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Presented by:
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation
The Three Musketeers
By Ken Ludwig • Adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas
Sept. 1 – 29, 2012
It’s all for one and one for all in this rousing story of heroism, treachery and honor. When D’Artagnan and his plucky sister Sabine aspire to join the famed Musketeers, they uncover bitter and dangerous rivalries. The stakes are high in this action-packed update of one of the greatest adventure stories of all time. “A slick, swashbuckling romp.”
– The Guardian
BLAKE'S TAKE: Ken Ludwig’s new version is hip, fast and filled with humor. Turn off the screens, bring the kids and enjoy a thrilling theatrical experience with the entire family.
Brighton Beach Memoirs
By Neil Simon
Oct. 13 – Nov. 10, 2012
From one of comedy’s all-time masters comes a delightful coming-of-age story. It’s 1937, and 15-year-old Eugene Morris Jerome dreams of baseball and girls while the daily dramas of his family swirl around him. Neil Simon’s semi-autobiographical play is a funny, heartfelt love letter to the comic struggles of adolescence. “Humorous and poignant.” – Time
BLAKE'S TAKE: Among the dozens of hit plays penned by Neil Simon, this one stands out as a nostalgic nod to family and the comic struggles of adolescence. It’s a masterpiece of American comedy.
Abigail/1702
By Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Jan. 19 – Feb. 17, 2013
What really happened to The Crucible’s Abigail Williams? In this exciting world premiere, 10 years have passed since the infamous witch trials. As Abigail cares for a young sailor on the brink of death, a mysterious stranger from the past sends her on a suspense-filled quest for redemption.
BLAKE'S TAKE: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is burning up the entertainment world. He’s a writer for the hit TV show Glee, a new Broadway playwright and one of the most imaginative voices of his generation. I’m thrilled to premiere his compelling new script with you.
The Trip to Bountiful
By Horton Foote
March 9 – April 7, 2013
Carrie Watts fantasizes about returning to the Gulf Coast town of Bountiful and seeing her beloved childhood home. Armed with her pension check and limitless determination, she embarks on the journey of a lifetime. An African-American cast provides a subtle new perspective to this life-affirming play. “American theater at its most engaging.” – The Plain Dealer
BLAKE'S TAKE: When director Timothy Douglas first approached me about reviving Horton Foote’s masterpiece through the prism of an African-American family, I signed on immediately. This production sheds new light on a classic of the American stage.
Double Indemnity
By James M. Cain
Adapted for the stage by David Pichette and R. Hamilton Wright
April 20 – May 18, 2013
Sultry, sexy and spellbinding, Double Indemnity is a treacherous thriller of love and murder that follows a beguiling seductress and morally bankrupt insurance agent as they plot to kill the husband who stands in the way of their romance. A scintillating new stage version of the novel that inspired one of the most popular noir films ever.
BLAKE'S TAKE: This stylish thriller goes beyond the famous film to the roots of James M. Cain’s original novel. If you like a little noir in your life, this one’s for you.
Presented by:
Heidelberg Distributing Company
by special arrangement with Daryl Roth
Through the Night
By Daniel Beaty
Sept. 22 – Oct. 21, 2012
This tour-de-force solo performance embodies the stories of six African-American men, ranging in age from 10 to 60, whose lives are intertwined in beautiful and unexpected ways during one life-changing evening. Daniel Beaty displays a dazzling blend of humor, poetry, music and drama in this inspirational story. “A thing of beauty.” – The New York Times
BLAKE'S TAKE: Daniel Beaty is a force of nature. His new show has been hailed by theatre critics and luminaries from the African-American cultural community. This is theatre you can’t afford to miss.
Hank Williams: Lost Highway
The Music and Legend of
Hank Williams
By Randal Myler and Mark Harelik
Nov. 3 – Dec. 30, 2012
Go beyond the legend to the roots of Hank Williams’ music. The journey starts in the backwoods of Alabama and winds up at center stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Featuring more than 20 of the country singer’s most popular songs, including “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Hey, Good Lookin’” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” “Exhilarating!”
– Rolling Stone
BLAKE'S TAKE: Did you know that Hank recorded several of his greatest hits right here in Cincinnati? As the son of two Texans with country music on the car radio dial, I can’t think of a gift that’s more fun for the holidays.
Leveling Up
By Deborah Zoe Laufer
Feb. 9 – March 10, 2013
Four 20-somethings struggle to transition from college to a “real” life that is rarely spent outside the glare of a video game monitor. This thought-provoking, often humorous world premiere focuses on a generation straddling the fuzzy line between reality and virtual reality.
BLAKE'S TAKE: This is an exciting new play with a moving and surprising message about today’s youth culture. Under 30? It’ll feel familiar. If you’re not, then you owe it to yourself to peek into this world and see what it’s like for the next generation.
The Book Club Play
By Karen Zacarías
March 23 – April 28, 2013
A comedy about books and the people who love them. When the members of a devoted book club become the subjects of a documentary filmmaker and accept a provocative new member, their long-standing group dynamics take a hilarious turn. Sprinkled with wit, joy and novels galore. “A delightful, fresh comedy.” – Talkin’ Broadway
BLAKE'S TAKE: Quite simply, the funniest play I’ve seen in years. Watch with horror, glee and recognition as this book club implodes — only to shed new light on its all-too-familiar members.
Shipwrecked! An Entertainment
The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (As Told by Himself)
By Donald Margulies
May 11 – June 16, 2013
Hear the fantastic and amazing story of Louis de Rougemont, a would-be explorer who embarks from Victorian England on a daring expedition only to find himself marooned on a desert island. That’s when the real adventure begins! This charming, family-friendly frolic celebrates the magic of theatre and imagination.
BLAKE'S TAKE: A marvelous adventure or a fantastical tall tale? This play reveals how the power of great storytelling can enchant us all – grandparents, parents and kids alike!