Tag Archives: The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

February 16, 2021 · 9:12 am

RAPUNZEL’S HAIRY FAIRY TALE Runs Feb. 25-March 21

TCTC_Rapunzel logoRAPUNZEL’S HAIRY FAIRY TALE
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Feb. 25-March 21
Red Bank Road Theatre [Oakley]

The classic fairy tale of “Rapunzel” comes to life in an exciting world-premiere musical adaptation adventure featuring everyone’s favorite long-locked lady in a tower. But don’t forget the array of other characters braided in this hairy fairy tale, comically played by only two actors! Yes, your read that correctly. ONLY TWO ACTORS! This fresh new adaptation will make your audiences throw their heads of hair back in laughter and delight as two incredibly talented and versatile actors untangle this hairy fairy tale like you’ve never seen it before!

  • Thu-Fri, Feb. 25-26 at 7pm
  • Sat, Feb. 27 at 11am, 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, Feb. 28 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Thu-Fri, March 4-5 at 7pm
  • Sat, March 6 at 11am, 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, March 7 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Thu-Fri, March 11-12 at 7pm
  • Sat, March 13 at 11am, 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, March 14 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Thu-Fri, March 18-19 at 7pm
  • Sat, March 20 at 11am, 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, March 21 at 2pm & 5pm

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February 5, 2021 · 9:41 am

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati STAR Program’s THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL This Summer!

Virtual auditions through Monday only

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is looking for children to make a splash this summer and audition for the company’s celebrated summer STAR Program. As an added bonus this year, all STAR NKU students will have the opportunity to participate in a full-length production of THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL.

Adapted from the iconic Nickelodeon series, the stakes are higher than ever in the staged production, as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage.

Producing Artistic Director, Roderick Justice said, “In lieu of our annual one-act festival, I am excited to bring the entire STAR NKU program together with one big Broadway musical. Additionally, we plan to give students a 360-degree experience of the entire process of producing a show and how it happens behind the scenes.

The SpongeBob Musical is based on the beloved animated series created by Stephen Hillenburg and features a book by Kyle Jarrow, with original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alexander Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I., and songs by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. Additional lyrics are by Jonathan Coulton, with additional music by Tom Kitt. The musical production was conceived by Tina Landau. 

Nickelodeon, SpongeBob SquarePants, and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

Children ages 9-18 (going into their Senior year of High School) can now begin preparing submissions to audition for the renowned STAR Intensive NKU and STAR Camp Red Bank programs with The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. Auditions will be held electronically via video submissions.  Registration and video submissions will be accepted through Monday, February 8, 2021.

You MUST register online and include a youtube link (marked as unlisted) in the registration. PLEASE DO NOT REGISTER UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR VIDEO AUDITION.  If you need to cancel or make changes, please follow the link in your registration email.  Multiple slots for a single actor will be cancelled.  You will need to register for a specific time which will be used for internal purposes only, DO NOT REPORT TO TCT IN PERSON.

Your video submission MUST include:

  • A memorized, age-appropriate monologue (1 minute MAX). It should showcase your acting skills.
  • A memorized 16-bar song selection that best shows your vocal range. Please sing with piano accompaniment (if you would like a custom track, you may reach out to Matt Umphreys at mattumphreys@gmail.com as he can create piano tracks and help with adjusting keys for a small fee.) Please do not sing along with other voices.
  • Upon online registration, you MUST upload a RECENT picture and a theatrical resume in PDF or WORD format.
  • You should only submit ONE link with your song and monologue. Do not break them out into two separate links. 

ABOUT STAR INTENSIVE NKU:
Our STAR Intensive NKU program is a four-week training program for students, ages 9-18.  Students are accepted by audition only and will work with leading professionals in the theatre business to help them become well-rounded performers in all areas of musical theatre.  The intensive culminates in a musical theatre showcase featuring some of the most popular songs from the Broadway repertoire as well as a fully produced One-Act Play festival!  STAR Intensive NKU participants will have the opportunity to be considered for additional high-level training in our Academy through our invitation-only classes.

