Category Archives: Press Releases

May 10, 2016 · 6:43 am

City of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Awarded the 2018 Shakespeare Theatre Association Conference

This international conference will be held at CSC’s new state of the art theater in January of 2018

CSC_First Pour 1

Richard Westheimer, Patricia Linnemann, Calvin Linnemann, Brian Isaac Phillips, Jay Woffington, Don Tecklenburg, Mayor John Cranley, Otto M. Budig, and Jim Bridgeland. By Mikki Schaffner Photography.

CINCINNATI, OH, May 4, 2016 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company announced today during their first concrete pour event located at the future site of their new theater, that they had been selected along with the City of Cincinnati to host the 2018 Shakespeare Theatre Association Conference.  In attendance at the event were supporters, donors, and leaders involved in the project including Otto. M Budig, Mayor John Cranley, Jim Bridgeland, Calvin and Patricia Linnemann, Don Tecklenburg, and Richard Westheimer.  Also in attendance was the Executive Director of The Shakespeare Theatre Association, Patrick Flick who traveled into town to attend the event and make this announcement.

Mr. Flick said “from a roster of over 120 companies with annual budgets ranging from $50,000 to $50MM, the committee reviewed proposals from Boston, MA, Milwaukee, WI, Santa Cruz, CA, Newfoundland, Canada, and Prague in the Czech Republic, as well as Cincinnati. We are very excited by your city’s ongoing urban renaissance, thriving arts and culture scene, downtown walkability, streetcar development, centralized location, and, of course, the 2017 opening of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s brand new world-class facility in Over-the-Rhine.”

Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips said that “Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is thrilled and proud to do their part in contributing to the cultural tourism on our city and to continue to put Cincinnati on the map!  We have had preliminary conversations with the Cincinnati Visitor’s Bureau, local hotels, Cincinnati USA Chamber, and ArtsWave to begin planning this conference to ensure that our national and international guests experience the best of what Cincinnati has to offer. Our organization is thrilled to be able to host this conference and believe it will have a ripple effect that will benefit our city’s restaurants, hotels, and other fantastic attractions.”

The Shakespeare Theatre Association provides a forum for the artistic, managerial, educational leadership for theatres primarily involved with the production of the works of William Shakespeare to discuss issues and methods of work, resources, and information, and to act as an advocate for Shakespearean productions and training.  Cincinnati Shakespeare Company has sent leaders to the conference for several years and recognizes the importance.  Mr. Flick said that “the annual conference is a vital opportunity for the leadership of the STA member theatres to network, share best practices, cross-pollinate talent, and raise international awareness of the ongoing relevancy of Shakespeare’s plays in the 21st century.”

Mr. Flick concluded saying that “we look forward to working with Cincinnati Shakespeare and the City of Cincinnati on welcoming the international Shakespeare community to Cincinnati and celebrating the inaugural year in their new space.”

The conference will take place in January of 2018 during the inaugural first season in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s new theater.  More details will be released in the future.

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May 10, 2016 · 6:20 am

New Associate Artistic Director for The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

TCTC_Eric Byrd

Eric Byrd.

(CINCINNATI) — Eric Byrd is joining the staff of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati as the company’s new Associate Artistic Director.

Eric is a Cincinnati native and a recent transplant from New York City, where he spent the past years working in commercial theatre and live entertainment.  He got his start as a performer at Paramount’s Kings Island and since has performed across the country and across the world.  Favorite performance credits include Legally Blonde, Fiddler on the Roof, 42nd Street, The Drowsy Chaperone, Urban Cowboy, The Producers, High School Musical, & West Side Story, as well as multiple contracts on board Holland America Cruise Lines, where he also served as Company Manager.

This past year, he worked in the Broadway casting office of Stewart/Whitley where he assisted on the Broadway productions of On The Town, Chicago, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (starring Josh Groban) as well as the national tours of Bullets Over Broadway, Once, Shrek, Into the Woods and Elf, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, and The Forgotten Woman at Bay Street Theatre, AIDA Cruise Lines and West Side Story (starring Skylar Astin) at Carnegie Hall.  He was responsible for expanding the talent search on London’s West End for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s productions of We Will Rock You, Cats, Saturday Night Fever, Mamma Mia! and Grease.

