Two New Plays by Playwright Phil Paradise "Soldiers' Christmas" and "The Footprints of the Polar Bear..." to be Presented December 11, 2007 by Cincin

Cincinnati, OH (PRWEB) November 27, 2007 -- Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative will present stage readings of two new one-act plays "Soldiers' Christmas" and "The Footprints of the Polar Bear?" by playwright Phil Paradise on Tuesday, December 11, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. at the Aronoff Center for the Arts Fifth Third Bank Theatre, Main St. and 7th Street, Cincinnati, OH.

The stage readings of both plays are part of the continuing New Voices Series sponsored by Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative and the Cincinnati Arts Association. Both new plays will be performed by local actors. Tickets for the one night only performance are $6 and may be purchased at the Box Office at the Aronoff or by calling (513) 621-2787 or online at www.CincinnatiArts.org.

"Soldiers' Christmas," based on the 1914 Christmas truce, is a timely parable of war and peace that takes place in northern France in late December 1914 along the front lines where British troops are dug in across the no man's land from where German troops are entrenched. The advances of both sides have stalled. Morale plummets on both sides with the bitter realization that the war will not be short, nor over by Christmas. Living in the muck and vermin-infested trenches, front-line soldiers of both sides, through encounters in no man's land, discover their common humanity and (much to their officers' chagrin) fraternize with the enemy, playing soccer and singing Christmas carols as they celebrate Christmas during a temporary cease-fire.

"Soldiers' Christmas" will be directed by Don Volpenhein. The cast includes Michael Bath, Kevin Crowley, Bill Hartnett, Gary Brown, Julie Niesen, Mike Dennis, Dave Evans, Greg Zumbiel, and Don Volpenhein.

"The Footprints of the Polar Bear..." focuses on an encounter between Fred, a heroic fire fighter, and Jack, a disturbed homeless man who identifies with the plight of the polar bear. Withdrawing from society, Jack retreats to a lofty perch on a catwalk high atop a bridge spanning a river. Someone anticipates danger and calls 911 as this dramedy unfolds.

"The Footprints of the Polar Bear" will be directed by Julie Niesen. The cast includes Bill Hartnett and Kevin Crowley.

Playwright Phil Paradise is a member of the Dramatists Guild and President of the Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative. His comedy/drama "A Bag of Groceries" was produced at the 2005 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. His first full length play "Red Badge, Black Riders" (based on the life of author Stephen Crane) received a workshop and staged reading with ETC's Theatre of the Mind and CPI's New Voices Series in 2006. Previously five of his plays have had staged readings in the New Voices Series, sponsored by the Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative and Cincinnati Arts Association. They are: "Red Badge, Black Riders," "Where There's Smoke" (comedy/drama), "A Bag of Groceries" (comedy/drama), "Lover, Thief, Angel of Death" (comedy/drama) and "The Anniversary" (drama). Paradise lives in Fort Thomas, KY with his wife and son and their four cats.

For more information about the two plays or the playwright, contact Phil Paradise at (513) 241-5154.

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