Tag Archives: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

September 26, 2013 · 10:54 am

CSC Classes for Adults and Teens Starting Soon

Cincinnati Shakespeare Classes for Adults and Teens, starting soon!

CSC_20 logoCINCINNATI, September 25, 2013 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati’s stage for the classics, is proud to be kicking off another season of their popular adult and teen acting courses! This year, CSC will be offering Adult Contemporary Acting, Adult Shakespeare Acting and Advanced Adult Contemporary acting along with a session of Teen Contemporary acting. All details and dates on the courses are below. There are 5 sessions meeting for 7 weeks on Tuesday evenings throughout the year beginning in October, February and April. More information is available http://www.cincyshakes.com/acting-classes.html 

These courses include engaging in-depth study of classical acting techniques, contemporary and Shakespeare texts, movement, stage combat and more taught by a member of Cincinnati Shakespeare resident professional ensemble. All skills levels and experience backgrounds are welcome! A past adult participant of the programs said they were “extremely impressed with the adult classes, the instruction and kindness shown” and that they were “compelling, challenging and above all FUN program on community and learning.” The spaces are limited for these programs and registration has been open. The first session begins on Oct. 15!

CSC’s new 7-week Teen Acting class is also enrolling now. This course only meets in October so students should plan to join us now. A former teen acting class participant said that “CSC’s acting classes have helped me to grow as an person, student and a leader. These programs helped to open up my mind to new things and become more social and a better team player.”

For additional information on the above classes, please contact Director of Education and Communication Jeanna Vella by email jeanna.vella@cincyshakes.com or by phone 513.381.2273 x. 3202 or visit http://www.cincyshakes.com/acting-classes.html 

Teen Contemporary Acting (9th-12th Grade)

Session 1: Oct. 15-Dec. 3, 2013; 5:30pm-7:30pm
Teen Contemporary Acting
Register Now- Log in will be required
This course is for 9-12th graders. Teens 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 5:30-7:30pm on Oct. 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 26 & Dec. 3. No audition required.
Cost: $195

Adult Contemporary Acting Classes
Session 1: Oct. 15-Dec. 3, 2013; 7:35-9:35pm
Adult Contemporary Acting
Register Now- Log in will be required
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 Oct. 15, 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 26 & Dec. 3. No audition required.
Cost: $195

Session 2: Feb. 11,- Apr. 1, 2014; 7:35pm-9:35pm
Adult Contemporary Acting
Register Now- Log in will be required
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. No audition required.
Cost: $195

Session 3: Apr. 8- May 20, 2104; 7:35pm-9:35pm
Adult Contemporary Acting
Register Now- Log in will be required
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. No audition required.
Cost: $195

Adult Shakespeare Acting
Session 2: Feb. 11- Apr. 1, 2014; 5:30pm-7:30pm
Adult Shakespeare Acting
Register Now- Log in with be required
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. No audition required.
Cost: $195

Advanced Adult Contemporary Acting
Session 3: Apr. 8- May 20, 2014; 5:30pm-7:30pm
Advanced Adult Contemporary Acting*
Register Now- Log in will be required
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. No audition required but there is a prerequisite course*.
Cost: $195
*Prerequisite: Adult Contemporary Acting.

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September 26, 2013 · 10:25 am

THE CRUCIBLE Runs Oct. 25-Nov. 3

XU_The CrucibleTHE CRUCIBLE
Presented by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company & Xavier University Theatre
Oct. 25-Nov. 3
Evanston

Directed by Brian Isaac Phillips

Cast list: Brent Vimtrup as John Proctor, Bruce Cromer as Danforth, Sara Clark as Abigail, Kelly Mengelkoch as Elizabeth, Billy Chace as Giles Corey, Michael Bath as Francis Nurse, Regina Pugh as Rebecca Nurse, Torie Wiggins as Tituba, Stephen Skiles as Reverend Parris, Patrick Phillips as Reverend Hale, Maya Farhat as Mary Warren, Ellen Godbey as Betty Parris, Katie Rossman as Susanna Walcott, Brandon Martin as Thomas Putnam, Emily deKanter as Ann Putnam, Tatum Hunter as Mercy Lewis, Griff Bludworth as Cheever, Kyle Daniels as Willard, JJ Long as Judge Hathorne, Katie Mitchell as Sara Good, Michael Thompson as Hopkins, Laura DeBrunner as Abigail’s Girl, Katelynn Summer as Abigail’s Girl, Laura Donnellon as Abigail’s Girl & Will Clemens as U/S for Danforth

In Salem in the late 1600s, a group of young girls accuse others of witchcraft sparking an alarming series of events. The leaders of the church respond with suspicion and put those accused on trial for their lives ultimately leaving a town in fear, and the man at the center of it all questioning his faith and morality. One of the greatest American plays of all time and winner of the 1953 Tony Award for Best Play, this heart-pounding drama is both a gripping historical play and a timely parable of our contemporary society.

