Tag Archives: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

September 3, 2014 · 1:32 pm

I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI First Course of PIP’s 2014-2015 Shelterhouse Season

I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI IS THE DELECTABLE FIRST COURSE OF CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK’S 2014-15 SHELTERHOUSE SEASON, SEPT. 27 – NOV. 2, 2014

PIP_I Loved I Lost I Made Spaghetti(CINCINNATI) – The mouth-watering new comedy I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI opens the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s 2014-15 Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre season. Adapted by Jacques Lamarre from the 2009 memoir by Giulia Melucci, the show dishes up a hilarious account of good food and bad boyfriends.

For Giulia, a new date is the perfect opportunity to show off her Italian home cooking. Unfortunately, her superior tasting cuisine far surpasses her inferior taste in men. Melucci’s book, which intersperses recipes with stories drawn from her unlucky-in-love life, has been described as a foodie’s dream version of Sex in the City. The play takes this combination of food and storytelling one step further. A very limited number of people who see the production each night will enjoy a three-course, gourmet spaghetti dinner made from scratch as part of the show.

The world premiere of I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI was produced by TheaterWorks in Hartford, Connecticut, in 2012 and directed by Rob Ruggiero, TheaterWork’s producing artistic director. Ruggiero also helms the Playhouse production; his previous work at the Playhouse includes Tigers Be Still, High, Last Train to Nibroc and Ella.

The one-woman show features Antoinette LaVecchia, a versatile Broadway actress who makes her Playhouse debut and who has earned raves in all previous productions of I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI. (The New York Times said LaVecchia “connects instantly with the audience, and she makes Giulia utterly irresistible.”) LaVecchia has appeared in The View from the Bridge on Broadway; other New York credits include String of Pearls, How to Be A Good Italian Daughter (in Spite of Myself), Magic Hands Freddy and The Bottle House. Melucci has nothing but praise for LaVecchia. “I have gotten to know Antoinette, and I adore her, and she me, I hope,” Melucci says. “I am amazed by what she does on stage night after night. It’s a true high wire act, and it’s a profound act of generosity.”

In addition to Ruggiero, the creative team includes associate director Nick Eilerman, set designer John Coyne, costume designer Alejo Vietti, lighting designer John Lasiter and sound designer Alexandra Wahl. Andrea L. Shell is the stage manager.

I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI is sponsored by Digi and Mike Schueler. Stable Two Financial, LLC, is the design sponsor.

Ticket prices for I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI start at $30. Prices are subject to change, and patrons are encouraged to buy early for the best seats at the best prices. Teen and student tickets are $30 each. The show is recommended for adults and older teenage audiences.

New for the 2014-15 season is Sunday College Night, with tickets to all 7 p.m. Sunday performances (not including A Christmas Carol) priced at just $10 with a valid student ID. Student tickets are just $15 on the day of the show for all other performances.

Onstage dinner seating for I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI is very limited and subject to availability. Dinner includes antipasto, salad, wine and made-from-scratch spaghetti. Dinners are priced at $35 each with a Center Section show ticket. Patrons with show tickets in Side A or Side B seating will need to pay the upgrade to the Center Section in addition to the $35 dinner price. Any subsequent ticket exchanges cannot be guaranteed dinner availability on new dates.

Previews for I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI are at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27; 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1. The official opening night is Thursday, Oct. 2, at 8 p.m. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sundays. Special events include a free Perspectives lecture and book signing at the Playhouse with author Giulia Melucci, which will follow the 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, Oct. 4. Playhouse Perspectives is made possible by a gift from Roderick and Barbara Barr.

Additionally, free Meet the Artists programs that allow audiences to interact with the cast and others associated with the production will be held after the following performances: 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15; and 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23.

The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available. Tickets to I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI 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 Telecommunications Device for the Deaf accessibility. The 2014-15 Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre Series is presented by the Heidelberg Distributing Company, and Humana is the Thompson Shelterhouse season design sponsor. The season sponsor of new work is The Lois and Richard Rosenthal Foundation. The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of the community contributors to the ArtsWave 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 and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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August 28, 2014 · 11:29 am

I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI Runs Sept. 27-Nov. 2

Antoinette LaVecchia as Giulia. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Antoinette LaVecchia as Giulia. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

I LOVED, I LOST, I MADE SPAGHETTI
Presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Sept. 27-Nov. 2
Eden Park

Directed by Rob Ruggiero

Cast: Antoinette LaVecchia as Giulia

Giulia Melucci’s memoir has been described as a foodie’s dream version of Sex and the City or Eat, Pray, Love with recipes. Now, the popular book becomes a hilarious play. For Giulia, a new date is the perfect opportunity to show off her Italian home cooking. While preparing a three-course dinner from scratch, she recounts stories of good food and bad boyfriends. Her superior tasting cuisine far surpasses her inferior taste in men in this mouth-watering new comedy. Appropriate for adults and older teenage audiences. It contains strong adult language, some talk associated with adult romantic relationships and several stories of very bad boyfriends.

