Cincy Shakes completes the season with a musical world-premiere by Lindsey Augusta Mercer inspired by the novel by Virginia Woolf!
Cincinnati, May 21, 2025 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company presents Mrs. Dalloway: A New Musical, book, music, and lyrics by Lindsey Augusta Mercer, inspired by Virginia Woolf’s novel. This production is directed by Sara Clark. This world-premiere production will be on stage from May 23 – June 15, 2025 with an ensemble cast of 16 actors joined by a live 9 piece orchestra each night. Mrs. Dalloway: A New Musical is generously sponsored by Ensemble Sponsors Marcie and Jim Kinney; Design Sponsors Judge Mark and Sue Anne Painter; and New Play Development Sponsors the McElroy Family and Robert and Donna Welch.
It is 1923 and the pandemic and WWI have ravaged Europe, but Clarissa Dalloway is determined to throw the greatest party London has ever seen. While she buys the flowers and makes last minute preparations, serendipitous reunions force her to confront the past. As she dismantles the façade she tirelessly upholds, she rekindles connections with friends and lovers, awakening her inner desires for the words she never spoke and the paths of love she never took. Don’t miss this iconic novel reimagined for the stage as a musical romance that features golden-age Broadway–inspired music with a folk-pop feel.
Originally commissioned by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company in 2021, Mrs. Dalloway: A New Musical is a musical reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s classic novel written and composed by Lindsey Augusta Mercer. The choice to adapt the novel as a musical originates from the text itself. Lindsey said “Music is everywhere in Mrs. Dalloway, that was apparent to me from the moment I picked up the novel for the first time. Not only does Virginia Woolf give us lush descriptions of sound that constantly provoke the emotional state of our characters, but her stream of consciousness writing style makes the book itself flow like a symphony.”
This world-premiere musical features a powerhouse ensemble of 16 performers, blending familiar faces with exciting new talent at Cincy Shakes. Christiana Cole leads the cast as Clarissa Dalloway, with Bex Odorisio as Sally Seton, a former love of Clarissa’s. Robby Clater and Cary Davenport portray Peter Walsh and Hugh Whitbred, two of Clarissa’s longtime friends. Byron St. Cyr takes on the role of Richard Dalloway, her husband. Noah Berry plays Septimus Warren Smith a former soldier suffering from PTSD. His wife Rezia, played by Courtney Lucien, struggles to help him deal with trauma of World War I. Rounding out the ensemble and portraying a range of characters are Wesley Carman, Hannah Gregory, Christian Hall, Montez Jenkins Copeland, Bethany Xan Kerr, Kelly Mengelkoch, Dani Grace Nissen, Patrick Earl Phillips, and Aleah Vassell.
The cast will be accompanied by a 9-piece orchestra playing live with the actors. Members of the orchestra, under the direction of Matthew Umphreys, include Betty Douglas (Flute), Jeanna Vella (Clarinet), Emery Hicks (Trumpet), Linsey Rogers (Violin), Julie Lim (Cello), Joel Greenberg (Guitar), Matthew Umphreys (Piano), Renate Thomas (Bass), and Brian Malone (Drums).
Sara Clark directs the production after leading last season’s heartwarming A Midsummer Night’s Dream to the CSC stage. Sara Clark has made a home at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company for the past 18 years as an actor, director, teacher, and fundraiser and is currently serving as Director of Development as CSC. The production team of Mrs. Dalloway: A New Musical brings this world-premiere to life on stage. Samantha Reno and Rainy Edwards return as Scenic Designer and Costume Designer, transporting the audience to the 1920s with beautiful sets and costumes that feature a modern flair. Lighting Designer Nina Agelvis, assisted by Ivy Walker, and Projections Designer Robert Carlton Stimmel craft vivid watercolor inspired dreamscapes that draw the audience into the characters’ inner worlds. Dance Choreographer Ashley Goos brings Lindsey Augusta Mercer’s orchestrations to life through expressive movement, while Music Director and Co-Arranger Matthew Umphreys leads the orchestra and ensemble in delivering a stunning musical experience. Zackery Bennett serves as Sound Designer assisted by Emma Miller. Torie Wiggins serves as Intimacy Director, and Gina Cerimele-Mechley as Stunt Coordinator. Casting was led by Stephanie Klapper. Cole Sweasy serves as Stage Manager, with Rowan Rozzi as Assistant Stage Manager.
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Mrs. Dalloway: A New Musical runs from May 23 – June 15, 2025. Performances of Mrs. Dalloway: A New Musical are on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with Sunday matinees on June 1,8, and 15 and Saturday Matinees on May 31 and June 14 at 2:00 PM. CSC offers performances with accessibility resources. Live Audio Descriptions are available on May 23, and there is a Sign Language Interpreted performance on June 15.
Tickets are on sale now. Preview performances are on Wednesday, May 21, and Thursday, May 22, with half price tickets. Young Professionals are invited to YP Preview Night on Wednesday, May 21, with discounted tickets at $25, including a free drink and post-show talkback.
For the best ticketing experience and to avoid resale sites or scams, please be sure to only purchase tickets directly through Cincinnati Shakespeare Company online at cincyshakes.com or by calling the Box Office at 513.381.2273. Ticket prices range from $14-$87; don’t pay more!
Discounts are available for students, seniors, educators, military personnel, local residents, and community partners at all performances.
For those seeking last-minute options or additional ways to save, $12 Rush Tickets are available to anyone (not just students) starting one hour before each performance. These tickets, offered in various seating locations, are subject to availability and must be purchased in person at the Box Office within an hour of show time. Additionally, $14 “Access” tickets are offered in the Upper Gallery for each performance and can be purchased in advance online or by calling the Box Office.
To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or visit cincyshakes.com. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted, and ticketing fees apply.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is located at 1195 Elm Street, adjacent to Washington Park. In addition to abundant public parking options in the immediate vicinity, CSC offers parking services, including valet parking for $25 (managed by Star Parking) and self-parking for $15 (managed by 3CDC) in the adjacent lot. Reservations can be made in advance online or by contacting the Box Office. For more details, visit cincyshakes.com/your-visit/parking.
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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 the 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!
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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