Cincinnati Playhouse's Off the Hill Series Continues with THEORY OF MIND, Now thru 2/22

The 2014-15 season of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's popular Off the Hill series for families continues with THEORY OF MIND by Ken LaZebnik. A sensitive, unsentimental portrait of relationships, it tells the story of Bill, a teenager who happens to live on the autism spectrum. Recommended for ages 11 and up, THEORY OF MIND will tour to community venues throughout the Tristate from tonight, Jan. 23 through Feb. 22. It will also be performed at Music Hall on Sunday, March 8, as part of Macy's Arts Sampler.

THEORY OF MIND follows Bill's first date with a young woman unsure of her own reasons for romance, exploring the challenges of a young man who wants desperately to love someone but struggles with the social skills needed to achieve a rewarding relationship.

"We're really thrilled to revisit THEORY OF MIND, winner of the 2008 Macy's New Play Prize for Young Audiences, which had its premiere at the Playhouse in 2009," said Mark Lutwak, Playhouse director of education. "The show was enormously successful with students and adults alike, not only because of its sensitive representation of a character on the autism spectrum, but also because of the honest and humorous way in which it deals with adolescent communication and dating relationships."

The THEORY OF MIND cast includes Christopher Michael Richardson as Bill, Kelsey Torstveit as Hilo and Alex Purcell as Police Officer/Parking Attendant/Box Office Guy. All are members of the Playhouse's 2014-15 Bruce E. Coyle Acting Intern Company. Bridget Leak, a former Playhouse directing intern, will direct the touring production. Other production team members include Katie Lupica (assistant director), Maggie Dick (costume designer), Trey Tatum (sound designer) and Tracy Hoida (stage manager).

"I'm excited about diving into this story with the acting interns," said Leak. "This is a true actor's piece - the characters are rich and the story is so beautifully crafted. It's a show I am eager to share with Cincinnati audiences."

In a special collaboration for THEORY OF MIND, the Playhouse is partnering with the Autism Society of Greater Cincinnati. "They're going to be connecting us with new sectors in our community," explained Lutwak, "as well as using this opportunity to provide context for the play and extend some of their own educational and advocacy work."

THEORY OF MIND will tour to more than a dozen community venues (see schedule below). Admission is free or inexpensive and is available at the door. Contact the center near you for ticket information.

For more information about the Playhouse's education and outreach programs, contact the Education Department at 513-345-2242 or visit www.cincyplay.com.

Off the Hill is supported by the Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation, ArtsWave and the Ohio Arts Council.
The Cincinnati Playhouse season is presented by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation and Heidelberg Distributing Company. The season sponsor of new work is The Lois and Richard Rosenthal Foundation.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of the community contributors to the ArtsWave campaign.
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.