Monthly Archives: January 2024

Torie Wiggins. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Baldwin’s captivating American classic, brimming with music, proves it is faith and the love we have for our community that sees us through

Cincinnati, January 23, 2024 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company presents James Baldwin’s The Amen Corner, a profound glimpse into the heart of a corner church in Harlem in the 1950’s. Candice Handy directs this production, which will run from January 26 through February 11, 2024. This production’s design is generously sponsored by Judge Mark and Sun Ann Painter and Raymond James.

In a small, God-fearing church on a street corner in Harlem, devout pastor Margaret Anderson is confronted with her complicated past.  Her estranged husband returns provoking conflict in her family putting their son at a crossroads.  Will Margaret find forgiveness? Will the congregation accept the complexities of life? Or will both remain unyielding in their religious convictions?  James Baldwin’s scalding and exultant masterpiece of the modern American theatre, proves it is faith and the love we have for our community that sees us through.

The Amen Corner is penned by prolific American writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin (1924-1987). Baldwin is best known for his influential work that explores racial and sexual identity. His impactful debut, Go Tell It on the Mountain (1953), led to influential essays like The Fire Next Time (1963). His first play, The Amen Corner (1955), delves into faith and family dynamics, drawing on his own experiences. This poignant work examines the consequences of rigid beliefs on personal and communal levels, showcasing Baldwin’s enduring legacy in articulating the complexities of race and societal expectations.

An all-star cast takes the stage for this production, featuring Torie Wiggins as the lead Pastor Margaret Alexander. The cast of thirteen also includes ranney, Adrian DeVaughn Summers, Kenneth Early, Kyndra Dyanne Jefferies, Keisha L. Kemper, Burgess C. Byrd, Geoffrey Warren Barnes II, Jasimine Bouldin, Beasley, A.J. Baldwin, Warren Jackson, and Aleah Vassell.

The creative team features scenic design by Samantha Reno; lighting design by Jessica Drayton; and Co-Projection Design by Robert Carlton Stimmel and Rainy Edwards. Properties Design is by Kara Eble Trusty; Sound Design by Kevin Semancik; and Music Design and Dramaturgy by Yemi Oyediran and Isaiah Reaves, respectively. Cole Sweasy is the Production Stage Manager and Shelby Scaffidi is the Assistant Stage Manager.

The Amen Corner runs from January 26 – February 11, 2024. Performances of The Amen Corner are on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with three Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM on January 28, February 4, and February 11; and two Saturday matinees at 2:00 PM on February 3 and 10. CSC offers performances with accessibility resources. The final Saturday matinee on February 10 is Sign Language Interpreted and Audio Description service is available.

Tickets are on sale now. Preview performances are on Wednesday, January 24, and Thursday, January 25, with tickets at $45. 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 http://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 30^th Anniversary 2023-2024 Season is generously sponsored by The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr Foundation; along with our Education Season Sponsors, Debby and Jim Mason; and our Operating Support Partners, The Ohio Arts Council, The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Lightborne, and the tens of thousands of people who give generously to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source of arts funding.

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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!