Category Archives: Press Releases

August 16, 2016 · 6:51 am

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: The Musical | Fri., Dec. 2 | Aronoff Center

CAA_Rudolph logo“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has taken the country by snowstorm.” – Hartford Courant 

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
LIVE ON STAGE AT THE ARONOFF CENTER
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2 AT 7:00 PM 

Tickets on sale Friday, August 19 at 10:00 AM 

Touring Musical is Stage Adaptation of CBS’ Highest-Rated Christmas Special of All Time

CINCINNATI – Monday, August 15, 2016 – 35 Concerts is pleased to announce that a return engagement of the “most famous reindeer of all” from the longest-running and highest-rated holiday television special will be live on stage with the critically-acclaimed Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical (www.rudolphthemusical.com).  The family favorite will play the Aronoff Center on Friday, December 2 at 7:00 PM for one performance only. Following two successful years of touring North America, the world’s most famous reindeer and a holly jolly cast of iconic characters, including Hermey the Elf, Yukon Cornelius, and the Abominable Snow Monster will help Santa save Christmas during three North American tours visiting more than 50 cities this holiday season. The national tour — a “holiday staple” (The Boston Globe) and an “utterly charming, top-notch production” (Orlando Sentinel) – kicks off November 14.  Tickets go on sale Friday, August 19 at 10:00 AM and are available at CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS, or the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.

In 1964, the beloved stop-motion animated television classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, made its network television debut, delighting audiences across the country. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical is rapidly becoming a tradition for generations of children and adults, and we are so excited to bring the show to fans in Cincinnati,” says producing partner Jonathan Flom.

Projections, costumes, and characters will be faithfully brought to the stage against a backdrop of nostalgic set designs. The cast brings high energy to classic songs and dialogue, while irresistible and loveable puppets highlight the charming “roughness” from the television show’s stop-motion effects. Flom says, “We address all of the familiar story elements from the television special with a talented cast and puppeteers who help recreate the magic on stage. Since the special itself is a classic musical, the stage show does not feel at all like an adaptation and audiences are surprised and delighted when they hear full performances of additional iconic songs associated with the TV special, such as “Fame and Fortune” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”

The story tells the tale of a young Rudolph who, because of the appearance of his bright, shining nose, is excluded from the Reindeer Games. He flees Christmastown and meets up with new friends Hermey the Elf and Yukon Cornelius.  After finding The Island of Misfit Toys, Rudolph journeys home, where a snowstorm of epic proportions is threatening Christmas. Can Rudolph rescue his family and friends and help Santa save the holiday?

Rudolph’s partnership with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center continues this year. A new illustrated storybook, T.E.A.M. Rudolph and the Reindeer Games, will be available this year only at the stage show performances and other locations where Rudolph is appearing, such as at theme parks, zoos, aquariums, and science centers. A portion of the proceeds from all sales of the books will be donated to PACER.

For more information, visit www.rudolphthemusical.com. 

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical is produced by Right Angle Entertainment, Iconic Entertainment Studios and Premiere Producers LLC.

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August 16, 2016 · 6:35 am

OTRimprov presents the 3rd Annual Improv Festival of Cincinnati (IF Cincy)

You’re going to want to be there when IF Happens

IF_logo 2016Cincinnati’s OTRimprov proudly presents the Third Annual Improv Festival of Cincinnati (IF Cincy). This year’s Festival features improvisors from Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Portland (OR), Minneapolis, Louisville, and Cincinnati. The festival runs September 6-11, 2016 at Know Theatre of Cincinnati in Over-the-Rhine. If Cincy is excited to expand this year’s Festival with an episode of the Improv Yak Podcast on Tuesday September 6 and an additional performance night on Wednesday September 7.

Craig Cackowski, known for his roles on Community, Veep, and Drunk History as well as earning three Del Close Teacher of the Year awards at iO West in Los Angeles, and Amber Nash known for her role as the voice of Pam Poovey on the hit animated show Archer and her work with Dad’s Garage, Atlanta’s Best Improv Theater for the last 15 years, are in two of our headlining troupes, Orange Tuxedo and Fun Bags, respectively.

