Category Archives: Press Releases

April 1, 2015 · 2:44 pm

Human Race Gives A Lesson in Self-Discovery with Midwest Premiere of TAKING SHAKESPEARE

THE HUMAN RACE THEATRE COMPANY GIVES A LESSON IN SELF-DISCOVERY WITH MIDWEST PREMIERE OF TAKING SHAKESPEARE

Shakespeare’s Othello bridges the generational divide in John Murrell’s drama, April 16 – May 3, 2015 at The Loft Theatre

Jon Kovach as Murph and Johanna Leiste as Prof. Photo by Scott J. Kimmins.

Jon Kovach as Murph and Johanna Leiste as Prof. Photo by Scott J. Kimmins.

(Dayton, OH) — The Human Race continues its 28th season as Dayton’s leading professional theatre with the Midwest premiere of Canadian playwright John Murrell’s lesson in self-discovery, TAKING SHAKESPEARE. When a longtime, disillusioned college professor is asked to tutor her dean’s son through his freshman Shakespeare class, she finds it to be as much a test for her as it is for him. Although they seem to have nothing in common, as they explore the Bard’s Othello together, they learn more about each other—and themselves—than either is ready to admit. While they draw strength from the play, they come to understand what it means to live up to expectations. The production runs April 16 – May 3, 2015 at The Loft Theatre. It is directed by frequent Human Race actor/director Aaron Vega, who helmed The Race’s Twelfth Night in 2011.

TAKING SHAKESPEARE’s placement on the 2015–2016 season sprang from a challenge The Race has faced for years – cast sizes. “Aaron and I  had been talking about doing another Shakespeare production, specifically a modern-day Othello. But they tend to be such large casts. The Bard never wrote a ‘two-hander,’” says Producing Artistic Director Kevin Moore. Then a surprising alternative appeared. “A member of our artistic committee, local attorney and musician David Greer, saw a production of TAKING SHAKESPEARE at Canada’s Stratford Festival in 2013 and raved to me about it. I started following up right away. Since the play’s two characters use Othello as a life-learning experience, the intersection of Othello ideas—ours and the script’s—seemed to come together perfectly.”

Last fall, The Human Race commissioned Vega to develop and direct a TAKING SHAKESPEARE companion piece for its Muse Machine In-School Tour. The result was #othello, a 40-minute contemporary adaptation of  Shakespeare’s original, focusing on cyber-bullying and its negative effects, presented to student audiences in the Miami Valley area middle and high schools. “Now,” says Moore, “Aaron’s directing a piece that uses the same Shakespeare play as a platform for two solitary individuals to connect and grow. Sometimes, magic just happens!”

TAKING SHAKESPEARE features New York-based actress Johanna Leister as “Prof” and Cincinnati actor Jon Kovach as “Murph.” Leister is a long-time New York actress has appeared on Broadway in Whose Life Is It Anyway? with Mary Tyler Moore and Tartuffe, Dracula and Whodunnit, as well as at a number of regional theatres. For four years, she starred on The Edge of Night as “Phoebe Smith.” She currently serves on the faculty of the Herbert Berghof Studio in New York where she participates in readings and performances of new plays. A West Chester, Ohio, native, Kovach last appeared on The Loft Stage in The Human Race’s 2012 production of Band Geeks! Since graduating from Miami University, he founded Cincinnati’s Unity Productions, helped build Untethered Theatre Company and became an associate artist at The Know Theatre.

The Human Race Theatre Company’s production of TAKING SHAKESPEARE is sponsored by Rob and Leesa Comparin; Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.; IUE-CWA; Jack and Maryann Bernstein and Muse Machine; with additional support from Jon and Diana Sebaly and Dave and Dulie Greer.

