Tag Archives: Clifton Performance Theatre

June 1, 2014 · 12:38 pm

SARGE Review (GYTN)

Christine Dye as Jerry Sandusky's wife, Dottie, in Kevin Crowley's SARGE.

Christine Dye as Jerry Sandusky’s wife, Dottie, in Kevin Crowley’s SARGE.

SARGE presented by Clifton Performance Theatre as part of the 2014 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

You can read the show description here.

GYTN = Get You Tickets Now. Go ahead, follow the link, the review will still be here after you get back.

Christine Dye is incredible to watch. Her portrayal of Dottie “Sarge” Sandusky is precise, multi-layered and emotionally true in this one-person show.

Kevin Crowley’s script is smartly simply.  This story is not about right or wrong, or guilt or innocence. It’s about Dottie, a devoted wife and mother, struggling to understand and process the whirlwind of emotions as her content life begins to crumble around her. At times, it’s heartbreaking to watch.

Saturday afternoon’s performance was so enthralling you could hear a pin drop. The moment the lights came up for curtain call, the audience stood as one to show their appreciation.

Overall a near-perfect production and a must see.

Three performances remain:

  • Mon, June 2 at 7:15pm
  • Wed, June 4 at 7:15pm
  • Fri, June 6 at 7pm

More information |

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May 27, 2014 · 6:46 pm

CPT Brings Kevin Crowley’s SARGE to Fringe Festival

Christine Dye as Jerry Sandusky's wife, Dottie, in Kevin Crowley's SARGE.

Christine Dye as Jerry Sandusky’s wife, Dottie, in Kevin Crowley’s SARGE.

Can a person be so close to evil it leaves them blind?  This question and others are examined in the new play “SARGE” premiering at the 2014 Cincinnati Film Festival   The play and its title character were inspired by the recent headlines surrounding football coach Jerry Sandusky.

Jerry Sandusky’s wife, Dottie is re-imagined in monologues.  In the Jerry Sandusky scandal, one figure remains the most enigmatic to the public, his wife, Dottie, or Sarge, as she was known. People tend to dismiss her as complicit, a liar, naive or delusional. “Sarge”, imagines her in three settings over the course of a year as the Sandusky scandal plays out.  The play is the work of actor/writer and director Kevin Crowley, who when not acting on the silver screen, calls the Clifton Performance Theatre home.  Crowley explains how he was drawn to the subject as soon as it hit the headlines, “I was very interested in this case from the beginning. I became particularly drawn to Jerry Sandusky’s wife as she continues, to this day, to defend him and deride anyone who believes his guilt. It hardly seemed possible that 40 plus accusers could be wrong therefore denial must become it’s own form of reality. I read as much as I could find out about the actual couple and then created, or reimagined, a fictional version of Dorothy in three different settings.”
Crowley has created a script that leaves one grasping at every word from the title character, looking for a moment to lay blame. Crowley says he does not want the story to provide answers, “I never wanted to make anyone love or hate her. I really just wanted to know, for my own edification, what was it like to be in that situation as the wheels came off their life together. But as I wrote, I grew incredibly empathetic towards her and believe you need to separate her from her husbands actions.” The words are carefully crafted and presented with great precision by actress Christine Dye. Dye’s turn as the tough den mother to wayward boys takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions.  Dye explains, “I suppose some people will feel sorry for her, while others may think she’s a fool for not realizing what is happening under her roof, under her very nose. One cannot help but feel empathy for someone whose whole life implodes by the actions of another, yet in that same vein, the audience may question why she didn’t take action to prevent it. Kevin has written a wonderful and deeply moving play about a woman whose inability to recognize the signs of disaster, ultimately leads to her own destruction.”  Is she villain, victim or both?  Find out for yourself when the play opens at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival May 29. http://www.cincyfringe.com/performance/sarge/
Venue Art Academy Auditorium
  • Thur, May 29 @ 7:00 pm
  • Sat, May 31 @ 5:00 pm
  • Mon, June 2 @ 7:15 pm
  • Wed, June 4 @ 7:15 pm
  • Fri, June 6 @ 7:00 pm

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May 19, 2014 · 8:58 am

CFF14: SARGE

CFF14_SargeSARGE
Presented as part of the Cincinnati Fringe Festival ’14
Art Academy Auditorium
Over-the-Rhine 

Reviews: BTC | Enquirer |

In the Jerry Sandusky scandal, one figure remains the most enigmatic to the public, his wife, Dottie, or Sarge, as she was known. People tend to dismiss her as complicit, a liar, naive or delusional. SARGE , imagines her in three settings over the course of a year as the Sandusky scandal plays out.

