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Jeremy Dubin, Billy Chace, and Matthew Lewis Johnson. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Cincy Shakes concludes its 30^th Anniversary Season with the highly anticipated comedy that is already breaking Box Office records

Cincinnati, OH – May 22, 2024 – Get ready for an evening of side-splitting laughter and theatrical mayhem as Cincinnati Shakespeare Company proudly presents the uproarious comedy, The Play That Goes Wrong. Running from May 24 – June 16, 2024, this riotous production promises to be the comedy event of the season and is directed by Brian Isaac Phillips.  Penned by the talented trio Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, The Play That Goes Wrong has been described as “A GUT-BUSTING HIT!” by The New York Times. This show is a delightful disaster that has garnered acclaim from audiences and critics alike since its premiere. The production design is generously sponsored by Messer and Keybank.

About the Play
It’s Opening Night at the Cornley Drama Society, and they are staging their newest production, “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” The stakes have never been higher, but from the very beginning, nothing goes according to plan. The theater is plagued by accident-prone actors, a corpse that refuses to play dead, and a leading lady who’s knocked out cold. Amidst the chaos, the valiant (but hapless) actors struggle to reach the final curtain call without bringing down the house—literally.

This farcical fiasco celebrates the timeless theater adage that “the show must go wrong,” woops, we mean “the show must go on!”

Meet the Cast and Crew
Directed by CSC’s Producing Artistic Director, Brian Isaac Phillips, the production features an ensemble cast of CSC comedy veterans. Audiences will be delighted by the performances of Geoffrey Warren Barnes II, Darnell Pierre Benjamin, Billy Chace, Jared Earland, Jeremy Dubin, Candice Handy, Matthew Lewis Johnson, Justin McCombs, and Kelly Mengelkoch. Their comedic timing and chemistry bring this madcap play to life, ensuring non-stop laughter.

The production’s creative team includes Samantha Reno (Scenic Design), who creates the perfect set for chaos to ensue, and Rainy Edwards (Costume Design), who dresses the actors in era-appropriate attire that adds to the humor. Alice Trent (Lighting Design) illuminates the stage to enhance the comedic mishaps, while Chris Guthrie (Sound Design) provides sound effects that punctuate every comedic turn. Gina Cerimele-Mechley (Fight Choreography) choreographs the slapstick and physical comedy, and Kara Eble Trusty (Properties Design) ensures that every prop plays its part in the calamity. Stage Manager Cole Sweasy and Assistant Stage Manager Abby Sherr keep the backstage chaos under control.

A Comedy Sensation
Since its debut in London in 2012, “The Play That Goes Wrong” has become a global phenomenon. Its success caught the eye of producer-director J.J. Abrams, who brought the play to Broadway in 2017, where it was met with enthusiastic acclaim. This slapstick comedy has since become a favorite of theater companies nationwide, delighting audiences with its blend of physical comedy, witty dialogue, and sheer theatrical disaster.

Ticket and Theater Information
Tickets are on sale now and are going fast- some performances are sold out. The Play That Goes Wrong runs from May 24 – June 16, 2024. Performances are on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with two Saturday matinees on June 8 and 15 and three Sunday matinees on June 2, 9, and 16 at 2:00 PM as well as an added show on Wednesday May 29. Sunday matinees include a Q&A with the cast following the performance. CSC offers performances with accessibility resources. Sign Language Interpretation and Live Audio Descriptions are available during the Sunday, June 16 2:00 PM performance.

Preview performances are on Wednesday, May 22, and Thursday, May 23, with tickets at $45. Young Professionals are invited to YP Preview Night on Wednesday, Wednesday, May 22, with discounted tickets at $25, including a free drink and post-show talkback.

Friday, May 31, 2024 will be a special gala fundraiser performance. Click here to find out more about this event called REVEL & Rollick.

Discounts are available for students, seniors, local residents, and community partners, as access to all is important to CSC. Each performance night has a limited number of $14 “Access” tickets in the Upper Gallery and Stage Gallery.  These can be purchased in advance by going online or calling the Box Office.  And starting 1 hour before each performance, any unreserved tickets may be available as a discounted Rush Ticket to anyone, not just students. These tickets are only $12 and could be located anywhere in the house, depending on that evening’s availability. These cannot be reserved more than 1 hour before a show and must be purchased in person in the Box Office. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Ticketing fees apply.  To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go 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 otrchamber.com/pages/WheretoPark.  

CSC also offers Valet Parking for every performance! Make reservations for $25 in advance when purchasing tickets, or visit www.cincyshakes.com/parking. Purchasing in advance guarantees a spot.  Valet is available right at the corner of 12th and Elm Street in front of the theater and begins approx. 1.5 hours before a performance. Cars can be picked up for up to one hour following a performance. (After one hour, you will need to arrange pick up with the valet service directly.) After purchasing, the valet will have your name on the list— it’s that easy!

NEW! Reserved parking spaces are available for $15 in the lot adjacent to CSC on Elm Street, conveniently located next to the theater at 1119 Elm St. Parking opens approximately 2.5 hours prior to each performance. Upon purchase, your name will be added to the list by the 3CDC parking attendant – it’s hassle-free! Booking in advance ensures your space, but drive-ups are welcome if spots are available. Please note that this option is not offered on FC gamedays. Visit cincyshakes.com/your-visit/parking to reserve now.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2023-2024 Season is generously presented by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation; Season Funder: ArtsWave; Education Season Sponsor: Debby and Jim Mason; and Operating Support Partners: The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr foundation; The Shubert Foundation, Lightborne, and 1215 Wine Bar and Coffee Lab.

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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!