Monthly Archives: September 2026

September 24, 2026 · 5:07 pm

MENOPAUSE The Musical | March 30 – April 4, 2027 | Aronoff Center

NATIONAL TOUR OF MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL® PLAYS
CINCINNATI’S ARONOFF CENTER FROM MARCH 30 – APRIL 4, 2027
FOR SEVEN PERFORMANCES ONLY!   

Tickets On Sale Friday, September 25

CINCINNATI, OH – GFour Productions, winner of sixty-eight Drama Desk and fifty-four Tony Awards®, is proudly bringing the international hit show Menopause The Musical® to the Aronoff Center’s intimate Jarson-Kaplan Theater from March 30 – April 4, 2027 for seven performances only (see full performance schedule below). Menopause The Musical® is a groundbreaking celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived “The Change.” The show is part of Cincinnati Arts Association’s 2026-27 CAA PRESENTS Season.

Tickets go on sale Friday, September 25 at 10:00 at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office at 650 Walnut Street. For group sales (10 or more), call (513) 977-4155. Prices include all applicable fees and taxes and are subject to change.

Now celebrating twenty-five years of female empowerment through hilarious musical comedy, Menopause The Musical® has evolved as a “grassroots” movement of women who deal with life adjustments around the age of forty by embracing each other and the road ahead. What began with seventy-six women in an Orlando perfume shop-turned-theater who are laughing, kick lining, and celebrating menopause for the first time became a global movement. The musical shattered the stigma around menopause and turned a once-taboo topic into a badge of honor.

Set in a department store, four women meet while shopping for a black lace bra at a lingerie sale. After noticing similarities among one another, the ladies joke about their woeful hot flashes, mood swings, wrinkles, weight gain, and much more. These women form a sisterhood and a unique bond with the entire audience as they rejoice in celebrating that menopause is no longer “The Silent Passage.” It’s the Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change!®

Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, playwright Jeanie Linders created Menopause The Musical® to celebrate women at every stage of “The Change.” The laughter-filled, 90-minute production gets audience members out of their seats and singing along to parodies from classic pop songs of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. 

The original Menopause The Musical® debuted in Orlando, FL, and ran Off-Broadway for four years, performing for more than 1,500 audiences, followed by a U.S. national tour that is still running today. In 2007, it opened internationally in the United Kingdom and has performed in countries including Australia, South Korea, Brazil, France, Slovenia, and many more. It was also the longest-running musical in Las Vegas history. Beloved for twenty-five years and seen by more than seventeen-million people, Menopause The Musical® has played every state in the continental U.S., more than 500 cities worldwide, and has been translated into nine languages.

The production’s Book and Lyrics are by Jeanie Linders. The creative team includes Director Seth Greenleaf, Music Supervisor and Additional Arrangements Alan J. Plado, Assistant Director Kim Simari, Choreography Supervisor Teri Adams, and Assistant Music Supervisor Roberta B. Wall. Columbia Artist Theatricals represents the production.

Menopause The Musical® Performance Schedule 

  • Tuesday, March 30 @ 7:30 PM
  • Wednesday, March 31 @ 7:30 PM
  • Thursday, April 1 @ 7:30 PM
  • Friday, April 2 @ 7:30 PM
  • Saturday, April 3 @ 1:00 PM & 7:30 PM
  • Sunday, April 4 @ 1:00 PM

For more information, visit:  MenopauseTheMusical.com, facebook.com/menopausethemusical, instagram.com/menopausethemusical, x.com/menomusical, and threads.com/@menopausethemusical.

