FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 9, 2007
Contact: Emma F. Caro
Public Relations Director
513-345-2242, ext. 232

INSPIRING STORIES TAKE CENTER STAGE AT PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK’S
2007-2008 ROSENTHAL NEXT GENERATION THEATRE SERIES FOR CHILDREN

(CINCINNATI) – From Arabian adventures to traditional Ghanaian celebrations, Moroccan jazz and all-American dance, the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series for children celebrates art forms that span the globe. Whether offering a new twist on a classic fairy tale, bringing favorite books and movies to life on stage or simply introducing audience members to stories with powerful and inspiring lessons, the 16 productions in the 2007-2008 program open young minds to the cultural riches of the world.

Made possible by the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Foundation, the Next Generation Theatre Series returns for a 14th year this October and continues until April. The country’s best children’s performers come to Cincinnati for the series, engaging and exciting young people with the magic of live theatre. Each show is performed twice — at 10:30 a.m. and, at a slightly earlier time this year, 1:00 p.m. — in the Playhouse's Rosenthal Plaza.

Tickets for all shows are on sale now. To ensure the enjoyment of all in attendance, parents are asked not to bring children younger than the ages indicated for each production. All 1:00 p.m. performances are signed courtesy of the Cincinnati State Interpreter Training Program.

The 2007-2008 schedule includes:

SLEEPING BEAUTY
By Charles Perrault
Featuring ArtReach: A Division of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
October 20, 2007 — Just when the King and Queen have given up all hope of having a child, they are blessed with the birth of a beautiful daughter. But their blessings soon turn to despair when a vengeful fairy places a dreadful curse on the young princess. Through the protection of her fairy godmother, the princess is given a reprieve: when she pricks her finger on an enchanted spindle, she will merely fall fast asleep until she is awakened by the kiss of a handsome prince. Will love conquer all to save the princess’s future? The talented performers of ArtReach, a touring division of The Children’s Theatre, bring this classic fairy tale to life in an enchanting, new adaptation of the original Perrault story. For ages 4 and up.

INTO THE WEST
A play by Greg Banks; Adapted from the film by Jim Sheridan
A Cincinnati Playhouse production featuring the Lafley Touring Company
October 27, 2007 — Ally and her brother Fin often fend for themselves in the small Dublin apartment they share with their father, a man left distant by grief over the loss of their mother years ago. One day, their grandfather appears on the doorstep with a mysterious white horse he names Tir Na n’Og, a reference to the mystical Irish land of eternal youth. When the authorities take the horse away, Ally and Fin rescue their new friend, embarking on a frantic escape west in search of freedom and possibility. What they encounter is a journey of discovery in which they learn that losing someone doesn’t mean that you have to forget them and that family and forgiveness are among life’s most precious possessions. Three actors and one musician take on more than 60 roles in this exciting stage adaptation of the heartfelt film. For ages 8 and up. No one under the age of 8 will be admitted.

M’OUDSWING — MOROCCAN WORLD JAZZ ENSEMBLE
November 3, 2007 — M’oudswing mixes Arabic music, Moroccan fusion and jazz to create an infectious new sound. Each style is harmonically blended while retaining elements of its musical origins. The group is the brainchild of a Moroccan oudist and American keyboardist who fuse numerous instruments — including the doumbek and oud, which are played in the Arabic tradition, and piano, bass, woodwinds and drums, which play jazz. Using four musicians and all original music, the show is packed with audience interaction, making for a wonderfully appealing, one-of-a-kind family concert. For ages 4 and up.

AL SIMMONS
November 10, 2007 — Al Simmons is an inventive musical comedian whose creativity, charm and humanity have won over legions of fans at theatres and festivals across the world. His highly original performances of profound wackiness and his array of off-the-wall inventions take the arts of music and comedy to unparalleled heights of hilarity. Mr. Simmons has been performing for more than 35 years and has toured the world from Hong Kong to Alaska, Las Vegas to Bermuda. He has recorded three award-winning CDs, written a children’s book, starred in two Canadian television series, appeared on Sesame Street and released a DVD featuring his wacky music videos. An Al Simmons concert is full of bizarre gadgets, wild costumes, silly songs and crazy vaudeville-inspired routines. For ages 4 and up.

THE DREAMWEAVERS
Featuring Madcap Productions Puppet Theatre
January 26, 2008 — Two sprites, Artravia, the fairy of nightmares, and Diaphone, the nymph of good dreams, want to create dreams of their own. They escape from their boss, the Sandman, and put the entire audience to sleep. The dreams they create include stories from around the world, including China’s “The Magic Axe,” Scotland’s “The Waterman” and Spain’s “Monstritos Banditos”. Will the sprites complete their dreams before the Sandman finds them? Fall asleep and find out! This Madcap show features the company’s trademark originality and amazing giant puppets. Madcap charms young audiences with the quality of its original scripts and with the hilarious spontaneity of its audience participation. For ages 4 and up.

THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH
A play by Susan Nanus
Based on the book by Norton Juster
A Cincinnati Playhouse production featuring the Lafley Touring Company
February 2, 2008 — Milo doesn’t think there’s anything good to do or anything worth learning until, one day, he ventures through a phantom tollbooth and sets off on a magical adventure through the Land of Wisdom. There, the squabbling kings of Dictionopolis and Digitopolis have imprisoned the princesses of Rhyme and Reason, and Milo must traverse the kingdoms, using his understanding of words and numbers to rescue them and restore peace. Along the way, he encounters many colorful characters, befriending the watchdog Tock and the Humbug while matching wits against the Soundkeeper, Wordsnatcher and Senses Taker. Milo ultimately comes to realize that knowledge can be a powerful ally and that boredom is never a threat as long as you are willing to learn and use your imagination. For ages 6 and up.

