Culture - "The Arts"

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LOCAL MASON ARTS

Cincinnati has some wonderful professional arts' groups, but you have to love the small, local not-for-profit theatre groups that are there to foster a love for the theatre and the arts at a young age.  I hope you will take the time to support these local groups.  The kids in the shows work so hard and put in so much time and effort to hone their skills.  Please go see a performance and introduce your children to the wonderful world of live theatre.

MasonMetu Tip:  Check out http://masonarts.org/ for the Mason Area Arts Council's listing of local art information.

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Acting Up - www.actingup.com. I have to mention Acting Up not only because it is in Mason but also because one of my good friends, Laura P.,  and her husband are founding members and actively involved in this wonderful, not-for-profit educational theatre group.  They need your support! Their goal is to get young people involved in the theatre process from constructing the sets, making the costumes to producing a full blown theatrical performance.  All shows are performed at the Mason High School and Community Center Theater (6100 Mason-Montgomery Rd., Mason, Ohio 45040). So, why don't you check out their next show...

Come see Acting Up's production of

The Wizard of Oz

Sept. 25-26, 2010

Mason High School Auditorium

Call (513) 494-6062 for more information.
Read more on Family Friendly Cincinnati.

See my review of Acting Up's performance of Annie Jr. on Associated Content .  

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Mason Deerfield Arts Alliance - www.masonarts.org. This is a wonderful organization dedicated to promoting local arts.  Please check out their website for more information and to see if they have some amazing upcoming events that you should attend. "New offices are located at The Snyder House at Cottell Park, 5847 Irwin-Simpson Rd. in Deerfield Township. This lovely home will soon be the hub of arts with summer camps, adult and children’s arts classes, art workshops and artists salons."

• Sept. 19 - Mason Arts Festival - Mason Municipal Center - 11am-5pm. - See local artists, enjoy live entertainment, food booths, kids' activities and more. Great family-friendly event.
  

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Mason Community Players - www.masonplayers.org. This is the oldest continuously operating community theater in Warren County, Ohio. Established in 1973.

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The Children's Theatre of Mason -www.childrenstheatreofmason.com. Here is another local group that needs your support.  They performed  Peter Pan in April (great show).  They also offer acting classes and workshops so check out their website if you'd like to get your child signed up.  In the summer they have a camp called Drama Dayz which are one week sessions for ages 5-17 years.

2010/2011 Mainstage Season

• Oct. 15-17 & 23, 2010 - How I Became a Pirate
• Dec. 3-5 & 10-12, 2010- Holiday Follies 2
• Feb. 18-20 & 26, 2011 - Disney's The Jungle Book
• April 1-3 & 9, 2011 - Disney's Peter Pan
  

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GREATER CINCINNATI ARTS

MasonMetu Tip:  check out www.cinstages.com for more theatre options in the Greater Cincinnati area. 

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aim cincinnati.  - formerly ballet tech cincinnati -  "The mission of Scripps-Corbett Award winner and ONE Award Finalist, ballet tech cincinnati is to educate, entertain and inspire by providing diverse and innovative programming that has a phenomenal community impact. Founded in 1997, ballet tech cincinnati is a non-profit 501 (C ) (3) organization offering community dance classes and performances in its Kennedy Heights World Headquarters and numerous other venues including the Aronoff Center as a resident company. ballet tech cincinnati presents many community performances each year featuring a wide variety of pre-professional and professional dancers, dance styles and music. Last season, we served over 15,000 audience members. We have the most diverse audience of any Cincinnati area presenter, and we are the only company that presents guest companies, an international Gala, and preprofessional dancers as part of our season series. Dance 2 Community Kids community outreach program introduces youth from underserved communities to dance and the Aronoff Center expanding the audience for the arts and downtown Cincinnati venues. Over 1500 children have attended ballets in this outreach. The Leaping for Literacy Project presents an annual spring production based on beloved children’s stories, Touring Company performances in area schools, free outreach performances in area libraries and bookstores, a poster and poetry contest, and a book giveaway to promote family literacy. ballet tech cincinnati also collaborates with Cincinnati Ballet Company, Closing the Health Gap and The West End Arts Access Initiative to extend our reach and make dance more accessible for everyone." (from btc)

