Category Archives: Press Releases

March 18, 2024 · 7:01 pm

Adaptation of Best-Selling Novel THE CHOSEN Tells the Story of Two Jewish Boys in 1940s Brooklyn

PIP_The Chosen

Danny Saunders as Hillel Rosenshine & Reuven Malter as Eli Mayer. Photo from Milwaukee Repertory Theater by Mark Frohna.

Classic coming-of-age tale begins previews April 13

CINCINNATI (March 18, 2024) – Cincinnati audiences will experience one of the most profound stories of the 20th century when performances of THE CHOSEN, based on Chaim Potok’s New York Times bestselling novel begins previews April 13. Presented by Linda and Gary Greenburg and Andrea and Dr. Edward Herzig, the hopeful story is a coming-of-age tale about two Jewish boys growing up in 1940s Brooklyn. Opening night is April 18 and performances run through May 12 at Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre.

It’s 1940s Brooklyn where two Jewish boys, Reuven and Danny, are both immersed in the religious instruction of their fathers and the traditions of their disparate communities. They live five blocks from each other but are a world apart. However, fate plays its hand, in the strangest of ways, and forges a life-changing friendship as they grow into adulthood. This heartfelt exploration of Jewish culture and the human ability to reach out across differences. The New York Times called it “a fascinating rumination on the essence of family and wisdom” and the Los Angeles Times called it “deeply emotional.”

“I believe in doing things on stage that are worthwhile, that are worth time, that have the capacity to connect deeply,” said Aaron Posner, who worked with Chaim Potok to adapt his novel for the stage and directs the production. “And this story is a beautiful and worthwhile story about how we find meaning in our lives, how we live in relation to a complicated world, and it’s about coming together across difference.”

Posner has made a prolific career in regional theater, directing across the country, and seeing his plays produced hundreds of times, both here and abroad. In addition to THE CHOSEN, which has been produced across the country to sold-out audiences, Posner wrote a stage adaptation of My Name is Asher Lev.

Of the new production’s timeliness, Posner stated, “I don’t think there’s anything more important for us to be talking about in the world right now than how do we respect other people’s opinions. How do we operate when we’re in passionate disagreement?”

CAST

  • Eli Mayer* as Reuven Malter
  • Hillel Rosenshine* as Danny Saunders
  • Steve Routman* as David Malter
  • Ron Orbach* as Reb Saunders

PRODUCTION

Playwrights – Chaim Potok and Aaron Posner
Director – Aaron Posner
Set Designer – Daniel Conway
Costume Designer – Helen Q. Huang
Lighting Designer – Noele Stollmack
Sound Designer & Original Music – Joshua Schmidt
Casting Director – Jonathan Hetler
Stage Manager – Brooke Redler*
Second Stage Manager – Andrea L. Shell*
Assistant Stage Manager – Brandon T. Holmes*

THE CHOSEN is a Co-Production with Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

TICKETS 
Tickets begin at $35.00. Prices vary and seating location and performance day. Preview performances take place on April 13, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is April 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Regular performances will take place on Tuesday-Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. A weekday matinee will be offered on May 1 at 1 p.m.

To purchase tickets or 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. Patrons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled: dial 711 to connect to the Box Office via Ohio Relay Services.

EVENTS
Preview Performances:
Be among the first to see the show before opening night and save! Preview performance tickets are discounted.

Sat., April 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Tue., April 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Wed., April 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night: 
Share the excitement of Thursday opening nights with a lively post-show cast party.

Thu., April 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Art Talks
(Formerly Meet the Artists), stay after select performances for a behind-the-scenes discussion with members of the artistic team.

Sun., Apr. 21 at 2 p.m.
Thu., Apr. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Wed., May 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Hues Community Night
Join Black influencers, leaders and community members for Hues Community Night at THE CHOSEN, a celebration of theatre, excellence and cultural richness. Enjoy drink specials and an Art Talk with members of the artistic team and of the cast after the show. The evening recognizes Jews of Color Sanctuary for their service to the community.

Tue., May 7 at 7:30 p.m.

PLAYHOUSE PERSPECTIVES EVENTS: 
Playhouse Perspectives is made possible thanks to a generous grant from Barbara and Roderick Barr.