About GFour Productions
GFour Productions proudly produces some of the world’s most recognized shows, from Broadway to the West End. Current and recent productions and investments: DEAD OUTLAW (Broadway); GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS (Broadway); STEREOPHONIC (Broadway, West End); THE SHARK IS BROKEN (West End, Broadway, UK Tour); STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW (West End, Broadway); SIX THE MUSICAL (Broadway, West End and Tour); THE BOOK OF MORMON; THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG. Current tours include FUNNY GIRL, TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, and the international sensation MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL® and its sequel. Additional productions in active development include the controversial new Off-Broadway musical SLAM FRANK and YOU’VE STILL GOT A FRIEND, a touring tribute to the enduring friendship and collaboration between Carole King and James Taylor. www.GFourProductions.com

Cincinnati Arts Association SPONSORS 

he Cincinnati Arts Association is supported [in part] by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Season Sponsors:  AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), MIAMI UNIVERSITY, ARTSWAVE, LOCAL 12 WKRC-TV, PROCTER & GAMBLE, TRIHEALTH 

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS:  21C Museum Hotel, altafiber, Bahl & Gaynor, CityBeat, Harlan Graphics, Heidelberg Distributing, Kinley Cincinnati, The Party Source, Pepsi, Summerfair Cincinnati

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CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:                Menopause The Musical®

WHEN:                March 30 – April 4, 2027 (full performance schedule below)

WHERE:              Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater

PRICES:               Start at $78.75, inclusive of all fees.

INFO:                   COME JOIN OUR SISTERHOOD! Four women at a lingerie sale have nothing in common but a black lace bra AND memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex, and more. This hilarious musical parody set to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles. See what millions of women worldwide have been laughing about for twenty-five years. It’s the Hilarious Celebration of Women and The Change!®  (And men love it, too.) 

TICKET INFORMATION – on sale Friday, September 25

  • www.CincinnatiArts.org
  • (513) 621-ARTS [2787]
  • Aronoff Center Ticket Office
  • Group sales (10 or more): (513) 977-4155

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September 24, 2026 · 5:06 pm

TITUS ANDRONICUS: A Revenge Tragedy at NKU School of the Arts Runs Oct. 23-Nov. 1

TITUS ANDRONICUS: A Revenge Tragedy
NKU School of the Arts
Oct. 23-Nov. 1
Stauss Theatre [Highland Heights]

Directed by Darnell Benjamin

What happens when revenge becomes the rule? n a fractured America of the distant future, high tech, and deeply divided—power and vengeance collide in a brutal struggle for dominance. Set in Rome, Kansas, this electrifying reimagining of Shakespeare’s bloodiest tragedy exposes the cost of an “eye for an eye” in a world spiraling toward chaos. How far will we go for control? What will we sacrifice for revenge?

  • Fri-Sat, Sept. 23-24 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Oct. 25 at 2pm
  • Wed-Fri, Oct. 28-30 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Oct. 31 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Nov. 1 at 2pm

Official page |

 

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September 24, 2026 · 5:06 pm

DRACULA: A Comedy of Terrors at Beavercreek Community Theatre Runs Oct. 23-Nov. 1

DRACULA: A Comedy of Terrors
Beavercreek Community Theatre
Oct. 23-Nov. 1
[Beavercreek]

Directed by Chris Harmon

Cast: Brandon Shockney as Harker/Cavendish/Worthington/Havemercy, Becky Howard as Dr. Westfeldt/Renfield/Captain, Cydnie Hampton as Lucy/Kitty/Driver, Jeff Murphy as Mina/Van Helsing & Everett Green as Dracula

What would happen if you took Bram Stoker’s legendary vampire tale and injected it with the high-octane slapstick and frantic energy of Mel Brooks and Monty Python? In this lightning-fast reimagining, the actors tackle dozens of roles to tell the story of the world’s most famous vampire with clever wordplay and quick-change antics. It’s a genderbending, bloodcurdlingly hilarious romp that proves the Count isn’t the only thing with bite.

  • Fri-Sat, Oct. 23-24 at 8pm
  • Sun, Oct. 25 at 3pm
  • Fri-Sat, Oct. 30-31 at 8pm
  • Sun, Nov. 1 at 3pm

Official page |

 

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September 22, 2026 · 5:00 pm

HEIST Review

By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds

HEIST presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park through October 11th. I attended the Opening Night performance.

