Category Archives: Family-Friendly

November 12, 2025 · 5:58 pm

ELF, The Musical Jr. Runs Dec. 5-21

12/13 11:32AM – 2pm Saturday performance cancelled. If you should wish to exchange your tickets to a future showing of Elf, please send an email to tickets@tctcincinnati.com with that information. There are great seats available on the 19th @ 7pm and the 21st @ 5pm. If we have not heard from you by Monday at 2PM we will issue you a full refund to the initial point of purchase. Please allow 7-10 business days for those funds to return. Thank you and take care!

ELF, The Musical Jr.
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Dec. 5-21
The Emery [Over-the-Rhine]

During the holiday season, TCT is bringing back one of the company’s most popular productions in its 105-year history with a show that is sweeter than maple syrup— the JR. (one-hour) version of Elf The Musical! Join Buddy the Elf on his hilarious journey from the North Pole to New York City in this heartwarming and hilarious holiday favorite. Ages 4 and up.

  • Fri, Dec. 5 at 7pm
  • Sat, Dec. 6 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, Dec. 7 at 2pm
  • Sat, Dec. 13 at 11am & 2pm CANCELLED
  • Sun, Dec. 14 at 2pm
  • Fri, Dec. 19 at 7pm
  • Sat, Dec. 20 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, Dec. 21 at 2pm

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November 6, 2025 · 6:49 pm

IT’S FRITZ Runs Dec. 3-31

IT’S FRITZ
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
Dec. 3-31
[Over-the-Rhine]

Written by Zina Camblin
Composed & Lyrics by 

Directed by D. Lynn Meyers
Music directed by Steve Goers
Choreographed by Dee Anne Bryll

Cast: Char Adams as Dudley/Kudu, Krishangi Allin as Baby Kudu/Zoo Goer, Michael G. Bath as Hugh, Troian Butler as Fritz, Grace Caccavari as Baby Cheetah/Zoo Goer, Abigail Dirr as Baby Cheetah/Zoo Goer, Montez Jenkins Copeland as Raffe/Dr. Cornelius, TaShauna Ajoi Jenkins as Bearcat, Brandi La’Sherrill as Zoe, Sara Mackie as Bibi, Elliet Malatesta as Baby Cheetah/Zoo Goer, Andrew Maloney as Pelican/Zander, Maddi O’Connell as Fiona, KG Rucker as Audrey/Reporter, R. DeAndré Smith as Tucker, Brooke Steele as Colobus Monkey/Diana, Allyson van Haaren as Baby Sloth/Zoo Goer

Everyone knows Fiona the hippo, but her little brother Fritz is still figuring out who he wants to be. In this new family-friendly musical, Hippo Cove’s newest arrival is ready to wade out of the background and into his own big moment. Having a world-famous big sister, though, makes Fritz wonder if there’s any spotlight left for him. When he sets out to find what makes him special, the path isn’t always clear, but with some help from the zoo’s colorful cast of animals, Fritz discovers that standing out starts by listening, learning, and leaning on those who believe in you. Full of humor and heart—and a few muddy puddles along the way!—this is a story about family, finding your place, and the courage it takes to create your own splash. Suitable for general audiences. IT’S FRITZ is a fun, family-friendly musical with playful humor and positive messages about self-discovery, sibling dynamics, and finding your voice. Due to the full-length nature of the show, children under 4 cannot be admitted.

  • In preview Sat, Nov 22 at 2pm
  • In preview Sat, Nov 29 at 2pm
  • Wed-Fri, Dec. 3-5 at 7pm
  • Sat, Dec. 6 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, Dec. 7 at 2pm
  • Tue-Fri, Dec. 9-12 at 7pm
  • Sat, Dec. 13 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, Dec. 14 at 2pm
  • Tue-Fri, Dec. 16-19 at 7pm
  • Sat, Dec. 20 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, Dec. 21 at 2pm
  • Tue, Dec. 23 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Fri-Sat, Dec. 26-27 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, Dec. 28 at 2pm
  • Mon-Tue, Dec. 29-30 at 2pm & 7pm
  • Sun, Dec. 31 at 2pm

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September 15, 2025 · 4:58 pm

THE WIZARD OF OZ: Youth Edition Runs Oct. 10-26

THE WIZARD OF OZ: Youth Edition
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Oct. 10-26
Emery Theater [Over-the-Rhine]

Kicking off the season and the return to The Emery Theater, TCT will present the one-hour “youth edition” of Frank L. