Tag Archives: The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

November 26, 2013 · 7:56 pm

TCT Cincinnati’s THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS Opening December 6

Jake Kolesar as Jack Frost & Leo J. Northart III as Santa. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Jake Kolesar as Jack Frost & Leo J. Northart III as Santa. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati and Santa will bring local audiences a lot to smile about this holiday season with the world-premiere production “The Day Before Christmas,” December 6-8 and 14, 2013 at the Taft Theatre.

The show is directed by TCTC’s Artistic Director, Angela Powell Walker, with story and book by Ken Jones, music by Jamey Strawn, lyrics by Christine Jones. 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 the successful shows: “Burgertown,” “CHURCH GIRLS, Umatilla USA,” and “LINCOLN: A Pioneer Tale.”

There is a flurry of activity at the North Pole. Santa and Mrs. Claus, the elves, the reindeer, the forest animals and even the Toys themselves prepare for the biggest night of the year! It takes a lot of planning and hard work to get a sleigh off the ground and to deliver toys to children around the world, but Santa’s team is ready and willing. Or at least they think they are before a tricky Jack Frost decides to try to stop the Christmas Festivities with a little comical chaos and calamity!

Single tickets and subscriptions for the rest of the 13-14 season are available now by calling 513-569-8080 ext. 10. Visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com for more information.

“The Day Before Christmas,” The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, through December 14. 7:30 p.m. Friday December 6, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday December 7 & 14, 2 p.m. Sunday December 8. Taft Theatre, 317 East 5th Street in Downtown Cincinnati. Tickets $7-$25. 800-745-3000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Q102 and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati are proud to collect items for St. Joseph Orphanage at all performances of “The Day Before Christmas.” Children and adults are encouraged to bring any new or unwrapped item and we’ll collect them in the Taft Theatre lobby. Visit http://www.stjosephorphanage.org/ for a list of holiday requests.

And don’t miss Brunch with Santa on Saturday, December 14 at 11:30 AM. Tickets for this event are $50 including a ticket to the show, or $35 for brunch only. Join The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati in the Taft Theatre Ballroom for a festive holiday brunch, music, crafts, a visit from Santa and his friends and memories to last a lifetime. Seating is limited. Call 513-569-8080 ext. 14 for reservations.

Characters from Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s “A Christmas Carol”, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s holiday production of “Around the World in 80 Days,” Cincinnati Ballet’s “Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker” and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s production of “The Day Before Christmas” will be spreading the holiday spirit at festive events throughout the Tristate this season. For a full listing of Character Crew events, visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

“The Day Before Christmas” is made possible by the generous support of Macy’s. 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. Media sponsor are LOCAL 12, The Cincinnati Enquirer and Q102. 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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November 7, 2013 · 11:11 am

THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS Runs Dec. 6-14

Jake Kolesar as Jack Frost & Leo J. Northart III as Santa. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Jake Kolesar as Jack Frost & Leo J. Northart III as Santa. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Presented by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Dec. 6-14
Downtown

Story and book by Ken Jones
Music by Jamey Strawn
Lyrics by Christine Jones

Directed by Angela Powell Walker
Assistant Directed and Choreographed by Roderick Justice
Music Direction by Jamey Strawn

There is a flurry of activity at the North Pole. Santa and Mrs. Claus, the elves, the reindeer, the forest animals and even the toys themselves prepare for the biggest night of the year! It takes a lot of planning and hard work to get a sleigh off the ground and deliver toys to children around the world, but Santa’s team is ready and willing. Or at least they think they are before a tricky Jack Frost decides to try to stop the Christmas Festivities with a little comical chaos and calamity.

  • Fri, Dec. 6 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Dec. 7 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, Dec. 8 at 2pm
  • Sat, Dec. 14 at 2pm & 5pm

Official page |

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November 6, 2013 · 10:46 am

Four Local Arts Organizations Unite for the Holidays with the Character Crews

CINCINNATI BALLET, CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK
ENSEMBLE THEATRE CINCINNATI AND THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CINCINNATI
UNITE FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE CHARACTER CREW

CB_logo(CINCINNATI) – Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati are joining together to spread holiday cheer across the Tristate with a number of special character appearances beginning Nov. 8.

PIP_logoCharacters from Cincinnati Ballet’s annual production of Frisch’s Presents THE NUTCRACKER; Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s classic A CHRISTMAS CAROL, presented by U.S. Bank; Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s holiday production of AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, sponsored by Macy’s; and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s production of THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS, also sponsored by Macy’s, will come together at holiday events around the city throughout November.

