Category Archives: Press Releases

Sufjan Stevens | Fri., November 13 | Aronoff Center

FOLLOWING CRITICALLY-LAUDED SPRING TOUR, SUFJAN STEVENS CONFIRMS U.S. FALL DATES

CARRIE & LOWELL CONTINUES TO RECEIVE UNIVERSAL CRITICAL ACCLAIM

CAA_Sufjan Stevens logoFollowing a critically-lauded, national tour this spring, Sufjan Stevens is set to embark on a tour of the U.S. this fall, playing dates in Santa Barbara, Nashville, Atlanta, Miami, Cincinnati, and more.

The tour will make a stop at Cincinnati’s Aronoff Center on Friday, November 13 at 8:00 PM.

Tickets go on sale Friday, July 24 at 10am at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.

Stevens continues to celebrate the success of Carrie & Lowell, named to best of 2015 lists byRolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, The A.V. Club, Billboard, SPIN, Paste, Complex and ranked #1 on Stereogum’s “50 Best Albums of 2015 So Far.” 

Carrie & Lowell continues to receive universal acclaim:

“I think it’s safe to say that Sufjan Stevens is one of the most prolific and absolutely gifted American songwriters of the 21st century.” “…a life-changing performance—one we’ll all remember for many years.” -NPR

  • “Sufjan Stevens’ new album, Carrie & Lowell, is his best…it feels like his most classic and pure effort…a masterpiece” – Ptichfork, 9.3, Best New Music
  • “…his most gorgeous effort to date—a dauntlessly intimate song cycle that wrestles with the specters of abandonment and disconnection, all inside transcendent electro-meets-acoustic pop arrangements” -The New York Times
  • “Stevens remains at the height of his powers—capable of work as individual, compassionate and powerful as any American composer working today.” -The Washington Post
  • Best Albums of 2015 So Far,  “…impossibly pretty…Even when Stevens goes all happy memories and gentle melodies on the title track and “Eugene,” you’ll be holding back tears.” -Rolling Stone
  • Essential albums of 2015, “…a breathtaking work…” -Los Angeles Times
  • #1 Best Album of 2015 So Far, “The best is not behind Sufjan Stevens. He has never been better than this…” -Stereogum
  • Best Albums of 2015—So Far, “…a fall-down gorgeous and emotionally devastating masterpiece…It features some of the most beautiful music ever made about loss, and some of the most direct explorations of death ever recorded. It is a brutal, extremely sad, relentlessly wrenching record that, because it’s so exquisitely crafted, you might keep on a loop for days.”—Dave Eggers -The Guardian
  • 10 Best Albums of 2015 (So Far), “Stevens doing what he does best” -Billboard
  • 50 Best Albums of 2015 So Far, “Easily his best and most powerful album…” -Spin
  • Best Albums of 2015 so far, “Near-perfect…” -AV Club
  • Best Albums of 2015 (So Far), -“Spoiler Alert: Sufjan Stevens made the best album of 2015” -Paste
  • Best Albums of 2015 So Far, “Stevens’ most personal album ever” – Flavorwire
  • Best Albums of 2015 (So Far), “One of the year’s most coherent, albeit heartbreaking, efforts…” -Pigeons and Planes
  • “…as always, Stevens deals with the complicated subject matter with literary aplomb and musical finesse.” – The Wall Street Journal
  • “Stevens gave us a fearless, open-handed new look at the impossible soul guiding one of the greatest songwriters of our time.” – KEXP

Carrie & Lowell was recorded by Stevens alongside Casey Foubert, Laura Veirs, Nedelle Torrisi, Sean Carey, Ben Lester and Thomas Bartlett. Named for Stevens’ mother and stepfather, the 11 songs address life and death, love and loss, and the artist’s struggle to make sense of the beauty and ugliness of love. The album debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200, selling 50,538 albums in its first week and marking Stevens’ highest chart debut to date.

A singer-songwriter currently living in Brooklyn, NY, Stevens’ preoccupation with epic concepts has motivated two state records (Michigan & Illinois), a collection of sacred and biblical songs (Seven Swans), an electronic album for the animals of the Chinese zodiac (Enjoy Your Rabbit), two Christmas box sets (Songs for Christmas, vol. 1-5 and Silver & Gold, vol. 6-10),  a BAM-commissioned programmatic tone poem for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (The BQE), two collaborations with New York City Ballet choreographer and dancer Justin Peck, and an instrumental accompaniment to slow-motion rodeo footage—a second BAM-commission. In 2010 Stevens released an expansive EP (All Delighted People) and the full length The Age of Adz.