The Cast of HEIST presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park opens their 2026-2027 season at Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre with HEIST by Arun Lakra. Co-Produced with Milwaukee Repertory Theater and Gulfshore Playhouse, it is described as a “high-tech mystery for the stage” where a heist goes wrong, leading to broken trust and new danger.

Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director Blake Robison leads the brigade on this adventure. His direction of the action and his attention to detail are solid. Pacing could use some help, but this is of no fault of Mr. Robison’s (see my final paragraph). Set Designer Tim Mackabee gives us a sleek and versatile set with is complemented by Lighting Designer Jaymi Lee Smith’s bold and unique choices to fit the moods. Projection Design by Joe Payne is used in the right doses, but I do wonder if we needed so much of it to be AI-generated. Much of it could have been rendered by an animation artist, thus giving an independent artist the work. Food for thought.

Chemistry is key in a caper production and the performing artists satisfy the brief. Brian Vaughn is outstanding as Martin, the leader of the proverbial pack. His character is the narrator in this tale and Mr. Vaughn juxtaposes between breaking the fourth wall and being in the thick of things with seamless expertise. I’d love to have an Old Fashioned with him one of these days. Angel Lin is a stand-out as Fiona and I immediately picked up on the idea that she had to be a voice artist. (I was right, for the record.) Fiona is ridiculously smart to the point of being not-so-smart in less cerebral aspects and Ms. Lin commits to it.

The remaining ensemble members are no slouches, either. Alex Purcell is fundamentally believable as Ryan, Martin’s second-in-command – he has a certain “everyman” quality to him; Jessica Fishenfeld plays Angie with a plausible level of cunning and an exceptional physical prowess; Brian Thomas Abraham is appropriately both menacing and amusing as Kruger; and Kate Goehring’s turn as The Spider is masterful.

While HEIST is not altogether terribly original, I personally love a good bit of action and intrigue. The show is full of energy – which is why I question the motive behind the cadence of the flashbacks. Rather than giving the “behind-the-scenes” or “this is what really happened” point of view in larger increments, there is a constant switch between present and past day with every development. This not only slows the growing momentum, but it treats the audience like they aren’t very bright and feels a bit cheap. But even though some of it is what you might expect, even I was surprised by a thing or two. All in all, HEIST is well-executed, action-packed, and just plain good fun.

P.S. If we see each other out in the wild and you want to know the exact moment when I figured out one of the big mysteries, I’ll be happy to share – but this review, like all my others, will remain spoiler-free.

Click here for more information about the production.

 

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September 22, 2026 · 4:59 pm

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Presents the World Premiere of TALK by Theresa Rebeck

Tickets now on sale for performances Sept. 26 – Oct. 25, 2026

CINCINNATI (Sep. 22, 2026) –  The world premiere of TALK, a new play by renowned playwright and Cincinnati native Theresa Rebeck, comes to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Presented by Digi and Mike Schueler, the show begins performances in the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 26 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Opening night is Oct. 1.

TALK is a razor-sharp and funny world premiere that shines a satirical spotlight on the current media environment and will no doubt get people talking. Hoping for a ratings boost, the host of a news commentary talk show decides to do a live broadcast. When an unplanned guest is added to the mix of standard talking heads, the conversation goes off the rails, and the show descends into chaos. All political points of view are represented, and all are skewered in this biting satire of news and dialogue in today’s fast-moving media world.

“I watch way too much news. I’m one of those people who became addicted to watching the news over and over again. And at some point, I thought, I wonder if there’s something I can do with this. It seemed like it’s a moment in American history, in American culture that the theatre should be responding to,” Rebeck said. “The culture of talk television can be very vicious, very dark, but there’s also something funny and truthful and very American about it. It asks a lot of questions about who we are, and I wanted to let the theatre engage in those questions.”

