FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 26, 2004
Contact: Christa Skiles
Public Relations Director
513-345-2242, ext. 232
CHILDREN EXPLORE THE MAGIC OF THEIR IMAGINATIONS
AT THE CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK’S 2004-2005 ROSENTHAL
NEXT GENERATION THEATRE SERIES
(CINCINNATI) – One-of-a-kind stories are brought to life and exotic
cultures are explored as the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park prepares
a new season of exciting and engaging performances for young people.
The Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series kicks off in October with
16 Saturdays of family productions that encourage young imaginations
to bloom.
From a one-man circus and musical dinosaurs to a jungle adventure and a new
take on a princess famous for sleeping, the Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre
Series brings the best children’s theatre artists to the Tristate in
shows produced specifically for kids and their families. The program, entering
its 11th year, is made possible by the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Foundation.
All shows are performed in the Playhouse's Rosenthal Plaza between the Robert
S. Marx and Thompson Shelterhouse theatres. Each production is performed twice — at
10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. All 2:00 p.m. performances are signed for the hearing
impaired courtesy of Cincinnati State.
Tickets for all shows go on sale beginning August 27. To ensure the enjoyment
of all in attendance, parents are asked not to bring children younger than
the ages indicated for each production.
The 2004-2005 schedule includes:
Tales From the Beijing Opera
October 16, 2004 — Several of China’s most popular operas come
to life in Tales From the Beijing Opera, an amazing selection of comic
and dramatic scenes performed in both Chinese and English. This colorful performance
has been designed specifically for young audiences — using a mixture
of song, dance, music, mime, stage fighting and acrobatics — with stories
taken from history, mythology and literature. In authentic makeup and costumes,
performers Xie Dong and Merrianne Moore bring this beautiful, elaborate art
to kids around the world. For ages five and up.
Circus Minimus – The One-Man Circus in a Suitcase
Featuring Kevin O’Keefe
October 30, 2004 — In this whimsical celebration of the imagination,
Kevin O’Keefe uses a combination of tremendous agility and brilliant
comic timing to generate an entire circus from just one suitcase. This enthralling
performance features a tent, band and lights and introduces children to a host
of outrageous circus characters — the most important of which actually
emerge thanks to the participation of the audience! Circus Minimus has
provided one ring laughs all across the country, including appearances on The
Conan O'Brien Show. For ages four and up.
Post Comedy Theatre
Featuring Robert Post
November 6, 2004 — Whether portraying a wacky chef or a hapless burglar,
the charismatic Robert Post combines elements of physical comedy, mime and
circus skills to present a truly original production in which Post himself
becomes a virtual theatre company of performers. Specializing in rapid-fire
character exchanges, Post Comedy Theatre is witty and wise, verbal
and visual, humorous and hysterical. From Broadway to Japan, Post has performed
in hundreds of schools and theatres throughout his 25-year career. The New
York Times wrote, “Robert Post merits a place on anybody’s
all-star team of the goofily gifted.” For ages four and up.
According to Coyote
A play by John Kauffman; Featuring Mixed Blood Theatre Company
November 13, 2004 — A vibrant, wonderfully entertaining anthology of
tales featuring Coyote, the legendary hero of American Indian mythology. Using
age-old techniques of music, dance and narrative, this extraordinary production
brings to life the many facets of Coyote’s intriguing persona, ranging
from Coyote the Trickster to Coyote the Teacher. These captivating stories,
beautifully performed by Ojibway artist Susan Olson, weave a pattern of important
lessons about humility and wisdom, while offering insight into the richness
and vitality of Native American culture. For ages five and up.
The Jungle Book: The Story of Mowgli's Fire
Featuring The Frisch Marionette Company
January 15, 2005 — With his beautifully hand carved and painted marionettes,
Kevin Frisch returns to the Playhouse with a unique rendition of a Jungle
Book favorite. Stolen from his mother and raised by wolves, little Mowgli
must face his destiny as a man when the tiger Shere Khan threatens the peace
in the jungle. Mowgli must escape the claws of this man-eating tiger if he
ever hopes to be re-united with his mother. A great adventure story combines
with marvelous puppetry to make for a wild performance. All About Kids described
the company as “magical and wonderful.” For ages four and up.
