Tag Archives: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

Photo of Max Alexander-Taylor in THE LION at the Southwark Playhouse in London. Photo by Pamela Raith.

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE WILL BRING AN EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT OF THE LION STRAIGHT FROM LONDON TO THE WARSAW FEDERAL INCLINE THEATER NOV. 12

CINCINNATI (Oct. 31, 2022) — THE LION, an acoustic storytelling event, comes from the London stage for an exclusive engagement with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park beginning Nov. 12. The genre-redefining musical will run through Dec. 4 at Warsaw Federal Incline Theater in Price Hill. Opening night is Nov. 17.

Written and originally performed by Benjamin Scheuer, THE LION is a story of love, loss and ultimately, hope that premiered off-Broadway in 2014 and then toured the U.S. and the U.K. for over 500 performances. This revival, directly from London, features Max Alexander- Taylor as Benjamin, the show’s musician-storyteller. The new production was hailed by WhatsOnStage as “an incredibly life-affirming theatrical experience.” Musical Theater Review called the revival “a rare and beautiful gem.”

“Unusually for a musical, this piece has a real intimacy and directness with an audience, and we’ve directed the show to be far more live and spontaneous than is often possible to be with a large ensemble or orchestra…THE LION is an exciting example that musicals can be small, subtle, sincere and stripped right back to just a person in a room telling a brilliant story,” said Alex Stenhouse, who also co-directs the Playhouse engagement with Sean Daniels.

The turbulent story in the musical begins with a boy named Benjamin, whose father loved music and writing folk songs. An unexpected event sends shock waves throughout the family, splintering Benjamin’s relationship with them into adulthood. When he experiences a brush with his own mortality, the audience sees Benjamin summon the courage to weather the storm.

“…to be bringing our production to Cincinnati this year is so surreal and a truly special experience,” Stenhouse continued. “We’re so proud of it, and we can’t wait for you all to see what we’ve been cooking up across the pond.”

LOCATION

Due to construction, the Playhouse’s Eden Park facility is temporarily closed. Performances of THE LION will take place at The Warsaw Federal Incline Theater in Price Hill: 801 Matson Pl, Cincinnati, OH 45204.

ARTISTS

Max Alexander-Taylor (Benjamin); Benjamin Scheuer (Book, Music & Lyrics); Sean Daniels (Director); Alex Stenhouse (Director); Simon Kenny (Scenic & Costume Designer); Emma Chapman (Lighting Designer); William Kirkham (Associate Lighting Designer); Andrew Johnson (Sound Designer); Brandon T. Holmes (Stage Manager); Andrea Shell (Second Stage Manager); Arizona Theatre Company (Co-Producer)

TICKETS 

Performances will take place at Warsaw Federal Incline Theater on Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. An additional matinee performance is offered on Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. No performance on Thanksgiving Day. An audio-described performance will be offered on Dec. 3 at 2 p.m., and a signed performance will be offered on Dec. 4 at 2 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.

ADVISORY

THE LION is suitable for ages 12 and up. This heartrending yet uplifting story about one man’s personal journey through loss, illness and relationship challenges includes mature themes and some amazing music. We recommend you bring tissues.

SPONSORS

Production Sponsor is Roto-Rooter. Design Sponsor is Frost Brown Todd, LLC.  Honorary Producers are Barbara and Leon Meyer. Season Sponsors are the Vontz Family and the Rosenthal Family Foundation.

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.

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Vanessa Severo in the Portland Center Stage 2021 production of FRIDA…A SELF PORTRAIT. Photo by Owen Carey.

COVINGTON, KY (Oct. 13, 2022)—The stunning life story of iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo will illuminate the stage when Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park brings its production FRIDA…A SELF PORTRAIT to The Carnegie in Covington beginning Oct. 15. (Opening night is Oct. 20; the production runs through Nov. 6.)

The intimate, theatrical portrait, written and performed by Vanessa Severo, captures the difficulties and wonders of Kahlo’s life journey through physical hardship, tumultuous romantic relationships and mastering her artistic gifts. With music, movement, raw honesty and moments of deep humor, this one-woman show is as singular as the artist at the center of the play.

“I found this woman that was very ahead of her time — and very tweetable, actually, for today — and kind of the first selfies I would say of the 1930s and ‘40s,” Severo said in an interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting. “But the difference was that in today’s world, we try to put on a patina of ‘everything’s great,’ and here’s this woman who’s painting her pain very clearly and unapologetically, and I thought, I wanted her to be alive and breathing today.”

After years of research and a moving trip to Kahlo’s home at La Caza Azul, Severo brings unparalleled authenticity to the painter’s story. She’s also found uncanny similarities with Kahlo in her own life, allowing her to crack open a powerful portal between them and share inspiring stories of her own.

FRIDA…A SELF PORTRAIT is directed by Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Joanie Schultz, who also directed the world premiere at Kansas City Repertory Theatre and a 2019 production of the play at Portland Center Stage.

