CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK PRESENTS US PREMIERE OF NEW POP-ROCK MUSICAL COMEDY MYTHIC SEPT 25
CINCINNATI – MYTHIC, a new pop-rock musical comedy with Broadway ambitions that The New York Times named one of the “42 Plays and Musicals to See Across the U.S. This Fall,” premieres on Sept. 25 at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, following previews Sept. 20-24. The production, directed and choreographed by three-time-Tony Award-winning Kathleen Marshall, runs through Oct. 19. MYTHIC is presented by MC and Tom Brennan and The David C. Herriman Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
MYTHIC features book and lyrics by Marcus Stevens, with music and orchestrations by Oran Eldor and is produced by special arrangement with SHO Productions / Shoshana Kovac Parets.
The ancient Greek myth of Persephone is turned on its ear in MYTHIC, with the gods reimagined as chart-topping pop stars, power-hungry politicians, and attention-seeking influencers. Starstruck by Olympian celebrity, Persephone rebels against her mother Demeter’s expectations and decides to forge her own path. When she sneaks into a party at the Acropolis and meets brooding bad-boy Hades, her life takes an unexpected turn into the Underworld. MYTHIC played to critical acclaim in London and in a sold-out run in Montreal.
A highly acclaimed director and choreographer, Marshall is known for her work on Broadway musicals. Nominated for nine Tony Awards, Marshall has won three for Wonderful Town (2004), The Pajama Game (2006) and Anything Goes (2011). She has also received an Olivier Award and numerous Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards, among many others.
“We’ve brought together an A-list creative team led by Kathleen Marshall to bring this unique and entertaining new musical to life,” explained Blake Robison, Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director. “Cincinnati audiences will get to see it first. That’s a benefit only the Playhouse provides to our community.”
The creative team includes designers with many Broadway credits including Hamilton, Anastasia, Beetlejuice, Kinky Boots and more: Set design is by Tony Award-nominee David Korins (Broadway: Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Beetlejuice), costume design is by Tony Award-winner Linda Cho (Broadway: The Great Gatsby, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Anastasia), lighting design is by Tony Award-winner Kenneth Posner (Broadway: Wicked, Kinky Boots, The Coast of Utopia), sound design is by Tony Award-winner John Shivers (Broadway: Real Women Have Curves, Shucked, Kinky Boots), laser effects designer is Adam Biscow, music supervisor is Chris Fenwick (Broadway: Kimberly Akimbo, Once on This Island, Fun Home), music director is Bryson Baumgartel (Broadway: Merrily We Roll Along, Sunset Boulevard; The Great Gatsby) and music producer is Tony Award-winner Doug Besterman (Broadway: Death Becomes Her, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Producers).
The cast features a roster of exciting veteran and up-and-coming actors with Broadway credits: Savy Jackson (Broadway: Bad Cinderella, National Tour: Once on this Island) as Aphrodite; Michael Park (Broadway: Dear Evan Hansen, Redwood) as Zeus; Mamie Parris (Broadway: Cats, School of Rock) as Demeter; Analise Scarpaci (Broadway: Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda) as Persephone; and Julius Thomas III (Broadway: Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, International Tour: Hamilton) as Hades.
Joining them as the Greek Chorus and filling supporting roles are Matthew Samuel Blum, Aaron Gabriel Graham, Alexa Magro, Stephanie Lynne Mason, Owen Scales, Cassidy Stoner, Kodiak Thompson, and Emily Grace Tucker. The swings are Josh Devine and Madison Osment.
Other artistic staff for MYTHIC include David Eggers, Associate Director/Choreographer; Max Grossman, Associate Music Director; Stephanie Klapper CSA, Casting Director; Brandon T. Holmes, Stage Manager; Rachel Kaplow, Andrea L. Shell and Madison Stone, Assistant Stage Managers.
CAST
- Savy Jackson – Aphrodite
- Michael Park – Zeus
- Mamie Parris – Demeter
- Analise Scarpaci – Persephone
- Julius Thomas III – Hades
- Matthew Blum – Greek Chorus/Charon
- Aaron Gabriel Graham – Greek Chorus/Alecto
- Alexa Magro – Greek Chorus/Aphrodette
- Stephanie Lynne Mason – Greek Chorus/Nike
- Owen Scales – Greek Chorus/Cyclops/Minos
- Cassidy Stoner – Greek Chorus/Aphrodette/Janelle
- Kodiak Thompson – Greek Chorus/Helios/Ascalaphus
- Emily Grace Tucker – Greek Chorus/Barbara/Aphrodette
- Josh Devine – Greek Chorus Swing
- Madison Osment – Greek Chorus Swing
PRODUCTION
- Marcus Stevens – Book and Lyrics
- Oran Eldor – Music and Orchestrations
- Kathleen Marshall – Director/Choreographer
- David Korins – Set Designer
- Linda Cho – Costume Designer
- Kenneth Posner – Lighting Designer
- John Shivers – Sound Designer
- Adam Biscow – Laser Effects Designer
- Chris Fenwick – Music Supervisor
- Bryson Baumgartel – Music Director
- Doug Besterman – Music Producer
- David Eggers – Associate Director/Choreographer
- Max Grossman – Associate Music Director
- Stephanie Klapper, CSA – Casting Director
- Brandon T. Holmes – Stage Manager
- Rachel Kaplow – Assistant Stage Manager
- Andrea L. Shell – Assistant Stage Manager
- Madison Stone – Assistant Stage Manager
- SHO Productions/ Shoshana Kovac Parets – Producer
TICKETS
Tickets begin at $37.00. Prices vary based on seating location and performance day. Previews take place on Sept. 20, Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 with opening night taking place on Sept. 25. Beginning Sept. 27, regular performances will take place on Tuesdays-Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. A weekday matinee will be offered on Oct. 8 at 1 p.m.
