Category Archives: Events

THE JOKERS OF MAGIC | Jan. 24, 2026 | Aronoff Center

THE JOKERS OF MAGIC

January 24, 2026
Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater

[Cincinnati, OH]  Laugh your cares away and be astounded at the Cincinnati premiere of The Jokers of Magic at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater for two performances only on January 24, 2026, at 4:00 PM & 8:00 PM. The show is part of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s 2025-26 CAA Presents! Season.

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

Introducing… The Jokers of Magic – the irreverent, laugh-your-butt-off night of comedy and magic you didn’t know you needed (but trust us, you do). Armed with credits from America’s Got TalentPenn & Teller’s Fool Us, and a few places in which it might technically be illegal to perform, these slick tricksters will blow your mind and swindle their way into your heart in a no-holds-barred evening of tricks, lies, and laughs. It’s like SNL and Whose Line is it Anyway? had a love child and sent it to Hogwarts!

The show is rated PG-13 and is recommended for ages 14 and up. The attendance of young children is discouraged.

The Jokers of Magic – Bios 

Eric Dittelman
Eric is best known as the first mind reader on America’s Got Talent, where he was a Top Ten Finalist and judges’ favorite. He’s been a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Live with Kelly & Ryan and has appeared on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, where Penn called his act “bordering on genius.”  Eric has also been featured in Entertainment WeeklyRolling Stone, and even The National Enquirer.  He has performed on Broadway with The Illusionists and currently performs in the hit off-Broadway show Speakeasy Magick.

Matt Donnelly
The Las Vegas Review Journal recently named Matt “Las Vegas’s Best Up and Coming Comedy Magician.” His act, The Noodler, has been dazzling audiences across North America with his unique and hilarious brand of magic and one-of-a-kind story. Many years ago, while working as head writer on Penn & Teller Fool Us, Penn Jillette challenged Matt to learn one trick. He said, “It’s harder than you think…but you might be better at it than you think.” So, he did learn one trick…from seven different magicians! He put all seven tricks together and made his first show.

Matt spent years on tour opening for “Piff The Magic Dragon” with his unique take on magic. Now, he tours with his own Mind Noodling show, amazing audiences across North America at prestigious magic venues like LA’s Magic Castle, The Chicago Magic Lounge, and Nashville’s House of Cards, while also headlining at the Second Bell Comedy Festival in Tennessee. Offstage, Matt is the cohost of Penn Jillette’s award-winning podcast, Penn’s Sunday School, as well as magic podcast, Abracababble. He just wrapped his ninth season as head writer of Fool Us for CW.

Long before he ever thought of dipping his toes into magic, Matt crushed the Las Vegas comedy world. He played the Las Vegas strip alongside Wayne Brady in the smash-hit improv comedy show Making It Up at the Venetian, played Christian Grey in the ridiculously funny 50 Shades! The Parody at Bally’s, and hosted the innovative and hilarious show Executive Monkeys at The Palms.

Derek Hughes
The live performances of celebrated conjurer “Stand Up Magician” Derek Hughes have been lauded by audiences and critics alike, with The New York Times calling him “thoroughly entertaining.”  Hughes has performed his magic on MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, CW’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He’s a consulting producer on truTV’s hit magic series The Carbonaro Effect and was a top-ten finalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.

Michael Mills
Michael’s contemporary and playful approach to comedy magic takes audiences on a thrilling funhouse tour of deception.

Hailing from upstate New York, his journey into the world of entertainment began as a performer at the classic resorts of the Catskills and Adirondack region. These early experiences laid the foundation for his unique performance style and love for magic. Over the years, he has graced the stages of hundreds of private events. More recently, Michael has appeared at Chicago Magic Lounge in Chicago and Carnival of Illusion in Phoenix. His one-man show Fool Me Once tours clubs and theaters.

While performing magic was his first passion, Michael is best known for his remarkable journey as the founder and CEO of Mills Entertainment, one of the nation’s leading producers of touring entertainment. From comedic legends like John Cleese and Mel Brooks to the dynamic duo Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood from Whose Line Is It Anyway, Mills has consistently delivered innovative and exceptional live experiences. Last year, Mills partnered with legendary magicians Penn & Teller to produce a nationwide tour of Penn & Teller present The Foolers.

For more information, visit The Jokers of Magic website at https://www.jokersofmagic.com.

Cincinnati Arts Association SPONSORS 

The 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, The P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, TRIHEALTH 

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS:  21C Museum Hotel, altafiber, Bahl & Gaynor, Cincinnati Herald, CityBeat, Fairfield Inn & Suites Cincinnati Uptown/University Area, Harlan Graphics, Heidelberg Distributing, Kinley Cincinnati, Pepsi, Summerfair Cincinnati

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CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:                The Jokers of Magic
WHEN:  
              Saturday, January 24, 2026 – 4:00 PM & 8:00 PM

WHERE:              Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater

PRICE:                 Ticket prices start at $45.25, inclusive of all fees.