  • In preview Sat, Sept. 27 at 8pm & Sun, Sept. 28 at 7pm. $30 seats available
  • In preview Tue-Wed, Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at 7:30pm. $30 seats available.
  • Thu-Fri, Oct. 2-3 at 8pm
  • Sat, Oct. 4 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Sun, Oct. 5 at 2pm
  • Tue-Wed, Oct. 7-8 at 7:30pm
  • Thu-Sat, Sept. 9-11 at 8pm
  • Sun, Sept. 12 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Tue-Wed, Oct. 14-15 at 7:30pm
  • Thu-Fri, Oct. 16-17 at 8pm
  • Sat, Oct. 18 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Sun, Oct. 19 at 7pm
  • Tue, Oct. 21 at 7:30pm
  • Wed, Oct. 22 at 1pm & 7:30pm
  • Thu-Fri, Oct. 23-24 at 8pm
  • Sat, Oct. 25 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Sun, Oct. 26 at 2pm
  • Tue-Wed, Oct. 28-29 at 7:30pm
  • Thu, Sept. 30 at 8pm
  • Sat, Nov. 1 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Sun, Nov. 2 at 2pm & 7pm

Official page |

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August 19, 2014 · 4:20 pm

PIP Seeks Accounting Assistant

PIP_logoCincinnati Playhouse in the Park

Position: Accounting Assistant
Reports to: Business Manager

The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is has an immediate opening for a full-time Accounting Assistant. This position is responsible for various administrative functions, including accounts payable, invoicing, accounts receivable, sales tax and city income tax remittances, posting credit memos, payments and adjustments, bank reconciliations, 1099 reporting and various other office administrative duties.

This is a high energy position that reports directly to the Business Manager. There are other duties to be assigned in the course of the normal business day.

Qualifications: An associate’s degree in accounting or certificate in accounting or business administration and three to four years of relevant work experience. Must be able to communicate (both written and oral) with staff and outside agencies in a professional, respectful and courteous manner and follow all applicable regulatory requirements (federal, state and local). Must have a strong mathematical aptitude, problem solving ability, work with figures accurately, data entry experience and organizational skills. Proficient experience with automated accounting software, spreadsheet and word processing software is required. Experience with Great Plains, FRx or Management Reporter software a plus.

This position carries a full benefit package.

Please submit your resume no later than Aug. 25 to Diane Ideker at diane.ideker@cincyplay.com or mail to:
Accounting Assistant
Attention: Diane Ideker
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
P.O. Box 6537
Cincinnati, OH 45206

No phone calls please.

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August 19, 2014 · 4:17 pm

PIP Seeks Grants Manager/Editor/Researcher

PIP_logoCincinnati Playhouse in the Park

Position: Grants Manager/Editor/Researcher (Search Re-Opened)
Reports to: Associate Director of Development

The Grants Manager/Editor/Researcher is the lead writer for the development department, including grant writing, donor communication publications, acknowledgement letters and solicitations. She/he manages the grants calendar and ensures all deadlines are met. Additionally, she/he conducts prospect research and develops prospect profiles on foundations, corporations, individuals and government sources of funding.

The Grants Manager/Editor/Researcher is a full-time, salaried position with benefits. Evening and weekend hours are sometimes required.

Position Responsibilities:
• Manages the bi-annual ArtsWave proposal process and off-year report, including coordinating reporting and surveying needs with marketing, education, production, finance and other departments to ensure successful data tracking of ArtsWave outcome priorities and writing the proposal and creating appropriate charts and infographics that strengthen and support the argument.
• Manages the foundation and government grant program, including identification and cultivation of new prospects, grant writing, reporting and grant fulfillment. Specific proposals include the Shubert Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Ohio Arts Council, among others.
• Cultivates and stewards new and current grant funders.
• Writes sponsorship proposals for production and education sponsorships working with the Major Gifts Director.
• Writes donor communications including acknowledgement and solicitation letters, BOY Cards, Centerstage newsletter, the annual report and others, working with the Individual Giving/Stewardship Manager.
• Serves as the department’s lead researcher, utilizing Wealth Engine Online, Guidestar and other resources to gather intelligence and prepare profile reports on previously identified individual and corporate prospects.
• Develops an ongoing qualified prospect list of foundation and government funders through appropriate research.
• Conducts other duties as assigned by the Associate Development Director.

Skills Required:
• Exceptional writing skills required.
• One to three years of grant writing experience preferred.
• Work experience in an arts environment preferred.
• Strong organizational skills including careful attention to detail.
• Strong verbal communication skills and project management skills.
• Strong research skills and an inquisitive nature preferred.
• Ability to manage large amounts of information and keep accurate and well-organized records and files.
• Strong computer skills including high proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, Power Point and Outlook required.
• Professionalism to work successfully with board-level volunteers and high-level donors.
• A desire to work in a fast-paced environment and the ability to manage successfully several priorities on a regular basis.
• Desire to be an integral member of a high functioning development team.
• A passion for theatre and/or the arts is highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.

