Category Archives: Press Releases

December 21, 2023 · 5:29 pm

2024 ACT/OCTAFest is Moving

ACT_theatreACT Cincinnati, you spoke, and we listened! We have super exciting news to share with you about the 2024 ACT/OCTAFest Regional Convention that we know you’re going to absolutely love.

For ACT’s 69th anniversary, we are proud to announce that we have two brand-new venues, both within the I-275 loop and both right next door to one another. 

We will be using Princeton High School’s gorgeous, state-of-the-art, and recently renovated Matthews Auditorium for the 2024 excerpts. Our Saturday night banquet, awards ceremony, and party will be right across the street adjacent to the parking lot at the Delta Hotels by Marriott—an easy 10-minute walk from Princeton High. 

ACT_BanquetThe Marriott’s banquet room has significantly more room than the Embassy Suites and will allow those who are only attending the awards and party to sit at a table versus having to sit along the side of the room. The hotel room rates remain low at $119 a night, and we’ll be having a buffet-style dinner instead of a sit-down dinner to allow people to pick and choose their meal for one low price.

We are giddy about this year’s regional convention, and we owe it all to our masterful and tenacious negotiator, 1st VP Amanda Emmons Shumate. She took your feedback to heart and made all these wonderful changes happen! 

Mark your calendars now for June 15 – 17, 2024, and start preparing for an amazing regional convention!

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December 20, 2023 · 11:34 am

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s 24-25 MainStage Season

TCTC_2024-2025 SeasonComing to the Taft Theatre 

Cincinnati – The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) brings an exciting 24-25 Season full of magic to the Taft Theatre stage.

The season will open with DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR., a tale as old as time featuring some of the most recognizable songs in the Disney songbook. Back by popular demand after TCT’s 2018 production, SANTA CLAUS: THE MUSICAL will delight audiences during the holiday season. The popular children’s book leaps off the page, with a twist of circus elements, in DR. SEUSS’S CAT IN THE HAT. Finally, the season will close with the “coolest” story of sisterhood and courage, DISNEY’S FROZEN JR.

TCT’s 24-25 MainStage Season at the Taft Theatre:

DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR.: October 12 – 21, 2024

SANTA CLAUS: THE MUSICAL: December 7 – 16, 2024

DR. SEUSS’ CAT IN THE HAT: February 15 – 24, 2025

DISNEY’S FROZEN JR.: April 25 – May 4, 2025

DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR.
Public Performances: October 12 & 13, 18 – 20, 2024
Ideal for ages 4+

About the Show:
The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end, and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

Credits: Music by Alan Menken. Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice. Book by Linda Woolverton. Originally Directed by Robert Jess Roth. Originally Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.

SANTA CLAUS: THE MUSICAL
Public Performances: December 7 & 8, 13 – 15, 2024
Ideal for ages 4+

About the Show:
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! It’s Christmas Eve, and after 1,000 years of faithful service, Santa and Mrs. Claus announce their decision to hang up the big red suit and train a replacement. Enter Nick: a website designer and single dad to tech-savvy daughter, Bee. With pressures mounting–and a jealous, naughty elf thwarting their every move–will everyone in Santa’s Workshop come together in time for Nick to take the reins?

Credits: Book by Noah Putterman. Music & Lyrics by David Christensen & Luke Holloway.

DR. SEUSS CAT IN THE HAT:
Public Performances: February 15 & 16, 21-23, 2025
Ideal for ages 4+

About the Show:
From the moment his tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that The Cat in the Hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat that they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and the craziest of ideas, he is certainly loads of fun. He turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure… but what will mum find when she gets home…?

Credits: Based on the book by Dr. Seuss. Play Originally Produced by the National Theatre of Great Britain. Adapted and Originally Directed by Katie Mitchell. Dr. Seuss text, characters and images TM and © 2009 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P.

DISNEY’S FROZEN JR.
Public Performances: April 26 & 27, May 2 – 4, 2025
Ideal for ages 4+

About the Show:
A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, DISNEY’S FROZEN JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, DISNEY’S FROZEN JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!

