Congratulations to the cast Village Players of Fort Thomas’s production of Abigail/1702 by Roberto Aguirre-Sacaso, directed by Rose Vanden Eynden.
Running September 26 – October 4, 2025. Tickets on sale now at https://www.villageplayers.org/abigal1702
ETC’s 40th Anniversary Season
Regional Musical Revival
NEXT TO NORMAL
Sept. 13-Oct. 5
World Premiere Family-Friendly Musical
FRITZ: The Musical
Book by Zina Camblin
Music & Lyrics by David Kisor
Dec. 3-31
Regional Premiere Drama
WHERE WE STAND
Jan. 31-Feb. 22, 2026
Regional Premiere Comedy
FOURTEEN FUNERALS
March 21-April 12, 2026
Regional Premiere Musical
THE HOUSE ON WATCH HILL
Book & Lyrics by Richard Oberacker & Robert Taylor
Music by Richard Oberacker
May 9-31, 2026
Filed under Season Announcements
WHISPERS FROM THE DEEP presented by A to Z Productions as part of the 2025 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.
A mysterious narrator and his ministry of shadow puppets take you on an eerie, captivating journey through haunting tales from the deepest reaches of the sea. Tales from the Crypt meet The Lighthouse in these horrifying tales.
Partners in life and art (I liked this turn of phrase so much I stole it from their bio), the team of Alexx Rouse and Zach Robinson have created an entertaining deep dive of three chilling sea tales wrapped in a musical number. Think Tales from the Crypt meets Pee Wee’s Playhouse with a nautical theme.
Alexx and Zach are joined in the cast by Merritt Beischel, Zoë Peterson and several puppets, along with Calvin Horner as keyboard accompanist and vocalist . Zoë, Merritt and Alexx narrate the individual stories, each handling the storytelling demands of their role well. Zach serves as main puppeteer and host.
Fun, humorous and quirky, WHISPERS is definitely worth your time for a quick trip under the sea.
Three performances remain at the The Basement at First Lutheran Church:
By Katrina “Kat” Reynold
JAJA’S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING presented by Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati through June 22nd. I attended the Opening Night performance.
Brianna Miller as Miriam, Elexis Selmon as Jennifer, Samantha Russell* as Marie, Candice Handy* as Aminata & Keisha L. Kemper as Bea. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.
To close out its incredible 2024-2025 season, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati presents the Regional Premiere of Tony Award-nominated Jaja’s African Hair Braiding by Jocelyn Bioh. Set in the heart of Harlem, a lively community of West African immigrants work together and survive together. While the term “love letter” can be overused in describing a script, there is little doubt that Ms. Bioh is offering us a celebration of African culture and the common bonds those deemed “outsiders” share.
When producing a show celebrating the allure of strong, melanated women, who better to direct than the inimitable Torie Wiggins? And let me tell you, Ms. Wiggins does not make one misstep in her direction: her cast is rock-solid, her use of the playing space is as smooth as a silk press, and her attention to detail is unmatched. Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer Brian c. Mehring along with the work of Properties Curator/Design Assistant Shannon Rae Lutz are to be applauded as well. The set is an absolute work of art and gives off the exact vibe of a busy shop that has been operational for more than a minute.
Huge and well-deserved praise is due to the Costume, Hair, & Wig Designer, Tiara M. Jones. Since the action takes place entirely in Jaja’s hair braiding salon, great hair is paramount. Not only did Ms. Jones create wigs in different stages of braiding (truly flawless work), but a few of the players portray more than one character. In addition, the costume choices are nothing short of brilliant. I think we will all agree Tiara is the actual star of this show – brava!
It is an impossible task to cite any of these performing artists over another, so prepare yourselves for as much as I can squeeze into a review before you lose interest.
A.J. Baldwin (multiple roles) always has the uncanny ability to chameleon herself into any role and turn them into someone you know you know.
Beasley (multiple roles) is absolutely giving character this round and I want more.
Jasimine Bouldin delivers as Ndidi, with a well-executed accent (shout-out to Dialect Coach Debora Crabbe for her work with the entire cast) and her deliberate and precise subtleties.
Burgess Byrd glows as Jaja and owns the stage every moment she graces it. Just when you think Ms. Byrd can’t get any better, she does.
Candice Handy (Aminata) is not only a vision aesthetically, but her entire manner from the way she walks to her facial expressions are a director’s dream.
Keisha L. Kemper (Bea) is impossible to ignore and her adept depiction of her character’s complicated arc is *chef’s kiss”.
Brianna Miller is delightful as Miriam – there is absolutely nothing not to like about her!
Samantha Russell’s Marie is splendidly done; she manages to make the heavy lifting of this central character look easy and that is admirable.
Elexis Selmon as Jennifer changes before the audience’s very eyes (in more ways than one) and she simply gives us “likable” energy.
Samuel Stricklen has his work cut out – not only as the only male performer, but in making each of his characters so wonderfully distinctive. Spoiler alert: he crushes the assignment.
What else can a white girl convey about this show except it is a beautiful thing to see an ensemble of black women who gets to say exactly what they want? This is their time, their laughter, and their heartache; no hiding or dumbing it down for a society who just doesn’t always “get it”. At its very core, Jaja’s is about community, home, and heart.