SUFJAN STEVENS LIVE – Tour dates/locations

  • July 25                            Newport, RI                           Newport Folk Festival
  • August 14                       Lyons, CO                              Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
  • October 24                      Santa Barbara, CA                  The Arlington Theatre
  • October 25                      Phoenix, AZ                           Orpheum Theatre
  • October 26                      Albuquerque, NM                  Popejoy Hall
  • October 28                      Omaha, NE                            Orpheum Theatre
  • October 30                      Buffalo, NY                           University of Buffalo Center for the Arts
  • October 31                      Jersey City, NJ                       Loews Jersey Theatre
  • November 1                    Baltimore, MD                       Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
  • November 3                    Pittsburgh, PA                        Heinz Hall
  • November 4                    Charlotte, NC                         Ovens Auditorium
  • November 5                    Atlanta, GA                            Cobb Energy Center
  • November 6                    Orlando, FL                            Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Philipps Center
  • November 7                    Miami, FL                              Olympia Theater Miami
  • November 9                    Charleston, SC                       NCPAC
  • November 10                  Birmingham, AL                    Alabama Theatre
  • November 11                  Nashville, TN                         Ryman Auditorium
  • November 12                  Louisville, KY                        Whitney Hall
  • November 13                  Cincinnati, OH                       Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

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Bo Burnham ‘Make Happy Tour 2015’ | Tue., November 10 | Aronoff Center

Comedian Bo Burnham Announces Second Leg of
MAKE HAPPY TOUR 2015
presented by AEG Live

November 10, 2015 – 8:00 PM
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

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2015 US tour dates kick off September 29 in Philadelphia, PA 

Tickets on sale Friday, July 24th at 12:00 PM

Bo Burnham.

Bo Burnham.

[July 21, 2015, New York, NY] – Bo Burnham has announced a second leg to his extremely successful 2015 MAKE HAPPY TOUR.  Following on the heels of a sold-out spring tour, this leg will hit 31 cities and kicks off September 29th at Keswick Theatre in Philadelphia, PA. The tour will make a stop at Cincinnati’s Aronoff Center on Tuesday, November 10 at 8:00 PM.

Tickets go on sale Friday, July 24 at 12:00 PM at http://www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], the Aronoff Center Ticket Office, and www.AXS.com.

Bo Burnham became the youngest person to ever record a half-hour Comedy Central special at the age of 18.  He has released two hour-long specials since then: Words, Words, Words in 2010 and what. in 2013.  The latter, what., was released on Netflix and YouTube simultaneously, and has since received over 8 million views on YouTube alone.  Bo recently created and starred in the MTV series Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous and wrote a book of poetry, EGGHEAD, which became a New York Times Bestseller.

Bo’s live shows are a unique blend of stand-up, music, and theatre.

Bo Burnham’s MAKE HAPPY Tour 2015

9/29                Philadelphia, PA                    Keswick Theatre

10/02              Providence, RI                        Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium

10/05              New York, NY                         Best Buy Theatre

10/06              Red Bank, NJ                          Count Basie Theater

10/10              Washington, DC                     Lincoln Theatre

10/13              Richmond, VA                        Carpenter Center

10/15              Tampa, FL                               Straz Center – Ferguson Hall

10/16              Jacksonville, FL                       Florida Theatre

10/17              Birmingham, AL                     Alabama Theater

10/19              Nashville, TN                          War Memorial Auditorium

10/20              Cedar Rapids, IA                    Paramount Theatre

10/21              Minneapolis, MN                   State Theatre

10/22              Winnipeg, MB                        Pantages Playhouse Theatre

10/24              Calgary, AB                             MacEwan Hall

10/27              Regina, SK                              Conexus Arts Centre- Shirley Bell Theatre

10/28              Saskatoon, SK                        TCU Place

10/30              Denver, CO                             Paramount Theatre

10/31              Salt Lake City, UT                   Capitol Theater

11/01              Sacramento, CA                     Sacramento Community Center Theater

11/03              San Jose, CA                           Center for the Performing Arts

11/04              Anaheim, CA                          The Grove

11/05              Phoenix, AZ                            Celebrity Theatre

11/08              Cleveland, OH                        State Theatre- Playhouse Square

11/09              Columbus, OH                        Palace Theater

11/10              Cincinnati, OH                        Aronoff Center- Procter & Gamble Hall

11/11              Pittsburgh, PA                       Carnegie Music Hall of Oakland

11/13              Ithaca, NY                               State Theatre

11/14              Syracuse, NY                          Crouse-Hinds Theater

11/15              Northampton, MA                Calvin Theater

11/16              Portland, ME                          State Theatre

11/18              Boston, MA                            Shubert Theatre

12/11              Port Chester, NY                    The Capitol Theatre

More on Bo:

Website: http://boburnham.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/boburnham

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bo-Burnham/10947828617

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/boburnham

Instagram:  https://instagram.com/boburnham/

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Tickets to ETC’s 2015-2016 30th Anniversary Season Go on Sale Mon, Aug. 3

ETC_new_logo_bannerTICKETS TO ENSEMBLE THEATRE CINCINNATI’S 2015-2016
30TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON GO ON SALE MONDAY, AUGUST 3 AT 10 AM

(Cincinnati, OH) Single tickets to Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s exciting 30th Anniversary 2015-2016 Season go on sale Monday, August 3 at 10 am. Subscriptions are still available and come in a variety of packages, including the recently added, popular Tuesday preview subscription option.