THINKING BIG: TALES OF DREAMERS AND DOERS
Written by and featuring LuAnn Adams
February 16, 2008 — Martin Luther King had one. Aliquipiso had one and ingeniously rescued her tribe. Brer Rabbit had so many that they ricocheted off every critter he met! History, legend and folklore are full of Big Thinkers with inspiring dreams. Join LuAnn Adams and travel in story to Africa, Asia and the Americas to meet spunky young rainmakers and unabashed dreamers, who pushed the envelope and broke the mold with their intrepid ideas, can-do attitude and never-give-up spirit. LuAnn Adams lives in New York City and is delighted to return to the Playhouse for the 16th year. She is an award-winning recording artist (Parents' Choice and NAPPA Gold awards) whose fourth CD of her series Folktales for the 21 Century will be released in December 2007. For ages 4 to 9.

ANANSEGROMMA: MUSIC, STORYTELLING AND DANCE OF GHANA
February 23, 2008 — Anansegromma offers an exhilarating and memorable introduction to the music, storytelling and dances of a typical Ghanaian village. Audiences become members of the village as they gather with the royal elders and court musicians to experience a traditional celebration. Through call and response songs, games and rhythms, as well as the use of authentic instruments, this duo provides an engaging first-hand exploration of the rich heritage of Africa. Anansegromma has appeared at The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the National Zoo, Artscape and the Virgin Islands’ Folklife Festival, as well as at schools, libraries and community centers throughout West Africa and the United States. For ages 4 and up.

BREAKING BARRIERS
Featuring the Yass Hakoshima Movement Theatre
March 1, 2008 — With a mix of physical theatre, masks, music and projections, Yass Hakoshima combines the mystery of Japanese theatre, drama of classical mime and expansiveness of modern dance. Using traditional Japanese fables and folktales, Hakoshima explores the philosophy and culture of Japan in an engaging and imaginative performance that uses non-verbal communication to break barriers of misunderstanding and ignorance in a multicultural world. Over the past three decades, Hakoshima has appeared in 400 American cities and been featured at numerous international arts festivals from Hong Kong to New Zealand. According to The New York Times, “To watch Yass Hakoshima perform is to be captured and captivated.” For ages 4 and up.

BASH THE TRASH
March 8, 2008 — The musicians and educators of Bash the Trash build and perform melodies on instruments exclusively made from recycled and reused materials. Using winds, strings and percussion, each interactive concert is a journey into sound, science and instruments — how they are made, why they work and how individuals can make their own. Bash the Trash has been enchanting audiences since 1992 and has performed with Yo-Yo Ma, taken solos with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, jammed with Wynton Marsalis and been featured on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. The group reaches approximately 50,000 children a year. For ages 4 and up.

AN ARABIAN ADVENTURE
Featuring the Tanglewood Marionettes
March 15, 2008 — After the death of her father, Princess Cassima is kept a virtual prisoner in her own palace by the evil Vizier Asaf Khan, who forbids her from marrying so that he can retain his position as supreme ruler. When the young Prince Akeem comes to woo the princess, Khan throws him into a dungeon and threatens to wed Cassima himself. Akeem must use his bravery and his wits to overcome the perils of the dungeon and journey back to a happily ever after with his princess. This classic adventure is brought to life by Tanglewood’s beautifully handcrafted marionettes. Based in New England and founded in 1993, Tanglewood has been awarded a Citation for Excellence in the Art of Puppetry. For ages 4 and up.

TOO MANY FROGS
A play by Sandy Asher adapted from her book
Featuring the Lexington Children’s Theatre
March 22, 2008 — Meet Rabbit. He is a loner who values order and predictability. One night, fun-loving Froggie invites himself into Rabbit's home and Rabbit reads to him. When Froggie brings his entire family back to hear Rabbit read, a new and chaotic chapter in Rabbit's life is opened. Too Many Frogs is a wonderful fable about the joy of reading, the importance of friendship and the fun of sharing a story with an enthusiastic listener. Founded in 1938, Lexington Children's Theatre is one of the highest regarded and oldest continuously operating theatres for young people in the country. For ages 4 and up.

A RENAISSANCE BOOK OF BEASTS
Featuring Mark Jaster, Tina Chancey and Oram Sandel
March 29, 2008 — In this delightful program, favorite Next Generation performer Mark Jaster celebrates the animal world in song and mime, accompanied by both an onstage narrator and musician. Together, they cover the instantly recognizable to the wholly fantastic, exploring the natural and unnatural, asp to unicorn, mule to manticore, snake to satyr. Mr. Jaster impersonates more than a dozen beasts, even portraying both roles in the classic tale “Androcles and the Lion.” A Reniassance Book of Beasts is an engaging event for the entire family with Chaplinesque comedy for children, thought-provoking imagery for adults and joyful music for all. For ages 4 and up.

WILL POWER AND FRIENDS
April 5, 2008 — Will Power is an award-winning actor, rapper, composer, playwright and educator whose pioneering fusion of traditional drama, African storytelling and hip-hop sensibilities is helping to transform modern theatre. One of entertainment's shining new stars, Mr. Power has been called "electrifying" (Newsday) and a "dynamic performer" (Variety). His work is internationally recognized for its positive messages and for forging a new style that combines original tunes, rhymed language, DJ music, innovative set design and dynamic choreography. Among his many honors, he has received the Theatre Communications Group's Peter Zeisler Memorial Award and a 2004 Drama Desk nomination for Best Solo Performance. For ages 4 and up.

Each performance in the Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series lasts 40 to 60 minutes unless otherwise noted. Ticket prices are $5 for theatergoers 4 to 18 and $6 for adults. For reservations, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, 800/582-3208. Tickets also can be purchased or more information is available at www.cincyplay.com. Parking is free.
Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection Comair.

The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the 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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