Produced in partnership with Know Theatre of Cincinnati’s Jackson Street Market, IF Cincy has also benefitted from the support of business sponsors and individuals willing to support the festival through crowdfunding. IF Cincy marks the sixth anniversary of OTRimprov, a group of dedicated improvisors who created the strong improv community in Cincinnati while winning Best Improv Troupe in Cincinnati for 2015 and 2016.

Local troupes performing are Basement Dwellers, Coincidence Improv, Don’t Tell Anna, Highly Improvable, Killer B’s, The Middle Child, OTRnext, Portals to Possibility, and What It Ain’t.

National improv performers traveling to Cincinnati are B&B (Portland, OR), Bearded Men (Minneapolis, MN), Damaged Goods (Louisville, KY), Devil’s Daughter (Chicago, IL), Fun Bags (Atlanta, GA), Human Amusements (Detroit, MI), The Improvised Sondheim Project (Chicago, IL), The League of Pointless Improvisors (Ann Arbor, MI), Orange Tuxedo (Los Angeles, CA),  and Shade (Chicago, IL).

Many of the performers taking the stage in the evening will also be hosting workshops for experienced and beginner improvisors, giving Cincinnatians an opportunity to learn alongside the impressive visiting national talent. Workshops will be offered by Megan Leahy & Leslie Sharp (Fun Bags), The Improvised Sondheim Project, and Craig & Carla Cackowski (Orange Tuxedo). In addition, for the first time OTRimprov will be offering a workshop focused on teen improvisors in the Cincinnati area.

“For our third year, we wanted to raise the bar with a bigger and bolder IF Cincy,” says Kat Smith, co-director of OTRimprov. “In addition to top-notch improv troupes from all over the country, we’re adding another night to accommodate more local troupes from the ever-expanding Cincinnati improv scene. Our workshops this year include a musical improv workshop and a teen-focused workshop.” Smith continues, “Six years ago, you would have been hard-pressed to find a monthly improv show in Cincinnati. Today, there are multiple shows a month at venues across the city. Thanks to the efforts of this small but mighty community, we continue to build a thriving improv scene here and IF Cincy lets people know improv is here to stay!”

The All Access Pass allows entry to all five evenings, Tuesday – Saturday, for $90, the Weekend Pass covers Friday and Saturday evening’s performances for $70, and a One Night Pass is available for entry on either Friday or Saturday evening for $35.

Single tickets are $5 each for the Tuesday September 7th Improv Yak Podcast performance, $10 for Wednesday evening, and $20 for Thursday – Saturday’s performances.

 The Basics:

Who: OTRimprov presents
What: Improv Festival of Cincinnati (IF Cincy)
Where: Know Theatre of Cincinnati, 1120 Jackson Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Featuring: Improv artists from Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Portland (OR), Minneapolis, Louisville, and right here in Cincinnati.
Tickets: http://www.ifcincy.com
How Much: Single tickets (Tuesday) $5, Wednesday ($10) (Thursday-Saturday): $20, All Access Pass: $90, Weekend Pass: $70, One Night Pass: $35 (Friday & Saturday only).

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August 12, 2016 · 7:10 am

The Drama Workshop is a Very Busy Place

TDW_Glenmore Playhouse ext(Cheviot, OH) The Drama Workshop continues to work at a break-neck pace bringing great theatre to Cincinnati’s West Side. The historic brick building at the corner of Glenmore and Gamble in the heart of Cheviot is buzzing with activity nearly every night.

In addition to its ongoing run of the classic comedy, “Noises Off”, continuing through August 28, TDW is holding auditions for two upcoming productions, rehearsing a third, and preparing to participate in the Ohio Community Theatre Association State Festival.

The Drama Workshop will be holding auditions for selected roles in the holiday musical “Nuncrackers” by Dan Goggin on Tuesday 8/16 & Wednesday, 8/17, 7-10 pm at The Glenmore Playhouse. Thursday 8/18 will be reserved for callbacks if needed. Sign up times are required. Those interested are encouraged to sign up at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0449a9af23a75-nuncrackers.

The performance dates for “Nuncrackers” are December 2 – 18, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM, Sundays at 2:00 PM. Additional dates may be added.

