Don’t miss Mason Players’ final production of 2026, as we honor the 250th Anniversary of the nation. DECISION HEIGHT will be presented October 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10 at 8pm and October 4 at 2pm at the Mason Community Playhouse, 5529 Mason Road in Mason.
DECISION HEIGHT tells the story of the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) who served in World War II, assisting the men who were fighting. It features a nine-member, all-female cast.
It is a historical drama written by Meredith Dayna Levy, which premiered at the Hollins Theatre Main Stage in the fall of 2012. It won the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) New Play Award and the National Partners of the American Theatre Playwriting Award in 2013. Since then, Decision Height has been produced at high schools, colleges, and community theatres around the country.
Through triumphs and tragedies, this play explores the WASP experiences, the deep bonds they form, and the sacrifices they make while highlighting an under-recognized group of American heroes. These young women grew as a group with a shared goal of doing their part to support the war effort and making the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Tickets are available at MasonPlayers.org. Secure your seats now!
Monthly Archives: September 2026
Mason Players to Present DECISION HEIGHT
Filed under Press Releases
I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER at Actor’s Theatre, Fairborn Runs Sept. 11-20
I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER
Actor’s Theatre, Fairborn
Sept. 11-20
[Fairborn, Oh.]
Directed by Craig Smith
How do you love a parent you can never truly please? Robert Anderson’s timeless American classic, I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER, explores the deeply moving, universally relatable struggle between an aging, domineering father and a son yearning for his own life. Don’t miss this powerful exploration of duty, forgiveness, and the complex landscape of family.
- Fri-Sat, Sept 11-12 at 7:30pm
- Sun, Sept. 13 at 3pm
- Fri-Sat, Sept. 18-19 at 7:30pm
- Sun, Sept. 20 at 3pm
Official page | Facebook event |
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Filed under On Stage
The Academy Award Winning Film, NETWORK comes to Cincy Shakes’ Stage
Brent Vimtrup, Patrick Earl Phillips, Geoffrey Warren Barnes II, Hayley Guthrie, and Jasimine Bouldin. Photo by Phil Armstrong.
A sensation on Broadway and in London, the immersive and relevant “Network” receives its Regional Premiere here in Cincinnati
Cincinnati, September 9, 2026 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to present the Regional Premiere of Network, adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, based on the Academy Award winning film by Paddy Chayefsky. The production is directed by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Producing Artistic Director and CEO Brian Isaac Phillips. The Ensemble is generously sponsored by Macie and Jim Kinney joined with the Production Support Sponsor is Brave Berlin.
“I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!” erupts across the airwaves in this immersive stage adaptation of the Academy Award winning film. Set in 1970s America, as television tightens its grip on American culture, veteran anchorman Howard Beale unravels live on air. What begins as a breakdown becomes a broadcast phenomenon. Soaring ratings transform him into an unlikely prophet for a network hungry for spectacle, in a world where outrage sells and attention is the ultimate currency. A sensation on Broadway and in London, Network blurs the line between news and entertainment with explosive consequences.
Network features an incredible ensemble of 16 actors, including many familiar faces. Jim Hopkins stars as Howard Beale, whose public unraveling becomes the center of the story. When Beale’s breakdown turns into a broadcast sensation, Max Schumacher, played by Barry Mulholland, finds himself battling network executives Frank Hackett and Diana Christensen, played by Brent Vimtrup and Hayley Guthrie, over the future of the network. Rounding out the cast is a talented ensemble featuring Geoffrey Warren Barnes II, Jasimine Bouldin, Eva Olivia Catanzariti, Montez Jenkins Copeland, Cary Davenport, Giles Davies, Phil Fiorini, Candice Handy, Kelly Mengelkoch, Connan Morrissey, Patrick Earl Phillips, and Robert Carlton Stimmel.
Bringing this iconic film to the stage is our design team, directed by Brian Isaac Phillips. Jon Savage’s scenic design brings the audience into a 1970s newsroom, with vintage cameras and TV screens. Costumes designed by Erin Reed Carter and wigs by Kayla Cieslinski further establish the 1970s setting with subtle nods to the original film. Zack Bennett’s sound design and Robert Carlton Stimmel’s media design bring the world of television news to life, incorporating real news clips from the 1970s. Alicia Rodis serves as fight and intimacy director. Network is stage managed by Danitza Piper with Tessa Killen as Assistant Stage Manager.
Please note: This production includes gunshots and other loud noises, strong language, discussions of suicide, simulated sexual activity, theatrical haze, and flashing lights. Patrons with questions should reach out to the Box Office at 513-381-2273.
