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Season also features two new thrillers for the stage, Pulitzer Prize-winners and the return of CINCINNATI KING

CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park today announced its 2026-27 season, including the world premiere of Theresa Rebeck’s commissioned media satire TALK, the centerpiece of its inaugural Made in Cincy: New Works Festival. Other season highlights: two new thrillers for the stage, the regional premiere of the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning PURPOSE and the return of the hit musical about King Records, CINCINNATI KING.

“Our goal for the Made in Cincy: New Works Festival is to create a platform where local and national artists can be seen, supported and celebrated,” said Blake Robsion, Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director. “The festival will develop and premiere plays and musicals that become part of the American canon — works by some of the country’s most compelling artists —while simultaneously highlighting the artistic excellence of our local community for audiences across the nation. Who is better to help us launch this annual endeavor than Theresa Rebeck? Not only is she a prolific, nationally-recognized playwright, but she grew up right here in Cincinnati.”

Made in Cincy: New Works Festival will pilot this spring during the week of May 4, with public readings and events on May 8 and 9, 2026. The May events will feature local writers and Resident Artists Isaiah Reaves and Maggie Lou Rader, as well as nationally recognized playwright Nathan Alan Davis, who will workshop a brand-new commissioned play. Davis’s play Origin Story was produced by the Playhouse in 2023.

The official launch of Made in Cincy: New Works Festival will take place this fall. Development work with artists will occur during the week of September 28, culminating in a schedule of events on October 3 and 4, 2026. TALK runs September 26 to October 25, with official opening night on October 1.

Rebeck is an award-winning and widely produced playwright, television and film writer and novelist, whose work can be seen and read throughout the United States and abroad. She is the most Broadway-produced female playwright of our time. Her Broadway plays include Dead Accounts, which had its world premiere at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

Other 2026-27 season titles include Arun Lakra’s high-tech thriller HEIST; Brandon Jacob-Jenkin’s Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning PURPOSE; the return of the hit musical about King Records, CINCINNATI KING by KJ Sanchez; Jeffrey Hatcher’s new adaptation of the psychological thriller ROPE; and the regional premiere of Douglas Lyons witty rom-com, TABLE 17.

“From Pulitzer Prize winners and edge of your seat suspense to romantic comedy and musical celebrations, our new season offers the variety that Playhouse audiences have come to know and love,” said Robison. “We’ve put together an exciting and bold mix of storytelling, including some fun genres you might usually associate with film – thrillers, crime capers and rom-com – that will have uniquely theatrical stagings to entertain live audiences.”

The 2026-27 Season features:

• Edge of your seat suspense in HEIST, a high-tech crime caper, and ROPE, a psychological thriller known for the Hitchcock film of the same name.
• A celebration of Cincinnati’s rich music history with the return of the King Records musical CINCINNATI KING.
• The witty romantic comedy TABLE 17 and a heartfelt, humorous look at dating in THE TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS.
• Pulitzer Prize winners PURPOSE, the celebrated Broadway play and winner of the Tony Award, and I AM MY OWN WIFE, based on a fascinating true story.
• TALK, a world premiere and razor-sharp satire by award-winning Broadway playwright and Cincinnati native Theresa Rebeck and centerpiece of the inaugural Made in Cincy: New Works Festival.
• GET HAPPY: ANGELA INGERSOLL SINGS JUDY GARLAND, a special concert event featuring an Emmy-nominated performance seen on PBS.
• SEASON EXTRAS: The annual holiday favorite, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and a special limited engagement, MIND READER with acclaimed mentalist Vinny DePonto.

2026-27 MOE AND JACK’S PLACE – THE ROUSE THEATRE SEASON

Presented by Schueler Group

MC and Tom Brennan present
HEIST
By Arun Lakra
Directed by Blake Robison
Co-Produced with Milwaukee Repertory Theater and Gulfshore Playhouse
September 12 – October 11, 2026

Production Sponsor: Johnson Investment Counsel
Honorary Producer: Barbara Weyand

Short Description:
Inspired by movies like Ocean’s Eleven, Now You See Me and The Sting – this theatrical caper is a high-tech mystery for the stage. When a team of professional thieves assembles to pull off one last job, the heist goes sideways into a web of danger, betrayal and double crosses. Blending quick-witted banter and heart-pounding suspense with a high-octane production, Heist  takes you on a fun and thrilling ride.

