FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 23, 2003
Contact: Christa Skiles
Public Relations Director
513-345-2242, ext. 232

ROSENTHAL NEXT GENERATION THEATRE SERIES OPENS AN ENCHANTING NEW SEASON WITH LIONS, DRAGONS AND CLOWNS

(CINCINNATI) – The 2003-2004 Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series opens with a musical tale about the power of imagination, a hilarious clowning performance and a stage adaptation of a beloved fantasy novel. October’s performances will include Tales & Scales Presents The Little Dragon on October 11, Out of the Blue on October 18 and The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe on October 25.

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.

On October 11, the Playhouse will welcome Tales & Scales, a group of musicians who use a combination of music and movement built around new and traditional stories, a process which they term “musictelling.” The Little Dragon is a story about courage, self-esteem and the power of the imagination.

Four classical musicians use their instruments, voices and bodies to tell the tale of Elizabeth, a young girl who wanders into the forest to see her favorite storyteller. There, she is transported into a story where she meets a dragon being held captive because he cannot breathe fire. When a calamity that only the dragon can solve befalls the kingdom, Elizabeth uses her imagination to teach her timid friend how to believe in himself. The Little Dragon is appropriate for those four and up.

On October 18, Bob Berky will perform Out of the Blue, a hilarious performance of clowning and physical comedy packed with plenty of audience interaction. Audiences will fall in love with Berky’s innocent clown, who bravely tackles forces stronger than he is. The Washington Post said, “The mark of a truly great clown is his ability to be both loved and laughed at. Bob Berky displayed that ability to perfection.”

Mr. Berky has performed throughout the world and has been seen on the Disney Channel, PBS and Nickelodeon. He is the winner of an OBIE Award, a Fringe First Award and the Kennedy Center’s 1991 New American Plays Roger L. Stevens Award. He is a classically trained musician who regularly has performed as a clown/musician for symphony orchestras across the country. Out of the Blue is for ages four and up.

A unique stage adaptation of a beloved novel returns to the Playhouse on October 25 with The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. This story by C.S. Lewis is adapted for the stage by Clanche du Rand and was performed for Next Generation audiences in 1998. The play will feature the Skilken/Brown Touring Company of the Cincinnati Playhouse.

Travel through a magical wardrobe into the exhilarating fantasy world of Narnia. A heroic tale of good and evil comes to life in this exciting stage adaptation of the book. The journey includes the wanderings of four curious children through a snow-laden forest, a battle between the noble lion Aslan and a wicked witch, lunch with the gregarious Mr. Beaver and an unusual encounter with a man who is part goat. These and a whilrwind of other adventures make this timeless story a thrilling theatrical event. For ages five and up.

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 Cincinnati State. Tickets are $4 for theatergoers ages four to 18 and $5 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 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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