FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 1, 2003
Contact: Christa Skiles
Public Relations Director
513-345-2242, ext. 232

ROSENTHAL NEXT GENERATION THEATRE SERIES CONTINUES IN JANUARY WITH UNIQUE MUSIC AND STORIES FOR CHILDREN

(CINCINNATI) – The 2003-2004 Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series continues in January with a new perspective on a favorite story, a concert by two award-winning musicians and an entertaining mask and movement performance. January’s shows will include The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer in Concert and Animan.

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 January 10, a popular book by Jon Scieszka becomes a hilarious puppet show in The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf. The Paul Mesner Puppets present the story of the Three Little Pigs and their houses of straw, sticks and bricks, as told through the eyes of Alexander T. Wolf. No one knows the story better than this misunderstood character, who just needed a cup of sugar and happened to have a cold.

The Paul Mesner Puppets was founded more than 20 years ago by puppeteer, author and performer Paul Mesner. The company presents lively performances of classic stories recast in contemporary terms and is known for its craftsmanship, dynamic presentation and joyful blending of humor and education. The Paul Mesner Puppets have received many grants and awards for educational and artistic achievement. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf has been seen at the Henson International Festival of Puppetry and at the 2002 Winter Olympics Cultural Arts Festival. The show is recommended for those ages four and up.

On January 17, the Playhouse welcomes Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer in Concert. The duo have several Grammy Award nominations and 30 albums to their credit, so it’s no wonder they have one of the most entertaining concerts around. The two perform great songs, conduct an air guitar contest and even give yodeling lessons to their audiences, all while accompanying themselves on the hammered dulcimer, steel drums, five-string banjo, electric and acoustic guitar, mandolin, spoons and a variety of other instruments.

Since 1981 Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer have given more than 7,000 performances from the Kennedy Center to New Zealand. The pair has released more than a dozen albums, which have received acclaim from Parents Choice Magazine, The American Library Association and the National Association of Independent Record Distributors. The concert is for ages four and up.

Animan is a dazzling mask, music and movement theatre performance that will take place on January 31. The show takes a playful look at the similarities between animals and humans while emphasizing the importance of respect for all of Earth’s creatures. Larry Hunt of the Masque Theatre Company incorporates environmental and historical themes into a performance that is part illusion, part magic, often dramatic and sometimes very funny.

An internationally known mask and movement group, Masque Theatre Company performs original theatre pieces with a special emphasis on masks and puppets. The company has performed on four continents for more than a million people. Animan is 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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