Ensemble Theatre Opens Renovated Facilities with THIS RANDOM WORLD

Roll out the red carpet! Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati begins the 2017-2018 Season in its newly renovated theatre with the charming regional premiere of This Random World, a wistful drama by award-winning playwright Steven Dietz. This funny, intimate, and heartbreaking story about the power of chance takes audiences on a journey of self-discovery. Playing October 10-November 4, 2017. Directed by D. Lynn Meyers. Production sponsor is the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation.

Fate or luck? Happy coincidence or unintended consequence? Call it what you will, but how often do we intersect with someone else's world and never even know it? Mining the comedy of missed connections, this humorous and bittersweet new play explores the myriad lives that may be happening just out of reach of our own. From dirty diners to beautiful Japanese temples to possibly haunted funeral homes, seven intertwined characters meet-or don't meet-in imaginative and unexpected ways.

"What better way to open our newly remodeled, beautiful space than with a voice that our audiences have come to know and love," explains Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. "Steven Dietz's work is honest, complex, and beautiful. This Random World is about missed connections and the what-ifs in our lives. This was also a play that allowed me to hire some magnificent actors, some that have been with us many times and others that are taking our stage for the first time."

About the Cast

Annie Fitzpatrick (Scottie Ward) recently appeared in Bloomsday at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Her favorite productions include Luna Gale, Next Fall, Rabbit Hole, String of Pearls, Wayfarer's Rest, and Earhart. She received Cincinnati Entertainment Awards for her Copperheads, Dinner With Friends, and Mauritius. Other credits include A Prayer for Owen Meany, A Christmas Carol, and Pride and Prejudice, Cincinnati Playhouse; Richard III and Blithe Spirit, Cincinnati Shakespeare; and Pluto and Collapse, Know Theatre. She has worked at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Geva Theatre, Florida Stage, and Human Race Theatre Co. She was a founding member of The New Group and toured internationally with Murder à La Carte. She's appeared in numerous soaps and in local and national commercials. TV and film credits include Chicago PD, Those Who Kill, Army Wives, Fun Size, and Milk Money.

Kelly Mengelkoch (Beth Ward) returns to Ensemble Theatre, having appeared in The Other Place and Tribes. She is an associate artist and resident ensemble member at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, making the Queen City her theatrical home for thirteen years and counting. She has also performed locally with The Human Race Theatre Co., New Stage Collective, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

Burgess Byrd (Bernadette) returns to Ensemble Theatre, having appeared last in Detroit '67. Raised in Louisville, KY, Ms. Byrd has had the great pleasure of finding her theatrical home in Cincinnati. She most recently performed in Raisin In The Sun at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and in the Nicolas Cage movie Inconceivable, filmed in Cincinnati. Some of her favorite roles include Doubt, Avenue Q, Harry and The Thief, Caroline or Change, and the one-person shows Pretty Fire and Neat.

Patrick E. Phillips (Tim Ward) last appeared at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati in Bloomsday. He received his BA in Theatre from Xavier University and was an Acting Intern at Ensemble during the 2014-2015 Season. His previous Ensemble credits include Cinderella: After Ever After, Luna Gale, Violet, Love and Information, and Sleeping Beauty. His other regional theatre credits include The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre; and Henry VI, Part I, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; Saint Joan and Relatively Speaking, Diogenes Theatre Company; and multiple appearances in Know Theatre of Cincinnati's Serials.

Justin McCombs (Gary) makes his Ensemble Theatre debut with this production. Originally from farm country in Illinois, he has worked on over 100 productions since moving to Cincinnati in 2006. He is a resident ensemble member at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, where some favorite roles include Death of a Salesman, The Great Gatsby, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Twelfth Night, The Grapes of Wrath, and the title role in Henry V. He has also been seen in Pulp, Silent Sky, and Moby Dick at Know Theatre of Cincinnati.

Brianna Bernard (Claire) recently toured the Midwest as Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream with Prairie Fire Children's Theatre. She was a member of the 2016-2017 Professional Acting Apprentice Company at Ensemble Theatre, where she was seen in ANTIGONE (born against.). Other regional credits include Finding the Falcon, Know Theatre of Cincinnati; The Winter's Tale, Bare Bodkins Theatre; Children of Eden and A Funny Thing...Forum, Black Hills Playhouse. She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from University of South Dakota.

Ernaisja Curry (Rhonda) makes her Ensemble Theatre debut with this production. A Florida native, she has made Cincinnati her home after completing the Bruce E. Coyle Acting Internship with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Her favorite recent roles include A Prayer for Owen Meany, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Marian, Know Theatre of Cincinnati; and kates, Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

Production team includes Brian c. Mehring (Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer), Jack Murphy (Technical Director), Matthew Hollstegge (Production Manager & Master Electrician), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Master & Design Assistant), Matt Callahan (Sound Designer), and Reba Senske (Costume Designer). Production Stage Manager is Brandon T. Holmes. Assistant Stage Manager is Elizabeth Freyman.

Performance Information

Performances run Tuesday through Sunday. Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 pm; Friday and Saturday, 8:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 2:00 pm; and Sunday, 7:00 pm. A complete calendar of performances is available online at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.

Ticket Prices

Ticket prices start at $35 for adults; student tickets are $28; and children are $24. For the 2017-2018 Season, ETC continues its popular $15 student and half-price rush tickets for all performances, which are available two hours prior to show time and may be purchased by phone or in person at the box office.

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