Through Oct. 1, Clifton Performance Theatre is presenting the professional premiere of The Road Through Damascus by Robert Macke, a graduate of Northern Kentucky University. It’s about a small town where people go about their everyday lives, worrying, wondering and questioning. Director Nate Netzley likes CPT’s intimate space. “You won't get a more intimate and honest experience than in the space at Ludlow because there is no place to hide, no room for being fake, even in a play that's a kind of magical realism like this one. Everything you do has to be honest.” CPT’s managing director Kat Steele says, “The play integrates with the audience, creating an interactive environment. You get to know the citizens of the Damascus, just by sitting in the audience.” So you might want to consider sitting down for a performance. Tickets: cliftonperformancetheatre.com.
In addition to putting on shows (this weekend offers the final performances of the highly entertaining Legend of Georgia McBride, which I designated as a Critic’s Pick, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is offering a series of programs offering behind-the-scenes glimpses of various theater operations. The first of these Caffeinated Conversations, “Getting to Know You," is Saturday at 11 a.m. ETC’s Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers will talking about how she selects the shows for each season; she has uncanny insight into what ETC audiences will appreciate, and most of her subscribers trust her, buying their next-season tickets even before the shows are announced. Space is limited; last year the series sold out. Admission is just $10, coffee included. Call to reserve a seat: 513-421-3555.
Mini-Serials! concludes its three-week run on Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. Even if you missed the first two episodes, you’ll be brought up to speed by “previously on” introductions. It’s a chance to see the work of five local playwrights and directors, plus casts featuring some of Cincinnati’s up-and-coming actors. It happens at Know Theatre’s Underground Bar. Tickets: 513-300-5669.
Two more fine productions on local stages, both earning Critic’s Picks, are A Prayer for Owen Meany at the Cincinnati Playhouse and The Diary of Anne Frank at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Both are onstage through Oct. 1. And for a taste of nostalgia, you might check out Godspell, the tuneful 1971 musical using parables from the New Testament Gospel of Matthew. It’s onstage at the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts through Oct. 2.
Rick Pender’s STAGE DOOR blog appears here every Friday. Find more theater reviews and feature stories here.
