Tag Archives: Cincinnati Landmark Productions

October 29, 2018 · 9:42 am

Madcap Education Center Announces Grand Opening Weekend

MEC_logoPublic Grand Opening Announced
for November 3-4

Open House-Style Party Planned, Including Sampling of Educational Programs and First Public Performances in New Theater in Westwood

After 7 years of hard work, tireless persistence and immeasurable community support, the new Madcap Education Center is opening to the public!

The Opening Weekend Party is planned for Saturday, November 3 from 10am to 1pm and Sunday, November 4 from noon to 3pm.

Attendees will be among the first to see the new $3.4 million arts education facility in Westwood that will host dance, acting, puppet and visual arts classes and workshops as well as children’s performances in a brand new theater designed for families to enjoy together. While touring the completely renovated and reimagined building, families will be able to “sample” the kinds of classes and workshops that the Madcap Education Center will host all year-round. Jump into a quick session of yoga in one of the dance studios, make a mini-comic book in the art studio or learn to play a chord on the guitar in one of the music studios. (Full schedule of events below.)

The Opening Weekend Party will also kick off the first production in the Family Performance Series with 4 performances of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by Madcap Puppets. They are: 11am and 1pm on Saturday and 1 and 3pm on Sunday.

“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” is a ticketed event – $10 per person or $48 for the 6-show season. Call (513) 241-6550 to purchase tickets to the show.

 All other activities during the Opening Weekend Party are free and open to the public!

Madcap Puppets have been planning the Center since the Westwood Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (WestCURC) purchased the building for the organization in 2012. The Center becomes a “home base” for the touring company and a venue for expanded children’s programming on the west side, including special events and arts education classes, workshops and summer camps.

In March 2017, Cincinnati Landmark Productions and Madcap Puppets announced a merger of the two venerable west-side arts organizations and a re-invigoration of the “Bell Building” project, at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Urwiler Avenue.

At the merger announcement, CLP announced new funding – the allocation of New Markets Tax Credits from Cincinnati Development Fund – that would make the project possible. Since that time, CLP has partnered with US Bank and the City of Cincinnati to finalize the New Markets deal.

The City of Cincinnati had planned and previously budgeted $4 million for the renovation of Westwood Square, the land around Westwood Town Hall. Upgrades include new landscaping and seating, the addition of an event stage area, a promenade for event vendors, a new playground area and a dog park, effectively activating a space that serves as the center of the city’s largest neighborhood. In December, CLP officials presented and received approval from the Cincinnati Planning Commission, Park Board and City Council to bundle the two projects together in order to maximize the New Markets benefit.

On December 29, 2017, the financing deal was closed, resulting in $2.1 million net benefit for the Madcap Education Center project. With that and other recent funding, the project could officially break ground. Interior demolition began in February 2018 with full renovation/construction starting in April.

Cincinnati Landmark Productions (CLP) is the non-profit owner and operator of the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts in West Price Hill and the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater in East Price Hill. Madcap Puppets – based in Westwood – has provided touring children’s programming since 1981 and annually presents over 600 performances across 15 states for 160,000 children. Since the merger, Madcap Puppets has operated as a division of Cincinnati Landmark Productions and will continue to tour and offer its in-town programming.

SATURDAY SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

  • 10am – “Westwood Family Photo” – outside the building, all public encouraged to attend!
  • 10:30am – Create a Mini Comic – Art Studio
  • 10:30am – Intro Guitar – Music Studio #1
  • 10:30am – Face Painting – Music Studio #2
  • 11am – Musical Theatre Dance Mini Class – LaRosa’s Dance Studio
  • 11am – Balloon Animals – Hand Dance Studio
  • 11am – “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” performance – TriHealth Performance Hall (ticket required)
  • 11:30am – Puppet Creation Q&A – Art Studio
  • 11:30am – Intro Piano – Music Studio #1
  • noon – Yoga Mini Class – LaRosa’s Dance Studio
  • noon – Preschool Puppets – Hand Dance Studio
  • 12:30pm – History of the Madcap Education Center by Greg Hand – Art Studio
  • 1pm – “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” performance – TriHealth Performance Hall (ticket required)
  • ALL DAY – roaming puppets and photo opps!

