Tag Archives: Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Presents A Captivating and Crowd-Pleasing Comedy with The Regional Premiere of BUYER AND CELLAR

Nick Cearley in BUYER AND CELLAR at the B Street Theatre.

Nick Cearley in BUYER AND CELLAR at the B Street Theatre.

(Cincinnati, OH) Grab your shopping bags! You won’t want to miss the regional premiere of BUYER AND CELLAR, the hit comedy by Jonathan Tolins. This outrageous one-man play takes us to the lavish home (well…basement) of Barbra Streisand, where we attempt to navigate this leading lady’s personal shopping mall through the eyes of her salesclerk, or the keeper of all things Barbra. BUYER AND CELLAR will star ETC veteran Nick Cearley (Next to Normal, The Great American Trailer Park Musical) and plays October 13 and runs through November 1, 2015. Directed by D. Lynn Meyers.

What’s a renowned diva to do with decades of memories? And where to put the acres of memorabilia bursting the seams of her lavish Malibu estate? If you’re Barbra Streisand, you enshrine them in a mini-mall in your basement where you can pretend to go shopping! Out-of-work actor Alex More can’t pass up an offer to play shopkeeper for one tough customer who doesn’t let anyone rain on her parade. Soon it begins to take a toll on his patience, his love life, and his view of people (who need people).

“I’m not a big fan of plays about actors talking about acting and the business, but I am a fan of plays that celebrate an actor’s life and some of the amazing journeys that they get to go on,” explains Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “I just love that Jonathan Tolins wrote this fantasy, and in a way a coming-of-age story, that allows an actor to embody so many great characters. From the moment I heard about BUYER AND CELLAR, all I could think of was Nick Cearley. He is someone I adore working with and it’s great to have him back to celebrate our thirtieth anniversary season.”

About the Cast
Nick Cearley (Alex More) was last seen at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati as Henry in Next to Normal, 25 The Musical, and Duke in The Great American Trailer Park Musical. As a musician, he is one-half of the “undie-rock,” comedy- pop duo known as The Skivvies, which he co-created with Lauren Molina, and has been critically acclaimed by such publications as People Magazine, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, Out Magazine, The Advocate, NY POST, NY Daily News, and Wall Street Journal. He was also recently honored on the prestigious OUT 100 list of most “influential and compelling LGBT actors of the year.” His credits include the first national tour of All Shook Up. He was most recently seen Off-Broadway as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Pageant: The Musical (also Original Cast Album on Jay Records). His favorite regional credits include Buyer & Cellar (Sacramento’s B Street Theatre), William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night (dir. Scott Schwartz) …And Then I Wrote a Song About It (Best Lead Actor in a Musical/The Star Ledger, NJ), …Spelling Bee, Altar Boyz, Plaid Tidings (dir. Gordon Greenberg), and The Rocky Horror Show (dir. Hunter Foster). His other credits include: Williamstown Theatre Festival, Bay Street Theatre, Huntington Theatre Company, Luna Stage, Diversionary Theatre, Rubicon Theatre, American Stage Theatre Company, New York Stage and Film, York Theatre, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, City Theatre, Eugene O’Neill Center, Provincetown Theatre, The Smith Center, Red Barn Theatre, The Tampa Theatre, and Bucks County Playhouse. He has also shot TV pilots for Fox, WE, and A&E.

Production team includes Brian c. Mehring (Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer), Jack Murphy (Technical Director), Matthew Hollstegge (Production Manager & Master Electrician), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Master & Design Assistant), Matt Callahan (Sound Designer), and Reba Senske (Costume Designer). Production Stage Manager is Brandon T. Holmes. Assistant Stage Manager is Elizabeth Freyman.

Performance Information
Performances run Tuesday through Sunday. Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 pm; Friday and Saturday, 8:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 2:00 pm; and Sunday, 7:00 pm. A complete calendar of performances is available online at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.

Ticket Prices
Ticket prices range from $28 to $44 for adults; student tickets are $25; and children are $18. For the 2015-2016 season, ETC continues its popular $15 student and half-price rush tickets for all performances, which are available two hours prior to show time and may be purchased by phone or in person at the box office.

