Ensemble Theatre's SLEEPING BEAUTY Begins Today

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) presents the return of one of its most cherished family-friendly holiday musicals Sleeping Beauty, by local playwright Joseph McDonough with music and lyrics by David Kisor, playing today, December 3, 2014 through January 4, 2015. In the tradition of ETC's "fractured fairytale" holiday productions, Sleeping Beauty is a modern spin on the classic tale by Charles Perrault. This revamped production features a magical set design, an updated musical score and story, enchanting comedy, and a blooming twist on the meaning of love. Directed by D. Lynn Meyers. Premiere Sponsor is Macy's.

Romance, comedy, action, rock n' roll, and opera-this musical version of Sleeping Beauty has it all! Meet Briar Rose, her overprotective parents, three wacky fairies (and a wicked one), and a dragon with an attitude as our contemporary twist on the classic tale returns to Ensemble's stage. From the creators of Cinderella and Snow White, this enchanted and memorable musical will delight audiences of all ages this holiday season.

Each season, ETC produces a magical fairy tale musical written with families in mind. As a theatre that also seeks to nurture new audiences, ETC has specifically commissioned these shows that take classic fairy tales and give them a fresh, modern spin with contemporary cultural references to make the shows' message accessible for the next generation of arts patrons.

Following the success of recent holiday musicals, ETC's performance schedule includes over 30 chances for audiences to see this popular production. ETC will also offer a convenient show calendar for families with many weekend matinees, early 6:00 pm Sunday evening shows, and 7:00 pm evening shows throughout the holiday season. "Sleeping Beauty is a parable about the beauty within and the capacity we all have to change, grow, and make the world better," says ETC's Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. "This is a very bright, bold, and inventive production that truly embodies the essence of our Ensemble."

Deirdre Manning (Briar Rose) is a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida with her BFA in Musical Theatre and minors in Dance and Environmental Science. She has most recently been seen on the ETC stage in An Iliad, as well as the Theatre UCF stage in The Music Man, Shipwrecked!, as the title character in Eurydice, and Violet Hilton in Side Show. This past summer, she was the assistant director of the new musical The Legend of Jim Cullen, at Heartwood Regional Theater Company. Deirdre is also the lyricist of Sharknami: The Musical?, which made its world premiere at the Orlando International Fringe Festival last May.

Terrance J. Ganser (Prince William/Edward) makes his ETC debut as Prince William and Prince Edward in Sleeping Beauty. His recent professional credits include Bamatabois in the Cortland Repertory Theatre's production of LES MISERABLES and Whitney Smith in Unity Productions' show Blogging Behind Bars, which won the Cincinnati Fringe Festival's "Audience Pick" award in June of 2014. Mr. Ganser recently graduated from Miami University of Ohio with degrees in Music and Education.

Deb G. Girdler (Wisteria) reprises her role as the evil fairy Wisteria in Sleeping Beauty. She has appeared numerous times on ETC's stage, often as the villain in the holiday shows. Her ETC credits include Janice Curtis in Hands on a Hardbody, Around the World in 80 Days, The Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, Betty in the smash hit The Great American Trailer Park Musical, as well as Old Bones in The Frog Princess. Ms. Girdler has appeared at the Olney Theatre as the Fairy Godmother in the now official version of Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella as well as in La Cage Aux Folles at the Gateway Playhouse in New Jersey. A CCM graduate, she began her career on the Showboat Majestic and has worked off-Broadway, in regional theatre, and in summer stock for over 30 years.

Michael G. Bath (Falcon) returns to ETC's stage, marking this year as his eighteenth consecutive holiday show with Ensemble Theatre. He most recently appeared in ETC's productions of Hands on a Hardbody, Around the World in 80 Days, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Next Fall, Cinderella, Becky's New Car and My Name is Asher Lev. Other regional credits include Superior Donuts with The Clifton Players and Angels in America at Know Theatre. Mr. Bath has also performed with Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Children's Theatre, the Performance Gallery, Showboat Majestic, and Stage First Cincinnati.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati regulars Sara Mackie (Marigold), Brooke Steele (Daisy), Denise Devlin (Lilac), and Kate Wilford (Queen Olivia), as well as Phil Fiorni (King Stefan) and Geofrey Warren Barnes (Wizard), also appear in this production. ETC 2014-2015 Acting interns Kadeem Ali Harris (Bud), Molly Israel (Blossom), Aziza Macklin (Petal), Patrick E. Phillips (Branch/Dragon), Emily Scott (Bloom), and Natalie Joyce Smith (Stem) round out the ensemble cast.

Production team includes Brian c. Mehring (Set & Lighting Designer), Jack Murphy (Technical Director), Matthew Hollstegge (Production Coordinator & Master Electrician), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Master & Design Assistant), Matthew Tibbs (Sound Designer), Sean Michael Flowers (Musical Director), Dee Anne Bryll (Choreographer), Reba Senske (Costume Designer), and Kelly Yurko (Wigs & Makeup Designer). Production Stage Manager is Brandon T. Holmes.

Ticket prices range from $28 to $44 for adults; student tickets are $25; and children are $18. For the 2014-2015 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.

Runs December 3, 2014-January 4, 2015. 7:00 p.m. performances Fri.; 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. performances Sat. and select weeknights; 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. No performances on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. A complete calendar is available at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.

Military/Educator, AAA, and Senior discounts available; tickets and seating are subject to availability. ETC accepts all major credit cards and Downtown Cincinnati gift cards. Group rates are available for 10 or more people.

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