Tag Archives: The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

Video: The Rusty Griswolds Chat About TCTC’s SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE JR

Cameron Cumbee stars as Tom, with "Bill" and Artistic Director Angela Powell Walker. Photo by Phil Groshong.

Cameron Cumbee stars as Tom, with “Bill” and Artistic Director Angela Powell Walker. Photo by Phil Groshong.

Artistic Director, Angela Powell Walker, chats with The Rusty Griswolds about their memories of the show and excitement about performing with The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati.

Based on the Emmy® Award-winning Saturday morning animated educational cartoon series and pop culture phenomenon which aired on ABC-TV from the 1970’s -1980’s, Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR. hits the Taft Theatre stage with a rock-and-roll revue, headed up by local rock sensations, The Rusty Griswolds!  Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR. follows Tom, a nerve-wracked school teacher who is nervous about his first day of teaching. He tries to relax by watching TV when various characters representing facets of his personality emerge from the set and show him how to win his students over with imagination and music, through such songs as “Just A Bill,” “Three is a Magic Number,” and “Conjunction Junction.”

Public performances of SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE JR run Feb. 13-21. You can click here for more information.

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SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE! JR Runs on Feb. 13-21

Cameron Cumbee stars as Tom, with "Bill" and Artistic Director Angela Powell Walker. Photo by Phil Groshong.

Cameron Cumbee stars as Tom, with “Bill” and Artistic Director Angela Powell Walker. Photo by Phil Groshong.

SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE!
Presented by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Feb. 13-21
Downtown

Cast includes: Cameron Cumbee as Tom

Based on the Emmy® Award-winning Saturday morning animated educational cartoon series and pop culture phenomenon which aired on ABC-TV from the 1970’s -1980’s, Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR. hits the Taft Theatre stage with a rock-and-roll revue, headed up by local rock sensations, The Rusty Griswolds!  Schoolhouse Rock Live! JR. follows Tom, a nerve-wracked school teacher who is nervous about his first day of teaching. He tries to relax by watching TV when various characters representing facets of his personality emerge from the set and show him how to win his students over with imagination and music, through such songs as “Just A Bill,” “Three is a Magic Number,” and “Conjunction Junction.”

  • Fri, Feb. 13 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Feb. 14 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, Feb. 15 at 2pm
  • Sat, Feb. 21 at 2pm

Official page |

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TCTC Will Rock With SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE! JR Featuring The Rusty Griswolds

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Will Rock With SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE! JR.
Featuring local 80s band, The Rusty Griswolds

Cameron Cumbee stars as Tom, with "Bill" and Artistic Director Angela Powell Walker. Photo by Phil Groshong.

Cameron Cumbee stars as Tom, with “Bill” and Artistic Director Angela Powell Walker. Photo by Phil Groshong.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati continues its 90th MainStage Season with SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE! JR. at the Taft Theatre, directed by Angela Powell Walker. Originally conceived and directed by Scott Ferguson. Book by Scott Ferguson, Kyle Hall, George Keating. Music and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg, Kathy Mandry, George Newall and Tom Yohe.

This musical is adapted from the Emmy(r) Award-winning educational cartoon that rocked the house from the ’70s to ’80s each Saturday morning. SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE! JR. hits the Taft Theatre stage with a rock-and-roll revue, featuring local rock sensation, The Rusty Griswolds!

Tom is a frantic school teacher who is nervous about his first day teaching. When he turns on his television to calm his nerves, his surroundings come to life and his lesson plan is illuminated. Throughout the show, various characters help Tom create fun and interactive lessons to engage his students in all sorts of subjects. This show features middle school education through song and dance, including classic hits like “Conjunction Junction” and “Three is a Magic Number.”

And what better way to bring this musical to life than through the talents of the incredible local rock band, The Rusty Griswolds. Since 1999, The Rusty Griswolds have been performing; bringing energy as only they can to the best music of the 80s and SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! JR. will be no exception!

SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE! JR. The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, through February 21. 7:30 p.m. Friday February 13; Saturday February 14, 2 PM and 5 PM; Sunday, February 15 and Saturday, February 21, 2 PM; Taft Theatre, 5th and Sycamore Streets in Downtown Cincinnati. Tickets $7-$25. 1-800-745-3000 and www.ticketmaster.com.