Credits: Music and Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez. Book by Jennifer Lee. Based on the Disney film written by Jennifer Lee and directed by Chris Buck &  Jennifer Lee. The original Broadway production of Frozen was directed by Michael Grandage and produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.

Season Subscriptions
Traditional subscriptions to the TCT 24-25 MainStage Season start at $43. Subscribe today at www.thechildrenstheatre.com. Single tickets will go on sale May 1, 2024.

ALS interpretation will be offered on the first Saturday at 2 PM performances of all productions. Sensory-Friendly performance to be announced later.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by ArtsWave and the tens of thousands of people who give generously to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source for arts funding. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Ohio Arts Council receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

-end-

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December 18, 2023 · 10:12 am

CLP Announces its 2024-2025 Marquee Season at the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts

CCPACincinnati Landmark Productions announces its 2024 – 2025 Marquee Season at the Covedale Center for Performing Arts!  

NUNSENSE
September 12 – October 6, 2024
Book, Music and Lyrics by Dan Goggin

The all-time hit musical spoof about the misadventures of five star-struck, singing, dancing nuns! Sadly, the rest of the sisterhood died from botulism after eating vichyssoise prepared by Sister Julia Child of God. The remaining nuns – ballet-loving Sister Leo, streetwise Sister Robert Anne, befuddled Sister Mary Amnesia, the Mother Superior Sister Regina, and mistress of the novices Sister Mary Hubert – stage a wildly off-kilter talent show to raise the money to bury their dearly departed. With catchy songs and irresistible comedy, Nunsense is sure to keep you rolling with laughter. NUNSENSE is habit-forming!

SOMETHING ROTTEN
October 17 – November 10, 2024
Book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, Music and Lyrics by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick

Welcome to the Renaissance! The Black Plague has ceded power to the Puritans. Farthingales and codpieces are the latest fashion trends. And the biggest celebrity in England is some guy named William Shakespeare. Meanwhile, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom, in trying to keep their acting company afloat consult a soothsayer who informs them that the future of theatre involves acting, singing, and dancing – sometimes all at once! With hilarious songs like “I Hate Shakespeare,” “Will Power” and the title tune “Something Rotten,” the Bottom brothers write the world’s very first “musical,” as they battle the Bard himself. SOMETHING ROTTEN is a hysterical, joyous musical celebration of everything you love about Broadway!

DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
December 5 – 29, 2024
Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, Book by Linda Woolverton

Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, this internationally famous, full-stage production includes all the famous songs including “Be Our Guest,” “If I Can’t Love Her,” “Home” and the title tune “Beauty and the Beast.” The story tells of Belle, a girl in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end, and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out! Our production will be bedecked for the holidays! Think of Belle’s village, the enchanted forest and the Beast’s castle sparkling like ornaments on the Covedale stage. It’s a yuletide treat for the entire family. Experience this “tale as old as time” for Christmas!

KEN LUDWIG’S LEND ME A TENOR
January 23 – February 16, 2025
By Ken Ludwig

Winner of 3 Tony Awards! LEND ME A TENOR is the perfect comedy to perk up the gray days of winter! On a big night for the Cleveland Grand Opera, Tito Mirelli, the world-famous Italian tenor, is set to star in “Pagliacci.” Henry Saunders – general manager of the company – is beyond stressed-out and insists that his assistant, Max – a nervous fellow and secret tenor extraordinaire – watch over Tito’s every move to ensure smooth sailing. But after a fight with his fiery wife Maria, Tito accidentally gets a double dose of tranquilizers! Throw in Diana, an ambitious, female co-star; Maggie, Max’s giddy girlfriend; Julia, a flirty head of the opera guild; and a meddling bellhop fighting for Tito’s attention, and you get a recipe for comedic disaster! LEND ME A TENOR is one side-splitting night at the theater!

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
March 13 – April 6, 2025
Screenplay by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Songs by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown; Based on the classic Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Inc.