  • Fri, Oct. 25 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Oct. 26 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Oct. 27 at 7:30pm
  • Thu-Sun, Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at 7:30pm

Official page |

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September 21, 2013 · 6:41 pm

OF MICE AND MEN Runs Oct. 16-Nov. 10

Jim Hopkins as Lenny & Jeremy Dubin as George. Photo by J. Sheldon Photo.

Jim Hopkins as Lenny & Jeremy Dubin as George. Photo by J. Sheldon Photo.

OF MICE AND MEN
Presented by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Oct. 16-Nov. 10
Downtown

Reviews: Behind the Curtain | CityBeat | Enquirer |

Directed by Drew Fracher

Cast: Randy Lee Bailey as Carlson, Charlie Cromer as Curly, Jeremy Dubin as George, Ken Early as Crooks, Jim Hopkins as Lenny, Joneal Joplin as Candy Marc Liby as The Boss, Justin McCombs as Slim, Maggie Lou Rader as Curly’s Wife, Zach Schute as Whit and Rufus as Dog.

John Steinbeck’s tale of enduring friendship amidst unendurable hardship. Two down-and-out migrant workers travel through California during the Great Depression. As they pursue work and their dream of a piece of land to call their own, the pragmatic George struggles to protect the giant but simple-minded Lenny from his own mistakes and the world’s cruelty.

  • In preview Wed-Thu, Oct. 16-17 at 7:30pm. All seats $20.
  • Fri-Sat, Oct. 18-19 at 7:30pm
  • Thu-Sat, Oct. 24-26 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Oct. 27 at 2pm
  • Thu-Sat, Oct. 31-Nov. 2 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Nov. 3 at 2pm
  • Thu-Sat, Nov. 7-9 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Nov. 10 at 2pm

Official page |

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September 19, 2013 · 9:19 am

CSC Presents OF MICE AND MEN By John Steinbeck

Cincinnati Shakespeare Presents the Great American Masterpiece,
OF MICE AND MEN by John Steinbeck

Another Steinbeck classic comes to life on Cincinnati Shakespeare’s stage this October

Jim Hopkins as Lenny & Jeremy Dubin as George. Photo by J. Sheldon Photo.

Jim Hopkins as Lenny & Jeremy Dubin as George. Photo by J. Sheldon Photo.

CINCINNATI, September 18, 2013 — Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati’s stage for the classics, continues their 20th Anniversary Season with the John Steinbeck’s classic OF MICE AND MEN, playing October 18- November 10, 2013. This production is directed by Drew Fracher and features CSC Resident Ensemble members Jeremy Dubin and Jim Hopkins. The production is generously sponsored by LPK and the production design is sponsored by Raymond James.

An American literary classic, OF MICE AND MEN is John Steinbeck’s tale of enduring friendship amidst unendurable hardship. It tells the story of George and Lennie, two down-and-out migrant laborers in pursuit of work and their dream of a piece of land to call their own. As they travel from town to town, the pragmatic George (Jeremy Dubin) struggles to protect the giant but simple-minded Lennie (Jim Hopkins) from his own mistakes and the world’s cruelty. When they secure jobs at a working ranch, a hot-tempered and volatile ranch hand seems bent on causing them trouble, testing their resolve and the limits of their loyalty.

OF MICE AND MEN will feature long-time company members Jeremy Dubin and Jim Hopkins in the roles of George and Lennie. Audiences may remember Mr. Dubin most recently as Fagin in “Oliver Twist” and Sherlock Holmes in CSC’s hit production of “The Hound of the Baskervilles”. Audiences will remember Mr. Hopkins from his recent critically acclaimed performance of Bill Sykes in “Oliver Twist” and his unforgettable turn as Lady Bracknell in last winter’s “The Importance of Being Earnest”. “It’s such a beautiful and poignant story- the unlikely friendship of these two characters, and the tremendous loyalty they have for each other,” says Jeremy Dubin, “ To get to play that with someone who you already know so well and have so much performance history and experience with is incredibly exciting.”

Helming this project will be Drew Fracher, a favorite Cincinnati director. Mr. Fracher has directed several productions for CSC, including his critically acclaimed productions of the American classics “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “The Glass Menagerie”. “We’re incredibly excited to have Drew back,” says Producing Artistic Director Brian Phillips, “It’s a perfect match of director and material.” Mr. Fracher was featured as Pa in CSC’s 2012 production of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath”. The creative team behind 2012’s “The Grapes of Wrath”, one of the most critically acclaimed CSC productions of all time, reassembles for another great American masterpiece.

