New Edgecliff Theatre seeks actress 55-63 for the role of Bea in OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY. Rehearsals begin March 23. Show runs April 16th through 26 at the Aronoff Center’s Fifth Third Bank Theatre.
Auditions will be held Wednesday night March 5th, 630-8pm at NKU. Go to the 3rd floor fine arts building and follow the signs. Sides will be provided.
Snow out date will be Thursday March 6th, 630- 8pm.
To make an appointment, email when you are available to jstump@newedgecliff.com.
Filed under Casting Call
Annie Kalahurka in NET’s THE 12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS.
THE 12 DATES OF CHRISTMAS
Presented by New Edgecliff Theatre
Dec. 11-21
Over-the-Rhine
Directed by Jim Stump
Featuring Annie Kalahurka
After seeing her fiancé kiss another woman at the televised Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mary’s life falls apart – just in time for the holidays. Over the next year, she stumbles back into the dating world, where “romance” ranges from weird and creepy to absurd and comical. It seems nothing can help Mary’s growing cynicism, until the charm and innocence of a five-year-old boy unexpectedly brings a new outlook on life and love. This heartwarming one-woman play offers a hilarious and modern alternative to the old standards of the holiday season.
Filed under On Stage
Links to all reviews can be found on the BTC REVIEWS page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my FaceBook fan page. You can receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.
BUS STOP presented by New Edgecliff Theatre through Sept. 28. You can read the show description here.
Christine Dye as Grace Hoyland. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
For a play written in 1955, the script of BUS STOP by William Inge still holds up very well today. Director Jared Doren has cast many of the strongest local actors available for this character-driven show. Presented in three acts with two ten-minute intermission, Doren keeps the pacing tight, bringing this solid show in at two-hours and fifteen minutes.
Tyler Alessi & Mindy Heithaus. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Tyler Alessi does a nice job as Bo. What could easily be a one-note character is played with enough charm to keep Bo in the audience’s good graces. Mindy Heithaus also does a good job as Cherie. I wouldn’t mind her letting the audience see a bit more vulnerability after some of the confrontations. Their characters dove-tail nicely into their “moment of truth” near the end of the show which is moving and extremely satisfying.
Tess Talbot as Elma & Robert Allen as Dr. Gerald Lyman. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Robert Allen’s portrayal of Dr. Gerald Lyman is a highlight of the show. There is much depth in his performance as a man struggling with his personal demons in the presence of naive Elma (played by Tess Talbot). She does well as the teenage waitress and object of Lyman’s attention. A bit more nervous energy would help differentiate her from the adults in the show.
Christine Dye as Grace Hoyland & David Levy as Carl. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Christine Dye is another highlight as no-nonsense diner owner Grace Hoyland. Paired with (a beardless) David Levy as Carl, the two of them have a cute chemistry and it is fun to watch how the smitten couple’s relationship progresses over the course of the show. In the final moments of the show, I did wish Grace had some kind of token to find as she closed up shop.
David Roth as Virgil Blessing, Tyler Alessi as Bo Decker & Donald Volpenhein as Will Masters. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
David Roth is solid as the combination surrogate-father/Jiminy Cricket to hot-headed Bo. Also solid is Donald Volpenhein as stern lawman Will Masters. It was great to see Will and Bo so close in size physically and totally believable that Will could take Bo in a fight. I did lose a bit of Will’s dialogue in the quiet scene with Bo stage right.
It was nice to see the ensemble engaged in the action throughout. Also, there were some nice background moments (such as Cherei’s gift to Elma) that worked well without stealing focus.
Mindy Heithaus as Cherie. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
The costumes by Jim Stump were well-done. The only one that didn’t work for me was Cherie’s main costume (and her styling was also an issue). She didn’t look like “..an aspiring nightclub singer but has never worked in any establishment above the level of ‘cheap dive.'” In a way, it looked like Mindy had just arrived at the theater and didn’t have time to change before going on stage. 🙂 Her hair and wardrobe just seemed a bit too va-va-voom for the character. Cherie’s “costume” costume was spot on and seemed more in line with the character.
Waitress Elma Duckworth’s styling was a little off for me as well. Maybe it was the combination of the bangs-less pony tail, the eyeglasses and the sweater buttoned over her shoulders, but it read older than a high school-er.
Opening night there were several delayed line pickups between scenes. There were also a few with light cues that seemed as if the actors were waiting on a lighting change. The cross-fades seemed executed in too long a count.
The set. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
The set (design by Melissa Bennett Murphy) was nicely done. I understand the decision to make the set so long, but I felt it needed a few items (perhaps a couple small tables) to help fill all that empty space. The tables, chairs, stools and counter could have used some wear and tear.
Overall an excellent production and a great start to the season as NET returns to the Aronoff.
Slightly off topic, in researching BUS STOP, I discovered there was also a musical version called CHERRY. Has anyone ever seen it?
Click here for a complete list of show times for BUS STOP.
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.
Filed under Reviews
Tyler Alessi & Mindy Heithaus. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Panelists for the League of Cincinnati Theatres (LCT) have recognized Cincinnati New Edgecliff’s Bus Stop with a 4 Star Rating.
In Bus Stop, five weary travelers are stranded at a roadside diner when a winter snowstorm halts their bus. Friendships and romances ensue.
Panelists praised Bus Stop as “a solid opening production by New Edgecliff of a wonderful Inge classic. Nicely directed and designed with a talented cast of local actors”; “a really good show with relatable characters, a strong cast that made me laugh out loud, and think.” Christine Dye’s portrayal of Grace was singled out; she was “a hoot! Her timing and delivery was on point and she was so natural and at ease with her character.” Robert Allen was also applauded for his role as Dr. Lyman: “As a basically unlikeable character, he could have been almost a caricature, but in Bob Allen’s capable hands, he showed remorse and a self-awareness that made him almost sympathetic.”
Bus Stop continues through September 28th. Tickets can be purchased at www.newedgecliff.com.
League of Cincinnati Theatre panelists evaluate productions on a 5 star scale and recommend shows at either a 4 star or 5 star level. Nominations for LCT awards will be determined and announced at the end of the season and winners awarded at the annual LCT gala in the spring.
The League of Cincinnati Theatres was founded in 1999 to strengthen, nurture and promote Cincinnati’s theatre community. LCT provides its member companies and individual members with education, resources and services to enhance the quality and exposure of the theatre community in Cincinnati and increase community awareness, attendance and involvement. More information about the League can be found at www.leagueofcincytheatres.com.
Filed under Press Releases
FRANKENSTEIN
Presented by New Edgecliff Theatre
Oct. 13
Over-the-Rhine
Directed by Bob Allen
Cast: Michael Bath, Jay Dallas Benson, Jan Costello, Elizabeth Harris, Angela Nalley, Charlie Roetting, Tracy Schoster & Ted Weil
Sweet Suspense is back!
A horror classic is brought to life in the theatre of the mind with New Edgecliff Theatre’s radio theatre performance of FRANKENSTEIN, adapted from the book by Mary Shelley. As our actors, along with live sound effects, retell the story of reanimating the dead, the story takes on a new dimension, with each audience member conjuring up their own unique vision of the monster.
As always, join us for a sweet treat dessert buffet at intermission, featuring delights from area restaurants. All proceeds from the event benefit New Edgecliff Theatre’s operating fund, ensuring future seasons of quality theatre in Cincinnati.
Filed under Benefits and Fundraisers, On Stage
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 