SUNDAY SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

  • noon – Musical Theatre Dance Mini Class – LaRosa’s Dance Studio
  • noon – Create a Mini Comic – Art Studio
  • noon – Preschool Puppets – Hand Dance Studio
  • noon – Face Painting – Music Studio #2
  • 1pm – Hip Hop Dance – LaRosa’s Dance Studio
  • 1pm – Puppet Creation Q&A – Art Studio
  • 1pm – Yoga Mini Class – Hand Dance Studio
  • 1pm – “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” performance – TriHealth Performance Hall (ticket required)
  • 2pm – Tap Mini Class – LaRosa’s Dance Studio
  • 2pm – Make a Mask – Art Studio
  • 2:30pm – History of the Madcap Education Center by Greg Hand – Distance Learning Center
  • 3pm – “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” performance – TriHealth Performance Hall (ticket required)
  • ALL DAY – roaming puppets and photo opps!

For more information about Cincinnati Landmark Productions/Madcap Puppets, visit www.clpshows.org or call (513) 241-6550.

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October 24, 2018 · 2:02 pm

Cast Announced for A CHRISTMAS STORY at Covedale Center

CCPACincinnati Landmark Productions announces the cast for A CHRISTMAS STORY to run Nov. 29-Dec. 23 at the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts.

The cast includes:

  • Nicole Capobianco as the Mother
  • Chris Bishop as the Old Man
  • Eric Schaumloffel as Ralphie
  • Henry Charles Weghorst as Randy
  • Madison Pullins as Miss Shields
  • Thomas Hart Boeing as Adult Ralphie/Narrator
  • Peter Waning as Flick
  • Noah Jeffreys as Schwartz
  • Ruthie Darnell as Esther Jane
  • Clare Graff as Helen
  • Mitchell Wolking as Scut Farkas

Directed by Tim Perrino.

For more information visit www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com/ccpa.

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October 24, 2018 · 1:56 pm

Cast Announced for ALMOST HEAVEN, SONGS OF JOHN DENVER at Covedale Center

CCPACincinnati Landmark Productions announces the cast for ALMOST HEAVEN, THE SONGS OF JOHN DENVER to run Feb. 14-March 10 at the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts.

The cast includes:

  • Brian Anderson
  • Kelcey Rose Cummings
  • Elaine Diehl
  • Linsey Rogers
  • Annie Schneider
  • Jamie Steele
  • Liam Sweeney
  • Kyle Taylor

Directed by Tim Perrino with music directed by Greg Dastillung.

For more information visit www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com/ccpa.

 

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October 5, 2018 · 4:29 pm

NEXT TO NORMAL Review

WFIT_Next to Normal5

Photo by Tammy Cassesa.

NEXT TO NORMAL presented by the Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre through Oct. 21. Click here for a synopsis and more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

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Leslie Kelly as Natalie. Photo by Tammy Cassesa.

The Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre kicks off its 2018-19 District Season with NEXT TO NORMAL, “an unflinching look at a suburban family struggling with the effects of mental illness” – Music Theatre International

Director Matthew Wilson has assembled a vocally strong, talented ensemble. Tanner Gleeson and Leslie Kelly as siblings Gabe and Natalie have some of my favorite songs in the show and handled them beautifully. Brian Anderson as father Dan and Lesley Hitch in the very demanding role of wife and mother Diana are up to the vocal requirements of the show. Both Elliot Handkins as Henry and Derek Harper as the Doctors do well in their supporting roles.

I think I understand what Brett Bowling was going for with the set design and it probably looked more functional on paper or as a model, but the reality of the set had several problems. The first level play areas seemed a bit small and confining, causing some awkward blocking as the actors tried to cross past each other. An extra couple of feet added to the front of the set would have helped. Actors also had to break stride to keep from hitting their heads when they used the upstage exit from the living room. The central narrow staircase, without handrails, had actors tentatively crossing down them, and two different actors tripped going up them opening night. Performers had to duck under a railing to cross from the staircase to the second level platform upstage left. I did like the askew roof and second level, and would have like to have seen that motif carried to the first floor.

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Tanner Gleeson as Gabe. Photo by Tammy Cassesa.

The balance between the band and vocals was good throughout most of the production. There were a few times when the band comes in hot and briefly drowns out the vocalist(s). Also near the end of the opening number, during the individual lyrics, things got muddy.

My main complaint for the show can be summed up in one sentence. “I can’t see your faces.” There are several reasons for this:

Lighting – Several times actor’s faces would disappear due to gaps in the lighting or in the instrument’s location. The best example I can give for this is when someone is sitting in the living room chair and is lit in blue. The light seems to be coming mostly from above causing actors faces to disappear in shadow, especially Diana. I almost feel the theater needs additional/stronger instruments low in the back of the house. The angle for the lights closer to the stage seem too steep for some lighting needs.

