Category Archives: Press Releases

October 28, 2024 · 5:38 pm

The Footlighters, Inc., Celebrates the Holiday Season with the Wildly Popular, Family-Friendly Musical JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

NEWPORT, KY — Go go go Joseph!

Told entirely through song, this upbeat musical follows the trials and tribulations of Joseph from the Old Testament. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams lands him as Pharaoh’s right-hand man. Full of catchy tunes and a heartfelt message, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a story for the dreamer in all of us.

Veteran award-winning actor and operatic soprano Megan Ainsley Schneider takes the stage as the show’s narrator, a beloved role she has played before. In fact, this marks her fourth production of Joseph, having first appeared in the children’s chorus as an eighth grader at Walnut Hills High School. Megan has performed with several local companies in town, including The Covedale, The Carnegie, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, and Footlighters. She is a certified Early Childhood Montessori teacher, and her joy is working with young children each day.

For the past seven years, Megan has vocal directed summer theater camps through the Cincinnati Academy of Performing Arts. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has always held a special place in her heart, serving as a meaningful touchstone throughout her life, and she is excited to bring its magic back to the stage once more. What makes Footlighters’ family-friendly production even more extraordinary for her is that she gets to share the stage for the first time with her daughter, Hattie, and pass along her love of theater and Joseph.

Performances:

  • Thursday – Saturday, December 5 – 7 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 8 at 2:00 p.m.
  • Thursday – Saturday, December 12 – 14 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 15 at 2:00 p.m.
  • Thursday – Friday, December 19 – 20 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 21 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $25 each and available online at footlighters.org/tickets or by contacting the box office via text or phone call at (859) 652-3849 or FootlightersTickets@gmail.com.

The Footlighters, Inc., has been producing quality community theater shows in Greater Cincinnati for over 60 years. The group was established in 1963 by a small group of community theater volunteers who wanted to bring theater opportunities to the west side of Cincinnati.

In 1987, the group bought the Salem United Methodist Church in Newport and transformed it into The Stained Glass Theatre. The theater is on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated a Kentucky landmark. In September of 2021, Footlighters completed the third and final phase of their accessibility project by adding ADA-compliant seating in their theater to complement the ADA ramp and elevator installed in 2017 and 2018, allowing access for all patrons with limited mobility.

For more information, please visit footlighters.org or like The Footlighters, Inc., on Facebook.

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October 23, 2024 · 5:21 pm

WITCH Casts a Spell at The Carnegie This Fall in Partnership with the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

The dark comedy comes to Covington November 14-17

The Carnegie and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) are joining forces this November for Jen Silverman’s WITCH.

A beguiling devil arrives in a quiet English town to bargain for the souls of its residents in exchange for their darkest wishes — unexpected passions flare, alliances are formed, and the village is forever changed. This smart modern fable explores the intricacies of temptation and resilience.

Inspired by John Ford, Thomas Dekker, and William Rowley’s 1621 drama The Witch of Edmonton, Silverman’s bold transformation of a Jacobean drama begs the question: would you know what to ask for if the Devil came knocking on your door?

“WITCH is a bold, electrifying play that shatters expectations in thrilling ways. Silverman weaves a sharp, darkly comic tale that explores temptation and power,” says Tyler Gabbard, Director of Theatre at The Carnegie. “I’m excited to launch this new partnership with CCM with this hauntingly relevant play.”

Director Lindsey Augusta Mercer returns to helm the production after staging hit productions of TICK, TICK… BOOM! and KINKY BOOTS for The Carnegie.

Samuel Stricklen, a CCM Acting professor and professional actor, plays Sir Arthur Banks. Stricklen has appeared on and off-Broadway and at regional theatres including The Old Globe, Premiere Stages, La Jolla Playhouse, The Getty Villa, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Actors Theatre of Louisville. His tv and film credits include Law and Order, Six Degrees, The Good Wife, Mozart in the Jungle, High Maintenance, and more.

The CCM student cast includes Staylie Grace, an alumni of The Carnegie education department’s summer and after-school programs and Carson Mehlbauer, who Carnegie audiences will recognize from his turn as Ambrose Kemper in HELLO, DOLLY! earlier this year. CCM student cast members making their Carnegie debut include Nico Graves, Debra Najor, and Nikolas Gray.

Playwright Silverman is currently represented on Broadway with their new comedy, THE ROOMMATE, starring Patti LuPone and Mia Farrow.

Tickets range from $13-$35 and may be purchased by calling (859) 957-1940 or by visiting
thecarnegie.com.