PERFORMANCE AND SPECIAL EVENT INFORMATION
Tickets for the preview performance of TAKING SHAKESPEARE on April 16 start at $30 for adults, $27 for seniors and $15 for students. For all performances April 17  – May 3, single ticket prices start at $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $17.50 for students. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seating location. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. The Human Race is offering a pair of discount ticket opportunities. Side-area seats are available at all performances for $25 each, on sale two weeks prior to performance. The Sunday, April 19 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 Taking Shakespeare are 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday evenings. Performances on Sunday and Tuesday evenings begin at 7:00 p.m. and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday matinees.

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

# # #

The Human Race Theatre Company was founded in 1986 and moved into the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence at the 212-seat Loft Theatre. In addition to the Eichelberger Loft Season, The Human Race produces for the Victoria Theatre’s Broadway Series, the Musical Theatre Workshop series, and special event programming. The Human Race, under the direction of Producing Artistic Director Kevin Moore, also maintains education and outreach programs for children, teens and adults, as well as artist residencies in area schools, The Muse Machine In-School Tour, and summer youth programs. Human Race organizational support is provided by Culture Works, the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, the Shubert Foundation, the Erma R. Catterton Trust Fund, the Jesse & Caryl Philips Foundation Fund for the Development of New Works, 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 2014–2015 season sponsor is the Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation of the Dayton Foundation, with additional support from Jim and Enid Goubeaux,  the Sam Levin Foundation, Premier Health and Morris Home Furnishings.

CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:

The Eichelberger Loft Season of The Human Race Theatre Company presents
TAKING SHAKESPEARE
by John Murrell
featuring Johanna Leister and Jon Kovach
directed by Aaron Vega

April 16 – May 3, 2015

Performed at The Loft Theatre
Metropolitan Arts Center
126 North Main Street (between First and Second streets)
Dayton, Ohio 45402

When a longtime, disillusioned college professor is asked to tutor her dean’s son through his freshman Shakespeare class, she finds it to be as much a test for her as it is for him. Although they seem to have nothing in common, as they explore the Bard’s Othellotogether, they learn more about each other—and themselves—than either is ready to admit. While they draw strength from the play, they come to understand what it means to live up to expectations.

For tickets:

  • Ticket Center Stage box office phone: (937) 228-3630
  • Box office hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; and two hours prior to each performance
  • Online: www.humanracetheatre.org or www.ticketcenterstage.com
  • Ticket prices start at: $45 – $30 for adults, $41 – $27 for seniors and $22.50  – $15.00 for students. Prices vary depending on performance date.
  • Discounts: Select side-area seats available for $25 at all performances; “Sawbuck Sunday” April 19 at 7:00 p.m. – $10 seats available for walk up sales only
  • Group sales: contact Betty Gould at (937) 461-8295 or Betty.Gould@victoriatheatre.com

TAKING SHAKESPEARE performance dates:

  • Wednesday, April 15 8:00 p.m.  Pay-What-You-CAN open rehearsal
  • Thursday, April 16 8:00 p.m.  “Inside Track” pre-show discussion/Preview performance
  • Friday, April 17 8:00 p.m.  Opening night with post-show lobby party
  • Saturday, April 18 8:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 19 2:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 19 7:00 p.m.  “Sawbuck Sunday” – $10 tickets at the door
  • Tuesday, April 21 7:00 p.m.  Lite Fare at The Loft pre-show lobby dinning
  • Wednesday, April 22 8:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 23 8:00 p.m.
  • Friday, April 24 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 25 8:00 p.m.  Audio Described/Sign Interpreted performance (reserve by April 10)
  • Sunday, April 26 2:00 p.m.  “While We’re on the Subject” post-show talk-back
  • Tuesday, April 28 7:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 29 8:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 30 8:00 p.m.
  • Friday, May 1 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 2 8:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 3 2:00 p.m.  Closing performance

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March 30, 2015 · 2:18 pm

Playhouse in the Park’s Marx Theatre Season Concludes with VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE, April 25 – May 23, 2015

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK’S MARX THEATRE SEASON CONCLUDES WITH CHRISTOPHER DURANG’S HIT VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE, APRIL 25 – MAY 23, 2015

PIP_Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike logo(CINCINNATI) – The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s 2014-15 Robert S. Marx Theatre season comes to a riotous close with VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE, Christopher Durang’s madcap comedy about melancholy people. A smash hit on Broadway, VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE earned numerous critical accolades, including the 2013 Drama Desk and Tony awards for best play. It runs April 25 through May 23 in the Marx Theatre.