When:  July 5 – August 1, 2021, weekdays 10 AM to 4 PM at Northern Kentucky University*

Tuition: $660

Security deposit of $160 due upon acceptance into the program.  Payment plans and scholarships are available. 

ABOUT STAR CAMP RED BANK:
STAR Camp Red Bank is our program for gifted and talented students who are advanced in some areas of musical theatre and who have progressed beyond the basic levels of training.  For three weeks in July, a select number of students will work with leading professionals in the theatre business to help them improve and become well-rounded performers in all areas of musical theatre.  STAR Red Bank culminates in a musical theatre showcase featuring some of the most popular songs and scenes from the Broadway repertoire!

When:  July 5-23, 2021, weekdays 10 AM to 4 PM at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s facility, 4015 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati, OH  45227*

Tuition: $525

Security deposit of $125 due upon acceptance into the program.  Payment plans and scholarships are available.

*ALL DATES,TIMES, and LOCATIONS are subject to change

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January 25, 2021 · 12:45 pm

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s 102nd Season

TCTC_Elf old promo

A. James Jones as Buddy the Elf in TCT’s 2016 production of ELF THE MUSICAL JR. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Welcome home to the Taft Theatre this October!

Cincinnati – After a much smaller, socially-distant season inside the company’s Showtime Stage on Red Bank Road, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) is ready to roll out the red carpet and welcome patrons home to the Taft Theatre in Downtown Cincinnati starting this October 2021.

The previously announced Disney Channel smash hit movie musical, Disney’s Descendants, will open the theatre’s 2021-22 MainStage Season at the Taft, followed by the Junior versions of ELF The Musical, ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL,and a world-premiere adaptation of THE WIZ.

For the safety of patrons and artists, and based on restrictions for large gatherings, the nation’s oldest children’s theatre postponed large-scale productions to the upcoming 2021-22 season.  Kim Kern, TCT’s Managing Director and CEO says, “While there are certainly unknowns still to be dealt with, I think it’s safe to say the worst-case scenario of having to shutter completely next season is off the table. Vaccine distribution is underway with herd immunity expected in late summer/early fall. We will continue to develop scenario plans, but I am fully confident that we will have a MainStage season at the Taft Theatre in 2021-22!”

Producing Artistic Director, Roderick Justice, says: “We look forward to a “brand-new day” and a new season – including productions which didn’t see the curtain rise in 2019 and 2020– like ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL JR. We still have a commitment to keep audiences and artists safe while keeping our mission in focus. I’m looking forward to producing great live family theatre – because there really is no place like home at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati.”

TCT’s 2021-2022 MainStage Season at the Taft Theatre:

  • DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS:  October 9 – 17, 2021
  • ELF THE MUSICAL JR.:  December 4 – December 13, 2021
  • MATILDA THE MUSICAL JR.:  February 5 – Feb. 13, 2022
  • THE WIZ JR.:  April 2 – April 10, 2022

DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS:
Public Performances: October 9-10, 15-17, 2021
Ideal for ages 4+

About the Show:
It is present-day, and in the kingdom of Auradon, all of Disney’s beloved heroes and royalty are living happily ever after, safe from the terrifying villains and troublesome sidekicks they have banished to the magic-free Isle of the Lost. That is until Ben, the benevolent teenage son of Belle and King Adam (The Beast), offers a chance of redemption for the troublemaking offspring of the evilest villains. Mal, Evie, Jay and Carlos – the children of Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Cruella De Vil, and Jafar – are welcomed to Auradon Prep to attend school with the children of their parents’ sworn enemies. Now entering a completely foreign world and way of life, the four Villain Kids have a difficult choice to make: should they follow in their parents’ wicked footsteps or learn to be good?