Available Discounts
Military, Educator, Public Radio Perks Card, ArtsWave FunCard, AAA, Senior, and Enjoy the Arts discounts available; tickets and seating are subject to availability.

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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VIDEO: Trailer for LUNA GALE at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

Molly Israel as Karlie, Patrick E. Phillips as Peter & Annie Fitzpatrick as Caroline. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Molly Israel as Karlie, Patrick E. Phillips as Peter & Annie Fitzpatrick as Caroline. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Caroline, a veteran social worker, thinks she has a typical case on her hands when she meets Peter and Karlie, two teenage drug addicts accused of neglecting their baby. But, when she places their infant daughter in the care of Karlie’s mother, Caroline ignites a family conflict that exposes a shadowy, secretive past—and forces her to make a risky decision. Powerful and arresting, this is a heartbreaking and unforgettable tale about moral ambiguity and knowing how to do good in the world.

Performances continue through Sept. 27. For more information visit https://behindthecurtaincincy.com/2015/08/06/luna-gale-runs-sept-8-27/

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BUYER & CELLAR Runs Oct. 13-Nov. 1

ETC_Buyer and Cellar logoBUYER & CELLAR
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
Oct. 13-Nov. 1
Over-the-Rhine

Cast: Nick Cearley as Alex More

What’s a renowned diva to do with decades of memories? And where to put the acres of memorabilia bursting the seams of her lavish Malibu estate? If you’re Barbra Streisand, you enshrine them in a mini-mall in your basement where you can pretend to go shopping! Out-of-work actor Alex More can’t pass up an offer to play shopkeeper for one tough customer who doesn’t let anyone rain on her parade. Soon it begins to take a toll on his patience, his love life, and his view of people (who need people).

  • In preview, Tue, Oct. 13 at 7pm
  • Wed-Thu, Oct. 14-15 at 7:30pm
  • Fri, Oct. 16 at 8pm
  • Sat, Oct. 17 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Sun, Oct. 18 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Tue-Thu, Oct. 20-22 at 7:30pm
  • Fri, Oct. 23 at 8pm
  • Sat, Oct. 24 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Sun, Oct. 25 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Tue-Thu, Oct. 27-29 at 7:30pm
  • Fri, Oct. 30 at 8pm
  • Sat, Oct. 31 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Sun, Nov. 1 at 2pm

Official site |

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LUNA GALE 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.

Annie Fitzpatrick as Caroline. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Annie Fitzpatrick as Caroline. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

LUNA GALE presented by Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati through Sept. 27. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

A sure sign that you’re thoroughly captivated by a play? Being surprised when the lights come up for intermission. That’s what happened to me with LUNA GALE. The over-burdened and under-funded social services system serves as a backdrop for this powerful and thought-provoking play by Rebecca Gilman.

Brent Vimtrup as Cliff & Annie Fitzpatrick as Caroline. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Brent Vimtrup as Cliff & Annie Fitzpatrick as Caroline. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Annie Fitzpatrick is engrossing and emotionally pitch-perfect in the demanding role of social worker Caroline. The central character that is nearly ever-present on stage. In her first scene, you immediately know who Caroline is…a weary and experienced social worker, starting a new case for infant Luna Gale. And that is who she is, but as the play progresses new facets of her emerge that surprise and touch me. I’m inspired by her inner strength and saddened by her loneliness.

With young adult roles to fill, director D. Lynn Meyers has cast three of ETC’s 2014-2015 acting interns. I find it exciting to see these young actors get their first professional roles locally. It’s great to be with them as they take that next step in their careers with such strong performances.

Molly Israel as Karlie, Patrick E. Phillips as Peter & Annie Fitzpatrick as Caroline. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Molly Israel as Karlie, Patrick E. Phillips as Peter & Annie Fitzpatrick as Caroline. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

First is Molly Israel portraying Karlie, Luna’s drug-addicted mother, who I found very frustrating. The character, not the actress. With any vulnerability buried deeply behind a constantly-angry persona, I didn’t connect emotionally with her…apparently my compassion is tied to her effort. This lack of connection keeps me questioning the motive behind her decision at the end of the play.

