Broadway in Cincinnati 2014 - 2015 Season Includes Redheads, Lions and Elves

Cincinnati is only an hour and 15 minutes away from Indy and a skip across the river from Louisville. It only makes sense to include Cincy in your go-to towns, pop over and catch a live show and escape for a weekend.

This is particularly true if you see a show in the 2014 - 2015 season lineup that Indianapolis or Louisville doesn't have in its schedule (click here to see Indy's lineup), or (click here to see Louisville's schedule). Or, perhaps you missed the show in your own city.

Either way, Cincinnati has grand hotels, like Netherland, tasty food like in the hip OTR neighborhood or at Moerlein Lagerhouse, and listed below are the great shows to catch while in town.

Broadway in Cincinnati

2014 - 2015 Season

DIRTY DANCING

September 23 – October 5, 2014

It’s the summer of 1963, and 17 year-old Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman is about to learn some major lessons in life as well as a thing or two about dancing. On vacation in New York’s Catskill Mountains with her older sister and parents, Baby shows little interest in the resort activities, and instead discovers her own entertainment when she stumbles upon the staff quarters when an all-night dance party is in full swing. Mesmerized by the raunchy dance moves and the pounding rhythms, Baby can’t wait to be part of the scene, especially when she catches sight of Johnny Castle the resort dance instructor.

ONCE

November 11 – 23, 2014

Winner of 8 2012 Tony Awards including Best Musical, an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians play their own instruments onstage. A Dublin street musician is about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. As the chemistry between them grows, his music soars to powerful new heights. It's an unforgettable story about going for your dreams and the power of music to connect us all.

ELF The Musical

December 2 – 7, 2014

 

Buddy, a young orphan child, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

CINDERELLA

January 6 – 18, 2014

 

This production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations and all the moments you love—the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more—plus some surprising new twists. Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover some of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” in this Broadway experience for anyone who’s ever had a wish, a dream... or a really great pair of shoes.

ANYTHING GOES

February 17 – 22, 2014

All aboard for this winner of three 2011 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and Choreography as Cole Porter’s musical comedy is sailing to Cincinnati. When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention get tossed out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love…proving that sometimes destiny needs a little help from a crew of singing sailors, an exotic disguise and some good old-fashioned blackmail. Peppering this timeless classic are some of musical theatre’s most memorable standards, including “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” “You’re the Top,” and of course, “Anything Goes.”

Disney’s THE LION KING

March 31 – April 26, 2015

Cincinnati’s best-loved musical makes a triumphant return to the Aronoff Center following its record-breaking 2007 engagement. Marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of animals brought to life and thrill to the pulsating rhythms of the African Pridelands and an unforgettable score including Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning song “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.” Let your imagination run wild when the Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation returns to the stage.

I LOVE LUCY LIVE ON STAGE

June 2 – 14, 2015

It’s 1952 and you are a member of the studio audience awaiting the filming of two hilarious and oh-so-familiar I LOVE LUCY episodes. Stepping back in time onto the Desilu Playhouse soundstage, a charming host entertains and enlightens you to the behind-the-scenes filming process, the 1950s hi-fidelity technology and this brand-new thing called “television.” The episodes begin and you witness, firsthand, the side-splitting antics in the Ricardo’s New York apartment and thrill to the Cuban sounds of “The Ricky Ricardo Orchestra” at the famed Tropicana Nightclub. In-between scenes? The Crystaltone Singers perform live advertising jingles of the show’s newest sponsors in perfect 50s style harmony. Can you say “Brylcreem?!”

For tickets: BroadwayinCincinnati.com

Elizabeth J. Musgrave writes two magazine food and wine columns: Destination Dining and White Linen & Corks,and is a travel, features, food and wine writer, travel and food photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as the Travel & Leisure Adviser on FOX59 Morning News Show. She also is a speaker, consultant and trainer for hospitality, travel and luxury businesses, P.R., and tourism groups, as well as a radio and television guest and host. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Theater Review: Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre: Anything Goes

There may not be a more appropriate title on stage or screen than Anything Goes, playing now at Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre, Indianapolis. The live and filmed productions, considered a Cole Porter classic, have been revamped, altered and rewritten beyond all recognition at some points. It has been made into a film twice with Bing Crosby (1936 and 1956) and is originally (and loosely) based on the book by P.G.Wodehouse and Guy Bolton.

Set in the golden days of glamour, this comedy takes place on a luxury ship. Timothy Ford steps into the lead role of Billy Crocker, the lovelorn broker following his ideal woman Hope Harcourt, played by Whitney Meyer.

Timothy Ford.... well, I couldn't quite place my finger on it, to be honest. He has a smooth charm that draws the audience in, perfect vocals and an air about him that seems as if you are watching an entertainer from a bygone era. Where had I had that sense before? Then, it hit me. Right here in this theater a few years back. Ford is the lead performer that swept up everyone's adoration with his umbrella while dancing in "Singing in the Rain." He also played one half of the lovable singing/dancing duo (with Curt Dale Clark) in "White Christmas."

Best pairing in vocals are Meyer and Ford in All Through the Night. Jeff Stockberger brings down the house with his comical rendition of "The Gypsy in Me." Portraying the affable Lord Evelyn Oakleigh Stockberger brings his popular brand of funny to the uptight fiance' with an inner wild side.

