Monthly Archives: February 2018

This article was originally published Feb. 10, 2018

By Rob Bucher

Michael Luwoye & Isaiah Johnson – HAMILTON National Tour (c) Joan Marcus

A year ago, Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati presented by TriHealth wooed new season subscribers with the promise of the smash hit “Hamilton” as part of the 2018-2019 season resulting in a record number of subscriptions. Broadway in Cincinnati today announced its upcoming season at the Aronoff Center, including five productions making their Cincinnati debut.

As promised, “Hamilton” arrives Feb. 19 for a three-week engagement. With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show also features choreography by Cincinnati native and St. Xavier High School alum Andy Blankenbuehler.

“Hamilton” tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and one of America’s founding fathers. “Hamilton” is the story of America then, as told by America now, featuring a score that blends Broadway, jazz, R&B, blues, hip-hop and rap.

The musical made its off-Broadway debut at the Public Theater in February 2015, where its engagement was sold out. The show transferred to Broadway in August 2015 to the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where it received enthusiastic critical reception and unprecedented advance box office sales.

In 2016, “Hamilton” received a record 16 Tony nominations, winning 11, including Best Musical, and was also the recipient of the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

“Broadway in Cincinnati is incredibly proud to be a vibrant part of downtown Cincinnati’s thriving landscape,” said Genevieve Holt, general manager of Broadway in Cincinnati.  “Cincinnati has one of the highest rates of Broadway subscription per capita in the country and an extremely large average annual subscriber base compared to other cities our size.”

Opening the season on Oct. 23 – direct from Broadway – is the first tour of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” This new production features classic songs from the film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” plus a new score from the songwriters of “Hairspray.”

In “The Play That Goes Wrong,” celebrated as Broadway’s funniest and longest-running play, it’s the audience who will die … laughing. In the play, it’s opening night for “The Murder at Haversham Manor,” a classic murder mystery that goes hilariously wrong both on stage and off. This show plays Cincinnati the week after Thanksgiving.

More than two decades ago, Jonathan Larson’s “Rent” took Broadway by storm, giving voice to a generation and forever changing the landscape of American theater. “Rent” follows a year in the life of seven struggling artists searching for success without selling out. This 20th-anniversary touring production of the groundbreaking rock musical returns in December.

Performances begin Jan. 15, 2019, for the classic musical “Fiddler on the Roof.” Tony-winning director Bartlett Sher (“South Pacific” 2008 revival) and Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter bring a fresh vision to the original staging.

The story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, as told through their music, comes to life with “On Your Feet!” From their humble beginnings in Cuba to their pop music success in America, learn how the groundbreaking couple found a way to end up on their feet. Performances begin March 19, 2019.

An acclaimed new production of “Miss Saigon” lands in April 2019. Featuring a cast of 42 performers, “Miss Saigon” tells the story of a life-changing encounter between a young Vietnamese woman and an American GI during the fall of Saigon.

Winner of the 2017 Best Musical Tony, “Dear Evan Hansen” comes to the Aronoff in April 2019. The story follows high school senior Evan Hansen, whose social anxiety disorder keeps him from making meaningful connections with others. But then a letter that was never meant to be seen and a lie that was never meant to be told offers the possibility of a life he never dreamed he could have. Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to fit in.

The season concludes in June with the return of the Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats.” This production also features new choreography by Blankenbuehler.

This year, for the first time, season subscribers can choose between the season extra productions of “The Play Goes Wrong,” “On Your Feet!” or “Cats” to create their seven-show season package. Current subscribers receive seating priority.

To be notified when 2018-19 season subscriptions are available to new subscribers, sign up for the eClub on Broadway in Cincinnati’s website.

2018-19 Broadway in Cincinnati schedule

• “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Oct. 23-Nov. 4*
• “The Play That Goes Wrong,” Nov. 27-Dec. 2*
• “Rent,” Dec. 11-23
• “Fiddler on the Roof,” Jan. 15-27
• “Hamilton,” Feb. 19-March 10*
• “On Your Feet!” March 19-24*
• “Miss Saigon,” April 9-21
• “Dear Evan Hansen,” April 30-May 12*
• “Cats,” June 11-16