Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series Continues at the Playhouse

The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series continues with unique comedy, larger-than-life puppets and a combination of dance, theatre and music to transport you to another world while teaching valuable life lessons.

On March 6, extraordinary physical comedian Leland Faulkner performs World of Wonder at The Playhouse. Equal parts clown, mime and dancer, Faulkner brings a huge heart and sense of childlike whimsy to the stage. He was born in Afghanistan to Native American parents, raised in Africa and Iran and, as an adult, traveled to Germany, France, Thailand, Japan and China. World of Wonder is a journey around the world that occurs in the most magical of all places - within yourself.

Paul Mesner Puppets bring the classic tale of The Stinky Cheese Man to life when they come to The Playhouse on March 13. This hilarious puppet troupe from Kansas City has adapted the Caldecott Award-winning book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith for the stage. Narrator Jack takes audiences through the twists and turns of this wacky tale where they learn the real story of Chicken Licken ... or is that Chicken Little? And then there is Cinderumpelstiltskin, the Really Ugly Duckling and a whole new spin on the Little Red Hen. Audiences across the United States have delighted in the precise craftsmanship, dynamic presentation and joyful blending of humor and education in this one-of-a-kind show.

On March 20, the two-person team of Eth-Noh-Tec presents AN ASIAN OCCASION OF STORYTELLING. Combining music, theatre and dance, Eth-Noh-Tec shares a wide range of folktales and urban legends from Japan, China, the Philippines and other Asian countries with an exciting new blend of storytelling and physical theatre. Their artistic style fuses the ancient with the contemporary, blending traditional and modern art forms.

Founded in 1982 by Nancy Wang and Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo, Eth-Noh-Tec has performed to acclaim throughout the United States and abroad.

On March 27 and April 3, The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi, a free-flowing adaptation of the Kipling classic, will enchant audiences of all ages! Darzee, the diva tailor bird, is incensed when Rikki Tikki Tavi, a young mongoose, washes up in her pristine garden. Darzee and her friend, Chuchu, pull out all the stops attempting to run off the pesky mongoose until they see that Nag, the cobra and garden tyrant, runs in fear when Rikki Tikki Tavi is on the loose. This comedy about sharing and cooperation has been produced across the country.

All shows take place at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in The Playhouse's Rosenthal Plaza.

All performances are for ages 4 and up. Made possible by the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Foundation, the Rosenthal Next Generation Theatre Series involves youngsters in the excitement of theatre. All afternoon performances are signed for the hearing impaired courtesy of the Cincinnati State Interpreter Training Program.

Tickets are $5 for theatregoers ages 4 to 18 and $6 for adults through The Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 (toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208) or online at www.cincyplay.com. Parking is free. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.

The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund.

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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