Category Archives: Press Releases

First Staged Production of THE WHISTLER to Premiere at New Cincinnati Theater Space

First production at new multi-purpose theater space in the heart of downtown Cincinnati premieres May 24, 2012 

CINCINNATI –Producers Tim Waldrip, Carol Brammer and Paul Baerman are proud to present THE WHISTLER, written by Mr. Baerman, directed by Mr. Waldrip, and starring Actors Equity Association member Michael G. Bath. The cast also includes Carol Brammer, Tony Davis, Carter Bratton, Gerri Sutyak, and Michael Wolfe. Performances begin May 24, 2012 at the new Speakeasy Theatre, 815 Race St.

THE WHISTLER takes place in 1965 in an unnamed Southern city where the neighbors enjoy running pickaninnies off the road. With the Andy Griffith Show in its fifth season, professional whistler Henry has a steady royalty income though he hasn’t worked in years. His wife wants to move to New York to further her career as a page-turner; his 14-year old son wants to undermine the military-industrial complex, and for his parents to stop quarreling. Enter an edgy washed-up trumpet player who is drawn by Henry’s talent but reluctant to show himself; he’s been burned by white men too many times before. But he may be the one person whose heart is as pure and terrible as Henry’s own.

Making its premiere in Cincinnati, which was chosen because of the city’s complex racial history – making it a particularly appropriate setting for a play set amid the tensions of the Civil Rights movement – THE WHISTLER will be staged at the brand new Speakeasy Theatre. Located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, near the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and just across from The Phoenix, the Speakeasy Theatre is an exciting new multi-purpose venue that will not only be used for theater performances but also rehearsals, art showings, and music performances.

Performances are May 24-June 10 at 8 P.M. Tickets are $15 and are available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/247074.

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Music Hall Loses Roger Adams, Technical Director

Roger Adams,
Music Hall Technical Director
January 1, 1944 – May 14, 2012
Music Hall loses beloved friend, advocate, and craftsman

The Cincinnati Arts Association, the Music Hall resident arts organizations, and friends and family of Music Hall mourn the loss of Roger Adams, Music Hall’s beloved Technical Director since 1994. Roger died at his home on Monday, May 14.

Born on New Year’s Day in 1944, the youngest of five children, Roger was the son of a stone mason, who apprenticed to learn his father’s trade. In January of 1960, he began working with Cincinnati’s stagehand Union (IATSE Local 5), a decision that would lead to a life-long career in the entertainment industry. An active member of Local 5, Roger served as an officer and executive board member, and under his stewardship the Union established its health and welfare fund.

His years as a journeyman included work at most of the city’s concert venues (including the since demolished Albee and Palace Theaters) and the now legendary Cincinnati Opera performances that were held at the Cincinnati Zoo Pavilion, where he fondly recalled the often chaotic mix of classical music and wild animals. He spent several years at Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park as a carpenter, but Music Hall was the place he most enjoyed working, and where he perfected his skills under then Technical Director Roy Hopper. From set and scenery construction to countless creative projects for Music Hall’s resident companies, Roger was a talented carpenter with a reputation for being able to fix any problem, often under time constraints that seemed insurmountable. Behind the scenes, Roger was the real “star of the show,” coordinating load-ins, stage setups, crews and load-outs for virtually every show – from Opera, Symphony, May Festival, and Ballet productions to Bruce Springsteen, Prince, the White Stripes, and Garrison Keillor, to name just a few.

An avid gun collector and hunter, Roger also enjoyed participating in the popular “ghost tours” of Music Hall. Like the late Maestro Erich Kunzel, he firmly believed that Music Hall was haunted, based on his firsthand experiences while working in the theater. He was featured in several programs about Music Hall, and was generous in sharing his recollections about the theater’s history. Roger will be remembered as a dedicated employee, talented craftsman, and loyal friend by the building staff and resident companies he served so well during his tenure as Technical Director, and by countless other people he worked with over the years.

Roger is survived by his wife Diana Vandergriff Adams, son Roger G. Adams, brother Edward Adams, sister Florence Long, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to: Society for the Preservation of Music Hall, 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday May 19, 2012 at Music Hall Lobby from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

Thoughts about Roger Adams from…

Cincinnati Arts Association
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of a wonderful and valued member of our staff and family. Roger will forever be a meaningful part of Music Hall’s history, and will be remembered for his more than forty years of committed service to this historic venue, nearly twenty years of which as its technical director. A great advocate for Music Hall and a terrific craftsman, Roger’s love for this wonderful facility and commitment to its world class performances are unsurpassed. Our thoughts and prayers of support go out to his family, friends and colleagues. He will be greatly missed.” – Steve Loftin, President and Executive Director, Cincinnati Arts Association