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ARTrageous Saturday - Raymond Walters College - programs -www.rwc.uc.edu/alumni/artcultural/artrageous.htm. I have really been meaning to get to these performances because they sound so great. Performances are geared towards children ages 3 to 10 years and they are held on Saturdays at 11am and 1 pm in the Raymond Walters College Theater.  Season subscriptions are only $20 each and individual tickets are $5. Call their ticket hotline 513-745-5705 or email

colrel1@ucrwcu.rwc.uc.edu for more info.  Parking is FREE.

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Broadway Across America Cincinnati - www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/Cincinnati - All shows performed at the Aronoff Center.  

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The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center - www.thecarnegie.com -  Located in Covington, KY, The Carnegie is a wonderful home to the arts in Northern KY.  You'll find seasonal art galleries, educational classes for all ages, theatre performances and so much more. 1028 Scott Blvd, Covington, KY. (859) 451-2030. 

Read more about their great ArtStop Artist Series of Workshops for kids (7-15 years) on my post on Family Friendly Cincinnati. Workshops are FREE if you attend all the sessions (to register you pay a $10 registration fee that is refunded if you have perfect attendance). Dance, photography, and a green fashion show are some of the programs offered. Fall 2010 registration going on now.

2010-2011 Season

• Aug. 20-Sept. 4 - "Big River - The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn" 
• Jan. 28-Feb. 13, 2011 - "The Odd Couple"
• April 1-17, 2001 - "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel"

Calico Children's Theatre - Sponsored by the University of Cincinnati.  For tickets call 513-558-1215 or visit www.ucclermont.edu. 

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Cincinnati Arts Association - www.cincinnatiarts.org/   - "The Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of the Tri-state’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts." from the CAA website.  CAA Ticket Office - 513-621-ARTS (2787).  

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Cincinnati Ballet - www.cincinnatiballet.com. (513-621-5282).  If you want to introduce your child to the beautiful world of ballet, then you'll need to see one these premier performances.  They actually have Community Outreach Programs in which they hope to instill a love of the ballet in a younger audience. Please check out their "Raising the Barre" educational programs on their website. If you are part of a Girl Scouts Troop, they have workshops just for you to satisfy your badge requirements for the Brownie Dancercize Try-It and the Junior Dance badge under Girl Scouts of USA..  Call 513-621-5219 ext. 124 for more info on these programs. 

• New Works September 9-19, 2010

• The Sleeping Beauty October 22-24, 2010

• Frisch's presents The Nutcracker December 16-29, 2010
• A Midsummer Night's Dream February 11-13, 2011
• The Firebird  March 18-19
• Infamous Love Songs featuring OvertheRhine April 29-30

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Cincinnati Landmark Productions - www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com -  CLP oversees the Showboat Majestic Productions, Covedale Center for the Performing Arts and the Cincinnati Young People's Theatre. 513-241-6550. 

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Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra - www.cincinnatisymphony.org.  If you've ever wanted to take your children to a live symphony performance but were worried that they wouldn't like it, well look no further because you can take them to the CSO.  Make plans to go to the Lollipop Family Concerts where children ages 3-10 and their families are invited to a concert specifically geared towards them.  Come a little bit early since they always have something going on in the lobby to enjoy before the performance. Tickets are $12/adults and $7/kids. Call (513) 381-3300.

They also have Family Sunday Concerts - we haven't been to these yet but they sound wonderful. Concerts usually start at 3pm and cost $5.00 for ages 6-18 years. 

New at CSO: Pathways Concert Series - enjoy the CSO with your family. Programs are shorter (only 90 minutes) and tickets are onlye $5/kids and $10/adults. Sunday matinees at 3pm.

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Clifton Performance Theatre - www.CliftonPerformanceTheatre.com. (513-861-7469). Drama, dance and vocal classes for kids of all ages. They have a lot of walk-in dance classes form hip-hop to ballet to fairy tale drama/dance.  They also have many all children theatre productions during the year.  This is an affordable way to have your children see live theatre (tickets are usually $7/child). 404 Ludlow Ave., Clifton.

