Entertainment Line-Up for 2015

[dtk1378]

Via the Kings Island Facebook page:

We're holding entertainment auditions for the 2015 SEASON this weekend at the park, Friday, November 7 through Sunday, November 9, and casting/interviewing for:

"LET IT ROCK!" -- Classic Rock comes to the Festhaus stage in this all new rockin' revue!

"DOWN HOME COUNTRY" -- a tribute to the legends...Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and many others.

"PLAYLIST- IN CONCERT" -- our 7-piece live band expands to the Showplace stage featuring singers and dancers performing today's hits and yesterday's favorites!

"ACTORS and SPECIALTY ACTS" -- as "walk around" entertainment throughout the park.

"PEANUT CHARACTERS and ESCORTS"

"TECHNICAL POSITIONS" -- Lighting, Costumes, Sound, Video and Backstage Technicians.

For more information, log onto www.visitkingsisland.com/jobs.

[The Interpreter]

(Musical revues.

Sigh.

If I NEVER see another, it will be too soon.)

[XGatorHead 8904]

Huh... no "The Boys Are Back". So the boys that were back are not back because "The Boys Are Back" is not back.

[DonHelbig]

(Musical revues.

Sigh.

If I NEVER see another, it will be too soon.)

With addition of a live band, the new show in the Showplace Theatre will be on par with the pop and country shows that were featured in the 70's and 80's in that location.

Cirque Image, which often performed to SRO crowds, will return for its second season in the Kings Island Theater.

[shark6495]

No plans for a kid centered show? Similar to the Charlie Brown Hoedown

[Tanna]

You had me at walkabouts.

That's a part of the park I've been missing!

[jbum123]

"TECHNICAL POSITIONS" -- Lighting, Costumes, Sound, Video and Backstage Technicians.

If I didn't do this full time already, (and require a living wage) I would apply. They need some serious help in this department.

Almost every time I walk past an audio console, the clip lights are lit up like Snoopy's Starlight Spectacular. (when it first opened and worked) and it sounds as expected from it.

Red is bad, Mmmkay.

[silver2005]

Is the information on the Kings Island website correct that they'll also be holding auditions next weekend as well (November 14-16)?

https://www.visitkingsisland.com/events/things-to-do/events-and-promotions/Kings-Island-Auditions

[Magenta Lizard]

Cirque Image, which often performed to SRO crowds, will return for its second season in the Kings Island Theater.

Even though this jibes with everything I had heard so far, I'm super excited to hear it officially!

Can't wait to see next year. If the lead from Skeleton Crew returns with all our favorite performers from Cirque, all the better

[calakapepe]

Is the information on the Kings Island website correct that they'll also be holding auditions next weekend as well (November 14-16)?

https://www.visitkingsisland.com/events/things-to-do/events-and-promotions/Kings-Island-Auditions

That has been the date listed on their official website for a time now. It should be correct, yes.

[silver2005]

If I seem to be asking redundant questions on this, its because I'm being thorough. I hope to get something together by then to audition.

[TombRaiderFTW]

Cirque Image, which often performed to SRO crowds, will return for its second season in the Kings Island Theater.

This is probably the attraction at any park that I'm most excited for in 2015 (which isn't to say that the rest are bad--I just really liked Cirque Imagine!)

Will it be the same show, or will it be different? As far as I'm concerned, there is no wrong answer to that question.

[BoddaH1994]

Here are my early thoughts:

"LET IT ROCK!" -- Classic Rock comes to the Festhaus stage in this all new rockin' revue!

Without knowing much at all about this show, it's hard to pass judgement. It's very apparent that some shows work in the Festhaus and some don't. It certainly will be an interesting thing to see.

"DOWN HOME COUNTRY" -- a tribute to the legends...Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and many others.

