IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A Live Radio Play
The Carnegie
Dec. 9-10
[Covington]
Presented as a live reading of the beloved story, this one-of-a-kind performance features talented students from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music – CCM. With scripts in hand, they voice over a dozen characters and craft live sound effects right before your eyes—capturing the timeless spirit, warmth, and wonder of the season.
Official page | Facebook event |
Filed under On Stage
By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW presented by The Carnegie through November 2nd. I attended the Opening Saturday matinee performance.
Full disclosure: I reviewed this show in 2024 and while I am not going to do a straight-up comparison, I am making a concerted effort to point out things I may not have pointed out the first time around. -Kat
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW with book, music, and lyrics by Richard O’Brien has returned to The Carnegie with excellent timing: having a midnight show on Halloween just feels right, doesn’t it? For those who may not know, it’s a classic boy meets girl story with incredible music and – oh, did we mention aliens and plenty of sexual expression? Director & Choreographer Eric Byrd hits this one out of the park again and – I daresay – even farther this time.
Scenic & Video Designer (as well as Producer) Tyler Gabbard’s vision and execution thereof are different, exciting, and just plain smart. Shout-out to work by both Lighting Designer Julie Cowger and Sound Designer Jason Sebastian for an immersive but never distracting experience. Music Director (and keyboard player) Steve Goers once again brings us a beautiful vocal aesthetic through his very talented cast. And kudos once again to the team who helped make the actors look great: Costume Designer Jeff Shearer and Wig Designer Candace Leyland. Rumour has it Sam Evans (who plays Usherette/Magenta) did several makeup lewks in addition to her own and I think that deserves a mention. I will need to hire her to make me gorgeous one of these days – call me!
Fortunately for the audience, most of the brilliant performing ensemble has returned this year and they are coming in hot! Two of particular note are Caroline Rakestraw as Janet Weiss and Tommy Sanders as Brad Majors. Each has an excellent command of the stage and their character arcs with flawless vocals to boot. If these two artists are an indication of how the future of theatre looks, we should sleep easily.
Back in the corset of Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter is the superb Dusty Ray Bottoms. They didn’t need to come back even better, but they did and here we are lucky enough to be able to enjoy it. There was not one line, one note, or one expressive turn of the facial muscles needing to be changed. Mx. Bottoms has mastered the delicate art of giving homage to the actor who originated the role 50 years ago and making it their own which is no small task. Bravx to Dusty Ray!
With some of the best artists in the area on stage and behind it, The Carnegie’s The Rocky Horror Show should not be missed. Pacing is smooth and helps a somewhat weaker book – but let’s be honest: Rocky’s primary draw is and always was the music. Given how well the show is selling, I encourage veterans and virgins alike to get their tickets now for one of its final few performances.
Click here for more information about the production.
Filed under Reviews
Note: These auditions are for all roles in DEAR EVAN HANSEN and MURDER FOR TWO and for adult principal and featured roles in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. Auditions for all other roles in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES will take place in early 2026.
DEAR EVAN HANSEN
June 19—28, 2026 | Rehearse: May 26—June 18
Joe Bertucci: Director, Kim Popa: Choreographer, Jacob Priddy: Music Director
MURDER FOR TWO
July 22—26, 2026 | Rehearse: June 29—July 21
Joe Deer: Director, Steve Goers: Music Director
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
August 14—23, 2026 | Rehearse: July 20—August 13
Rachel Stevens: Director, TBA: Choreographer, Jacob Priddy: Music Director
AEA Contracts: DEAR EVAN HANSEN, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, CARRIE: Single Engagement Agreement Tier B ($575/week minimum). MURDER FOR TWO: Single Engagement Agreement Tier C ($732/week minimum). AEA eligible roles are indicated in the production breakdowns.
Non-AEA Contracts: Non-AEA actors in principal roles will receive $350/week minimum. Non-AEA actors in ensemble roles will receive $250/week minimum.
The Carnegie is committed to inclusive casting. All races, ethnicities, gender identities, body types, and mobilities are encouraged to apply. Pronouns listed in the character breakdown refer to the genders of the characters only. Actors should submit for any roles they feel comfortable playing. Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination.
Saturday, November 8, 2025
10am-6pm, by appointment
Lunch break from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Walk-ins will be seen as time permits.