INFO:                   The Jokers of Magic is an irreverent, laugh-your-butt-off night of comedy and magic you didn’t know you needed (but trust us, you do). Armed with credits from America’s Got TalentPenn & Teller’s Fool Us, and a few places in which it might technically be illegal to perform, these slick tricksters will blow your mind and swindle their way into your heart in a no-holds-barred evening of tricks, lies, and laughs. The show is rated PG-13 and is recommended for ages 14 and up. The attendance of young children is discouraged.

TICKET INFORMATION – on sale now

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

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A TOAST TO JONN BACA On Dec. 14

In accordance with Baca’s wishes, this will be a casual POTLUCK style event among friends, so please bring a communal dish. The venue will provide a CASH/CREDIT BAR. Please remember to tip your bartender.

A chair with a glass of bourbon on it will be left empty. That will be Baca’s chair. Other chairs will be placed in a circle. He has requested that we join the circle, drink, and tell stories of the good times we had with him.

He wants a joyous event. Nothing somber. He wants us all to have fun and be the people he loves much.

Donations for the family to assist with final arrangements will be accepted at the event.
Please invite anyone who has worked with, studied with, or knows him.

Liberty Exhibition Hall – 3938 Spring Grove Ave, Cinti, OH 45223

Sun, Dec. 14 from 4-7pm

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EXPECTATIONS OF CHRISTMAS On Dec. 15

EXPECTATIONS OF CHRISTMAS
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
Dec. 15
[Over-the-Rhine]

Did you know that the most popular of all Christmas treats, the candy cane, originated from the staff carried by St. Nicholas? That poinsettias are native to Mexico and became popular at Christmas because of their red and green color? These and other facts, stories, and songs of the season are shared during Expectations of Christmas, a special one-night show that features some of Ensemble Theatre’s most recognizable actors. All ages.

Tickets are $15 and all proceeds benefit our Over-the-Rhine neighbor Tender Mercies, which provides permanent and transitional housing for the homeless with histories of chronic mental illness.

  • Mon, Dec. 15 at 7pm

Official page |

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THE KNIGHT OF THE BURNING PESTLE Runs Dec. 5-13

THE KNIGHT OF THE BURNING PESTLE
Cincinnati Actor’s Studio & Academy
Dec. 5-13
Essex Studio [Avondale]

Cast: Serenity Newell-Goodwin, Elsie Routt, Mina Mader, Mike Arn, Chancellor Pullins, A.J. Schroeder, Daniel Winhusen, Isabel Acevedo, Isaiah Serra, Lee Trout & Hannah Feibelman

A comedy of knightly proportions ensues when a touring troupe of actors’ traditional performance is interrupted by a salty working-class knave.

  • Fri-Sat, Dec. 5-6 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Dec. 12-13 at 7:30pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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The Imperial Presents: MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS On Dec. 11

A Live Radio Play Performance by The Anti-Pestilence League

The Imperial Theatre Mohawk Alliance (ITMA) welcomes The Anti-Pestilence League (APL) back to The Imperial Presents series following their recent Cincinnati BroadwayWorld Cincinnati Award nominations (place your votes here).

The APL will present a live performance of the radio drama inspired by the 1944 MGM classic Meet Me in St. Louis. The adaptation captures the story of the Smith family as they navigate life, love, and the excitement surrounding the 1904 World’s Fair. Styled after mid-century broadcast performances, the piece blends narration, character voices, and Foley sound effects to evoke the warmth and nostalgia of the original film.

This performance will take place Thursday, December 11th at 7:30pm at Wooden Cask Brewing Company (629 York Street, Newport, KY), a new location for ITMA’s programming.

The APL has a long history with ITMA. Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic by Harley Quinn Studios, the ensemble first appeared in ITMA’s Salon Series before moving to the main stage at OTR StillHouse—a double feature that earned them five Cincinnati BroadwayWorld Award nominations. Their return to The Imperial Presents marks a continuation of this creative partnership and the evolution of their popular live radio programming.

The cast includes Lisa Dirkes, Bill Keeton, Karolina Prokop, Dan Robertson, Elizabeth Leigh Taylor, Faith Von Handorf, Samantha Joy Weil, and Ted Weil.

APL Commissioner and Harley Quinn Studios founder Katrina “Kat” Reynolds, a lifelong fan of classic radio, continues to lead the ensemble in the studio’s mission to create spaces “where the voices in your head come to play.”

A heartfelt celebration of family, tradition, and the holidays, this live radio reading offers audiences a timeless seasonal story brought to life on stage.

Tickets for this ONE NIGHT ONLY event are limited and can be purchased here.

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