Tag Archives: Cincinnati Landmark Productions

GREATER TUNA Runs Jan. 22-Feb. 15

Matthew Wilson& Justin Smith

Matthew Wilson& Justin Smith

GREATER TUNA
Presented by Covedale Center for the Performing Arts
Jan. 22-Feb. 15
West Price Hill

Directed by Bob Brunner

Cast: Matthew Wilson and Justin Smith

What do Arles Struvie, Thurston Wheelis, Aunt Pearl, Petey Fisk, Phineas Blye and Rev. Spikes have in common? In this hilarious send-up of small town morals and mores, they are all among the upstanding citizens of Tuna, Texas’ third smallest town.  The play’s two actors play all twenty characters in a revolving parade of uproarious situations. This show’s so much fun you might want to move to the Lone Star state to meet all these crazy, fun folks!  Greater Tuna is one of the most produced plays in American theatre history!

  • Thu, Jan. 22 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Jan. 23-24 at 8pm
  • Sun, Jan. 25 at 2pm
  • Thu, Jan. 29 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Jan. 30-31 at 8pm
  • Sun, Feb. 1 at 2pm
  • Thu, Feb. 5 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Feb. 6-7 at 8pm
  • Sun, Feb. 8 at 2pm
  • Thu, Feb. 12 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Feb. 13-14 at 8pm
  • Sun, Feb. 15 at 2pm

Official page |

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PLAID TIDINGS Review

Links to all reviews can be found using the REVIEWS link at the top of the page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my Facebook fan page. You can also receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

Charlie Meredith as Sparky, Tyler Huckstep as Jinx, John Battagliese as Francis and Thomas Knapp as Smudge. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Charlie Meredith as Sparky, Tyler Huckstep as Jinx, John Battagliese as Francis and Thomas Knapp as Smudge. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

PLAID TIDINGS presented by the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts through Dec. 21. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening Sunday performance.

It’s all about the Plaids, ’bout the Plaids…no argyle.

For the holiday season, Cincinnati Landmark Productions has re-gifted the cast of The Showboat Majestic’s 2013 production of FOREVER PLAID, wrapped them in a bow, and delivered them to the Covedale Center stage for PLAID TIDINGS. Best. Re-gift. Ever.

Thomas Knapp as Smudge, John Battagliese as Francis & Charlie Meredith as Sparky. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Thomas Knapp as Smudge, John Battagliese as Francis & Charlie Meredith as Sparky. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The Plaids are comprised of four UC College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) Musical Theatre students. Seniors Tyler Huckstep as Jinx, Charlie Meredith as Sparky and Thomas Knapp as Smudge plus Junior John Battagliese as Francis. Individually, each member has their moment in the spotlight to showcase their great voices. But it is their incredible four-part harmonies that take the show to another level. It is also great to see their growth as actors since their first production together.

Charlie Meredith as Sparky & John Battagliese as Francis. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Charlie Meredith as Sparky & John Battagliese as Francis. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Music director Steve Goers returns with The Plaids, this time taking on the additional role of director. The show flows smoothly and the blocking creates some really nice stage pictures. I look forward to seeing Goers take on another show. The choreography by Patti James was fun, adding a nice touch to several of the numbers. My only complaint is that the pacing in Act I didn’t seem as tight as Act II at the matinee.

The set design by Brett Bowling worked well. I liked how the two side pieces and the central large arch helped pull the performance downstage and center, giving the big space an intimate feel. Technically, I thought the Perry Como video worked really well.

PLAID TIDINGS is a fun-filled, holiday treat. If you haven’t visited the Covedale yet, this production is definitely worth a trip to the west side.

My rating: 4.25 out of 5

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Covedale’s PLAID TIDINGS Earns 4 Star LCT Rating

Charlie Meredith as Sparky, Thomas Knapp as Smudge, John Battagliese as Francis & Tyler Huckstep as Jinx.

Charlie Meredith as Sparky, Thomas Knapp as Smudge, John Battagliese as Francis & Tyler Huckstep as Jinx.

The League of Cincinnati Theatre (LCT) announces the Covedale Theatre’s PLAID TIDINGS is a 4-Star Show. Special recognition goes to Steve Goers for Musical Direction and Direction of a Musical, as well as the whole ensemble.

