“We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams.” Willy Wonka got that right. See the iconic Gene Wilder flick at Ziegler Park’s penultimate summer showing this week. Fall is upon us, though, which means season openers in all sorts of places. Enjoy some theater at Falcon or Matinée Musicale on Sunday afternoon. Peruse a FotoFocus exhibit at the 21c Museum Hotel while you plan what to do for the rest of the week. It’s all there, just for you .“Yet we are the Movers & Makers, uh, shakers, of the world for ever, it seems.” O’Shaughnessy got it all right.
Wednesday, Sept. 11
Ziegler Park Cinema, “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” (1971) | 8 p.m. 1332 Sycamore St., Pendleton. DETAILS: Gene Wilder delivers a magical performance as Willy Wonka in this fantasy about chocolate, golden tickets, poverty and little orange men. The screenplay of Roald Dahl’s children’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” underwent many changes in its second rewrite by an uncredited David Seltzer. Dahl wrote the first screenplay (sort of), but would eventually disown the film over creative differences, not the least of which was removing the focus from Charlie and placing it on Wonka. Lots of very interesting film history. Poet Arthur O’Shaughnessy actually got “music makers and dreamers of dreams” right in his poem, “Ode”, also the inspiration for the name of the publication you’re reading right now. Grab a comfortable chair, a well-behaved kid and ponder while you watch.
Thursday, Sept. 12
American Sign Museum, Signs & Shakespeare | 6:30 p.m. 1330 Monmouth St., Camp Washington. 513-541-6366. DETAILS: “Methought I heard a voice cry “Sleep no more!” (Macbeth) Cincinnati Shakespeare Company never seems to rest. Fresh off a summer run of “Hamlet” in the park, CSC makes its way to ASM to ponder signs and the Shakespearean passages that come to mind. This should be interesting. Food and drink available for purchase.
Mercantile Library, The 1835 Lecture | 6 p.m. Reakirt Auditorium, Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. 513-621-0717. DETAILS: Political analyst and network television commentator William Kristol delivers his unique perspective on America, the Constitution and conservatism. Kristol draws on all aspects of a background in government and politics to analyze Congress, the Trump Administration and U.S. foreign policy at home and abroad. He served as chief of staff to Vice President Dan Quayle and Education Secretary William Bennett. He also taught politics at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Please note this event will take place at the Museum Center as the Mercantile Library continues its renovation.
Cincinnati Landmark Productions, “Nunsense” | 7:30 p.m. Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, 4990 Glenway Ave., Price Hill. 513-241-6550. Vichyssoise. Bad vichyssoise. Kills an entire sisterhood except for six lucky survivors. Enjoy the wacky antics of the remaining sisters as they try to stage a variety show to raise money to bury the rest of their dead. Who are on ice in a deep freeze. With book, lyrics and music by Dan Goggin, “Nunsense” originated as a line of greeting cards. The concept expanded into a cabaret show and then to a full-length musical that became the second-longest running off-Broadway musical in history. Runs through Oct. 6.
Friday, Sept. 13
Cincinnati Pops, “Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey” | 7:30 p.m. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-3300. DETAILS: Rick Steves, America’s premiere travel guide includes Cincinnati in his busy itinerary this week. John Morris Russell leads symphonic works from Italy to England, Austria, Norway and beyond to accompany Steves’ insight into the history and culture of these beloved travel destinations. As an added bonus, all attendees will be eligible to win a FREE one-week Rick Steves European tour for two to London, Paris, Rome or Istanbul. One random winner will be chosen at each performance. Performances repeat Sept. 14 and 15.
Falcon Theatre, “Potus” | 8 p.m. 636 Monmouth St., Newport. 513-479-6783. DETAILS: Playwright Selina Fillinger’s brilliant, all-female farce took Broadway by storm in a star-studded production that earned three 2022 Tony nominations. One four-letter word is about to rock 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. When the President unwittingly spins a PR nightmare into a global crisis, the seven brilliant and beleaguered women he relies upon most (Sherry McCarnley, Elizabeth Durham, Samantha Joy Luhn, Anna Hazard, Claire LaNicca, Bryana Bentley, Brandi La’Sherrill) risk life, liberty, and the pursuit of sanity to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble. Falcon Theatre is Greater Cincinnati’s only true storefront theatre. It’s a cozy little black box with convenient street parking and lots of restaurants in the area. Runs through Sept. 28.
Know Theatre, “Camp Siegfried” | 7:30 p.m., 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-300-5669. DETAILS: It’s 1938 and the world is on the brink of war. A wholesome summer camp exclusively for American youth of German descent slowly indoctrinates teenagers to the political right. From the pen of playwright Bess Wohl, who also wrote “Grand Horizons” (sold out run at Ensemble Theatre last season), a new story about the terrifying allure of fascism. Sure to stir up discussion. Runs through Sept. 28.
