Tag Archives: Cincinnati Fringe Festival

Cincy Fringe 2022 Proudly Presents HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr

CCF22_Hedy2

A True Story of Hollywood Glamour & Scientific Genius

The 22x Award-Winning, Internationally Acclaimed NYC Play
Written & Performed by Heather Massie
Cincy Fringe Festival – Cincinnati, OH – June 5-11, 2022

“Hedy Lamarr, glamorous siren of the silver screen, was more than ‘The Most Beautiful Woman in the World’. She invented Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum Technology that makes the world of wireless communication tick. From Austria to Hollywood, WWII, torpedoes, ecstasy, and intrigue to the very cell phone in your pocket, she was there!” 

Cincinnati, OH – Cincy Fringe 2022 is proud to present HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr in their Primary Line Up from June 5-11, 2022.

Fulbright Specialist and NYC artist Heather Massie will deliver her Ohio debut of her 22x Award-Winning, Internationally Acclaimed New York City show. The show celebrates the unexpected scientific genius of Viennese-born Hollywood screen siren and inventor Hedy Lamarr.

Known as the ‘Most Beautiful Woman in the World’, Lamarr spent her spare time in Hollywood inventing technology for torpedoes during WWII.  Also known as Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum Technology, her invention is used today in cell phones, WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth.

Portraying 30+ characters in this solo play, Massie enchants the audience as Hedy Lamarr, along with Jimmy Stewart, Bette Davis, Louis B Mayer, and more! Hedy is summoned to unearth the truth behind how a glamorous actress could create an invention which launched today’s wireless technology revolution!

Playing at The Art Academy,  Room 204 (A204), at 1212 Jackson Street, Cincinnati, OH on Sunday 6/5 @ 5:30 PM; Tuesday 6/7 @ 9:00 PM; Wednesday 6/8 @ 7:15 PM; Thursday 6/9 @ 7:15 PM; and Saturday 6/11 @ 7:15 PM, with a showtime of 60 minutes.

General Admission Tickets are $16, and Love Your Artists Tickets are $20.

Tickets & Information Here: www.CincyFringe.com/Hedy

Show Blurb:
Hedy Lamarr, glamorous siren of the silver screen, was more than ‘The Most Beautiful Woman in the World’. She invented Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum Technology that makes the world of wireless communication tick. From Austria to Hollywood, WWII, torpedoes, ecstasy, and intrigue to the very cell phone in your pocket, she was there!

The Show:
HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr celebrates the unexpected scientific genius of Viennese-born Hollywood screen siren and inventor Hedy Lamarr. Known as the ‘Most Beautiful Woman in the World’, Lamarr spent her spare time in Hollywood inventing technology for torpedoes during WWII.  Also known as Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum Technology, her invention is used today in cell phones, WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth. Portraying 30+ characters in this solo play, Massie enchants the audience as Hedy Lamarr, along with Jimmy Stewart, Bette Davis, Louis B Mayer, and more! Hedy is summoned to unearth the truth behind how a glamorous actress could create an invention which launched today’s wireless technology revolution! The show premiered Off Broadway in 2016 on Theatre Row, and has since toured throughout the United States, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Sweden, Ukraine, Italy, Iceland, and Finland garnering 22 awards and critical acclaim. Written and performed by Fulbright Specialist Heather Massie, its mission is to inspire audiences to make the world a better place, especially to encourage young women in science and technology, and to establish Hedy Lamarr as a role model for intelligence, ingenuity, and invention.

The Performer:
Having studied Astrophysics with dreams of becoming an astronaut, Heather Massie marries her loves of art and science in the person of Hedy Lamarr. She studied Astrophysics at the University of Virginia with dreams of becoming an astronaut, before studying Theatre Arts in the Virginia Tech School of the Arts and becoming a professional actress in NYC and throughout the US. She has toured the world with her show HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr garnering 22 awards and critical acclaim. She brings the show to theatres, arts festivals, science festivals, science centers, technology conferences, museums, universities, schools, Jewish centers, STEM & STEAM Events, and cultural and scientific organizations throughout the United States and around the world.  In 2019 she served as a Fulbright Specialist with a tour of the show through South Africa sponsored by the US State Department, World Learning, and the US Embassy South Africa.