Post-Show Discussions 
Beginning April 19
Following all performances of THE CHOSEN beginning Friday, April 19, members of the artistic team invite audience members to have in-depth discussion about the themes and ideas represented in the play. These will be facilitated by Playhouse staff who will be joined by an expert on the content of the play. Such experts include Dr. Gary P. Zola, Dr. Jordan Finkin and Rabbi Dr. Richard Sarason. These discussions provide an opportunity for patrons to dive deeper into the show’s subject matter and connect with other audience members about their interpretations.

Page to Stage Book Club and Tour
The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center in Cincinnati Union Terminal
Our production of THE CHOSEN is adapted from the popular novel by Chaim Potok. Join us for an in-depth discussion about the book and how it has been adapted for the stage. Following the book club, you’ll have the option to take a custom, guided tour of The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center. Many Holocaust survivors arrived by train at Cincinnati’s historic Union Terminal to rebuild their lives. This tour experience will immerse visitors in a learning environment that reveals stories of local Holocaust survivors through carefully curated artifacts, rare documents, interactive survivor testimonies and poignant films. This event is FREE, and reservations are required.

Mon., April 29
Book Discussion: 6 – 7 p.m.
Optional Tour: 7 – 8 p.m.

Teen Day in collaboration with ish
Join us for a panel discussion featuring Jewish teens talking about friendship, self-discovery and navigating the journey of growing up. From history to stereotypes, they’ll explore intersectionality, identity and how we can understand each other better. Doors for the discussion open at noon with refreshment available for the teens.

ish is a Cincinnati-based community engagement organization centering Jewish arts and cultural traditions as a platform for connecting artists with communities to create new experiences, inspire pride in Jewish and intersectional identity and foster appreciation of Cincinnati history and Jewish peoplehood.

Sun., May 5
Pre-Show Panel Discussion for Teens:  12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Performance of THE CHOSEN: 2 p.m. at a special $20 price for teens

ADVISORY
THE CHOSEN is recommended for teenage and adult audiences. As Reuven and Danny navigate adolescence and young adulthood, they and their fathers discuss complex themes and ideas regarding the Jewish faith, world affairs of the 1940s and other mature issues.

SPONSORS
This production is presented by Linda and Gary Greenburg and Andrea and Dr. Edward Herzig. Production Sponsor is Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati. Honorary Producers are Eddie and Pat Sheppard. Design Sponsor is Diane and Carl Iseman. Artist Sponsors are Fred and Patti Heldman and Mark and Rosemary Schlachter. Additional support provided by the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. Moe and Jack’s Place — The Rouse Theatre Season is presented by Schueler Group. Season Design Sponsor is Kerry Automotive.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of almost 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community 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.

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March 18, 2024 · 6:47 pm

Dive Into Adventure with the Family Series: THE LITTLE MERMAID, April 11-14 at Aronoff Center

CB_The Little Mermaid

Ballet West’s THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo by Ashleigh Porter.

Special sensory-friendly performance April 12, PLUS all shows ASL-Interpreted 

Cincinnati, OH (March 18, 2024) – If you like the movie, you’ll love the ballet! Cincinnati Ballet presents the annual Family Series: The Little Mermaid, April 11-14 at the Aronoff Center. The hour-long, narrated production is perfect for families and dance lovers of all ages. Cincinnati Ballet is also proud to continue its commitment to accessible programming for all with this annual production. In partnership with Cincinnati Children’s, Cincinnati Ballet will offer a sensory-friendly performance on Friday, April 12 at 10:30 am. Sensory-friendly performances are created to provide a supportive and welcoming experience for those with sensory processing challenges to enjoy live ballet with their friends and family. The environment is relaxed and may include lighting, sound, and other production modifications. Electronic devices, fidgets, and other support items are allowed in the theater. Patrons are also permitted to enter and leave the theater during the performance. In addition, every performance of The Little Mermaid will be ASL (American Sign Language) interpreted. Select performances will also be audio-described for patrons who are visually impaired.

