Denise Devlin as Lilac, Sara Mackie as Marigold
& Brooke Steele as Daisy. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.
Good fairies Lilac, Marigold, and Daisy, from Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s SLEEPING BEAUTY, offer their beauty tips and dish some kingdom gossip in their first episode of Fairy Talk.
SLEEPING BEAUTY continues at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati through Jan. 4. For more information visit https://behindthecurtaincincy.com/2014/11/04/sleeping-beauty-runs-dec-3-jan-4/
Filed under Video
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Artistic Director, Lynn Meyers, is in charge of casting for the feature film THE BLUNDERER which is shooting in Cincinnati right now! It stars Jessica Biel and Patrick Wilson.
Tomorrow, the production is in desperate need of men between the ages of 30-60 to be extras. No acting is really involved and you just have to come wearing a certain type of clothing that the crew will notify you of beforehand. It pays $8 an hour and the shoot will most likely be from late morning to early evening.
If you or anyone you know may be interested, please email your name and number to blundererextrascasting@gmail.com
You could be in a film tomorrow!
Thanks!
Patrick Phillips
Filed under Casting Call
Links to all reviews can be found using the REVIEWS link at the top of the page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my Facebook fan page. You can also receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.
Deirdre Manning as Sleeping Beauty. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.
SLEEPING BEAUTY presented by Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati through Jan 4. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.
Third time and still as charming as ever.
Deb G. Girdler as Wisteria. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.
One of ETC’s most cherished family-friendly holiday musicals returns to the stage for a third time. SLEEPING BEAUTY is written by local playwright Joseph McDonough with music and lyrics by David Kisor. The pair take the familiar story and give it a modern twist with a floral bent.
Michael G. Bath as the Falcon. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.
Deb.G.Girdler returns for a third time as the evil Wisteria who curses Briar Rose. Girdler is clearly having a blast on stage as she belittles and belts her way through the show.Joining her in a hat trick is Michael G. Bath as Wisteria’s hench-bird, Falcon. Smart tongued and quick-witted, the two make a delightfully wicked pair. Wisteria also performs my favorite numbers in the show, “A Thorn in my Side” and “I’ve Heard It All Before.”
Denise Devlin as Lilac, Sara Mackie as Marigold
& Brooke Steele as Daisy. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.
Three of ETC’s “Wonderetts” return to play Wisteria’s three fairy sisters. Denise Devlin as Liliac, Sara Mackie as Marigold, & Brooke Steel as Daisy. As usual, the three have a fun chemistry and sound great together.
The royal parents, played by Phil Fiorini (King Stefan) & Kate Wilford (Queen Olivia) are an entertaining duo, especially when they don’t see eye to eye.
Kate Wilford as Queen Olivia, Phil Fiorini as King Stefan & Company. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.
Busy as a bee Dee Anne Bryll stages fun choreography for several ensemble numbers.
The characters in the production have a very clever and unique look. Great work by costume designer Reba Senske and wig and makeup designer Kelly Yurko. Favorite costumes include Wisteria, her three sisters, Falcon, Queen Olivia and the dragon.
SLEEPING BEAUTY is entertaining, bright and fun for the whole family.
My rating: 3.75 out of 5
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Filed under Reviews
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES!
ENSEMBLE THEATRE CINCINNATI PRESENTS FAMILY FRIENDLY HOLIDAY MUSICAL
SLEEPING BEAUTY, DECEMBER 3, 2014-JANUARY 4, 2015
(Cincinnati, OH) Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) presents the return of one of its most cherished family-friendly holiday musicals SLEEPING BEAUTY, by local playwright Joseph McDonough with music and lyrics by David Kisor, playing December 3, 2014 through January 4, 2015. In the tradition of ETC’s “fractured fairytale” holiday productions, Sleeping Beauty is a modern spin on the classic tale by Charles Perrault. This revamped production features a magical set design, an updated musical score and story, enchanting comedy, and a blooming twist on the meaning of love. Directed by D. Lynn Meyers. Premiere Sponsor is Macy’s.
Romance, comedy, action, rock n’ roll, and opera—this musical version of SLEEPING BEAUTY has it all! Meet Briar Rose, her overprotective parents, three wacky fairies (and a wicked one), and a dragon with an attitude as our contemporary twist on the classic tale returns to Ensemble’s stage. From the creators of Cinderella and Snow White, this enchanted and memorable musical will delight audiences of all ages this holiday season.
Each season, ETC produces a magical fairy tale musical written with families in mind. As a theatre that also seeks to nurture new audiences, ETC has specifically commissioned these shows that take classic fairy tales and give them a fresh, modern spin with contemporary cultural references to make the shows’ message accessible for the next generation of arts patrons.
Following the success of recent holiday musicals, ETC’s performance schedule includes over 30 chances for audiences to see this popular production. ETC will also offer a convenient show calendar for families with many weekend matinees, early 6:00 pm Sunday evening shows, and 7:00 pm evening shows throughout the holiday season. “SLEEPING BEAUTY is a parable about the beauty within and the capacity we all have to change, grow, and make the world better,” says ETC’s Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “This is a very bright, bold, and inventive production that truly embodies the essence of our Ensemble.”