One Liner:
Inspired by movies like Ocean’s Eleven, this high-tech mystery takes you on a fun and heart-pounding thrill ride.

Ellen and Ray van der Horst present
GET HAPPY: ANGELA INGERSOLL SINGS JUDY GARLAND
An Artists Lounge Live Production
October 17 – November 7, 2026

Production Sponsor: Elizabeth Hendy, in loving memory of David G. Hendy

Short Description:
In a vibrant, Emmy-nominated performance seen on PBS, award-winning actress Angela Ingersoll sings the works of Judy Garland in this special concert event. Backed by a dynamite band, Ingersoll delivers virtuosic vocals, passionate storytelling, humor and heart. Classic songs include “Get Happy,” “The Trolley Song,” “The Man That Got Away,” “That’s Entertainment!” and, of course, “Over the Rainbow.” Don’t miss this entertaining and unforgettable tribute to an American icon.

One-Liner:
In a vibrant, Emmy-nominated performance seen on PBS, award-winning actress Angela Ingersoll sings the works of Judy Garland in this special concert event.

First Financial Bank presents
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
By Charles Dickens
Adapted and Originally Directed by Blake Robison
Directed by Bridget Leak
November 20 – December 27, 2026

SEASON EXTRA: Not part of season ticket packages.

Short Description:
The holiday story you love unfolds in spectacular fashion in Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre! Charles Dickens’ classic tale of the curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge, who finds his heart changing one fateful Christmas Eve, combines with dazzling set, costume and lighting designs to create a magical experience for your family!

One Liner: 
The holiday story you love unfolds with dazzling set, costume and lighting designs to create a magical experience for your family!

Fifth Third Bank presents
CINCINNATI KING
Written and Directed by KJ Sanchez
January 30 – February 28, 2027

Production Sponsors: The Greenberg Family, in loving memory of Linda Greenberg, and The Markley Family

SHORT DESCRIPTION:
Celebrate Cincinnati’s King Records in the return of the hit musical that traces the groundbreaking rise of music pioneer Syd Nathan and the artists he produced. Based on interviews, the show chronicles behind-the-scenes tales of King Records hits including “The Twist,” “Blues Stay Away From Me,” “Fever” and “Need Your Love So Bad.” Cincinnati King shines the spotlight on the Queen City’s music roots.

ONE-LINER:
Celebrate Cincinnati’s rich music history with the return of the hit musical about King Records.

Moe & Jack Rouse and Randolph Wadsworth present
PURPOSE
By Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Directed by Tyrone Phillips
March 13 – April 4, 2027

SHORT DESCRIPTION:
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize, this riveting and hilarious new drama lays bare the influential Jasper family, led by a renowned Civil Rights leader and his formidable wife. When their adult sons return home for a celebration, the evening unravels and ignites long-simmering tensions. Accusations fly and secrets are laid bare as the Jaspers must reckon with their faith, their legacy and their purpose.

ONE-LINER:
Winner of the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize, this riveting and hilarious drama lays bare the long-simmering tensions and secrets of one influential family.

Leading Ladies presents
ROPE
Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher
Based on the play “Rope’s End” by Patrick Hamilton
Directed by Blake Robison
April 24 – May 23, 2027

Honorary Producer: The Lemmerman Family

SHORT DESCRIPTION:
The gripping psychological thriller that inspired the Alfred Hitchcock and Jimmy Stewart film of the same name gets a tantalizing new adaptation. Two young men commit “the perfect murder,” then host a dinner party in the very room where the body is hidden. As the evening progresses, tension builds from one moment to the next as one of the killers grows bolder and the other gets increasingly nervous. Will they get away with murder? Rope will captivate fans of suspense-filled thrillers and leave you breathless.

ONE-LINER:
The gripping psychological thriller that inspired the Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name gets a tantalizing new adaptation.