The Family Series is performed by the Second Company – CB2 and Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy students. This year, dive into adventure with the classic Hans Christian Anderson tale. It’s the beloved story of a brave, kind mermaid, a devious sea witch, and a handsome prince. The stage will be transformed into an ocean filled with a cast of colorful characters including angelfish, sharks, crabs, and of course, mermaids! Plus, the patron experience starts at the door. The Aronoff Center will become the Mermaid’s Cove, with free sea-themed games, drop-in dance classes crafts, photos, and other activities on all three levels. We are so pleased to welcome families back to the Aronoff for an interactive dance performance created with children in mind. The Little Mermaid features the familiar storyline re-interpreted with incredible dance. The production, choreographed by Pamela Robinson Harris and Peggy Dolkas, is also narrated, making the story easy for even the youngest members of your family to understand and enjoy. The production runs a little over an hour.

Tickets cost $20-$60 and are on sale now. For more information visit cballet.org.

WHO: Cincinnati Ballet

WHAT: Family Series: The Little Mermaid

WHEN:

  • Thursday, April 11 and 7:30 pm
  • Friday, April 12 at 10:30 am (Sensory-friendly) and 7:30 pm
  • Saturday, April 13 at 11 am, 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm
  • Sunday, April 14 at 11 am and 2:30 pm

WHERE: Aronoff Center for the Arts – 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, Ohio

TICKETS: Call 513.621.5282 or visit cballet.org

Cincinnati Ballet 2022-2023 Season Sponsors:
Rhonda & Larry A. Sheakley, Margaret and Michael Valentine, ArtsWave, Mercy Health, Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Ohio Arts Council, The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation

About Cincinnati Ballet
Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Under the artistic direction of Jodie Gates, Cincinnati Ballet is a creative force within the larger dance community, commissioning world-premiere works and exploring unique collaborations. With a mission to enrich, expand, and excel in the art of dance through performance, a high-caliber academy, and impactful education and community engagement in local to global communities, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of dance. To that end, Cincinnati Ballet presents exhilarating performances, provides extensive education and community engagement programs, and offers top-level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy.

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March 17, 2024 · 7:31 pm

THE LIGHT CHASERS at Know Theatre

KTC_Light Chasers“We’ve been searching for our whole lives.”

THE LIGHT CHASERS
by Andrew Hungerford
music & lyrics by Craig Minowa
story by Andrew Hungerford & Jess Hutchinson
based upon the album Light Chasers by Cloud Cult
April 5 – 28, 2024 

Teenage science whiz Nic is stuck on Earth with her practical mom while her beloved dreamer of a father is ten years into an improbable mission to the stars. Nic vows to defy what she’s always been told is possible to bridge light years, get a message to her dad, and reunite her family. 

Coming to Know Theatre: The Light Chasers, an epic, world-premiere theatrical adventure based upon the album Light Chasers by indie orchestral-rock band Cloud Cult.

The Light Chasers is the final MainStage production of the Know’s 26th season, as well as the final show of Andrew Hungerford’s decade-long tenure as Producing Artistic Director.

This emotional, life-affirming journey to the stars – and to all the life on the far side of loss – was developed by Andrew alongside Chicago theatre-maker Jess Hutchinson, and is produced in partnership with the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) Department of Acting.

Who is this show for? 

The Light Chasers is for anyone searching for hope in a broken world.

It’s for anyone who’s been separated from a loved one. It’s for those of us who know what it is to miss, and to grieve, and to heal.

It’s for fans of CCM and rising new talent.

It’s for fans of musicals. It’s for people who loved the Know’s production of Hundred Days or Lizard Boy and want in on the next new thing.

It’s for fans of music. It’s for fans of the band Cloud Cult, and for the people who are about to become fans when they hear the band’s sweeping orchestral indie-rock.

It’s for fans of science fiction, for people who love the thought of a future close enough to reach out and touch.

It’s for anyone who longs to find out what’s possible.

It’s for you.

Let’s go on an adventure:

Leading our cast is an ensemble of young performers from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, all making their Know MainStage debuts: Gabi Adams stars as Nic, with co-stars Staylie Brunner, Nico Graves, Evan Kupersmith, Carson Mehlbauer, Cassandra Reeves, and Lilia Villaflor. 

James Creque plays Nic’s space-explorer father. James’s previous Know appearances include Hearts Like Fists (2015), Hundred Days (2015), The Fisherman’s Wife (2016), Mercury (2019), All’s Faire (2021), The Twunny Fo’ (2022), and Bankers (2023).