To Apply:
Submit your cover letter, resume and three references to:
Jay B. Kalagayan
Associate Director of Development
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
962 Mt. Adams Circle
Cincinnati, OH 45202
jay.kalagayan@cincyplay.com

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt.

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August 13, 2014 · 9:39 am

PIP Launches 55th Season with SHERLOCK HOLMES… Sept. 6-Oct. 4

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE LAUNCHES 55TH SEASON WITH SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB, SEPT. 6-OCT. 4, 2014

PIP_Sherlock Holmes(CINCINNATI) – The world’s most famous fictional sleuth adds a novel chapter to his repertoire with playwright Jeffrey Hatcher’s electrifying new whodunit SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB, which opens the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s 55th season. The play is an inventive mash-up of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic characters and the Robert Louis Stevenson short story “The Suicide Club,” providing a clever, intricately woven new mystery for Holmes to deduce. SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB runs Sept. 6 through Oct. 4 in the Robert S. Marx Theatre.

Sherlock Holmes has never shied away from danger, but his latest adventure may be his most treacherous ever. The members of London’s Suicide Club play a harrowing game of Russian roulette to determine their role as victim or executioner. When the brilliant sleuth finds himself entangled in their secretive web, his own life hangs in the balance … and it’s not clear whether he wants to be saved.

Playhouse Associate Artist KJ Sanchez, who is directing SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB, is excited that Hatcher’s play offers a fresh view. “First, this is Sherlock in 1914, which means he’s 60,” she explains. “This is a very different Sherlock from any of the movies or television shows. Because of his age and experiences, he’s smarter, quirkier, suffers fools less and is hitting that familiar wall of ‘is this all there is?’ He’s solved all there is to solve, and if he doesn’t get a great case soon, he might find good use for the suicide club. Needless to say, he does find a great case and that’s our play.”

More than a century after his creation, Sherlock Holmes’ popular appeal remains overwhelmingly contemporary, as evidenced by current movie and television adaptations starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert Downey Jr., Jonny Lee Miller and Ian McKellen

The world premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher’s SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB was commissioned and produced by the Arizona Theatre Company in 2011. The Playhouse production marks the eighth time a Hatcher play has been performed here. The well-respected and prolific Steubenville, Ohio, native was the fifth winner of the Playhouse’s Lois and Richard Rosenthal New Play Prize for Scotland Road, which premiered in 1993. Other Hatcher shows at the Playhouse include Ella (2008, with Rob Ruggiero, Dyke Garrison and Danny Holgate), Murderers (2007) and The Turn of the Screw (1997).

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB is sponsored by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Barbara and Bill Weyand are the show’s design sponsors, and Huntington Bank is the artist sponsor for Sherlock Holmes.

Steven Hauck makes his Playhouse debut as Sherlock Holmes. Additional cast members include Douglas Rees as Dr. John H. Watson, Joel Reuben Ganz as Mr. Williams/Mr. Roundy, Tonya Beckman as Club Secretary, Cary Donaldson as Prince Nikita Starloff, John Feltch as Mr. Richards/Mycroft Holmes, Aaron Christensen as Mr. George/Inspector Micklewhite, Jonathan Gillard Daly as Mr. Henry/A.C. Crosse, Dale Hodges as Mrs. Hudson/Lucy O’Malley and Jenny Mercein as Christiane de LaBegassier. The creative team includes set designer Wilson Chin, costume designer Matthew J. LeFebvre, lighting designer Thomas C. Hase, sound designer/composer Matthew M. Nielson and projection designer Alex Koch. Jenifer Morrow is the production stage manager; Andrea L. Shell is the second stage manager.

Ticket prices for SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB start at $30. Prices are subject to change, and patrons are encouraged to buy early for the best seats at the best prices. Teen and student tickets are $30 each. The show is recommended for ages 12 and up.

New for the 2014-15 season is Sunday College Night, with tickets to all 7 p.m. Sunday performances (not including A Christmas Carol) priced at just $10 with a valid student ID. Student tickets are just $15 on the day of the show for all other performances.

Previews are at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6; 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10. The official opening night is Thursday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sundays.

Free post-show Meet the Artists programs that allow audiences to interact with cast members and others associated with the production will be offered at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17; 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28; and 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB will be audio described for those with visual impairments at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, and signed for persons with hearing impairments at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.

Tickets to SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE ADVENTURE OF THE SUICIDE CLUB 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 Telecommunications Device for the Deaf accessibility.

The 2014-15 Robert S. Marx Theatre season is sponsored by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation, and Macy’s is the Robert S. Marx Theatre season design sponsor. The season sponsor of new work is The Lois and Richard Rosenthal Foundation.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of the community contributors to the ArtsWave 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 and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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