Tag Archives: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

November 12, 2012 · 1:45 pm

Cincinnati Playhouse’s HANK WILLIAMS Earns Four LCT Nominations

The cast. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Panelists for the League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) have recognized Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY with 4 LCT nominations for Outstanding Production (Musical), lead actor (Peter Oyloe), Featured Actor (Brian Gunter) and Ensemble Acting in a Musical, as well as distinguishing it as a recommended production.

HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY is a journey through the life and music of Hank Williams, which starts in the backwoods of Alabama and winds up at center stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Featuring more than 20 of the singer’s most popular songs, including “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Hey, Good Lookin’” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” LOST HIGHWAY is an honest and mesmerizing portrait of the drifting cowboy who became one of the most influential country artists of all time.

Panelists praised Peter Oyloe’s portrayal of Hank Williams as “flawless in his performance…watching him made you feel as if Hank was truly there on the stage in front of your very eyes.” Brian Gunter was “superb” as Jimmy and acted as a “nice foil for Hank Williams.” The ensemble was “impressively convincing both musically and in the rendition of their roles. A stand-out cast!” The production as a whole was “spirited and heartbreaking…The audience found themself laughing, crying, clapping and most of the time singing along as they were drawn into the story.” “This was an absolutely wonderful evening of theater even if you don’t care about country and western music in the least.”

HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY continues through December 23rd. Tickets can be purchased at www.cincyplay.com.

Final LCT awards will be determined at the end of the season and announced at the LCT gala in the spring.

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.com.

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November 9, 2012 · 9:19 am

HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY Mini-Review

Peter Oyloe is legendary singer-songwriter Hank Williams. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Links to all reviews can be found on the BTC REVIEWS page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my FaceBook fan page. You can receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park through Dec. 23. You can read the show description here.

Playhouse mounts an excellent production of HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY. It’s been quite some time since I’ve heard this much buzz from an audience at intermission.

HANK WILLIAMS features a strong ensemble with direction from Randal Myler, extremely-talented musicians, excellent set (Vicki Smith), beautiful costumes (Gordon DeVinney) and music (directed by Dan Whtteman) , with excellent sound quality (design by Timothy J. Ryan) throughout. Opening night, the performance had many patrons tapping their feet and clapping along to Williams’ hits.

Seventy-four year old Mississippi Charles Bevel is awe-inspiring as ever-present Tee-Tot. His experience and vocal talent brings an authenticity to the production that instantly resonates. Peter Oyloe in the title role brings many layers to his performance and does well in capturing Williams’ unique sound. Other favorites include Sally Mayes as Mama Lily and the hysterical rendition of “Happy Rovin’ Cowboy” by Stephen G. Anthony, Brian Gunter and H. Drew Perkins. The vaudeville-esque number brought back some fond childhood memories of “Hee Haw” with the family on a Saturday night.

If you have enjoyed past productions such as ALWAYS…PATSY CLINE, you’ll have a great experience.

The cast. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Click here for a complete list of show times, articles and other reviews for HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the showor 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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November 6, 2012 · 12:41 pm

PIP Seeks House Assistants/Parking Attendants

POSITIONS: Two House Assistants/Parking Attendants

Department: Front of House
Reports to: House Manager
Status: Full Season, Part time

The House and Parking Assistants must be self-motivated individuals who are capable of working in a fast-paced environment, are team players, have strong organizational skills, are able to handle light physical labor, and can communicate effectively with volunteers, patrons, and in-house staff.

Duties include, but are not limited to: pre-show set up, coordinating ticket takers, trouble-shooting seating and parking issues, tabulating house counts, completing appropriate forms, collecting and reporting transient parking revenue, and additional duties as deemed necessary for individual productions.

Good people skills are essential for these positions. Candidates will be required to work outside normal business hours, including evenings and weekends. This is a part-time seasonal position.

All interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Richard Wanamaker at richard.wanamaker@cincyplay.com or to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mt. Adams Circle, Cincinnati, OH 45202. No phone calls please.

The Playhouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages a diverse pool of applicants.

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November 6, 2012 · 12:35 pm

A CHRISTMAS CAROL runs Nov. 29-Dec. 30

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Nov. 29-Dec. 30
Eden Park

Reviews: Cincinnati Examiner | Enquirer |

Local media coverage: Enquirer article | WVXU interview |

Directed by Michael Evan Haney

Cast: Bruce Cromer as Ebenezer Scrooge, Dale Hodges as the Ghost of Christmas Past/Mrs. Peake, Keith Jochim as Mr. Fezziwig/Ghost of Christmas Present, Gregory Procaccino as Jacob Marley/Old Joe, Amy Warner as Mrs. Fezziwig/Patience, Nick Rose as Mr. Cupp/Percy/Guest at Fezziwig’s, Stephen Skiles as Mr. Sosser/Topper/Man with Shoe Shine/Guest at Fezziwig’s, Craig Wesley Divino as Fred, Avery Clark as Young and Mature Scrooge/Ghost of Christmas Future, Joy Farmer-Clary as Belle/Catherine Margare, Michael Keyloun as Bob Cratchit/Schoolmaster Oxlip & Kelly Mengelkoch as Mrs. Cratchit/Laundress
Carolers and party guests: Suzanne Sefinatu Ayoka Blunk, Jamal Crowelle, Phillip Ray Guevara, Rachel McKeon, Kevin Percival, Heather Petersen, Datus Puryear & Betsy Rosen,
Children: Allison Edwards as Fan/Guest at Fezziwig’s, Von Eric Huhn as Tiny Tim, Jack Johnson as Peter Cratchit/Gregory/Apprentice at Fezziwig’s, Carrington Shropshire as George/Charles/Apprentice at Fezziwig’s and Naomi Stoner as Martha Cratchit/Guest at Fezziwig’s, Grace Hehman as Belinda Cratchit/Guest at Fezziwig’s Guest, Ethan Verderber as Boy Scrooge/Guest at Fezziwig’s/Bootblack, Aubrey Elizabeth Jones as Want/Guest at Fezziwig’s & Joseph Forest Lennon Hamzy as Ignorance/Matthew/Guest at Fezziwig’s

