TRIVIA NIGHT
Clifton Players
Feb. 20-March 1
Liberty Exhibition Hall [Northside]
Official page | Facebook event |
Filed under On Stage
MAN VS. MACHINE
Clifton Players
Nov. 7-23
Liberty Exhibition Hall [Northside]
Enjoy a series of short plays that challenge the boundaries of creativity, featuring works by renowned playwright Lee Blessing alongside compelling pieces from other National Playwrights and artificial intelligence. Will you be surprised which stories speak to you?
We walk into this space of story telling asking ourselves and our audiences how comfortable are we consuming the artistry of the machine? Is it simply mirroring humanity as a collective? Will it be obvious a human soul isn’t behind a particular story? We will facilitate talk backs after each show for those who wish to discuss. Come let us tell you a story and hopefully keep you thinking about this experience long after you leave the theatre!
Filed under On Stage
By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds
THE GUEST Review presented by Clifton Players through February 8th. I attended the Second Friday performance.
Cincinnati native Zina Camblin is ringing in 2025 with Clifton Players by gifting The Queen City the semi-autobiographical script The Guest. It is only fitting that this labour of love (nearly ten years in the making) be told with help of a who’s-who cast of players. The Guest depicts a day in the life of Jessica, a bi-racial documentarist who is eager to explore both sides of how she came to be in this world.
Choosing to stage this story in the playing space below Liberty Exhibition Hall, The Lounge, is a stroke of genius. It’s intimate and cozy – and can feel stifling in exactly the way Jessica must feel overwhelmed by the shower of characters who are suddenly thrust into her sphere. The simple program credits Stage Manager Annette Ouchie and Lighting Designer Stewart Wheaton for the creative set.
Co-Director Kevin Crowley knocks it out of the park in his use of this unusual playing space. (Unsurprisingly, he also does much of the same in his portrayal of Gary, a father and once local sheriff.) In addition to creative use of space, pacing of the show is solid and pushes ahead perfectly.
It is nearly impossible to give any performing artist a bigger shout-out than the other. With a cast that features the likes of Angelique Archer (utterly transparent and the ideal protagonist); Darnell Pierre Benjamin (a brief, but dependable appearance); Carol Brammer (a difficult character arc played expertly); Kevin Crowley (grounded and real); Kyndra Jefferies (auntie energy in a familiar, yet not stereotypical way – perfection!); Justin McCombs (funny and heartbreaking all at once); Cailtin McWethy (impeccable execution of an amusing and sympathetic character); and Patrick Earl Phillips (you may think you know who his character is, but you’ll be surprised), you’d be hard-pressed to argue with me. The chemistry with this group is off the charts. There are both hilarious and touching moments with so many duos and trios within this motley crew and I was living for all of it. No doubt the combination of these actors’ talents along with the talent of our playwright is an exceptional mix.
There are only two more chances to catch this excellent new play and I would say this one gets the very rare Kat “must-see” seal of approval.
Click here for more information about the production.
Filed under Reviews
THE GUEST
Clifton Players
Jan. 24-Feb. 8
Liberty Exhibition Hall [Northside]
Cast: Caitlin McWethy, Patrick Phillips, Kevin Crowley, Justin McCombs, Angelic Archer, Kendra Jefferies, Darnell Benjamin & Carol Brammer
From TV writer and playwright Zina Camblin, comes a family situational living room comedy, that explores what happens when an adopted bi-racial woman knocks on the door of her Evangelical, right-wing birth mother’s home in rural Missouri to get answers about her identity. Dysfunctional family dynamics ensue, and dark secrets are revealed, in this hilarious and timely dark comedy.
Official page | Facebook event |
GHOST GIRLS
Clifton Players
Nov. 1-10
Liberty Exhibition Hall [Northside]
Written by Rose Vanden Eynden
Directed by Tara Williams
In the mid 1800s, two young girls discover their ability to communicate with the dead. Pressed into the public eye by their calculating older sister, Maggie and Kate Fox become the first world-famous mediums, sparking a wildfire of controversy still debated to this day. Were the Fox sisters true channels of spirit communication, or charlatans preying on the grief of others? GHOST GIRLS examines their lives, their motives, and their impact on the spiritual beliefs of generations to follow.
Filed under On Stage
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