Cincinnati Ballet
“Roger was part of our Cincinnati Ballet family and his unexpected passing is extremely saddening. He was a staple at Music Hall for over fifty years and in his time there, he worked backstage on many of our productions. Roger is also the late husband of our Wardrobe Mistress, Diana Vandergriff Adams. We are keeping the entire Adams and Vandergriff families in our thoughts. He will be missed throughout our building and the entire Cincinnati arts community.” – Missie Santomo, Managing Director, Cincinnati Ballet

Cincinnati Opera
“On Monday, May 21, Roger Adams would have begun his 53rd season of working with Cincinnati Opera. If you paid attention, you could always learn something from him—how to tie a particular knot, or how to safely hang a 2-ton scenic piece, and a lot of really good stuff in between. Over the years, we faced tasks that seemed impossible, given the time and manpower available to make it happen. But Roger never faltered. He complained a little—well, a lot—but he kept at it until he got it working. That was his way.” – Glenn Plott, Director of Production, Cincinnati Opera

Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestras
“This is a great loss to the arts community in Cincinnati. Roger touched many lives in his years of behind-the-scenes work at Music Hall. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.” – Joe Hopper, Technical Director and Stage Manager, Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestras

IATSE Local 5 – Cincinnati Stagehand Union
“Roger will be remembered with gratitude and affection by all his brothers and sisters in IATSE Local 5, as well as all who worked with him at Music Hall. Roger’s dedication and commitment to Music Hall, the arts community, and Local 5 will not be forgotten.” – Thomas L. Guidugli, Business Representative, Cincinnati Stage Employees

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Director Names Cast of LOVE KNOTS

World Premiere June 1-8, 2012 at Cincinnati Fringe Festival

Co-Director of Essex Theatre Arts Studio (ETAS) Bob Allen has announced that he will direct a cast of fifteen tri-state actors to perform the world premiere of
LOVE KNOTS (a love-fest of short plays) by Kentucky playwright Philip Paradis

Cincinnati, OH (May 12, 2012) Co-Director of Essex Theatre Arts Studio (ETAS) Bob Allen has announced that he will direct a cast of fifteen tri-state actors to perform the world premiere of LOVE KNOTS (a love-fest of short plays) by Kentucky playwright Philip Paradis. The ninety-minute show LOVE KNOTS, which is a compilation of five short comedies dealing with love’s manifestations and complications, will be presented by Essex Theatre Arts Studio and the 2012 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. The five performances of Love Knots will be presented at the Emery Theatre, 1112 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.

“We have a tremendously talented cast,” says Allen. “In addition to nine local actors active in the area theatre scene, we have six students from The Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Drama Department. I’m pleased to be working with all of them on this premier of LOVE KNOTS by Phil Paradis, who is a talented up-and-coming new playwright.”

Selected for the LOVE KNOTS cast are the following actors:

Paul Eisenman, of Cincinnati, OH, last month debuted his one-man show The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Enlightenment at the Westwood Town Hall Theater. Prior outings include the title role in Visiting Mr. Green, Brabantio in Othello, Aimable in The Baker’s Wife, and Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz.

Ryan Fissel, from Youngstown, OH, is completing a Master of Humanities degree with a concentration on literature and writing, from Tiffin University. Favorite roles include Brad Majors in The Rocky Horror Show, Jimmy Curry in The Rainmaker, Linus in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Hero in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Eric Birling in An Inspector Calls, Charlie in Marvin’s Room, and Victor in Cabaret.

Mindy Heithaus, of Westchester, OH, is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University’s Theatre Program. She has appeared in Night of the Iguana, Darker, Singin’ in the Rain, Steel Magnolias, Crimes of the Heart, and Lend Me a Tenor. Recently she appeared in New Edgecliff Theatre’s Reasons To Be Pretty.

Marisa Holzman, of Highland Heights, KY, is a senior BFA Theatre major at Northern Kentucky University, graduating in December 2012. This is her second Fringe; last year she was in Body Speaks and was stage manager for Darker. She has worked with Clear Stage Cincinnati, Cincinnati Actor’s Studio, and New Edgecliff Theatre.

Connor Lawrence, of Bowling Green, KY, is a sophomore at The Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music pursuing a BFA in dramatic performance. He was with the Public Theater of Kentucky and Fountain Square Players in To Kill a Mockingbird (Jem Finch), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), The Diary of Anne Frank (Peter Van Daan), and Death of a Salesman (Bernard).

