OTR postpones tour

Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist, the couple behind Cincinnati-based folk-pop band Over The Rhine, are postponing their current national tour "indefinitely for personal and family reasons."

The tour was to promote OTR's two-CD Ohio. In a statement, the couple cited marital problems from the strain of producing the record and tour.

"We really love what we do, but we're not willing to sacrifice our relationship and marriage on the altar of a career," the couple said.

As for the couple's annual Cincinnati Christmas concert, Detweiler said Tuesday, "We haven't completely let go of the idea of doing December dates, but we're not committing either way, yet."

Larry Nager

Bober acting director

The Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art board of trustees has named Andree Hymel Bober acting director, effective Jan. 1. Charles Desmarais, current director, will leave in January for a six-month sabbatical. When he returns in June, he will assume the position of curator at large.

Bober, the center's deputy director, came to Cincinnati in 1999 to lead the development of the center's strategic plan.

The center will continue its "aggressive" search for a new director.

Marilyn Bauer

The tempest subsides

Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival has changed leadership for the second time in less than a year. Nick Rose has stepped down as artistic director, but will remain as a festival company member.

Associate artistic director Brian Isaac Phillips has signed a three-year contract to lead the company.

Phillips says he hopes in future seasons to bring in more guest directors and focus on themes within a classical repertoire.

Jackie Demaline