Rebeck is the most Broadway-produced female playwright of our time (I Need That, Bernhardt/Hamlet, Dead Accounts, Seminar, Mauritius). TALK is directed by Mêlisa Annis, who recently directed Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Christine Lahti in Lahti’s play The Smile of Her at the Marylebone Theatre in London.

Individual and season tickets are now on sale for Talk at cincyplay.com.

ARTISTS

Cast (in speaking order)

  • Brenda Andrea Syglowski*
  • Serge Kieran Cronin*
  • Malcolm Victor Williams*
  • Simone Maxine Linehan*
  • Johnathan Luigi Sottile*
  • Mike Viviana Valeria*

Creative Team

  • Playwright         Theresa Rebeck
  • Director          Mêlisa Annis
  • Co-Set Designer Christopher Swader
  • Co-Set Designer Justin Swader
  • Costume Designer          Fabin Fidel Aguilar
  • Lighting Designer          Mary Ellen Stebbins
  • Sound Designer/Composer         Fitz Patton
  • Dramaturg         Tatiana Godfrey
  • Casting Director         Stephanie Klapper, CSA
  • Stage Manager         Shelby Scaffidi*
  • Assistant Stage Manager Madison Stone*

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

TICKETS
Tickets from $39, depending on seat location and performance day.

Preview performances take place on Sept. 26, 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m. Prices vary depending on performance. Opening performance is Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Regular performances will take place on Tuesdays-Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. A matinee performance will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Playhouse Box Office at 513-421-3888 (toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana at 800-582-3208) or visit cincyplay.com. Patrons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled: dial 711 to connect to the Box Office via Ohio Relay Services.

EVENTS
Preview Performances: Be among the first to see the show before opening night and save! Preview performance tickets are discounted.

  • Sat., Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. 
  • Tue., Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Wed., Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. 

Made in Cincy: New Works Festival: This exciting annual event illuminates new play development by inviting audiences to witness and participate in the process.

  • Fri., Oct. 2 and Sat., Oct. 3.

Art Talks: Stay after select performances for a behind-the-scenes discussion with members of the artistic team.

  • Sun., Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. 
  • Wed., Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. 
  • Thu., Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. 

Art Talk – Special Edition: The State of Journalism Panel Discussion

  • Sun., Oct. 11 at 3:30 p.m.

Are you passionate about freedom of the press? Are you concerned about the erosion of the First Amendment? Do you wonder how real journalists navigate the current media environment? Join us following the 2 p.m. performance of Talk on Sunday, Oct. 11 for a dynamic discussion about the state of journalism today with a panel of esteemed Cincinnati journalists:

  • Beryl Love, Executive Editor, The Cincinnati Enquirer
  • Megan Mitchell, Anchor/Reporter, WLWT-TV
  • Maryanne Zeleznik, Vice President of News and Morning Edition Host, WVXU

The event is FREE and open to all, whether you attend that day’s performance or not. Reservations are not necessary.

Audio-Described Performance: Trained volunteers describe the visual elements of the production via a hearing enhancement system, allowing patrons to hear dialogue, music and other sound effects. The description is timed to avoid interfering with dialogue. Before the show and during intermission, show and actor information are shared.

  • Tue., Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Buy Tickets

ADVISORY

TALK is recommended for older teenage and adult audiences. The show reflects today’s political and media climate, where NOTHING is off limits. This biting satire uses some language and frequently references mature subjects to discuss topics including immigration, racism, classism, minimum wage, the government… and more. We warned you.

SPONSORS

TALK is presented by Digi and Mike Schueler. Production Sponsor is The Roy Cockrum Foundation. Artist Sponsors are Geiler, Diane and Carl Iseman, and Dr. Susan R. Strick. The 2026-27 Season is presented by The Vontz Family. The Season Sponsors of New Work are Mark and Nancy Dawes.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source for arts funding. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

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