Monthly Archives: March 2023

Sara Mackie as Katherine and Josh Innerst as Petruchio. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Cincinnati, March 2, 2023 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company presents “Taming of the Shrew,” Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy with the age-old battle of the sexes, full of witty repartee and unmatched theatrical brilliance that will captivate audiences with its love and humor playing March 3-25, 2023. This project is part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.  The Design Sponsors are Judge Mark and Sue Ann Painter and Messer.

This production is directed by Jemma Alix Levy and features a cast of fourteen, including CSC fan favorites like Justin McCombs, Billy Chace, Darnell Pierre Benjamin, and Geoffrey Warren Barnes II. Sara Mackie, who plays the leading lady Katherine, is joined by newcomer Josh Innerst as her opposite, Petruchio. Mollie Murk also makes their CSC debut.

Beloved and beautiful, Bianca has everything a girl could want—except a husband. Unfortunately for her, Bianca’s overbearing parents prevent her happily-ever-after because her headstrong, ahead-of-her-times sister, Katherine, refuses to get married first. To convince her otherwise, Bianca’s suitors enlist the help of money-hungry Petruchio to woo her sister under the promise of a hefty dowry. But Katherine’s feminist hijinks result in a series of hilarious attempts to tame the “shrew” in this unexpected reimagining.

Director Jemma Alix Levy takes this controversial play by storm by re-imagining the Induction, the narrative that frames the main story. The original Induction, often dropped in productions by other theatres, tells the story of noblemen who trick a drunken tinker named Christopher Sly into thinking he’s a lord, and play for him “The Taming of the Shrew.” CSC’s production brings this braided tale into the 21^st century. “The entire story of Katherine and Petruchio is a performance, not just for the regular audience, but also for an onstage audience, in our case Kristina-with-a-K and her best friend Amy.  In other words, our audience is learning not only from the story…but also from watching the reactions of Kristina and Amy,” making this production unique and inspired.

Scenic Design is by Samantha Reno; Lighting Design is by Chris Holloway and Robert Carlton Stimmel. Kristina Sneshkoff and Kevin Semancik designed costumes and sound, respectively, with Kara Eble Trusty as Properties Designer.

“The Taming of the Shrew” runs from March 3-25. Performances of “The Taming of the Shrew” are on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with five Saturday Matinees at March 4, 11, 18, and 25, and two Sunday matinees on March 12 and 19 at 2:00 PM.CSC offers performances with accessibility resources. Live Audio Descriptions are available on Friday, March 10 at 7:30 PM, and there is a Sign Language Interpreted performances on Saturday, March 25 at 7:30 PM.

Tickets are on sale now. Preview performances are on Wednesday, March 1, and Thursday, March 2, with tickets at $45. Young Professionals are invited to YP Preview Night on Wednesday, March 1, with discounted tickets at $25, including a free drink and post-show talkback. Discounts are available for students, seniors, local residents, and community partners, as access to all is important to CSC. Each performance night has a limited number of $14 “Access” tickets in the Upper Gallery and Stage Gallery.  These can be purchased in advance by going online or calling the Box Office.  And starting 1 hour before each performance, any unreserved tickets may be available as a discounted Rush Ticket to anyone, not just students. These tickets are only $12 and could be located anywhere in the house, depending on that evening’s availability. These cannot be reserved more than 1 hour before a show and must be purchased in person in the Box Office. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Ticketing fees apply.  To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at www.cincyshakes.com.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is located at The Otto M. Budig Theater at 1195 Elm Street in OTR, adjacent to Washington Park.  Many parking spaces are available on the street and in nearby lots and garages- for more information, visit http://www.otrchamber.com/pages/WheretoPark.

CSC also offers Valet Parking for every performance! Make reservations for $25 in advance when purchasing tickets, or visit www.cincyshakes.com/parking. Purchasing in advance guarantees a spot.  Valet is available right at the corner of 12th and Elm Street in front of the theater and begins approx. 1.5 hours before a performance. Cars can be picked up for up to one hour following a performance. (After one hour, you will need to arrange pick up with the valet service directly.) After purchasing, the valet will have your name on the list— it’s that easy!

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2022-2023 Season is generously presented by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation; along with our Education Season Sponsor, Debby and Jim Mason; and our Operating Support Partners, The Ohio Arts Council, The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation, Rosemary and Mark Schlachter, The National Endowment for the Arts with Arts Midwest, The Shubert Foundation, Lightborne, and the tens of thousands of people who give generously to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.

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About Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for all.  In the summer of 2017, the theater relocated to the Otto M. Budig Theater, a brand new facility in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. CSC’s repertoire is composed of the works of William Shakespeare, literary adaptations, world premieres, and contemporary classics. CSC performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with the Actors’ Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of Theater Communications Group and Shakespeare Theatre Association. Each year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Education and Outreach Programs reach more than 50,000 young people and community members by meeting audiences where they are. This includes sharing programming in schools, parks, community centers and hosting educational matinees of mainstage productions. In 2015, CSC was proud to become one of the first five theaters in the United States to “Complete the Canon” by producing all 38 plays by William Shakespeare. CSC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.  Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to be Cincinnati’s stage for the Classics!