Producing Artistic Director’s Notes

FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE’VE BEEN working hard to bring your Playhouse into a new era of theatre. How do we build performance spaces that inspire the industry’s most talented artists? That enable us to wow our audiences? How can we support the incredible artistry of our local peers? The 2022-23 season marks the culmination of years-long planning and development.

We’re elated (and eager!) to open the all-new Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre in March 2023. This once-in-a-generation project comes to an incredible finish because of the generosity of the entire Playhouse community. The facility allows us to reach new heights with enhanced technology and to serve our patrons with expanded accessibility and comfort. As a space for artistic creation, we’ll open our doors to local artists and organizations to cultivate relationships and explore new, impactful ideas. Simply put, it represents the future of American theatre — right here in Cincinnati.

Until that exciting moment, the Playhouse will bring the first three shows of the 2022-23 season into the community! We’re performing Agatha Christie’s long-awaited, masterpiece mystery Murder on the Orient Express, as told by Ken Ludwig, at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater. The iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo comes to life in Frida…A Self Portrait, written and performed by Vanessa Severo, at The Carnegie Theatre in Covington, Kentucky. And in an exclusive engagement of a new production, The Lion, by Benjamin Scheuer, tells an intimate musical tale at the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater in Price Hill.

We’ll celebrate the grand opening of the Rouse Theatre with a new production of the Broadway sensation, A Chorus Line, and set the stage for another groundbreaking chapter of the American Century Cycle in August Wilson’s Seven Guitars. Then, we’re giving new life to one of the greatest Westerns of all time, Shane, a world premiere written by the acclaimed Karen Zacarías and co-commissioned with the renowned Guthrie Theater.

Likewise, the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre season continues its legacy of exciting new works. Lloyd Suh’s The Chinese Lady paints a darkly poetic yet whimsical portrait of the first Chinese woman to step foot on U.S. soil. And the world premiere of Nathan Alan Davis’ Origin Story weaves an endearing comedy about life’s biggest questions and the surprising ways we find the answers.

What a remarkable moment this is for the Playhouse! It’s a privilege to share it with you, and we can’t wait to step into this new era of theatre. Together.

Blake Robison Producing Artistic Director

Terry Lemmerman and Nancy Lippincott

Susan J. Cummings Vickie Buyniski Gluckman Karlee Hilliard Rosemary Schlachter Kelly M. Dehan Linda Greenberg Jackie Mack Jill Wilson

Janet G. Banks Susan Ingmire Patti Myers Digi France Schueler Jan Bartel Mary E. Ivers Karen Neyer Maureen Vignola Randal S. Bloch Sarah Raup Johnson Julia Pentecost Barbara Weyand Carrie Collins Margo Kirstein Jennifer Dorsey Powell Marjorie Compton Danute Miskinis Betty L. Prince

Debra Hust Allison Elizabeth George Nancy Martin KJ Sanchez Janice Amatulli Nancy Gollobin Evelyn Banzhaf McCord Keke Sansalone Susan S. Anthony Margo Hall Joann Mead Lauren Hannan Shafer Elizabeth Armitage Louise Head Mary Ann Meanwell Patricia Sheppard Susan Arnold Nirvani Head Ms. Kathryn Merchant Shelly Sherman Molly R. Barber Camille K. Healy Audrey K. Miller Sue Showers Mandy Bartel Patti Heldman Emily Miracle Laura Skidmore Becky Beckstedt Betsy Hendy Diane Moccia Terri Skidmore Mary Ann Bell Helene Herbert Abby Moran Paula Steiner Stephanie Besl Judy Tondi Herd Mary G. Moran Dr. Susan R. Strick Holly P. Bortz Bernita McCann Hightower Maura Moran-Berry Glenda Suttman Linda D. Brink Kyle Hodgkins Connan Morrissey Kazue Takeuchi Lisa Broun Linda R. Holthaus Jennifer Mottier Teresa Telford Sara Butler Debra E. Howie Jeannie Niebuhr Jan H. Tepe Carol Campbell Marty Humes Jan V. Portman Kathy Thornton Mary Ellen Cody Pat Humphrey Jane Portman Sally Tieke Cynthia Cole Diane R. Iseman Ildiko Pray Catharina Toltzis Ph.D. Crystal Faulkner Cooney Anne Jaroszewicz Kathy Qualls Dionn Tron Jeanne Coughlin Jessica Jones Margie Rauh Susie Tweddell Alva Jean Crawford Lisa N. Kagan Sherri Adams Remaklus Ellen G. van der Horst Amelia Crutcher Heather Krombholz Margie Rennie Nancy A. Virgulak Tiffany Dace Lynn P. Larson Danielle Revelson Bettie Watts Judy S. Dalambakis Connie Cook Laug Deborah White Richardson Kate Wehby Carol DeGreg Terry Lemmerman Dr. Jeri B. Ricketts Ronna K. Willis Debora Del Valle Nancy Lippincott Buffie Rixey Linda Young Bethany Doverspike Sally A. Lloyd Mary Ellen Roberts Sue Zimmerman Sharon Fiscus Janet Longacre Margo K. Ross Ora Forusz Laurel Markley Karina Rothzeid Nancy Gaffney Carolyn Ott Martin Diane M. Rumpke