About the Cast
Deirdre Manning (Briar Rose) is a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida with her BFA in Musical Theatre and minors in Dance and Environmental Science. She has most recently been seen on the ETC stage in An Iliad, as well as the Theatre UCF stage in The Music Man, Shipwrecked!, as the title character in Eurydice, and Violet Hilton in Side Show. This past summer, she was the assistant director of the new musical The Legend of Jim Cullen, at Heartwood Regional Theater Company. Deirdre is also the lyricist of Sharknami: The Musical?, which made its world premiere at the Orlando International Fringe Festival last May.
Terrance J. Ganser (Prince William/Edward) makes his ETC debut as Prince William and Prince Edward in SLEEPING BEAUTY. His recent professional credits include Bamatabois in the Cortland Repertory Theatre’s production of Les Misérables and Whitney Smith in Unity Productions’ show Blogging Behind Bars, which won the Cincinnati Fringe Festival’s “Audience Pick” award in June of 2014. Mr. Ganser recently graduated from Miami University of Ohio with degrees in Music and Education.
Deb G. Girdler (Wisteria) reprises her role as the evil fairy Wisteria in SLEEPING BEAUTY. She has appeared numerous times on ETC’s stage, often as the villain in the holiday shows. Her ETC credits include Janice Curtis in Hands on a Hardbody, Around the World in 80 Days, The Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, Betty in the smash hit The Great American Trailer Park Musical, as well as Old Bones in The Frog Princess. Ms. Girdler has appeared at the Olney Theatre as the Fairy Godmother in the now official version of Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella as well as in La Cage Aux Folles at the Gateway Playhouse in New Jersey. A CCM graduate, she began her career on the Showboat Majestic and has worked off-Broadway, in regional theatre, and in summer stock for over 30 years.
Michael G. Bath (Falcon) returns to ETC’s stage, marking this year as his eighteenth consecutive holiday show with Ensemble Theatre. He most recently appeared in ETC’s productions of Hands on a Hardbody, Around the World in 80 Days, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Next Fall, Cinderella, Becky’s New Car and My Name is Asher Lev. Other regional credits include Superior Donuts with The Clifton Players and Angels in America at Know Theatre. Mr. Bath has also performed with Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Children’s Theatre, the Performance Gallery, Showboat Majestic, and Stage First Cincinnati.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati regulars Sara Mackie (Marigold), Brooke Steele (Daisy), Denise Devlin (Lilac), and Kate Wilford (Queen Olivia), as well as Phil Fiorni (King Stefan) and Geofrey Warren Barnes (Wizard), also appear in this production. ETC 2014-2015 Acting interns Kadeem Ali Harris (Bud), Molly Israel (Blossom), Aziza Macklin (Petal), Patrick E. Phillips (Branch/Dragon), Emily Scott (Bloom), and Natalie Joyce Smith (Stem) round out the ensemble cast.
Production team includes Brian c. Mehring (Set & Lighting Designer), Jack Murphy (Technical Director), Matthew Hollstegge (Production Coordinator & Master Electrician), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Master & Design Assistant), Matthew Tibbs (Sound Designer), Sean Michael Flowers (Musical Director), Dee Anne Bryll (Choreographer), Reba Senske (Costume Designer), and Kelly Yurko (Wigs & Makeup Designer). Production Stage Manager is Brandon T. Holmes.
Ticket Prices
Ticket prices range from $28 to $44 for adults; student tickets are $25; and children are $18. For the 2014-2015 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.
Performance Schedule
Runs December 3, 2014-January 4, 2015. 7:00 p.m. performances Fri.; 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. performances Sat. and select weeknights; 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. No performances on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. A complete calendar is available at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.
Other Single Ticket Discounts
Military/Educator, AAA, and Senior discounts available; tickets and seating are subject to availability. ETC accepts all major credit cards and Downtown Cincinnati gift cards. Group rates are available for 10 or more people.
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.
2014-2015 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.
Filed under Press Releases
CINCINNATI BALLET, CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK, ENSEMBLE THEATRE CINCINNATI AND THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CINCINNATI UNITE ONCE AGAIN 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 to spread holiday cheer across the Tristate with a number of special character appearances beginning Nov. 15.
Characters from Cincinnati Ballet’s annual production of Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker; Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s classic A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank; Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s holiday production of Sleeping Beauty, sponsored by Macy’s; and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s world premiere production of The Snow Queen, also sponsored by Macy’s, will come together at holiday events around the city from mid-November through Nov. 30.
The Character Crew will make appearances at the following holiday attractions:
About Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
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. 19 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.
The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park has been offering local audiences the finest in professional theatre for 55 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. 26 through Dec. 28 for its 24th year. For more information, visit www.cincyplay.com.
Now in its 29th 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 17th year ETC has been presenting family-friendly musicals for the holidays. This season, ETC presents a magical, musical version of Sleeping Beauty, Dec. 3 to Jan. 4. For more information, visit www.ensemblecincinnati.org.
The 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 90th season, TCTC is the oldest children’s theatre in the country and serves nearly 150,000 children, families and schools each season. From Dec. 5 to 13, The Children’s Theatre presents the world premiere musical The Snow Queen. For more information, visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com.
Filed under Family-Friendly, Press Releases
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 