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THE ROSENTHAL NEXT GENERATION THEATRE SERIES CONCLUDES IN APRIL WITH A WORLD PREMIERE PLAY ABOUT TEENS (CINCINNATI) — The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series concludes on April 1 with the world premiere winner of the Macy’s New Play Prize for Young Audiences, Reviving Ophelia. The show, a hard-hitting look at teen life, is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Dr. Mary Pipher and adapted for the stage by award-winning playwright Cherie Bennett. All shows take place at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in the Playhouse’s Rosenthal Plaza, between the Robert S. Marx and Thompson Shelterhouse theatres. The Playhouse is located in Eden Park on the edge of Mt. Adams. Why are more teenage girls prey to depression, addiction and rebellious behavior than ever before? Dr. Mary Pipher’s extraordinary book Reviving Ophelia — which spent nearly three years on The New York Times bestseller list — has been recognized internationally for its tremendous insight into the complex world of adolescence. Honest and hard-hitting, Reviving Ophelia compassionately chronicles the real stories of young women struggling with parents, relationships, divorce, drugs, alcohol and even suicide as they look candidly at themselves and then with hope and possibility to their futures. The play is recommended for those ages 12 and up. No one under the age of 12 will be admitted. The play runs approximately 75 minutes. Reviving Ophelia is an exciting new theatrical adaptation by acclaimed playwright Cherie Bennett. Bennett, who also wrote the Playhouse’s popular 2003 production of Life in the Fat Lane, is best known for her gripping stories about teens. Regardless of gender, all audiences will relate to this personal, eye-opening and enlightening view of adolescent life in America today. Cherie Bennett emerged in the 1990s as one of the country’s most provocative writers on teen themes, working in the areas of young adult fiction and playwriting. Her novel Life in the Fat Lane was the winner of the 1999 American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults Award. Other works include Anne Frank and Me (which spent three months on the Los Angeles Times' Children’s Bestseller List), Zink and Searching for David's Heart. Ms. Bennett is the author of the weekly teen advice column “Hey, Cherie!,” which is syndicated nationally in 16 newspapers. She is also a two-time winner of the Kennedy Center’s biennial New Visions/New Voices Competition. Made possible by the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Foundation, the Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series involves youngsters in the excitement of theatre. To ensure the enjoyment of all in attendance, parents are asked not to bring children younger than the ages recommended for each production. All 2:00 p.m. performances are signed for the hearing impaired courtesy of the Cincinnati State Interpreter Training Program. Tickets are $5 for theatregoers ages 12 to 18 and $6 for adults through the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, 800/582-3208. Tickets also are available through the Playhouse web site at www.cincyplay.com. Parking is free. Playhouse artists fly Delta Connection Comair, the Playhouse’s official airline. The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati. # # # |