  • Thu, May 29 at 7pm
  • Sat, May 31 at 5pm
  • Mon, June 2 at 7:15pm
  • Wed, June 4 at 7:15pm
  • Fri, June 6 at 7pm

Official page with online ticketing |

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February 25, 2014 · 12:21 pm

THE IRISH CURSE at Clifton Performance Theatre

CP_Irish Curse logoWhat better way to get ready for the “wearing of the green” than a little “Irish Curse.” This wickedly delightful and heart wrenching play by Martin Cassella opens at the end of February. What “The Irish Curse” is – and how it manifests itself – is the raw centerpiece of this wicked, rollicking and very funny new play. From its blistering language to its brutally honest look at sex and body image, THE IRISH CURSE is a revealing portrait of how men, and society, define masculinity. In doing so, it dares to pose the fundamental question that has been on the minds of men since the beginning of time: “Do I measure up to the next guy?”

Size matters to this small group of Irish-American men who meet every Wednesday night, in a Catholic church basement, at a self-help group for men with small penises. This allegedly Irish trait is the focus of their weekly whining and bitching as they feel this “shortcoming” has ruined their lives.

One evening, when a twenty-something blue-collar guy joins the group, he challenges everything the other men thought about “the Irish curse” …tackling their obsession with body image and unmasking the comical and truthful questions of identity, masculinity, sex, relationships, and social status that define their lives.

The show features actor Kevin Crowley, Michael Bath, Buz Davis, Carter Bratton and Pete Wood.

Tickets can be purchased at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/568366 or at the door.

THE IRISH CURSE Show times

  • Feb 28th 8pm
    Opening night party “Sizing up the issue gala”
  • Sat March 1st 8pm
  • Sunday March 2nd 7pm
  • Thursday March 6th 8pm
  • Friday March 7th 8pm
  • Sat March 8th 8pm
  • Sunday March 9th 2pm
  • Monday March 10th 8pm
  • Thursday March 13th 8pm
  • Friday March 14th 8pm
  • Sat March 15th 8pm

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October 24, 2012 · 12:34 pm

Clifton Performance Theatre Offers Classes, Productions and Birthday Parties – Oh, My!


Children’s Musical Workshops
Learn to perform an entire musical for your family and friends in just four weeks! Join friends and other area students ages 5-15 as you learn about what it takes to put on a staged production. From theater terminology to backstage tasks to acting, singing, and performing in front of an audience – this hands-on experience is a terrific opportunity to become educated about theater while having fun.

We have two new sessions starting immediately. They include:

  • Sleepy Hollow (Written by James Crowley, music by Jeff Holmes) – When Schoolmaster Ichabod Crane arrives in the quiet little village of Sleepy Hollow, he finds that many of the Hollow’s residents view him as an odd creature who does not belong. But the ladies, including Katrina Van Tassel, soon notice that he possesses qualities that the local farm boys do not – among these…culture and refinement. And Ichabod notices Katrina as well; however, she already has a suitor…Brom Bones. Brom, however, holds secrets that are best never told. A wonderful, not-too-spooky way to let your creative side appear!

    Rehearsals: Mondays and Wednesdays, November 5-28, 6:00-7:30 p.m. (No rehearsal Wed., Nov. 21 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Make-up class on Fri., Nov. 30, 6-7:30 pm.). Performances: Sat., Dec. 1 and Sun., Dec. 2, 3 p.m. Cost: $185

  • A Christmas Carol (script adapted by Carol Brammer) – A classic and inspiring production for the holiday season! Full of humor, bah humbugs and some thought-provoking moments, so…
    Come one! Come all!…Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?…In the lane, snow is glistening…Scrooge in sight!…He’ll get such a fright!

    Rehearsals: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nov. 6-Dec. 6, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Performances: Sat., Dec. 8 and Sun. Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. Cost: $185

Improv for Teens
This class teaches the art of making up theater on the spot – think Second City in Chicago. Taught by local professional actor and Playhouse regular Kevin Crowley. Session Two: Saturdays, Nov. 3-Dec. 15, 12:30-2pm, except Nov. 24. Cost per session: $235.

Baby Box musical theater preperatory class
For ages 3-7, this ongoing class takes place Saturdays, 10-11am. Session One: Sept. 15-Dec. 15 (except Saturday, Nov. 24). Session Two: Jan. 12-April 27, 2013. Cost per session: $225. Pro-rated fee: $15 per class.

Adult Acting Classes
Taught by local professional actor and Playhouse regular Kevin Crowley, Session Two: Tuesdays, Oct. 30-Nov. 18, 8-9:30pm. Cost per session: $235.

Clifton Performance Theatre also is a great place to celebrate birthdays! For class registration and info on birthday packages and productions, go to www.cliftonperformancetheatre.com or call 513.861.SHOW (7469). CPT is located at 404 Ludlow Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45220.

 

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