In 1998, building on a concept of locally-produced professional theater that he first experienced at Edgecliff College in the 1970’s, Executive Director Michael Shooner established New Edgecliff Theatre. “I wanted to create a theatre company where the connection between actor and audience was the essential element,” says Shooner. Now entering its 15th season, NET continues to present works featuring local talent that focuses on the actor’s craft. Over the years, Cincinnati audiences have enjoyed such shows as “I Stand Before You Naked”, “Master Harold and the Boys”, “American Buffalo”, “Equus” and “Title of Show” and has collaborated with such organizations as The Carnegie Center for Visual and Performing Arts, Xavier University and The Freedom Center.
“As we approach our fifteenth season, I’ve been thinking about what’s next for our audiences,” says Artistic Director Jim Stump. “Audiences have come to know us as a theatre where the audience is drawn into the story by quality actors performing excellent scripts, and they frequently ask, “What’s next?” This sense of anticipation inspired the theme for our fifteenth anniversary season: “Next”. Whether it’s the excitement of plans for the future, the monotony of endless days of routine or the uncertainty of the unknown – there is always the exquisite sense of discovery as a story unfolds.”
“We’re also making changes to our performance schedule,” adds Managing Director Devon Campailla. “Each of our main stage shows will run four weeks, opening with a Saturday performance. The second weekend will have performances on Friday and Saturday and the subsequent weekends will run Thursday through Saturday. This will give audiences a wider selection of weekends to choose from to attend our shows.”
Auditions for the season will be announced shortly. Those interested in design and production positions should send resumes to jobs@newedgecliff.com. High school and college students interested in internships should apply online.
NEXT Season Line Up
Talk Radio by Eric Bogosian
September 22nd-October 13th, 2012
Directed By Buz Davis
Talk Radio opens our 15th anniversary season, commemorating NET’s inaugural, CEA-nominated production of Bogosian’s Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll in 1998. Rush Limbaugh doesn’t hold a candle to Cleveland’s WTLK radio host, Barry Champlain. On the eve that Barry’s show is to go national, he shows no loss for words with his callers, who range from a desperate, soon-to-be-teen-mom, a man knowledgeable in nuclear power and those who just want to hear their voice on the radio. Fueled by coffee, Jack Daniels, cocaine and the voice on the other end of the phone line, he puts on his finest performance yet. Immersed once again in the pool of boring, emotionless, uneducated voices that feed his career, he is left to question his ability to maintain his role. With every passing minute of airtime, not even Barry knows if it’s a performance for the new syndicate or perhaps a final show for just himself. “The most lacerating portrait of a human meltdown this side of a Francis Bacon painting…”—Ben Brantley, The New York Times
The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde, adapted for the stage by Catie O’Keefe
October 20th, 2012
Directed By Bob Allen
NET’s annual Sweet Suspense Radio Drama returns with a family friendly radio style adaptation of the Oscar Wilde classic. This one night only event includes a recreation of an early radio studio complete with live sound effects by Mike Martini. Intermission will feature an assortment of desserts and sweets from some of Cincinnati’s finest bakeries, restaurants and caterers. Where others have run screaming in terror, the Otis family seems quite comfortable in their new haunted house. After moving to England and into Canterville Chase, this family of Americans finds nothing frightening about the famous Canterville ghost. In fact, his attempt to replenish an old blood stain is nothing but annoying and his efforts to scare the family members usually end in the ghost hiding in fear. It’s not until the young daughter,Virginia, takes an interest in helping the murderous spirit, that the family and the ghost find peace and quiet. The production will once again be under the direction of Bob Allen.
The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris, adapted for the stage by Joe Mantello
and The 12 Dates of Christmas by Ginna Hoben
December 1st-22nd, 2012
Direct by Lewis McGruder, featuring an all new cast!
Everyone’s favorite elf Crumpet, the elf fixated on spastic children, obnoxious parents, nutty co-workers and, oh yeah … One Life to Live, is back in our alternative holiday favorite! Then, in 12 Dates of Christmas…what happens when Mary sees her fiancé making out with his co-worker on national TV at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? She dumps him and then spends the next year being set up, hooked up, strung up, and fed up as she navigates her life “alone” as a New York actor in her thirties. “Hoben has created a woman’s show to join the annual, male-dominated Christmas lineup, but like Santaland Diaries, it is a tale of real life and holiday hope touching us all.” — Eric Minton, Shakespeareances.com
An Original Play by Resident Playwright Catie O’Keefe
February 9th-March 2nd, 2013
Directed by Ed Cohen
We bring resident playwright Catie O’Keefe and director Ed Cohen together for our winter show with the world premiere of a new full-length play. NET produced Ms. O’Keefe’s Darker in the Fringe Festival last year to rave reviews and her adaptations of our last two Radio Dramas have been well received. Title to be announced in our season brochure this
summer.
Miss Witherspoon by Christopher Durang
April 13th-May 4th, 2013
Directed By Mark Seamon
In the wonderfully delightful and strange world of Christopher Durang, Veronica finds herself flung between different lives as she is reincarnated again and again. She emerges as a new baby and even as a dog – reliving different lives to clear her aura. Miss Witherspoon is the name given Veronica by her spiritual guide Maryamma, and it seems to follow her through every life she enters into. But there is more than just a name that connects Veronica to her many reincarnations. Her life, her experiences and those around her all seem to be connected. As she ventures from one life to another looking, she searches for many of the same things that all people search for… answers to life’s biggest questions…like, “What come next?” NET brings back Mark Seamon, who directed their recent production of Neil LaBute’s reasons to be pretty. “This is Durang at the top of his metaphysical, apocalyptic, high-and-pop cultural game…thoroughly lovable. And funny.” —NY Newsday. “A delightful eighty-minute crazy-quilt fantasy.” — Associated Press.
Season Subscriptions available online at newedgecliff.com beginning June 15th!
Single Ticket Sales begin July 1st
Box Office: 888.588.0137
New Edgecliff Theatre announces an exciting addition to NET’s performance line up with the regional premiere of Conor McPherson’s St. Nicholas. This chilling one-man show features NET Executive Director Michael Shooner and is directed by Brian Robertson. St. Nicholas will run in NET’s newly-created major production slot, Feb. 23-March 10. Leaving his wife and children in Dublin to pursue his obsession, things become complicated in London when he finds himself in the employ of a coven of vampires! Already a metaphorical vampire himself, his confrontation with very real ones forces him to face his own demons and earn some measure of redemption. The New York Times says, “The narrative swings through so many forms of storytelling – from self-serving lies born of drunkenness to a proper Brothers Grimm-like fable…McPherson’s ear for detail is devastating.” 
A burned-out theatre critic becomes infatuated with a young actress. Leaving his wife and children in Dublin to pursue his obsession, things become complicated in London when he finds himself in the employ of a coven of vampires! Written by Irish playwright Conor McPherson (The Weir, Shining City) and featuring New Edgecliff’s own Michael Shooner, this wicked and riveting one-man show is sure to captivate audiences. The New York Times says, “The narrative swings through so many forms of storytelling — from self-serving lies born of drunkenness to a proper Brothers Grimm-like fable…McPherson’s ear for detail is devastating.”
Sweet Suspense is back! The NET tradition returns for its fifth incarnation for one night only on October 29th.
All NET productions are held at the Columbia Performance Center, located at 
