Tag Archives: Reviews

SEUSSICAL Brings the Beloved World of Dr. Seuss to Life at The Carnegie This Winter

Image by scenic designer Tyler Gabbard.

In partnership with the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of
Music

The family-friendly musical comes to Covington January 31–February 16

The Carnegie and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) are joining forces this winter for a wildly imaginative, all-new production of SEUSSICAL. Audiences are invited to step into the magical world of Dr. Seuss as his beloved characters come alive in a joyous adventure for the whole family. This enchanting musical immerses audiences in a fantastical journey that sparks laughter, captures hearts, and leaves lasting memories. Featuring a cast of students from the Musical Theatre program at CCM, SEUSSICAL will transport both young and old to a place where imagination knows no bounds!

“Whether you’re discovering SEUSSICAL for the first time or you’re a long-time fan, you’ll delight in this wonderfully creative production,” says Tyler Gabbard, Director of Theatre at The Carnegie. “The creative team and cast are bringing a vibrant new vision to the show that celebrates the power of theatre—its ability to spark imagination, transport us to new worlds, and embrace our differences. It’s SEUSSICAL like you’ve never seen before!”

The production is directed by Rachel Stevens. A director, developer, educator and acting coach, Stevens was assistant director on the Broadway run of the Tony Award-winning musical Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. Her Off-Broadway credits include Smart Blonde (associate director, 59E59) and
Preludes (assistant director, Lincoln Center Theater, LCT3), and her New York directing and devising credits include work with The Civilians’ R&D Group, SheNYC Festival, NYMF, Theatre Now, TheaterWorksUSA and New York Film Academy. Her regional credits include a production of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 at American Repertory Theatre directed by Rachel Chavkin and The Bandstand at Paper Mill Playhouse directed by Andy Blankenbuehler, along with productions at Quantum Theatre, City Theatre Company and Front Porch Theatricals. Stevens, along with choreographer Jessica Harris and music director Julie Spangler, are on the Musical Theatre faculty at CCM; all three are making their Carnegie debut.

Returning to The Carnegie, Monique Churchill delighted audiences with her BroadwayWorld Award-winning turn as Lauren in Kinky Boots. Churchill plays lovable bird next door Gertrude McFuzz. Carnegie audiences will also recognize Matthew Danforth who appeared alongside Churchill in Guys and Dolls.

Tickets range from $18-$45 and may be purchased by calling (859) 957-1940 or by visiting www.thecarnegie.com.

CREATIVE TEAM

  • Director: Rachel Stevens
  • Choreographer: Jessica Harris
  • Music Director: Julie Spangler
  • Scenic Designer: Tyler Gabbard
  • Costume Designer: Charlotte Campbell Parrott
  • Lighting Designer: Julie Cowger
  • Sound Designer: Dani Lobello
  • Wig Designer: Candace Leyland
  • Producer: Tyler Gabbard

CAST

  • Cat in the Hat: Joey Baccioco
  • Horton the Elephant: Matthew Danforth
  • Gertrude McFuzz: Monique Churchill
  • Mayzie LaBird: Sydney Short
  • Sour Kangaroo: Essence Bell
  • Jojo: Carter Minor
  • Ensemble: Arden Allmon, Dominic Carroll, Ry Dever, Josh Devine, Nick Gundrum & Indya Lincicome
  • Standbys: Grace Baker, Edin Kebede, Jack Haroutunian & Gabe Raskind

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About The Carnegie
The Carnegie is Northern Kentucky’s largest multidisciplinary arts venue providing theatre events, educational programs and art exhibitions to the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati community. The Carnegie facility is home to The Carnegie Galleries, the Otto M. Budig Theatre, and the Eva G. Farris Education Center. More information about The Carnegie is available at www.thecarnegie.com or by calling (859) 491-2030.

