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Imagine Yourself in a Telenovela

Mar 24, 2020
Natalie Clare

Take a look at some of the most recognizable telenovela story lines, and imagine what you would do in the given circumstances.

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DESTINY OF DESIRE: Playwright's Notes by Karen Zacarías

Mar 6, 2020
Natalie Clare

The writer shares artistic insight into crafting this enormously entertaining stage comedy.

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A Switched-at-Birth Comedy

Feb 19, 2020
Erica Reid

Burning passion, cunning deception and outrageous melodrama combine in Destiny of Desire, presented by Leading Ladies.

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Exploring Caribbean Folklore

Sep 17, 2019
Natalie Clare

Through joyous lyrics, spirited movement and an uplifting score, Once on This Island pays homage to the cherished tradition of storytelling in the West Indies.

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An Enchanting Musical Fairy Tale

Sep 5, 2019
Erica Reid

Director and Choreographer Robert Barry Fleming takes us behind the scenes of the joyous and uplifting, Tony Award-winning musical Once on This Island.

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We Tell the Story

Aug 29, 2019
Erica Reid

Hearts soar in Once on This Island, the Tony Award-winning, Calypso-flavored musical about a peasant girl who rescues a wealthy boy and falls in love with him.

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The Music and Language of IN THE HEIGHTS

Dec 11, 2018
Aly Michaud

Take a deeper dive into the acclaimed music and language of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first smash hit.

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ICYMI: College Students Save Big

Aug 3, 2018
Natalie Clare

You don’t need to hop a Megabus to New York to experience some of the very best of American theatre. The two-time Tony Award-winning Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park invites college students to check out top-notch theatre at seriously affordable prices.

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A Romantic Roller Coaster

Aug 31, 2017
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Playhouse Artistic Director Blake Robison took a few minutes before heading into rehearsals for Shakespeare in Love to discuss the fun of journeying back in time to Elizabethan London and of exploring the magic of first love.

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A Joyous Celebration of Passion and Poetry

Aug 8, 2017
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Though he never meanders far from the spotlight, William Shakespeare is, as they say, having a moment. This summer, he made national headlines thanks to a production that proved once again how his play’s timeless themes can be reimagined in very timely ways. And, in even more boisterous fashion, the Bard debuted as a punk rock 20-something in cable television’s Will, a fictionalized account of the author’s early, largely undocumented, years in London.

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The Magic of A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Jun 20, 2017
Natalie Clare

Michael Evan Haney discusses the nuances of directing the Playhouse’s holiday production of A Christmas Carol each season.

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Bruce Cromer on Making A CHRISTMAS CAROL Sing

Jun 20, 2017
Natalie Clare

Bruce Cromer, who returns for his 12th season as Ebenezer Scrooge this holiday season, took a moment before starting rehearsals to reflect on what he enjoys most about the Playhouse production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

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5 Questions with Cupp and Sosser

Jun 20, 2017
Natalie Clare

Cincinnati-based actors Nick Rose and Stephen Skiles — in their roles of Mr. Cupp and Mr. Sosser, respectively — serve as the quasi-narrators for the Playhouse’s production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. They also perform various other roles in the show.

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5 Questions with Lawrence Redmond

Jun 15, 2017
Natalie Clare

Ten years ago, actor Lawrence Redmond was part of director Blake Robison’s original Round House Theatre production of A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY. This season he makes his Playhouse debut returning to the show as Mr. Meany in John Irving’s classic story. Meet Lawrence and learn why he became an actor, what he loves about performing and what he’s enjoying most about A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY.

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5 Questions with Jeremy Webb

Jun 15, 2017
Natalie Clare

Actor Jeremy Webb makes his Playhouse debut this fall as narrator John Wheelwright in A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY. Meet Jeremy and learn how long he’s been acting, what he loves about taking on a new character and what he enjoys most about A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY.

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Watching History in A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY

Jun 15, 2017
Natalie Clare

Based on John Irving’s classic novel, A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY tells a fictional story within a realistic setting. Historical references to 1950s and ‘60s American politics, war and pop culture create a familiar world, providing rich context for the story and enhancing our understanding of its unique characters.

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Composing A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY

Jun 15, 2017
Natalie Clare

Sound designer Matthew M. Nielson returns to the Playhouse this fall to compose music and design soundscapes for the 2016-17 season opener A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY.

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Finding Faith

Jun 15, 2017
Natalie Clare

Sean Mellott, who has appeared on Playhouse stages in LEVELING UP and PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, returns to the Marx Theatre as the title character in A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY. Prior to the start of rehearsals, Mellott shared his thoughts on his upcoming role.

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Join Our OWEN MEANY Book Club!

Jun 15, 2017
Natalie Clare

It’s likely no surprise that theatre fans are also often avid readers. A good story is a good story, after all. This year some of the best stories in the Playhouse season — from A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY and JANE EYRE to ERMA BOMBECK: AT WIT'S END — were all inspired by great books.

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Inspiration for Fiction

Jun 15, 2017
Natalie Clare

World-renowned American author John Irving is always insistent that his fiction does not mirror his life. As he told The New York Times in 1989, the year that his bestselling novel A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY was published, “I am not John Wheelwright.”

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An Interview with OWEN MEANY Director Blake Robison

Jun 15, 2017
Natalie Clare

Learn what drew Artistic Director Blake Robison to direct A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY, and find out what he enjoys most about returning to John Irving's classic story for a brand new production.

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Making OWEN MEANY Soar

Jun 15, 2017
Natalie Clare

For the first time since the 2007 production of DRACULA, the Playhouse is exploring new theatrical heights. In A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY, the show’s title character literally soars above the Marx Theatre stage.