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Network runs September 11 through 26, 2026. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30pm. Saturday matinees take place on September 19 and 26, with a Sunday matinee on September 20 all at 2:00pm. A special Media Night has been added for Wednesday Sep. 23 at 7:30pm.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company also offers these performances with accessibility resources: Live Audio Description will be available on Friday September 11, and an American Sign Language-interpreted performance will take place on September 26 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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Filed under Press Releases
CORNER OF THE SKY: The Songs of Stephen Schwartz Review
By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds
CORNER OF THE SKY: The Songs of Stephen Schwartz presented by Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati through September 27th. I attended the Opening Night performance.
The Cast of Corner of the Sky presented by Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is opening its 2026-2027 season with a World Premiere Musical Revue, Corner of the Sky: The Songs of Stephen Schwartz. With music & lyrics by Mr. Schwartz himself (of course), this celebration of the prolific songwriter is conceived & created by Scott Coulter and spans five decades of Broadway tunes.
Director (who is also credited with Choreography) Vincent DeGeorge excels with his use of the playing space, knowing exactly when to keep it simple or make it big. While the choreo is certainly more rhythmic movement versus dancing, it contributes to the stage pictures nicely. Scenic & Lighting Designer Brian c. Mehring offers us a simple yet useful set which plays with the lighting choices quite well. (I was particularly fond of the accent lights during “Stranger to the Rain”.) Cat Schmeal-Swope makes some pleasant choices on costumes regarding style and colour, but the men needed a wee bit extra love. They appeared rather slapdash amongst the smarter looks. Kudos to Co-Sound Designers Jake Tillman and Danielle Lobello as the vocalists are clearly heard and understood; the excellent balance allowed the singers to bask in the natural highs and lows of Mr. Schwartz’s compositions.
This show boasts a solid ensemble of vocal talent as well as story-telling capabilities. Jordyn Amani Jones is without a doubt a performing artist with an incredible future ahead of them. Mx. Jones’ understanding and navigation of their vocal prowess is miles ahead of their time. New to the ETC stage is Chanduni Herath, another young person with a heck of a future in store for her. Her clear and flawless vocals are impressive to say the least. Cincinnati royalty Kenneth Early reminds us of his seemingly limitless range, both as a chanteur and actor. Bravx to a top-notch troupe of performing artists!
While many of you may know I am not generally a fan of musicals, you will also know there are exceptions – and Stephen Schwartz’s compositions are more often than not in the group of those I enjoy. The very first song I took to my voice coach at the age of 15 was “O Bless The Lord” because I was determined to learn the control necessary to go from simple singing to belting to lilting into the higher notes without obvious “breaks” in my execution. While Godspell was my own first exposure to Mr. Schwartz’s talents (and for the record, I still believe “By My Side” is one of the most beautiful songs ever written), it is only the tip of the iceberg for what he offers humanity via his genius. It is easy to see why Scott Coulter eagerly created this offering of laud for the songwriter’s catalogue. I highly recommend this production as a way to sit back and enjoy the music we have loved for so long performed by some very capable humans; it will cure many of your ills.
Click here for more information about the production.
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Auditions Announced for AMERICAN CHRISTMAS CAROL at Harrison Center for the Arts
The Harrison Center for the Arts announces open auditions for its upcoming holiday production of AMERICAN CHRISTMAS CAROL, written by Mary Klopfstein Lenning, with original music and arrangements by Nina Quinlivan. Inspired by the book A Christmas Carol, this uniquely American adaptation follows the families of small‑town America as they navigate the hardships of World War II—poverty, prejudice, and the ache of missing loved ones serving overseas.
Through true American stories and original music, the production highlights resilience and hope in a time of profound uncertainty.
AMERICAN CHRISTMAS CAROL is told by ten storytellers who portray over forty characters in an episodic format, staged in an engaging theater‑in‑the‑round style. This structure creates an intimate, immersive experience that brings audiences close to the heart of each story and the community that lived it.
Auditions will be held on September 14 and 16 at 7:00 PM, with callbacks on September 17 at 7:00 PM, at the Harrison Township Civic Center, 9940 New Haven Road, Harrison, Ohio 45030. The production seeks twelve performers, ages 11 to 60+, to portray a wide range of roles. Audition participants will read from the script and perform a classic Christmas carol.
As an open call, no appointment is required.
Rehearsals begin in October, primarily on Monday and Thursday evenings, with occasional Friday sessions. This is a volunteer‑based community production. Performances are scheduled for December 4 and 5 at 7:30 PM, with a concluding matinee on December 6 at 2:00 PM.
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Filed under Auditions