One of the greatest musicals in history! SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, has earned the top spot atop AFI’s 100 Years of Musicals list and, in 2007, was ranked as the 5th greatest motion picture of all time. Now adapted for the stage, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN captures the waning days of the silent screen era as they give way to new-fangled “talkies” and movie musicals. But Monumental Studios’ silent film siren, Lina Lamont, can’t sing – and her speaking voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard! Enter Kathy Selden, an aspiring actress whose lovely voice is used to over-dub Lina’s screech, but she doesn’t get the credit! Of course, in the end Kathy finds stardom, plus love with her leading man, Don Lockwood. SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN includes some of the best-loved comedy routines, dance numbers, and love songs ever written including “Good Mornin’,” “Make ‘em Laugh,” and – of course – the show-stopping dance number, “Singin’ in the Rain.”

IMPORTANT DATES: 
Subscriptions on sale Thursday, December 7, 2023
Subscription renewal deadline is Friday, July 26, 2024
Subscription package tickets will be mailed Friday, August 9, 2024
Single tickets go on sale, Monday, August 12, 2024
Single ticket pricing:  $33.00 for Adults; $30 for Students and Seniors

Due to availability, season titles are subject to change.
Please note performance times: Thursday 7:30 pm; Friday 8:00 pm; Saturday 8:00 pm; & Sunday 2:00 pm.

You can purchase OR renew a subscription by one of the following methods:

  • Call the box office @ 513.241.6550
  • Mail your subscription order form to:  CLP, P.O. Box 5255  Cincinnati, OH  45205
  • Log on to:  www.CLPShows.org
  • In person at the Covedale or Incline box office ticket counters

Single tickets go on sale Monday, August 12, 2024.
$33 for Adults; $30 for Seniors/Students

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December 15, 2023 · 5:47 am

Mason High School Theater Presents AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD

MHS_And a Child Shall LeadOn January 19, 20, 26, & 27, Mason High School Theater will present AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD by Michael Slade.  Show time is 7 pm each day with an additional afternoon performance at 2pm on Saturday the 20th.  We invite senior citizens to attend our final dress rehearsal on January 18 @ 7pm free of charge. The play is produced by special agreement with Playscripts.com.

AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD by Michael Slade is the heroic and true story of children coming of age in Terezin, the “Jewish city” established by the Nazis near Prague as a way station before the death camps. In the face of unspeakable horror, these children use their determination and creativity to build lives filled with hope and beauty — playing, studying, making art, and writing an underground newspaper — all at the peril of being executed. Their actual poems and stories are woven into a fast-paced drama, evoking the universality of children caught in the insanity of war.  The show is rated PG-13 for some adult situations, language, and tragic moments.  It is best suited for theater goers middle school aged and up.  General Admission Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students, children, and seniors.  Reserved patron seats are also available for $15.  Purchase your tickets here.

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December 4, 2023 · 6:21 pm

Cincinnati Opera Announces 2024 Opera Raps Exploring Mozart, Verdi, The Beatles, and More

CO_OperaRaps 2022 logoGo behind the scenes of opera with this free series of conversations on topics inspired by Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Summer Festival

CINCINNATI (December 1, 2023)— For every opera that makes its way to the stage, there are fascinating stories about the inspiration, creative process, and personalities behind it. Cincinnati Opera’s popular Opera Raps series, which returns January 25–April 17, 2024, aspires to pull back the curtain and reveal behind-the-scenes insights into the operas that make up the company’s 2024 Summer Festival.

The 2024 Opera Raps series kicks off in January with a mini-Mozart experience in anticipation of the company’s June 2024 production of his opera, Don Giovanni: “Hausmusik: Mozart and Friends at Home” (January 25), a recreation of a musical evening hosted at Mozart’s home, and “Mozart’s Women” (January 26), led by renowned conductor Dame Jane Glover.

In March, the series continues with two events inspired by the company’s July 2024 world stage premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio: “The Beatles Phenomenon” (March 6), featuring Beatles expert Om Srivastava, and “Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio: Sneak Peek with the Creative Team” (March 28), offering a first look at Cincinnati Opera’s new production-in-progress.

The series concludes on April 17 with opera director Trevore Ross discussing “Violetta’s Chosen Family,” inspired by the heroine of Verdi’s La Traviata, which Cincinnati Opera will present in June 2024.

