Sunday, July 22

Today is first dress rehearsal for Cincinnati Young People's Theatre's "Anything Goes" -- and Cincinnati Costume's Caren Young thanks Kathy Magistrelli, Leslie Korbee, Kathy Enos, Betsy Kline and Jim Stump, as well as Costume Gallery in Newport, Theatre House in Covingont, Costume Castle in Loveland, June Hill, Sheryl Arborgast from Mount Notre Dame, Folchis' Formalwear, Bunny Arszman of Showbiz Players, "St. X moms and crew kids and so many more" for making sure the show would go on.

"I'm sure I'm forgetting someone," says Young, who has understandably mostly been watching from the sidelines and juggling insurance forms.

"I can't believe how everyone is pitching in to get this done -- they've taken a divide and conquer approach and it seems to be working! I hate to think how many hours this is taking, but all the shops have given so much!"

See July 25 and July 26 for what's next.

Monday, July 23

Catch local actor/director Don Volpenhein at 10 p.m. tonight in Hour 4 of Spike TV miniseries "The Kill Point." (His character is 'Finton Doyle').

Coincidence? Lincoln Center Theater plans a spring long-run of "South Pacific," even as the Hollywood Bowl preps an upcoming concert (Aug. 3-5) starring Reba McEntire (and could there be a more perfect Nellie Forbush?) Casting has yet to be announced for Broadway, but the can't-improve-on concert cast includes CCM grad Aaron Lazar as madly romantic Lt. Cable. (And Lazar has already been madly romantic at Lincoln Center in "The Light in the Piazza," and for the same director, Bartlett Sher) We'll just hope casting directors are paying close attention.

In other CCM Broadway-bound news, "A Catered Affair" is a regular CCM reunion, with 2006 grad Katie Klaus joining a cast that includes Faith Prince and Leslie Kritzer in leading roles. The John Doyle-directed new musical starts previews on March 25 and opens April 17.

And according to Playbill Online, Daniel Bogart and Betsy Wolfe were both part of the ensemble last week for "Ever After" (subtitled "A Cinderella Story," and, yes, inspired by the Drew Barrymore movie) and planned for spring 2009.

Natalie Bradshaw, CCM 2007, is playing Joanie Cunningham (you know, Richie's little sister) in a developmental production of small screen-to-stage musical "Happy Days" by TV hit creator Garry Marshall with music by Paul Williams.

Goodspeed Opera, which lists "Annie" among its Broadway transfer, is giving the show a whirl from Aug. 9-Sept. 2. According to Playbill Online, the show is expected to be the season opener at Paper Mill Playhouse (just across the river from NYC) and a comercial national tour is in the works.

Know theater folks who got their start in Cincinnati and are now working on Broadway and beyond? Tell me! I love to write about them.

Tuesday, July 24

CCM grads join the cast of Broadway's current "A Chorus Line" revival tonight. Michael Gruber is Greg (stylish and gay); Jason Patrick Sands plays Don (the one who worked in a strip club).

Wednesday, July 25

Watch for the announcement of the 2008 winner of the Mickey Kaplan New American Play Prize at Playhouse in the Park in today's Enquirer. Some of us have a special reason to be delighted with the pick.

And for something completely different -- Know Theatre and the League of Cincinnati Theatres host a cabaret at the Know (1120 Jackson St.). tonight for the Youngs, to offset costs of removing debris, cleaning the site and securing/reinforcing the two Cincinnati Costume buildings that remain standing.

Entertainers include local musicians Mike Fair and the Adventure Seekers, magicians, singers, dancers and female impersonators. Show starts at 8, happy hour starts at 6. Suggested donation $10. Cash bar (Know will donate profits to the cause) and silent auction.

Thursday, July 26

Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre opens the doors of the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts to the final preview of “Anything Goes” for the benefit of Cincinnati Costume Company, destroyed in a fire on July 10.

The night of the fire Cincinnati Costume owner Caren Young got word to "Anything Goes" producer/director Tim Perrino that she would make good on the contract for the show and for the last two weeks Young and her employees have been in inventories all over town in search of the hundreds of costumes to outfit the production.

Tickets are $10 and all income will be donated to Cincinnati Costume Company to assist in recovery efforts. Performance is at 8 p.m. For reservations and information call the box office at 513-241-6550. The musical will continue through Aug. 5.

Friday, July 27

Longtime Cincinnati Ballet corps member Kelly Ann Sloan leaves the city with a final new piece of choreography -- her new work will be part of ballet tech ohio's "Hot Summer Aronoff!" tonight at 7 p.m.. Sloan joins the inaugural season of the Los Angeles Ballet this fall, according to bto's Claudia Rudolf Barrett.

The performance is in the Aronoff's Jarson-Kaplan Theater. Tickets $25. For information and reservtaions call the box office at 513-621-2787. 

Saturday, July 28

Do you PLAY AROUND? Will you PLAY AROUND? Absolutely! PLAY AROUND at Second Sunday on Main Sept. 9. At the start of the 2007-2008 season, CinStages.com and League of Cincinnati Theatres offer Play Stations throughout the afternoon for some hands-on experience with Cincinnati theaters.

Dish about “Dracula” with Paul Shortt, try your hand at stage combat, hang with theater gals including Dale Hodges and Sherman Fracher, Amy Warner, Corinne Mohlenhoff and Rebecca Bowman, get in the spotlight for Broadway karaoke – and a whole lot more.

Benefitting the Theatre Artists Project Fund. Watch for details – and Save the Date.

Jackie Demaline