Tag Archives: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

February 18, 2014 · 10:18 am

ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD Recommended by LCT with 4 Stars

Billy Chace as Guildenstern & Justin McCombs as Rosencrantz.

Billy Chace as Guildenstern & Justin McCombs as Rosencrantz.

The League of Cincinnati Theatres recommends Tom Stoppard’sROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, produced by the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Panelists gave the show 4-Stars, and applauded the performances of Billy Chase, Justin McCombs and Jim Hopkins.

“This absurdist play was skillfully made coherent (and parts memorable) for an audience who may not know and love absurdist plays,” stated one panelist.

“The acting of our two leading men was flawless,” as the panelists heaped praises on Rosencrantz (McCombs) and Guildenstern (Chase).

“The Player King was haunting, imposing, ridiculous, desperate, and surprisingly a good ‘actor’ for the death scene,” stated another panelist regarding Jim Hopkins’ portrayal of the lead Player.

ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, which plays until March 9, explores the backstory of two of Shakespeare’s lesser characters in “Hamlet,” of which a phenomenal production CSC closed last week.

For tickets and more information about ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, please contact cincyshakes.com

Nominations for LCT awards will be determined and announced at the end of the season and winners awarded at the annual 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.info.

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January 20, 2014 · 1:33 pm

HAMLET Review

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.

 

Brent Vimtrup as Hamlet. Photo by Rich Sofranko.

Brent Vimtrup as Hamlet. Photo by Rich Sofranko.

HAMLET presented by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company through Feb. 9.

Cincinati Shakesperae Company kicks off 2014 with a solid production of Wiliam Shakepeare’s HAMLET.

Scenic and Lighting Designer Andrew Hungerford continues excellent work on this production. Hats off also to Technical Director Travis McElroy, Carpenters Charlie Cromer & Zach Schute and Scenic artists by Sara Both Hall & Teresa McElroy for an impressive and functional set.

Bruce Cromer as Cladius & Sherman Fracher as Gertrude. Photo by Rich Sofranko.

Bruce Cromer as Cladius & Sherman Fracher as Gertrude. Photo by Rich Sofranko.

Another strong ensemble showing led by Brent Vimtrup, Bruce Cromer, Sherman Fracher, Darnell Pierre Benjamin and Travis McElroy.

Good work by costume designer Heide Jo Schiemer on the female characters, but the men’s costumes didn’t seem as coherent. Where I found Caludis’ costumes to be sharp, the coat of Hamlet’s initial costume seemed over-sized and box-y on the actor.

The direction was focused and the show flowed well. It did seem like the pacing near the end of Act I noticeably slowed. The “ghost effect” worked well and was a fun bit of stage magic. I appreciate the effort in giving the audience that moment.

Brent Vimtrup as Hamlet & Darnell Pierre Benjamin as Horatio. Photo by Rich Sofranko.

Brent Vimtrup as Hamlet & Darnell Pierre Benjamin as Horatio. Photo by Rich Sofranko.

During the play within a play, it was hard to see the King and Queen’s reaction. The royal couple being more upstage and the dim lighting challenged this old eyes from the back of the house. 🙂

Overall a fine production which leaves me excited to see the upcoming ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD with the same cast.

More information |

My rating: 4 out of 5

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show or 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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January 20, 2014 · 9:34 am

ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD Runs Feb. 14-March 9

Billy Chace as Guildenstern & Justin McCombs as Rosencrantz.

Billy Chace as Guildenstern & Justin McCombs as Rosencrantz.

ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD
Presented by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Feb. 14-March 9
Downtown

Cast: Billy Chace, Darnell Pierre Benjamin, Jim Hopkins, Charlie Cromer, Caitlin McWethy, Brent Vimtrup,. Bruce Cromer, Justin King, Justin McCombs, Travis McElroy, Zach Schute, Sherman Fracher, Sara Clark, Maggie Lou Rader, Matt Lytle & Paul Riopelle

Tom Stoppard’s comedic tour-de-force turns Hamlet on its head, telling the tale from the bewildered perspective of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters in Shakespeare’s tragedy. As the befuddled duo struggle to keep up with the events around them, they become increasingly aware of the possibility that they might just be fictional characters. Can these unlikely protagonists take control of their own destiny, or has their fate already been written?