Dinosaur Rock!
January 22, 2005 — Dinosaur Rock! combines marvelous music and
colorful puppetry to animate the world of science with the one subject that
ignites everyone’s imagination: dinosaurs! Children will meet Stella
Stegosaurus, Danny Diplodocus and a host of other prehistoric creatures when
an eccentric paleontologist uses magical spells to bring dinosaurs back to
life. An interactive fossil fantasy, Dinosaur Rock! won a Parents
Choice Gold Award, received a 1999 Grammy Award nomination and has been performed
at the Smithsonian, Brooklyn Academy of Music and in 39 states. The troupe
has performed for millions of children nationwide and sold more than 100,000
recordings around the world. The Washington Post describes the show
as, “smart, tuneful and wildly imaginative… the Tommy of
children’s rock opera.” For ages four and up.
The Mud Sisters and Other Stories About Friendship
Performed by Laura Simms
January 29, 2005 — Nationally known New York City storyteller Laura Simms
joins the Playhouse for a captivating, hilarious and poignant series of stories
about friendship. From a true life tale of three friends who love mud to fables
from India, Afghanistan, Africa and Tibet, Ms. Simms brings her elegant force,
comic timing and contagious passion to the production. Performances range from
personal narrative and original composition to dynamic contemporary retellings
of epics, myths, folk stories and fairytales. Ms. Simms gives stories life
with uncanny sound effects and vocal chant, characterization and a deep sense
of compelling rhythm and visualization, skills that have been fine-tuned in
a career that spans more than 30 years. She has been described as “irresistible” by The
New York Times, “a perennial favorite of children” by the New
York Daily News and “spellbinding” by Chicago Tribune.
For ages four and up.
Australian Stories and Music
February 5, 2005 — A native Australian, Paul Taylor comes to Cincinnati
with fascinating stories, music and poetry that celebrate the rich culture
of the land down under. This amazing performer experienced life with the Aboriginal
people where he mastered one of the world’s most unusual instruments,
the didjeridoo. With a combination of original music and familiar songs, including
a beautiful rendition of “Waltzing Matilda,” Mr. Taylor will warm
February with the richness of Australian sound and story. Mr. Taylor is a NAPPA
Gold and Parents Choice Award winner. For ages four and up.
Sleeping Beauty
Featuring the Paul Mesner Puppets
February 19, 2005 — Everyone knows the story of Sleeping Beauty,
but not the way Paul Mesner and his puppets tell it, with some decidedly quirky
twists and a trademark off-the-wall sense of humor. With brilliant puppetry
and a breakneck performing pace, Mr. Mesner’s one-man “tour-de-farce” brings
new life to a classic fairytale, adding such intriguing characters as a helpful
hound that does tricks, an arrogant chef and a fortune-telling frog. A huge
hit from last season, Mr. Mesner has presented his work at the Henson International
Festival of Puppetry and the 2002 Winter Olympics Cultural Arts Festival. His
show was described by The Seattle Times as “an engaging performance
that keeps both grown-ups and kiddies rapt and giggling.” For ages four
and up.
A Family Concert with Red Grammer
February 26, 2005 — Critically acclaimed recording artist Red Grammer
is one of the most sought after children’s performers in the nation.
Known for his appearances on The Today Show, CBS This Morning,
Nickelodeon and The Disney Channel, he has defined contemporary children’s
music and set new standards for excellence with his innovative lyrics and irresistible
melodies. Red Grammer sings about childhood hopes, dreams and fantasies in
a way that makes for a heartwarming and uplifting family experience. He has
recorded six albums as a solo artist and received awards from USA Today,
NAPPA and Parents Choice, which said, “Picking the best of Red Grammer
is like picking the best of chocolate from a box of Godiva.” For ages
four and up.
David Kaplan
March 5, 2005 — David Kaplan — a virtuoso juggler, magician, inventor,
musician and deadpan physical comedian — brings his extravagant sense
of humor to the Playhouse. Whether he’s juggling bean bag chairs, playing
a melody on the “concert balloon” or accidentally levitating a
bowling ball, Kaplan’s preposterous blend of dazzling skills and shameless
gimmickry is sure to amaze and amuse. Mr. Kaplan’s wonderfully strange
vision of the world has been seen by audiences of ABC-TV's The View,
and he has opened shows for performers including Steven Wright, Dennis Miller,
David Spade and The Smothers Brothers. For ages four and up.
