Cincinnati Playhouse Presents ROSES & THORNS, Now thru 11/2

The 2014-15 season of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's popular Off the Hill series for families debuts with ROSES & THORNS (A TALE OF BEAUTY & THE BEAST), Bret Fetzer's creative take on the classic fairy tale. Recommended for ages 7 and up, ROSES & THORNS will tour to community venues throughout the Tristate from tonight, Sept. 27 through Nov. 2.

In this twisted comedy, the beautiful Rose chooses to sacrifice her own happiness to be the servant of a hideous Beast in order to protect her father and her family. The play embraces slapstick, satire and high camp styles even as it explores the darker depths of the tale.

"It really explores the dual nature of good and evil that exists within us all, as well as the original idea that beauty is more than skin deep," explains Playhouse Education Director Mark Lutwak, who will direct the production. Lutwak is returning to ROSES & THORNS for a second time, having been involved in its creation and premiere at Honolulu Theatre for Youth in 2001.

The ROSES & THORNS cast includes Claire Simba (Rose), Jay Hobson (Father/Wolf 2/ Door/Rabbit/Beastess), Ollie Corchado (Tulip/Sea Captain/Wolf/Beast/Prince), Christopher Richardson (Daffodil/Wolf/Sailor/Servant/Clock/Mirror) and Laurie Roberts (Mulch/Thorn/ Handsome/Moneylender), all members of the Playhouse's 2014-15 Bruce E. Coyle Acting Intern Company. Other production team members include John Muething (assistant director), Kenton Brett (set designer), Gordon DeVinney (costume designer), Jeremy Lee (sound designer),

Kari-Lee Sutherland (choreographer) and Tracy Hoida (stage manager).

In addition to ROSES & THORNS, the 2014-15 Off the Hill season features THEORY OF MIND by Ken LaZebnik, which tells the love story of Bill, a teenager who happens to live on the autism spectrum (performances Jan. 23-Feb. 22, 2015, recommended for children ages 11 and up); and BIRD BRAIN by Vern Thiessen, a charming and funny fable based on the story Vogelkopp by Albert Wendt about a kind-hearted woodcutter who must choose between following the rules or his heart when he finds a nest of orphaned birds (performances April 7-May 24, 2015; recommended for ages 5 and up).

For more information about the Playhouse's education and outreach programs, contact the Education Department at 513-345-2242 or visit www.cincyplay.com.

Off the Hill is supported by the Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation, ArtsWave and the Ohio Arts Council.
The Cincinnati Playhouse season is presented by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation and Heidelberg Distributing Company. The season sponsor of new work is The Lois and Richard Rosenthal Foundation.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of the community contributors to the ArtsWave campaign.
The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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