Credits:
Book by Nick Blaemire; Songs by Johan Alkenas, Adam Anders, Aristeidis Archontis, Antonina Armato, Howard Ashman, Par Astrom, Stephen Mark Conley, Doug Davis, Charity Daw, Andrew C. Dodd, Josh Edmondson, Pipo Fernandez, Nikki Hassman, Samuel Hollander, Ben Hosteler, Hannah Jones, Jack Kugell, Craig Lashley, Andrew Lippa, Jeannie Lurie, Alan Menken, Grant Phillip Michaels, Anthony Mirabella, Shayna Mordue, Chen Neeman, Susan Paroff, Shelly M. Peiken, Joacim Persson, James K. Petrie, Timothy James Price, Adam Schlesinger, Adam Schmalholz, Tyler Shamy, Jodie Shihadeh, Nikki Ann Sorrentino, Thomas Armato Sturges, Ali Dee Theodore, Matthew Wong, David Zippel. Music Adaptation by Madeline Smith. Vocal and Incidental Arrangements by Madeline Smith. Additional Lyrics by Nick Blaemire. Orchestrations by Matthew Tishler. Music Produced by Matthew Tishler.

ELF THE MUSICAL JR.
Public Performances: December 4-5, 11-13, 2021
Ideal for ages 4+

About the Show:
Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Credits:
Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin. Music by Matthew Sklar. Lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Based upon the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum. Originally produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures In Association with Unique Features.

ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL JR.
Public Performances: February 5-6, 11-13, 2022
Ideal for ages 4+

About the Show:
Broadway’s biggest little hero, Matilda, is an extraordinary little girl with a vivid imagination. Unloved by her cruel parents, Matilda is armed with astonishing wit, intelligence and mysterious powers. At school, she catches the eye of her sweet schoolteacher, Miss Honey, but also the mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, who loves to think of clever ways to punish children. Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other and together they dare to take a stand against Miss Trunchbull to change their destiny.

Credits:
Book by Dennis Kelly. Music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.

THE WIZ JR.
Public Performances: April 2-3, 8-10, 2022
Ideal for ages 4+

About the Show:
Like an emerald, this precious Broadway gem infuses L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with a dazzling mix of rock, gospel and soul music. The Wiz JR. is a vibrant take on Dorothy’s adventures through the Land of Oz and a fun, family-friendly musical that is considered one of the most popular and creative theatrical adaptations of all time. Packed with iconic songs like “Ease On Down the Road” and “Brand New Day,” this musical includes exciting dance numbers which blend traditional movement from African culture with ballet, jazz, and modern dance! The Wiz originally opened on Broadway, January 5, 1974, a film adaptation, starring Diana Ross, premiered October 24, 1978, and in 2015, NBC presented The Wiz Live!, a live television adaptation of the stage musical starring Shanice Williams as Dorothy Gale.

Credits:
THE WIZ Adapted from “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” By L. Frank Baum. Book by William F. Brown. Additional Material by Tina Tippit. Music and Lyrics by Charlie Smalls. Copyright 1975, 1979, 2006, 2010. This Sixty-Minute Version of THE WIZ JR. was developed by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Deondra Kamau Means, Resident Artist.

Season Subscriptions & Flex Pass Packages

Traditional subscriptions and flex pass packages to the TCT 21-22 MainStage Season are available now at www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

In honor of TCT’s 102nd season – this week only, premium subscriptions are available for $102 dollars for all 4 shows! (New subscribers only, through January 31.)  Regular subscriptions start at just $43!  All subscriptions remain refundable during the pandemic.  Please note: Becoming a Traditional Subscriber is the only way to guarantee seats to DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS.  

Single tickets for all shows will go on sale later this summer.

Showtimes Are Changing in 21-22

To best accommodate our youngest patrons, TCT has adjusted MainStage weekend showtimes. TCT will now host at 5 PM showtime the first Saturday, and an 11 AM show the second Saturday. The Friday 7:30 PM performances will be moving up to 7 PM.

ALS interpretation and audio description will be offered on the first Saturday at 2 PM performances of all productions. Sensory-Friendly performances will be held on Wednesdays at 1 PM during the runs of DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS, ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL JR, and THE WIZ JR.