CelloMan
Featuring Eugene Friesen
March 12, 2005 — CelloMan is not only a performance of great
music, but also of great theatrics. From Bach to rock, cellist Eugene Friesen
has crafted a brilliant concert that uses masked characters, stories, improvisation
and comedy to make music accessible to children of all ages. A Grammy Award-winning
musician and composer, Mr. Friesen has performed with the Paul Winter Consort
in many of the great concert halls and cathedrals around the world. From serious
classics to serious fun, CelloMan provides a glimpse of exquisite
playing and theatrical innovation rarely seen. Acclaimed musician Yo-Yo Ma
said, “Hooray for CelloMan! I really love the ideas you present,
and the creative ways you have stretched the limits of the cello to engage
the audience’s imagination.” For ages five and up.
How Nanita Learned to Make Flan
A new opera by Enrique Gonzalez-Medina based on the book by Campbell Geeslin
Featuring the Cincinnati Opera Outreach Company
March 19, 2005 — This brand new opera, based on the popular children’s
book of the same name, is a multicultural musical fiesta that tells the tale
of Nanita and her adventures making flan. The feisty Nanita and her pair of
magic shoes stumble on the home of the greedy Ranchero and his housekeeper,
who make her work day after day cleaning and preparing her tasty flan. A friendly
parrot helps her find her way back to the loving arms of her father, and the
entire village erupts in a fiesta where Nanita’s delicate, delicious
flan is a special treat. With an ensemble of fine young opera singers, this
performance is guaranteed to put salsa in your step! For ages five and up.
Thaddeus & 'Tila
A new play by José Cruz González
Winner of the Lazarus-Macy’s New Play Prize for Young Audiences
Featuring the Skilken/Brown Touring Company of the Cincinnati Playhouse
March 26, 2005 — Thaddeus is a frog who dreams of flying. ‘Tila
is a beautiful crane who yearns to swim. One day, ‘Tila crashes into
the marsh where Thaddeus makes his home, and he saves her from drowning. Of
course, it’s love at first sight. Sadly, the other marsh creatures don’t
approve of their budding relationship. Distraught and rejected, ‘Tila
and Thaddeus are forced to leave their home. But their journey shows them that
life on the outside is far from peaceful. Bulldozers are headed toward the
marsh to make way for a new human subdivision, and the two have to muster all
of their resources to save the other creatures before the bulldozers arrive. Thaddeus & 'Tila is
made possible through a grant from the Lazarus-Macy’s Fund of the Federated
Department Stores Foundation. For ages four to 10.
Cows Don't Fly and Other Known Tales
By Paul Brett Johnson
Featuring the Lexington Children’s Theatre
April 2, 2005 — Kentucky native Paul Brett Johnson’s wildly imaginative
and outrageous short stories come to the stage in a lively new production by
the Lexington Children’s Theatre. Audiences will meet a cow named Gertrude
who refuses to stop flying, a self determined goose with a very special heart’s
desire and a pig named George who simply wants to try everything — from
playing music to driving. The Lexington Children’s Theatre is one of
the best theatres for young audiences in the region with productions that consistently
amuse and delight children and their families. For ages four to eight.
The Trees of Life: Family Stories to Nurture Our Children
Featuring LuAnn Adams
April 9, 2005 — Everyone desires the joy, love and heartfelt dialogue
of a deeply caring family. LuAnn Adams shares the true stories and folktales
of people who laugh, cry, fight and earn second chances at creating enriching
relationships within their communities. From the Arctic to Ethiopia, this heartwarming
collection celebrates the roots and branches of our family around the world.
Ms. Adams won the 2001 Parents Choice Silver Honors Award and is the recipient
of a NAPPA Gold Award for her recordings. For ages four to nine.
Each performance in the Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series lasts
40 to 60 minutes to accommodate younger attention spans. Ticket prices
for all shows in the Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series are $4.50
for theatergoers four to 18 and $5.50 for adults. For reservations, call
the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky
and Indiana, 800/582-3208. Because many performances sell out in advance,
reservations are recommended. Parking is free.
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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