Opera Raps will take place at venues throughout the city, including Music Hall, Cincinnati Opera’s warehouse, Over-the-Rhine’s First Lutheran Church, and the Woodward Theater. Admission is free and open to the public, though tickets are required. Tickets will be available beginning December 1, 2023, at 12 p.m. (ET) at cincinnatiopera.org and by calling 513.241.2742. See below for complete series details.

Cincinnati Opera
2024 Opera Raps

January 25, 2024
Hausmusik: Mozart and Friends at Home
6:30 p.m. (ET)
Wilks Studio at Cincinnati Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

In anticipation of Cincinnati Opera’s June 2024 production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni, audiences are invited into this immersive exploration of the composer’s life and work. On countless evenings between 1784 and 1787, Mozart would invite friends to his Vienna home for food, wine, and music-making. Joseph Haydn was a frequent guest, as were many other celebrated musicians of the day. This event recreates a typical evening with the Mozarts featuring music for piano four hands, songs, and a string quartet dedicated to Haydn, along with excerpts from visitors’ memoirs, Mozart’s letters, and more.

January 26, 2024
Mozart’s Women
6:30 p.m. (ET)
Wilks Studio at Cincinnati Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

The celebrated conductor, scholar, and author Dame Jane Glover, who will conduct Cincinnati Opera’s Don Giovanni in June 2024, leads a discussion inspired by her book, Mozart’s Women: His Family, His Friends, His Music (Harper, 2006). Dame Jane will delve into Don Giovanni as well as the composer’s other glorious music for women, with performances by two members of the Don Giovanni cast: sopranos Jessica Rivera and Erin Keesy. The event precedes Dame Jane’s appearances that weekend with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, where she will conduct an all-Mozart program.

March 6, 2024
The Beatles Phenomenon
7:30 p.m. (ET)
Woodward Theater
1404 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Inspired by Cincinnati Opera’s July 2024 world stage premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, Beatles expert Om Srivastava will lead audience members on a journey into the creativity and worldwide impact of the Fab Four. With recordings, interviews, and photographs, Srivastava will trace the phenomenon of the Beatles from their early days in Liverpool and Hamburg to the epochal albums and worldwide tours (including two Cincinnati appearances!). A cash bar will be available.

March 28, 2024
Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio: Sneak Peek with the Creative Team
7:30 p.m. (ET)
Cincinnati Opera Warehouse
7712 Reinhold Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45237

Audiences are invited to this exclusive glimpse into the creation of Cincinnati Opera’s world stage premiere production of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio. Director Caroline Clegg, designer Leslie Travers, and choreographer Michael Pappalardo will offer insights into their creative vision for this extraordinary new theatrical experience and share a guided first look at the production under construction.

April 17, 2024
Violetta’s Chosen Family
7:30 p.m.
First Lutheran Church
1208 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

As a preview to Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 production of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, stage director Trevore Ross explores this beloved masterpiece as an ode to the outsider. When Verdi composed the opera in 1853, his life bore some similarities to that of his heroine, the Parisian courtesan Violetta Valéry; he was something of a social outcast, living unmarried with his lover, the opera star Giuseppina Strepponi. Through this lens, Ross will examine Violetta’s world and the friends with whom she surrounded herself. Were they members of high society, fellow demimondaines, or both? The evening will include excerpts performed by soprano Dana Pundt and tenor Pedro Barbosa.

About Cincinnati Opera
Cincinnati Opera’s mission is to enrich and connect our community through diverse opera experiences. Founded in 1920 and the second-oldest opera company in the nation, Cincinnati Opera presents a thrilling season of grand opera every summer and engaging programs throughout the year. The company’s repertoire includes beloved classics and contemporary masterworks brought to life by some of the world’s most dynamic performers and creative artists.

Cincinnati Opera is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. This project was supported in part by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts. Cincinnati Opera also receives general season support from The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust, and the Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation, along with general season and project support from many other generous individuals, corporations, and foundations. Cincinnati Opera is a proud member of OPERA America. Learn more at cincinnatiopera.org.

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