Additional casting credits include work at the Roundabout Theatre Company/Jim Carnahan Casting, assisting on the Broadway productions of Once, Matilda, and Anything Goes.  Eric served as a choreographer and assistant director at Interlochen Summer Arts Camp for two summers, and has served on panels and taught master classes for Broadway Artists Alliance, Actors Connection, Students Live, and The Growing Studio in New York City.  He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and a Minor in Management from Wright State University and is a proud member of Actors Equity.

“I am beyond thrilled to be joining the team at TCT,” Eric says.  “Theatre has the power to inspire, to heal, and to educate and it has given me a home, a sense of purpose, a safe haven, and a family. I’m looking forward to bringing my experiences to this incredible organization.  This city is responsible for introducing me to theatre and I am so happy to be back.  After all, there is no place like home!”

Organizational Overview: 

TCT’s mission is to educate, entertain and engage audiences of all ages through professional theatrical productions and arts education programming.  We fulfill our mission through three primary programs:

  • TCT MainStage– We welcome 80,000 children, teachers, and family members from across the Tri-State, to one of our four family-friendly and professional musical theater productions at the historic Taft Theatre.
  • TCT On Tour – We see over 60,000 children and their families at one of our touring performances or during an arts-integration workshop or residency.
  • TCT Academy – Over 600 children will be provided fine arts instruction, including the group that participates in summer intensive STAR summer programs where we offer professional musical theatre training to some of the region’s most talented youth.

Vision:

  • Create smiles, open minds, and touch hearts.
  • Harness theater experiences and the arts as forces for education and understanding.
  • Create meaningful shared arts experiences.
  • Present award winning and nationally recognized productions and arts education programming.
  • Foster a work environment of excellence, creativity, and innovation.

Core Beliefs:

  • We believe in the power of theater to enrich lives and create deeper understandings of people, cultures, and perspectives.
  • We believe that our audiences deserve high quality experiences that are rich with wonder, honesty, compassion, joy, and wisdom.
  • We believe that the arts and education are not mutually exclusive.
  • We believe that the art we create must respect the diversity of our community.
  • We believe in the power of integrated arts education to enrich our lives and our communities.

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May 2, 2016 · 7:06 am

THE OCTONAUTS AND THE DEEP SEA VOLCANO ADVENTURE – LIVE | Wed., Nov. 2 | Aronoff Center

CAA_Octonauts promoTHE OCTONAUTS DIVE INTO FIRST U.S. THEATRE TOUR!
* * * * *
ARONOFF CENTER FOR THE ARTS
November 2, 2016

(Cincinnati, OH – 4/29/16) – Explore. Rescue. Protect! “Octonauts” announced a brand new, action-packed and interactive theatre show for the very first time in the U.S.  MEMI is proud to present this tour at The Aronoff Center for the Arts on Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at 6:30 PM!  The Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure features brand new and fan favorite songs led by the entire Octonauts eight-member crew including Captain Barnacles, Lieutenant Kwazii and Medic Peso, as they invite audiences aboard an underwater quest through a world full of adventure, interactivity, and tons of sea life surprises.

Reserved tickets, $39.50, $34.50 & $29.50 (plus applicable fees), go on sale Saturday May 7th at 10:00 AM at www.cincinnatiarts.org or the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.  Charge by phone at 513.621.ARTS [2787].

The Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure is a high-tech production featuring costume characters and animated projections to a massive screen on stage.  “We are thrilled for kids and families to see Octonauts come to life on stage,” said Amy Koudelka, SVP of Product Development and Brands, Silvergate Media. “The Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure is an opportunity for Octo-Cadets to be a real part of the action.”

The tour comes on the heels of new Octonauts episodes premiering throughout the year on Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Seasons one, two and three are also available on Netflix, and the first ever Octonauts 4D movie adventure is coming later this year.

“We are calling on all cadets and their families across the country to assist our very dynamic team of adventure heroes on their fast-paced, exciting underwater adventure,” says Jonathan Shank, executive producer at Red Light Management. “This stage show is packed with sing-a-longs. Audiences can expect a high level of interactivity with their favorite characters on stage.”