“The play is a self-portrait of both the historical figure Frida Kahlo and the performer Vanessa Severo,” said Schultz. “As the piece unfolds, there are moments when the lines become blurred between the actor and the character. What we are left with is pure Frida and pure Vanessa, both searching to be seen and understood.”

Broadway World likened the production to “a series of paintings brought vividly to life,” and Oregon Artswatch wrote, “it broadens the reach of what we all have in common with one another.”

Although Kahlo is the play’s main character, Severo deftly portrays many characters, from Rivera to Frida’s parents and sister. The play is written as an interview with Kahlo (Severo also plays the interviewer) and beautifully incorporates movement, monologue, and Kahlo’s and Severo’s life stories into one cohesive piece.

LOCATION
Due to construction, the Playhouse’s Eden Park facility is temporarily closed. Performances of FRIDA…A SELF PORTRAIT will take place at The Carnegie, 1028 Scott St. Covington, Ky 4101.

CAST/PRODUCTION
Vanessa Severo (Playwright/Frida Kahlo); Joanie Schultz (Director); Jacqueline Penrod(Set Designer); Katherine Davis (Costume Designer); Rachael Cady (Lighting Designer); Thomas Dixon (Sound Designer/Original Compositions); Brooke Redler (Stage Manager

TICKETS 
Performances will take place at The Carnegie in Covington Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. (except Nov. 2), Saturdays at 2 p.m.and on Sundays at 3 p.m. (except Oct. 16). There is a 1 p.m. performance on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

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 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.

SPECIAL EVENT

WRITING AND CREATING A SOLO SHOW
A writing and movement workshop inspired by the art of Frida Kahlo with instructor Erin Carr
Sat, Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Carnegie, Eva G. Farris Education Center, 1028 Scott Boulevard, Covington, KY 41011
Cost: $25 per participant

Join us for a playwriting and performance workshop inspired by FRIDA…A SELF PORTRAIT during which you will have the opportunity to write and create your own short solo performance piece inspired by a piece of artwork. The first hour will be writing exercises to create a monologue and in the second hour, you will bring your monologue to life through movement and physical exploration. Participants will use prints of Frida Kahlo’s artwork to inspire the personal piece, but participants are also welcome to provide their own piece of inspirational art to work from, portraits are preferred.

This event is intended to be accessible for adults of all experience levels in movement and writing.

ADVISORY
FRIDA…A SELF PORTRAIT is suitable for ages 12 and up. Frida Kahlo boldly captured the details of her life through her art, and so this play includes discussions of adult relationships, illness and other mature themes.

LOCATION
The Carnegie, 1028 Scott Street, Covington, KY, 41011, while construction of the new Moe & Jack’s Place The Rouse Theatre continues. The new mainstage theater will open in Spring 2023.

SPONSORS

Production Sponsor is Digi and Mike Schueler. Artist Sponsor is Bartlett Wealth Management. Honorary Producer is Corporex. Season Sponsors are the Vontz Family and the Rosenthal Family Foundation.

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.

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Photo by Tony Arrasmith/Arrasmith and Associates.

CINCINNATI — The October chill will get a bit colder when CHILDREN OF THE CORN MAZE: IN SEARCH OF THE GREENVILLE GHOST brings chilling stories to Burger Farm in Newtown beginning Oct. 7. The immersive experience, part of the Playhouse’s Off the Grid series, takes place Fridays and Saturdays in October.

The Burger Farm and Garden Center fields still have many spooky tales to tell in this follow-up to 2020’s Children of the Corn Maze. In this all-new play by Brant Russell, teenagers keep disappearing after dark, leaving hardly any evidence in their wake. Could it be the Greenville Ghost, a monstrous menace of local lore? The Greenville City Council isn’t taking the matter seriously, so it’s up to the audience to form a search party! With touches of humor and mind-boggling twists, this real-time mystery unfolds as participants explore the farm’s spooky fields, searching for clues in this immersive, outdoor experience.

The outdoor corn maze performances coincide with Burger Farm’s annual Fall Fun Festival and occur on Friday and Saturday nights: Oct. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 7, 8, 9 and 10 p.m. In addition to the interactive experience in the corn maze, guests can enjoy a hot drink station, a bonfire pit and hay bales as part of Burger Farm’s Annual Farm Fun festival.

The Playhouse’s Off the Grid series creates immersive theatre experiences. The interactive performances take place in site-specific or social settings that reimagine the nature of theatrical storytelling.

LOCATION & TICKETS
Tickets are available on cincyplay.com. Four performances will take place daily on Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 7-29 at Burger Farm and Garden Center in Newtown, 7849 Main Street (45244). Performances are at 7, 8, 9 and 10 p.m. Each performance runs approximately 45-55 minutes.

ADVISORY
For ages 12 and up.

SPONSORS
Sponsored by First Financial Bank. 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.

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