The Carnegie
Eva G. Farris Education Center
1028 Scott Blvd.
Covington, KY 41011
Schedule an audition appointment
Prepare two contrasting 16-32 bar cuts.
Please bring a hard copy of your headshot and résumé stapled together.
An accompanist will be provided.
Actors auditioning for MURDER FOR TWO are encouraged to accompany themselves on piano for one cut.
Expected to attend are Tyler Gabbard (Producing Director of Theatre), directors, choreographers, and music directors. See breakdown for production-specific personnel. An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.
Submissions are due by 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, November 2, 2025.
Prepare two contrasting 16-32 bar cuts.
Please submit your headshot and résumé.
Callbacks will be a mix of live and digital based on availability of the auditionee and production staff. In-person callbacks for DEAR EVAN HANSEN and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES will take place on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Callbacks for MURDER FOR TWO will be on an as-needed basis.
*AEA Eligible Roles
Heidi Hansen* (40s): F3-Eb5 (belt). Evan’s mother. Overworked and stretched too thin, Heidi loves her son fiercely but fears they have begun to grow apart. She is prepared to do anything to repair the damage.
Cynthia Murphy* (40s): F#3-E5 (belt). Connor and Zoe’s mother. To Evan, she seems to be the perfect mother, nurturing, available, and willing to talk about anything. To her own children, it’s a bit more complicated.
Larry Murphy* (40s): F#2-G4. Connor and Zoe’s father. Though often tense and taciturn, Larry shows a different face to the world, representing for Evan the dad he always wished for: strong, confident, and more than anything, reliable, someone to be counted on.
Evan Hansen (17): G2-B4. Smart, sincere, and painfully self-conscious, Evan prefers to hover in the background, a supporting player in his own life, too afraid to step forward into the spotlight and risk ridicule or, what might be worse, no one noticing him at all.
Zoe Murphy (16): F3-E5 (belt). Sensitive and sophisticated with a sharp sense of humor, one of those popular kids who doesn’t care and doesn’t play the high school social status games.
Alana Beck (17): F3-E5 (belt). Earnest to a fault, prone to and thrives on melodrama all of which hides a deeper loneliness and insecurity beneath an ever-present smile and an almost aggressive friendliness.
Connor Murphy (17): G2-G4. An angry and disaffected loner, Connor has been a troubled kid for as long as anyone can remember. He is approached with caution by his peers and is a mystery to his parents.
Jared Kleinman (17): A2-B4 G4. Droll and sarcastic, he covers his insecurities with a well-practiced swagger and a know-it-all arrogance.
Understudy 1: Will understudy the roles of Evan, Connor, and Jared
Understudy 2: Will understudy the roles of Zoe and Alana
Understudy 3: Will understudy the roles of Cynthia and Heidi
Understudy 4: Will understudy the role of Larry
*AEA Eligible Roles
Marcus* (20s-40s): Tenor/Baritone, Strong Pianist. A small-town police officer with big dreams of making detective. Earnest, eager, and a little in over his head, but determined to crack the case.
The Suspects* (20s-50s): Tenor/Baritone, Strong Pianist. Multiple characters, including a femme fatale, a bickering married couple, a trio of overeager boy scouts, and more. Exceptional versatility, comedic chops, and the ability to switch characters in a split second.
Understudy: Will understudy the roles of Marcus and The Suspects
*AEA Eligible Roles
Albin/Zaza* (40s-50s): Baritone, A#2-G4. A performer of star quality; mature; great powerhouse of a Broadway voice; fine comic actor.
Georges* (40s-50s): G2-F4. A star; mature and attractive; good singer; energetic, loving and caring; must move well.
Edouard Dindon* (40s-50s): Bb2-Eb4. Anne’s father; right-wing radical politician; pompous; quirky; must sing, move well, and be a fine comedian.
Marie Dindon* (40s-50s): F4-A5. Anne’s mother; shy, retiring, sexually repressed and sex-starved; good singer and actress who moves well; is willing to transform from modest dress to bawdy leotard for the finale.
Jacqueline (30s-50s): B3-F5. Mature, female friend of Georges and Albin; owns a chic restaurant; attractive, charming; very theatrical; not necessarily a singer.