# # #

For more information:
www.cincinnatiarts.org
www.octonautsliveus.com

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April 29, 2016 · 6:35 am

I’LL HAVE ANOTHER…WORLD TOUR | Tue., Dec. 20 | Aronoff Center

ZAEH_SNC_SHOT7-6

Straight No Chaser.

STRAIGHT NO CHASER ANNOUNCES ITS
“I’LL HAVE ANOTHER…WORLD TOUR” 

WORLD RENOWNED A CAPPELLA GROUP LAUNCHES 20TH ANNIVERSARY
TREK DATES GET UNDERWAY OCTOBER 14TH IN RENO, NV 

ARONOFF CENTER
DECEMBER 20, 2016
ON-SALE FRIDAY, MAY 6 at 10:00 AM

Atlantic Records recording group Straight No Chaser has announced early details of its “I’ll Have Another…World Tour.” The North American leg – which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the a cappella group’s formation in 1996 and first show at Indiana University – begins October 14 at Reno, NV’s Grand Theatre and then continues into 2017 with a January 3rd finale at Kahului, HI’s Maui Arts & Cultural Center (see tour itinerary below).

The much-anticipated concert plays the Aronoff Center on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 7:30 PM.  Tickets go on sale Friday, May 6 at 10:00 AM at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. Pre-sale tickets will be available to members of Straight No Chaser’s official fan club beginning Tuesday, May 3. In celebration, Straight No Chaser will fly and cover hotel costs for two lucky winners to attend any Straight No Chaser show of their choosing within the Continental US. For complete ticket information and other news, please see www.sncmusic.com/tour.

Meanwhile, Straight No Chaser’s hugely successful “The New Old Fashioned Tour” concludes with a series of upcoming summer shows, highlighted by a two-night weekend spectacular at Los Angeles’ historic Hollywood Bowl with the one-and-only Weird Al Yankovic, set for July 22 & 23.

The “I’ll Have Another…World Tour” follows Straight No Chaser’s most recent release, 2015’s “THE NEW OLD FASHIONED.” The album sees the renowned group bringing their unique touch and inimitable vocal style to a stunning range of contemporary standards spanning The Weeknd’s “ Can’t Feel My Face” and Hozier’s “Take Me To Church” to Radiohead’s “Creep” and Bob Dylan’s tender “Make You Feel My Love.” “THE NEW OLD FASHIONED” further features a number of Straight No Chaser’s incomparable medleys, including “Beggin’/Counting Stars” (blending favorites from Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons and One Republic) and “On The Road Again/I Play The Road” (originally by Willie Nelson and Zac Brown Band, respectively).

For more, please visit www.sncmusic.com, www.facebook.com/StraightNoChaser, twitter.com/SNCmusic, and www.youtube.com/sncmusic.

 

 

 

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April 28, 2016 · 6:13 am

Showbiz Players Present CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

SBP_Catch Me If You Can promo1

Natasha Boeckmann, Robert Breslin as Frank W. Abagnale, Jr, Ellyn Broderick, JV Katz & Tia Casey.

Regional Theatrical Premiere Opens at the Carnegie in Covington on May 13th

(Cincinnati) The Regional Theatrical Premiere of the Showbiz Players production of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN opens May 13th and runs through May 22nd at the Carnegie in Covington, KY. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN was nominated for 4 Tony Awards including Best Musical. For tickets call the Box Office at 859-957-1940 or go to http://www.showbizplayers.com.

Based on the hit DreamWorks film starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Tom Hanks and the incredible true story that inspired it, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN is a high-flying, splashy Broadway musical that tells the story of Frank W. Abagnale, Jr., a teenager who runs away from home in search of the glamorous life. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer – living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams. But when Frank’s lies catch the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, Carl chases Frank to the end……and finds something he never expected.

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Showbiz Players, Inc. is one of the premiere community theatre companies in Cincinnati. Spanning a history of 23 years, Showbiz Players, Inc. has won a multitude of national, state and local awards for their productions.

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