Hannah Gregory, Patrick Earl Phillips & Jasimine Bouldin. Photo by Melanie Malicote.
Three actors hilariously attempt to bring all six of Jane Austen’s beloved novels to life in “The Complete Works of Jane Austen (Abridged),” a fast-paced, 100-minute theatrical romp filled with romance, wit, and nonstop laughter
Cincinnati, July 29, 2026 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to present the Regional Premiere of The Complete Works of Jane Austen (Abridged) by Jessica Bedford, Kathryn MacMillan, Charlotte Northeast, and Meghan Winch. This production is produced in partnership with Merrimack Repertory Theatre and is directed by their Interim Executive Artistic Director, Jenny Lavery. Following this run in Cincinnati, the production will travel to Lowell, MA for a run at Merrimack Rep. The design of this production is generously sponsored by President H. James Williams and First Lady Carole Campbell Willams, Mount St. Joseph University Theatre Arts.
Pride, prejudice, persuasion, and plenty of proposals collide in a theatrical tour of Austen’s greatest moments, served up with satire and silliness all before the tea has gone cold. With punchlines flying faster than a change of heart at a country ball, this affectionate parody condenses courtships, catastrophes, and carefully composed letters into a single, sparkling spectacle. Devoted fans will catch every clever nod, while newcomers can enjoy the romance, rivalry, and Regency ridiculousness without the multi-volume commitment.
Bringing this fast-paced Regency romp to the stage is a cast of three Cincy Shakes favorites. Hannah Gregory and Jasmine Bouldin play devoted Jane Austen fans who are ready to perform when their third cast member unexpectedly bails on them. Patrick Earl Phillips steps in to save the show, despite knowing very little about Jane Austen and learning about her works as the performance unfolds. Rather than presenting faithful adaptations, The Complete Works of Jane Austen (Abridged) uses sketch comedy, improvisation, audience participation, pop culture references, and lightning-fast costume changes to race through Austen’s six beloved novels (and more of her writings) while celebrating their enduring themes of romance, family, class, and social expectations. Austen enthusiasts will delight in the countless literary references and inside jokes, while newcomers will find an accessible, laugh-out-loud comedy that requires no prior knowledge of her works.
Developed by playwrights Jessica Bedford, Kathryn MacMillan, Charlotte Northeast, and Meghan Winch, this play grew out of an ambitious question: Could all six of Austen’s novels be distilled into one hilarious theatrical event? After more than a year of collaborative writing and workshops, the play premiered in Philadelphia in 2019 to sold-out audiences. Cincy Shakes’s production of The Complete Works of Jane Austen (Abridged) is directed by Jenny Lavery the Interim Executive Artistic Director of Merrimack Repertory Theatre. Gabby Trice returns as Scenic Designer after last season’s production of Emma. Rainy Edwards costumes the actors in the classic Regency style with plenty of hats and accessories. S. Elliott’s lighting design and Zack Bennett’s sound design seamlessly transport audiences through the many worlds of Austen’s novels, while Properties Designer Traci Listo equips the cast with a delightful assortment of props to play with. The Complete Works of Jane Austen (Abridged) is stage managed by Jenna Worden with Assistant Stage Manager Cassidy Stone.
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The Complete Works of Jane Austen (Abridged) runs July 31 through August 23, 2026. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30pm. Saturday matinees take place on August 8, 15, and 22, with Sunday matinees on August 9, 16, and 23 all at 2:00pm.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company also offers these performances with accessibility resources: Live Audio Description will be available on Friday July 31, and an American Sign Language-interpreted performance will take place on August 23 at 2:00pm.
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Tickets are on sale now. Discounts are available for students, seniors, local residents, and community partners. Each performance also includes a limited number of $14 “Access” tickets, available in advance online or by calling the Box Office. Beginning one hour before each performance, any remaining unreserved seats may become available as $12 Rush Tickets for anyone, not just students. Rush Tickets may be located anywhere in the theater depending on that evening’s availability, cannot be reserved in advance, and must be purchased in person at the Box Office.
All major credit cards are accepted. Ticketing fees apply. To purchase tickets or learn more, contact the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1 or visit the website 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 online here.
CSC has coordinated a prepaid self-parking option right next door to the theater for a hassle‐free, guaranteed spot. A limited number of reserved spaces are available starting 1.5 hours before performances and lasting through the end of the show. The 3CDC parking attendant will have your name on the list with advance purchase, guaranteeing your spot and price. Visit www.cincyshakes.com/parking to reserve self-parking.
This is the second production in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2026-2027 Season which is generously presented by our Operating Support Partners: The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation; The Linnemann Family 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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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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