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Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park - www.cincyplay.com.  962 Mt. Adams Circle, Cincinnati, OH 45202-1593, Box office ph: 513-421-3888.  We've been lucky enough to attend the Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series and I think it is a real find.  I would take their advice on the age range for kid's (usually ages 4 & over) since the toddler set and under don't have the attention span for this yet.  But, if you get to go with you kid's, they offer wonderful shows featuring storytellers, puppeteers, music and dance.

All performances are held in the main lobby area of the Playhouse and they have purple pillows the kid's can sit on. The shows range from 30-60 minutes and they occur on Saturday mornings at either 10:30 am or 1:00 pm (1pm shows are signed).  Tickets are only $5.00 for kid's (4-18) and $6.00 for adults and parking is free.  This is bargain when you consider what you might pay to go to the movies. 

Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series: season is now over - check back for 2011 series dates, they begin over the winter on Saturdays.

MasonMetu Tip: After the show, head to Mt. Adams and get an ice-cream at United Dairy Farmer's!

2010-2011 Robert S. Marx Theatre Season (from media release):

• High (September 4 – October 2, 2010) by Matthew Lombardo and starring movie and stage actress Kathleen Turner will still open the 2010 – 2011 season.
  

• You Can’t Take it With You (October 16 – November 13, 2010) by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman will follow. The Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre Season is not affected.
• Over the Tavern by Tom Dudzick will now play January 22 – February 19, 2011 (previously April 23 – May 21, 2011). This will remain a co-production with the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis but will now start there as their holiday show.
• Gee’s Bend by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder will run March 12 – April 9, 2011 (previously January 22 – February 19, 2011).
• Beehive, The 60’s Musical, by Larry Gallagher will run April 23 – May 21, 2011 (previously March 12 – April 9, 2011) and will close the 2010 – 2011 season. This will now be a co-production with the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.
  

• Theresa Rebeck’s THE UNDERSTUDY (September 18 – October 17, 2010; opening night: September 23). The understudy gets no respect. The stressed-out stage manager wants him fired. The part he wants is being played by a second-tier action movie star (paid only $2.3 million per picture!) trying to be a “real actor.” Their madcap rehearsal exposes all that’s brilliant and ridiculous about what really goes on backstage. Entertainment Weekly called The Understudy “a razor-sharp comedy” and The Boston Globe says “Funny, funny, funny.” Michael Evan Haney directs.

• THE SECOND CITY DOES CINCINNATI: PRIDE AND PORKOPOLIS (November 6 – December 23, 2010; opening night: November 11). The world’s premier comedy company, The Second City is coming to the Queen City with an original show about all things Cincinnati. Famous for their hilarious sketch comedy and equally famous alumni (Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, John Belushi and Bill Murray, to name a few), The Second City is turning its talents to custom craft a no-holds-barred comedy revue all about us. From flying pigs and 3-Ways to Opening Day and Who Dey, no German beer will be left unopened in this fun and irreverent celebration of the city formerly known as Porkopolis. Goetta your tickets now.

• The New York Times calls Julia Cho’s THE PIANO TEACHER (February 12 – March 13, 2011; opening night: February 17) “An effective chiller. Julia Cho has constructed her play with a keen sense of suspense.” The sweet, cookie loving Mrs. K is the perfect picture of a caring grandmotherly piano teacher. When she decides to look up some of her old students, Mrs. K unleashes a dark secret she can’t quite understand. Featuring award-winning actress Dale Hodges in a tour-de-force role as the unwitting Mrs. K, this cunning play artfully blends past and present to explore the mystery and unpredictability of memory and the human heart. Producing Artistic Director Edward Stern will direct.

• The Shelterhouse season continues with a remarkable new play from the playwright and director of the Playhouse’s acclaimed productions of THE LOVE SONG OF J. ROBERT OPPENHEIMER and 1:23. Carson Kreitzer’s BEHIND THE EYE (April 2 – May 1, 2011; opening night: April 7) follows the life of Lee Miller, a woman at the center of some of the most exciting times of the 20th century. From a Vogue model in the 20s to muse of the Paris Surrealists in the 30s, she then became an acclaimed World War II photographer covering the front lines as well as the London Blitz and the liberation of Paris. BEHIND THE EYE chronicles Lee Miller’s fascinating adventures to her personal struggle of what to do with yourself when you’ve done it all. Mark Wing-Davey directs.