Renaud (30s-50s): Owner of the Promenade Cafe down the street, where Georges and Albin frequent, sings in the ensemble.
Mme. Renaud (30s-50s): Soprano. A friend of Georges and Albin, sings in the ensemble.
Francis (30s-50s): The fussy, particular stage manager of the nightclub. Great comic timing, sings in the ensemble.
Auditions for all other roles in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES will take place in early 2026.
Filed under Auditions
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
The Carnegie
Oct. 24-Nov. 2
[Covington]
Let’s do the time warp AGAIN! The phenomenon that took The Carnegie by storm returns in time for Halloween 2025. Two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet – meet a twist of fate as their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion while on their way to visit their former professor. There, they encounter the charismatic Dr. Frank-n-Furter, embarking on an adventure they’ll never forget, filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a curious newcomer, be prepared to lose yourself in a whirlwind of excitement and liberation during a night of pure unadulterated fun with THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW! THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW contains mature content unsuitable for young children and the faint of heart, including sexual themes and language.
Official page | Facebook event |
On Stage August 15 – 24, 2025 featuring Trading Spaces’ Paige Davis
(Covington, KY, July 30, 2025) — This August, GREASE is the word at The Carnegie! The beloved rock ‘n’ roll musical wraps up a crowd-pleasing summer of theatre.
GREASE takes audiences back in time to the halls of 1950s Rydell High. After a sizzling summer fling, Danny and Sandy find themselves navigating love, friendship, and the trials and tribulations of high school. This electrifying new production is bursting with grit, glam and youthful exuberance. Rediscover the magic of this timeless classic that’s been winning hearts for generations.
The production will feature songs from the smash hit 1978 motion picture including “Sandy,” the Academy Award nominated song “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “Grease” and “You’re the One That I Want” both of which were #1 hits on the Billboard Top 100 list. These songs will be heard in addition to the songs made famous by the original stage production including “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’” and “We Go Together.”
Paige Davis, a Broadway veteran best known as the host of TLC’s Trading Spaces, will appear as English teacher Miss Lynch. The cast also features students and recent alumni from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Otterbein University, Point Park University, Elon University, Xavier University, and Ohio Northern University.
The production is directed and choreographed by Eric Byrd who helmed The Carnegie’s hit productions of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, RENT, and GUYS AND DOLLS. Matthew Umphreys is the music director. Umphreys is a founder and director of The Carnegie resident company Queen City Cabaret and also music directed last season’s TICK, TICK… BOOM!
The Cast
Danny Zuko – Nick Abouzeid
Sandy Dumbrowski – Monique Churchill
Miss Lynch – Paige Davis
Kenickie – Evan Blust
Betty Rizzo – Indya Lincicome
Marty – Sydney Short
Jan – Grace Baker
Frenchy – Annika Jonker
Patty Simcox – Brooke Chamberlin
Sonny La Tierri – Carter Minor
Roger – Jack Haroutunian
Doody – Anthony Contreras
Eugene Florczyk Ross Fogle
Vince Fontaine/Teen Angel – Josh Galloway
Cha-Cha DiGregorio – Brianna Gutierrez-Diaz
Offstage Vocalists/Swings – Claire Dillon, Ethan Kuchta, Colton Slade
The Production Team
Director & Choreographer – Eric Byrd
Music Director – Matthew Umphreys
Scenic Designer – Tyler Gabbard
Costume Designer – Cat Schmeal-Swope
Lighting Designer – Julie Cowger
Sound Designer – Emma Miller
Wig, Hair & Makeup Designer – Missy White
Production Stage Manager – Shauna Nelson
Technical Director – Doug Stock
Producer – Tyler Gabbard
Ticket and Performance Information:
When: August 15 – 24, 2025
Where: The Carnegie, 1028 Scott Blvd, Covington, KY 41011
Run Time: 2 hours, including an intermission
Price: $18-$45
Purchase: Tickets may be purchased online at thecarnegie.com, by calling 859-957- 1940, or in person from the Box Office.
Additional Information:
GREASE is sponsored by Linda R. Holthaus and the Fifth Third Bank Museum
Grease is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company. http://www.concordtheatricals.com
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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 http://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, Cincinnati International Wine Festival, and Suits That Rock.
Filed under Press Releases
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