Montez O. Jenkins-Copeland appears as Mshauri, the teacher guiding Nic and her peers. Montez was also seen at the Know in Moby Dick (2014), Girlfriend (2016), Red Bike (2019), and Theatre: A Love Story (2021).

Rounding out the cast in her Know Theatre onstage debut is Sarah Summerwell as Chris, Nic’s down-to-earth mom who’s trying to keep the family together. Sarah has previously served as vocal and dialect coach on shows including Dickless (2023), and serves on the faculty at CCM.

The Light Chasers features movement choreography by CCM faculty member L. Lucía Duque, whose previous work with the Know includes Ensemble & Movement Director for All-One! The Dr. Bronner’s Play (2023).

The Light Chasers is based on the album Light Chasers by Minnesota orchestral-indie-folk-rock band Cloud Cult, fronted by Craig Minowa. Cloud Cult eschews recording with conventional labels, instead independently releasing music via their environmentally-conscious record label Earthology Records. Hailed as one of the Top 10 Green Bands by Rolling Stone, the band’s philosophical lyrics and unique sound has been praised by critics as “insane genius” (Pitchfork) and “an invocation of the lifeforce” (New York Times).

Jess Hutchinson joins Andrew Hungerford to co-direct The Light Chasers. Jess is a Chicago-based director, dramaturg, educator, and producer whose work has been seen across the country. She was the artistic director of Chicago’s New Leaf Theatre from 2007 to 2012 and co-founded groundswell, a new play development company, in 2015; she’s also taught at DePaul University, Northern Illinois University, and North Park University.

producing Director Andrew Hungerford had this to say,

“This show is a dream project for me, one ten years in the making. It encompasses nearly everything I love about theatre: connection and music and movement and broad and deep collaboration. I’m so grateful to Craig Minowa of Cloud Cult for letting us run with his epic music, to my collaborator Jess Hutchinson, and the whole cast and production team for coming together to make an adventure to remember. We can’t wait to share it with you.” 

The Light Chasers runs April 5 – 28. Tickets are available on our website, knowtheatre.com, or by calling our box office at 513-300-5669.

Special Note: Evening performances at the Know for Season 26 are at 7:30! Our Underground Bar will open at 6:30 for evening shows this season; come by early for specialty cocktails and conversation before or after your show. 

CAST

  • Gabi Adams as Nic
  • Staylie Brunner as Robin
  • James Creque as the Pilot
  • Nico Graves as Charlie
  • Montez O. Jenkins-Copeland as Mshauri
  • Evan Kupersmith as Blake
  • Carson Mehlbauer as Ellis
  • Cassandra Reeves as Kai
  • Sarah Summerwell as Chris
  • Lilia Villaflor as Quinn 

PRODUCTION TEAM

  • Directors: Andrew J. Hungerford & Jess Hutchinson
  • Asst. Directors: A.J. Baldwin & Becca Anderson
  • Scenic & Lighting Designer: Andrew J. Hungerford
  • Costume Designer: Noelle Wedig-Johnston
  • Props Designer: Danielle Robison
  • Sound & Projections Designer: Douglas J. Borntrager
  • Orchestrator & Music Director: Rob Stark
  • Movement Director: L. Lucía Duque
  • Technical Director: Jim Stark
  • Stage Manager: Grace Wohlschlegel 

AT A GLANCE

Production: The Light Chasers, by Andrew Hungerford. Music & lyrics by Craig Minowa

Dates: April 5 – 28, 2024. Wed-Saturday at 7:30 pm. Saturday April 6 & 27, Sundays at 3:00pm.
Where: Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson Street in Over-the-Rhine.
Livestreaming on select dates beginning April 10.

Themes: sci-fi · adventure · hope · family · indie rock

Tickets: Know is general admission, with Pay What You Wish tiered ticket pricing. Low cost admission is $25, standard ticket price is $35 and audiences may opt to support the Know’s initiative to pay all artists and employees a living wage by selecting the $45 Living Wage Ticket.

On Wednesdays, as part of a program we call “The Welcome Experiment,” tickets are $10 in advance, or FREE at the door.

Know Theatre is Cincinnati’s Theatrical Playground. The Know showcases unexpected voices, new works, and plays that embrace the inherent theatricality of the live experience. Know Theatre seeks to be a place where artists and audiences feel welcome to take artistic risks, creating work that is cutting edge and accessible.