Full bio here: www.heathermassie.com/heather-massie/

Reviews:

  • “Captivating.”  –  The Huffington Post
  • “Effervescent” – Silicon Republic
  • “Fascinating”  – Belfast Times
  • “Highly inventive”  – The Irish News
  • “Richly realized”  – Blogcritics Magazine
  • “Highly entertaining”  – Splash Magazine
  • “Magnetic performance”  – Theater Scene
  • “Exceptionally talented”  – MD Theatre Guide
  • “Lively & enlightening” – Sarasota Herald-Tribune
  • “Remarkable”  – Theatre in the Now
  • “Gorgeous”  – Total Theater

22 Awards Including:

  • US Embassy Sweden Grant – Sweden
  • Mid Atlantic Arts – Turku, Finland
  • UMEZ – Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Grant – NYC
  • US Embassy Iceland Grant – Reykjavík, Iceland
  • The Maine Award – RVK Fringe, Reykjavík, Iceland
  • Audience Choice – IndyFringe, Indiana
  • Sold Out Award – IndyFringe, Indiana
  • Fulbright Specialist – South Africa
  • Best Performance – PRO.ACT Fest, Ukraine
  • Character Actor Award & Maine Award – RVK Fringe, Iceland
  • Best Actress – Galway Fringe, Ireland
  • US Embassy Zimbabwe Grant – Intwasa Arts Festival, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
  • US Embassy Zimbabwe Grant – Harare International Festival of the Arts, Harare, Zimbabwe
  • Outstanding Performance – Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, NYC
  • Best Actress – SaraSolo Festival, Florida
  • Audience Choice – Shenandoah Fringe, Virginia
  • Festival Bestseller – United Solo Festival, NYC

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Award-Winning Horror Drama ROSEGOLD Comes to Cincy Fringe 2022

CFF22_Rosegold2The 2022 Cincy Fringe Festival is offering a range of performances this year, including “Rosegold”, written and performed by Cincy Fringe veteran Donna Kay Yarborough (“Diagnose This!”, “Shenatra!”, “The Famous Haydell Sisters”).

The gripping solo-performed horror tale takes place in an alcoholism support meeting, when a new attendee, Jamie, shares the story of her path to the bottle. What begins as a familiar experience takes a terrifying turn as she reveals the bizarre trauma– and literal haunting– that is the source of her addiction. As one viewer described, “It starts in A.A. and quickly descends to Hell.”

The show was workshopped as a staged reading at Fresno Rogue Festival in March 2020. The pandemic lockdown began in the middle of that first run, and the show seemed doomed to the shelf, never fully-realized. Then an opportunity arose for it to debut as a virtual, “Zoom”-presentation show. Since then it has won universal acclaim, in both virtual and in-person formats. In 2021, it received awards for “Best Dramatic Performance” (Pittsburgh Fringe Festival, Thornhill Fringe Festival UK), and the top honor “Best Solo Drama” at the Orlando International Fringe Festival.

“…a gently escalating exercise in horror that stands in the ranks of H. P. Lovecraft, Rod Serling, and Stephen King.” –Terrance McArthur, Kings River Life Magazine.

“‘Rosegold’ is not a conventional horror story; Donna Kay Yarborough is so confident, she even mocks the clichés of the genre… an intense experience and essential viewing.” –David Cunningham, British Theatre Guide.

“The beauty of Yarborough’s tale is how it blends the everyday with the philosophical with the spine-tingling. She hits the tropes of any good horror story head on — and then turns them on their head… ” –Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel.

“Even if you aren’t usually a fan of horror, Yarborough’s understated intensity will suck you in as she weaves a richly absorbing world in only 40 minutes with nothing more than a folding chair and laser-focused gaze.” –Seth Kubersky, Orlando Weekly

“It’s damn scary.” –Michael Freeman, Orlando Fringe Reviews

“Rosegold” can be seen at the Art Academy of Cincinnati (room 402), 1212 Jackson St., Cincinnati, OH. 

Showtimes:

  • Sat. 6/4– 9:00 PM
  • Tues. 6/7– 9:00 PM
  • Wed. 6/8– 9:00 PM
  • Sat. 6/11– 5:30 PM
  • Sun. 6/12– 9:00 PM
  • Tues. 6/14– 9:00 PM
  • Thu. 6/16– 7:00 PM

For more info, including other show offerings and ticket prices, go to CincyFringe.com. 

Follow Donna Kay Yarborough:

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The Further Adventures of a Teen Detective and Her Dog

CFF22_Jinkies logo(CINCINNATI, OHIO) –  JiNKiES! at the 2022 Cincinnati Fringe Theatre Festival, June 3–June 18. A follow-up to their 2019 hit, JINKIES! is the thrilling next adventure in the life of a very meddlesome duo. This hilarious escapade is perfect for both newcomers and returning fans alike and finally answers the question, “What if the Hardy Boys wanted to burn this shit down?”