The Carnegie is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Carnegie receives ongoing operating support from the Kentucky Arts Council, City of Covington, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, and Cincinnati International Wine Festival

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Set and Lighting Designer Sought for LATE, A Cowboy Song at Ghostlight Stage Company

Company: The Ghostlight Stage Company – Cincinnati, Ohio

Performance Venue: Falcon Theatre in Newport, KY

Rehearsal Venue: First Financial Bank in Covington, KY

Contract: Nonunion

Pay Rate: $2,000 stipend

Production: LATE, A Cowboy Song by Sarah Ruhl

Director: Aiden Dalton

Seeking: 1 Designer to do both set & lightning design for LATE, A Cowboy Song by Sarah Ruhl. Designer will also lead the team in construction, painting, & load in of the set, as needed; and create cue list and assist with light hang, as needed. We strongly encourage BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ designers to submit their work, as we seek to uplift the voices of underrepresented artists. Additionally, we encourage artists who personally resonate with the themes in the play to submit.

About the Event: The Ghostlight Stage Company looks forward to producing our first ever event in Northern Kentucky with our production of Late, A Cowboy Song by Sarah Ruhl! The Saturday evening performance will be followed by an after-show party, co-hosted by TreeHouse Cincinnati, PFLAG, and Queer Kentucky (more details to come soon).

Synopsis of the show: Mary, always late and always married, meets a lady cowboy named Red who teaches her how to ride a horse. Red exudes a taste of freedom that Mary didn’t even know she lacked, and is suddenly desperate to find. Late, a Cowboy Song, is the story of one woman’s education and her search to find true love outside the box.

Submission Instructions: Follow the link and upload a relevant resume, cover letter which describes why you’re interested in this project and any links to portfolio. Interviews may follow, as needed.

To Submit: Fill out this Google form: https://forms.gle/gNepqiX81LZ56aBz8

Production Schedule

  • Creative Team Meeting: April 28, 2025 (via zoom)
  • Sourcing Materials & Building: April 29 – May 17, 2025 (as needed)
  • Designer Run: May 12, 2025
  • Load In: May 18, 2025
  • Tech: May 19-21, 2025
  • Preview: May 22, 2025
  • Opening: May 23, 2025
  • Closing: May 25, 2025

Designers will be required to attend all the highlighted dates above (although some are TBD on an exact date or could change as we get closer – all tech dates are set though and should be noted, as no conflicts will be accepted). The amount of set building days will be determined by the designer and their team, pending how many are needed for the build of this show. The designer will be given a budget and be required to purchase all materials needed and build the set, with assistance from the team. Designer will also be required to be at the strike, which will immediately follow the closing matinee performance.

No housing or travel stipend will be provided. All artists hired must work as Cincinnati
local hires.

The Ghostlight Stage Company is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity without regard to the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin, and we require affirmative action to ensure equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. All employees and volunteers (whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, identity, sexual orientation, education, ability, religion, socioeconomic status, physical appearance, or attributes) should always feel valued and respected.

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Auditions Announced for THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Queen City Productions

Queen City Productions will be holding auditions for their Spring musical, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW. THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW is a musical with music, lyrics and book by Richard O’Brien. A humorous tribute to various B movies associated with the science fiction and horror genres from the 1930s to the early 1960s, the musical tells the story of a newly engaged couple getting caught in a storm and coming to the home of a mad transvestite scientist, Dr Frank-N-Furter, unveiling his new creation, Rocky, a sort of Frankenstein-style monster in the form of an artificially made, fully grown, physically perfect muscle man complete “with blond hair and a tan”. The musical was the inspiration for the cult-classic film of the same name and includes popular songs like, “Sweet Transvestite” and “The Time Warp.”

All auditionees must be at least 16 years of age. All lead roles will be 18+. Auditions will be held Jan. 12 & 13 from 7-10pm at The Arts Center at Dunham. 1945 Dunham Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45238.

Auditionees should prepare a portion of a song that best represents their vocal ability as well as their personality. Please bring an accompaniment track as there will not be anyone to play sheet music at the auditions. There will also be cold reads from the script. There will also be a dance call as part of the audition, so please wear something you are comfortable moving in as well as appropriate shoes for dancing. Auditionees can reserve an audition slot by clicking the link below. Walk-ins will be seen in the next available time slot. https://www.signupgenius.com/…/8050C44ACAA2AAAFD0…

Performance dates are April 17th – 27th (no performance on Easter Sunday). Rehearsals will begin in early-mid February and will be 3x-4x a week. All performances and rehearsals will be held at The Arts Center at Dunham.

Please email queencityproductions@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

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