Daytime, weekday school performances will be offered for all productions. Visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com for details.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by ArtsWave and the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.  The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

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January 12, 2021 · 11:00 am

GARFIELD: THE MUSICAL WITH CATITUDE Runs Jan. 21-Feb. 14

TCTC_Odie Rendering

Costume rendering by TCT’s Resident Costume Designer, Jeff Shearer.

GARFIELD: THE MUSICAL WITH CATITUDE
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Jan. 21-Feb. 14 | Streaming begins Jan. 28
Red Bank Road Theatre [Oakley]

In this musical adaptation of everyone’s favorite sarcastic tubby tabby, Garfield awakens to find his birthday – the most important day of the year – has fallen on a Monday. The horror! To make matters worse, all his friends – Jon, Odie, Arlene, and even his nemesis, Nermal – have completely forgotten it’s his big day. Only his beloved teddy bear, Pookie, understands his disappointment. Feeling rejected, Garfield leaves the comforts of home but soon realizes in the outside there’s no T.V., the food is garbage (literally), and animal control is always just around the corner.  In the end, Garfield learns little things like, you know, the value of friendship and that “home is where the heart – and the food – is.”

  • Thu-Fri, Jan. 21-22 at 7pm
  • Sat, Jan. 23 at 11am, 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, Jan. 24 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Thu-Fri, Jan. 28-29 at 7pm
  • Sat, Jan. 30 at 11am, 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, Jan. 31 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Thu-Fri, Feb. 4-5 at 7pm
  • Sat, Feb. 6 at 11am, 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, Feb. 7 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Thu-Fri, Feb. 11-12 at 7pm
  • Sat, Feb. 13 at 11am, 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, Feb. 14 at 2pm & 5pm

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December 21, 2020 · 11:17 am

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Production of GARFIELD, THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE Featuring IN-PERSON and Online Performances This January

TCTC_Garfield costume rendering

Costume rendering by TCT’s Resident Costume Designer, Jeff Shearer.

Cincinnati – Mondays aren’t everyone’s favorite, but at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT), there’s one cool cat that dislikes Mondays the most – Garfield. He’ll be center stage, featured in his own show, GARFIELD, THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE as part of the company’s 101st season. The show can be seen in-person, via socially distanced, LIVE performances on TCT’s Ralph and Patricia Corbett Showtime Stage on Red Bank Road starting on January 21, 2021. The show will also be streaming to watch at home or at school through the online service, Broadway On Demand, beginning January 28.

In this musical adaptation of everyone’s favorite sarcastic tubby tabby, Garfield awakens to find his birthday – the most important day of the year – has fallen on a Monday. The horror! To make matters worse, all his friends – Jon, Odie, Arlene, and even his nemesis, Nermal – have completely forgotten it’s his big day. Only his beloved teddy bear, Pookie, understands his disappointment. Feeling rejected, Garfield leaves the comforts of home but soon realizes in the outside there’s no T.V., the food is garbage (literally), and animal control is always just around the corner. In the end, Garfield learns little things like, you know, the value of friendship and that “home is where the heart – and the food – is.”

TCTC_Odie Rendering

Costume rendering by TCT’s Resident Costume Designer, Jeff Shearer.

The show’s director, Eric Byrd, who also serves as TCT’s Associate Artistic Director and Company Manager said, “My guess is Garfield would’ve thrived in quarantine. He’d be able to sleep through Mondays, gorge on lasagna, and watch TV morning, noon, and night. But in this story, our unlikely hero embarks on an epic journey outside the comfort of his own home and to a world unknown and unexplored and discovers that ‘perspective is everything.’ The year 2020 challenged all of us and put many things into perspective.”

Mr. Byrd adds, “Sometimes the little things in life, the things we aren’t always able to make time for, like the friends and family we celebrate with, mean the most to us. Garfield’s dream of the perfect birthday celebration surrounded by the people in his life, is a dream we all share right about now.”