• Craig Wright’s THE PAVILION (May 14 – June 12, 2011; opening night: May 19) closes the Shelterhouse season. Twenty years ago, Peter and Kari were the perfect couple – high school sweethearts and very much in love. When Kari got pregnant, a panicked Peter fled town. Now, at their high school reunion, Peter wants to win her back. He’s still in love with her, but … is she still in love with him? As the night progresses, Peter and Kari spin a tale of what-might-have-been with what-could-be. By turns poetic and comic, romantic and philosophical, THE PAVILION has been hailed by critics as “an Our Town for our time.” Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers from the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati will direct.

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College-Conservatory of Music - www.ccm.uc.edu - For some great performances at a fraction of the cost of a Broadway Show or performance at the Aronoff, check out the productions at CCM.  Click here for a calendar of upcoming events. I didn't know this but CCM is "the largest single source of performing arts presentations in the state of Ohio. The annual calendar boasts nearly 1,000 events, ranging from solo recitals to fully-staged opera and musical theater performances." - from CCM's website.

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Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati - www.cincyetc.com -  127 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. (513) 421-3555. "The Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati is an exciting home to Regional, World and Off-Broadway premiere productions. Ensemble Theatre is a professional Equity Theatre dedicated to the production and development of new works and works new to the region." (from website). 

2010-2011 Season

• Sept. 8-26 - "Collected Stories"
  
• Oct. 13-31 - "Thurgood"
• Oct. 17-25 - "Your Negro Tour Guide"
• Dec. 2-31 - "Cinderella"
• Jan. 26-Feb. 13, 2011 - "Next Fall"
• March 16-April 13, 2011 - "End Days"
• May 4-22, 2011 - "25 The Musical"
• June 14-July 3, 2011 - "With Glee"
  

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Fairfield Community Arts Center - www.fairfield-city.org/cac - 411 Wessel Drive, Fairfield, Ohio 45014. (513) 867-5348. Come visit the Arts Center and enjoy live theatre, dance & fitness studio, pottery studio, community room, children's room, and so much more.  

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Fitton Center for Creative Arts - www.fittoncenter.org - 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton, Ohio 45011. (513) 863-8873 ext. 110. Offering a multitude of arts events, programs and classes (for kids and adults) throughout the year.  They also have Fitton Family Fridays which brings in wonderful performers to entertain the entire family (best for kids ages 4-16).  The Mad Anthony Theatre offers quality plays with their "resident drama group". The Music Cafe occurs on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7pm and is FREE.

Next Fitton Family Friday Event - Mystic Drums – September 24, 2010 - This Adventure in World Music blends multicultural musical themes and interactive audience participation!  Come join the fun on this fabulous musical adventure to find Marshmallow Island.  Meet all the hilarious characters who color the show with a splash of silly.

The cost for adults is $10 for members, $12 for non-members. Children (up to age 16) tickets are $5 for members, $6 for non-members. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with a light reception of kid-friendly drinks and a healthy assortment of appetizers. All shows are Friday evenings and start at 7:30 p.m. in the Benninghofen Theatre.

Note:  Next session of art classes begins Sept. 20 - sign up now to reserve a spot. Classes open to kids and adults!

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The Greater Cincinnati Performing Arts Society - www.gcparts.org - Help support the arts and Catholic education with the GCPAS, a nonprofit arts group. All shows take place at St. Xavier Performance Center or the McAuley Performing Arts Center. For more information call (513) 484-0157. Click here for their schedule of events. 

