Tag Archives: Know Theatre of Cincinnati

September 21, 2018 · 3:08 pm

MARY’S MONSTER Review

KTC_Marys Monster2

Maggie Lou Rader as Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Photo by Dan R. Winters Photography.

MARY’S MONSTER presented by the Know Theatre of Cincinnati through Sept. 23. Click here for a synopsis and more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

Know Theatre of Cincinnati continues their 21st season themed “Fear Itself” with an original work written and performed by Maggie Lou Rader. MARY’S MONSTER discusses the life of novelist Mary Shelley, best known for her Gothic novel Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus. 

For her first solo script, Rader has chosen a daunting subject. While Shelley did not receive recognition for the bulk of her works while she was alive, today scholars have shown increasing interest in her complete body of literary output. Shelley’s personal life was as complicated as it was haunted by tragedy.

While I found the subject matter interesting, the script itself seemed to focus more heavily on her relationships than on her literary achievements. The complicated nature of these relationships caused some of the exposition to become heavy and confusing. Given the heaviness of the script, the lighter moments were few and far between, so even the addition of some gallows humor would be welcome. On a personal level, I didn’t find Shelley to be very likable

KTC_Marys Monster1

Maggie Lou Rader as Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Photo by Dan R. Winters Photography.

Director Jennifer Joplin makes good use of the set designed by Andrew J. Hungerford. They were times when it felt she had to work around the stage’s centerpiece as opposed to working with it. Even though the pacing was good, the show could use some editing, particularly as it builds to its conclusion. There were times when I felt Rader’s vocal delivery became a bit sing-songy and I would like to have heard a bit more emotion in her voice over the losses Shelley faced. A few of these tragic moments could have been given a bit more time and weight to them.

Overall, MARY’S MONSTER is an interesting, well-performed, but uneven portrait of a woman whose literary worth is still being explored and debated more than a century and a half later.

My rating: 4.25 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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September 21, 2018 · 9:09 am

THE MAN-BEAST Runs Oct. 19-Nov. 10

KTC_The Man-Beast logoTHE MAN-BEAST
Know Theatre of Cincinnati
Oct. 19-Nov. 10
[Over-the-Rhine]

Directed by by Brant Russell

Featuring: Jen Joplin & Jim Hopkins

In the late 18th century, the wilds of France are stalked by the fearsome Beast of Gévaudan, which has claimed over one-hundred victims in three years. King Louis has offered a rich reward to the hunter who kills the beast, and hunters have come from all over the country to take it down.

But an outcast forester and a strange woods-witch are crafting their own plans to claim the prize.

  • Fri-Sat, Oct. 19-20 at 8pm
  • Sun, Oct. 21 at 3pm
  • Wed-Sat, Oct. 24-27 at 8pm
  • Sun, Oct. 28 at 3pm
  • Wed-Sat, Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at 8pm
  • Sun, Nov. 4 at 3pm
  • Wed-Sat, Nov. 7-10 at 8pm

Official page |

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August 17, 2018 · 1:40 pm

MARY’S MONSTER Runs Sept. 14-23

KTC_Marys Monster logoMARY’S MONSTER
Know Theatre of Cincinnati
Sept. 14-23
[Over-the-Rhine]

Written and performed by Maggie Lou Rader
Directed by Jen Joplin

On a dark night near the end of her life, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley wrestles with ghosts: her dead children, her sister, her famous husband, her mother, and Frankenstein, her most famous creation. Death has loomed over her entire life, and now, shovel in hand, she will reckon with it, one way or another.

  • Fri-Sat, Sept. 14-15 at 8pm
  • Sun, Sept. 16 at 3pm
  • Wed-Sat, Sept. 19-22 at 8pm
  • Sun, Sept. 23 at 3pm

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August 14, 2018 · 1:41 pm

Know Theatre continues our 21st Season FEAR ITSELF with a SecondStage World Premiere: MARY’S MONSTER

KTC_Marys Monster logoMARY’S MONSTER
Written and performed by Maggie Lou Rader
September 14-23, 2018

The dead can come back to us.
But they don’t always come back nice.

On a dark night near the end of her life, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley wrestles with ghosts: her dead children, her family, her famous husband Percy, her mother, and Frankenstein, her most famous creation. Death has loomed over her entire life, and now, shovel in hand, she will make peace with it, one way or another.

Exploring the complicated biography of the woman who redefined horror, this new play written by and starring Maggie Lou Rader (Marian, Pulp, Silent Sky, Hearts Like Fists, and Know’s Education Director) takes the stage for 8 performances only from September 14-23, 2018.