The story centers around three extremely eccentric siblings. Vanya and his adopted sister Sonia live uneventful lives in the Pennsylvania farmhouse of their youth. Having spent the better part of their adulthood caring for their ailing parents, both Vanya and Sonia are filled with the bitterness and regret of missed opportunities and a longing for what their lives might have been.

But misery turns to mayhem when their oft-divorced sister Masha abruptly returns home. Masha escaped the caregiving responsibilities shouldered by her siblings. Instead, her contribution to their livelihood has come in the form of paying all of the bills they’ve accumulated with her earnings as a glamorous (if B-ranked) movie star. When she breezes back into town with her latest boy toy, a much younger actor named Spike, the resulting reunion turns into a weekend of outrageous rivalries and sidesplitting raucousness that USA Today called “hugely entertaining” and The New York Times hailed as “deliriously funny.”

“I love the way this play is extremely funny, but it’s also very real. It can turn on a dime to some very tender and beautiful and honest moments that are very moving,” says Playhouse Associate Artist Michael Evan Haney, who is directing VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE. “It’s a play about siblings who are estranged (and rather weirdly stunted in their psychological growth) but who, over the course of the story, remember and rediscover what they really love about each other.”

The show’s potentially serious themes are melded with the twisted comedy of Durang, known for his full-length plays The Marriage of Bette and Boo and Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You, as well as his short plays For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls and Desire, Desire — parodies of The Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire, respectively.

While the siblings have names taken from playwright Anton Chekhov’s characters and the play contains Chekhovian allusions, no one should expect a Chekhov lesson at VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE. “I have written parodies, but this is not one,” Durang said prior to the McCarter Theatre Center premiere of the play in 2012. “It takes Chekhov themes and characters and mixes them all up, as if I’ve put them into a comic blender.” Audience members who know Chekhov will find humor in the references Durang makes to these classics; others will find the play easily stands on its own as a send-up of the absurdities, and sometimes unnecessary complexities, of modern life.

The VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE cast features John Feltch (The Three Musketeers, Pride and Prejudice and Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Suicide Club) as Vanya, Suzanne Grodner (Much Ado About Nothing, The Smell of the Kill and Emma) as Sonia, Elizabeth Hess as Masha, Shinnerrie Jackson as Cassandra, Jefferson McDonald as Spike and Gracyn Mix (Pride and Prejudice) as Nina. The creative team, in addition to Haney, includes set designer Paul Shortt, costume designer Anne Kennedy, lighting designer James Sale and sound designer/composer Rusty Wandall. Jenifer Morrow is the production stage manager, and Andrea L. Shell is the second stage manager.

VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE is sponsored by Leading Ladies. JRA is the design sponsor. David C. Herriman is the lead artists sponsor, and Joseph-Beth Booksellers is the script sponsor.

Ticket prices for VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE start at $30. Prices are subject to change, and patrons are encouraged to buy early for the best seats at the best prices. The show is recommended for adult and older teenage audiences.

New for the 2014-15 season is Sunday College Night, with tickets to all 7 p.m. Sunday performances priced at just $10 with a valid student ID. Student tickets are just $15 on the day of the show for all other performances. In advance, student tickets are $30.

Previews for VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE are at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 25; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 26; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29. The official opening night is Thursday, April 30, at 8 p.m. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sundays.

