Playhouse in the Park 2008-09 Season

On Friday evening Ed Stern, Producing Artistic Director, announced the 49th season of the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Below are the show titles and descriptions (written by Emma Caro and Kathy Neus from the Playhouse) as well as a link to Jackie Demaline's story in the Cincinnati Enquirer (which has some of her insights into Ed's choices). It looks like it will be an exciting season! Hope to see you there...


2008-09 Marx Theatre Season
Presented by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation

Jane Austen’s
Emma
Music, Lyrics & Book by Paul Gordon
Adapted from the novel by Jane Austen
September 2 – October 3, 2008

One of Jane Austen’s most delightful heroines comes to life in this funny and enchanting new musical. Emma firmly believes herself to be a most talented matchmaker and chooses her hapless and easily influenced friend Harriet as her next endeavor. Yet despite Emma's obsession with romance, she remains clueless about her own feelings and the true desires of those around her. Her matchmaking mischief leads to countless comic complications and a little heartache but ultimately ends in true love.

“The songs…cleverly woven throughout – enhance the story in wonderful ways …elegant…a charmer.” – Variety

Love Song
By John Kolvenbach
October 21 – November 21, 2008

This quirky romantic comedy celebrates the rich rewards of embracing life and love. Beane exiled himself from life years ago. His well-meaning sister Joan continually attempts to help him, but he stubbornly resists.When Joan suddenly finds her brother blissfully in love, she tries to unravel the story behind his surprising happiness and a mysterious new soul-mate. Fast-moving, funny and wonderfully compassionate, Love Song is a rhapsody to the power of love in all its forms.

“One of the best plays of the year. Richly comic and deeply touching. Outstanding.”
The Daily Telegraph, London

Travels of Angelica
By Joseph McDonough
Winner of the Mickey Kaplan New American Play Prize
January 20 – February 20, 2009

1657: A writer wanted for treason barely escapes from England with his daughter to start a new life with a new identity in Virginia. Can he outwit his blackmailing neighbor and escape capture before completing his most important work? 2008: Two graduate students come to Virginia in search of clues about this forgotten author, hoping to make an important literary discovery. As the play twists and turns between the past and present, this time-traveling tale explores history, hope, heart and the possibility of a remarkable future. A new play by Joseph McDonough, author of One and Stone My Heart.

The Foreigner
By Larry Shue
March 10 – April 10, 2009

When Charlie, a desperately shy Englishman, comes to a rural lodge in Georgia, he pretends to be a foreigner from an exotic country who doesn’t know English so he won’t have to talk to the locals. Hilarious intrigue ensues as Charlie finds himself witness to bizarre schemes and dark secrets by people who think he can’t understand a word being said. The confusion fuels nonstop merriment leading to the unlikely and uproarious climax of this side-splitting and entertaining comedy.

“There are moments when you may be gasping for air through the laughs.” – The Washington Times

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
By Jeffrey Hatcher
From the story by Robert Louis Stevenson
April 21 – May 22, 2009

Robert Louis Stevenson’s timeless tale of inner demons and evil unchecked is brought to the stage in a mesmerizing and theatrically intense new spin by nationally renowned playwright Jeffrey Hatcher (Murderers, The Turn of the Screw, Ella). Against the backdrop of Victorian London, the respected Dr. Jekyll begins acting alarmingly erratic toward his friends. At the same time, a brutal figure haunts the city’s streets committing murder and assault. Indulge your dark side with this riveting and fiendishly clever thriller.

“Smart and moving...probing and brilliant.” – Curtain Up Phoenix


2008-09 Thompson Shelterhouse Season
Presented by The Heidelberg Distributing Company

Durango
By Julia Cho
September 20 – October 19, 2008

After losing his job, single father Boo-Seng Lee decides to take his two teenage sons on a road trip to Durango, Colorado. As they make their way across the Arizona desert, each passing mile unearths deeply held secrets unleashing long-held tensions between the father, a Korean immigrant, and his sons, first generation Asian-Americans. This thought-provoking play explores the journey to understanding identity while living in the shadow of the American dream.

“Wonderfully mysterious and surprising.” - LA Weekly


I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro
Music by Jimmy Roberts
November 1 – December 31, 2008

Off-Broadway’s longest-running, smash hit musical comedy celebrates the triumphs and trials of the modern-day mating game. From dating and waiting to bridemaids and babies, this love-happy musical revue cleverly covers everything you’ve secretly thought about romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws but were afraid to admit. Make a date to fall in love and laugh until it hurts with the most “proposal-friendly” show in town.

“It’s funny, it’s witty. Hip antics in the age of safe sex!” The New York Times


Blackbird
By David Harrower
February 7 – March 8, 2009

A cat-and-mouse tale of volatile emotion and sexual intrigue, this haunting and powerful play begins when Una shows up unexpectedly at Ray’s office to confront him about their relationship 15 years earlier. Ray must face his past and the effects of his affair with Una when she was just an adolescent and he was 40. Una pulls Ray into a gripping, surprising and utterly unforgettable encounter. A critically acclaimed hit in New York and London, the Olivier Award-winning Blackbird is a provocative, no-holds-barred drama that both chills and thrills.

“Intense … the most powerful drama of the season…masterly, mesmerizing…extraordinary…a miracle.” The New York Times

Last Train to Nibroc
By Arlene Hutton
March 28 – April 26, 2009

A funny and touching portrait of two people searching for happiness during World War II. May, a young woman who dreams of doing missionary work, and Raleigh, a soldier with ambitions of becoming a writer, meet aboard a cross-country train. He invites her to attend the popular Nibroc Festival near their Kentucky hometowns – but fate has other plans. The two struggle with their feelings for each other as they navigate the eternal mystery of courtship. This engaging and endearing, old-fashioned love story takes you on a sweet journey of the heart.

“It is beautifully written…Every line is a heartbeat." The Financial Times


Marry Me a Little
Songs by Stephen Sondheim
Created and Developed by Craig Lucas and Norman Rene
May 9– June 14, 2009

Company … A Little Night Music … A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. If you love Stephen Sondheim, you won’t want to miss this inventive musical revue of captivating songs, which were written for some of his most popular musicals but not originally used. What can you do on a Saturday night alone? It’s the question addressed by a young man and woman in separate studio apartments in Manhattan. While the two never meet, the Sondheim songs are arranged to tell a bittersweet sort of story revealing dreams, recollections and feelings the two single people have about life and love.

For Jackie Demaline's story click here.