I'm excited to see this show come back. The only thing I didn't like was how they opened the show with Dolly Parton's, "Take Me Back to the Country." It's a good song, but it set a really odd pace for the rest of the show. Of course, the talent at KI gets more versatile every year. Where they were hiring high school show choir people, they are now hiring college seniors with years of experience. To compare a show in 2015 to the same show in 2010 is almost an apples and oranges comparison in some instances.

"PLAYLIST- IN CONCERT" -- our 7-piece live band expands to the Showplace stage featuring singers and dancers performing today's hits and yesterday's favorites!

This is an interesting take. Did you notice how it was "Playlist Live!" emphasizing the live band, and now it's in a larger sit down venue it's "Playlist - In Concert?" Almost a tongue-in-cheek name. I know that Playlist Live was one of the more popular shows over the past two years. In fact, I'd go as far as saying that it, along with Cirque, were really the foundation of the entertainment lineup this year. It'll be interesting to see if this translates well into the new theater. The only thing I find disappointing about this is that I absolutely loved the 10:00 shows of Playlist Live. What a way to end the day! Of course, we don't know the full story of this yet either.

Cirque Imagine

Bringing back Cirque was really a no-brainer, Don wasn't kidding about SRO crowds. If the park was busy at all then you might not have gotten a seat. Despite Skeleton Crew being a weak show in my opinion, I have nothing but faith that this will be as excellent as the previous Cirque. Trevor Bodogh has already said he's coming back (we can't really hold him to that, but he seems to really want it) so I really feel like the spirit of last year's show will be captured again next year. The truth is they simply have a better facility than Skeleton Crew did so they can put on a better show.

"ACTORS and SPECIALTY ACTS" -- as "walk around" entertainment throughout the park.

I really don't have my hopes up that this will take off this year. If you recall, they held auditions for roaming entertainment for years before the KI Five became a regular thing. I'm not certain what they would want the actors to do... or what they're looking for with specialty acts... but hey - we may be pleasantly surprised.

I suppose we don't even know if this will be the full lineup. Nothing has been announced as far as an evening show on the Bandstand. That may or may not happen next year. Hopefully it does. As mentioned before, there's no kid show too (except for the meet and greet). This probably has everything to do with that amphitheater being turned into the petting zoo.

Over all this most certainly will be a really good year for live entertainment. I really felt like 2014 was carried almost entirely by Cirque and colored in by Playlist. The 80's show had its two year run way too recently to be brought back so soon (my opinion) and never really got any attention. Boyz Are Back was a decent one-time thing, but didn't have much rewatch value. I truly enjoyed Never Forgets, but many felt otherwise. At least we are seeing a lot of new stuff.

[ki95]

Like the line up, but hate... REPEATS (with the exception of Playlist & Cirque) that's right, I'm talking to you Down Home Country. It's time we get something newer for the Festhaus. Country & rock are just being over done (Never Forgets & the previous 2 country shows). Can't wait to see what's going on at the bandstand! Possibly a new (doubt it) Peanuts show?!

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

[silver2005]

Could someone list off a few specific songs that were played at Playlist Live! this year so I have a good idea what kind of material to use for an audition?

[MDMC01]

Huh... no "The Boys Are Back".  So the boys that were back are not back because "The Boys Are Back" is not back.

My thoughts on this...

In all seriousness, I loved that show 'cause it was great music from my childhood and I really hoped it would come back for another season. Oh well, it was great while it lasted. In other news, I'm glad Cirque is coming back!

EDIT: I probably shouldn't have been so soon to jump to conclusions as we still don't know if The Boyz are Back will be back next year. Still, if it was just a 1-year show, my thoughts would be reflected above.

[BoddaH1994]

Huh... no "The Boys Are Back". So the boys that were back are not back because "The Boys Are Back" is not back.

My thoughts on this...

In all seriousness, I loved that show 'cause it was great music from my childhood and I really hoped it would come back for another season. Oh well, it was great while it lasted. In other news, I'm glad Cirque is coming back!

