Tag Archives: The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

TCT is Everywhere…and Anywhere!

March 25, 2020, CINCINNATI:    In response to COVID-19 and school closures, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is proud to launch TCT EVERYWHERE — an online resource for parents, teachers and students.

Now that the state of Ohio has officially mandated citizens to stay-at-home, it is very difficult for patrons to come to us. But that doesn’t mean we can’t come to you…virtually!  Check out our frequently updated TCT EVERYWHERE page on our website, where you’ll find crafts, acting and vocal exercises, contests, study guides, podcasts, videos of shows, and more, including:

TCT’s production of CASPER THE FRIENDLY MUSICAL at the Taft Theatre, October 2019. Photo by Mikki Schaffner:

CASPER THE FRIENDLY MUSICAL
In times like these we can all use a friendly little ghost story. TCT’s entire MainStage production of CASPER THE FRIENDLY MUSICAL is now available to watch online for free for a limited time!

Take a virtual field trip and enjoy the show which appeared on the Taft Theatre stage in October 2019.  This new musical adaptation created for families of all ages, CASPER THE FRIENDLY MUSICAL delights, entertains and teaches everyone how to uncover the greatest treasure of all. The show was directed by Roderick Justice and choreographed by Eric Byrd.

Vaporized 50 years earlier during a freak lightning storm, Casper and his three uncles are living a rather uneventful life in the family mansion, until Magdalena Monteverde, their former housekeeper, appears late one night. She seeks the deed to the house…not because she wants to live there, but because she believes the deed contains a secret message that will lead to great fortune. During a frantic race to find the deed between the mansion’s ghostly inhabitants and those determined to kick them out, young Casper, his unforgettable uncles and his new friends learn important lessons about family, fearlessness, and the greatest discovery of them all – friendship.

A huge thank you to IATSE Local 5, The PPS Group, writers Stephen Cole and Matthew Martin Ward and Universal Theatrical Group with NBCUniversal for making this online streaming option possible.

SUFFRAGETTES: WITH LIBERTY AND VOTING FOR ALL
The TCT On Tour production of SUFFRAGETTES: WITH LIBERTY AND VOTING FOR ALL is also available free of charge and is a great curricular theatrical performance for students to watch while they learn at home.

In 2020, the nation celebrates the Centennial Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in the United States – the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote. Viewers can experience the empowering history of the brave women who made triumphant strides through sacrifice and determination. Through story and song, children and adults can learn about the great gift these women left us – an empowering heritage of pride, momentum and purpose. From 1920 to today, these women are a constant source of strength and inspiration.

The production was written and directed by local playwright, Mary Tensing, with music by Tracy Walker—who has been at the forefront of Cincinnati’s independent music scene and whose style sits at the crossroads of Folk, Rock, Country, Jazz, and Blues. 

The 4-person cast includes members of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Resident Artist Company:  Whitney Daniels, Lauren Everett, LaShondra Hood, and James Stringer Jr.

Online Study Guides for MainStage and TCT On Tour shows and the links to TCT’s show-focused podcast, Audio Footlights are also available via the TCT EVERYWHERE webpage.

TCT ACADEMY
Visit the TCT EVERYWHERE page for lessons, crafts, contests and games from the professional artistic staff of TCT Academy.  Current posts include:

TCT Presents March Madness: A submission-based competition for students of all ages, mimicking the NCAA Basketball Tournament format.

Vocal Warmup Lesson with Miss Natalie: Easy exercises to do at home – no piano needed!

Missed celebrating St. Paddy’s Day? You can still make this fun leprechaun craft from household supplies! Angelo teaches you how in this fun video.

Stay tuned for additional content to be posted in the coming days and weeks.

TCT’s production of SLEEPING BEAUTY at the Taft Theatre, April 2019. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

SLEEPING BEAUTY
Coming soon!  A clever take on the classic fairy tale, this new rock musical comedy, which TCT premiered on the Taft Theatre stage in April 2019, is packed with humor, heart and a powerful message! This inspiring production will also be available to watch free of charge for a limited time online.

