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CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK ANNOUNCES 2006-2007 SEASON (CINCINNATI) – The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park announced its 2006-2007 Season today, and the schedule includes a world premiere musical with a Cincinnati connection, a provocative world premiere drama that reunites a critically acclaimed production team, a play named one of the 10 best of last year by The New York Times and a sequel to two of the Playhouse’s most popular productions of all time. In all, the season boasts two world premieres and five regional premieres — as well as celebrates the 15th anniversary of Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Edward Stern and Executive Director Buzz Ward. The highlights include the world premiere of University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music alum Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor’s heartwarming coming-of-age musical Ace; the world premiere of 1:23, a provocative new drama by playwright Carson Kreitzer that will be directed by Mark Wing-Davey, the team that created the Playhouse’s premiere of The Love Song of J. Robert Oppenheimer; the off-Broadway production of In The Continuum, which features the show’s creators and original cast members Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter; and the regional premiere of Connie Ray and Alan Bailey’s Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming, which offers fans a new chapter for the popular Sanders Family Singers. The season also includes works by authors ranging from John Steinbeck to Steven Dietz and Jeffrey Hatcher. According to Mr. Stern, “Looking back on my 15 years at the Playhouse, I’m proud of the many accomplishments we’ve achieved, accomplishments that include having one of the largest subscriber families of any theatre in the nation, receiving the 2004 Regional Theatre Tony Award and seeing our productions performed not only across this country but also around the world. Those successes result from a loyal and supportive community that appreciates the broad range of plays and quality work they find at the Playhouse, and this new season continues that tradition.” The Robert S. Marx Theatre Season (sponsored by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation) The Marx Theatre season starts with a compelling human drama about friendship, the true nature of loyalty and the power of dreams, John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, September 5 – October 6, 2006 (opening night: September 7). Of Mice and Men is the haunting story of George and Lennie, Depression-era migrant workers who have only each other and their shared struggle for the American dream. When they find employment at a California ranch, their desire to buy a place of their own seems finally within reach. But George’s best-laid plans and Lennie’s simple innocence set into motion a chain of events that threaten their hopes for the future. Ed Stern directs. The season continues with the world premiere musical Ace, winner of the Mickey Kaplan New American Play Prize and written by University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music graduate Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor (October 17 – November 17, 2006; opening night: October 19). Featuring a charming score, Ace is the heartwarming coming-of-age story of a 1950s boy searching for a sense of family and identity in the unlikeliest of places. When troubled 10-year-old Billy Lucas is given a model airplane, it unlocks the door to a fantastic new world, with the mysterious fighter pilot Ace as his guide. Ace takes Billy on a series of heroic and haunting World War I and II adventures, and what Billy discovers reveals not only the secrets of his past but also the key to his future. Ace is directed by Stafford Arima (director of off-Broadway’s Altar Boyz.) For the holidays, the Marx welcomes back an old friend, celebrating 16 years of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, presented by the Stona Fitch Family and KeyBank. A Christmas Carol returns December 2 – 30, 2006 (opening night: December 7). The Playhouse's production features a faithful adaptation by Howard Dallin, a cast of nearly 30 actors and elaborate costumes and special effects. Bruce Cromer reprises his role as Scrooge for a second year. A Christmas Carol is not part of any subscription package, although subscribers do receive discounts and early buying opportunities. Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Michael Evan Haney directs. Carlyle Brown’s Pure Confidence was the breakout hit of last year’s Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville (January 16 – February 16, 2007; opening night: January 18). On the eve of the Civil War when black jockeys, though slaves, dominated the sport of horse racing, Simon Cato consistently wins by riding prize thoroughbred Pure Confidence. Brash, smart and funny, Simon plans to use his success to buy his freedom from slavery. With a vivid backdrop of fast horses, gritty racetracks and high stakes betting, Pure Confidence is an extraordinary tale of human triumphs and failings that explores the true meaning of freedom. Craig Lucas’ Reckless (March 6 – April 6, 2007; opening night: March 8) begins with a jolting surprise: At home on Christmas Eve, Rachel is informed by her husband that he has hired a hit man to kill her, and she must flee for her life immediately. She then begins a series of hilarious, harrowing and somewhat surreal escapades involving a strange and secretive couple, a bizarre game show, numerous psychiatrists and an ill-fated reunion with her husband. Mixing fantasy with realism, this quirky and very dark comedy is about sudden tragedy, outrageous fortune, finding your bliss and running for your life. Michael Evan Haney will direct Reckless. Finally, the Marx Season concludes with playwright Steven Dietz’s new adaptation of the classic 1899 play by William Gillette and Arthur Conan Doyle about the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure (April 24 – May 25, 2007; opening night: April 26). A chilling mystery involving a kidnapped damsel, scandalous letters and London’s seamy underworld finds Sherlock Holmes pitted against his two most perilous foes: certain death and impassioned love. As the plot