Category Archives: Press Releases

October 14, 2013 · 10:17 pm

ETC’s RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN Earns 4 Star LCT Rating

Jen Joplin as Gwen Harper and Hannah Sawicki as Avery Willard. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Jen Joplin as Gwen Harper and Hannah Sawicki as Avery Willard. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

LCT recommends RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN as a 4-Star Production, presented by the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati through October 27.

An LCT Panelist describes the play as “An excellent ensemble of actors in a thought-provoking play examining feminist issues and ‘the one that got away.’”

Another panelist states, “This play…is a solid production with a good cast. Much like Wendy Wasserstein’s “The Heidi Chronicles”, “Rapture, Blister, Burn” follows a single female protagonist who reflects on her choices as a successful academic at the expense of having a family. There were some funny bits in all of this, especially with the hilarious lines of the twenty-something post-feminist Avery, played by Hannah Sawicki.”

A finalist for the 2013 Pulitzer Prize, the play was written by Gina Gionfriddo. It is making its regional premier here in Cincinnati and is directed by D. Lynn Meyers. Contact www.ensemblecincinnati.org for tickets and more information about the production.

For more information on The League of Cincinnati Theatres visit http://leagueofcincytheatres.info/.

[Visit my production page for more information.]

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October 9, 2013 · 9:02 am

The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses Tour | Sun., Oct. 27 | Music Hall

NINTENDO’S “THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: SYMPHONY OF THE GODDESSES” TOUR
COMES TO CINCINNATI ON OCTOBER 27

Once-In-A-Lifetime Concert Adds Tour Date for Cincinnati Music Hall

CAA_Zelda“The Legend of Zelda™: Symphony of the Goddesses” is a spectacular concert tour featuring live orchestral performances of theme music from Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda franchise. The acclaimed concert experience, presented by Princeton Entertainment, will make its way to Cincinnati Music Hall on Sunday, October 27, 7:30 PM and give concert goers the music and magic from Nintendo’s beloved The Legend of Zelda franchise like never before.

Tickets range between $30-$75 and are on sale now at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center and Music Hall Ticket Offices. Experience The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses as never before with a VIP package. A $90 VIP Package includes: One (1) premium top-price ticket in a preferred location, a private meet-and-greet with the producers / creative team behind the show, and one (1) numbered limited edition poster signed by the creative team of The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses. 

Based on one of the most popular and beloved video game series of all time, the tour—which has been hailed as a modern classic—features live orchestral performances of theme music from Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda franchise. The name “Symphony of the Goddesses” refers not only to the concert program but also to the four-movement symphony recounting the classic storylines from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. The performance also will highlight orchestral renditions of music from other series games, including The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask.

“Zelda has achieved legendary status and become a part of the fabric of video game culture,” notes Jason Michael Paul, CEO of Jason Michael Paul Productions, which is producing the concert tour. “For fans as well as music lovers in Cincinnati, this is a truly special opportunity,” adds Paul.

Guests will relish in their favorite moments from the game, carefully and beautifully timed with a gorgeous orchestral score approved by Nintendo sound director and Zelda franchise composer, Koji Kondo. The concert is a festive experience for all walks of fans, some of which have been known to attend donning green tunics while wielding legendary master swords. Cosplay encouraged!

To view a complete tour schedule with ticketing information, tour updates and also sign up for a regularly updated digital newsletter, visit http://zelda-symphony.com.

About Nintendo
The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™ home console, Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 3.8 billion video games and more than 610 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™ and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.

About Jason Michael Paul Productions, Inc.
Jason Michael Paul Productions, Inc. is an independent full service entertainment and concert promotion agency dedicated to creating branded experiences for artists, and corporations for touring, temporary and permanent environments worldwide.  From the people who brought concerts around the world like The Three Tenors, Luciano Pavarotti, Dear Friends- Music from FINAL FANTASY, More Friends- Music from FINAL FANTASY, and PLAY! A Video Game Symphony to mass audiences, Jason Michael Paul Productions, Inc. presents the finest in performing arts and family entertainment.

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October 8, 2013 · 5:21 pm

Contemporary Dance Theater presents Doug Varone and Dancers | Nov. 1-2 | Aronoff Center

Contemporary Dance Theater opens 41st season with the masterly Doug Varone and Dancers of NYC

Alchemy by Phil Knott

Alchemy by Phil Knott

CINCINNATI, OHIO — Southwest Ohio’s presenter of contemporary dance, Contemporary Dance Theater, opens its forty-first season with Doug Varone and Dancers of New York City, whom Newsday calls a “company of master dancers, performing masterly choreography.” The season-opening concerts will take place Friday and Saturday, November 1 and 2, 2013 at 8:30pm.