Open auditions for the classic Neil Simon comedy “The Odd Couple” will be held on Wednesday, August 17 and Sunday, August 21.  Doors will open at 6:30pm, and auditions will begin promptly at 7pm. Actors are asked to bring a resume and headshot, and will audition in groups. Auditions will run no later than 9 pm, and may end earlier. The director is seeking eight actors. Needed are 6 men (ages 40 to 60) and 2 women (ages late 20s-early 30s). Performers of all ethnic and racial backgrounds are encouraged to audition.

Show dates for “The Odd Couple” are February 24, 2017 through March 12, 2017. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 pm, Sunday afternoon at 2 pm.

Rehearsals for TDW’s next show, James Goldman’s “The Lion in Winter,” have also begun. This tale of intrigue takes place in the court of England at Christmas 1183 – as King Henry tries to ensure his kingdom’s survival, his three feuding sons, the scheming Queen Eleanor, and the opportunistic King of France all want a piece of it. Also a classic feature film starring Peter O’Toole and Katherine Hepburn, TDW’s production of “The Lion in Winter” opens on October 7 and runs through October 23.

Finally, TDW is deep in preparations to participate in the Ohio Community Theatre Association State Festival. This festival includes theatre groups from all over the state, and will take place in Independence, Ohio, over Labor Day weekend. TDW was selected as one of three invitees from the Cincinnati area to perform an excerpt of last season’s award-winning farce, “Unnecessary Farce”. This festival also serves as the Ohio competition to participate in the national-level American Association of Community Theatres play festival.

To order tickets to any upcoming production, please either order online at www.thedramaworkshop.org, or via the 24/7 ticket line at 513.598.8303. All auditions and performances are at The Glenmore Playhouse, 3716 Glenmore Ave, Cheviot, 45211.

TDW is open to all people who are interested in theatre, and no skill is required. There is activity at the playhouse most weekends. For more information on how to get involved in this vibrant community organization, please contact TDW through the ticket line, via the website, or on Facebook.

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August 10, 2016 · 1:19 pm

2017 Summer Classics Season Announced for Warsaw Federal Incline Theater

Third Summer Looks to Continue Growth with Classic Titles

WFIT_Sign at nightCincinnati Landmark Productions announced today its third Summer Classics Season at the region’s newest performing arts venue.

The 2017 Summer Classics Season, presented by TriHealth, includes:

  • DAMN YANKEES, May 24 – June 18
  • BLITHE SPIRIT, June 28 – July 23
  • THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, August 2-27

Each production in the 2017 Summer Classics Season runs for four weeks (Wednesday to Sunday). The theater expanded production runs from three weeks to four in 2016 to accommodate high ticket demand.

“We opened the theater to 45 straight sell-outs in the Summer Classics Season in 2015, serving over 10,000 patrons,” said Tim Perrino, Executive Artistic Director of Cincinnati Landmark Productions. “This summer we’ve already sold over 11,500 tickets. We’re delighted with the community support for this season and look forward to building on that and growing in 2017 with these wonderful titles.”

The Warsaw Federal Incline Theater is a brand new, purpose-built, 229-seat performing arts center and parking garage in the Incline District in East Price Hill. Located at the corner of Matson Place and West 8th Street, the $6 million project opened on June 3, 2015.

Subscriptions for the 2017 Summer Classics Season – only $72 – are now on sale. Subscribers to the 2016 Summer Classics Season have their seats held for renewal until March 10, 2017. All seats not renewed by that time will be released. Tickets to individual shows go on sale on April 17, 2017.

The Warsaw Federal Incline Theater is programmed year-round by Cincinnati Landmark Productions, culminating in over 120 show nights. In addition to the Summer Classics Season, the venue will host the four-show District Series season (September to May) designed to complement the Marquee season at the Covedale Center.

Cincinnati Landmark Productions has been serving the West Side for over 30 years – first through its Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre program and then through its ownership and management of the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts in West Price Hill. Since opening in 2002, the arts center quadrupled its subscribership. Attendance ballooned from 13,990 in the 2002-03 season to over 37,000 (representing over 300 zip codes) in the 2015-16 season.