EDIT: I probably shouldn't have been so soon to jump to conclusions as we still don't know if The Boyz are Back will be back next year. Still, if it was just a 1-year show, my thoughts would be reflected above.

If it's any consolation, I immediately thought of you when I saw that Boyz Are Back wouldn't be returning.

[The Interpreter]

The Scooby Show in The Enchanted Theater remains one of my all time favorites. For totally different reasons, I will always remember Fred Flintstone dancing with a carrot (of all things) in that same venue. It was ... Surreal. For real.

[MDMC01]

Huh... no "The Boys Are Back". So the boys that were back are not back because "The Boys Are Back" is not back.

My thoughts on this...

In all seriousness, I loved that show 'cause it was great music from my childhood and I really hoped it would come back for another season. Oh well, it was great while it lasted. In other news, I'm glad Cirque is coming back!

EDIT: I probably shouldn't have been so soon to jump to conclusions as we still don't know if The Boyz are Back will be back next year. Still, if it was just a 1-year show, my thoughts would be reflected above.

If it's any consolation, I immediately thought of you when I saw that Boyz Are Back wouldn't be returning.

Thanks Ryan

EDIT: In answer to Silver2005's question, some of this year's Playlist Live! songs included Brave (Sara Bareilles), Still Into You (Paramore), Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder), Ain't No Other Man (Christiana Aguilera), Walking on Broken Glass (Annie Lennox), Something Happened on the Way to Heaven (Phil Collins), Shining Star (Earth Wind and Fire) and I want you back (Jackson 5); that's all I can think of for now. Most of these are from the 9:00 show, otherwise known as the third set, because that was the only Playlist Live show time I attended because of Brave!

[ki95]

The Scooby Show in The Enchanted Theater remains one of my all time favorites. For totally different reasons, I will always remember Fred Flintstone dancing with a carrot (of all things) in that same venue. It was ... Surreal. For real.

YES!!!! I remember that & yes it was awesome (even if it was a kids show). They should open that theater back up now that the petting zoo (worst call ever on KI's part) resides in the historic amphitheater.

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

[BoddaH1994]

The Scooby Show in The Enchanted Theater remains one of my all time favorites. For totally different reasons, I will always remember Fred Flintstone dancing with a carrot (of all things) in that same venue. It was ... Surreal. For real.

YES!!!! I remember that & yes it was awesome (even if it was a kids show). They should open that theater back up now that the petting zoo (worst call ever on KI's part) resides in the historic amphitheater.

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

The petting zoo came as a result of the huge popularity of the attraction during Snoopy's Halloween Party as well as repeated requests for the attraction to be expanded to the summer months by Kings Island's guests.

But hey - I'm sure you know better than they do.

[XGatorHead 8904]

Huh... no "The Boys Are Back". So the boys that were back are not back because "The Boys Are Back" is not back.

My thoughts on this...

In all seriousness, I loved that show 'cause it was great music from my childhood and I really hoped it would come back for another season. Oh well, it was great while it lasted. In other news, I'm glad Cirque is coming back!

EDIT: I probably shouldn't have been so soon to jump to conclusions as we still don't know if The Boyz are Back will be back next year. Still, if it was just a 1-year show, my thoughts would be reflected above.

If it's any consolation, I immediately thought of you when I saw that Boyz Are Back wouldn't be returning.

As did I...

The Scooby Show in The Enchanted Theater remains one of my all time favorites. For totally different reasons, I will always remember Fred Flintstone dancing with a carrot (of all things) in that same venue. It was ... Surreal. For real.

YES!!!! I remember that & yes it was awesome (even if it was a kids show). They should open that theater back up now that the petting zoo (worst call ever on KI's part) resides in the historic amphitheater.

... and I immediately thought of Comic Book Guy when I read this (the part I colored).

[dtk1378]

A little bit more information on what they are looking for with these auditions. Anyone think they would take a middle-aged man that can only work 2 days a week?

http://www.lex18.com/news/kings-island-calling-on-artists-for-season-auditions

[Gabe]

I sense a sponsorship opportunity...The KI petting zoo..sponsored by Purrell!