In-person seating will be limited to 30% (or just 44 seats) per performance.

The TCT Team has continued to work diligently to create and debut new safety protocols to protect the audience, staff, and the actors on stage.

As with TCT’s most recent production, THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, special nose and mouth coverings will again be integrated into the costumes by Resident Costume Designer, Jeff Shearer, and pre-recorded vocal amplification will be used to reduce the amount of respiration created by actors in the theater during a performance.

“The health and well-being of our audience, students, and staff have been and always will be our top priority, said Kim Kern, TCT’s Managing Director and CEO. “In April, we assembled a committee of advisors, health professionals, and community leaders to guide our safety protocols. Through their constant guidance, we continue to receive the most up-to-date information, implement strategies early, and continue to go above and beyond CDC, state, and local guidelines to keep everyone safe, happy, healthy, and creative.”

At all in-person shows, mandatory masks for the audience, as well as social distancing, will be required. For complete health and safely protocols, visit https://thechildrenstheatre.com/2020/08/safety-protocols/.

Live performances on TCT’s Ralph and Patricia Corbett’s Showtime Stage on Red Bank Road will take place Thursdays and Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 11am, 2pm, and 5pm, and Sundays at 2pm and 5pm, January 21 through February 14, 2021.

Tickets and digital passes are on sale now. For details visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com. Ticket prices for live performances are $25 per ticket.

Digital performances begin January 28 on Broadway on Demand. The presale price for a digital pass is $15.95. This presale price is only available until the production debuts online. After that time, digital passes are $18.95. Digital passes provide unlimited viewing over three days, which begin after the first view.

GARFIELD, A MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE is based on the Comic Strip GARFIELD by Jim Davis. Book by Michael J. Bobbitt and Jim Davis. Music and Lyrics by John L. Cornelius II ©Paws, Jim Davis Michael J. Bobbitt, and John L. Cornelius II. Originally produced by Adventure Theatre MTC, Glen Echo MD, Michael J. Bobbitt, Producing Artistic Director. Directed by Nick Olcott.

TCT’s production is being directed by Eric Byrd and can be enjoyed by all ages.

An upcoming episode of TCT’s free podcast, Audio Footlights, will feature a behind the scenes look at GARFIELD, THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE and will be available on SoundCloud and iTunes.

TCT strives to eliminate barriers to attendance for all audiences, including people who are hard of hearing or deaf. For theatregoers who are deaf and use American Sign Language as their primary means of communication, we provide an experienced theatre interpreter who stands to the audience left side of the stage and translates what the actors are saying or singing into American Sign Language (ASL).

The show’s ASL performance will be Saturday, January 23 at 11 AM.

The Cast includes:

  • Odie…………………………….EVAN BLUST†
  • Jon / Animal Control ……..A. JAMES JONES
  • Nermal ………………………..MADDIE BURGOON JONES
  • Arlene …………………………BRANDI LANGFORD-SHERRILL
  • Garfield………………………..DEONDRA KAMAU MEANS

UNDERSTUDIES

  • For Odie & Jon — ETHAN KUCHTA†
  • For Nermal & Arlene — KAYLA VOGEL
  • For Garfield  — CJ ZIMMER†

† Denotes TCT’s Young Artists Company

GARFIELD, THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE is made possible by the generosity of Production Sponsors Edyth B. Lindner and TriHealth, as well as Season Sponsors, ArtsWave, Ohio Arts Council, The Patricia A. Corbett Trust, The Charles H. Dater Foundation, and The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Foundation. The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by ArtsWave and the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

Set renderings by TCT’s Resident Scenic Designer, Jennifer Rhodus.
Costume renderings by TCT’s Resident Costume Designer, Jeff Shearer.

** Live productions are subject to capacity restrictions and safety protocol through the CDC and the State of Ohio and may be converted to a digital ticket if the performance must be canceled for any reason due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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