|
|
One of Cincinnati’s oldest continuously functioning theaters is the SHOWBOAT MAJESTIC, and it’s viewed as a treasure. That’s an official designation now, since the ‘boat has earned a grant of $150,000 from the National Park Service’s “Save America’s Treasures” program. The funds will be matched by the city of Cincinnati toward a complete renovation of the performance venue, launched in 1923. The Majestic is a permanent fixture on Cincinnati’s Public Landing. Next month the theater will launch its 2004 season with Joe DiPietro’s comedy about meddling grandparents and their eligible bachelor grandson, Over the River and Through the Woods (April 14-May 2). The balance of the season includes Diamond Studs (May 12-30), Damn Yankees! (June 9-27), The All-Night Strut (July 7-25), the lone non-musical, How the Other Half Loves (Aug. 11-29) and South Pacific (Sept. 15-Oct. 3). Subscriptions and info: 513-241-6550.
Are you ready to be WIPed? For some that might be a religious experience, and the folks at the PERFORMANCE GALLERY have the right venue, a big pink former church in the East End (3900 Eastern Ave.). On Saturday, the Gallery will offer one of its regular showcases, WORKS IN PROGRESS (that’s where the “WIP” shorthand comes from), that pulls together adventurous artists from a wide variety of styles, genres and media.
One of Cincinnati’s oldest continuously functioning theaters is the SHOWBOAT MAJESTIC, and it’s viewed as a treasure. That’s an official designation now, since the ‘boat has earned a grant of $150,000 from the National Park Service’s “Save America’s Treasures” program. The funds will be matched by the city of Cincinnati toward a complete renovation of the performance venue, launched in 1923. The Majestic is a permanent fixture on Cincinnati’s Public Landing. Next month the theater will launch its 2004 season with Joe DiPietro’s comedy about meddling grandparents and their eligible bachelor grandson, Over the River and Through the Woods (April 14-May 2). The balance of the season includes Diamond Studs (May 12-30), Damn Yankees! (June 9-27), The All-Night Strut (July 7-25), the lone non-musical, How the Other Half Loves (Aug. 11-29) and South Pacific (Sept. 15-Oct. 3). Subscriptions and info: 513-241-6550. …
Are you ready to be WIPed? For some that might be a religious experience, and the folks at the PERFORMANCE GALLERY have the right venue, a big pink former church in the East End (3900 Eastern Ave.). On Saturday, the Gallery will offer one of its regular showcases, WORKS IN PROGRESS (that’s where the “WIP” shorthand comes from), that pulls together adventurous artists from a wide variety of styles, genres and media. Each one gets 10-15 minutes to show off for the audience what’s developing. Past offerings have ranged from puppetry to poetry, dance and theatrical presentations. Some of it’s good, some of it needs work. But what it needs most is an audience. Be a part of it. Info: 513-333-8482. …
When the Cincinnati Black Theatre Company (CBTC) presents its 2004 MIDWEST REGIONAL BLACK THEATRE FESTIVAL March 29-April 11, they’ll bring to Cincinnati audiences some outstanding talent from this part of the country. They’re in need of support staff for productions — stage managers, set builders, painters and other technical assistance, in addition to administrative help with phones and so on. If you’d like to volunteer for a great event, give them a call at 513-421-1100 or e-mail Don Sherman, mastermind of the festival (dsherman@cincyblacktheatre. com). …
Speaking of black theater, I’d like to offer kudos to CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK for staging BLUE (see True Blue), a play with African Americans onstage when it isn’t even February. The Playhouse has made it a practice to pick works because they’re a good theater, not out of sense of “It’s February, time to do something with black themes and characters.” Some of the Playhouse’s best work in recent seasons (Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky in 2002 is another example) have been excellent plays about people in conflict — and it’s a secondary issue that they’re African Americans. …
Pssst. Have any secrets that you keep to yourself or lies you’ve told to save face? Most of us do. But the folks at SHADOWBOX CABARET have turned the subject matter into their next show at their Newport on the Levee club, DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS. With Shadowbox’s signature mix of comedy, theater and Rock tunes, the show is all about lies, deception and trickery. I’m not kidding you. Tickets: 859-957-7625 or www.shadowboxcabaret.com.
Mini Reviews
CINCINNATI SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL‘s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is more than a modern deconstruction of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Tom Stoppard’s 1966 script is a serious modern play with Shakespearean roots, making it a perfect work for CSF. We get tantalizing glimpses of scenes from Hamlet, but this story is about two of the Danish prince’s college buddies. As Rosencrantz, Chris Guthrie is full of childish clowning, often seeking to cheer his dour companion. Jeremy Dubin’s Guildenstern comes from the pessimistic end of the spectrum, a bemused cynic with a dry double take. The practiced choreography of intellect and emotion between them is like literary “who’s on first.” This is the production’s final weekend. (RICK PENDER) Grade: A
This article appears in Mar 10-16, 2004.