a loving daughter, and a beloved sibling.  Karen Kilgore, President of ROYAL Theatre Company said, “We are so proud to be able to honor the Shine Like Sable Foundation and continue the mission to spread kindness to others.”  We request that everyone wear pink to our shows, which was Sable’s favorite color.  ROYAL Theatre Company will be accepting donations and donating a portion of the proceeds from Footloose to the Shine Like Sable Foundation.

Fans can follow ROYAL Theatre Company on Facebook (ROYAL Theatre Company, Home of Children’s Theatre of Mason), Twitter (@ROYALTheatre_Co) and Instagram (royal_theatre_company).

About ROYAL Theatre Company, Home of The Children’s Theatre of Mason
ROYAL Theatre Company produces two large-scale productions each season, from West Side Story and Seussical to The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Tarzan as well as many other popular favorites. ROYAL Theatre Company offers children from ages 5-18 from all over the Cincinnati area the opportunity to take part onstage as performers as well as off stage as crew members, make-up assistants and many other behind-the-scenes roles. To volunteer, donate or learn more, visit www.ROYALTheatreCompany.com or call 513.398.0116. 

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May 23, 2019 · 9:16 am

The Fascinating Story of Lizzie Borden Has Captured Out Attention for Well Over a Century. See Why with LIZZIE!

HRTC_Lizzie-Press-1

Cast of LIZZIE!: Leslie Goddard, Michaella Waickman, Rachel Mary Green, Deánna Giulietit & Natalie Bird. Publicity photos courtesy of Scott J Kimmins.

LIZZIE, with music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt, lyrics by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner, book by Tim Maner concludes The Human Race’s 32nd Season, June 13-30, 2019 at the Loft Theatre

“I first experienced LIZZIE in 2010 at a Festival of New Musicals in NYC,” said Human Race Artistic Director, Kevin Moore, “and I fell in love with it. But at the time, thought it might be too aggressive for Dayton. I am so pleased that our audience has grown and become much more accepting, which is why we excitedly put it on the season. While it has played a few theaters in the US, and had European productions in Denmark and London, it will finally get its New York Off-Broadway production in August.  But before that, we will have the regional premiere right here in Dayton!” 

(Dayton, Ohio) — Lizzie Borden took an ax…” And we know what happened next. Or do we? Lizzie is a powerhouse rock-show retelling of the sensational – and bloody – double murder that shocked New England in the summer of 1892, as told through the fierce performances of four stellar actresses. What starts as the abuse and despair of a troubled woman results in a shocking act of revenge when she takes a hatchet to her oppressive father and stepmother. Charged with the killing of her parents, Lizzie becomes a media sensation even as the trial takes its toll on the relationships with those dearest to her. 

Lizzie is rated PG-15. Parents are strongly cautioned as this show contains strong language and references to abuse, murder and sexual situations. 

Lizzie will be Jamie Cordes’ (Director) directing debut at HRTC but he has long been a Resident Artist. Resident Artist Jay Brunner (Music Director) and Choreographer Katie Johannigman join the team. 

The preview performance of Lizzie is Thursday, June 13th. Opening night is Friday, June 14th. 

The Human Race Theatre Company’s production of Lizzie is sponsored by R. Doug Annala, Marni Flagel and Kurt Fleagle & Warren Riffle. 

Performance and special event information
Tickets for Lizzie start at $14. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seating location. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. Student tickets are available at 50% off regular adult prices and a student I.D. must be presented when picking up at the Box Office. The Sunday, June 16 7:00 p.m. performance is “Sawbuck Sunday,” when any available seat can be purchased in person for just $10 at the Loft Theatre box office two hours prior to the show. Discounts are subject to availability and some restrictions apply. 

All performances are at the Metropolitan Art Center’s Loft Theatre, located at 126 North Main Street in downtown Dayton, Ohio. Show times for Lizzie are 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Performances on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings begin at 7:00 p.m., and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday matinees. 

Tickets and performance information for Lizzie are available at www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office. 

