Monthly Archives: August 2024

Bringing Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit back to life with new world-premiere sequel!

Featuring: Jasimine Bouldin, Kelly Mengelkoch, Austin Tichenor, and Courtney Lucien. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Cincinnati, August 1, 2024 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (CSC) proudly presents the world premiere of “Kindred Spirits,” a new play by Alice Scovell, inspired by the characters and story of Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit. Directed by CSC’s Producing Artistic Director and CEO, Brian Isaac Phillips, Kindred Spirits will be on stage from August 2-18, 2024.

In this World Premiere sequel to Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit, the whimsical chaos of the spirit world collides, once again, with the realm of the living. Haunted by his past loves (literally), Charles Condomine finds it challenging to finish his latest book and pursue a beguiling love interest. Romance, jealousy, and unexpected reunions combine for a spirited, comedic romp, filled with witty repartee and otherworldly surprises. In Kindred Spirits, Alice Scovell— the playwright behind the Oscar Wilde sequel The Rewards of Being Frank— brings back to life many of Coward’s beloved characters, and introduces a few new, memorable ones.

The production stars Broadway luminary Christine Pedi* as Gertrude Condomine, Austin Tichenor* as Charles Condomine, and Kelly Mengelkoch* as Madame Arcati. Fellow cast members include Courtney Lucien*, Tora Nogami Alexande*r, Jasimine Bouldin, and Connie Castanzo*.

KINDRED SPIRITS’ creative team features Samantha Reno (Scenic Design); Chris Holloway (Assistant Scenic Design); Rainy Edwards (Costume Design); Watson (Lighting Design); Kevin Semancik (Sound Design); Robert Carlton Stimmel (Properties Design); Gina Cerimele-Mechley (Fight Director); Cole Sweasy+ (Stage Manager); and Abby Sherr (Assistant Stage Manager). 

Hailed as one of Broadway’s most captivating performers, Christine Pedi has enthralled audiences with her astonishing versatility, dazzling vocal range, and magnetic charisma. Known for her previous critically acclaimed portrayals in smash-hit musicals like Chicago, Little Me, and Talk Radio, Pedi’s career has been studded with numerous accolades, cementing her status as a true force in the realm of live performance. Pedi has graced CSC’s stage as Lady Bracknell in last season’s The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, and its new sequel, The Rewards of Being Frank, by Alice Scovell.

Kindred Spirits runs from August 2-18, 2024. Performances of Kindred Spirits are on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with 2 Saturday Matinees on August 10 and 17 at 2:00 PM, and 2 Sunday matinees on August 11 and 18 at 2:00 PM. CSC offers performances with accessibility resources. There is a Sign Language Interpreted performance and available Live Audio Descriptions on August 18.

Tickets are on sale now. Half-price preview performances are on Wednesday, July 31, and Thursday, August 1, with tickets between $14 and $38, depending on seat location. Young Professionals are invited to YP Preview Night on Wednesday, July 31, 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 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 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!

NEW! Reserved parking spaces are available for $15 in the lot adjacent to CSC on Elm Street, conveniently located next to the theater at 1119 Elm St. Parking opens approximately 2.5 hours prior to each performance. Upon purchase, your name will be added to the list by the 3CDC parking attendant – it’s hassle-free! Booking in advance ensures your space, but drive-ups are welcome if spots are available. Please note that this option is not offered on FC gamedays. Visit cincyshakes.com/your-visit/parking to reserve now.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2024-2025 Season is generously presented by our Operating Support Partners: The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation; The Ohio Arts Council; The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation; The National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest; The Shubert Foundation; Maureen and John Bridgeland, Cindy Bridgeland Crilley, and Debby and Jim Mason in honor of Jim Bridgeland; Lightborne, and the tens of thousands of people who give generously to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.

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*Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre, the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
+Member of SDC- The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers

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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!