Tag Archives: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

CINCINNATI — Tickets are now on sale for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s Spring 2023 shows, which will take place in the new Moe and Jack’s Place — The Rouse Theatre and the historic Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre. The season will open with an all-new production of A Chorus Line on Thursday, March 16 with previews running March 11, 14 and 15.

“From our grand opening production of A Chorus Line to exciting world premieres and new work, the 2023 spring season embodies the very best of American theatre and celebrates the rich diversity of our world,” said Blake Robison, Osborn Family producing artistic director. “Our new facility will serve the entire Cincinnati arts and culture community. We are eager to open our doors, share resources and highlight the work of so many outstanding artists.”

The spring opening season also includes August Wilson’s Seven Guitars, world premieres from Karen Zacarías (a co-commission with the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis) and Nathan Alan Davis, as well as a regional premiere from Lloyd Suh.

SPRING 2023 PRODUCTIONS

The Singular Sensations present
A CHORUS LINE
Conceived and Originally Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett
Book by James Kirkwood and Nicolas Dante
Music by Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics by Edward Kleban
Directed by Blake Robison

March 11-April 15, 2023 
Moe and Jack’s Place — The Rouse Theatre

Description
Celebrate the grand opening of our new theatre with one singular sensation! Winner of 10 Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize, A Chorus Line finds 17 dancers competing for a role in a new Broadway musical. They must perfect vigorous dance combinations and share personal stories about their life in hopes of being cast. Heartfelt monologues, all-new choreography by Alex Sanchez and beloved musical numbers like “At the Ballet,” “The Music and the Mirror” and “What I Did for Love” underscore the dancers’ remarkable journeys to the stage. A Chorus Line is a timeless experience that’s bursting with artistic passion.

THE CHINESE LADY
By Lloyd Suh
Directed by Jess McLeod

March 25-April 30, 2023
Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre

Description:
Afong Moy is 14 years old when she was brought to the United States in 1834 and placed on public display as “The Chinese Lady” — supposedly the first to step foot on U.S. soil. Decade after decade, she performs as a living exhibit, showing curious white people how she eats, what she wears and — the highlight of the event — how she walks with bound feet. Time wears on, and eventually, the lines between her performance and her own identity become blurry. Inspired by the true story of Afong Moy’s life, The Chinese Lady is a darkly poetic yet whimsical portrait of our collective past through the eyes of a young Chinese woman.
Production Sponsor: Ohio National Financial Services

The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation presents
AUGUST WILSON’S SEVEN GUITARS
Directed by Ron “OJ” Parson

April 23 -May 14, 2023
Moe and Jack’s Place — The Rouse Theatre

Description
It’s 1948 in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, and blues music echoes throughout the neighborhood. A group of old friends gathers to mourn and reminisce about Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton — a gifted guitarist whose star was on the rise and whose untimely death has irrevocably changed each of them. With live blues and lyrical dialogue, August Wilson weaves a poetic and poignant composition about the Black American experience. This landmark, Tony Award-winning play — a part of Wilson’s American Century Cycle — promises a soulful exploration of the ties that bind and the chords that hold us together.

ORIGIN STORY
By Nathan Alan Davis
Directed by Joanie Schultz

May 20-June 25, 2023
Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre

Description
In this funny and heartfelt world-premiere comedy, Margaret finds herself in a quarter-life crisis while working two jobs to pay down her debt. She wades through banal office triviality at The Services Corporation by day and trudges through the slow-moving graveyard shift at The Burg’s drive-thru by night. Margaret yearns to belong somewhere, and so do the coworkers and customers she interacts with every day. With delightfully unexpected turns and an ensemble of endearing characters, Origin Story is a touching tale about life’s biggest questions and the surprising ways we find the answers.

SHANE
By Karen Zacarías
Directed by Blake Robison

June 3-25, 2023 
Moe and Jack’s Place — The Rouse Theatre

Description
One of the greatest Westerns of all time finds new life on the stage! Shane, a mysterious ex-gunfighter, is a man with a dangerous past. Yet, the Starrett family finds kinship with him, and Shane helps protect their Wyoming farm in 1889. Their story sheds new light on the allure, myths and values of the Wild West — a chapter in history that still has many tales to tell. Based on the classic novel by Jack Schaefer, this world premiere by acclaimed playwright Karen Zacarías brings an exciting, fresh perspective to an extraordinary American genre.
Production Sponsors: Johnson Investment Counsel and Clark Schaefer Hackett

Tickets start at $35.For more information, visit cincyplay.com or call the Box Office at 513-421-3888 or 800-582-3208 toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Patrons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled dial 711 to connect to the Box Office via Ohio Relay Services. The Playhouse is fully accessible.

SEASON SPONSORS
The Rouse Theatre Season is presented by Schueler Group. The Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre Season is presented by the Vontz Family. Season Sponsor of New Work is 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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CINCINNATI (Nov. 18) — Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig, everyone’s favorite hosts from Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, invite all Cincinnati residents ages 5 and up to an immersive Victorian-era party that celebrates the cheerful spirit of the season. The special holiday event takes place Dec. 14-18 at the Phoenix on Race Street.

“Due to the construction of our new mainstage theatre, the beloved A Christmas Carol production will not be staged this year,” explained Daunielle Rasmussen, director of artistic engagement. “We took the opportunity to create something new, where you can experience MR. AND MRS. FEZZIWIG’S HOLIDAY PARTY up close through dancing, food, drinks, games and crafts for both kids and adults.”

The immersive holiday events take place on Dec. 14 -16 at 7 p.m., Dec. 17 at 2 and 7 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. Each party is designed for up to two hours of entertainment. Guests can experience the activities and entertainment at their own pace.

Carolers and actors will perform throughout the interactive, festive event where guests will have the opportunity to:

• Learn Victorian-era group dances
• Enjoy holiday-styled beverages and lite bites coursed throughout the evening topped off with dessert
• Play a variety of parlor games, including knock rummy, charades and “Yes or No,” as seen in the Playhouse’s production of A Christmas Carol
• Mix and mingle with Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig and other Victorian-era characters

Children ages 5 and up can partake in guided fun and games in the parlor room and library, including:

• Victorian-era floor games
• A holiday arts and crafts station
• Puppet shows
• Interactive performances by a magician
• A short, original melodrama written and performed in the Victorian style

Tickets can be purchased here. Each ticket includes lite bites, dessert, unlimited punch, cider and hot cocoa. Adults will receive one drink ticket for beer, wine or spiced mead. Cash bar available for additional adult beverages. Period costumes are not necessary, but holiday attire is welcomed.

LOCATION
MR. AND MRS. FEZZIWIG’S HOLIDAY PARTY takes place at the Phoenix, 812 Race St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

TICKETS
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.

ADVISORY
MR. AND MRS. FEZZIWIG’S HOLIDAY PARTY is recommended for ages 5 and up. Any participant of any age must have their own ticket. No strollers will be allowed in the venue.

SPONSORS
Sponsored by First Financial Bank with additional support from Barbara Fitch and the Stona Fitch 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.

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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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