PRODUCTION TEAM

  • Director – Lindsey Augusta Mercer
  • Scenic Designer – Doug Stock
  • Costume Designer – Maria Fenanda Ortiz
  • Lighting Designer – Ashton Karp
  • Sound Designer – Kaitlin Barnett
  • Asst. Director – Hannah Toronto
  • Fight Director – Gina Cerimele-Mechley
  • Intimacy Coordinator – Torie Wiggins
  • Production Stage Manager – Anika Shirvaikar
  • Asst. Stage Manager – Ali Fishbain
  • Producer – Tyler Gabbard

CAST

  • Elizabeth Sawyer – Debra Najor
  • Scratch – Nico Graves
  • Sir Arthur Banks – Samuel Stricklen
  • Cuddy Banks – Carson Mehlbauer
  • Frank Thorney – Nik Gray
  • Winnifred – Staylie Brunner
  • Understudy – Victor Brame
  • Understudy – Katie Reeser

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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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October 21, 2024 · 6:00 pm

Cincinnati Ballet Presents GISELLE, Oct. 31-Nov. 3

Just in time for Halloween! Ballet’s most beloved ghost story at haunted Music Hall

CINCINNATI, OH (October 21, 2024) – Cincinnati Ballet opens choreographer Devon Carney’s Giselle October 31, with live music performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. With performances at Music Hall through November 3, Giselle follows the story of a peasant girl who descends into emotional turmoil and dies of a broken heart after her lover betrays her and features an elaborate production, multiple eye-catching theatrics and of course, a beautiful Borzoi dog!

The story was created by composer Adolphe Adam who was inspired by Victor Hugo’s Les Orientales. Giselle features tons of complex characters, such as the lovestruck Giselle and Albrecht, envious forester Hilarion and Giselle’s concerned mother Berthe. The production includes romance, heartbreak, forgiveness, and our corps de ballet as the famous ghostly maidens in the second act. “At its core, Giselle tells a story of love, betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption—universal themes that continue to resonate with audiences,” said Cervilio Amador, Interim Artistic Director. The exploration of unrequited love, the consequences of deception, and the power of forgiveness transcends cultural and temporal boundaries.” 

Giselle was last seen at the Cincinnati Ballet in 2011, it includes the famous Act I Variation, and multiple pas de deux—the most well-known dance in the ballet repertory. The music is from the score by Adolphe Adam, performed live by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.  Tickets are on sale now, starting at $29 at cballet.org.

PERFORMANCE DATES AND INFORMATION

WHO: Cincinnati Ballet
Choreography: Devon Carney
Music: Adolphe Adam, performed with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

WHAT: Giselle

WHEN:

  • Thursday, October 31 – 7:30 pm
  • Friday, November 1 – 7:30 pm
  • Saturday, November 2 – 2:00 pm
  • Saturday, November 2 – 7:30 pm
  • Sunday, November 3 – 1:00 pm

WHERE: Music Hall – 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Cincinnati Ballet 2024-2025 Season Sponsors:
Margaret and Michael Valentine, Julie and John Richardson | SugarCreek, ArtsWave, Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Ohio Arts Council, The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation

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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October 17, 2024 · 5:22 pm

Mason Community Players Present an Agatha Christie Classic, THE MOUSETRAP

Mason Community Players is the oldest continually operating community theater organization in Warren County, OH. The group operates and performs at the Mason Community Playhouse, located at 5529 Mason Rd. in Mason, OH. Since its creation in 1973, the Mason Community Players has brought more than 120 productions and 30 original musical reviews to audiences in Mason, Ohio. More importantly, the group has become a family for the community, involving people of all ages on stage, backstage, and as spectators.

The Mousetrap premiered in London in 1952 and remains to this day the longest running play in the world, despite having to close briefly from 2020 to 2021. It was originally written by Agatha Christie as a birthday present for Queen Mary. A classic whodunit mystery, join seven strangers as they get stranded together and become completely adrift when a murder is revealed. When a police detective arrives, see if you can figure out the murderer before the unsuspecting victims.

With over 29,500 performances to date, this play is not one to be missed. Director Susan Berger and Producer Robert Terry welcome you to the Mason Community Playhouse this November 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 at 8 pm and Sunday, November 17 at 2 pm for a story crafted by the Queen of Mystery herself. With a cast that celebrates members both old and new, they will spin a tale of murder that will leave you dazzled.

That wraps up the 2024 Season for Mason Community Players. Join us in 2025 for our season of fear and cheer! Tickets are now available for the upcoming 2025 season by leaving a message at 513-398-7804 or visiting the website, www.MasonPlayers.org.

