Stage Write

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of attending a regional conference in Cincinnati for the American Theatre Critics Association . It was a chance to explore the theatre scene in a new city and get to know a few of my fellow critics from around the country.  During the three-day event attendees were able to see four plays at different locations, tour two new (or newly renovated) theatres, attend two panel discussions (one on Shakespeare and another on ethics), and enjoy learning more about the city itself. The plays included B e Here Now, a modern day world premier the  Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park .  I was also able to see Othello at the  Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Red Velvet at the  Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati . The two productions were a coordinated effort. One featured the original Shakespeare drama, Othello, and the other is a play about the first African American actor to ever tackle the role in 1833. Seeing them in conjunction gave an ...

American Players Theatre (APT) is excited to announce its 2015 season, which will run June 6 – October 18, 2015. UP THE HILL THEATRE The Merry Wives of Windsor By William Shakespeare Directed by Tim Ocel When infamous mooch and layabout Sir John Falstaff arrives in Windsor, he immediately decides his path to riches lies in finding a wealthy woman to woo. So he sets about writing identical love letters to two married ladies about town – Mistresses Ford and Page. Though the letters fail to have the intended effect, the ladies find them an excellent inlet to toy with Falstaff, resulting in a funny and energetic exploration of marriage, miscommunication and forgiveness, featuring charming characters and shenanigans to spare. A Streetcar Named Desire By Tennessee Williams Directed by William Brown After losing her job and family home, fading Southern beauty Blanche DuBois heads to New Orleans to stay with her sister, Stella. Stella’s enthusiasm over her sister’s extende...

This year has held some incredible performances and productions throughout the Midwest. Here are my top ten choices for 2012. Keep your eyes on these theatres in the future for more great shows. 1) Les Misérables at Clowes Hall performed by Broadway Across America 2) The House That Jack Built at the Indiana Repertory Theatre 3) August: Osage County at the Phoenix Theatre 4) The Woman in Black at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre 5) The Book Thief at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago 6) Othello at the White River State Park performed by the Heartland Actors Repertory Theatre 7) Twelfth Night at the American Players Theatre in Wisconsin 8) Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at the Indiana Repertory Theatre 9) Freud's Last Session at the Phoenix Theatre 10) The Wizard of Oz at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Photos courtesy of the Phoenix, Beef & Boards, Broadway Across America and the IRT