Deb Wims portrays the sassy, tough Reno Sweeney. Wims pairs up nicely with on-the-run Moonface Martin, played by Jack Milo. Milo's hang-dog expression brings the ahhh factor into play with his comic style.

The show is filled with dancing and familiar songs, such as "Anything Goes," "You're the Tops" and "I Get a Kick out of You."
Costumes (Jill Kelly), stage (Michael Layton) and choreography (Ron Morgan) all deserve extra applause this production to equal the amount of attention given when creating the show.

Bottom Line: Beef and Boards' Anything Goes brings a family friendly and colorful world of dancing, singing and comedy to the stage.

Images: JulieCurryPhotography.com

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel, food, wine and spirits columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Catch her as Indy’s Personal Lifestyle Adviser on Indy Style, WISH8 (CBS) and as Travel & Leisure Expert on FOX59 Morning News Show. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, and in magazines. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre 2014 Season Lineup Features a Flying Nanny, Fiddlers, Farmers, Fortresses & Felines

One of the things I like best about Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is its desire to include a well-balanced selection in its annual offerings. Its 2014 season includes classics, comedies and current favorites. Every year theatergoers look forward to the season lineups throughout the city, hoping they will be refreshing and well considered. The disappointment of a tired, just-like-every-other lineup is as real as opening a birthday or holiday gift to find not the gift you'd dreamed of, but a generic one.

Although "Cats" is certainly familiar to B&B visitors, it has actually not played there since 2009. Opening the season with a comedy, as is their tradition, the Ken Ludwig Tony-Award winning, "Lend Me a Tenor" stands out as different than their normal fare, as does "Anything Goes" a Cole Porter musical.

I am not the only one, I'm certain, to compare versions of the same production ~ whether a film or stage performance. Mary Poppins played in Indy in 2009 with Broadway Across America Indianapolis (read my review here), and I intend to catch B&B's version to review, compare and (hopefully) enjoy as it truly is one of my favorite stories.

2014 Season

Lend Me a Tenor

Dec. 28, 2013-Feb. 2, 2014

A world-famous singer is set to perform with the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, but all doesn't go according to plan in this madcap comedy set during the 1930s. Winner of three Tony Awards ~ celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2014.

Cats

Feb. 6-March 30

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s seven-time Tony Award winning story celebrates the annual gathering of the Jellicle cats at which one is selected to ascend to the Heaviside layer. Based on the universally popular poetry of T.S. Eliot and also marking its 25th Anniversary in 2014, Cats remains the second-longest running Broadway musical in history.

Anything Goes

April 3-May 11

Two unlikely pairs set off on a course to true love on the S.S. American in this classic boy-meets-girl tale. But they’re going to need the help of a crew of singing sailors, exotic disguises and good old-fashioned blackmail to reach their destination. Celebrating its 80^th Anniversary in 2014, this musical comedy features music and lyrics by Cole Porter.

Mary Poppins

May 15-June 29

With a little magic and a lot of common sense, Mary Poppins is a nanny like the troubled Banks family has never seen before, and she teaches them to value each other again. Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film.

Church Basement Ladies:
A Mighty Fortress is Our Basement

July 5-Aug. 17

The new installment in the "Church Basement Ladies" series, which includes the original CBL, and A Second Helping. It's 960 and that means new high heels for confirmation, a food booth at the county fair and driving lessons. This musical comedy was inspired by the books “Growing Up Lutheran” and “Those Lutheran Ladies” by Janet Letness Martin and Suzann Nelson.

Oklahoma!

Aug. 21-Oct. 5

The first collaboration of Rodgers & Hammerstein is set in Indian Territory at the turn of the 20th century where farmers and cowboys collide and love doesn't come easy for one particularly headstrong pair. Based on the play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs, Oklahoma! originally opened on Broadway in 1943 and has spurred four revivals.

Fiddler on the Roof

Oct. 9-Nov. 23

Marking its 50^th Anniversary in 2014, the nine-time Tony Award winning musical embraces tradition in a changing world. Even in the tight-knit Jewish community of Anatevka, social mores are changing and anti-Semitism is growing in Czarist Russia.

 A Beef and Boards Christmas

Nov. 28-Dec. 23

The season is beautifully celebrated through song and story in this original production (read reviews for 2009, 2010, 2011, here), that has become a tradition for many families for more than 20 years.

  

A Christmas Carol

Dec. 6-22

The one-hour adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol, is onstage for select performances. Enhanced with holiday carols, this iconic tale portrays miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, who is given a second chance.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE 2014

The Pyramid Players is designed to entertain children of any age. Youngsters also have the opportunity to meet the cast after the show for pictures and autographs. Performances take place on select Fridays at 10 a.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Performances last one hour, are presented without intermission, and include juice and a snack.

How I Became a Pirate

Feb. 14-March 15

 Based on Melinda Long’s popular children’s book of the same name, this musical brings to the stage the tale of young Jeremy Jacob’s high seas adventure.

Sleeping Beauty

Oct. 17-Nov. 15 

This classic fairy tale made popular by the Brothers Grimm centers around a beautiful princess, who is destined to fall into a deep sleep for 100 years until being awakened by a prince’s kiss.

MEMBERSHIP & TICKET AVAILABILITY

 VIP Memberships for the 2014 season go on sale to the public starting Sept. 3. Individual show tickets to the general public start Oct. 1.

Tickets, directions and showtimes are available at BeefandBoards.com.

Images: Beef and Boards

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, an in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.