The Playhouse will inaugurate an annual Pride Night at the Friday, May 15, performance of VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE. Two levels of tickets are available, both of which will partially benefit Caracole, a Cincinnati organization that provides safe, affordable housing and supportive services to individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. Patron Pride Level tickets, $100, include a pre-show cocktail reception with dinner-by-the-bite and the opportunity to meet Playhouse Artistic Director Blake Robison, the performance of VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE and a post-show reception (including appetizers and cash bar) with the opportunity to meet members of the cast. Single Pride Tickets, ranging from $35 to $80, include the performance and the post-show reception, appetizers and cash bar with the opportunity to meet members of the cast. Playhouse Pride tickets are available through the Box Office with the promotion code Pride. Playhouse Pride is sponsored by David C. Herriman with additional support from Jeff Thomas Catering.

Free Meet the Artists programs that allow audiences to interact with the cast and others associated with the production will be held after the following performances: 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6; 2 p.m. Sunday, May 17; and 8 p.m. Thursday, May 21.

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

Tickets to VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE 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 2014-15 Robert S. Marx Theatre Series is presented by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation, and Macy’s is the 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 the community contributors to the ArtsWave 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 and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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March 30, 2015 · 11:09 am

RACE Explores Prejudice on a Personal Level

Michael Shooner, Reggie Willis & Renika Williams. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Michael Shooner, Reggie Willis & Renika Williams. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Cincinnati, OH – New Edgecliff Theatre closes its 2014-15 season with RACE by David Mamet, a frank look at the personal biases that exist even in the most progressive of individuals. The multi-award winning American playwright tackles America’s most controversial topic in a provocative new tale of sex, guilt and bold accusations.

Two lawyers, one white and one black, find themselves defending a wealthy white executive charged with raping a black woman. When a new legal assistant gets involved in the case, the opinions that boil beneath explode to the surface. When the spotlight is turned on what we think but can’t say, dangerous truths are revealed, and no punches are spared.

The production is directed by Northern Kentucky University Professor Daryl Harris. A 40-year veteran of traditional and experimental theatre, Harris has studied and worked as a producer, writer, director, actor, costume designer, professor and lecturer throughout the United States, Canada, Scandinavia, West Africa, China and Australia. Harris’ work involves multicultural programming and projects that link the Underground Railroad Movement to the fields of theatre and dance, connecting themes emerging from the Movement to current social problems in ways that promote understanding and greater social harmony.

Harris has gathered an exciting cast of actors for this intense story. Michael Shooner and Reggie Willis play the law partners who take on the potentially explosive case of a new client played by Bob Allen. All three actors are well known to Cincinnati audiences having appeared in previous New Edgecliff Theatre productions as well as at Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and many other theatres. Joining these accomplished local actors is Renika Williams. Ms. Williams comes to the New Edgecliff stage from Dayton where she attends Wright State University.

Producing Artistic Director Jim Stump read the play two years ago and realized how important the story was. “This play does not revolve around a major racial incident; rather it examines race on a personal level. It makes us acknowledge that no matter how free of prejudice we believe we may be, we often find biases buried deep in our character,” says Stump. “Here we have people who are dedicated to the pursuit of justice for all. By the end of the play the trial hasn’t even begun.”

RACE by David Mamet
Presented by New Edgecliff Theatre
April 9-25, 2013, 7:30pm
The Hoffner Lodge, 4120 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45223

For tickets visit www.cincyticket.com or 1-888-428-7311 For more information visit http://www.newedgecliff.com .

RACE by David Mamet

The Play
Multiple Award-winning playwright/director David Mamet tackles America’s most controversial topic in a provocative new tale of sex, guilt and bold accusations. Two lawyers find themselves defending a wealthy white executive charged with raping a black woman. When a new legal assistant gets involved in the case, the opinions that boil beneath explode to the surface. When David Mamet turns the spotlight on what we think but can’t say, dangerous truths are revealed, and no punches are spared.