2010-2011 Schedule:

• Sept. 11 - Craig Fuller
• Oct. 5-6 - Tommy Emmanuel
• Nov. 20 - The Texas Guitar Women
• Jan. 29 - Leon Redbone
• Feb. 12 - Ruthie Foster
• March 19 - Nashville Songwriters
• May 14 - Marcia Ball

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Know Theatre of Cincinnati - www.knowtheatre.com - I love going to the Know Theatre. It is a smaller more intimate theatre setting that has made its home in an old building in Over-the-Rhine. The bottom level has a bar and small seating area perfect for a drink before the show and then you head upstairs to theatre. There is a secure parking garage right across the street (Gateway Garage) and there are some great restaurants close by.  Tickets are reasonably priced too ($12 for most).  You can even purchase a Know Access Pass for only $48 which get you tickets to any four performances. 1120 Jackson Street, Cincinnati , Ohio 45202. Call (513) 300-KNOW.

2010-2011 Season & Special Events:

• Midpoint Music Festival - Sept 23 - 25. 2010
  

• Skin Tight  - October 9 - 30, 2010
• A Wrinkle In Time - November 27 - December 26, 2010
• The Dragon - April 2 - May 7, 2011
• The 2011 Cincinnati Fringe Festival - May 31 - June 11, 2011
• The Finkles' Theater Show - Early December, Dates TBA
• Know Theatre CityBeat New Years Eve SpeakEasy Party - December 31, 2010, 8pm - 1am
  

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Lebanon Theatre Co. - www.ltcplays.com - 10 S. Mechanic St., Lebanon, OH 45036 (513-228-0932).  In addition to their live theater performances, the LTC offers summer camps for kids.

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Linton Music - www.lintonmusic.org. (513-381-6868). If you have a child between ages 2-6 and you want to introduce them to some classical music while making it both fun and entertaining, then you must check out Linton's Peanut Butter & Jam sessions. They appear in various locations throughout the tri-state.

All concerts start at 10:& 11:30a.m. Tickets are $4.00 (child or adult)or you can buy a flexible ticket book (4 tickets per book) for $12, good for any of the Peanut Butter & Jam sessions. Double check their website to make sure events still on schedule.

Madcap Puppet Theatre - www.madcappuppets.com. 3316 Glenmore Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45211 (513-921-5965).  You've got to love these big adorable puppets!  I've seen the Madcap group at a couple of locations throughout Cincinnati (the Zoo, the Cincinnati Art Museum) and they have been so entertaining plus my four year old actually has had some laugh out loud, throw your head back moments when she's seen them - so you know they have to be good.  They are a touring company so you need to find them at various locations in Cincinnati but you can see Madcap for sure at the Cincinnati Art Museum:

Show times are 11:30am & 1:30 pm - all tickets are $7.00 and you can make reservations by calling 513-721-ARTS

Check out their website for further information and their rec's on the age level for their performances.

Get Details on other upcoming performances here!

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Miami University Middletown - Fantastic Free Fridays - www.mid.muohio.edu/culture/FFF.cfm. This program is intended to provide free opportunities for students in area schools and members of the public to enjoy live performances.

• Each performance lasts one hour unless otherwise noted.
• Group reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Individual walk-ins are always welcome.
• All performances are held in the Dave Finkelman Auditorium at Miami University Middletown.

You need to reserve seats to attend.  Please contact Susan Joyce by email at joyces@muohio.edu. Telephone messages may be left at 513.727.3415. A special thank you is extended to the Bever family for their support of this series.

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Mount Washington ArtWorks - www.cincinnatiartclasses.com - All ages are welcome and you can join a class at any time and the first class is always free. Wow. They offer adult and kids' art classes and on the second Sat. of each month stop by for some free art classes and fun. 6450 Sherman Ave., Anderson Twp. For more info call 513-232-3648 or email mwartworks@fuse.net.

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The Children's Theatre - www.thechildrenstheatre.com. 2106 Florence Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45206 (513-569-8080). Not only do they have some great theater geared towards children, but they also have their ArtReach program that takes the theater on the road to various locations throughout the region. 

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Xavier Players - www.xavier.edu/players -  See some family-friendly programs with their Hat's Off Series.  They collaborate with the MadCap Puppets for some great shows and tickets are only $7/person.  3800 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45207-2122. Phone: (513) 745-3939 or (513) 745-3576

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