Jill Siekman - Page 2

Now through January 30th, the sensational Burn the Floor is heating up the Aronoff Center in Cincinnati. With a talented cast of 23, including both dancers and two vocalists, the show is a non-stop dance spectacular that leaves everyone breathless.

Know Theatre of Cincinnati's current production is an adaptation by John Glore of Madeleine L'Engle's popular 1962 book, A Wrinkle in Time. A collaboration with the Minneapolis-based Four Humors Theater, Jason Ballweber returns to Cincinnati to direct this family-friendly play.

Now playing at the Aronoff Center for the Arts: Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. While the orchestra (which sounded phenomenal) played the overture, an image with the castle and the words 'Young Frankenstein,' in a font reminiscent of a type you'd see on an old movie, was projected on a screen. The image set the tone for the musical, based on Brooks' classic vaudevillian comedy, and it plays out much like the movie.

The popular Broadway musical Rock of Ages is currently rocking out at the Proctor and Gamble Hall at the Aronoff Center now through November 7th.

Know Theatre of Cincinnati opened a new season with Gary Henderson's Skin Tight this past Saturday night and while the play is only one act, it's one act you won't forget anytime soon.

In 1998, Idina Menzel made her Cincinnati debut performing with the Lilith Fair tour and promoting her first solo album, 'Still I Can't Be Still.' This past weekend, she returned to Cincinnati for another debut. This time, she opened the new season of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. And she started the season off with an unforgettable bang.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific is currently making its Cincinnati debut and it is a great revival of a classical musical.

Tony Award-winning actress Idina Menzel opens the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra season with three performances September 24th through September 26th. Ms. Menzel will perform a diverse repertoire of classic pop, musical theater favorites (including hits from Wicked and Rent) as well as songs from her album, I Stand.

This Saturday June 26th, two previous Elphabas from the widely popular Broadway musical Wicked will take the stage in Columbus. Julia Murney and Stephanie J. Block will sing in a special "Wicked Divas" concert with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra as part of the Nationwide Insurance Picnic with the Pops series. The orchestra is scheduled to perform selections from George Bizet's Carmen. Murney and Block will sing selections from Wicked, as well as Ragtime, Chicago, Funny Girl, and much more.

While it's not quite the famed Apollo Theater in New York City, 'The Dreams' are playing at Proctor & Gamble Hall at the Aronoff Center now through June 20th and they give an amazing performance. 'The Dreams' are the girl group from the 1960's who struggle to make it big and then struggle with what happens when they do make it in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Effie White (Moya Angela) is the powerhouse of the trio, always taking the lead. That is, until they start to gain some notoriety as backup singers for Jimmy 'Thunder' Early (Chester Gregory) and their manager, Curtis (Chaz Lamar Shepherd) decides to place a more camera and press-friendly Deena (Syesha Mercado) front and center instead. Rounding out the trio is Lorrell (Adrienne Warren), who is often the peacemaker of the group. In between songs, the story eventually winds around several interconnected relationships between the characters and some interesting clash of personalities as well.

LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL is holding court now through May 23rd at the Aronoff Center in Cincinnati and it's a bubbly good time.

The Know Theatre delivers part two of the epic Angels in America as well as they delivered part one. The first half, Millennium Approaches (which will be playing concurrently through the run of the second part) focuses on the lead up of the arrival of a mysterious angel. The second part, Perestroika, becomes more subject-heavy and intense as the story unfolds once the angel has arrived.

Everyone's favorite nanny Mary Poppins is in town for a limited three week engagement. Produced by Cameron MackIntosh and Disney Theatrical Productions and part of the Broadway Across America series, Mary Poppins is in Cincinnati now through April 25th and it's sure to be a fun-filled family theater event.

Angels in America is now playing at the Know Theatre and it's well worth the small price of $12 ($15 at the door, but reserve in advance to avoid the risk of it being sold out) for the chance to see intriguing, contemporary theatre in Cincinnati.

In the mood to do something "mindless, trivial, and pointless?" Go to the theatre! Or at least that is what the lead character in The 39 Steps suggests. This play, performing now until March 14th at the Aronoff Center, is anything but "mindless, trivial, and pointless." In fact, it is the complete opposite: an engaging, clever, quick-witted comedy with a mysterious Hitchcock plot.

The Wicked Witch of the West has arrived in Dayton, but her mayhem is limited to the Mead Theatre of the Schuster Center. The national tour of Wicked plays from now until March 7th and it is definitely a show not to be missed.

This past weekend, Cats made a brief stop in Cincinnati and it was a thoroughly enjoyable show.

One of the most powerful shows arrived in Cincinnati Tuesday night, and to me, it was a not to be missed event. Spring Awakening brings to light many social issues, such as teenage sexuality, homosexuality, abuse and suicide, yet while the show is emotionally-heavy, its interspersed with laughter and amazing songs as well.

The merry murderesses Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart are in Cincinnati this week for a short engagement at the Aronoff Center through December 6th. One of my favorite musicals that somehow seems to continue to run, I was excited to see it once again.

This holiday season, take a break from the holiday hoopla with a brilliant play at the Know Theatre of Cincinnati. Their one family friendly show of the season, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, is playing now through December 26th. Children are certain to enjoy the humorous stories, yet the adults will enjoy this piece of contemporary theatre as well.