Performances of OF MICE AND MEN are scheduled from October 18-November 10, 2013 on Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. Preview performances are on Wednesday Oct. 16 and Thursday Oct. 17 at 7:30pm and tickets are $20. No performance on Sunday Oct. 20. The theater is located at 719 Race Street, downtown Cincinnati, two blocks west of the Aronoff Center. Single ticket prices range from $22-$31 on Thursdays and Sundays and from $26-$35 on Fridays and Saturdays. If available, $14 student rush tickets may be purchased 30 minutes before a show with a valid student ID. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Ticketing fees may apply. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups as well as Enjoy the Arts and AAA members. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at www.cincyshakes.com.

Performance Schedule

  • Wednesday October 16th at 7:30 pm (Preview)
  • Thursday October 17th at 7:30 pm (Preview)
  • Friday October 18th at 7:30 pm (Opening)
  • Saturday October 19th at 7:30 pm
  • Thursday October 24th at 7:30 pm
  • Friday October 25th at 7:30 pm
  • Saturday October 26th at 7:30 pm
  • Sunday October 27th at 2:00 pm
  • Thursday October 31st at 7:30 pm
  • Friday November 1st at 7:30 pm
  • Saturday November 2nd at 7:30 pm
  • Sunday November 3rd at 2:00 pm
  • Thursday November 7th at 7:30 pm
  • Friday November 8th at 7:30 pm
  • Saturday November 9th at 7:30 pm
  • Sunday November 10th at 2:00 pm (Closing)

About the 20th Anniversary Season:
The 20th Anniversary is generously sponsored by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company receives operating support from The Ohio Arts Council, the Shubert Foundation and is supported, in part, by the generosity of thousands of individuals and businesses that give annually to ArtsWave. The season design sponsor is Mark & Sue Ann Painter. Production dates and information on the 20th Anniversary are available online at www.cincyshakes.com. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program/organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

About Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for audiences of all ages. Located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, CSC produces a dozen mainstage productions each season. CSC employs a resident company of actors and artists who live and work in Cincinnati year-round, and performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with Actors’ Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of the Theater Communications Group and the Shakespeare Theater Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Education and Outreach Programs reached nearly 30,000 young people and underserved community members last season by taking Shakespeare into schools, parks, community centers and by hosting educational matinees of mainstage productions at its home on Race Street. This season, CSC is proud to become one of only five theaters in the United States to “Complete the Canon” by producing all 38 plays by William Shakespeare. CSC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

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September 12, 2013 · 5:08 pm

OLIVER TWIST 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.

OLIVER TWIST presented by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company through Sept. 29. You can read the show description here.

Sara Clark as the Artful Dodger, Ethan Verderber as Oliver Twist and Matt Lytle as Charley Bates. Photo by Rich Sofranko.

Sara Clark as the Artful Dodger, Ethan Verderber as Oliver Twist and Matt Lytle as Charley Bates. Photo by Rich Sofranko.

Ah, Oliver Twist, the required reading in school that sent many of my generation running in a panic to the Cliff Notes section of the store. (This was back in the dark ages before the interweb, mind you.)

Thankfully, CSC succeeds, again, in bringing a classic literary work to impressive life on stage. Director Michael Evan Haney smartly leads a strong, focused ensemble through this dark story.

Jeremy Dubin as Fagin speaks to Ethan Verderber as Oliver Twist. Photo by Rich Sofranko.

Jeremy Dubin as Fagin speaks to Ethan Verderber as Oliver Twist. Photo by Rich Sofranko.

Sara Clark is mesmerizing to watch, doing double duty as the Narrator and The Artful Dodger. The transitions between the two is nicely handled. Excellent work by Kelly Mengelkoch as Nancy. I really enjoyed her believable portrayal of the personal conflict Nancy faced due to Oliver.

Nothing can make or break a show like a good villain. Thankfully, this show has four. On the dark side are Fagin portrayed by Jeremy Dubin and Bill Sikes played by Jim Hopkins. The dynamic between these bad guys was fun to watch as was Fagin’s “attitude adjustment” in Sikes’ presence. On the comic side, great work by Billy Chance as Mr. Bumble and Miranda McGee as Mrs. Corney at the workhouse. Also fun was Brent Vimtrup in several comedic moments. And again, excellent work by the entire ensemble.

Billy Chace as Mr. Bumble and Miranda McGee as Mrs. Corney look on to Ethan Verderber as Oliver Twist asking for “some more.” Photo by Rich Sofranko.

Billy Chace as Mr. Bumble and Miranda McGee as Mrs. Corney look on to Ethan Verderber as Oliver Twist asking for “some more.” Photo by Rich Sofranko.

The costumes, designed by Heidi Jo Schiemer plus the set and lighting design by Andrew J. Hungerford, give the show a strong visual style. All aspects of the show really came together nicely.

If the goal was to offer a crisp, clean and entertaining production for ages 10 and up, then mission accomplished. A perfect family outing at the theater.

Click here for a complete list of show times for OLIVER TWIST.

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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