Don’t miss Kid’s Kuisine, a tasty fundraiser for The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, presented by Cincinnati Magazine on Saturday February 21, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Taft Theatre Ballroom, 317 E. 5th Street, prior to the 2 PM performance of SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE! JR. Kid’s Kuisine guests will enjoy food and drink from exciting sponsors while area restaurants will showcase creative kid’s menus. There will also be “Play with your Food” stations plus young chefs will get inspired at the cooking stage. Children’s and adult tickets are $10 per guest when purchased in advance and $15 per guest at the door. To purchase visit cincinnatimagazine.com/cmevents or call Chris Ohmer at 513-562-2777.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s production of SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE! JR. is made possible by the generous support of Chemed. The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign. The Children’s Theatre’s Season Sponsors are the Charles H. Dater Foundation and the Marge and Charles J. Schott Foundation. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Media sponsors are Cincinnati Enquirer, LOCAL 12 and Q102. The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Kids Club is presented by Grace Kerr Orthodontics and Time Timer.

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TCTC’s STAR and stARTs Program and Cincinnati Boychoir Holding Combined Auditions

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati STAR Program & The Cincinnati Boychoir Holding Combined Auditions

TCT_logoBoys and girls ages 9-18 can audition for The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s STAR and stARTs program and/or The Cincinnati Boychoir at the same time.  The Boychoir is looking specifically for boys ages 7-12 (in grades 2-6) with unchanged voices.

Appointments are mandatory. You MUST set up an audition in advance. Audition time slots are on a first-come, first-served basis.  Auditions will be held:

  • Saturday, January 10 from 10 AM – 4 PM
  • Sunday, January 11 from 1 PM – 4 PM

at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati  offices, 5020 Oaklawn Drive, 45227

To audition on Saturday, January 10 or Sunday, January 11 please email:
auditions@thechildrenstheatre.com or call at 513-569-8080 ext. 24.  Email is preferred.
Please share you and your child’s full name, age, phone number, and preferred audition time.
We will start accepting appointments on Sunday, December 14, 2014.

CAA_Boy ChoirAuditions will also be held on Monday, January 12 from 6-7:30pm
FOR BOYS ONLY
at the Aronoff Center in downtown Cincinnati
*To audition on Monday, January 12, please register at
http://cincinnatiboychoir.org/programs-2/audition-information/.

YOU SHOULD PREPARE:

  • A memorized, age-appropriate monologue (1 minute MAX). It should showcase your acting skills.
  • A memorized a 16 bar song selection that best shows your vocal range. Remember to bring your PIANO SHEET MUSIC for your song. An accompanist will be provided. The sheet music MUST have the piano part, not just the vocal line.
  • You may be asked to show us your dance ability, so come prepared. Wear appropriate shoes. No flip flops. Wear appropriate dance clothes please.
  • Please bring a RECENT 8×10 headshot and UPDATED performance resume.
  • Please plan to arrive at least 20 minutes ahead of your appointment to fill out paperwork.
    If we are ahead of schedule, you may audition early.

On January 12, Boychoir auditions will take place with one of the Cincinnati Boychoir’s current choirs, so that the boys can experience a full rehearsal.
Visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com or www.cincinnatiboychoir.org for additional information.

ABOUT THE STAR PROGRAM:
Our STAR program is a four week training program for students, ages 9-18. Students are accepted by audition only and will be taught by experts in the various disciplines of Musical Theatre on the campus of Northern Kentucky University, from 10 AM to 4 PM each weekday.

Selected from the STAR Program, the STAR Cabaret is a group of 12-14 students who participate in year-round training and coaching.  Throughout the year, participants will mentor with our expert teaching staff to be well-rounded musical theatre artists, perform for local events, and will culminate in a trip to New York, Chicago, or LA to perform a showcase for directors, agents, and casting experts.

STAR Program 2015:  July 6 – August 2, 2015 at Northern Kentucky University
Tuition: $550
Security deposit of $150 due upon acceptance into the program
Payment plans and scholarships are available.

ABOUT THE stARTs PROGRAM:
stARTs is our program for gifted and talented students who have little or no experience in musical theatre, or for students who are advanced in some areas of musical theatre, but are lacking training in a specific area of voice, dance, or drama.

For two weeks in June, a select number of students will work with leading professionals in the theater business to help them improve and become well rounded in all areas of musical theatre.  stARTs Classes will take place over the course of two weeks (Monday-Friday) for three hours and forty-five minutes a day. At the end of the second week there will be a culminating showcase for immediate family members in The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Rehearsal Hall, where all of the MainStage Shows at the Taft are rehearsed!

stARTs 2015: June 8 – 19, 2015 in the rehearsal hall of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Tuition: $250
Security deposit of $50 due upon acceptance into the program.
Payment plans are available.

