…BLINK AND YOU’LL MISS

MACBETH

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

The Story: A story of temptation, ambition and seduction. At the start of the play, Macbeth is a good and heroic leader who has just won a great battle. Nevertheless, he fails to notice the triple enemy fighting for his heart and mind–the mysterious Weird Sisters, his wife, and his own desire for power and success. Macbeth begins his bloody rise to power, including the murder of the Scottish king, Duncan, and the guilt-ridden pathology of evil deeds generating still more evil deeds. Eventually, his friends and allies become aware of the evil breaking into his soul and fight to stop him.
The Dates: Aug. 19, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | BTC page |

THE TEMPEST

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

The Story: The rightful Duke of Milan, Prospero, has been stuck on an island for twelve years with his daughter, Miranda, because he was overthrown by his brother, Antonio, and the King of Naples, Alonso. Gonzalo, counselor to the King, sends them provisions in secret. Prospero is a magician, and he has the spirit Ariel as a servant as thanks for saving her. Also on the island is a deformed slave, Caliban, who at first was raised by Prospero until he tried to rape Miranda. When Prospero discovers that Antonio is on a ship nearby, he starts up a storm to cause the ship to sink. Antonio, Alonso, Gonzalo, and Alonso’s two brothers, Sebastian and Ferdinand, are stuck on the island, and Prospero starts to separate them. Caliban allies himself with Stephano and Trinculo, servants of Alonso, in an attempt to overthrow Prospero. Prospero gets Ferdinand and Miranda to fall in love, but he keeps Ferdinand as a servant to make their courting more difficult. Antonio and Sebastian plot to kill Alonso, but Ariel appears as a harpy to thwart them.
The Dates: Aug. 17-18, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company | BTC page |

…NEW THIS WEEK

Jon Kovach as Ben.

NOTHING

Unity Productions

The Story: Inspired by a true story, NOTHING is a multi-media play about Ben, a young man with autism who is struggling through the social grind that is high school. He retreats to a world of technology (MP3, video cameras, online gaming) in order to escape the tragic reality of constant bullying. When Ben meets Barbie in a divine online connection, he builds up the courage to venture out of his comfort zone and visit her in the flesh. This overwhelming escapade leads Ben into a dangerous situation, putting his own life at risk.
The Dates: Aug. 17-Sept. 2, 2012
Tickets and More Information: Unity Productions | BTC page | BTC Review |

…CONTINUING THIS WEEK

Mike Sherman as Don & Michael Schlotterbeck as Michael.

ROUNDING THIRD

The Showboat Majestic

The Story: ROUNDING THIRD introduces us to two coaches — one a veteran, the other a new recruit — and their markedly different personal circumstances and philosophies about the game. Their clash of styles and wills drives this funny, acerbic and touching play through the bumpy terrain of fatherhood and baseball.
The Dates: Aug. 8-26, 2012
Tickets and More Information: The Showboat Majestic | BTC page |

The Muses of XANADU

XANADU

The Carnegie

The Story: Beautiful Greek muse Kira has journeyed from Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California in a quest to inspire struggling chalk artist Sonny to create the most resplendent work of art the world has ever known… the roller disco! But can Sonny capture the imagination of a jaded landlord to save his disco from the wrecking ball, and will Kira’s jealous muse sisters destroy Sonny and Kira’s forbidden love?
The Dates: Aug. 11-26, 2012
Tickets and More Information: The Carnegie | BTC page |

…CLOSING THIS WEEK

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

East Side Players

The Story: Due to an unhappy curse, King Sextimus is unable to speak. Meanwhile, his terror of a wife, Queen Aggravian, has taken over control of the kingdom. Most importantly, in an attempt to keep Prince Dauntless single, she has decreed that only the princess that can pass her test may marry her son. Further, no one else in the kingdom may marry until Prince Dauntless does. Lady Larken and Sir Harry are extremely disturbed by this fact since Lady Larken is now pregnant with Sir Harry’s baby. Luckily, Sir Harry is able to find an amazing princess, Winnifred the Woebegone. She instantly catches the attention of Prince Dauntless, and in the end, is able to pass the Queen’s supposedly impassable sensitivity test.
The Dates: Aug. 9-18, 2012
Tickets and More Information: East Side Players | BTC page |