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Recreating the 1970s: 5 Questions with Costume Designer Tracy Dorman

Jun 14, 2017
Natalie Clare

Set in 1977, August Wilson’s JITNEY evokes vivid images of that late disco era in the clothing worn by the characters. We asked JITNEY costume designer Tracy Dorman about creating the clothing for the cast of the production.

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5 Questions with Jefferson A. Russell

Jun 14, 2017
Natalie Clare

Jefferson A. Russell is a former Baltimore police officer turned professional actor who makes his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut as Shealy in August Wilson’s JITNEY. Meet Jefferson, and discover why he’s drawn time and again to August Wilson’s acclaimed American Century Cycle.

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Before Uber, There Were Jitneys

Jun 14, 2017
Natalie Clare

August Wilson’s play JITNEY follows a group of unlicensed cab drivers hustling to survive in 1970s Pittsburgh. Their jitney station serves a neighborhood — in this case the largely African-American Hill District — that traditional cab operators would not.

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5 Questions with Stori Ayers

Jun 14, 2017
Natalie Clare

Stori Ayers is an actress with a passion for work that challenges social norms and ignites within her generation a spirit of activism. Meet Stori, and find out why she’s excited to make her Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut as Rena in August Wilson’s JITNEY.

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August Wilson: In His Own Words

Jun 14, 2017
Natalie Clare

JITNEY was the first script written in August Wilson's groundbreaking American Century Cycle, in which he explored the experience of black Americans through a series of 10 plays set in each decade of the 20th century.

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Seymour Role Is a Dream Come True

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

Cincinnati native Nick Cearley, who portrays a hapless Skid Row flower shop employee in the new Playhouse production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, shares his insights into playing the nerdy Seymour, pawn of the ravenous and mysterious Audrey II plant.

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Committed and Scrappy: The Legacy of Roger Corman and His Impact on the Arts

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

As a true Hollywood heavyweight, Roger Corman has produced more than 400 films and directed more than 50 throughout his 60+-year career, including the original film production of THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS in 1960.

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5 Questions with Gina Milo

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

Gina Milo makes her debut at the Playhouse this season as Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Find out how LES MISERABLES led to her career in musical theatre and what she enjoys most about acting and singing.

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The Musical Stylings of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

Though the original production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS premiered in 1982, the story vaguely takes place in the 1960s and uses its toe-tapping musical score to invite the audience to examine the pop culture of that era.

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5 Questions with David Meyers

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

Meet David Meyers, who makes his Playhouse debut as Mr. Mushnik in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and find out what he enjoys most about acting and performing across the country.

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A Peek Inside the LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Movie Sing-Along

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

On Sunday, Jan. 29, fans rushed to grab their complimentary Seymour glasses in preparation to sing along with their favorite tunes from the 1986 movie-musical starring Rick Moranis.

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A Behind the Scenes Look at Audrey II

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is a co-production between Portland Center Stage at the Armory in Portland, Oregon, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. The musical features the same touring cast and production crew and reflects the artistic efforts of both theatres.

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5 Questions with Nick Cearley

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

Nick Cearley makes his Playhouse debut as Seymour in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, but this Ohio-native has been singing and dancing in the Tri-state since childhood. Meet Nick and find out more about how he received his training, why he decided to become an actor and what roles he loves best.

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Join Our JANE EYRE Book Club!

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

It’s likely no surprise that theatre fans are also often avid readers. A good story is a good story, after all. This year some of the best stories in the Playhouse season — from A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY and JANE EYRE to ERMA BOMBECK: AT WIT'S END — were all inspired by great books.

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Taking Center Stage: Margaret Ivey's Journey from Internship to Leading Lady

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

This month, actress Margaret Ivey moves into the spotlight as JANE EYRE in Polly Teale’s adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel, under the direction of Playhouse Associate Artist KJ Sanchez.

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5 Questions with Michael Sharon

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

Michael made his Playhouse debut in AVENUE X (2001), and he is thrilled to return this season as Rochester in JANE EYRE.

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5 Questions with Christine Toy Johnson

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

Christine Toy Johnson makes her Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut as Bessie, Blanche Ingram, Grace Poole and Diane Rivers in JANE EYRE.

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5 Questions with Rebecca Hirota

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

Rebecca Hirota makes her Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut in JANE EYRE as Helen Burns, Adele and Mary Rivers.

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JANE EYRE Reading List

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

Still mesmerized by Polly Teale’s stage adaptation of JANE EYRE? We’ve compiled a list of books for your consideration in case you can’t get enough of Charlotte Brontë’s sweeping romance, Gothic landscape and psychological drama.

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A Thrill Ride of Spooky Surprises

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

Brendon Fox, director of Ken Ludwig’s BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY, discusses how he’s revived a literary favorite while leaving exciting surprises along the way.

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Follow a Trail of Clues to Baskerville Hall

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

The world of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson has been a beloved one for generations, and it comes to life at the Playhouse with Ken Ludwig’s BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY. In this classic mystery, the gloomy and foreboding world of fog, quicksand, moors and monsters combine to create a dizzying web of clues.

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5 Questions with Jacob James

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

Jacob James makes his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut as Doctor Watson in Ken Ludwig's BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY.

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5 Questions with Nisi Sturgis

Jun 13, 2017
Natalie Clare

Nisi Sturgis makes her Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut as Actress One in Ken Ludwig's BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY.

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5 Questions with Evan Alexander Smith

Jun 12, 2017
Natalie Clare

Brian Owen makes his Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park debut in Ken Ludwig's BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY.

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