ABOUT THE CINCINNATI BOYCHOIR:
The Cincinnati Boychoir provides exceptional concert opportunities and music education in a safe, diverse, and respectful environment.  The Cincinnati Boychoir is one of the premiere professional boychoirs in the United States. Located in the urban arts core of Cincinnati at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, the Boychoir reaches approximately 200 young men each year from more than 90 schools in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Since 1965, the Cincinnati Boychoir has been dedicated to the musical, intellectual, and emotional development of these young men and has served as one of the foremost music education and performance organizations in the region; boys attend weekly rehearsals, retreats, music theory classes, and the annual SongFest Summer Music Camp for Boys at Xavier University. Each year, the Cincinnati Boychoir presents approximately thirty annual performances in the Greater Cincinnati region, and has performed concerts and completed residencies both at home and abroad; most recently, the Boychoir undertook three three-day residencies with boychoirs in England (June 2013), and a week-long residency at the Hotchkiss School in northwest Connecticut (June 2014).

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Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Announces 2015-2016 Season

TCT_logo​The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati heads into its 91st season featuring a Disney favorite, a holiday classic, a world premiere and everyone’s favorite ogre!  The MainStage 2015-2016 season productions are:

•    Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. (October 16 – October 25, 2015)

•    A Charlie Brown Christmas (December 4 – December 13, 2015)

•    Snow White and the Dancing Dwarfs (February 12 – February 21, 2016)

•    Shrek The Musical JR. (April 8 – April 17, 2016)

“We are so pleased to be bringing these exciting shows to our greater Cincinnati family right after our 90th birthday celebration!” said Artistic Director, Angela Powell Walker. “These are productions we’ve wanted to produce for a very long time…”

Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. (October 16 – October 25, 2015)

Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, Music by Alan Menken.  Book by Doug Wright.Based on the Hans Christian Andersen Story and the Disney Film produced by Howard Ashman & John Musker and written & directed by John Musker and Ron Clements.  Directed and Choreographed by Roderick Justice.

Audiences will dive into the 2015-2016 TCTC season with Ariel and her aquatic friends in Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. which has been adapted from Disney’s 2008 Broadway production. In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home – and her fins – behind and live in the world above. But first she’ll have to defy her father King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Family Gala will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (December 4 – December 13, 2015)

By Charles M. Schulz.  Based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson.  Stage adaptation by Eric Schaeffer.  By special arrangement with Arthur Whitelaw and Ruby Persson. Directed by Angela Powell Walker.  Choreographed by Jay Goodlett.

Bring your family and celebrate Christmas with our live rendition of your favorite holiday special!  Don’t let the hustle and bustle of the holidays get you down – Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang are here to remind us all what’s most important during this Yuletide season.

Snow White and the Dancing Dwarfs (February 12 – February 21, 2016)

Story and book by Ken Jones.  Music by Jamey Strawn.  Lyrics by Christine Jones.  Co-Directed by Chris Stewart and Roderick Justice.

You’ve heard the story of the Fairest One of All, but you haven’t heard this version!  In this world-premiere production, the Brothers Grimm fairy tale is turned into a celebration of dance by seven of the grooviest dwarfs this side of the Enchanted Forest.

Ken Jones, wrote and compiled the hit “Santa’s Toy Factory” for The Children’s Theatre’s 12-13 season; and the trio worked together on TCTC’s 2013 holiday production of “The Day Before Christmas” as well as other successful shows including: “Burgertown,” “CHURCH GIRLS, Umatilla USA,” and “LINCOLN: A Pioneer Tale.”

Shrek The Musical JR. (April 8 – April 17, 2016)

Music by Jeanine Tesori. Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire.  Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig. Directed by Angela Powell Walker.  Choreographed by Roderick Justice.

Everyone’s favorite ogre is back in the hilarious stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film.  It’s a “big bright beautiful world” for everyone’s favorite ogre in Shrek The Musical JR., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film.  In a faraway kingdom, the green ogre Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits, runaways who’ve been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wise-cracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he’s handed a task – if he rescues feisty Princess Fiona from the Dragon-guarded tower, his swamp will be returned to him. But, a fairy tale wouldn’t be complete without unexpected twists and turns along the way.

Season Ticket Renewals will be going out to current subscribers in January.  New Season Tickets to the 2015-2016 Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati season will be available in May 2015 after renewals are completed.  Prices range from $78 for the popular 4-Show Orchestra or Box Seats Season Ticket Package to just $21 for a 3-Show Season Ticket package in the Second Balcony.  Single tickets go on sale August 20.  For information call 513-569-8080 ext. 10 or visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave 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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