…BLINK AND THEY’RE GONE

Zach Crowley as Septimus Hodge, Sarah Vargo as Thomasina Coverly and Ellie Jameson as Lady Croom

ARCADIA

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

The Story: Tom Stoppard’s comedic masterpiece Arcadia takes a witty, intellectual look between past and present ideals and between contradiction and coexistence. Set in an English country house both in 1809 and modern day, Arcadia follows two interconnected stories more than 200 years apart. In the early 19th century a teenage girl and her tutor question the world around them in their quest for knowledge while the present-day scholars and residents search for clues from the residents who lived before them, revealing common thoughts of love and life that transcend the centuries.
The Dates: April 18-22, 2012
Tickets and More Information: BTC listing

IMAGINATION MOVERS

Cincinnati Arts Association

The Story: Add some rock n’ roll excitement and entertainment to your family’s life with the Imagination Movers’ 2012 Rock-O-Matic Tour! Rich, Scott, Dave and Smitty — of the Emmy® Award-winning Disney Channel TV series ‘Imagination Movers’ — are bringing their high-octane rock concert to Cincinnati, and it’s an event the whole family can enjoy. The Imagination Movers combine danceable power pop songs with extremely catchy choruses and a knack for inspiring audience participation. Throw in a heaping helping of onstage silliness and you’ve got a recipe for a live musical event that will truly engage the littlest of kids along with their older siblings, parents and grandparents.
The Date: April 19, 2002
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Arts Association | BTC listing

…NEW THIS WEEK

FROZEN

Falcon Theatre

The Story: This taut drama explores the world of three characters who’s lives intersect in the most violent way. A mother,a serial killer and a psychologist take us deep into the events of a terrible crime and its aftermath. The quiet power of this play is at once horrifying and mesmerizing.
The Dates: April 20-May 5, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Falcon Theatre | BTC listing

AN INSPECTOR CALLS

Village Players

The Story: The action of the play occurs in an English industrial city, where a young girl commits suicide and an eminently respectable British family is subject to a routine inquiry in connection with the death. An inspector calls to interrogate the family, and during the course of his questioning, all members of the group are implicated lightly or deeply in the girl’s undoing. The family, closely knit and friendly at the beginning of the evening, is shown up as selfish, self-centered or cowardly, its good humor turning to acid, and good fellowship to dislike, before the evening is over.
The Dates: April 20-28, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Village Players | BTC listing

Jonathan Zeng as Joseph, Michelle Koopman-Wells as The Narrator & Donnie McGovern as Pharoah in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

Covedale Center for the Performing Arts

The Story: The Biblical, all-sung saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this delightful parable. Joseph, his father’s favorite son, is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. When he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, Joseph endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and humanity are continually challenged.
The Dates: April 19-May 13, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Covedale Center | BTC listing

SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE!

Milford Theatre Guilde

The Story: Tom, a nerve-wracked school teacher nervous about his first day of teaching, tries to relax by watching TV when various characters representing facets of his personality emerge from the set and show him how to win his students over with imagination and music, through such beloved SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK! songs as “Just A Bill,” “Lolly, Lolly, Lolly” and “Conjunction Junction.”
The Dates: April 20-May 5, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Milford Theatre Guilde | BTC listing

THUNDER KNOCKING ON THE DOOR

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

The Story: Once upon a time, a mysterious, blues-playing stranger named Marvell Thunder arrives at the door of the Dupree family with a unique challenge — a “cutting contest,” in which twin guitars are the weapons of choice. If he has his way, the epic musical showdown will change everyone’s life forever. A mystical, magical celebration of love, family and the exhilarating power of music to free your soul.
The Dates: April 21-May 20, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park | BTC listing

…CONTINUING

Kellen York. Photo by Deogracias Lerma.

BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON

Know Theatre of Cincinnati

The Story: BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON uses the story of America’s controversial seventh president, “the man who invented the Democratic Party, doubled the size of our nation, and signed the Indian Removal Acts that started the Trail of Tears,” to investigate the attraction and terrors of American populism, using a raucous blend of outrageous comedy, anarchic theatricality and an infectious rock n’ roll soundtrack.
The Dates: March 31-May 12, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Know Theatre of Cincinnati | BTC listing

THE GRAPES OF WRATH

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

The Story: Frank Galati’s Tony Award-winning adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath tells a timeless tale of endurance and hope in a time of hardship. Having survived the drought of the 1930s only to see their home repossessed, the Joad family embarks on a harrowing journey from the Dust Bowl fields of Oklahoma to the fertile orchards of California. But the “promised land” isn’t exactly what they imagined. Can the Joads overcome the injustices that plague a nation in crisis?
The Dates: March 28-April 29, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | BTC listing | BTC review

Jon Kovach as Jackson, Lisa DeRoberts as Prudie Cupp, Steve Goers as LM, Sara Mackie as Rhetta Cupp & Brad Myers as Jim. Photo by Matt Steffen.

PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES

The Carnegie

The Story: A piece down Highway 57 from Frog Level is a shabby gas station (with a hot tub out back), the Double Cupp Diner, and the best foot-stompin’ good time you’ve ever had at the theatre. Five rowdy filling station boys and sassy diner waitresses sing and play their own instruments in this hilarious and heartwarming country western music revue.
The Dates: April 13-29, 2012
Tickets and More Information: The Carnegie | BTC listing

REASONS TO BE PRETTY

New Edgecliff Theatre

The Story: When Greg confesses to his girlfriend of four years that she’s not physically perfect, it not only affects their lives, but the lives of their close friends Carly and Kent, whose relationship is anything but perfect. Playwright Neil LaBute takes a long hard look at both physical and emotional beauty and the obsessions we have with both.
The Dates: April 12-28, 2012
Tickets and More Information: New Edgecliff Theatre | BTC listing

…ENDING THIS WEEK

THE BOYS NEXT DOOR

Tri-County Players

The Story: A lively, poignant telling of a “ family” of four mentally handicapped men sharing a home, and how they affect each other, the lives of those around them, and their supervisor Jack.
The Dates: April 13-21, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Tri-County Players | BTC listing

THE FANTASTICKS

Xenia Area Community Theatre

The Story: Two fathers decide that they want their children to fall in love. The girl, Luisa, is a daydreamer with an active imagination. The boy, Matt, is a romantic. The two fathers decide to instigate a mock feud amongst themselves in order to help the boy and girl fall in love.
The Dates: April 12-15, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Xenia Area | BTC listing

MY FAVORITE YEAR

Northern Kentucky University

The Story: In this crazy musical comedy, Alan Swann, a washed up ex-movie idol, is finally getting his chance for a comeback! This time it won’t be in movies, but instead it will be on the King Kaiser Comedy Hour, a television variety show! Unfortunately, his penchant for past bad habits of drinking and wooing women remain. To avoid any mishaps, comedy sketch writer, Benjy Stone, has been put to the task of keeping Swann out of trouble.
The Dates: April 12-22, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Northern Kentucky University | BTC listing

NOISES OFF

Beechmont Players

The Story: Called the funniest farce ever written, NOISES OFF presents a manic menagerie as a cast of itinerant actors rehearse a flop called NOTHING ON. Doors slamming, on- and backstage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure into the plot of this hilarious and classically comic play.
The Dates: April 12-15, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Beechmont Players | BTC listing

PRELUDE TO A KISS

Oxford Area Community Theatre

The Story: A couple, Peter and Rita, who fall in love despite Rita’s pessimistic outlook on life. Shortly after their wedding, a supernatural event tests the strength of their love and commitment to each other, when a mysterious old man insists on kissing the bride. While honeymooning, Peter gradually realizes that the woman by his side is not his wife. The wedding kiss caused Rita’s soul and the old man’s to change places. Peter must track down the old man and free his young love’s spirit, trapped in an aging and diseased body, before it’s too late.
The Dates: April 14-21, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Oxford Area Community Theatre | BTC listing