Highlights for the season include:

  • The Winner of the 2015 Harold & Mimi Steinberg/American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award, Luna Gale.
  • The regional premiere of the cheeky comedy, Buyer and Cellar welcomes the multi-talented Nick Cearley back to the ETC stage in this one-man performance.
  • The regional premieres of the two gripping character-driven dramas Grounded and Annapurna.

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

Ticket Prices
Ticket prices range from $28 to $44 for adults; student tickets are $25; and children are $18. For the 2015-2016 season, ETC will also continue its popular $15 student and half-price rush tickets for all performances, which are available two hours prior to show time and may be purchased by phone or in person at the box office.

Available Discounts
Military, Educator, Public Radio Perks Card, ArtsWave FunCard, AAA, Senior and Enjoy the Arts discounts available; tickets and seating are subject to availability.

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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 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.

2015-2016 Season Presenting Sponsor is the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Additional support provided by Garfield Suites Hotel, the Shubert Foundation, and PNC.

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.

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CCM Drama – Amazing Changes

Via Richard Hess, Chair of CCM Drama

Rocco Dal Vera

Rocco Dal Vera

Please join me in celebrating the recent appointment of Professor ROCCO DAL VERA to his new role as TAPAA (Theatre Arts, Production, Arts Administration) Division Head. Since joining the CCM Drama faculty in 1999 Rocco has distinguished himself with excellent teaching, leadership, and service to the department and college. His new appointment will allow him to continue to be an advocate for CCM Drama on a higher level, and to help move our Division to new heights with new opportunities. Rocco has moved his office up to our Division Head Office next to Patti Hall. He will continue to teach for CCM Drama, one course per semester to be determined, and he will still be available to us in many ways. Congratulations!

AMAZING CHANGES, there’s more exciting news
I am so pleased to announce the appointment of D’ARCY SMITH to the CCM Drama Faculty. In our time of need we moved quickly and efficiently to find an exceptional Voice and Speech teacher for CCM Drama.

D'Arcy Smith

D’Arcy Smith

D’Arcy Smith, BFA, MFA, Voice Teaching Specialist
D’Arcy Smith was recently the resident voice/dialect coach at the Guthrie Theater and a Lecturer of Voice/Speech/Text at the University of Minnesota. He has worked as a teacher and voice and speech specialist in the United States, U.K., Canada and New Zealand. A graduate of York University, Toronto, Canada from the MFA program in Acting with an additional Diploma in Voice Teaching, he has taught at The Central School for Speech and Drama in London, Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, Wright State University, the Canadian National Voice Intensive, and at York University in Toronto. He has also worked as voice, speech and dialect coach on countless professional productions. He produced and directed the audio CD that accompanies the book “Phonics for Dummies”. D’Arcy is well versed in a variety of different voice, speech and communication techniques so that he can best help the individual in their learning. He believes in always keeping a sense of play while guiding the actor to find freedom, confidence and empowerment.

AMAZING CHANGES, there’s even more exciting news
Please Welcome GILES DAVIES to his position as Full Time Visiting Faculty member for the 2015-2016 school year. Giles has graciously agreed to put his successful acting career on hiatus, to leave Florida, and to spend the year in a full time capacity with us teaching a variety of courses. Giles was an adjunct instructor for us for 3 years from 2004-2007 as our Movement II teacher, as well as covering my teaching duties for a term while I was on sabbatical. He is a Cincinnati icon, now based in Florida, highly respected in the field as an actor and teacher, and I know you will all have an amazing year and life changing experiences working with Giles after the retirement of Diane Kvapil.

Giles Davies.

Giles Davies.

Mr. Davies was born and bred in Hong Kong where he began acting at the age of five at the behest of his sister. He received his M.F.A. from Ohio State University where he specialized in creating solo performances, and his Bachelor of Science degree in Theatre and History, Honors College, Ball State University. He has performed two of his solo shows, An Evening with Charles Dickens and Turgid Tales of Turmoil, Terror and Tortured Souls, in Hong Kong, Belgium, Malaysia, California, New Hampshire, Indiana and Cincinnati. He specializes in teaching Shakespeare, movement, and acting. He has had the privilege of studying with Marcel Marceau, The SITI Co., Richard Schechner, The Wooster Group, Kevin Kling, and Danny Hoch, among others. He initiated a High School age actor training program at The Cincinnati Shakespeare Co., where he worked full time as an ensemble member for 9 years (performing in over 45 productions on their stage). In the Tampa area he has taught with The Patel Conservatory, The American Stage summer programs, Hillsborough Community College, workshops at The Gorilla Theatre and independent sessions with various local artists and students. Most recent Tampa Bay credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (freeFall Theatre), Death and the Maiden (A Simple Theatre) Quills (Jobsite Theatre), and November (American Stage.)

