Tag Archives: Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

Off-Broadway Success STOP KISS Gets Stripped-Down Treatment on Local Stage‏

QCQTC_Stop Kiss logoQueen City Queer Theatre Collective proudly announces the March 9 production of STOP KISS, starring Mia Vera, Linnea Bond, Billy Chase, and Jared Hudson. Extended three times off-Broadway in 1998, STOP KISS follows the touching love story of two women who are brutally attacked after their first kiss.

This will be the fifth production of QCQTC made possible through the support of Nigel Cotterill and Absolute Vodka’s ongoing sponsorship. This production will feature young actors from Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company stages, as well as Abby Rowold playing the part of Mrs. Winsley and the Nurse.

Ms. Vera, playing the news reporter who finds herself falling for a new friend, has been a part of the collective from it’s inception six months ago. Of her personal connection the play, she says, “Even before I came out, I was drawn to Diana Son’s writing… So often we have to dig to find others like us, and that glorious moment when you can go, ‘look, they’re just like me!’ is the moment of community we live for. The feeling of sameness after a lifetime of Other. STOP KISS was and is that play for me. The characters leapt out at me, the tragedy and the romance seduced me, and now I feel like I know why.”

The Queen City Queer Theatre Collective seeks to be a safe space for LGBTQ stories and conversation. Actors perform readings monthly on the second Monday at 7:30 pm in the Cabaret space at Below Zero Lounge. Tickets are free, with $5 suggested donation.

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DETROIT ’67 Runs March 17-April 5

Zina Camblin as Chelle & Bryant Bentley as Lank. Photo by Arny Lorraine.

Zina Camblin as Chelle & Bryant Bentley as Lank. Photo by Arny Lorraine.

DETROIT ’67
Presented by Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
March 17-April 5
Over-the-Rhine

Directed by D. Lynn Meyers

Cast: Darnell Pierre Benjamin, Bryant Bentley, Burgess Byrd, Zina Camblin & Leslie Goddard.

1967, Detroit. When their parents die, Chelle and Lank inherit their childhood home. To make ends meet, the siblings host “basement parties,” spinning the newest records to come out of Motown, a risky business as police crack down on after-hours joints in black neighborhoods. But when a mysterious white woman finds her way into their care and a string of raids increases police brutality around the city, they find themselves much more divided than over just the family business. Content advisory: This production contains strong language and adult themes and may not be suitable for all audiences.

  • In preview, Tue, March 17 at 7pm
  • Wed-Thu, March 18-19 at 7:30pm
  • Fri, March 20 at 8pm
  • Sat, March 21 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Sun, March 22 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Tue-Thu, March 24-26 at 7:30pm
  • Fri, March 27 at 8pm
  • Sat, March 28 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Sun, March 29 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Tue-Thu, March 31-April 2 at 7:30pm
  • Fri, April 3 at 8pm
  • Sat, April 4 at 2pm & 8pm
  • Sun, April 5 at 2pm

Official page |

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VIDEO: Andy Dalton’s Pepsi Press Conference: Buffalo Wild Wings Commercial Featuring Michael Shawn Starks

Michael Shawn Starks as Mike Ferris Annie Fitzpatrick as Cindy Barnes Michael G. Bath as Frank Nugent. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Michael Shawn Starks as Mike Ferris Annie Fitzpatrick as Cindy Barnes Michael G. Bath as Frank Nugent. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

It’s always fun to catch local performers in commercials.

This commercial for Pepsi features Michael Shawn Starks. Andy Dalton calls him out as “you in the gray shirt.”

Cincinnati audiences may recognize Starks as the shyster car dealership owner in the Ensemble Theater Cincinnati season opener, HANDS ON A HARDBODY.

Up next, Michael has been cast in a local musical, but the theater group has asked that I not mention it by name until they have completed casting. I guess you will just have to keep an eye on my blog. 🙂

Also appearing in the commercial in blink-and-you’ll-miss moments are Lisa Marie DeRoberts (seated next to Michael in green) and Andrew Maloney in dark green around the 1:20 mark.

If you know of any other commercials to highlight, please send the links my way.

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VIDEO: Trailer for ETC’s THE OTHER PLACE

Michael G. Bath as Ian Smithton & Regina Pugh as Juliana Smithton. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Michael G. Bath as Ian Smithton & Regina Pugh as Juliana Smithton. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

Juliana Smithton, an accomplished scientist and pharmaceuticals pitch-woman, is a dominating personality who’s always in command, but recently her life has become unhinged. Her husband has filed for divorce, her daughter has eloped with a much older man, and her own health hangs in jeopardy. However, in this brilliantly troubling and unexpectedly humorous play, nothing is as it seems. Piece by piece, a mystery unfolds as fact blurs with fiction and the elusive truth about Juliana boils to the surface.

THE OTHER PLACE continues at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati through Feb. 15.

You can read my spoiler-free review here, as well as the reviews of:
Cincinnati.ComCityBeat | League of Cincinnati Theatres | The Sappy Critic |

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Stage Notes for Feb. 2

TCT_Aladdin JrA potpourri of arts news items from local and national sources.

  • Cincinnati Enquirer ticket giveaway: Enter to win free tickets to The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’sAladdin Jr.
  • Onstage blog entry: The Best BFA Musical Theatre Programs in the Country [UC College-Conservatory of Music ranked #2]
  • Citybeat review: THE OTHER PLACE, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
  • River City News article: Don’t Miss These Shows in February

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