Taking the helm as director is acclaimed local actor and director Jen Joplin. Know’s Producing Artistic Director, Andrew Hungerford, takes on scenic, lighting, and sound design duties, with costumes by Know’s Resident Costume Designer, Noelle Wedig Johnston.

Says Andrew,

One of my favorite things is shepherding new work from page to stage. At the Know we’re a pretty nimble organization and can get the ball rolling quickly. It’s thrilling to be able to take a work from conception to audiences in just a few short months, and it’s our fantastic group of artistic collaborators that make it possible.

Why a play about Mary Shelley, and why now?  Here’s what writer and performer Maggie Lou Rader has to say,

This is a woman who wrote the first Science Fiction novel, and, for me, epitomizes the Gothic Horror genre. Without Mary Shelley, how many of our favorite stories and fandoms simply wouldn’t exist? And yet, she was forced to fight for authorship of her most famous work her entire life, not for the fame, but simply for the funds to provide for her son. It would be fabulous to say we’ve grown, changed, learned from the sexism of our past. We haven’t. We refuse to be allocated to the romance section, because there’s more to our narrative than serving as a love interest, and our stories don’t end at marriage.

A woman invented contemporary Science Fiction. A woman epitomized the genre of Gothic Horror. History and pop culture bastardized her creation. This is me giving them back to her, because, it’s Mary Shelley’s turn.

So grab a shovel, and let’s see what we can dig up this September in Mary’s Monster.

Cast
Maggie Lou Rader* as Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States, appearing under a Special Appearance Contract.

Production Team

  • Director – Jen Joplin
  • Scenic, Lighting, & Sound Design – Andrew J. Hungerford
  • Costume Design – Noelle Wedig Johnston

Season Design sponsorship provided by Travis McElroy

Calendar Listing

MARY’S MONSTER by Maggie Lou Rader

  • 8:00 pm  September 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22
  • 3:00 pm  September 16 & 23

Know Theatre of Cincinnati. 1120 Jackson Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. In historic Over-the-Rhine.

Tickets

  • $15 regular price tickets
  • $25 “Living Wage” tickets, supporting working artists in Cincinnati
  • FREE walk-up tickets are available on Wednesdays, as part of Know’s Welcome Experiment.
  • Advance reservations to Welcome Experiment performances are $5.00.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting knowtheatre.com or calling 513.300.5669 (KNOW).

Know Theatre is Cincinnati’s Theatrical Playground. The Know showcases unexpected voices, new works, and plays that embrace the inherent theatricality of the live experience. Know Theatre seeks to be a place where artists and audiences feel welcome to take artistic risks, creating work that is cutting edge and accessible.

Know Theatre’s work is made possible, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.  

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

Know Theatre is also supported by The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation, helping to change our communities for the better through collaboration and innovation, and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, which provides a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving.

Know Theatre is a member of Theatre Communications Group and an Associate Member of the National New Play Network.

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July 26, 2018 · 12:18 pm

The ONE MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL Returns to Cincinnati

KTC_1mpf_logoTHE 4th ANNUAL CINCINNATI ONE-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL:
August 5th, 6th, & 7th at Know Theatre

CINCINNATI – The CINCINNATI ONE-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL (#1MPF) returns to Know Theatre for its fourth year. The marathon evening of one-minute plays by nearly 40 of Cincinnati’s established and emerging playwrights and directors plays three nights only, Monday, August 5th, Tuesday August 6th, & Wednesday August 7th at Know Theatre (1120 Jackson St, Cincinnati, OH, 45202). Tickets, priced at $20, are currently available at

https://knowtheatre.vbotickets.com/event/The_4th_Annual_Cincinnati_OneMinute_Play_Festival/28907

The 4TH ANNUAL CINCINNATI ONE-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL will feature brand new one-minute plays by 35 Cincinnati Playwrights: James Allen, John Bromels, Clint Bramkamp, Burgess Byrd, Geoffrey Barnes, Roger Collins, Nick Carmine, Erin Carr, Liz Coley, Bekka Eaton, Kate Fine, Serenity Fisher,  Angela Forbes, Teri Foltz, Tracy Hoida, Landon Horton, Alan Jozwiak, David Loehr, Robert Macke, Karson McCall, Joe McDonagh, Eric Pfeffinger, Isaiah-Mikal Reeves, Brant Russell, Derek Snow, Paul Shortt, R Deandre Smith, Ryan Ruff Smith, Ariel Mary Ann Shaw, Nathan Singer, Eileen Tull, Chris Wesselman, & Torie Wiggins

