Tag Archives: The Carnegie

The Carnegie Announces Departure of Theatre Director, Maggie Perrino

TC_Maggie PerrinoCOVINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 19, 2022) – Today, The Carnegie announced that long-time Theatre Director Maggie Perrino will leave to pursue a new position as the artistic director of the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) in Cincinnati. She will finish out the summer season with The Carnegie and is set to change positions in early September.

Since starting with The Carnegie in 2015, Perrino has successfully grown The Carnegie’s theatre program and distinguished herself in the region’s theatre community. Under Perrino’s leadership, The Carnegie theatre navigated audiences and performers through the pandemic. During this time Perrino founded The Carnegie’s Creative Disruption Committee, an artist-driven consortium dedicated to creating live theatre opportunities during the pandemic and included outdoor productions throughout the Greater Cincinnati region.

More recently, Perrino originated The Carnegie’s Summer Theatre Series. This new repertory series is the region’s only summer stock style programming and proudly creates summer employment opportunities for local theatre professionals and college students.

“Maggie has left an amazing mark on our organization and will forever be a part of The Carnegie family.” said Carnegie Executive Director Kim Best. “Maggie’s passion and experience make her perfect for her new position and SCPA is lucky to be gaining such an accomplished artist and educator. Everyone at The Carnegie wishes her the best of luck in this next endeavor.”

Efforts are currently underway to fill the theatre director position. More information can be found at thecarnegie.com/now-hiring/.

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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, and Cincinnati International Wine Festival.

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GEORGE REMUS, a New Musical Quick Review

GEORGE REMUS, a New Musical presented by The Carnegie through Aug. 28. I attended the opening Sunday performance. Please note that GEORGE REMUS, a New Musical is being done in rotation with INTO THE WOODS and RENT.

TC_George Remus1The Carnegie completes its summer theatrical hat-trick with the enjoyable staging of a new musical showcasing Cincinnati’s “King of the Bootleggers.”

Mike Sherman is excellent in the titular role, bringing a great balance of arrogance and charm to the character. Eliza Levy, who stood out in the ensemble of RENT, shines as Remus’ money-loving second wife, Imogene. Kate Mock Elliott makes some fun choices in her portrayal of Mabel Walker Willebrandt, the U.S. Assistant Attorney General doggedly pursuing Remus. From top to bottom, the cast boasts solid performances and strong vocals throughout.

TC_George Remus2

Tyler J. Martin as Franklin Dodge, Eliza Levy as Imogene Remus, and Michael Sherman as George Remus. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

The music and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt & Mark Friedman are well-suited to the show and time-period. It would have been nice to have a number or two that more strongly integrated with the script to forward the action a bit more. “There Once Was a King” is pretty, but it and its variations became a bit repetitive for me.

The script by Joe McDonough is well-done and engaging, certainly piquing my interest in the character and his history. I did find it odd that Ned Gillespie’s fate was not mentioned in the final moments and, unable to find anything about him online I can only assume the character was created for the musical. If that is the case, I’m not sure his relationship subplot is worth the time it takes away from Remus’ story. Also if what I found online is correct, the changing of the confrontation in Eden Park doesn’t well-reflect the animosity between the George and Imogene.

Overall a strong and engaging look at one of Cincinnati’s most notorious criminals.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Please note that tickets for GEORGE REMUS are selling extremely well and only four performances remain.

I’d also like to say congratulations to Theatre Director Maggie Perrino and everyone involved with The Carnegie’s Summer Series for their success on what is hopefully an inaugural repertory line-up. All three productions featured excellent casting with a super talented core of performers plus show specific-additions. Further scenic designer Tyler Gabbard should be praised for the ingenious versatility of his set design across all three shows.

Click here for more information on the production.

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RENT Quick Review

RENT presented by The Carnegie through Aug. 26. I attended the opening Sunday performance. Please note that INTO THE WOODS is being done in rotation with RENT and GEORGE REMUS, a New Musical.

TC_Rent promo

When it comes to RENT, theatre-goers tend to fall into one of three categories: Those that love RENT, those who don’t care for RENT, and those who haven’t seen RENT. Well, have I got good news for at least two-thirds of you: the Carnegie’s production is excellent.

Vocally, the production soars with strong leads and a very solid ensemble. Jackson Reagin as Roger & Ranease Brown as Mimi rock out their roles and have great chemistry together. In fact, all the character relationships among the leads are well-defined and spot on. I was also impressed by the character work of the actors who are crossing into their second repertory roles.

Where recent productions have failed for me is in establishing the tone of the time period. Not so with this production. Great care was taken to visually reflect the time with well thought out costume and prop choices, but also in portraying the uncertainty and fear of an epidemic which, 25+ years ago, was a painful death sentence.

Overall, an intimate and rocking production that will satisfy new and existing fans (and possible convert a few).

<insert obligatory lyrics quote here> 😉

My rating: 4.75 out of 5.

Click here for more information on the production.

