Tag Archives: Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

November 9, 2015 · 8:28 am

Cincinnati Ballet, Playhouse in the Park, ETC and Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Return for the Holidays with the Character Crew

CINCINNATI BALLET, CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK, ENSEMBLE THEATRE CINCINNATI AND THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CINCINNATI RETURN FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE CHARACTER CREW

(CINCINNATI) – Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati are joining together once again to spread holiday cheer across the Tristate with a number of special character appearances beginning Nov. 14.

Characters from Cincinnati Ballet’s classic Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker; Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s 25th annual production of A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank; Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s holiday production of Cinderella, sponsored by Macy’s; and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s production of A Charlie Brown Christmas, also sponsored by Macy’s, will come together at holiday events around the city from mid-November through Nov. 29.

The Character Crew will make appearances at the following holiday attractions:

  • Saturday, Nov. 14 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.): Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market, Duke Energy Convention Center
  • Friday, Nov. 20 (5 to 7 p.m.): Festival of Lights Members’ Preview, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
  • Friday, Nov. 27 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.): Tree Lighting and Santa Arrival, Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
  • Saturday, Nov. 28 (2 to 4 p.m.): Crafty Supermarket, Music Hall
  • Saturday, Nov. 28 (5:30 to 7 p.m.): Macy’s Downtown Dazzle, Fountain Square
  • Sunday, Nov. 29 (12 to 2 p.m.): Winterfair, Northern Kentucky Convention Center

About Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

Patric Palkens & Maizyalet Velazquez. ©Peter Mueller

Patric Palkens & Maizyalet Velazquez. ©Peter Mueller

Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of important classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Cincinnati Ballet’s mission is to inspire hope and joy in our community and beyond through the power and passion of dance. Returning Dec. 18 through Dec. 27, the beloved holiday tradition of Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker, performed since 1974, continues to delight children and adults alike. For more information, visit www.cballet.org.

Ebenezer Scrooge (Bruce Cromer) celebrates his renewed holiday spirit . Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Bruce Cromer as Ebenezer Scrooge. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park has been offering local audiences the finest in professional theatre for 56 years. Winner of two Tony Awards, the Playhouse is nationally known for its commitment to new works and as an artistic home for America’s best actors, directors and designers. Faithful storytelling and spellbinding special effects combine in the Playhouse’s annual production of A Christmas Carol, one of the city’s most popular family plays, which returns Nov. 25 through Dec. 30 for its 25th anniversary. For more information, visit www.cincyplay.com.

ETC_Cinderella promoNow in its 30th season, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC), located in historic Over-the-Rhine, is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. This season marks the 18th year ETC has been presenting family-friendly musicals for the holidays. This season, ETC presents Cinderella, Dec. 2, 2015, to Jan. 3, 2016. For more information, visit www.ensemblecincinnati.org.

TCTC_Charlie_Brown Christmas promoThe Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCTC) brings art to life for children and the young-at-heart through three key programs: MainStage at the Taft, ArtReach and Learning the Craft. Currently celebrating its 91st season, TCTC is the oldest children’s theatre in the country and serves nearly 150,000 children, families and schools each season. From Dec. 4 to 13, The Children’s Theatre presents the holiday classic A Charlie Brown Christmas. For more information, visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

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November 4, 2015 · 6:49 am

Meals 4 Monologues Auditions Announced at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

MEALS 4 MONOLOGUES:
CASTING SOCIETY OF AMERICA MEMBER D. LYNN MEYERS TO AUDITION ACTORS IN EXCHANGE FOR DONATIONS TO BENEFIT LOCAL FOODSTORE, DECEMBER 7 & 8, 2015

ETC_Meals for Monologues logo(Cincinnati, OH) Dim the lights, raise the curtain! With the holiday season upon us, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati hosts its fourth annual Meals 4 Monologues open auditions. Actors from throughout the Midwest are invited, on behalf of the Casting Society of America (CSA), for an open general audition call to perform for CSA member D. Lynn Meyers in exchange for three non-perishable food items to benefit Cincinnati’s Freestore Foodbank.

The event, which is part of a nationwide Casting Society of America effort to support local food banks while auditioning local talent, will be held at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (1127 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202) on Mon, Dec 7, and Tues, Dec 8, 2015 from 10:00 am-5:00 pm each day. This is an open casting call to all Equity union and non-union actors for future theatre, film, TV, and commercial projects cast by D. Lynn Meyers, CSA.

Actors must bring:

  • A current HEADSHOT and RÉSUMÉ to the audition
  • THREE non-perishable food (pasta, canned goods, etc…) or toiletry items (soap, toothpaste, etc…)
  • A short, prepared monologue, song (must be performed a cappella), both, or two monologues

Time slots are 5 MINUTES maximum and are available by appointment only.

Time slots are on a first-come, first-serve basis and may be scheduled by contacting Assistant Director Ben Raanan at auditions@ensemblecincinnati.org or (513) 421-3555 x14 by November 30, 2015. Must include headshot, resume, and a telephone number.

