Maurice Emmanuel Parent in the Boston Playwright’s Theatre production of MR. PARENT. Photo by Scornavacca Photography.
CINCINNATI (Sept. 6 2024) – The Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre transforms into an urban public school classroom as writer-performer Maurice Emmanuel Parent takes the stage in MR. PARENT beginning Sept. 6. The endearing and charismatic solo performance recounts his real-life adventures of being a struggling actor who turns to teaching for a steady paycheck thinking, “How hard could it be?” The show runs through Oct. 6. Opening night is Sept. 12.
Equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, MR. PARENT is based on Parent’s personal stories and real-life adventures teaching by day and acting by night, which proves more challenging than he expected. Along the way, he encounters inequitable systems, finds brilliance in every kid he teaches and learns how we might all find the space to be ourselves.
“The reason I created MR. PARENT was to add to the multiple messages out there about kids,” Parent explains. “Kids are such sponges so if they can absorb or soak up hearing me tell them they are smart, capable and have every right to everything in this world just like everybody else, that will help them when they hear other messages telling them they are not smart, not capable and don’t deserve a space in this world.”
While performing Dominique Morisseau’s workplace dramedy Skeleton Crew at Boston’s Huntington Theatre Company, Director Megan Sandberg-Zakian encouraged Parent, whose diverse acting credits include A Raisin in the Sun, Angels in America, Man of La Mancha and King Lear, to share his story.
“He was really funny,” recalls director Megan Sandberg-Zakian, who along with playwright Melinda Lopez collaborated with Parent to bring MR. PARENT to life on stage. “On every rehearsal break he was like holding court with the other actors. There would be hilarity coming from that corner [of the room], and I would go over and hear him tell a story about kids. The stories were entertaining, engaging and funny. As I started listening to them, I realized he had something to work out. His experience was unmetabolized. It was both funny and painful.”
“I created MR. PARENT based off the parts of me that I wanted people to share and see and what I thought would serve kids,” Parent says. “And after years of being only part of myself, I learned I can’t live like that. I can’t function or be my best self if I’m doing that. MR. PARENT is about education, but it’s also about finding your passion and not being able to let go of it. For me it was performing, making art.”
Parent also hopes that the play will inspire people to “think about their neighborhood schools or the schools in their state and the way their state funds its schools. I also hope they find ways to support their schools such as becoming a volunteer or advocating for more funding.”
ARTISTS
Maurice Emmanuel Parent* – Mr. Parent
Melinda Lopez – Playwright
Megan Sandberg-Zakian – Director
Cristina Todesco – Set Designer
Yao Chen – Costume Designer
Karen Perlow – Lighting Designer
Arshan Gailus – Original Music/Sound Designer
Christine Hamel – Associate Director
Brooke Redler* – Stage Manager
Brandon T. Holmes* – Stage Manager
*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 based on seating location and performance day. Preview performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on Sept 7, 10, and 11 and at 2 p.m. on Sept. 8. Opening night is Oct. 12 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 Sept. 25 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 http://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., Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
- Sun., Sept. 8 at 2 p.m.
- Tue., Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m.
- Wed., Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Opening Night:
Share the excitement of Thursday opening nights.
- Thu., Sept. 12 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., Sept. 15 at 2 p.m.
- Sun., Sept. 22 at 2 p.m.
- Wed., Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
- Thu., Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
HUES COMMUNITY NIGHT
Join Black influencers, leaders and tastemakers for an incredible evening of entertainment that highlights Black voices and stories, a pre-show reception and an ArtTalk with members of the artistic team after the performance. The pre-show reception from 6 to 7 p.m. is an additional $20 per person and includes light bites and beverages (beer, wine and soft drinks). The evening recognizes No Excuses College & Tours Programs for its important work in the community.
- Fri., Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Reception tickets can be purchased online or by calling the box office. Performance tickets are sold separately.
ADVISORY
MR. PARENT is recommended for older teenage and adult audiences. This one-man show details the beauty and struggles of teaching at a public school while relaying stories about sexual identity, racism, profiling and inequitable systems that include descriptions of violence and strong adult language.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY: CONSTRUCTION ON EDEN PARK DRIVE
The City of Cincinnati has begun a months-long project to stabilize the slope and repair the sidewalk on Art Museum Drive leading up from Eden Park Drive. With this work, there are currently some road closures on the approach to the Playhouse from Eden Park Drive that will last into December. Please refer to this online map for information on the closures and alternate routes and add extra time for your arrival to the Playhouse. Thanks for your patience and understanding. Please call the Box Office at (513) 421-3888 with any questions.
Sponsors
Production Sponsor is Digi and Mike Schueler. Design Sponsor is Mark and Rosemary Schlachter. Artist Sponsor is Homewood Suites by Hilton-Cincinnati Midtown. The Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre Season is presented by The Vontz Family.
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.
THE SECOND CITY: 65TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 