Barbara Manning, of Florence, KY has been active in theater for many years. Her acting credits include Mrs. Peachum (Threepenny Opera), Maria Vasilyevna (Uncle Vanya), Reverend Mother (Nunsense). In readings with husband Tom, she has explored the love letters of John and Abigail Adams, and Abelard and Heloise.

Tom Manning, of Florence, KY has directed over ninety plays in university, summer stock and off-off-Broadway venues. Tom is a veteran actor and has performed various roles for Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, The Human Race Theatre, and Indianapolis Shakespeare Festival, The Drama Workshop, and Showboat Majestic, among others.

Madeline McKenzie, of Fort Collins, CO, is a junior in The Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Drama Department. She was recently seen in Ulysses as the Irishman and in Transmigration 2012: Booth as Mary Surratt.

Rachel Mock, of Cincinnati, OH was recently seen in New Edgecliff Theatre’s Reasons to be Pretty (Steph), and The Children’s Theatre’s touring show City of Immigrants (Katerina). Other credits: Cinderella Waltz (Regan), Necessary Targets (Zlata), Whales! Save Us! (Zuzu), and Steel Magnolias (Clairee).

Callie Schuttera, of Landen, OH, is about to begin her senior year as a dramatic performance major at The Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She was in Coram Boy and in Ulysses. In last year’s Cincinnati Fringe, Callie played Josephine in Opal Opus: Journey to Alakazoo, which was winner of the Audience Pick of the Fringe 2011.

Nick Tsangaris, a native of Indianapolis, IN, and recent Xavier University graduate, has played Joe Pitt in Angels in America, CB in Dog Sees God, Ted in Spooky Dog and the Teenage Gang Mysteries, and Sergeant of Police in Pirates of Penzance.

Sarah Vargo, of Mansfield, OH, is a junior at The Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Drama Department. Some of her past credits include: Thomasina Coverly in Arcadia, CCM Drama; Miss Price in Coram Boy, CCM Drama; and Penny Sycamore in You Can’t Take it With You, Lexington Theatre.

Nathan Wallace, of Tupelo, MS, recently finished his first year at The Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music studying dramatic performance. Some of his credits include: A Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit), Once Upon a Mattress (King Sextimus), Lucky Stiff (Lugi de Gaudi), Gepetto and Son (Stromboli), The Drowsy Chaperone (Gangster), and Alice and Wonderland (Mad Hatter).

Anne Wrider, of Cincinnati, OH has been involved in community theater for the last fifteen years, mostly in Cincinnati. Her favorite roles have been Big Mama (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), Kate Keller (All My Sons), Mary Pendarves (Joyful Noise) and Clairee Belcher (Steel Magnolias).

Trey Wright from Louisville, KY, a Freshman Drama Major at The Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, has played Exeter in CCM’s The Civil War, Jim in Youth Performing Arts School’s Big River, Axel in The Nerd, and the Emperor in My Emperor’s New Clothes.

The 2012 Cincinnati Fringe Festival is a Know Theatre Production and runs from May 29-June 9th. All tickets are $12. For more information or tickets: www.cincyfringe.com/tickets/ or call 513.300.KNOW (5669).

For more details, contact:
Blueline Editorial LLC
407 Vine St. #298
Cincinnati, OH 45202
bizwriters@fuse.net

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The Showboat Presents ARSENIC AND OLD LACE

The Showboat Majestic Presents
ARSENIC AND OLD LACE By Joe Kesselring

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
Show Dates: June 13 – July 1, 2012

We meet the charming and innocent ladies who populate their cellar with the remains of socially and religiously “acceptable” roomers; the antics of their brother who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt; and the murderous activities of the psychotic other brother, Jonathon. ARSENIC AND OLD LACE is a ready-made comedy hit. Elizabeth A. Harris, Director; Carissa Gandenberger, Production Stage Manager

Cast Includes: Stephen Samuels (Mortimer Brewster), Cindy Head (Elaine Harper), Elaine Eckstein (Abby Brewster), Deb Holthus (Martha Brewster), Jim Rogers (Jonathan Brewster), Jim Waldfogle (Dr. Einstein), Mike Hall (Teddy Brewster(, Dave Woellert (Mr. Witherspoon), Stephen Marck (Office O’Hara), Darryl Hilton (Lieutenant Rooney), Tom Durkin (Mr. Gibbs), Bob Allen (Dr. Reverend Harper), Jeffery Tyler Boothe (Office Klein) and Brian Donaldson (Office Brophy)

Complete Performance Dates Include:

  • Wed. June 13th – Thurs. June 14th – Fri. June 15th – Sat. June 16th – Sun. June 17th
  • Wed. June 20th – Thurs. June 21st – Fri. June 22nd – Sat. June 23rd – * Sun. June 23rd
  • Wed. June 27th – Thurs. June 28th – Fri. June 29th – Sat. June 30th – Sun. July 1st

Performance Times: Wednesday – Saturday at 8:00pm, Sunday at 2:00pm.
*There will also be a 7 pm show on Sunday, June 23rd.