The Freestore Foodbank distributes over 12 million pounds of food annually. In 20 counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, they have a trusted network of over 325 local member agencies. Member agencies include soup kitchens and shelters, food pantries, churches, daycare and senior centers, and many other community and social services organizations.

The Casting Society of America (CSA) is the premier organization of theatrical Casting Directors in film, television, and theatre. Although it is not a union, CSA’s members are a united professional society that consistently set the level of professionalism in casting on which the entertainment industry has come to rely. CSA’s more than 490 members are represented not only in the United States, but also in Europe, Canada, Australia and South Africa.

“I am very proud to be a member of the Casting Society of America,” says CSA member D. Lynn Meyers. “I am delighted at the opportunity to see new faces and to spread outreach beyond the Greater Cincinnati area by embracing the idea of Meals 4 Monologues. It is such an inspiration for CSA to support this event.” Ms. Meyers would like to welcome actors of all ages and experience levels to partake in auditions and highly encourages people to give back to the community in which we live.

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Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

2015-2016 Season Presenting Sponsor is the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Additional support provided by Garfield Suites Hotel, the Shubert Foundation, and PNC.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich and inspire our audiences.

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November 3, 2015 · 7:03 am

CINDERELLA Runs Dec. 2-Jan. 3

ETC_Cinderella1

Kendra Beitzel as Aristotle the Crow, Brooke Steele as Cinderella & Kate Wilford as Gwendolyn.

CINDERELLA
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
Dec. 2-Jan. 3
Over-the-Rhine

Book by Joseph McDonough
Lyrics by David Kisor
Music by Fitz Patton

Directed by D. Lynn Meyers

Cast: Brooke Steele as Cinderella, Warren Bryson as Prince Frederick, Deb G. Girdler as Brunhilda, Michael G. Bath as King Frederick, Darnell Pierre Benjamin as Gaston, Sara Mackie as Priscilla, Torie Wiggins as Clarissa, Kate Wilford as Gwendolyn, Kendra Beitzel as Aristotle the Crow, Lauren Bowler as Plato the Toad & Daniela N. Nenova as Socrates the Spider

FAMILY-FRIENDLY MUSICAL.What do you get when you combine a nearsighted bookworm heroine, two fabulously self-absorbed stepsisters, one devilishly diva stepmother, along with a self-empowering Well-Wisher? A fun spin on the classic fairy tale that demonstrates being smart is true beauty! When the King pressures his romantically challenged son to choose a bride from hundreds of “applicants,” a cross-country tour of the kingdom ensues to reunite a missing sneaker—yes a sneaker!—with its rightful owner.

  • Wed-Fri, Dec. 2-4 at 7pm
  • Sat, Dec. 5 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, Dec. 6 at 2pm & 6pm
  • Thu-Fri, Dec. 10-11 at 7pm
  • Sat, Dec. 12 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, Dec. 13 at 2pm & 6pm
  • Thu-Fri, Dec. 17-18 at 7pm
  • Sat, Dec. 19 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, Dec. 20 at 2pm & 6pm
  • Mon, Dec. 21 at 7pm
  • Tue, Dec. 22 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Wed, Dec. 23 at 7pm
  • Sat, Dec. 26 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, Dec. 27 at 2pm & 6pm
  • Mon, Dec. 28 at 7pm
  • Tue-Wed, Dec. 29-30 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sat, Jan. 2 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, Jan. 3 at 2pm & 6pm

Official page |

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October 20, 2015 · 7:24 am

BUYER AND CELLAR Review

Links to all reviews can be found using the REVIEWS link at the top of the any page. Blog postings, links and  more are available on my Facebook fan page. You can also receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

Nick Cearley as Alex More. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Nick Cearley as Alex More. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

BUYER AND CELLAR presented by Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati through Nov. 1. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

In 2010, Barbara Streisand released “My Passion for Design,” a book that showcases her “taste and style that have inspired her beautiful homes and collections.” Instead of just storing things in her basement, Streisand built an underground street of shops to display items she has collected over her long career. Using this fact as a jumping-off point, playwright Jonathan Tolins’ one-man show explores what life could be like for the wayward soul hired to man the basement mall.

Nick Cearley as Alex More. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Nick Cearley as Alex More. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Nick Cearley is Alex More, the out-of-work actor “lucky” enough to land that job. He also portrays several other characters, including the “Funny Girl” herself. Cearley is a wonderful storyteller and he easily establishes a strong rapport with the audience. Completely comfortable on stage, the charismatic actor handles the demands of the multiple characters easily.

Nick Cearley as Alex More. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Nick Cearley as Alex More. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

The script is clever, well-written and very funny. Even though it takes tongue-in-cheek liberties with “Babes” personality and personal life, there is still a sense of believe-ability to story. The show also takes swipes at celebrity, Hollywood excess and the eccentricities of the uber-rich.

A nightgown once owned by Barbara Streisand is on display in the ETC lobby.

A nightgown once owned by Barbara Streisand is on display in the ETC lobby.

The three-walled set, designed by Brian c. Mehring, is clean and simple, with only a few pieces of furniture. At times, a portion of the upstage wall is used for video projection to help establish the various settings.

