Sinclair presents inspiring World War I-era musical ‘The Hello Girls’
Sinclair Community College presents “The Hello Girls,” a 2018 musical concerning America’s first women soldiers, March 24-April 1 in Blair Hall Theatre.
Featuring music and lyrics by Peter Mills and a libretto by Mills and Cara Reichel, the story focuses on the heroines who served as bilingual telephone operators on the front lines, helping turn the tide of World War I. They then returned home to fight a decadeslong battle for equality and recognition, paving the way for future generations.
Spanning from New York to Paris, the show is directed by Kimberly Borst. The score, incorporating ragtime and jazz, is overseen by music director Charles Larkowski. Jessica Eggleston provides choreography.
The cast consists of Tracie Puckett-Knight, Aubrie-Lee Dentino, Lizzie Salata, Faeryn Bass, Trinity Le’shae Rice, Tanner Henry, Josh Fisher, Jabari Pritchett, Isaac Washington, Colin Drayer and Ian Spraul, with guest artist Jeff Sams as General Pershing.
Production staff includes Sinclair Theatre alums Sarah Caplan as stage manager and Jessy Henning as lighting designer. Set design is by Scott Kimmins, sound design by Dan Brunk and costume design by Ashley Rutkowski.
Tickets are available at www.sinclair.edu/tickets. Tickets are priced at $18 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.
ASL interpreted performances will be held on March 26 and 30. Blair Hall Theatre is located in Building 2 on the downtown campus located at 444 W. Third St., Dayton.
Sinclair presents free production spotlighting Parkinson’s disease
Actor/playwright Matthew Moore will bring his play “What I Didn’t Say: A Journey Through Parkinson’s” to Sinclair Community College on Tuesday, April 11, at 2 p.m. in the Smith Auditorium of the Sinclair Conference Center, 444 W. Third St., Dayton.
Based on actual interviews, the play focuses on Paul and Marty, a couple going through the highs and lows related to Parkinson’s disease.
“Patients, caregivers, medical professionals and everyone in between will relate to this profoundly honest story about the staying power of true love,” according to press materials.
Moore, portraying Paul, has more than 20 years of experience in acting, directing, writing and teaching.
Krista Stauffer will portray Marty, among other roles. She is an award-winning actress and head of Boxland Academy in Columbus, Ohio.
The play will be directed by Matt Hermiz, who has provided multimedia video direction for many plays. He is also an award-winning industrial, documentary and narrative filmmaker.
A post-show discussion will follow the 45-minute play. To register for this free performance, visit www.sinclair.edu/diversity.
For additional information, visit https://www.lampandlightproductions.com/parkinsons-play.
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park opens new theater with ‘A Chorus Line’
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is celebrating the opening of its $50 million Mainstage Theatre Complex with a first-rate production of James Kirkwood, Nicholas Dante, Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban’s Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “A Chorus Line.”
Director Blake Robison and choreographer Alex Sanchez provide a firm, wonderfully intimate look at the familiar story of talented dancers auditioning for a Broadway musical circa 1975. Sanchez provides homages to legendary director/choreographer Michael Bennett, but predominately fills the stage with refreshing originality in such moments as the audition sequence (“pivot, step, walk, walk, walk” ends with a snap of the fingers in this incarnation), “Hello Twelve,” which includes Richie (exuberant Jonathan Duvelson) giving a nod to drag ball culture, and “The Music and the Mirror,” which is no longer a solo moment for Cassie (elegant Shiloh Goodin).
The cast also features outstanding work by Alexa Racioppi as Val (her rendition of “Dance: Ten; Looks: Three” is simply divine), Courtney Arango as Diana, Erin Chupinsky as Sheila, Maria Briggs as Maggie, Francesca Granell as Bebe, Maurice Dawkins as Mike, Cameron Holzman as Don and Diego Guevara as Paul. In particular, Guevara’s dynamically heartfelt interpretation of Paul’s iconic monologue regarding his sexuality is a poignant blend of sensitivity, humor, elation and pride.
The production continues through April 15 in Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre. The Playhouse is located at 962 Mt. Adams Circle, Cincinnati. For tickets or more information, visit https:// cincyplay.com/.
Season announcements Dayton Playhouse’s 2023-2024 lineup includes: Matthew Sklar, Chad Beguelin and Jack Viertel’s Tony-nominated musical “The Prom” (Sept. 22-Oct. 8, 2023, directed by Tim Rezash); Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields’ “The One Act Play That Goes Wrong” (Nov. 10-19, 2023, directed by Ray Gambrell); Jeffrey Kindley and Craig Carnelia’s musical “Is There Life After High School?” ( Jan. 12-28, 2024, directed by Kathy Clark); Kate Jamill’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility” (March 8-17, 2024, directed by Jenni Cypher); and Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (May 10-26, 2024, directed by Dawn Roth Smith). In addition, a season extra will be held this June: George Reinblatt,
Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond and Melisa Morris’ “Evil Dead, The Musical” ( June 16-25, 2023, directed by John Detty). Information regarding season tickets is forthcoming.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 30th anniversary season includes: Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy “The Importance of Being Earnest” (Aug. 4-10, 2023); Steven Dietz’s “Gaslight” based on Patrick Hamilton’s “Angel Street” (Sept. 8-24, 2023); Zina Camblin’s new comedy “Wrecking Ball” (Oct. 13-28, 2023); Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Nov. 10-Dec. 2, 2023); Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald and John K. Alvarez’s comedy “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)” (Dec. 7-30, 2023); James Baldwin’s classic drama “The Amen Corner” ( Jan. 26-Feb. 11, 2024); Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” (March 1-23, 2024); Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” (April 12-May 5, 2024); and Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields’ comedy “The Play That Goes Wrong” (May 24-June 16, 2024). In addition, the troupe will tour the tristate with a free Shakespeare in the Park performance of “The Comedy of Errors” (slated July 16, 2023, at the Veterans Park Amphitheater in Springfield as part of Springfield Arts Council’s 2023 Summer Arts Festival) and will collaborate with the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music on Jack Thorne’s “Let the Right One In” based on the novel and film by John Ajvide Lindquist (Oct. 19-28, 2023 in the Patricia Corbett Theater at the University of Cincinnati). Subscription packages of seven tickets start at $266. All subscriptions are currently on sale and may be purchased through the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company website, www.cincyshakes.com, or box office by calling 513381-BARD (2273) ext. 1.