21c Museum Hotel, “Revival: Digging into Yesterday, Planting Tomorrow” (FotoFocus) | 6-8 p.m. Opening reception, 609 Walnut St., Fountain District, downtown. 513-578-6600. Dozens of venues participate in this year’s FotoFocus Biennial. 2024’s theme is backstory told through a range of contemporary and historical perspectives. FotoFocus highlights and celebrates photography, film and lens-based art. Featured artists at 21c include Kelani Abass, Stacey Gillian Abe, Maxwell Alexandre, Katrina Andry, Daphne Arthur, Omar Ba, Alberto Baraya, Wim Botha, Andy Llanes Bulto, Gareth Cadwallader, Carolyn Castaño, Kudzanai Chiurai, Joana Choumali, Myrlande Constant, Christian Curiel, Uuriintuya Dagvasambuu and others. Runs through Sept. 2025.
Saturday, Sept. 14
Ensemble Theatre, “The Garbologists” | 7 p.m. preview. 1127 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-421-3555. DETAILS: Tucson-based playwright Lindsay Joelle is drawn to stories of “misfits, rebels and the unassimilated.” She goes on to say that her “writing explores the rituals, routines, jargon, and humor of urban and rural micro-communities across America.” Thrown together in the cab of a nineteen-ton garbage truck, Danny (Nathan Neorr) – a white, blue-collar, New York City sanitation worker – and Marlowe (Torie Wiggins) – the Black, Ivy-educated newbie – spend their first shifts sparring and practicing the secret art of mongo: hunting for discarded treasures. (It has a name?) This off-beat buddy comedy shows us there are things that are easy to toss and other things, not so much. Runs through Oct. 6.
Gallery 506, “Culmination” | 6-10 p.m. opening reception. 506 Ash St., Elsmere. 513-919-5415. DETAILS: The gallery’s exhibition season launches with a retrospective of the work of local artist and educator David Michael Beck whose work is centered in classical painting and illustration. He employs a variety of media from watercolor, gouache, acrylics and oils to full tonal pencil, and pen and ink. The exhibit features a range of pieces including items from the worlds of advertising, book publishing, editorial, entertainment and fine art. Runs through Oct. 19.
Sunday, Sept. 15
Matinée Musicale, Memorial Hall | 3 p.m. Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-977-8838. DETAILS: Violist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt opens the Matinée Musicale season with her “silky tone and beautiful, supple lines.” Strad magazine goes on to describe her London debut recital as “fleet and energetic, powerful and focused.” She was the founding violist of the award-winning Dover Quartet and has appeared as a soloist with the Tokyo Philharmonic and Jacksonville Symphony. She is now a member of the newly formed piano quartet, “Espressivo!,” along with acclaimed artists Jaime Laredo, Sharon Robinson and Anna Polonsky, and will return to Cincinnati with them in October for Linton Chamber Music.
Monday, Sept. 16
Washington Park, Jazz at the Park | 6-9 p.m. 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: Bassist and vocalist Sophia Troyer makes her entrance as this popular summer series begins to wind down for the year. Grab a jacket and enjoy the sunset with a refreshment from The Porch. There are still amazing musicians to finish out this popular summer series. April Aloisio, Jordan Pollard and Tough Friend are on the schedule. The stunning backdrop of Music Hall never changes, though.
Tuesday, Sept. 17
Photo by Marco Borggreve
College Conservatory of Music, Ariel Quartet | 7:30 p.m. Werner Recital Hall, University of Cincinnati, Clifton. 513-556-6638. DETAILS: CCM’s faculty quartet-in-residence opens its season with a music of Mendelssohn, Schubert and Israeli composer Matan Porat. Porat’s “Four Ladino Songs for String Quartet” was commissioned by Cincinnati philanthropists Ann and Harry Santen and CCM. Ladino was a Judeo-Spanish language originally spoken in Spain, but soon spoken throughout the Middle East. The four songs were chosen from a rich heritage of folk songs dealing with the themes of love and pain. Guest cellist Paul Watkins joins the ensemble to close the program with Franz Schubert’s Quintet, Op. 163, D. 956 in C Major.
Memorial Hall, Skerryvore | 8 p.m. 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-977-8838. DETAILS: Bagpipes, accordions, fiddles and whistles take to the stage when this award-winning Scottish band stops in for a one-night performance in oh-so German Cincinnati. Contemporary, yet traditional Scottish folk music is this popular band’s winning combination. Add guitar, vocals and plenty of keyboard for an appealing evening with an international flair.
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