For more information about the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, visit www.warsawfederalinclinetheater.com or call (513) 241-6550.

# # #
More about the 2017 Summer Classics Season
at the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater:

DAMN YANKEES
May 24 – June 18, 2017
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Ross and Richard Adler; Book by Douglass Walop and George Abbott; Based on the novel “The Year The Yankees Lost the Pennant” by Douglass Wallop

Middle-aged baseball fanatic Joe Boyd trades his soul to the Devil, for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees. Transformed into young baseball sensation Joe Hardy, he leads the hapless Washington Senators to the final game for the pennant, only to realize the true worth of the life he’s left behind. Light, fast-paced and devilishly clever, Damn Yankees is a home-run hit featuring all-American subject matter and an irreverent sense of humor. Featuring classic songs like “Whatever Lola Wants (Lola Gets!),” “You Gotta Have Heart” and “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, MO”, Damn Yankees is a wicked, romantic comedy – winner of 7 Tony Awards including Best Musical.

BLITHE SPIRIT
June 28 – July 23, 2017
Book by Noël Coward

The smash comedy hit of the London and Broadway stages concerns the socialite and novelist Charles Condomine, who invites the eccentric medium and clairvoyant, Madame Arcati, to his house to conduct a séance, hoping to gather material for his next book. The scheme backfires when she calls up the ghost of his annoying and temperamental first wife, Elvira! Elvira then hilariously haunts Charles’s marriage second wife, Ruth, who cannot see or hear the ghost! As things go wildly out of control, Charles will do anything to restore order in this world – and the next! The 2009 Broadway production won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Play – and the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress: Angela Lansbury.

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
August 2 – 27, 2017
Music and Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison; Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar

The Drowsy Chaperone is a loving send-up of the Jazz age musical featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another. With the houselights down, a man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favorite record: the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical, The Drowsy Chaperone. The show comes to life on stage as the man guides the audience through crazy plot and characters: two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a not so bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan and an intoxicated chaperone – all mixed up in an evening of madcap delight. Featuring great songs like “I Don’t Wanna Show Off,” “Cold Feets” and “As we Stumble Along,” The Drowsy Chaperone is the winner of 5 Tony Awards (including Best Book and Best Original Score).

About Cincinnati Landmark Productions
Cincinnati Landmark Productions has been serving the West Side for over 30 years – first through its Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre program and then through its ownership and management of the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts in West Price Hill. Since opening in 2002, the arts center quadrupled its subscribership. Attendance ballooned from 13,990 in the 2002-03 season to over 37,000 (representing over 300 zip codes) in the 2015-16 season.

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August 10, 2016 · 6:38 am

Cincinnati Playhouse Debuts 57th Season With Theatrical Storytelling of John Irving’s Blockbuster A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY

PIP_A Prayer for Owen Meany promo(CINCINNATI) – A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY launches the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s 2016-17 season in a powerful, spectacularly theatrical way on the Robert S. Marx Theatre stage from Sept. 3 through Oct. 1. For the legions of fans of John Irving’s bestselling book, the transformation of beloved icon Owen Meany from page to stage is not to be missed. That being said, “You don’t need to know the book to enjoy this production,” says Playhouse Artistic Director Blake Robison, who is directing the show. “The story carries the day all on its own.”

Owen Meany is an unlikely yet compelling prophet. Despite his strange voice and diminutive stature, he’s outsized in his impact, particularly upon John Wheelwright, who retrospectively narrates the story of his idolized best friend. Owen and John meet as boys in 1950s New Hampshire, survive the shared tragedy of the death of John’s mother and grow to manhood in the shadow of America’s escalation of the Vietnam War. Owen is certain of his divinely ordained destiny in a seemingly random world, and he bewilders, intrigues and ultimately inspires John in a way that transforms his life.

A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY is a sweeping adaptation, by Simon Bent, of Irving’s epic saga about friendship, destiny and the miracle of faith. It made its world premiere in 2002 at London’s Royal National Theatre.

“It taps into our collective doubt, our search for purpose and faith, our estrangement from the society around us and the profound value of friendship,” says Robison. “Owen makes an extraordinary sacrifice for the greater good. He is what America wants to be, but so rarely achieves. I’d say that now, more than ever, we need Owen Meany.”

