Sam Hopper as Benedick & Eva Olivia Catanzariti as Beatrice.
The annual Cincinnati tradition continues with the beloved comedy, “Much Ado About Nothing” in 43+ locations across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana this summer July 14-September 6, 2026
Cincinnati, May 8, 2026 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (CSC) is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated schedule of this summer’s FREE Shakespeare in the Park tour, featuring the favorite comedy Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare directed by CSC’s Robert Carlon Stimmel. Between July 14 and September 6, 2026, over 40 parks across the tri-state area will host free performances in Hamilton, Warren, Butler, Montgomery, Miami, and Clermont counties in Ohio; Kenton, Mason, Boone, and Grant Counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn, Franklin, and Wayne counties in Indiana. The complete schedule can be viewed online here. FREE! Shakespeare in the Park is sponsored by our Shakespeare Season Sponsors, The Linnemann Family Foundation. Additional support comes from the Western & Southern Financial Group, ArtsWave, and generous donors to the FREE Shakespeare in the Park Fund.
Much Ado About Nothing follows two sparring skeptics, Beatrice and Benedick, whose witty war of words masks something far more tender. Packed with mistaken identities, overheard conversations, and joyful chaos, this beloved classic is one of Shakespeare’s most enduring comedies. This production of Much Ado About Nothing is set in 1776 to honor “America 250” the national celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Bringing this Shakespeare classic to a park near you is an ensemble of eight fantastic actors. Last seen in 2025’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Eva Olivia Catanzariti returns to the park tour as Beatrice. Making his CSC debut is CCM student Sam Hopper as Benedick. Rounding out the ensemble are Kennedy Kirkland, Bryce Nevison, Romeo Seay, Emily Renee Shimskey, Regan Utrup, and Colin Waters.
From 7:00-8:00 PM on August 29, audiences across the Tri-State can experience FREE Shakespeare in the Park in a whole new way by listening to 91.7 WVXU for a live radio drama version of “Much Ado About Nothing” featuring the same cast from the park summer tour! After more than a dozen successful airings of Cincy Shakes radio dramas on WVXU starting in 2020, this marks the first-ever LIVE broadcast performance, presented in partnership with Cincinnati Public Radio. Performed live by the cast from the CPR studios in Evanston, the one-hour production brings Shakespeare into your home on the radio and offers audiences a fresh new way to enjoy this beloved comedy. Limited in-person RSVP opportunities to attend the live recording will be announced at a later date.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s FREE! Shakespeare in the Park brings the excitement of Shakespeare’s plays directly to the community, with FREE outdoor performances staged in various parks across the tri-state area. These productions, featuring one of Shakespeare’s classic plays, are open to all, with no tickets or RSVP required. Audiences can simply bring blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of entertainment under the stars. For questions regarding a specific location’s policies on parking, outside food and drink, etc., please contact the venue directly or visit our website at cincyshakes.com/park.
CSC continues to be proud of the impact this 20-year-old program has had on our community:
- 73% of audiences surveyed have more pride in their community because of this tour.
- 97% feel their neighborhoods are positively impacted through this program.
- 86% of audiences report that their community still needs more arts opportunities.
- 89% of audiences report that this is the easiest and most accessible way to attend live theatre in their lives.
This annual tradition reflects CSC’s commitment to making the arts accessible to everyone, providing an opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the power of live theater in a casual and welcoming environment. Because of this CSC offers audio described and sign language interpreted performances of FREE! Shakespeare in the Park. The dates for sign language interpreted shows are below and audio-described will be posted later:
Sun., 7/26 @ 6pm Washington Park
Sat., 8/22 @ 7pm Devou Park
Learn more: https://cincyshakes.com/on-stage/much-ado-park
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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!
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