We return to our series of visits to the web sites of major regional theatres. This week:
Beginning humbly -- albeit on a ravishing piece of property in
a beautiful Central Cincinnati, Ohio park -- in a 125-year-old
park shelterhouse, the Cincinnati
Playhouse in the Park has grown into what is now known as
the Vontz Theatre Center, comprising the 629-seat Robert S. Marx
Theatre as well as the remodeled original space, renamed the Thompson
Shelterhouse Theatre (now upped to 225 seats). Beginning with
its inaugural production, directed by original artistic director,
Marline Jones, which featured John Hillerman (famed as "Higgins"
on Magnum P.I.), the Playhouse has been the home of many
well-known performers, including Scott Bakula, Roscoe Lee Brown,
Patty Duke, Bonnie Franklin, Cleavon Little, Estelle Parsons,
Anthony Perkins, LeRoy Reams, Lynn Redgrave, Cicely Tyson, Gary
Sandy and Henry Winkler. In 1973 the theatre's artistic reigns
were assumed by Harold Scott, the very first African-American
to be named artistic director of a regional theatre in the US.
Their current artistic director, Edward Stern, has led them through
a more than eight million dollar capitol improvement campaign,
and continues their tradition of excellent theare.
The Playhouse has long championed new works, including Henry Livings' Eh?, Sing Hallelujah!, and Tapestry: The Music of Carole King, and in 1987 became the home of the Lois and Richard Rosenthal New Play prize, which -- beyond a fully stage professional production -- finances the playwright's residency during rehearsals. The 1997 recipient, Keith Glover's In Walks Ed, was subsequently nominated for a Pulitzer prize.
Each year the Playhouse runs an eleven show season. The current season, 1999-2000, is their 40th, and features (among others) George C. Wolfe's Spunk (adapted from the writings of Zora Neale Hurston), Connie Ray's Sanders Family Christmas: More Smoke on the Mountain, Much Ado About Nothing, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, A Little Night Music, Barrymore, and W;t.
Like its facilities, the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park website is very attractive. It's thoroughly informative, clean and clear. And, no, tickets are not available for purchase online; you'll have to go through the box office.
Previous regional theatre views:
Actors Theatre of Louisville
- Louisville, KY
Alley Theatre - Houston, TX
Goodman Theatre - Chicago,
IL
Goodspeed Opera House - East
Haddam, CT
Old Globe Theatre - San Diego,
CA
The Signature Theatre - Arlington,
VA
Originally published at Suite101.com Theatre, 8/3/99
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