The impulsive but courageous Princess Aurora (who prefers “Rory”) doesn’t quite fit in with the other princesses in ‘Princess School.’  After meeting her prince by kissing a frog (because how else do you meet guys in Princess School) Rory sets out on her own to discover all the Kingdom has to offer. Along the way, she encounters her evil Fairy Godmother, the Magnificent Magnilda, who placed a curse on Rory when she was a child, causing her to fall into a deep sleep. This sleeping beauty will awaken only with a kiss from her prince. Once she is fully awake and ready to rock, the feisty Princess Rory begins a whirlwind quest to save her Princess Schoolmates: Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, the Snow Queen and Rapunzel, and defeat Magnilda.

Story and book by Ken Jones, music by Jamey Strawn and lyrics by Christine Jones.  The show was directed by Ken Jones and choreographed by Eric Byrd.  Kevin Frisch and the Frisch Marionette Company designed the show’s 20-foot dragon – which you might have seen in Cincinnati’s BLINK Parade last fall.

A huge thank you to IATSE Local 5, The PPS Group, and writers Ken Jones, Jamey Strawn and Christine Jones for making this online streaming option possible.

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TCT’s production of CASPER THE FRIENDLY MUSICAL at the Taft Theatre, October 2019.

TCT’s production of SLEEPING BEAUTY at the Taft Theatre, April 2019.

The official link is:  https://thechildrenstheatre.com/2020/03/tct-everywhere/

Your health and our health
An Update from The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

March 19, 2020 – CINCINNATI:  Although we are weeks away from opening ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL JR., the final MainStage production in The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s 100th Anniversary Season, we feel that it is in the best interest of our patrons, artists, staff, and volunteers to cancel all performances of this production.

However, we are pleased to announce ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL JR. will become part of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s 20-21 season, landing in the last slot and running April 17-April 26, 2021. This production will take the place of PRINCESS & FROG, which will move to a future season.

Producing Artistic Director, Roderick Justice said: “During WW2, the women of the Junior League leading The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati were faced with the same problem we are today. Yet, that did not stop their mission to engage their audience through new and innovative methods. They took to radio to broadcast their shows and kept the mission alive. In the digital age, you can count on TCT to continue to engage our patrons during this difficult time. Our creative staff is working hard to provide entertaining, educational and engaging digital content until we are back to 100%. Continue to follow TCT on social media as we release archival production footage, photos of past productions, podcasts, and more!  Furthermore, we know how excited many of you were for our season closer, ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL JR. The impeccable artistry, production development, and valuable time spent on the production will not be lost. We are elated to be able to slide the production into the final spot of our 101^st season. To those of you who were excited for PRINCESS & FROG don’t worry! The production will be hopping into a future season! So, stay tuned. Your health is the utmost importance to us and we know the value live entertainment brings during times like this. We will be here for you and look forward to seeing our patrons (in person) as soon as possible.”

Single ticket purchases will be automatically refunded through Ticketmaster but we ask, if you are able, to please consider making a gift to TCT to ensure our sustainability during this difficult time.  You’ll be helping to keep the theatre alive and the arts vibrant in Cincinnati.  We’ve been a part of the health and well-being of students and families in and around Cincinnati for 100 years.  Now we ask that you help us stay healthy.  Here’s a link to make a gift:  www.tinyurl.com/GiveTCT

Subscribers may receive a refund of ¼ of their subscription.  You may request this refund by emailing tickets@tctcincinnati.com.

Subscriptions and Flex Passes are on sale now for the 2020-21 season, which also includes: DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS, ELF THE MUSICAL JR., DOCTOR DOLITTLE JR. Visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com for more information.

All TCT Academy Classes, Spring Break Camps, and Private Lessons will also be canceled through May 31, 2020.  TCT Staff will be in contact starting March 23 with all parents/guardians that have a student currently registered in a Spring 2020 class. You’ll be emailed refund options on March 23rd, 2020. To that end, if you are able, please consider allowing us to direct your refund as a gift to TCT instead.  Please have patience with us as we anticipate a high volume of requests.

In response to COVID-19 and school closures, we have made the TCT On Tour production of SUFFRAGETTES: WITH LIBERTY AND VOTING FOR ALL free of charge for teachers and parents to use with online curricular plans. Written by playwright Mary Tensing, with music from singer-songwriter Tracy Walker, SUFFRAGETTES is available at www.youtube.com/tctcincinnati and is a great curricular theatrical performance for students to watch while they learn at home.

Managing Director & CEO, Kim Kern said: “It is our hope the preventative measures taking place to limit gatherings will benefit public health and slow the spread of COVID-19. We wish you and your family health and well-being and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.  Please be kind to one another during this very difficult time and stay well.”

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