[Voicetek]

You know what I'd like to see brought back? The puppet tree. Now that was something I looked forward to every year when I was a child. When the new season rolled around, I couldn't wait to get to the park to see what new characters and songs would be part of the show. Ever year I had my favorite character puppet and song. My dad would take his camera and get a picture of that puppet for me. I remember one year it was a koala bear puppet that sang and danced to "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport." For whatever reason, I just really liked that part of the show.

Not sure if kids today would be into this kind of thing, but it was something I looked forward to most every visit to the park.

[BoddaH1994]

The Scooby Show in The Enchanted Theater remains one of my all time favorites. For totally different reasons, I will always remember Fred Flintstone dancing with a carrot (of all things) in that same venue. It was ... Surreal. For real.

YES!!!! I remember that & yes it was awesome (even if it was a kids show). They should open that theater back up now that the petting zoo (worst call ever on KI's part) resides in the historic amphitheater.

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

The petting zoo came as a result of the huge popularity of the attraction during Snoopy's Halloween Party as well as repeated requests for the attraction to be expanded to the summer months by Kings Island's guests.

But hey - I'm sure you know better than they do.

Okay, after re-reading my post, I realize what a jerk I sounded like.

Let me clarify what I'm saying:

What it comes to capital expenditures, a LOT of research goes into each and every part. A LOT. In the theme park world, something inexpensive is at least in the six digit range. You have to smack a home run each and every time because once the money is sunk, it's gone. You NEED to get a return on investment. That's why if you buy a $60 DVD player from Sam's Club and it lasts a year, you're fine with it but if a ride installation lasts only 5 years then lawsuits fly everywhere. The petting zoo isn't exactly a $22 million coaster, but it's still a BIG commitment. They have to be pretty darn sure that 1 - the guests will love it, 2 - it's safe, 3 - it has a reasonable return on investment (not in that order), otherwise heads will roll. Like I said, they're very certain that it's the right thing to do, it's a matter of how right.

[The Interpreter]

Snoopy's Starlight Spectacular?

Terp, who likes to ask questions.

[BoddaH1994]

Snoopy's Starlight Spectacular?

Terp, who likes to ask questions.

It ran for 3 years, and was advertised for all 3. In some ways, they accomplished what they wanted with it.

[Spectrum91]

You know what I'd like to see brought back? The puppet tree. Now that was something I looked forward to every year when I was a child. When the new season rolled around, I couldn't wait to get to the park to see what new characters and songs would be part of the show. Ever year I had my favorite character puppet and song. My dad would take his camera and get a picture of that puppet for me. I remember one year it was a koala bear puppet that sang and danced to "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport." For whatever reason, I just really liked that part of the show.

Not sure if kids today would be into this kind of thing, but it was something I looked forward to most every visit to the park.

After it was removed, it wound up in somebody's backyard for a couple decades. There were pictures online somewhere of it, before it was scrapped, but I can't for the life of me find them again.

Anyone know what I'm talking about?

[electricsun]

You know what I'd like to see brought back? The puppet tree. Now that was something I looked forward to every year when I was a child. When the new season rolled around, I couldn't wait to get to the park to see what new characters and songs would be part of the show. Ever year I had my favorite character puppet and song. My dad would take his camera and get a picture of that puppet for me. I remember one year it was a koala bear puppet that sang and danced to "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport." For whatever reason, I just really liked that part of the show.

Not sure if kids today would be into this kind of thing, but it was something I looked forward to most every visit to the park.

There are a few very distinct memories of KI that I have from my early childhood and the talking tree is one of them. For whatever reason, I loved it.

As an adult, I watch things like the state fair Smokey Bear and the talking pumpkin at KI this year. There is a suspense of belief happening with kids as they interact with this "living" object. It is fascinating and I'm sure is what made the tree such a great thing for me to watch as a little girl.