The Playwright
David Mamet is the author of the plays: Race, Keep Your Pantheon, School, November, Romance, Boston Marriage, Faustus, Oleanna, Glengarry Glen Ross (1984 Pulitzer Prize and New York Drama Critics Circle Award), American Buffalo, The Old Neighborhood, A Life in the Theatre, Speed-the-Plow, Edmond, Lakeboat, The Water Engine, The Woods, Sexual Perversity in Chicago, Reunion and The Cryptogram (1995 Obie Award). His translations and adaptations include: Faustus and Red River by Pierre Laville; and The Cherry Orchard, Three Sisters and Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekov. His films include: The Postman Always Rings Twice, The Verdict, The Untouchables, House of Games (writer/director), Oleanna (writer/director), Homicide (writer/director), The Spanish Prisoner (writer/ director), Heist (writer/director), Spartan (writer/director) and Redbelt (writer/director). Mr. Mamet is also the author of: Warm and Cold, a book for children with drawings by Donald Sultan, and two other children’s books, Passover and The Duck and the Goat; Writing in Restaurants, Some Freaks, and Make-Believe Town, three volumes of essays; The Hero Pony and The China Man, a book of poems; Three Children’s Plays, On Directing Film, The Cabin, and the novels The Village, The Old Religion and Wilson. His most recent books include the acting books, True & False and Three Uses of the Knife. Glengarry Glen Ross was awarded the Tony® Award for Best Revival of a Play in 2005.

Director
Daryl Harris (Director) is a 45 year veteran of traditional, experimental/alternative, applied and academic theatre on five continents. At NKU’s Department of Theatre and Dance since 2003, he has taught race-, gender-, and class-related courses while also coordinating multi-cultural programming. Local directing credits include NET’s production of Fugard’s MASTER HAROLD…and the boys, ArtsWave’s original touring production of Joe McDonough’s Cincinnati: City of Immigrants, and All Shades Theater’s world premiere of Prabir Das’ Celebrated Silence –Anisha Singh’s story of lifelong sexual victimization in India.

Actors
Michael Shooner (Jack) A Cincinnati native and alumnus of Edgecliff College, Michael left town in 1979 on a 17-year performing odyssey that included stints in Los Angeles, Seattle and Montana. Upon returning to Cincinnati, he founded New Edgecliff Theatre in 1998. An Actor’s Equity member since 1977, he has appeared locally with Cincinnati Playhouse, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Clifton Players and Falcon Theatre. Some favorite roles include Dysart in Equus, Teach in American Buffalo, Ralph in Frozen, Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, Joe Keller in All My Sons, Leonard in Seminar, Roma in Glengarry Glen Ross and Cliff in The Woolgatherer. As always, he thanks his lovely wife Pam for her patience, support and the constant surprise.

Renika Williams (Susan) is a rising graduating Acting Major at Wright State University from Dayton, OH. She feels extremely fortunate and blessed to be a part of this production of Race with New Edgecliff Theatre Company because of the current issues in our country today that surround the subject. Renika’s past roles include Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Anya u/s in The Cherry Orchard, Myrtle Mae in Harvey, The Dynamites in Hairspray, and she was also a touring ensemble member of IMPACT Children’s Theatre at Jean’s Playhouse in New Hampshire last summer. She would like to give a huge thank you to the Acting faculty at WSU, family, and friends for all their guidance, love, and support. (Romans 8:28)

Reggie Willis (Henry) has performed in numerous Productions in the Cincinnati area since 1979. He has performed at Clifton Performance Theater, Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theater, Know Theater, Cincy Shakes, Arts Consortium, Xavier University, and The Carnegie His most recent performances include The Whale, Harvey, Hot Damn it’s the Loveland Frog, The Riverside, Driving Miss Daisy, and August Osage County. Reggie would like to say “Thank You” to everyone who has supported me during my 36 years of performing.

Robert Allen (Charles Strickland) Last season Bob appeared in our production of Bus Stop, as Dr. Lyman, for which he received the League of Cincinnati Theatres award for Featured Actor in a Play. You may also have seen him in our productions of Other People’s Money, The Night of the Iguana, Fool for Love and Three the Hard Way. Bob just completed a sold-out run of August: Osage County with Clifton Players. His recent performances include: Nightwalkers (premiere), Buckeye (premiere) and A Streetcar Named Desire. He also directed the premiere production of Soldier’s Christmas and both directed and appeared in New Edgecliff Theatre’s annual fund raiser, the radio recreation production of Miracle on 34th Street.