I was fully engaged in this experience from start to finish and I left the theatre feeling something we do not always get to feel in today’s climate: hope. I implore Cincinnati to sell out this show every single night and to continue to talk about it long after the lights dim on this run.
Click here for more information about the production.
Filed under Reviews
The Footlighters, Inc., is pleased to announce auditions for its fall production of THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL
Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice
Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Orchestrations by Larry Hochman
Based on Characters Created by Charles Addams
Directed by Aubrey E. Wilson
Music Directed by Alan Masters
Produced by Bunny Arszman and Alan Masters
AUDITION DATES/TIMES:
Sunday July 13 – 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Monday, July 14 – 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
CALLBACKS:
Tuesday, July 15 – 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Please sign up for an audition slot here: https://www.signupgenius.com/…/10C0448AEAE2BABFC1…
LOCATION:
Auditions, rehearsals, and performances will take place at The Stained Glass Theatre, 802 York Street, Newport, KY, 41071
SHOW DATES:
The Addams Family Musical will be performed November 6 – 23, 2025.
REHEARSALS:
Rehearsals will be held on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Friday evenings.
Rehearsals will start in early September.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
ABOUT THE SHOW:
They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re all together ooky!
America’s darkest family with an affinity for all things macabre comes to life in this hilarious musical comedy about love, family, honesty, and growing up. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable and “normal” family – a man her parents have never met. What’s our favorite ghoulish couple, Morticia and Gomez, to do?
ROLES:
ALL ROLES ARE UNPAID/VOLUNTARY AND NO ROLES HAVE BEEN PRECAST.
THE ADDAMS
Morticia Addams, Stage Age: 35-55, Vocal Range: G3 – Bb5
The beautiful, leggy, and mysterious head of the Addams family who believes strongly in family tradition. Morticia is unnerved thinking that Gomez is hiding something from her. She is confident and sexy, with a side of dry wit. Solid comedic timing and strong mover.
Gomez Addams, Stage Age: 35-55, Vocal Range: A3 – E5
A suave man of Spanish descent who adores his wife and children and takes immense pride in being an Addams. Gomez finds himself trapped between his daughter and his wife, being forced to hide Wednesday’s big secret from Morticia. Comedic timing is paramount and should be a strong dancer.
Wednesday Addams, Stage Age: 18-22, Vocal Range: A3 – E5
Gothic big sister Wednesday, who has her father’s heart and her mother’s sensibility, falls in love with a “normal” boy who she brings home to meet the family. Wednesday is trying to balance her relationships with her beloved “strange” family against her new love and his “normal” family. Wednesday showcases compassion, a bit of stubbornness, and strong will. Must have a strong belt.
Pugsley Addams, Stage Age: 12-16, Vocal Range: A3 – F5
The youngest of the Addams Family. Puglsey loves to be tortured by his big sister. He is lost trying to figure out his place now that Wednesday has a new boyfriend and familiar family dynamics are changing. Pugsley is charming and funny, ideally with a pure, high tenor or strong falsetto.
Uncle Fester, Stage Age: 30-50, Vocal Range C3 – G4 (optional C5)
Serving as the narrator of the show, Uncle Fester is lovable, childish, enthusiastic, and highly incorrigible. Fester has great comedic timing and a tenor voice. Ukulele skills a plus!
Grandma, Stage Age: “Older than Dirt”, Vocal Range: G4 – F5
Fun, quirky, and feisty. Grandma always has tricks up her sleeve. She is wise, wacky, and sometimes a bit crass. She has great comedic timing and physicality.
Lurch, Stage Age: 30-50, Vocal Range Eb2 – E4
A man of few words, Lurch is the Addams Family butler. His unmistakable commanding presence is accented by grunts, moans, and deliberate movement. Must have great non-verbal story-telling abilities (think: facial expressions and sounds)
THE BEINECKES
Alice Beinecke, Stage Age: 35-55, Vocal Range: Ab3 – G#5
Lucas’ mother and Mal’s wife, Alice is strongly devoted to her family. She presents herself as reserved and collected (even when speaking in rhyme) until she learns to unleash her wild side at dinner with the Addamses. She is a strong comedic actress with a solid belt/lyric combo.
Mal Beinecke, Stage Age: 35-55, Vocal Range: C3 – A4
The uptight father of Lucas and cold-shouldered husband to Alice, cynical Mal meets the Addamses with skepticism. He finds the Addamses to be too bizarre for his liking and cannot fathom being related to them. Delivers humor with dry nonchalance.
Lucas Beinecke, Stage Age: 18-22, Vocal Range: C3 – C5
The hopeful romantic and son of Alice and Mal, Lucas has fallen in love with Wednesday and intends to marry her. He is optimistic and hopeful, yet struggles to find the balance between his “normal” family and the macabre Addamses. Strong singer.
THE ANCESTORS
The Ancestors, Stage Age: 18+, All Vocal Ranges, Male and Female
The Addams ancestors from various years serve as the chorus for the show and help bring the story to life. Featured both singing and dancing throughout the entire show.
Filed under Auditions
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 