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GEORGE REMUS A New Musical Runs Aug. 13-28

TC_George Remus logoGEORGE REMUS A New Musical
The Carnegie
Aug. 13-28
[Covington]

Music and Lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt & Mark Friedman
Book by Joseph McDonough

A penniless German Immigrant who settled in the Cincinnati area, George Remus became a pharmacist, then a lawyer, and eventually the most famous bootlegger of them all. He had government politicians in his pocket, the Chicago mob at his feet, and the perfect scheme for selling barrels and barrels of whiskey during the era of prohibition and speakeasies. With a lavish mansion on a hill and over-the-top parties, Remus was a millionaire playboy worth millions in 1922 – some even say he was the real Jay Gatsby. His legendary rise and fall are now the subject of this new musical.

  • Sat, Aug. 13 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Aug. 14 at 3pm
  • Sat, Aug. 20 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Aug. 21 at 3pm
  • Thu, Aug. 25 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Aug. 28 at 3pm

Official page |

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The Carnegie to Bring RENT Alive on Stage

TC_Rent logoProduction to run June through August as part of The Carnegie’s Repertory Format Programming

COVINGTON, Ky. (April 28, 2022) – It has won numerous awards and became the unofficial soundtrack to a generation whose voice was begging to be heard… And now, RENT will take the stage at The Carnegie this June and will run through August.

Set at the end of the 1990s in New York City’s East Village, RENT is a story about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. Based loosely on Puccini’s 1896 opera “La Boheme,” RENT follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians all trying to make their way as the HIV/AIDS crisis looms in the shadows.

A pop culture phenomenon soon after its debut, RENT features a litany of memorable songs that resonates with audiences of all ages. The Carnegie’s production of RENT honors the playwright/lyricist Jonathan Larson’s musical legacy, featuring favorites like “Seasons of Love,” “Out Tonight” and “La Vie Boheme” that will have audiences singing along from beginning to end.

“RENT continues to be a captivating, compelling production due to all the qualities that made it a hit in the first place: A great, socially relevant story, dynamic characters and songs that are as poignant as they are powerful,” said The Carnegie Theatre Director, Maggie Perrino. “We are thrilled to bring RENT to The Carnegie stage and look forward to our audiences falling in love with the production as so many others have before them.”

RENT joins The Carnegie’s productions of INTO THE WOODS and GEORGE REMUS as part of The Carnegie’s 2022-23 Summer Series in Repertory Format. Performances of each production will be offered at specific times throughout the summer to offer guests multiple opportunities to see each show. The 22-23 season will conclude with the family-friendly production of SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN in January.

The Carnegie will host eight performances of RENT on the following dates and times:

  • Saturday, July 16, 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 17, 3 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 23, 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 24, 3 p.m.
  • Friday, July 29, 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 30, 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, August 19, 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, August 26, 7:30 p.m.

Content Advisory: Production includes sexual content, adult themes and language. Not appropriate for children under 13. 

RENT is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com 

The Carnegie Summer Theatre Series is presented by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Additional support for the Summer Theatre Series comes from the Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet.

TICKETING
Single tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through The Carnegie Box Office at (859) 957-1940 between noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday or online at www.thecarnegie.com. Tickets range from $25-$32 for RENT.

Want to guarantee yourself tickets to some of the best entertainment on either side of the Ohio River? Subscriptions for the Summer Theatre Series are also available for $84 ($81 for Carnegie Members). Subscribers can add the winter family friendly show for $28 or $27 for Carnegie Members. Learn more at www.thecarnegie.com.

For the safety of guests and staff, The Carnegie continues to monitor and update its COVID-19 policies. Updated safety precautions will be announced closer to the opening of the Summer Theatre Series and will follow local health department protocols.

CAST (Name/Role)

  • August Bagg – Mark
  • Jackson Reagin – Rodger
  • Jamal Stone – Angel
  • Sean Polk – Collins
  • Sarah Jane Nelson – Maureen
  • Julia Schick – Joanne
  • Ranease Brown – Mimi
  • Jared Roper – Benny
  • Tyler Martin – Ensemble
  • Julia Brosas – Ensemble
  • Madison Mosley – Ensemble
  • Eliza Levy – Ensemble
  • Nick Pattarini – Ensemble 

PRODUCTION TEAM

  • Director/Choreographer- Eric Byrd
  • Music Director- Steve Goers
  • Dramaturg/Sensitivity Coordinator- Darnell Pierre Benjamin
  • Assistant Dramaturg/Sensitivity Coordinator- Evelyn Deaton
  • Stage Manager- Carissa Gandenberger
  • Assistant Stage Manager- Michael Hamburg
  • Scenic Designer- Tyler Gabbard
  • Costume Designer- Cat Schmeal Swope
  • Sound Designer- Avery Reynolds
  • Lighting Designer- Kristen Peck
  • Technical Director- Doug Stock
  • Producer- Maggie Perrino
  • Interns- Sophie Reece, Katherine DeBoor, Regan Utrup 

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About The Carnegie Theatre Series
The Carnegie Theatre Series produces professional, innovative stagings of an eclectic range of theatrical works. Striving to unite the greater Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati theatre community through partnerships and collaborations, the series engages and nurtures both emerging and established talent, including working professionals, committed part-time theatre artists, university performing arts students and younger students. The Carnegie Theatre Series productions bring together these forces to provide quality theatre for Northern Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati area.  

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 receives ongoing operating support from Cincinnati International Wine Festival, City of Covington, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, the Kentucky Arts Council and the City of Covington. The Carnegie is also supported by the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.

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