From the creative force behind 2021’s award winning show You Will Live Under the Sea comes an opioid-fueled dive into the world of latch-key children and the haunted, dangerous places that mischief leads. PICK-OF-THE-FRINGE winners Bridget Leak, Jordan Trovillion and Trey Tatum return with a fresh look at the teen detective genre.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES FOR QUEEN CITY FLASH

  • 2021  Cincy Fringe All-Access Pick- You Will Live Under the Sea
  • 2020 Cincy Fringe All-Access Pick – Killjoy, Ohio
  • 2020 The Young-Howze Theatre Awards,  Show of the Year Winner – Killjoy, Ohio
  • 2019 Cincy Fringe All-Access Pick – Zoinks!
  • 2018 Cincy Fringe All-Access Pick- Alabama Monster
  • 2014 Cincy Fringe Artist Pick – Slut Shaming 

INTERNATIONAL PRAISE

  • ★★★★★ STARS – Saskatoon Star Phoenix, Alabama Monster
  • ★★★★ STARS – CBC, Alabama Monster
  • ★★★★ STARS – Winnipeg Free Press, Alabama Monster 

THE CREATIVE TEAM

  • Written by Trey Tatum
  • Directed by Bridget Leak
  • Performed by Jordan Trovillion & Trey Tatum
  • Design: Grayson Halonen (Lighting and Puppet Design), Liam Belluso (Lighting, Set, and Puppet Design), and Lucas Wall (Sound and Puppet Design)

SEE JiNKiES! AT THE CINCY FRINGE FESTIVAL!

TICKETS:  Tickets are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at https://cincyfringe.com/jinkies/

VENUE: Art Academy Room 402 (A402), 1212 Jackson St. Cincinnati, OH 45202

SHOW DATES AND TIMES (60 MINUTES): Saturday June 4 at 3:45pm; Sunday June 5 at 5:30; Thursday June 9 at 7:15pm; Saturday June 11 at 9pm; Sunday June 12 at 2pm; Wednesday June 15 at 7:15pm, Thursday June 16 at 9pm

PRICING: $16 plus $1 ticketing fee. Multi-show passes available

RATING: PG-13 (13+)

Previous Queen City Flash Productions at Cincy Fringe:

  • 2021 – You Will live Under the Sea
  • 2020 – Killjoy, Ohio
  • 2019 – Zoinks!
  • 2018 – of Monster Descent
  • 2017 – The Disappearance of Nicole of Jacobs
  • 2016 – The Midnight Express
  • 2015 – Shelter (with Pones)
  • 2014 – Slut Shaming 

ABOUT TREY TATUM: Trey Tatum is a playwright / composer from Cincinnati, Ohio. Recent credits include ZOINKS!, a Nancy Drew send-up about the opioid epidemic, Alabama Monster, his solo show about mental illness, family ties and creatures that lie just out of sight, and JALZ, a remake of the blockbuster movie JAWS that examines Alzheimer’s disease, end of life care and family legacy. For the past four seasons, Trey has been composer for Playhouse in the Park’s Off the Hill Education Touring Series. Current Projects include Have Monster, Will Travel, a new audio fiction podcast about road trips, monsters and the meaning of family. Trey makes theatre and mischief with his wife, director Bridget Leak. treytatum.com

ABOUT JORDAN TROVILLION: Jordan Trovillion is so happy to be reprising her role of Nolan Blackwell; Teen Sleuth, Girl Detective, from the 2019 Cincinnati Fringe Festival Pick of the Fringe Award Winner “Zoinks!” Interim credits include “Queen” (Ariel) at Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, “All’s Faire” (Johnson) at Know Theatre of Cincinnati, “Silent Sky” (Henrietta Leavitt) at Falcon Theatre, and “You Will Live Under the Sea” with Queen City Flash at the 2021 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Other favorite shows include “Puffs” (Susie Bones track) and “The Absentee” (Operator) with Know Theatre of Cincinnati. Jordan is a member of SAG/AFTRA and has performed in various films and television shows, including “The Old Man and the Gun,” “My Days of Mercy,” “Jack Reacher,” and Comedy Central’s “Detroiters.” She is one half of the pair of proprietors of a mysterious magic shop in Covington, a freelance illustrator, and used to be in a cover band.

ABOUT BRIDGET LEAK: Bridget Leak is a freelance director and co-founder of Queen City Flash. Previous directing credits; Queen (Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati), Actually (Playhouse in the Park), Playhouse’s Off-the-Hill Series, and both digital and live productions for the Cincy Fringe Festival. Upcoming productions: more episodes of the podcast Have Monster Will Travel produced by Queen City Flash. Bridget is a People’s Liberty Grant recipient and a Cincinnati Arts Ambassador Fellow. She was recently featured in Movers & Makers, American Theatre Magazine and had her work highlighted in Teaching Theatre magazine, a publication of EdTA. Bridget teaches at Xavier University and has directed at Xavier and Miami University. Bridget has her M.F.A. in Directing from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University. She calls East Price Hill home with her husband, playwright-composer Trey Tatum, infant Wilder and pups “Pocket” & “Lint” bridgetleak.com

ABOUT QUEEN CITY FLASH

Queen City Flash is Director Bridget Leak and Playwright/Composer Trey Tatum. We are committed to: Creating. New. Plays. Critically-acclaimed original works, emboldened by experiments with form, augmented with original music, and deepened by collaborations with neighbors and partners. Money in people’s pockets, not on the walls.  Where a minimum of 51% of the budget goes to paying local artists, not sustaining venues or overhead. Open Access. Creating experiences that an entire family can afford, enjoyed in transformed and relaxed environments.