The grassroots organization—headquartered in College Hill, but presenting its Guest Artist Series in downtown Cincinnati’s Aronoff Center—is honored to present one of modern dance’s most venerable choreographers, described by The New York Times “a rarity among his generation.” Doug Varone is known for his vision for the stage (whether it be dance, opera, or theatre), his company’s versatility, and their technical acuity.

In Cincinnati, the dance company—who has performed in Europe, Asia, Canada, and South America—will perform the repertory: (subject to change)

Carrugi (2012), performed by eight dancers to “La Betulla Liberata” by Mozart. The thirty-minute work was inspired by the winding, narrow streets and alleyways of Italy’s Liguria region.

Able to Leap Tall Buildings (2012), a duet set to music by Julia Wolfe’s haunting score Cruel Sister. Varone used super hero action figure dolls in stop motion poses, yielding a roller coaster of entangled images propelling this oddly tender duet forward in awkward jarring ways.

Lux (2006), performed by eight dancers to “The Light” by Philip Glass and originally commissioned by the Daniel and Dianne Vapnek Family Fund. The piece is vibrant and energetic, optimistic and resilient.

Contemporary Dance Theater is pleased to offer meaningful and unique opportunities for the public to interact with the New York City company. Patrons are invited to a meet-the-artists Q&A reception Friday evening following the performance (suggested donation $5). There will also be an in-theater Q&A following Saturday’s show. Students of dance are also invited to the rare opportunity to take class with the company on Saturday, November 2 from 10:30-12:00pm at Contemporary Dance Theater’s studios in College Hill.

In addition, Contemporary Dance Theater will bring Doug Varone and Dancers to two area elementary schools with high populations of at-risk children. There, Doug Varone and Dancers will conduct workshops in which the children will explore creative movement, imagination games, and storytelling. The presenter will also collaborate with the Contemporary Arts Center and UC DAAP in offering Varone’s “Liquid Architecture” workshop, in which participants will explore spatial and temporal ideas through movement based problem-solving tasks.

More information about Doug Varone and Dancers’ presentation by Contemporary Dance Theater is available from cdt-dance.org. Tickets, $22-32, are available from the Cincinnati Arts Association at 650 Walnut St., (513) 621-ARTS (2787), or cincinnatiarts.org. Patrons can save money with one of several versatile season subscription options, cdt-dance.org/subscribe.

The presentation of Doug Varone and Dances will be followed by the expressive and articulate Koresh Dance Company (from Philadelphia, co-presented by the Mayerson JCC, February 1 & 2, 2014), the theatrical and intelligent David Roussève / REALITY (from New York, March 21 & 22), the awe-inspiring hip-hop youth troupe Rennie Harris RHAW (from Philadelphia, May 2 & 3), and our region s Area Choreographers Festival (June 13 & 14).

The Contemporary Dance Theater Guest Artist Series is sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation and is supported by the thousands of people who give generously to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. Support also comes from the National Endowment for the Arts, a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. Contemporary Dance Theater is also supported by The Ohio Arts Council, a state agency that supports public programs in the arts. Media sponsorship provided by CityBeat.

QUICK SUMMARY FOR CALENDAR LISTINGS

EVENT: Contemporary Dance Theater opens 41st season with the masterly Doug Varone and Dancers of NYC

VENUE: Aronoff Center for the Arts’ Jarson-Kaplan Theater, 650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

DATES: Friday and Saturday, November 1 & 2, 8:30pm with meet-the-artists reception following Friday’s performance (suggested donation $5)

Also: dancers’ masterclass on Sat., Nov. 2 10:30-12:00pm (cdt-dance.org/masterclass)

TICKETS: $22-32 from (513) 621-ARTS (2787) or cincinnatiarts.org

MORE INFO: Visit cdt-dance.org/13varone

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October 7, 2013 · 10:42 pm

Jaheim and Chrisette Michelle | Thu., Nov. 14 | Aronoff Center

R&B POWERHOUSE JAHEIM AND CHRISETTE MICHELE
EMBARK ON THE “APPRECIATION TOUR” THIS FALL –

These two have built a catalogue of hits that ensure a soulful, power-packed show.

Thursday, November 14, 2013 – 7:30 PM\
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

CAA_JaheimNew York, NY – Jaheim and Chrisette Michelle bring their “Appreciation Tour” to Cincinnati’s Aronoff Center on Thursday, November 14 at 7:30 PM for one night only. Tickets go on sale Friday, October 4, 10:00 AM at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.

“Timeless,” “Classic,” and “A Return To Real R&B” are just a few of the phrases used to describe singer/songwriter Jaheim’s latest release Appreciation Day. Having established himself in the landscape of the music industry, fans and critics alike have come to expect a solid body of work from the seasoned vet. And, Appreciation Day does not disappoint. Selling almost 60, 000 copies worldwide in its first week, the album landed on the Billboard charts at #3 Urban/#6 overall. Currently available via iTunes, (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/appreciation-day/id684566446), this album taps into the timeless tales of love, loss and the overcoming of life’s obstacles. Fans flock to Jaheim’s facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/officialjaheim) raving about each song.