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The Drama Workshop Recognized for Theatrical Excellence

Elaine Volker of The Drama Workshop was honored by the Association of Community Theatres of Cincinnati at their annual awards ceremony for her excellent work in technical theatre over her 31 years with the Cheviot group. Photo by Chelle Liegel.

Elaine Volker of The Drama Workshop was honored by the Association of Community Theatres of Cincinnati at their annual awards ceremony for her excellent work in technical theatre over her 31 years with the Cheviot group. Photo by Chelle Liegel.

(Cheviot, Ohio) Cheviot’s own community theatre, The Drama Workshop, received many accolades at the Association of Community Theatres of Greater Cincinnati annual awards ceremony on June 27, 2015.

ACT Cincinnati, an umbrella organization for local theatre companies, provides a program where members can have their productions critiqued by knowledgeable judges from other greater Cincinnati theatre groups. This provides feedback on the productions, including areas which are well executed as well as areas which could be improved upon. In conjunction with this program, the judges also nominate individuals and groups for awards in different theatrical areas, including acting, direction, scenic design, costuming, lighting and sound, and so on. These awards are presented annually at the June ceremony.

In total, TDW received 57 awards for their productions from the 2014-2015 theatrical season, more than any other group in Cincinnati.

TDW’s staging of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST led the way with 18 awards, including individual acting recognition for many of the cast, ensemble performance, direction, production, overall performance quality, and overall technical quality. Each TDW mainstage production from last season received at least seven awards.

Additionally, TDW’s members swept the special achievement awards presented that evening, including the three awards from ACT Cincinnati, as well as one from the Ohio Community Theatre Association.

Elaine Volker, a Westwood resident, received the Mario Pitocco award, which goes to an individual who excels in the technical aspects of theatre. Elaine has literally worked on every TDW production since she joined the group in 1985, totaling over 100 shows in her 31 years with the group, and receiving awards in many areas along the way. In all that time, Elaine has only appeared onstage in one show, 2013’s LOVE RIDES THE RAILS, as – you guessed it – a stagehand.

Dee Dunn, of North College Hill, was presented the Art Rouse Award, recognizing an individual or couple that has shown exceptional commitment and dedication to community theatre. Nominated by Center Stage Players, Dee is a valued member of many local theatre groups, including TDW. Last season with TDW, she appeared in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE and costumed ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST. She will also appear in this fall’s production of DEATHTRAP.

Karen Vanover, a TDW member from Symmes Township, received the Roger Grooms award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the fields of direction and education. Karen has led the TDW Children’s Theatre Camp the last three years, provided training and stage combat choreography for a number of TDW shows, and made innumerable contributions to many other groups in the greater Cincinnati area.

Additionally, Gretchen Gantner received the “Spirit of Community Theatre” award, presented by the Ohio Community Theatre Association to a person who exemplifies selfless dedication to theatrical arts. Gretchen has been a member of TDW for 15 years, and tirelessly handles all ticketing and box office responsibilities, as well as being a gifted actress, costumer, and producer.

“To say the least, we are extremely proud of our fantastic past season and our extremely talented and dedicated membership,” said TDW President Tobie Braverman. “We are looking forward to an equally fabulous 2015-16 season.”

Located in the former Glenmore Bowl, now known as The Glenmore Playhouse, The Drama Workshop opens its 2015-2016 season on September 11 with the hysterically funny musical I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE. Tickets are available online through the TDW website at http://www.thedramaworkshop.org, or by phoning the 24/7 ticket line at 513.598.8303. Season subscriptions are also available; please call the box office for more information.

THE DRAMA WORKSHOP was founded in 1954. TDW is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to advancing education and promotion of the theatrical arts. The Drama Workshop is widely recognized as one of greater Cincinnati’s most accomplished community theater organizations, garnering dozens of awards annually from the Association of Community Theatres of Cincinnati. TDW productions have been regularly selected to represent the Southwest Ohio region at the Ohio Community Theatre Association annual conference, and TDW was also honored to represent the state of Ohio at the American Association of Community Theatre regional conference in 2013. The Drama Workshop was also recognized by the Cincinnati Preservation Association in 2013 for their efforts to rehabilitate the former Glenmore Bowl into The Glenmore Playhouse. Prospective members, and individuals or businesses interested in becoming involved or in helping advance TDW’s mission are encouraged to contact the group through our website at www.thedramaworkshop.org, or by phone at 513-598-8303.

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