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Steven Nicholas’ Award Winning Show ExperiMENTAL Comes to Cincinnati

CFF22_Experi-mental logoCincinnati, June 4-17, 2022 – The Cincy Fringe Festival will feature the regional premier of Steven Nicholas’ spellbinding new mind reading show ExperiMENTAL.  After receiving glowing reviews at the 2021 Orlando, Boulder, and OKC fringe festivals, Steven will be appearing for a two week engagement at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.

With multiple reimagined concepts for the 2022 festival season, ExperiMENTAL will deliver an experience that isn’t just something to view, but something to be a part of.  After the 2021 premier of ExperiMENTAL, the Orlando Weekly said “You’ll be Mesmerized” and selected it as one of the top ten shows to see at the Orlando Fringe Festival.

With a most unusual set of skills, Steven Nicholas promises to get inside your head, find out what you’re thinking, and leave you questioning exactly where to draw the line between fact and fiction.  ExperiMENTAL features engaging autobiographical moments, incredible feats of memory, a hallucination, and mind reading under the strictest of test conditions.  Featuring audience involvement throughout, select individuals will leave the theater with verifiable proof that their potential is much greater than they previously believed it to be.  Differing choices made by every audience lead the show down a new path every night, making each performance a unique event.  ExperiMENTAL promises to twist your reality in a way you can’t help but love.

Tickets are available for $16 at cincyfringe.com/experimental/

About Steven Nicholas
Steven is a mind reader and performer who aims to inspire audiences by expanding their belief in their own limitless potential and ability to overcome obstacles.  He has appeared in numerous national commercials, films, and theatrical productions.  In May of 2021, his debut one man show, ExperiMENTAL, won him the coveted “Patrons’ Pick” award at the Orlando Fringe Festival and went on to sell out seven consecutive performances.  Steven hopes to continue to develop his show and to bring audiences positive and uplifting entertainment with a little added mystery.

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Run Through the Moors with Cathy and Heathcliff in Lush, Emotionally Charged Folk Musical WUTHERING

CFF22_Wuthering logo

Artwork credit: Zachary Hamid Ghaderi

WUTHERING: A MUSICAL ON THE MOORS premieres at Cincinnati Fringe Festival

(Cincinnati, OH — May 17, 2021) –– Featured as part of the Primary Lineup in this year’s Cincinnati Fringe Festival, Wuthering: a musical on the moors, with book, music, and lyrics by Hannah Gregory and direction by Caitlin McWethy will premiere at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Cary Davenport joins the creative team with musical arrangement and direction.

This is the third collaboration between Gregory and McWethy; the team won the 2019 Producer’s Pick with Descent: a Murder Ballad and garnered the 2021 Critics’ Pick for The Belle and Boone Helm. The show features 11 all-new songs from Gregory and Davenport and takes eclectic soundscape inspiration from artists like Anais Mitchell and Third Eye Blind, as well as the folk-rock musical Spring Awakening and traditional Child and Roud ballads.

The cast features Ellyn Broderick as Isabella, Patrick Earl Phillips* as Edgar, Ryan-Chavez Richmond as Heathcliff, and Maddie Vaughn as Cathy, plus Cary Davenport* and Carroll Wallace as The Gravediggers. Broderick, Davenport, Phillips, and Wallace double as the band on percussion, guitar, piano, and viola respectively.

Fringe-goers can catch WUTHERING: A MUSICAL ON THE MOORS at Know Theatre on the following dates and times:

  • Saturday, June 4 at 3:30pm
  • Sunday, June 5 at 5:15pm
  • Thursday, June 9 at 9:00pm
  • Saturday, June 11 at 5:15pm
  • Friday, June 17 at 7:00pm

RATED PG-13. Trigger warnings: racism, classism, sexism, implied child and animal abuse

Follow Wuthering: a musical on the moors on social media:
Instagram: @hmgwritesthings
Facebook: @hmgwritesthings

Visit https://www.cincyfringe.com/wuthering for ticket information.

*Indicates member of the Actors’ Equity Association. This show is produced under the auspices of the Actors’ Equity Fringe Festival Code.

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