Directed by Burgess Byrd, Laura Berkemeier, Merritt Beischel, Lauren Carr, Jared Doren, Ian Forsgren, Patrick Phillips, Robert Mackie & Chris Wessleman

“We’ve reached 4 years of 1MPF in Cincinnati, at a cultural and political moment in our nation that is full of strife, uncertainty, and a feeling that we are more divided than ever,” says Dominic D’Andrea, Producing Artistic Director of 1MPF. “Unsurprisingly, it’s also a moment when we’ve seen a huge uptick of participation of artists and community members in Cincinnati for 1MPF, looking for a space to express themselves and commune with others. Making theatre and holding space for the community is an act of love and a political act in and of itself—more now that ever before.”

“Know Theatre loves hosting this Festival; we relish any opportunity to be a catalyst for new works, and we especially love how many local artists get to come and play when we play with the One-Minute Play Festival,” says Know Theatre Associate Artistic Director Tamara Winters. “Each year we have worked with 1MPF, our local artistic community has come out swinging, creating some truly unforgettable moments and surprising artistry – it’s one of the highlights of the summer theatre season, and we’re delighted to bring it to Cincinnati again this year!”

EVENT DETAILS

Title: THE 4TH ANNUAL CINCINNATI ONE-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL
Dates: August 5th, 6th, & 7th
Times: 8 pm

Tickets: $20. Tickets are currently available at https://knowtheatre.vbotickets.com/event/The_4th_Annual_Cincinnati_OneMinute_Play_Festival/28907

About THE ONE-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL
THE ONE-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL (#1MPF) is America’s largest and longest running grass roots theatre company, founded by Producing Artistic Director, Dominic D’Andrea . #1MPF is a social barometer project, which investigates the zeitgeist of different communities through dialogue, consensus building and a performance of 50-100 short moments generated by each community. #1MPF works in partnership with theatres and/or social organizations sharing playwright, educational or community-specific missions across the country. The aim is to create locally sourced playwright-focused community events, with the goal of promoting the spirit of radical inclusion. #1MPF represents playwrights of different age, gender, race, cultures, and points of career. The work attempts to reflect the theatrical landscape of local artistic communities by creating a dialogue between the collective conscious and the individual voice.

In each city, #1MPF works with partnering organizations to identify programs or initiatives in each community to support with the proceeds from ticket sales. The goal is to find ways give directly back to the artists in each community. Supported programs have ranged from educational programming, youth poetry projects, theatre program in prisons, playwright residencies and memberships, playwrights salaried commissions, community access projects, arts workshops and other social and artistic initiatives.

Annual partnerships have been created with theaters in over 20 cities including: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Trenton, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Boston, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Seattle, Dallas, Austin, Indianapolis, Anchorage, Honolulu, St. Louis and more, with partnering institutions including Primary Stages, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, New Georges at New York City Center, Z-Space, A.C.T., Trinity Rep, Victory Gardens Theater, Cornerstone Theatre Company, The Playwrights Foundation, Boston Playwrights Theatre, Actor’s Express, InterAct Theatre, Mixed Blood, Walking Shadow Theatre, Passage Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, Kitchen Dog Theatre, Salvage Vanguard & ScriptWorks,  ACT Seattle, Perseverance Theatre, Round House Theatre, Honolulu Theatre For Youth and others.

Notable #1MPF contributors have included: David Henry Hwang, Lynn Nottage, Neil LaBute, Tina Howe, Donald Margulies, Nilaja Sun, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Robert Schenkkan, Lydia Diamond, Phillip Kan Gotanda, Kristoffer Diaz, Rajiv Joseph, Samuel D. Hunter, Karen Hartman, Robert Askins, Colman Domingo, José Rivera, Craig Lucas, Mike Daisey, Greg Kotis, Michael John Garcés and over to 1400 celebrated, emerging, and midcareer playwrights.  For more information visit: www.oneminuteplayfestival.com

Know Theatre is Cincinnati’s Theatrical Playground. The Know showcases unexpected voices, new works, and plays that embrace the inherent theatricality of the live experience. Know Theatre seeks to be a place where artists and audiences feel welcome to take artistic risks, creating work that is cutting edge and accessible.

Know Theatre’s work is made possible, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.  

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

Know Theatre is also supported by The Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation, helping to change our communities for the better through collaboration and innovation, and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, which provides a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving.

Know Theatre is a member of Theatre Communications Group and an Associate Member of the National New Play Network.

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