Peter, Luna’s father, is played by Patrick E. Phillips. Peter is a people pleaser and that, in part, led to his drug use. The possibility of losing custody of Luna appears to be a wake up call for him. Phillips handles the maturing of the character over the two acts very convincingly.

Annie Fitzpatrick as Caroline & Natalie Joyce as Lourdes. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Annie Fitzpatrick as Caroline & Natalie Joyce as Lourdes. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Lourdes (Natalie Joyce) is one of Caroline’s cases,  who is aging out of the foster system by turning 18. I enjoyed how each of their scenes together had a different awkwardness to them. Joyce handles the growing distance between the two believably.

Kate Wilford is spot on as Luna’s maternal grandmother, Cindy. I liked her immediately as she fretted over the details of taking in Luna. That is, until she shared her (extreme to me) religious beliefs. Let’s just say that recent events in Kentucky have that particular nerve close to the surface. This revelation brings another theme to the narrative and can polarize your view of what is best for Luna.

Annie Fitzpatrick as Caroline, Charlie Clark as Pastor Jay & Kate Wilford as Cindy. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Annie Fitzpatrick as Caroline, Charlie Clark as Pastor Jay & Kate Wilford as Cindy. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Brent Vimtrup is perfectly horrible as Cliff, Caroline’s passive-aggressive, condescending supervisor. Their interactions always turn combative and the intensity of their battle of wills is damn good theater.

Rounding out the cast is Charlie Clark as Pastor Jay. His performance pushed all the right buttons for me, and it’s probably better I don’t go into details about the why.

Kate Wilford as Cindy & Patrick E. Phillips as Peter. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Kate Wilford as Cindy & Patrick E. Phillips as Peter. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Brian c. Mehring’s rotating set is smartly designed, offering great versatility in creating the multiple (six if memory serves) locations. Property master Shannon Rae Lutz delivers believable spaces. Varies rooms include Cindy’s kitchen, Caroline’s office and the children’s play room. Great job by the stage crew who quickly and quietly took care of the changes.

Pulitzer-nominated script, excellent cast plus strong and sure direction make LUNA GALE a timely, emotionally-gripping and artistically-satisfying beginning to ETC’s 30th anniversary season.

My rating: 4.75 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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$10 Tickets. Are. Back. At Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (Cue the Jazz Hands!)

ETC+Hands Down Ticket DealsGreat Ticket Deals Make Awesome Theatre,
Well, Even Awesomer!

Whether you’ve never been to Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati or just haven’t been in a while, we’re here to remind you that we’ve seriously got some of the very best ticket deals in the city, including the return of last season’s über popular $10 Try Us Out Ticket program!

Plus, Ensemble Theatre is located in the hottest historic district in the area: Over-the-Rhine. So, there’s always a bevy of fantastic restaurants and events waiting to supplement your visit.

We hope you’ll join us for one of our upcoming shows this season (we think you’ll be glad you did!). And, always remember, the sooner you purchase your tickets, the better seating and date availability you’ll be able to snag.

Purchase tickets |

$10 Try Us Out Tickets
It doesn’t get much better than $10 tickets! This is an introductory offer for OH, KY, and IN residents who have never purchased tickets to Ensemble Theatre. Limit two $10 tickets per qualifying household. Valid first 2 weeks of performances only. Limited quantity available, while supplies last. Available in person or by phone only. Handing fees apply.TIX

$28 Preview Tickets
Tuesday Preview performances are just $28! This is an exclusive discounted price, plus you get to be among the very first patrons to see our fantastic shows before they officially open. Space is limited for these performances. Preview tickets may be purchased by phone, online, or in person.

Half-Price Rush Tickets
Two (2) hours prior to show time, all remaining adult tickets for the current day’s performance(s) are available for half-price to anyone (discount does not apply to senior or children’s tickets) and may be purchased in person or by phone.

But Wait, There’s More!
We are also proud to honor ongoing membership benefits for the ArtsWave ArtsPass, Enjoy the Arts Members, Public Broadcasting, AAA, AFTA, as well as special discounts for Educators and Military Service members. Please consult our comprehensive discount webpage and/or your membership benefits for specific details.

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