Tickets: $18.00 for Adults, $17.00 for Seniors and Students. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com or by calling the box office at 513 241 6550.

For more information, contact the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, (513) 241 – 6550.

Check us out on the web @ www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com.

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Aziz Ansari: Buried Alive Tour | Sat., June 9 | Aronoff Center

SATURDAY, JUNE 9TH at 7:30 p.m.
On Sale Friday, May 11, at 10:00 a.m.

Cincinnati, OH – Live Nation welcomes comedian Aziz Ansari to the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall on Saturday, June 9th, 2012 at 8pm.

All Tickets are $39.00 and go on sale May 11 at 10:00 a.m. at CincinnatiArts.org, LiveNation.com, (513) 621-2787, and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office.
All tickets subject to applicable service charges and fees.
Dates and times subject to change without notice.

Ansari has quickly established his presence in the comedy world. He is currently starring in a popular television series, is developing a number of films and will soon debut his second hour-long standup special. The Hollywood Reporter said that he “has become one of the most prolific writers and performers on the comedy scene in recent years” and Rolling Stone recently placed him on the cover of their special comedy issue labeling him “the funniest man under 30.” In addition, Paste Magazine has named him one of the “Top 10 Comedians of the Decade.” Ansari also wrapped a much buzzed about gig as the host of the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.

Ansari co-stars opposite of Amy Poehler in the Emmy nominated NBC series Parks and Recreation, which is currently in its fourth season. The series received its first Emmy nomination in 2011 for “Outstanding Comedy Series.” Ansari’s portrayal of government employee Tom Haverford, has earned him much critical praise including Entertainment Weekly naming him one of their “Breakout TV Stars,” TV Guide naming him a “Scene Stealer” and Yahoo! TV placing him in the number one spot on their list of “TV MVPS: The Most Valuable Performers of the Fall Season.” People Magazine recently named him 2011’s “Funniest Dude in Prime Time.”

Ansari is also keeping busy in the film world and was most recently seen starring in the action comedy 30 Minutes or Less opposite Jesse Eisenberg and Danny McBride. He will next voice a character in Twentieth Century Fox’s Ice Age: Continental Drift. Mandate Pictures also picked up a comedy feature pitch by Ansari and Matt Hubbard, which he will star in alongside Danny McBride. Additionally, Ansari is developing three films for Judd Apatow and Universal with Director Jason Woliner. The collaboration with Apatow began on Universal’s Funny People, where Ansari created the popular character of ‘Raaaaaaaandy,’ who went on to become a viral hit on FunnyOrDie.com. Ansari also appears in Get Him to the Greek alongside Russell Brand, Jonah Hill and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, as a co-worker of Hill’s character. He has had roles in the hit comedies I Love You, Man and Observe and Report.

In 2010, Ansari released an hour-long standup special on Comedy Central titled Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening. The special and subsequent DVD/CD were both extremely successful and the album continues to be a mainstay on iTunes’ comedy best-seller list. Ansari has also become a regular on the late night circuit with recent memorable appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Ansari recently wrapped up a major multi-city standup tour called the “Dangerously Delicious Tour” and will soon release this as another hour-long standup special. He began performing standup in 2001 while attending NYU and continues to perform at venues all over the world today. In 2005, Rolling Stone named him their choice for “Hot Standup” on their annual Hot List, and he was also awarded the Jury Award for Best Standup at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen in 2006.

Ansari first came to audience’s attention on MTV’s hit sketch comedy series Human Giant. The series is based around short films starring Ansari, along with Rob Huebel and Paul Scheer. Many of their sketches have become internet sensations and have popularized the trio with young people all across the U.S. Ansari also had a very memorable guest starring role on HBO’s Flight of the Conchords, in which he portrayed a racist fruit vendor and was seen in a multi-episode arc on Scrubs.

About Live Nation Entertainment:
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE-LYV) is the largest live entertainment company in the world, consisting of five businesses: concert promotion and venue operations, sponsorship, ticketing solutions, e-commerce and artist management. Live Nation seeks to innovate and enhance the live entertainment experience for artists and fans: before, during and after the show. In 2009, Live Nation sold 140 million tickets, promoted 21,000 concerts, partnered with 850 sponsors and averaged 25 million unique monthly users of its e-commerce sites. For additional information, visit www.livenation.com/investors.

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