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Elliot Handkins as Henry & Leslie Kelly as Natalie. Brian Anderson as Dan & Lesley Hitch as Diana. Photo by Tammy Cassesa.

Blocking – Several times with only one actor seated at the kitchen table, they sat in the downstage right chair. This placed the actor’s back to most of the audience, putting them immediately at a visual disadvantage. Simply shifting them to the upstage side of the table eliminates the problem. There was a similar issue in the scenes played stage left. If Diana is moved to the stronger position of the other chair, she is immediately open to the entire audience. Also, across the cast, actors were standing completely in profile to each other. If your shoulders are pointing upstage and to the booth, odds are good you are upstaging yourself.

Performance – Some of this goes in hand with the blocking. Some of this is due to the contemporary nature of the show. Don’t be so concerned with making constant eye contact with your scene partners. Every song is not a ballad. In fact you might be better served to think of your lyrics as lines. Some words need emotion and emphasis behind them. Don’t be a total slave to the music. Break the traditional musical theater habits (this note is mainly for the more experienced musical theatre performers). If you are on stage during someone else’s number, actively listen and react to their words. Many times the person not singing would just “freeze” on stage. Remember at the Incline, much of the audience is below you. If you are singing to a point above the sound booth, you are aiming too high, so keep those chins down.

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Lesley Hitch as Diana, Derek Harper as Dr. Fine & cast. Photo by Tammy Cassesa.

Bottom line: remember this is a story you are telling to the audience, not to each other on stage. I hope these points don’t come across as harsh because they are not meant to be and I think they are easily addressable. It is simply the frequency of these issues that kept me from being pulled into the story. The elements are there, but I feel you just need to connect emotionally with the songs, each other, and the audience to bring the show to its full potential. I expect the show to only get stronger over the course of the run.

My rating: 4.0 out of 5.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show or my review. All I ask is that you express your opinion without attacking someone else’s opinion. You can post your comments below.

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September 26, 2018 · 10:15 am

THE WIZARD OF OZ Runs Oct. 25-Nov. 18

CCPA_The Wizard of Oz promoTHE WIZARD OF OZ
Covedale Center for the Performing Arts
Oct. 25-Nov. 18
[West Price Hill]

Directed by Bob Brunner
Music directed by Ron Attreau
Choreographed by Jeni Bayer Schwiers

Cast: Ally Davis as Dorothy, Jeremiah Plessinger as Tin Man, Brandon Bentley as Cowardly Lion, Chris Logan Carter as Scarecrow, Michelle Wells as Ms. Gulch/Wicked Witch, Erin N. Donahue as Aunt Em/Glenda The Good Witch, Kyle Taylor as Professor Marvel/Oz Guard/The Wizard, Peter Cutler as Uncle Henry/Mayor of Munchkinland/Ensemble & Macy Wieman as Toto
Ensemble:  Annie Schneider, Jenna Treinen, Mary Mills, Emily Haddix, Peter Cutler, Jeremy Cox, Liam Sweeney and Cian Steele.
Children’s Chorus: Marian C. Hamilton, Morgan Tracy, Nora Darnell, Ruthie Darnell

Based on the 1939 movie with Judy Garland. Dorothy Gale, a young girl living on a Kansas farm with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, dreams of escaping her mundane life. So when witchy old Miss Gulch threatens to impound Dorothy’s dog Toto, Dorothy runs away with her pet, only to be whisked away to the Land of OZ in a terrifying cyclone. Looking for her way back home, she and her new friends sing some of the most iconic songs ever, including “If I Only Had a Brain/Heart/Nerve”, “Munchkin Land”, “Follow The Yellow Brick Road” and the classic “Over the Rainbow”.

  • Thu, Oct. 25 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Oct. 26-27 at 8pm
  • Sun, Oct. 28 at 2pm
  • Thu, Nov. 1 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Nov. 2-3 at 8pm
  • Sun, Nov. 4 at 2pm
  • Thu, Nov. 8 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Nov. 9-10 at 8pm
  • Sun, Nov. 11 at 2pm
  • Thu, Nov. 15 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Nov. 16-17 at 8pm
  • Sun, Nov. 18 at 2pm

Official page |

 

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