After an unfortunate accident,the 1950’s boy band returns to earth. Their angelic mission: bring a little heavenly ‘harmony’ to an apathetic world at Christmas. The cast includes Tyler Huckstep (Jinx), Charlie Meredith (Sparky), John Battagliese (Francis), and Thomas Knapp (Smudge), all juniors and seniors at CCM.

A panelist notes that “from the very beginning, the quartet engaged the audience and maintained this rapport and participation throughout the show.” Another states “it was the beautiful harmony and comic timing that really stands out.” A final panelist encourages the audience with PLAID TIDINGS is a Christmas revue like the old time TV shows and one you’ll remember for seasons to come…and you don’t need to have a cardigan sweater to enjoy the fun!”

Contact www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com for tickets to “Plaid Tidings.”

Nominations for LCT awards will be determined and announced at the end of the season and winners awarded at the annual LCT party in the summer.The League of Cincinnati Theatres was founded in 1999 to strengthen, nurture and promote Cincinnati’s theatre community. LCT provides its member companies and individual members with education, resources and services to enhance the quality and exposure of the theatre community in Cincinnati and increase community awareness, attendance and involvement. More information about the League can be found at www.leagueofcincytheatres.info.

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Carnegie’s Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett Reunite for Covedale’s THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Helen Anneliesa Raymond-Goers as Mrs. Lovett & Justin Glaser as Sweeney Todd.

Helen Anneliesa Raymond-Goers as Mrs. Lovett & Justin Glaser as Sweeney Todd.

Talk about extremes.

This past August, The Carnegie mounted a excellent production of SWEENEY TODD with Helen Anneliesa Raymond-Goers as Mrs. Lovett & Justin Glaser in the title role.

The two are being paired again on stage, this time in the iconic roles of Maria and Captain Von Trapp in The Covedale Center for the Performing Arts’ upcoming production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

The Covedale’s production runs April 30-May 24. A full cast list will be posted soon.

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CLP Announces Auditions for THE PRODUCERS

CLPCincinnati Landmark Productions will hold auditions for the inaugural Warsaw Federal Incline Theater production, THE PRODUCERS.

Sunday & Monday, Jan. 25 & 26 from 6-9:30pm

All auditions will be held at the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, 4990 Glenway Avenue in West Price Hill.

Important Audition Information: Please prepare 16 bars of a song that best showcases vocal ability in the style of the show. Please dress appropriately for a dance audition (bring your tap shoes). You will be asked to read from the script.

Cast members do not have to be the actual ages of the characters – just must be able to look age appropriate and act accordingly. MUST HAVE A RESUME listing theatrical experience in order to audition. A headshot/picture is appreciated but not required.

Please note: No more than two conflicts will be accepted during the rehearsal process for this production.

THE PRODUCERS
Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Based on the 1968 Film
June 3 – June 21, 2015

A scheming producer and his mousy accountant aim to produce the biggest flop on Broadway in Mel Brooks’ laugh-out-loud spectacle. Bialystock and Bloom! Those names should strike terror and hysteria in anyone familiar with Mel Brooks’ classic cult comedy film. Now as a big Broadway musical, THE PRODUCERS once again sets the standard for modern, outrageous, in-your-face humor. It is a truly “boffo” hit, winning a record twelve Tony Awards and wowing capacity crowds night after night. The plot is simple: a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history thereby bilking their backers (all “little old ladies”) out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit! The antics of Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom as they maneuver their way fecklessly through finding a show (the gloriously offensive “Springtime For Hitler”), hiring a director, raising the money and finally going to prison for their misdeeds is a lesson in broad comic construction. At the core of the insanely funny adventure is a poignant emotional journey of two very different men who become friends. With a truly hysterical book co-written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan (ANNIE) and music and lyrics by Mr. Brooks , THE PRODUCERS skewers Broadway traditions and takes no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an “equal opportunity offender!”

Tim Perrino, Director; Damon Stevens, Music Director; Maggie Perrino, Choreographer; Jenny Lutes, Production Stage Manager

Rehearsals begin: Monday, April 20, 2015
Performance dates: June 3 – June 21, 2015

All roles are paid positions. No roles have been precast.

For more information on auditions, contact us at 513.241.6550. Check us out on the web at www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com.

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