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March 29, 2015 · 11:24 am

2015-2016 Season Announced by Human Race Theatre Company

INTRODUCING THE HUMAN RACE’S 2015-2016 SEASON!\

HRTCWe’re proud to announce the lineup for our 29th season as Dayton’s premier professional regional theatre company. It’s a collection of great works with titles and authors you know but have yet to experience on the professional stage. And as ever, we will make you laugh, make you think and inspire you with the power and presence that comes with a live performance in the intimate Loft Theatre. This season, we’re delighted to also present one of the hottest comedians of our time and to join with some of our fellow Dayton performing arts organizations to bring you two incredible additional productions at the Schuster Center.

The 2015-2016 Eichelberger Loft Series Lineup:

THE FULL MONTY: THE BORADWAY MUSICAL
book by Terrence McNally
music and lyrics by David Yazbek
based on the motion picture released by Fox Searchlight Pictures and written by Simon Beaufoy,
produced by Uberto Pasolini and directed by Peter Cattaneo
September 10 – October 4, 2015

In need of quick cash and low on prospects, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers come up with the outrageous idea to put on a strip act after seeing the local women’s wild enthusiasm for touring Chippendales dancers. Short on time and with little talent or physical appeal, the gang promises their show will be better because they’ll go “the full monty” and bare it all! As they prepare for the big night, they learn to let go of their doubts and insecurities—and their clothes—in this hilarious adaptation of the hit film.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS
by Robert Harling
November 5 – 29, 2015

The sassy hit of our 1988-1989 season finally returns!
Many things beside hair get done at Truvy’s hair salon, and that’s why it is the place to go in Chinquapin Parish, Louisiana. Gossip, revelations and witty Southern banter flow like refreshing sweet tea on a hot summer day. The opinionated Truvy and her new assistant, Annelle, play host to unlikely friends Ouiser and Clairee, the respectable and sociable M’Lynn and her beautiful daughter, Shelby. As the women come face to face with difficult times, they are brought together through strength and love.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE
by Tennessee Williams
February 4 – 21, 2016

Memories as fragile as glass are tossed into the air in Tennessee Williams’ first great masterpiece. Dreams meet reality and love becomes desperate in a shimmering drama of a family on the edge. Tom struggles in a modern day world while his mother holds tight to a fantasy of Southern gentility and his sister hides amongst the glistening crystalline creatures she collects. With an edge as sharp as broken glass, it’s a story that cuts deep into the longing of human hearts.

ONE SLIGHT HITCH
by Lewis Black
April 7 – 24, 2016

Life in suburban Cincinnati is good for Doc and Delia Coleman on the morning they’re about to throw their eldest daughter the perfect wedding they never had, that is until her vagabond ex-boyfriend arrives on their doorstep and wreaks havoc on all of their best laid plans. The result is a zany, door-slamming comedy about stressed-out parents, less-than-helpful siblings and interruptions galore from the mind of comedian Lewis Black. Will their daughter make it down the aisle or will the day end up a perfect disaster?

MASTER CLASS
by Terrence McNally
June 9 – 26, 2016

One of the opera world’s greatest legends takes center stage as Maria Callas gives three aspiring singers a rough welcome into the world of performing. During a series of master classes, this controversial personality now in the twilight of her career remains fearless as she looks back upon her life—the triumphs and heartbreaks, the egos and ambitions, the glories and the scandals. This Tony Award-winning drama gives a revealing look at a commanding diva and the sacrifice for art.

Add-on Productions for Loft Subscribers:

Subscribers can order discounted tickets to these four exciting events now, before they go on sale to the general public.