Know Theatre’s work is made possible, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign. 

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Know Theatre with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

Know Theatre is also supported by the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, which provides a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving

 Know Theatre is a member of Theatre Communications Group and an Associate Member of the National New Play Network.

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March 13, 2024 · 9:43 pm

Cincinnati Ballet Present s MECURIAL LANDSCAPES, April 5-7 at Aronoff Center

CB_Mecural LandscapesWorld premiere by Rena Butler with costumes by Cincinnati designer Asha Ama Bias-Daniels

Cincinnati, OH (March 12, 2024) – Cincinnati Ballet presents Mercurial Landscapes, April 5 –7 at the Aronoff Center. The production features contemporary work from three choreographers – Rena Butler, Jodie Gates, and Jiří Kylián. Cincinnati Ballet is proud to present a world premiere featuring the work of two dynamic African-American women with Bloom, created by Rena Butler, choreographic associate for the progressive Gibney Dance Company in New York, with costume design by Cincinnati native Asha Ama Bias-Daniels; the title work, Mercurial Landscapes, created by choreographer Jodie Gates, set to Max Richter’s ethereal re-composition of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons; and Petit Mort and Sechs Tänze, set to the music of Mozart by Jiří Kylián, world renowned artistic director of Nederlands Dans Theater.

Choreographer Rena Butler, called ‘the epitome of contemporary cool’ by Dance Magazine, presents her world premiere, Bloom. “Bloom is an ode to the collective experience women have had since the beginning of time – the pressure to perpetually make ourselves smaller for societal norms: a man, a lover, our families, our peers, or our careers,” Butler said. “This work seeks to encourage our audience to reflect on the ways we dim our own light to make others more comfortable and explores the pain found within the constant search of finding our voice and the courage to break free from the confines we are put in: an ode to the women that weren’t able to acquire the freedom to be expansive and honor their sacrifice by doing what they couldn’t, bloom.” Asha Ama Bias-Daniels is a fashion designer and artist born and raised in Avondale. As a Black woman, Asha said she often found herself misunderstood, stereotyped, and misidentified. She was able to navigate the fashion world and survive because she was raised with a great knowledge of self that she tries to impart to others through her designs. As a couture designer, Asha has created pieces for a diverse range of artists from Zendaya to Little Big Town. Asha also appeared on two seasons of the hit show, Project Runway. “Working with Rena was ‘love at first sight!’ Rena has been a dream collaborator,” Bias-Daniels said. “She is a young, Black woman at the height of innovation in her industry. Like myself, she breathes meaning into her work. We came up with the concept for this original piece the last time we got together for drinks. Laughing and crying about the times we’ve conquered great mountains in our careers but found ourselves shrinking our greatness to make others comfortable and having a great accomplishment soured by an unsupportive partner. This led to a bigger conversation about how we owe it to the women that came before us, that didn’t have the freedom to be big, to honor their sacrifice by being larger than life. I have never designed from a place of practicality. I must be inspired by a greater message and then work my way backwards into how to create that vision. Designing for dance is no different. We came up with the concept and I had to feel what that looked like. The design process is always fluid for me. I will be sitting in on some of Rena’s sessions with the dancers to gain inspiration before draping the more organic pieces of my designs for this collaboration.”

Renowned choreographer Jiri Kylián created a pair of works set to the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Jiri Kylián choreographed Petit Mort for the Salzburg Festival to commemorate the second centenary of Mozart’s death. For his work, he chose the slow parts of two of Mozart’s most beautiful and popular piano concertos. Kylián remarked, ‘This deliberate choice should not be seen as a provocation or thoughtlessness – rather as my way to acknowledge the fact that I am living and working as part of a world where nothing is sacred, where brutality and arbitrariness are common places.’ The choreography includes twelve dancers and six foils. The foils have the function to be actual dance partners, and at times seem more unruly and obstinate than a human partner. They visualize a symbolism which is more present than a story line. Aggression, sexuality, energy, silence, cultivated senselessness, and vulnerability – they all play a significant part. Sechs Tänze is a whimsical take on the aristocratic era also set to the music of Mozart. Filled with sophisticated precision, this fanciful romp is poetic and playful, featuring moveable set pieces made to look like 17th century ballgowns and corseted costumes with period wigs and makeup.