EVENTS
Preview Performances
Be among the first to see the show before opening night and save! Preview performance tickets are discounted.
Sat., Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Tue., Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Opening Night
Share the excitement of Thursday opening nights!
Thu., Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Wine Pairing Dinner
Wine Pairing Dinner from 6-7 p.m.
Performance at 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 26 at 6 p.m.
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Thu., Oct. 2 at 6 p.m.
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Sat., Oct. 11 at 6 p.m.
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Wed., Oct. 15 at 6 p.m.
Join us for an evening where storytelling meets fine wine. Enjoy a curated wine tasting experience where we pair four delicious courses that complement every sip. Mingle with fellow theatre lovers, indulge your palate, and enjoy community and connection. It’s a celebration of everything we love—exceptional performances, exquisite wines, delicious food, and memorable moments. Cheers to a night to remember!
Cost is $75 per person, per event, which includes the wine tasting and dinner and doesn’t include tickets to the play (sold separately). Reservation required 10 days prior to the event.
Art Talks
(Formerly Meet the Artists), stay after select performances for a behind-the-scenes discussion with members of the artistic team.
Sun., Sept. 28 at 2 p.m.
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Thu., Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
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Wed., Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
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Pay What You Can
Wed., Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. (Tickets available for purchase at 11 a.m.)
Pay What You Can performances are an additional way we try to make live theatre accessible to those who otherwise might not be able to attend our shows. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 513-421-3888 or in person beginning at noon, day of the performance only. Tickets are subject to availability.
Audio-Described Performance
Sat., Oct. 11 at 2 p.m.
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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.
Signed ASL Performance
Sun., Oct. 12 at 2 p.m.
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Each Rouse Theatre production offers one signed ASL performance during the show’s run.
College Night
Thu., Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
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Join other students who love theatre at College Night and enjoy an exclusive post-show gathering with an artist from the show. College students can purchase advance tickets for just $15 and stay after the performance for a curated discussion with one of the artists — and free pizza! Student ID required.
Solo Night
Friday, Oct. 17, 2025
Meet-up from 6–7 p.m. is $10 with show ticket
Performance at 7:30 p.m.
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Attend the theatre solo, but not alone! Join us for our SOLO NIGHT. It’s a meet-up with others who share a love of theatre but may not always know someone with the same interests to come along. Enjoy HALF-PRICE on your single seat to the show on Friday, Oct 17, and join us from 6–7 p.m. in the Kaplan Lobby for a pre-show reception with other solos that includes drink specials and light snacks. Come as strangers, leave as friends!
If you are a season ticket holder or already purchased a ticket to attend alone, consider exchanging to join the preshow meet-up. Call the Box Office at 513-421-3888 to exchange your date and reserve your spot.
Pride Tea Dance
Sun., Oct. 19
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Join us for the Pride Tea Dance! Socialize with friends and allies to celebrate the run of Mythic around the final performance of this pop-rock musical.
- 1 p.m. | Reception with appetizers and open bar
- 2 p.m. | Matinee performance of Mythic
- 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.| Pride Tea Dance in the lobby
Participate at the level of your choice:
- $250 Host Donation, includes tickets to the performance, both parties and other exclusive benefits
- $50 for both the pre-show reception and Tea Dance (ticket to the performance sold separately)
- Free or $10 optional donation for the Tea Dance only (ticket to the performance sold separately)
ADVISORY
MYTHIC is recommended for ages 11 and up. In this fresh retelling of the myth of Persephone and Demeter, Mount Olympus is likened to Hollywood, so the characters behave as such, using some adult language, making suggestive innuendos and partying.
SPONSORS
Presented by MC and Tom Brennan and The David C. Herriman Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation. Production Sponsor is Barbara M. Weyand. Honorary Producers are Barbara and Irwin Weinberg. Design Sponsors are Linda and Gary Greenberg. Principal Artist Sponsors are Jenny and David Powell and eat well celebrations & feasts. Artist Sponsors are Madeleine H. Gordon and PRIDE. Artist Sponsor-Kathleen Marshall is Karlee L. Hilliard. The 2025-2026 Season is sponsored by the Schueler Group. Season Design Sponsor is Kerry Automotive, and Season Sponsors of New Work are Nancy and Mark Dawes.
The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of almost 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation.
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Director Derek Dunavent is seeking 2 men and 5 women of various ages for the upcoming production of Noel Coward’s classic comedy, BLITHE SPIRIT. Auditions are being held Monday and Tuesday, September 22 and 23, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 