The Playhouse’s version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL combines faithful storytelling with spellbinding stage magic to bring to life its familiar story of a sinner given one last chance at redemption by four persuasive ghosts. Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes a miraculous Christmas Eve transformation as he views with new eyes his past, present and the possibilities of the future. As he witnesses all those who have improved his life — his first love Belle, his kindhearted employer Fezziwig, his nephew Fred and his heartily abused clerk Bob Cratchit — he realizes that it’s never too late to change his miserly ways. A CHRISTMAS CAROL’s heartwarming message, along with hundreds of costumes and thrilling special effects, helps to make the show one of the Playhouse’s most popular productions each year.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL is suitable for general audiences, including children age 5 and older. Due to the full-length nature of the show, children younger than 5 cannot be admitted.

  • In preview, Thu, Nov. 29 at 7pm
  • Fri, Nov. 30 at 7pm
  • Sat-Sun, Dec. 1-2 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Fri, Dec. 7 at 7pm
  • Sat-Sun, Dec. 8-9 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Tue, Dec. 11 at 7:30pm
  • Wed-Fri, Dec. 12-14 at 7pm
  • Sat-Sun, Dec. 15-16 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Tue-Fri, Dec. 18-21 at 7pm
  • Sat-Sun, Dec. 22-23 at 2pm & 7pm 
  • Wed-Fri, Dec. 26-28 at 7pm
  • Sat, Dec. 29 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, Dec. 30 at 2pm

Official page with online ticketing | Goldstar discount |

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October 24, 2012 · 6:05 pm

PIP’s Shelterhouse Season Continues with HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY, Nov. 3-Dec. 23

(CINCINNATI) – Go beyond the legend to the roots of Hank Williams’ music in

HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. This spectacular musical biography of the legendary singer-songwriter begins previews in the Playhouse’s Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre Nov. 3 and continues through Dec. 23.

The journey starts in the backwoods of Alabama and winds up at center stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Featuring more than 20 of the singer’s most popular songs, including “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Hey, Good Lookin’” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” Lost Highway is an honest and mesmerizing portrait of the drifting cowboy who became one of the most influential country artists of all time.

The highway of Williams’ life was an infamously brief one, ending in the backseat of his powder blue 1952 Cadillac convertible, either late New Year’s Eve 1952 or early New Year’s Day 1953. He left Montgomery, Ala., on Dec. 30, 1952, with a college student hired to drive him to concert dates in Charleston, W. Va., and Canton, Ohio. Due to an unusual Southern snowfall, the journey was a series of delays, with Hank’s death occurring between Knoxville, Tenn., and Oak Hill, W. Va., where he was officially declared dead.

Nearly 60 years after his death, Hank’s legacy still runs strong. Of the mere 30 singles released during his lifetime — and five released posthumously, including the iconic “Your Cheatin’ Heart” — 11 went to No. 1. His songs have been recorded by countless artists of diverse musical genres. Hank and his record producer, Fred Rose, were two of the first three country music figures inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961, and his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 acknowledged his crossover influence.

-more-

The Hank Williams Memorial Lost Highway, a portion of I-65 in Alabama, was dedicated in 1997. Bob Dylan, who lists him as a major influence, spearheaded the 2011 release of The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams, previously unheard lyric compositions from his songwriting notebooks set to music by such artists as Dylan, Alan Jackson, Norah Jones, Sheryl Crow and granddaughter Holly Williams.

The cast of HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY includes Peter Oyloe as Hank Williams, Mississippi Charles Bevel as Tee-Tot, Annie Fitzpatrick as The Waitress, Sally Mayes as Mama Lilly, Steven G. Anthony as Hoss, Brian Gunter as Jimmy (Burrhead), H. Drew Perkins as Leon (Loudmouth), Jason Edwards (Smoke on the Mountain and Sanders Family Christmas: More Smoke on the Mountain) as Fred Rose (Pap), Russ Wever (Always… Patsy Cline) as Shag and Morgan Hallett (Love, Janis) as Audrey Williams.

Randal Myler (Love, Janis; Appalachian Springs; Always … Patsy Cline), who co-authored and directed It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues, will direct. Other members of the production team include Musical Director Dan Wheetman, Set Designer Vicki Smith, Costume Designer Gordon DeVinney, Lighting Designer Don Darnutzer and Sound Designer Timothy J. Ryan. The Production Stage Manager is Jenifer Morrow.

Prices for HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY range from $30 – $80, depending on day and seat location and are subject to change. Tickets are just $30 for the preview performances at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3; 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7. The official opening night is Thursday, Nov. 8 at 8 p.m.

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there is no performance on Thursday, Nov. 22. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets to HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY are on sale now. 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. Call 513-345-2248 for TDD accessibility.

The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.

The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to ArtsWave.

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 and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Special Performances

Meet the Artists

These free programs allow audiences to interact with cast members and others associated with the production following the show.

  • 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11
  • 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18
  • 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21

Dining Options

Karlo’s Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required by noon on the day of the show. The price is $27. Karlo’s Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required. Credit cards are now accepted.

Sponsors

Production Sponsors: Clark, Schaefer, Hackett and Company

Honorary Producers: Richard and Teddie Curry

The 2012-2013 Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre Series is presented by The Heidelberg Distributing Co.

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