Jodie Gates originally created the title work, Mercurial Landscapes, for Ballet West in 2013. The work, which plays with precision and fluidity, is set to the iconic music of Vivaldi.

Tickets for Mercurial Landscapes are on sale now. For more information, visit http://www.cballet.org.

WHO: Cincinnati Ballet
WHAT: Mercurial Landscapes
WHEN:

  • Friday, April 5 at 7:30 pm
  • Saturday, April 6 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm
  • Sunday, April 7 at 1 pm

WHERE: Aronoff Center for the Arts, Jarson-Kaplan Theater
650 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, Ohio

TICKETS: Call 513.621.5282 or visit cballet.org

Cincinnati Ballet 2023-2024 Season Sponsors:
PNC, Margaret and Michael Valentine, ArtsWave, H.B., E.W. & F.R. Luther Foundation, Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Ohio Arts Council, The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation

About Cincinnati Ballet
Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Cincinnati Ballet is a creative force within the larger dance community, commissioning world-premiere works and exploring unique collaborations. With a mission to enrich, expand, and excel in the art of dance through performance, a high-caliber academy, and impactful education and community engagement in local to global communities, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of dance. To that end, Cincinnati Ballet presents exhilarating performances, provides extensive education and community engagement programs, and offers top-level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig
Academy

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March 13, 2024 · 6:55 am

DANCING FOR THE STARS 2024 | Sat., April 20 | Music Hall Ballroom

CAA_Dancing with the Stars 2024SEASON SIXTEEN

(CINCINNATI, OH) – Who will be voted Cincinnati’s best celebrity dancer?  Which stars have the right moves to rule the dance floor?  Find out on Saturday, April 20, 2024 when the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) celebrates season sixteen of its annual fundraiser Dancing for the Stars at the Music Hall Ballroom to benefit CAA’s Overture Awards – the nation’s largest locally run high school arts scholarship competition – and Arts Education Programs. 

Inspired by the hit ABC-TV show Dancing with the Stars, Dancing for the Stars will feature six Cincinnati celebrities paired with some of the area’s finest professional dancers in a competition program at which the audience will vote for their favorite celebrity dancer. The competitive dance theme will be Broadway and each dance pair will have ninety seconds to woo the crowd and the judges.

In addition, Dancing for the Stars will feature:

  • Dance music by guest on-air DJ “JD Hughes,” 103.5 WGRR-FM
  • Pre-event reception
  • Open dancing before and after the competition
  • Lite bites provided by some of Cincinnati’s finest restaurants and caterers
  • Cash bar

In addition to the winner of the dance competition, Dancing for the Stars will crown a Fundraising Champion – the celebrity dancer who raises the most revenue toward the event’s fundraising goal through table/ticket sales and donations. Fans may add a donation under their favorite celebrity’s name at the time of ticket purchase, or simply donate if they cannot attend the event. These direct donations (outside of the event ticket price) will help one of the fans’ favorite celebrities win the Dancing for the Stars Fundraising Champion award (which will be announced the evening of the event) and are 100% tax deductible.

Tickets are currently on sale at the following levels (a portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible):

  • $150 – Patron (pre-event reception and two drink tickets)
  • $200­ – Premium (pre-event reception and open bar)
  • $1,500 – Corporate Table (ten Patron level tickets and a half-page program ad)
  • $2,000 – Celebrity Circle Table (ten Premium level tickets, full-page program ad, event signage, and seating within the first two rows)

RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION:

THE STARS:

  • Scott Allgyer (Owner, Studio 900)
  • Alex Johns (Real Estate Agent, Coldwell Banker)
  • Dr. Hali Jungers (Veterinarian, Newport Aquarium)
  • Dr. Magdalena Kerschner (Board certified Anesthesiologist and Aesthetic Medicine Physician;  Founder, Victory Wellness and Medspa – Cincinnati, OH and Naples, FL)
  • Deb Schubert (Health Care Professional Marketing, Procter & Gamble)
  • Zack Thornton (Director, Advisory Services, Fidelity Investments) 

THE PROS (WITH STAR PAIRING):  