The trajectory of Owen’s journey — both in the novel and Bent’s adaptation — is not told linearly. John Wheelwright’s narrative moves fluidly among remembrances of his shared childhood with Owen, the explosive decade that followed and John’s assessment of it all from a vantage point nearly 20 years after their
destined denouement.

A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY is innovative in form and execution. The Playhouse production will employ state-of-the-art technology and bold staging with new flying effects from ZFX Inc. that will literally allow Owen to hover and soar through the theatre.

The cast of A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY includes Ernaisja Curry (Mary Beth/Ensemble), Annie Fitzpatrick (Barb Wiggins/Mitzy Lish/Jarvit Mother/Ensemble), Laura Gordon (Harriet Wheelwright/Ensemble), Tatum Hunter (Girl/Jarvit Daughter/Ensemble), Naomi Jacobson (Mrs. Meany), Jared Joplin (Rector Wiggins/Coach Chickering/Randy White/Major Rawls/Ensemble), John Lescault (Reverend Merrill), Sean Mellott (Owen Meany/Lenny Bruce), Matt Mundy (Harold Crosby/Larry Lish/Jarvit Boy/Ensemble), Kevin Orton (Mr. Fish/Chief Pike/Dr. Dolder/Ensemble), Lawrence Redmond (Mr. Meany), Gardner Reed (Tabitha Wheelwright/Ensemble), Koray Tarhan (Boy/Ensemble), Jeremy Webb (John Wheelwright), David Whalen (Dan Needham/Jarvit Father/Ensemble) and Kate Wilford (Lydia/Sam White/Ensemble).

In addition to Robison, the creative team features James Kronzer (set designer), David Kay Mickelsen (costume designer), Mark Barton (lighting designer), Matthew M. Nielson (sound designer/composer) and ZFX Inc. (flying effects provider). Jenifer Morrow is the production stage manager, and Brooke Redler is the second stage manager.

A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY is sponsored by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Stable Two Financial, LLC, is the design sponsor.

Tickets for A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY start at $35 for preview performances and $40 for regular performances. Prices are subject to change, and patrons are encouraged to buy early for the best seats at the best prices. The show is appropriate for adult and older teenage audiences.

Tickets to 7 p.m. Sunday College Night performances are priced at just $10 for college students with a valid school ID. Student tickets are just $15 on the day of the show for all other performances.

Discounted ticket prices for teens and students are always available for $30 and $45, depending on show and seat location.

The Playhouse’s Tasting Series will enhance the theatre experience with wine pairing dinners before Thursday evening performances of A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY. The four-course dinners, which start at 6 p.m., are catered by Tano Bistro & Catering with wine distributed by Heidelberg Distributing Company. The cost is $32 per person; reservations may be made by calling the Box Office at 513-421-3888.

The Playhouse, in conjunction with Joseph-Beth Booksellers, is also offering a new book club for several of its 2016-17 productions, including A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY, JANE EYRE and ERMA BOMBECK: AT WIT’S END.Playhouse book club participants are invited to attend discussions of A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY at Joseph-Beth Booksellers’ Rookwood location at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 29, and 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19. The discussions are free, but registration is required in advance through the Playhouse Box Office at 513-421-3888.

Previews for A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY are at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3; 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7. The official opening night is Thursday, Sept. 8, at 7:30 p.m.

Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays.

Free Meet the Artists programs that allow audiences to interact with the cast and others associated with A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY will be held after the following performances: 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14; 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29.

A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY will be audio described for those with visual impairments at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, and signed for persons with hearing impairments at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.

Tickets to A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY are on sale now. For more information, call the Playhouse Box Office at 513-421-3888 (toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800-582-3208) or visit www.cincyplay.com. Call 513-345-2248 for Telecommunications Device for the Deaf accessibility.

The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.

The 2016-17 Robert S. Marx Theatre season is presented by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation, and Macy’s is the Robert S. Marx Theatre season design sponsor. The season sponsor of new work is the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Foundation.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation.

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