The album’s first single,“Age Ain’t A Factor,”boasted the well-received message of celebrating the beauty of women at every age and enjoyed #1 charting success. The video, shot by famed photographer turned video director Derek Blanks, enlisted the help of ageless beauties: Lisa Raye, Vivica Fox and Cynthia Bailey (see the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvNVAd4WrYU). The visual for the fan favorite “Baby 3Xs” features both Cynthia Bailey and her husband Peter Thomas of the hit show, “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” This exciting three-part trilogy drips of sexiness, intrigue, and an age-old tale of temptation, premiering today with The YBF.Com.

With titles like“Blame Me,” “I Found You,” “Shower Scene,” and the official second single “He Don’t Exist,” this album promises yet another staple in Jaheim’s repertoire. No stranger to personal loss and struggle, Jaheim promised to make Appreciation Day more than just the name of an album, but an invitation for him and his fans to show those that mean the most to them how much they care. With that, he has completed a series of fan appreciations over the past few months. Starting with Mother’s Day and continuing through release day, Jaheim surprises fans with contests, trips, and giveaways. All of these can be seen on his website: http://www.jaheimmusic.com/blog

After a long hiatus, the super crooner is back by popular demand. When asked about his return, Jaheim mentioned that he’s anxious to get back to his fans: “It’s been so long since I’ve had a chance to create music from my heart for the fans that have loved and supported me from the start. I decided to call the project Appreciation Day because that’s exactly what this album is, my show of appreciation to them”.

APPRECIATION DAY NATIONAL TOUR DATES*

14- Nov Cincinnati, OH – Aronoff Center

15 – Nov Louisville, KY – Palace Theatre

16 – Nov Chicago, IL – Arie Crown Theater

17 Nov Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre

21 Nov Columbia, SC – Township

22 Nov Richmond, VA – Landmark Theater

23 Nov Washington, DC – Constitution Hall

24 Nov Philadelphia, PA – Tower Theatre

26 Nov New York, NY – Theater at MSG

27 Nov Baltimore, MD – Lyric Theatre

29 Nov Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

30 Nov Memphis, TN – Orpheum Theater

1 Dec Birmingham, AL – BJCC Concert Hall

6 Dec Houston, TX – Reliant Arena

7 Dec New Orleans, LA – UNO Lakefront

8 Dec Dallas, TX – Verizon Theatre

*Additional Dates May Be Added

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October 7, 2013 · 9:19 am

Playhouse’s SEVEN SPOTS ON THE SUN Earns 5 Star LCT Rating

Gabi Mayorga as Monica & Arturo Soria as Luis. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Gabi Mayorga as Monica & Arturo Soria as Luis. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Panelists for the League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) have recognized Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s SEVEN SPOTS ON THE SUN with a 5 Star Rating.

The Playhouse described SEVEN SPOTS ON THE SUN as “A world premiere fable of revenge and redemption. The citizens of a Latin American village, still reeling from the effects of a brutal civil war, find themselves facing an even more devastating foe: a plague that threatens the most vulnerable among them. A reclusive doctor discovers he has a magical capacity for healing, but it’s his own soul he must mend when he’s faced with a life or death decision.”

Panelists said of Seven Spots on the Sun: “This hauntingly beautiful play by rising young playwright Martin Zimmerman was utterly captivating. Told by an excellent cast comprised of a mini-Greek chorus and main characters, the play ponders the personal stakes of putting one’s body on the line to heal those wounded by war.” Director KJ Sanchez was highly praised; “Her direction brought poignancy to this poetic play…She smartly directed her actors within the space. I felt she gave her actors such a sense of urgency. The stakes were so high that by the end I was I was speechless.” Sound designer Zach Williamson was also singled out for contribution to the production.

Panelists applauded the entire ensemble, who “worked so well together and were so believable.” Gerardo Rodriguez portrayal of Moises was “powerful, restrained, controlled, hinting at the vast reserves of emotion beneath the surface.” Gabi Mayorga was “beautiful” in her role as Monica: “I was stunned by the raw emotion she was capable of in such a small, intimate space.” Finally, Arturo Sorio, as Luis, was commended for his “moving” performance which showed “tremendous range.”

Seven Spots on the Sun continues through October 27th. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.cincyplay.com.

League of Cincinnati Theatre panelists evaluate productions on a 5 star scale and recommend shows at either a 4 star or 5 star level. Nominations for LCT awards will be determined and announced at the end of the season and winners awarded at the annual LCT gala in the spring.

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