FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 8, 2003
Contact: Christa Skiles
Public Relations Director
513-345-2242, ext. 232

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK TO PRESENT WORLD PREMIERE OF KAREN HARTMAN'S GOING GONE, JANUARY 13-FEBRUARY 13

(CINCINNATI) — The new year will begin at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park with a world premiere drama of vivid imagination, Karen Hartman’s Going Gone. The show runs in the Playhouse’s Robert S. Marx Theatre beginning January 13 and continuing through February 13.

Going Gone is a fictional story that was inspired by the author’s grandfather, Harry Hartman, the voice of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team in the 1930s. Harry, an Eastern European immigrant, is celebrated as one of the first major radio broadcasters of America’s new national pastime. But his wife is endeavoring simply to raise their two children and maintain a Jewish household in a non-Jewish land. As Harry’s career triumphs, he becomes, more often than not, a voice on the radio rather than a presence in his family’s home.

By the time the Cincinnati Reds make it to the 1940 World Series, it’s no longer Harry’s voice bringing the commentary to radio listeners — but rather that of up and coming announcer Mr. Red. By the next year, Harry’s career has hit rock bottom, and he finds himself at home for the first time, struggling to forge a relationship with his family. For them, the American dream seems often merely an illusion in this story of assimilation and ascension.

According to director Michael Bloom, “Going Gone tells a classic American story of the conflicts between family and fame, ethnic identity and assimilation, heroes and ordinary people. Like many American fables, Going Gone is a poignant coming of age story, in which children mature into adults before their childhoods are over. It is a story of the real and the imaginary — of a genuine Cincinnati legend, Harry Hartman, a character named Hank the Hero, and a mother and her children who affirm the value of their family.”

Playwright Karen Hartman’s other works include Gum, which was produced by Women's Project & Productions, Center Stage, Magic Theater and P73 Productions and recently was published (along with The Mother of Modern Censorship) by Theatre Communications Group; Girl Under Grain (Best Drama in New York Fringe); Alice: Tales of a Curious Girl, adapted from Lewis Carroll’s book; and Blessings and Curses. Her plays have been produced by more than 40 companies and have received developmental support from A.S.K. Theater Projects, The Bay Area Playwrights Festival, California Shakespeare Festival, La Jolla Playhouse, Long Wharf Theatre, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Foundation for Jewish Culture and the Royal National Theatre (London). She is a former Hodder Fellow, Fulbright Scholar, Playwrights’ Center Jerome Fellow and a writer in residence at the Royal National Theatre.

The cast for Going Gone includes Tony Hoty as Harry Hartman, Maureen Silliman as Mama, Laura Heisler as Maidle, Jared Gertner as Hanky and University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music graduate Todd Gearhart as Hank the Hero. Four local performers will act as Attendants in the show: David Ian Dahlman, Jeff DeMaria, Jeffrey Groh and Michael Ward.

In addition to Michael Bloom, other members of the production team for Going Gone include Klara Zieglerova (set designer), Susan E. Mickey (costume designer), Nancy Schertler (lighting designer) and Geoff Zink (sound designer). The first stage manager is Jenifer Morrow and the second stage manager is Bruce E. Coyle.

Prices for Going Gone range from $32.50-$44.50, depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $29.50 for the preview performances at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 13 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 14. The official opening night is Thursday, January 15 at 8:00 p.m. Any unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased at the Playhouse between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.

Tickets to Going Gone are on sale now. For more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office, there is a $2 convenience fee per call. Tickets also can be purchased on the Playhouse web site at www.cincyplay.com.

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.

Meet the Artists
These free programs allow audiences to interact with cast members and others associated with the production following the show.

2 p.m. Sunday, January 18
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 21
2 p.m. Sunday, February 1
8 p.m. Thursday, February 5

Audio Described Performance
5 p.m. Saturday, January 17

Signed Performance
2 p.m. Sunday, January 18

Playhouse Perspectives
A free, pre-show lecture series featuring theatre experts and artists. Funding provided by Roderick and Barbara Barr. Playwright Karen Hartman is the featured speaker.
6 p.m. Sunday, January 25

Dining Options

Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. The price is $21, which does not include gratuity. Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required.

Sponsors

Production Sponsor:
Edyth and Carl Lindner

Production Design Sponsor:
Keane, Inc.

Playwright Sponsor:
Bartlett & Co.

Director Sponsor:
Rosemary and Frank Bloom

Fine Arts Fund Partner:
Fifth Third Bank

The 2003-2004 Marx Theatre Series is presented by
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation.

The Marx Season Design Sponsor is
The Cinergy Foundation.