twists and turns to its pulse-quickening conclusion, Holmes must attempt to prevail against the mastermind of evil Professor Moriarty and keep his wits opposite Irene Adler, the beautiful opera diva who has captured his heart. Ed Stern will direct. The Thompson Shelterhouse Season (sponsored by Heidelberg Distributing Co.) The Thompson Shelterhouse season begins with a play named one of the 10 best last year by The New York Times, In The Continuum (September 30 – October 29, 2006; opening night: October 5). Called “stunning, uplifting, exhilarating and witheringly funny” by Newsday, this critically-acclaimed drama follows parallel stories of denial and self-discovery. Living worlds apart, two black women — Nia, a Los Angeles teenager, and Abigail, a wife and mother living in Zimbabwe — find themselves on similar, and yet strikingly separate, journeys when each is told she has been infected with HIV and must come to terms with the life-changing revelations. This production, directed by Robert O’Hara, comes to the Playhouse from off-Broadway and features the multi-talented creators, Danai Gurira and Nikkole Salter, in its starring roles. Show Business Weekly called the play “a masterpiece” that “doesn’t need to be seen — it must be seen.” A beloved holiday story is told with a new theatrical twist in This Wonderful Life (November 11 – December 23, 2006; opening night: November 16), a one-man adaptation of the Frank Capra film It's A Wonderful Life. Written by Steve Murray and conceived by Mark Setlock, the plight of George Bailey is seen in a fresh light and through different eyes. It’s Christmas Eve. Fearing he’s failed his family, his friends and his community, George considers suicide, until an angel-in-waiting named Clarence shows him how bleak life would have been if he’d never existed. One actor faithfully creates more than two dozen characters while he also serves as narrator, offering amusing commentary on the action. Audience members don’t need to be die-hard fans of the film to enjoy this new spin on a heartfelt holiday classic. Martha Banta directed the show’s world premiere and will direct at the Playhouse as well. The Shelterhouse season continues with a powerful world premiere drama from the playwright and director of the Playhouse’s critically acclaimed production of The Love Song of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Carson Kreitzer’s 1:23 (February 3 – March 4, 2007; opening night: February 8) explores the reasons that cause people to do things they never thought possible and investigates what could bring a mother to kill her own child. A collage inspired by several true cases that combines remarkable flights of fancy with actual testimony from police transcripts, 1:23 is a provocative and stunning new work that examines the shades of gray within the darkest side of human behavior. Mark Wing-Davey directs. Three wickedly funny monologues reveal the intricacies behind an inexplicable rash of deaths at the usually calm and peaceful Florida retirement village of Riddle Key in Jeffrey Hatcher’s Murderers (March 24 – April 22, 2007; opening night: March 29). Dapper gigolo Gerald, golden-years housewife Lucy and pleasant and professional Minka all seem unlikely murderers, at first. But as the body count rises, the clever set-ups, devilish dialogue and witty one-liners will leave audience members grinning and agreeing that some people deserve to be taken out. This new play comes from the author of Playhouse favorites Scotland Road and A Picasso. The Shelterhouse closes with a brand new show by the creators of sold-out Playhouse hits Smoke on the Mountain and Sanders Family Christmas. Written by Connie Ray and conceived by Alan Bailey, Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming (May 5 – June 24, 2007; opening night: May 10) features the return of the Sanders Family Singers. It’s October, 1945. The war is over, and America’s years of prosperity are just beginning. But there’s another kind of rite of passage at the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, where the Reverend Mervin Oglethorpe is giving his last service. Having been called to preach in Texas, he’s already bought a 10-gallon hat and is preparing to ride into the sunset with his wife June, who is eight months pregnant. Tomorrow morning, June’s brother Dennis will take over as the congregation’s pastor. Audiences are invited to join the Sanders Family as they send Mervin and June off in style, with hilarious and touching stories and 25 fabulous Bluegrass Gospel favorites. Show creator Alan Bailey returns to direct. Subscriptions to the 2006-2007 Playhouse season are available now in a variety of packages. Prices range from $120 (a new Corner Club Series)-$277.50 for the five-show Robert S. Marx Season, $180-$287.50 for the five Thompson Shelterhouse shows and $182-$218 for the popular Five Star subscription, which allows patrons to choose any five shows from both theatres. Prices for the full 10-play season range from $280-$487.50, up to a 20 percent discount off the separate series combined. Full-time students can attend all five Marx Theatre shows for $85. Full-time educators have expanded options to purchase a subscription to the Marx Theatre for $155 and to the Shelterhouse Theatre for $165. (All 10 plays are just $256 for full-time educators.) Other discounts are available for senior citizens and young professionals. A couple purchasing subscriptions on selected days in the Marx Theatre even can receive $100 at the end of the season to cover the cost of baby sitters thanks to the Baby Sitter Rebate Series. Costs for most packages depend on the day of week and seat location desired. Some sections are sold out. Single tickets for all shows (including A Christmas Carol) go on sale to the general public in late August. To purchase subscriptions or for more information about the 2006-2007 Season at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, call 513/421-3888 or toll-free throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. For Telecommunications Device for the Deaf access, call 513/345-2248. Subscription information and forms also are available by visiting our online subscriptions page. Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on 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. ###
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