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October 17, 2024 · 5:21 pm

Tickets for Hit Musical & JULIET, Go On Sale Friday, Oct. 18

Rachel Simone Webb and Mateus Leite Cardoso. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

CINCINNATI – Broadway in Cincinnati is delighted to announce that single tickets for & Juliet will go on sale Friday, October 18 at 10:00 AM. & Juliet comes to the Aronoff Center April 8 – 20 as part of the First Financial Bank Broadway in Cincinnati 24/25 season presented by TriHealth. Tickets will be available online at CincinnatiArts.org, by phone at 513.621.ARTS or in person at the Aronoff Center Box Office, downtown.

Featuring songs by the legendary Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Max Martin, a book by the Emmy-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” David West Read, direction by Luke Sheppard and choreography by Emmy-Award winner Jennifer Weber, & Juliet opened on Broadway in November 2022, where it continues playing to sold-out crowds and breaking box office records.

The hilarious new musical & Juliet flips the script on the greatest love story ever told and asks: what would happen if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.

Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including “Since U Been Gone‚” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life‚” “That’s The Way It Is,” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”—all from the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century— Max Martin. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.

The full creative team for the North American tour of & Juliet includes David West Read (Book), Max Martin & Friends (Music & Lyrics), Luke Sheppard (Direction), Jennifer Weber (Choreography), Bill Sherman (Musical Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements), Soutra Gilmour (Scenic Design), Paloma Young  (Costume Design), Howard Hudson (Lighting Design), Gareth Owen (Sound Design), Andrzej Goulding (Video & Projection Design) and J. Jared Janas (Hair, Wig & Makeup Design) and Dominic Fallacaro  (Additional Orchestrations and Arrangements). The North American tour is music directed by Andre Cerullo. US Casting is by Stephen Kopel, Carrie Gardner, and Jillian Cimini, CSA. & Juliet is Executive Produced on Broadway and tour by Eva Price.

& Juliet is produced on Broadway and on tour by Max Martin, Tim Headington, Theresa Steele Page, Jenny Petersson, Martin Dodd and Eva Price.

& Juliet has now been performed on four continents since its World Premiere in September 2019. It began at the Manchester Opera House in England, before moving to London’s West End, where it won three Olivier Awards, and 6 WhatsOnStage Awards before playing its final performance at the Shaftesbury Theatre in March 2023. The show had its North American premiere in July 2022 in Toronto, where it broke box office records and played to standing-room-only audiences, before heading to Broadway, where it again broke box office records and plays nightly to sold-out crowds. An Australian production of & Juliet premiered in February 2023 at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre and will soon launch a UK Tour (July 2024) and German production (October 2024). The German production marks the show’s first production with a book translated into a different language, and will also be the sixth country to welcome & Juliet in less than five years. More information for all productions can be found at andjulietthemusical.com

The Original Broadway Cast Recording of & JULIET was released in October 2022 on Atlantic Records and is available wherever streaming music is played.

& Juliet will play the Aronoff Center April 8 – 20, 2025: Tuesdays – Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM, and Sundays, at 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM. Tickets start at $43 and can be found online at CincinnatiArts.org, by phone at 513.621.ARTS or in person at the Aronoff Center Box Office downtown. For groups of 10 or more, contact the group sales department at 513.369.4363. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice. For more information, please visit BroadwayInCincinnati.com.

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STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH ALL THINGS BROADWAY IN CINCINNATI: Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @BroadwayCincy 

First Financial Bank Broadway in Cincinnati presented by TriHealth is committed to bringing the very best of Broadway to the Tri-State, presenting touring Broadway plays and musicals in Cincinnati since 1987. For over twenty years, Broadway in Cincinnati has presented all shows at the Aronoff Center. The Broadway in Cincinnati series brings more than 185,000 people downtown to the Aronoff Center each year and contributes an average of $30 million to the local economy each season. Broadway in Cincinnati is a member of the Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and The Broadway League. The season is sponsored by First Financial Bank and presented by TriHealth.

Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of the John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office, and Broadway Brands.  Led by 22-time Tony-winning theater producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 48 markets with over 450,000 subscribers. Presentations include Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, and Hamilton. Current productions include &Juliet, Hadestown, Hamilton, Hell’s Kitchen, MJ: The Musical, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Outsiders and Stereophonic. 

The John Gore Organization is the leading presenter, distributor, and marketer of Broadway theater worldwide. Under the leadership of 22-time Tony-winning theater producer and owner John Gore, its family of companies includes Broadway Across America, Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office and Broadway Brands. The company presents shows in 48 cities across North America as well as on Broadway, Off-Broadway, London’s West End, Japan, and China. It has won Tony Awards in every producing category as well as numerous other Drama League, Drama Desk, and Olivier Awards.  The John Gore Organization is committed to supporting theater access and education programs that introduce Broadway to the next generation of audiences and theater professionals.

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