Cincinnati Locations in the Play

OUR HISTORY UNFOLDS

Keith Josef Adkins’ The West End explores a transformative period of time in our city’s history. This fictional tale draws inspiration from the Great Migration and time between World War I and World War II. Characters Grace, Peek, Chloe, Heath and Zieglar bring to life pivotal moments in Cincinnati history, interacting with and referencing real people, events and places. Take a look at just a few of those references.

Rev. Wilber A. Page

Born in 1895, Rev. Page was raised in Cincinnati as the son of a Baptist minister. He served in World War I with the 317th Army Engineers, and upon his return from service, he became pastor of the Union Baptist Church — the city’s oldest African American church. An influential spiritual leader and devoted community organizer, Rev. Page increased the church’s membership from 210 to 1000 between years 1919 and 1930. He served on several community boards throughout his decades-long career, and he was named by the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce as a “Great Living Cincinnatian” in 1979.

Union Baptist Church

Originally called the African Union Baptist Church, the congregation was formed in 1831 by 14 members who had been discriminated against at Enon Baptist Church, which had a predominantly white congregation. Members began meeting in one of their homes until they finished construction of a formal church building in 1835. The church was instrumental in helping enslaved people seek refuge along the Underground Railroad, and they hosted prominent abolitionists like Frederick Douglass and Henry Ward Beecher for speaking engagements.

Regal Theatre

Located at Linn St. and Clark St., the Regal was more than a performance venue that hosted the likes of James Brown and Smokey Robinson — it was a welcoming community gathering space for Cincinnati’s Black residents. The 1500-seat theatre opened as the Casino Theatre in 1914 and presented vaudeville acts, and when Jack Goldman purchased the theatre in 1936, it presented films and entertainment. The Regal hosted community fundraising events on a regular basis that supported schools, children and families in need.

The Cotton Club

From the 1930s through the ‘50s, Cincinnati’s Cotton Club was one of the city’s only integrated night clubs where both Black and white patrons could drink, mingle and enjoy live music, dancing and comedy — usually until the wee hours of the morning. It was located in the West End at 6th St. and Mound St. Famous people who played or attended include Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughn, Ezzard Charles, Clarence Page and Helen Humes.

The West End features even more touchstones from Cincinnati’s history, including Ezzard Charles, Albee Theater, Mecklenburg’s, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Stowe School and more.

VISIT OUR LOBBY DISPLAY OR CINCYPLAY.COM/BLOG TO LEARN ABOUT MORE OF THE PEOPLE AND LOCATIONS MENTIONED IN THE WEST END.

Images are part of the Robert O’Neal Multicultural Art Center (ROMAC) Black Cincinnati History Collection. The ROMAC’s mission is to celebrate, advance and preserve African American culture and achievement through the arts, history, and education, while also uplifting the rich diversity of artists and cultures of Greater Cincinnati.

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EMERGENCY SUPPORT

The Playhouse would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the governments and institutions that provided critical support during the COVID-19 crisis:

U.S. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

CORPORATE PARTNERS

For companies looking to make a smaller investment in the Playhouse, the Corporate Partner Program is just the ticket. A gift of $1,000 or more is recognized in our show programs, provides invitations to exclusive events, and entitles your employees to receive a 20 percent online ticket discount throughout the season! To become a corporate partner, contact Mary Kay Koehler at 513-977-2026.

$1,000 - $2,499 GE Aviation Kroner Dry Cleaners Hixson Architecture, Engineering,

Interiors

$250 - $999 Coker Group Frost Brown Todd, LLC Homewood Suites by Hilton-

Cincinnati Midtown in Oakley

Station Nottinghill Investment Advisers, LTD RED CARPET DONORS

We are grateful for our Red Carpet Experience donors who treat their guests to an intimate, behindthe-scenes experience that also supports the Playhouse. To book your Red Carpet Experience, contact Mary Kay Koehler at 513977-2026.

Robert C. Fee Richard Goettle, Inc. Linda and Gary Greenberg Messer Construction Ohio National Financial Services (2) Jerry and Betsy Shroat Woody Taft Truist IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS

Tony Arrasmith/Arrasmith and

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BRAVA! Thank you for stepping into the spotlight and joining the Playhouse’s Leading Ladies program. This list recognizes members of the Leading Ladies as of August 23, 2021. For information on accepting your role as a Leading Lady, please contact Bethany Doverspike at 513-977-2081.

PROGRAM CO-CHAIRS

Terry Lemmerman Nancy Lippincott

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

DIVAS Janet G. Banks Randal S. Bloch Carrie Collins Marjorie Compton Susan Ingmire Mary E. Ivers Sarah Raup Johnson Margo Kirstein

Danute Miskinis Patti Myers

Karen Neyer Julia Pentecost

Jennifer Dorsey Powell Betty L. Prince

Digi France Schueler Maureen Vignola Barbara Weyand

STARLETS Debra Hust Allison Janice Amatulli Susan S. Anthony

Susan Arnold

Molly R. Barber Jan Bartel Becky Beckstedt Mary Ann Bell Stephanie Besl Holly P. Bortz

Linda D. Brink

Lisa Broun

Heather Brown

Sara Butler Mary Ellen Cody Crystal Faulkner Cooney Jeanne Coughlin

Alva Jean Crawford

Amelia Crutcher

Judy S. Dalambakis

Carol DeGreg Debora Del Valle Bethany Doverspike Sharon Fiscus Nancy Gaffney

Elizabeth George

Nancy Gollobin Margo Hall Louise Head

Nirvani Head

Camille K. Healy Helene Herbert Judy Tondi Herd Kyle Hodgkins

Linda R. Holthaus Debra E. Howie Marty Humes Pat Humphrey

Diane R. Iseman Anne Jaroszewicz Lisa N. Kagan Heather Krombholz Lynn P. Larson Connie Cook Laug

Terry Lemmerman Nancy Lippincott

Sally A. Lloyd Janet Longacre Laurel Markley

Carolyn Ott Martin

Nancy Martin Joann Mead Mary Ann Meanwell Audrey K. Miller Emily Miracle Diane Moccia Abby Moran Mary G. Moran Maura Moran-Berry Connan Morrissey Jennifer Mottier Jeannie Niebuhr Jan V. Portman Jane Portman Ildiko Pray Kathy Qualls Sherri Adams Remaklus Margie Rennie Danielle Revelson

Deborah White Richardson

Buffi e Rixey Mary Ellen Roberts Margo K. Ross Karina Rothzeid Diane M. Rumpke Keke Sansalone Lauren Hannan Shafer Patricia Sheppard

Shelly Sherman Sue Showers

Laura Skidmore Terri Skidmore Paula Steiner Dr. Susan R. Strick Glenda Suttman Kazue Takeuchi Teresa Telford Jan H. Tepe Kathy Thornton Sally Tieke Catharina Toltzis Ph.D. Dionn Tron Susie Tweddell Ellen G. van der Horst Nancy A. Virgulak Bettie Watts Judy Wells

Linda Young

Sue Zimmerman

Bold indicates Steering Committee Members

THE LEADING LADIES ARE BACK IN PERSON! PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT MAUREEN VIGNOLA, JEANNIE NIEBUHR, CATHERINE MOULAS, SHERRI REMAKLUS, CAREN LAVERTY AND MAUREEN VALENTINE