Overall, a laugh-out-loud, entertaining show that is sure to please Streisand fans and non-fans alike.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5.

On display in the lobby is a nightgown once owned by Barbara Streisand. Complete with certificate of authenticity, it is being raffled off as a fundraiser for ETC.

ETC_The Skivvies promoNick Cearley also performs as half of the cover band, The Skivvies. He and his partner-in-undies, Lauren Molina, have scheduled three shows on Oct. 22-24. For more information on these performances, including special guests, click here.

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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October 19, 2015 · 7:01 am

Special Guests Drew Lachey, A. Beth Harris & Daylan Mulvaney to Perform with The Skivvies at ETC

SPECIAL GUESTS DREW LACHEY, A. BETH HARRIS, AND DYLAN MULVANEY TO PERFORM WITH THE SKIVVIES AT ENSEMBLE THEATRE CINCINNATI

ETC_The Skivvies promo(Cincinnati, OH) Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) is excited to announce three electrifying artists that will join the award-winning musical duo The Skivvies on stage next week for select shows! Stripping down and taking the stage are local celebrity Drew Lachey, local actress a. Beth Harris, and rising CCM musical theatre star Dylan Mulvaney! The Skivvies, which the New York Post declared “a mash-up of all things sultry,” will perform at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati for three shows, one weekend only, October 22, 23, and 24, 2015. Tickets are $30 and may be purchase through the ETC box office.

Drew Lachey—Local celebrity, Dancing with the Stars champion, member of 98 Degrees, and co-owner of Lachey’s Bar in Over-the-Rhine—will join us next Friday, October 23 for the 11:00 pm show. a. Beth Harris—local actress and renowned singer of Cincinnati-based band The Hiders—will appear at the Saturday, October 24 11:00 pm performance. Dylan Mulvaney—University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music rising musical theater star—will perform at all 3 Skivvies shows!

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

  • Thursday, October 22 at 10:30 pm
  • Friday, October 23 at 11:00 pm
  • Saturday, October 24 at 11:00 pm

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS

The Skivvies are Lauren Molina and Fairfield, Ohio native Nick Cearley (ETC’s Next to Normal, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, and star of the one-man show Buyer & Cellar on stage now!). Molina is an award-winning Broadway actress, musician, and singer-songwriter known for her roles in Broadway’s Rock of Ages, Sweeney Todd, Mary Zimmerman’s Candide, and the Drama League-nominated, two-person revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Marry Me A Little. Cearley’s credits include the first national tour of All Shook Up and the lauded one-man show …And Then I Wrote a Song About It. The Skivvies became YouTube sensations with their covers of artists including Robyn, Carole King, and Rihanna. The videos led to live shows, and now the duo performs to sold-out audiences in New York and beyond. Previous venues include 54 Below, The Highline Ballroom, Roseland Ballroom, Joe’s Pub, The Cutting Room, Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Angeles, and The Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA. The Skivvies have performed at events including Broadway Bares (a fundraiser for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS), A Tribute to Angela Lansbury with Tyne Daly and Christine Ebersole, Broadway for Obama, and Human Rights Campaign benefit, Theatre C. They have made appearances on NBC, and they have filmed pilots for FOX, A&E, and WE.

Drew Lachey is a native of Cincinnati and an accomplished singer, dancer, and actor. Drew first rose to prominence as a member of the Motown pop group 98 Degrees. The group recorded four successful albums and sold more than nine million records worldwide. Drew made his Broadway debut playing the role of Mark Cohen in Rent. His other Broadway credits include: Patsy in Monty Python’s Spamalot and Corny Collins in Hairspray with the PCLO. Drew became a household name when he took home the infamous mirror ball trophy on Dancing with the Stars (season-two champion, season-five co-host) and later took his dancing talents on the road with three North American tours of Dancing with the Stars and was asked to come back and be a part of the All-Star season. Drew also hosted the primetime ABC show Dance War with Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, The Miss USA Pageant, HGTV’s $250,000 Challenge and America Sings for GMC. After a decade break, 98 Degrees recently got back together and toured with NKOTB and Boyz II Men on the “Package Tour.” Drew also starred in UPTV’s Guess Who’s Coming to Christmas, can be heard “Live at Lachey’s” every Friday on Cincinnati’s own Q102 and starred in a new doc-series for A&E called Lachey’s Bar.

a. Beth Harris She took a small hiatus from theatre to go to massage school and try her hands at the healing arts. She has still been performing, however, with her band and great friends-The Hiders. As well as touring and recording with other local bands (Pearlene, the J. Dorsey Blues Band, Blind Boy Roy Gentry). Beth was last seen as Samantha Blossom in Dead City at New Stage Collective. Other credits include Yitzhak in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Grete in Sight Unseen, Violet in Violet and Anna Bianchi in Syncopation-all at ETC.

Dylan Mulvaney is an actor and cat enthusiast. He is currently enrolled in University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music Musical Theatre program and is expected to graduate in 2019.

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Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich

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