AMERICAN MOSAIC
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts
September 19 and 20, 2015 at the Schuster Center

Celebrate the riches of America’s genius and the breadth of Dayton’s talent in a spectacular mosaic of American music and performance featuring works by Dayton’s leading performing arts organizations. Experience the magic of Dayton Ballet, Dayton Opera, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Bach Society of Dayton, The Human Race Theatre Company, Muse Machine and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company all under one star-studded ceiling.

Lewis Black in Concert: A Benefit to The Human Race (Theatre Company)
October 11, 2015 at the Victoria Theatre

Comedian Lewis Black, the “King of Rant” himself, takes the Victoria Theatre stage in this one-night-only stand up concert benefiting The Human Race Theatre Company. You’ll laugh until you cry as one of the most popular comics of our time skewers the absurdities of life in his trademark finger-wagging finest.

THE SANTALAND DIARIES
A Special Holiday Extra for Grownups
by David Sedaris
adapted by Joe Mantello
starring Tim Lile as “Crumpet”
December 10 – 19, 2015

Meet the quintessential elf gone bad as he relives a series of less-than-merry misadventures in David Sedaris’ hysterical antidote for holiday havoc. Spend some time with the irreverent Crumpet—one of Santa’s little helpers during the Macy’s Christmas shopping rush—as he handles the hordes of insufferable shoppers and their kiddies with whacked out, wicked wit.

BEST OF BROADWAY II
Part of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s Kettering Health Network SuperPops Series
May 13 and 14, 2016 at the Schuster Center

It’s the exciting sequel to the 2014 fan favorite Best of Broadway as The Human Race artists return to join the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra onstage for a lively night of more of your favorite show tunes.

2014-2015 season subscribers – Renew by May 3 and guarantee your seats!
Come join us for another amazing season of theatre created especially for you. Renew your subscription now by returning the Renewal Form we mail to you on March 30 or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630.

We’re taking reservations for new subscriptions now. Seating begins May 26!

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March 27, 2015 · 9:54 am

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Presents Disney’s ALADDIN JR

Carpets will fly this April at the Taft Theatre!

Megan Ainsley as Jasmine, Bob Herzog as the Genie & Korey Harlow as Aladdin.

Megan Ainsley as Jasmine, Bob Herzog as the Genie & Korey Harlow as Aladdin. Photo by Phil Groshong.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati ends its 90th MainStage Season with DISNEY’S ALADDIN JR., April 10-12 and 18, 2015 at the Taft Theatre. The show will be directed by Roderick Justice. Music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Book adapted and additional lyrics by Jim Luigs. Music adapted and arranged by Bryan Louiselle. Based on the screenplay by Ron Clements and John Musker; Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio.

Aladdin is a street rat who must borrow and steal to survive. When he runs into Princess Jasmine the day before her arranged wedding, they begin an unlikely friendship. In captivity, Aladdin finds a magical lamp revealing a Genie who grants wishes. Just wait till what happens next! This show will take you to “A Whole New World.”

DISNEY’S ALADDIN JR. is a collaboration with The Cincinnati Circus Company, who will bring jugglers, aerial acrobats, stilt walkers and more to the Taft Theatre stage! And, Local 12’s Bob Herzog will be featured as the Genie!

DISNEY’S ALADDIN JR., The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, through April 18. 7:30 p.m. Friday April 10; Saturday April 11, 2 PM and 5 PM; Sunday, April 12 and Saturday, April 18, 2 PM; Taft Theatre, 5th and Sycamore Streets in Downtown Cincinnati. Tickets $7-$25. 1-800-745-3000 and www.ticketmaster.com.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s production of DISNEY’S ALADDIN JR. is made possible by the generous support of TriHealth. The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign. The Children’s Theatre’s Season Sponsors are the Charles H. Dater Foundation and the Marge and Charles J. Schott Foundation. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Media sponsors are Cincinnati Enquirer, LOCAL 12 and Q102. The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Kids Club is presented by Grace Kerr Orthodontics and Time Timer.

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