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2018-2019 marks the 32nd season for The Human Race Theatre Company, “Dayton’s Official Professional Theatre Company.” Founded in 1986, The Human Race moved into the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence in its current home, the 212-seat Loft Theatre. In addition to the Eichelberger Loft Season, The Human Race produces new works development and special event programming. Under the direction of Executive Director Kappy Kilburn and Kevin Moore, Artistic Director, the company also maintains outreach programs, as well as artist residencies in area schools and a summer youth program. Human Race organizational support is provided by the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, Culture Works, the Shubert Foundation, the Erma R. Catterton Trust Fund, the Jesse & Caryl Philips Foundation, the Virginia W. Kettering Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council, which helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The 2018-2019 Sustainability Sponsors are the ELM Foundation, Anne F. Johnson, Steve and Lou Mason, and Morris Home. The 2018-2019 Loft season sponsor is the Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation of the Dayton Foundation.

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May 22, 2019 · 9:24 am

MY GERIATRIC UTERUS is a Gutsy One-Woman Musical

CFF19_My Geriatric UterusThis assertive, uproarious take on one woman’s child-free 30s comes to the Cincinnati Fringe Festival

CINCINNATI, May 19, 2019 — The titular organ takes center stage in MY GERIATRIC UTERUS, coming to the Cincinnati Fringe Festival this June from Aggressive Curl Pattern Productions.

MY GERIATRIC UTERUS is a solo show by Cincinnati artist Lormarev Jones, in which she takes a deep dive into the experience of turning 35 with no husband in sight, barraged with questions from family, friends, and acquaintances about when she’s going to buckle down and have babies. Enter the uterus, Facetious Jones, who’s fed up of her empty existence – and she’s just hatched a plan. MY GERIATRIC UTERUS is a bold, brazen, and brash take on the expectations placed on women’s lives and bodies, full of hilarious storytelling, puppetry, and original music.

MY GERIATRIC UTERUS is brought to life by Lormarev Jones, an artist and educator who works throughout the Midwestern and southern states. Cincinnati audiences might have caught her in The Full Monty or Dreamgirls at The Carnegie, Oklahoma with Cincinnati Landmark Productions, or in the world premiere of Always Plenty of Light at the Starlight All-Night Diner at the Know; anyone who’s a devoted Fringe-goer will recognize her from last year’s The Gospel of Barabbas, by Hugo West Theatricals. This show’s music was composed by local musician Christopher Wood, who’s one-quarter of the popular contra band the Ripples.

MY GERIATRIC UTERUS is by turns humorous, tender, and exultant, but it’s always got guts. If you have a uterus, have had a uterus, or ever loved someone with a uterus, this is a Fringe show you won’t want to miss.

There will be five performances over the Cincinnati Fringe Festival’s run: Saturday June 1 at 8:30 PM, Thursday June 6 at 8:30 PM, Saturday June 8 at 7:45 PM, Tuesday June 11 at 7 PM, and Friday June 14 at 7 PM. The performances will take place in at the Art Academy, at 1212 Jackson Street in Over-the-Rhine, in Room 103. Tickets are $15 in advance or at the door; multi-ticket passes are available at a discount. Tickets are available at cincyfringe.com or by calling the Know Theatre box office at 513-300-5669.

ABOUT THE CINCINNATI FRINGE FESTIVAL: Now in its sixteenth year, the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, or Cincy Fringe, functions as a means for independent artists to present original, cutting-edge work. Running from late May to mid-June, Cincy Fringe produces over 200 performances of more than 40 separate productions across a dozen different venues in OTR, and draws artists from all over the country and around the world. There’s also visual art, street performance, nightly afterparties at the Know Theatre (which functions as Cincy Fringe’s HQ), musical guests, classes from participating artists, Family-Friendly Fringe programming, and so much more. With two straight weeks of theatre, art, music, dance, and everything in between, Cincy Fringe offers entertainment suitable for all ages and tastes. Learn more at cincyfringe.com.

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