ETC_new_logo_bannerThe Character Crew will make appearances at the following holiday attractions:

  1. Friday, Nov. 8 (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.): Duke Energy Holiday Train Exhibit Ribbon Cutting, Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
  2. Friday, Nov. 8 (6 to 8 p.m.): Antique Christmas Celebration Event, Taft Museum of Art
  3. Saturday, Nov. 16 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.): Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market, Duke Energy Convention Center
  4. Friday, Nov. 22 (6 to 9 p.m.): Festival of Lights Members’ Preview, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
  5. Saturday, Nov. 23 (4:30 to 5:30 p.m.): Balluminaria, Eden Park’s Mirror Lake
  6. Tuesday, Nov. 26 (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.): Light Up the Levee, Newport on the Levee
  7. Friday, Nov. 29 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.): Tree Lighting and Santa Arrival, Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
  8. Saturday, Nov. 30 (5:45 to 7 p.m.): Downtown Dazzle, Fountain Square

TCT_logoAbout Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

Celebrating its 50th anniversary season, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a mix of important classical full-length ballets and an adventurous, vibrant mix of repertory ballets, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Cincinnati Ballet’s mission is to inspire hope and joy in our community and beyond through the power and passion of dance. Returning Dec. 20 through Dec. 29, the beloved holiday tradition of Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker, performed since 1974, continues to delight children and adults alike. For more information, visit www.cballet.org.

The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park has been offering local audiences the finest in professional theatre for more than 50 years. Winner of two Tony Awards, the Playhouse is nationally known for its commitment to new works and as an artistic home for America’s best actors, directors and designers. Faithful storytelling and spellbinding special effects combine in the Playhouse’s annual production of A Christmas Carol, one of the city’s most popular family plays, which returns Nov. 27 through Dec. 29 for its 23rd year. For more information, visit www.cincyplay.com.

Now in its 28th season, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC), located in historic Over-the-Rhine, is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. This season marks the 16th year ETC has been presenting family-friendly musicals for the holidays. This season, ETC celebrates the long-awaited return of Around the World in 80 Days, one of its first commissioned musicals, Dec. 4 to Jan. 4. For more information, visit www.ensemblecincinnati.org.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCTC) brings art to life for children and the young-at-heart through three key programs: MainStage at the Taft, ArtReach and Learning the Craft. Currently in its 89th year, TCTC serves nearly 200,000 children, families and schools each season. From Dec. 6 to 14, The Children’s Theatre presents the holiday musical The Day Before Christmas. For more information, visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

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October 20, 2013 · 11:29 pm

Children’s Theatre’s ANNIE, JR. Ears a 4 Star LCT Rating

LCT panelists recognize the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s ANNIE, JR. with a 4 Star Rating

Allison Edwards as Annie. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Allison Edwards as Annie. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

ANNIE, JR., the children’s version of the popular musical favorite depicting the adventures of the plucky comic-book orphan, was described by panelists as enjoyable and “a quick paced show from the first moment to the last.” They singled out the contributions of David Centers (set design) and Kathie Brookfield (costumes), noting that they “continue to be impressed with the overall production quality of the Children’s Theater.” David Center’s set “beautifully captured the deco style” while Kathie Brookfield’s costumes “ranged from rags on the orphans to servants uniforms to business suits for a very large cast”. They also highly praised the “adorable” Allison Edwards as Annie, who was described as having “every bit of the boundless optimism and confident voice” you would expect of the heroine.

League of Cincinnati Theatre panelists evaluate productions on a 5 star scale and recommend shows at either a 4 star or 5 star level. Nominations for LCT awards will be determined and announced at the end of the season and winners awarded at the annual LCT gala in the spring. www.leagueofcincytheatres.info

Annie, Jr. continues at the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati through Oct. 26th. Tickets may obtained through their website, www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

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October 3, 2013 · 9:53 am

Auditions Announced for ArtReach Touring Production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Auditions for the ArtReach Touring Production of
A CHRISTMAS CAROL

TCT_ArtReachDirected by: Mr. Roderick Justice
Rehearsals: Daytime hours, November 16 – 26, 2013; The Children’s Theatre rehearsal room
Run: Daytime and occasional evening performances, December 1-22, 2013 (In-school shows to be booked during this timeframe)

To be considered:Looking for male actors. You must be between the ages of 18 and 45, available for ALL rehearsals and performances. If cast, you would play more than one role and would be expected to help with loading in and out of venues. This is a local tour, so there will be no overnight stays or long trips out of town. Transportation between TCTC and each venue will be provided.

To audition: Please contact Chris at chris.stewart@thechildrenstheatre.com or 513.569.8080 x21 to schedule an appointment and get more information.

“Bah! Humbug!” This timeless holiday classic by Charles Dickens has been adapted into a 5-actor touring children’s show by playwright (and former TCTC actress) Mary Tensing. Audiences encounter the greedy, abrasive Ebenezer Scrooge and his harrowing Christmas Eve adventure: The ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future will teach more than just Ebenezer a timeless lesson. With intriguing, creative staging set against a backdrop of Dickensian London, and a harmonic musical score inspired by some of the best Victorian carols, this unique production lasts 45 minutes and is a bestseller every time it tours. Drawing mostly from the original language, this is truly an example of one of our culture’s finest stories coming to life from the page to the stage.

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