  • In preview Wed-Thu, Feb. 12-13 at 7:30pm. All seats $20.
  • Fri-Sat, Feb. 14-15 at 7:30pm SOLD OUT
  • Thu-Sat, Feb. 20-22 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Feb. 23 at 2pm
  • Thu-Sat,. Feb. 27-March 1 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, March 2 at 2pm
  • Thu-Sat, March 6-8 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, March 9 at 2pm

Official page |

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January 15, 2014 · 3:42 pm

Adult Acting Classes at CSC

CSC_20 logoCincinnati Shakespeare Company offers a variety of educational experiences for adults taught by CSC Resident Actors! These classes are very popular and have limited spots- early registration is recommended.

Visit the website for more info and to register: http://cincyshakes.com/acting-classes/ 

Upcoming classes:

Adult Shakespeare Acting
Feb. 11- Apr. 1, 2014; 5:30pm-7:30pm
This course is for adults only. Students will learn techniques and methods from a professional Shakespeare actor from CSC’s resident company and apply those skills to Shakespeare study and performance. Class meets at CSC from 5:30-7:30pm on Feb. 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4, 11, 18 & Apr. 1.
Cost: $195

Adult Contemporary Acting
Feb. 11,- Apr. 1, 2014; 7:35pm-9:35pm
This course is for adults only. Students will work with a professional actor from CSC’s resident ensemble to explore different theater techniques and methods from various practitioners and apply them to contemporary scene study and performance. Class meets at CSC from 7:35-9:35pm on Feb. 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4, 11, 18 & Apr. 1.
Cost: $195

Advanced Adult Contemporary Acting*
Apr. 8- May 20, 2014; 5:30pm-7:30pm
This course is for adults only. Building upon skills from Adult Contemporary Acting, students will study more advanced theater techniques and methods and apply them to contemporary scene study and performance in this rigorous course. Class meets at CSC from 5:30-7:30pm on Apr. 8, 15, 22, May 6, 13, 19 & 20.
Cost: $195
*Prerequisite: Adult Contemporary Acting.

Adult Contemporary Acting
Apr. 8- May 20, 2104; 7:35pm-9:35pm
This course is for adults only. Students will work with a professional actor from CSC’s resident ensemble to explore different theater techniques and methods from various practitioners and apply them to contemporary scene study and performance. Class meets at CSC from 7:35-9:35pm on Apr. 8, 15, 22, May 6, 13, 19 & 20.
Cost: $195

Adult Summer Intensive
June 2-6, 2014, Mon-Thurs 10am-4pm, Friday 12-7pm
For college students, adults, educators or anyone interested in an engaging in-depth study of classical acting techniques, Shakespearean text, audition techniques for college (and beyond), career acting, text analysis, movement, stage combat and more! Class is taught by members of the CSC Resident Ensemble.
Cost: $295

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January 13, 2014 · 10:04 am

CSC’s HAMLET Earns 4 Star LCT Rating

Bruce Cromer, Sherman Fracher & Brent Vimtrup.

Bruce Cromer, Sherman Fracher & Brent Vimtrup.

Panelists for the League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) have recognized the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s production of HAMLET with a 4 Star Rating.

Panelists recommended HAMLET, one of Shakespeare’s more enduring tragedies, as “timely and prescient”, featuring many strong performances. “I always appreciate how CSC makes the language of Shakespeare accessible and understandable,” one panelist commented.

HAMLET continues through February 8th. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.cincyshakes.com.

League of Cincinnati Theatre panelists evaluate productions on a 5 star scale and recommend shows at either a 4 star or 5 star level. Nominations for LCT awards will be determined and announced at the end of the season and winners awarded at the annual 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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