Cincinnati Playhouse Announces 2010-2011 Season

The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park announced its 2010-2011 Season today. The season boasts two world premieres and four regional premieres, as well as the return of the Playhouse's most successful Shelterhouse production of all time.

According to Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Edward Stern, "I'm proud to announce this remarkable 51st season at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. These plays - known and unknown - will excite, entertain and totally captivate Cincinnati audiences."

The Marx Theatre season starts with movie and stage actress Kathleen Turner starring in Matthew Lombardo's HIGH (September 4 - October 2, 2010; opening night: September 9). This extraordinary world premiere opens on Broadway early in 2011 after its run in Cincinnati. Ms. Turner plays the tough-talking and formerly hard-drinking Sister Jamison Connelly. Working in a church-sponsored rehab center, she reluctantly agrees to sponsor a defiant 19-year-old drug user and soon becomes convinced he is keeping a secret that is vital to his recovery. As she struggles to unlock the mystery, she begins to question her own beliefs. This powerful and gripping drama explores truth, forgiveness, redemption and the real courage it takes to change. Rob Ruggiero (ELLA and LAST TRAIN TO NIBROC) will helm the production.

The New York Times describes YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU (October 16 - November 13, 2010, opening night: October 21) as "a spontaneous piece of hilarity with a dash of affection to season the humor." Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, this classic American comedy by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman is pure fun. Combine the delightfully eccentric Sycamore family and their daughter Alice with her fiancé Tony and his rich, straight-laced parents. Add in a dinner party on the wrong night, and the result is a wildly funny clash of family values in which fireworks erupt - literally! A light-hearted romp about love, family and what's really important in life. Artistic Director Steven Woolf from the St. Louis Repertory Theatre will direct.

For the holidays, the Playhouse will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its favorite seasonal tradition with Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL presented by KeyBank (December 2 - 30; opening night: December 3). The Playhouse's production features a lovingly faithful adaptation by Howard Dallin, complete with a cast of nearly 30 actors and elaborate costumes and special effects. A CHRISTMAS CAROL is not part of any subscription package, although subscribers do receive discounts and early buying opportunities. Associate Artistic Director Michael Evan Haney directs for his 18th year.

Interwoven with gospel songs, GEE'S BEND (January 22 - February 19, 2011; opening night: January 27), a heartwarming and powerful play by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder, celebrates the human spirit. Meet the women of Gee's Bend, Alabama. As they sew simple scraps of fabric into quilts that turn out to be magnificent works of art, their deeply personal journey parallels the turbulent history of African-Americans in the 20th century.

The true story of these wonderful women has already touched millions who viewed their stunning quilt work through a national exhibition tour and features in Newsweek and Oprah Winfrey's O Magazine.

The most popular show in Shelterhouse history moves to the Marx Theatre for an even bigger party. For all those who've been "Wishin' and Hopin'," the wait is over. BEEHIVE (March 12 - April 9, 2011; opening night: March 17), the 60's Musical is back! This rafter-raising musical celebration of the girl groups and female singers of the fabulous 1960s includes songs by The Supremes, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin and more. Pam Hunt will direct.

Finally, the Marx Season concludes with OVER THE TAVERN (April 23 - May 21, 2011; opening night: April 29) by Tom Dudzick. Growing up isn't easy for any of the four Pazinski kids, but for the youngest, wise-cracking Rudy, it's downright confusing. It's 1959. As Rudy prepares for his confirmation, all hell breaks loose when he decides to go knuckle to ruler with his formidable teacher, Sister Clarissa, questioning everything and spending more time on his Ed Sullivan impersonation than his studies. A sell-out hit around the country and at the Playhouse in 1999, this coming-of-age comedy has a heart as big as its laughs. Michael Evan Haney will direct OVER THE TAVERN.

The Thompson Shelterhouse season begins with a bitingly witty and entertaining look behind the scenes of the acting world in 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 world's premier comedy company, The Second City is coming to the Queen City with an original show about all things Cincinnati: THE SECOND CITY DOES CINCINNATI: PRIDE AND PORKOPOLIS (November 6 - December 23, 2010; opening night: November 11). 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.
For the 2010-11 season, $25 preview performances have been added for the Shelterhouse Theatre (side B). In addition, $30 tickets on weekdays and $35 on weekends are also available in side B. The popular $25 preview performances in the Marx are still just $25 per show for B, C and D sections.

Subscriptions to the 2010-11 Playhouse season are available now in a variety of packages. All subscriptions purchased before May 29 remain at the 2009-2010 season prices. Prices range from $125 to $323 for the five-show Robert S. Marx Season, $125 to $338 for the five Thompson Shelterhouse shows and $250 to $599.50 for the full 10-show combination series package. The popular "Build Your Own" subscription package allows patrons to create their own season of four to nine shows in either theatre, with prices ranging from $136 to $522. The Playhouse is continuing to offer three-, six- and nine-month payment options for subscribers. Some restrictions apply. The Corner Club is also available for all regular Marx performances and starts at $132. The discounted educator subscription has been expanded to all Marx and Shelterhouse Theatre performances.

A student "Build Your Own" package allows full-time students to pick as few as four shows and as many as nine from either theatre for just $20 per show. The Enjoy the Arts Member Series (under 35 years of age) is available for all Marx performances. Members can get the same half-price discount as a subscription as they would on an individual ticket basis. Some restrictions apply.
The Baby Sitter Rebate Series allows a couple purchasing two subscriptions in the Marx Theatre to attend any performance and receive $100 at the end of the season to help cover the cost of baby sitters. Some restrictions apply.

Costs for most packages depend on the day of week and seat location desired. Some sections are sold out. Single tickets for all shows will go on sale to the general public August 16. To purchase subscriptions or for more information about the 2010-2011 season at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, call 513/421-3888 or toll-free throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. For Telecommunications Device for the Deaf access, call 513/345-2248.

For more information, visit www.cincyplay.com.