ROSENTHAL SHELTERHOUSE THEATRE

Season presented by The Vontz Family

Digi and Mike Schueler present
TALK
World Premiere
By Theresa Rebeck
Directed by Melisa Annis
September 26 – October 25, 2026

Production Sponsor: The Roy Cockrum Foundation
Season Sponsor of New Work: Nancy and Mark Dawes

SHORT DESCRIPTION:
This world premiere delivers biting satire of the current media environment and will no doubt get people talking. When an unplanned guest is added to the mix of standard talking heads during a live news talk show, the conversation goes off the rails, and the show descends into chaos. All political points of view are represented, and all are skewered as this razor-sharp and funny play shines a satirical spotlight on news and dialogue in today’s fast-moving media world. A centerpiece of the inaugural Made in Cincy: New Works Festival, Talk was commissioned by the Playhouse from the award-winning Broadway and Hollywood writer and Cincinnati native Theresa Rebeck.

ONE-LINER:
A razor-sharp and funny world premiere that shines a satirical spotlight on the current media environment.

THE TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS
By Ginna Hoben
Directed by Laura Kepley
November 7 – December 27, 2026

SHORT DESCRIPTION:
After seeing her fiancé kissing another woman on the televised Thanksgiving Day Parade, Mary’s life falls apart – just in time for the holidays. Newly single, she stumbles through the emotional, and often comically absurd, minefield of dating over the next year with each milestone on the calendar bringing dating misadventures. Until the following Christmas arrives and an unexpected encounter opens her heart and a new way forward. This heartfelt one-woman comedy brings humor and a fresh, modern spirit to the holiday season.

ONE-LINER:
This heartfelt one-woman comedy about dating misadventures brings a fresh, modern spirit to the holiday season.

SPECIAL LIMITED ENGAGEMENT – TWO WEEKS ONLY
SEASON EXTRA: Not part of season ticket packages.

MIND READER
Created and performed by Vinny DePonto
January 26 – February 7, 2027

Join acclaimed theatre-maker and mentalist Vinny DePonto for an evening of mind reading, psychic experiments and unexplained phenomena.

I AM MY OWN WIFE
By Doug Wright
Directed by Joanie Schultz
February 20 – March 21, 2027

Honorary Producer: Marty C. Tomb

SHORT DESCRIPTION:
Based on a true story and inspired by interviews conducted by the playwright, I Am My Own Wife is the fascinating tale of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, an elegant and eccentric German trans woman who, against all odds managed to survive the Nazis during World War II and the repressive Communist regime that followed. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, one actor gives a tour-de-force performance of over 30 roles in this profound story of survival.

ONE-LINER:
This Pulitzer Prize-winning play recounts the fascinating and true tale of an eccentric German trans woman who survived World War II and its aftermath.

TABLE 17
By Douglas Lyons
April 3 – May 16, 2027

SHORT DESCRIPTION:
Romance, regrets and second chances play out in this entertaining rom-com for the stage. Once engaged, Jada and Dallas meet for dinner to untangle their complicated past. Despite the intrusion of a cheeky waiter and their best efforts to keep it casual, an undeniable spark still lingers. A hit off-Broadway and in Los Angeles, Table 17 is a witty new comedy about love found, lost and possibly reignited. If you love a rom-com, this play is for you!

ONE-LINER:
Romance, regrets and second chances play out in this witty rom-com.

2026-27 SEASON TICKET INFORMATION:

Current season ticket holders must renew by April 24 to save their seats or to make a request to change them. Season tickets include exclusive benefits like the best prices, payment installments, discounted parking, and first access to A CHRISTMAS CAROL and MIND READER. Purchase those productions with season tickets to add the cost to a payment plan. Season ticket packages start with as few as three shows and range from $114 to $734.50, depending on the seat location and the productions included. A student season ticket package is available for $18 per production.

Purchase by visiting the Playhouse website at www.cincyplay.com or by calling the Box Office at 513-421-3888 or 800-582-3208 toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. For TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) access, call 513-345-2248. The Playhouse is fully accessible.

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.

All 2026-27 season illustrations, except MIND READER, by Kenton Brett.

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