  • James Branham (Arthur Murray Dance Studio — West Chester) – Deb Schubert
  • Bonita Brockert (Independent Dance Instructor) – Alex Johns
    Maura Garuccio (Independent Dance Instructor) – Scott Allgyer
    Jeremy Mainous (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Cincinnati) – Dr. Magdalena Kerschner
    Josh Tilford (Dance Manor) – Dr. Hali Junger
    Melissa Vaughn (Arthur Murray Dance Studio – Cincinnati) – Zack Thornton 

THE HOSTS:  Chris O’Brien & Janeen Coyle 

THE JUDGES:   

  • Douglas Beal (Independent Dance Instructor)
  • Sebastian Castillo (General Manager, Prime Cincinnati; Dancing for the Stars 2022 Dance Champion)
  • Bret Schneider (Owner, WOW Windowboxes; Dancing for the Stars 2022 Fundraising Champion)
  • Britton Spitler as Brock Leah Spears (Project Manager – ADM; Dancing for the Stars 2023 Dance Champion)

EVENT COMMITTEE:  Doreen Beatrice, Michael Betz, Amal Daoud, Terry Foster, Jill Jansen, Ginger Loftin, Rosemary Schlachter, and Dr. Tracey Skale

EVENT SPONSORS:  TriHealth (Presenting Sponsor), Arthur Murray – Cincinnati, Arthur Murray – West Chester, Bonita Brockert, Maura Garuccio, Josh Tilford 

FIFTEEN SEASONS OF DANCING FOR THE STARS WINNERS:

  • 2007:    Dr. O’dell Owens (former Hamilton County Coroner)
  • 2008:    Jenell Walton (former WCPO-TV9 Anchor and Reporter)
  • 2009:    Phil Schworer (past President, Cincinnati Bar Association; Environmental Lawyer, Frost, Brown and Todd)
  • 2010:    Donna Speigel (Owner, The Snooty Fox)
  • 2011:    Dr. Tracey Skale (Chief Medical Officer, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services)
  • 2012:    Regina Russo (former Director of Marketing and Communications, Cincinnati Art Museum)
  • 2013:    Chris Seelbach (Cincinnati City Councilman)
  • 2014:    Neal Schulte (Founder & President, Schulte Financial Group, LLC)
  • 2015:    Johnny Chu (Owner, AmerAsia Kungfood Restaurant)
  • 2016:    Jay Lame (Financial Analyst, Lenox Wealth Management)
  • 2017:    Rohan Hemani (Procter & Gamble Fabric Care Intrapenuer)
  • 2018:    Dr. Marcia Bowling (Gynecologic Oncology, Oncology Hematology Care, Inc.)
  • 2019:    Halle Quinn (Community Volunteer)
  • 2022:    Sebastian Castillo (General Manager, Prime Cincinnati)
  • 2023:    Britton Spitler as Brock Leah Spears (Project Manager – ADM)

NOTE:  There was no event in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CINCINNATI ARTS ASSOCIATION’S ARTS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
CAA’s Education Department promotes life-long learning through its programs, which are diverse, multidisciplinary, and accessible to all ages and cultural groups. SchoolTime presents a series of programs that feature nationally recognized artists at CAA’s two venues (the Aronoff Center and Music Hall), and Artists on Tour brings the finest local artists in the region to Tri-state schools for interactive arts experiences aligned with the curriculum.

The Overture Awards Scholarship Competition is the largest locally run arts scholarship competition in the country. The program annually provides a $3,000 scholarship to six area high school students for education and training, with eighteen finalists each winning a $1,000 scholarship. Each year, students from across the Tri-state region are nominated by their schools to compete in one of six artistic disciplines: Creative Writing, Dance, Instrumental Music, Theater, Visual Art, or Vocal Music. There are three levels of competition: Regional, Semi-Finals, and Final.

The Overture Awards was developed to recognize, encourage, and reward excellence in the arts among Tri-state students in grades 9-12. It also provides students an opportunity to share their talents and interests among their peers in a supportive environment outside of their individual schools.  Now in its 28th year, The Overture Awards was launched in 1996 by the Cinergy Foundation and Leadership Cincinnati (a Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce program).

Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of two of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves more than 600,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies, including Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony/Pops Orchestras, May Festival, and Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati, presented by TriHealth. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than million students.

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