The Phoenix Theatre for Children in the News
One night only concert of ‘Titanic’ musical to raise funds for ‘at risk’ youth
www.examiner.com, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, Erin Millar
The Phoenix Theatre for Children is branching out of its regular season schedule this March to put on a one night only concert performance of the musical Titanic. The musical is being produced by Phoenix Artistic Director Steven C. Anderson and is starring thirty-eight local performers. If that’s not big enough, the performance is being put on to raise funds for Phoenix’s mentor program with the Columbus City Schools in which artists and educators work with fourth graders “considered at risk of failure in the classroom.”
Stage veteran reprises role to amuse young, advise adults
The Columbus Dispatch, Thursday, March 4, 2010, Michele Lemmon
Many parents might relish being advised by a wise old woman on how to deal with children who whine and argue.
Flustered adults should find just such a calming, maternal figure in Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, based on the series of children’s books by Betty MacDonald.
Steven C. Anderson, artistic director of the Phoenix Theatre for Children, wrote the adaptation, which his company will present this weekend and next.
Roundtable Awards: Best Direction
The Columbus Dispatch, Sunday, January 31, 2010, Michael Grossberg
None of these theater talents appeared onstage during their shows, but each made all the difference in bringing it to life.
What did they do? They directed.
Roundtable Awards: A Diverse Array of Winners for Best Acting
The Columbus Dispatch, Sunday, January 31, 2010, Michael Grossberg
No theater company has a monopoly on good actors.
Central Ohio's annual Theater Awards Night, held Sunday at the Jewish Community Center, was an eloquent reminder of that.
Among the actors recognized with Roundtable Awards for the best acting of 2009 were local talents associated with Actors' Theatre, Columbus Children's Theatre, Curtain Players, Emerald City Players, Evolution Theatre Company, Gallery Players, Ohio State University Theatre, Phoenix Theatre for Children, Theatre Columbus State and Newark's Weathervane Playhouse.
Magic of imagination nudges gentle tale into spotlight
The Columbus Dispatch, Thursday, January 21, 2010, Michele Lemon
In the age of computers, video games and MP3 players, the magic of imaginative play provides welcome relief.
And so does a tiny pachyderm.
The next two weekends, the Phoenix Theatre for Children will present The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant.
Stage Presence
The Columbus Dispatch, Sunday, December 20, 2009, Michael Grossberg
Stage presence
Admirers cite his positive attitude, collaborative spirit and resourcefulness. Detractors note a political savvy applied to further his career. Both acknowledge that, in the world of central Ohio theater, Steven Anderson is a survivor.
Youngsters take stages in pair of holiday delights
The Columbus Dispatch, Thursday, December 3, 2009, Michele Lemmon
When seeking a 2009 holiday production, Steven C. Anderson -- artistic director of the Phoenix Theatre for Children -- wanted one with a large cast.
He chose Madeline's Christmas, a musical based on the Madeline character in the books by Ludwig Bemelmans.
UA actress Anna Haught wins role in 'Madeline's Christmas'
This Week Community Newspapers, Wednesday, December 2, 2009, Chris Bournea
Anna Haught of Upper Arlington is one of the young actresses who will bring the story of 'Madeline's Christmas' to life.
Puppets lend a hand in twisting stereotype
The Columbus Dispatch, Thursday, November 5, 2009, Michelle Lemmon
The stereotype of a prince rescuing a princess will be turned on its crown when the Phoenix Theatre for Children presents The Paper Bag Princess.
CATCO, Phoenix to join forces
The Columbus Dispatch, Friday, October 30, 2009, Michael Grossberg
The leading professional theater company in central Ohio and a troupe that produces family shows plan to merge next year -- a move that will also include a notable leadership change.
Davis rises from the ashes
The Columbus Dispatch - The Beat, Wednesday, May 6, 2009
With the Columbus Performing Arts Center falling victim to the City of Columbus' budget crunch, the Phoenix, which has consulted on programming at the center (most notably the Davis Performing Arts Programs for youth), stepped in to the rescue.
Davis alum comes to center's rescue
The Other Paper, Wednesday, April 29, 2009, Richard Ades
When Steven C. Anderson works to keep the old Davis Center open over the next three years, he'll also be keeping a piece of his own history alive.
'I have a lot of sentimental attachments to the building, inasmuch as I started my career there in Players Theatre,' said Anderson, now artistic director of Phoenix Theatre for Children.
Phoenix to manage center
The Columbus Dispatch, Tuesday, April 28, 2009, Michael Grossberg
Under a three-year agreement with the city of Columbus, the Phoenix Theatre for Children will manage the Columbus Performing Arts Center and its youth arts programs.
Former Davis Center won't close after all
The Other Paper, Tuesday, April 28, 2009
A savior has materialized for arts groups that feared they would no longer be able to put on plays, concerts and lectures at the Columbus Performing Arts Center.
... [I]t was announced Tuesday that the center will remain open thanks to Phoenix Theatre for Children, which will operate and manage the center under a three-year contract with the city.
Deaf, blind actors add realism to powerful play
The Columbus Dispatch, Thursday, January 8, 2009, Michele Lemmon
After last year's critically acclaimed bilingual production of The Secret Garden, the Phoenix Theatre for Children is tackling The Miracle Worker.
Miracle makers
Columbus Alive, Thursday, January 8, 2009, John Ross
On stage, audiences will witness the script come to life with words and signs. Some deaf actors sign their lines, while a voice actor stands off to the side speaking for them; others speak and sign their lines simultaneously.
Resident to act in production of 'The Miracle Worker'
This Week Community Newspapers Hilliard, Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Born deaf, Reagan is part of a cast of 17 that includes both deaf and hearing actors, assembled by Phoenix with the help of Columbus Public Schools' Hearing Impaired Program, the Ohio School for the Deaf and Franklin County Deaf Services.
Update on Bing Crosby vehicle short, sweet
The Columbus Dispatch, Wednesday, December 10, 2008, Margaret Quamme
An Axe, an Apple & a Buckskin Jacket is a sturdy plaything, rescued from an attic where it was gathering dust and given a fresh coat of paint to provide pleasure to a new generation of children.
Treasure from Christmas past inspiring for new audience
Columbus Dispatch, Thursday, December 4, 2008, Michelle Lemon
The Phoenix Theatre for Children is getting into the holiday spirit with a production based on a half-century-old seasonal album by Bing Crosby.
An Axe, an Apple & a Buckskin Jacket, an adaptation by Artistic Director Steven C. Anderson, will open Friday and run through Dec. 21.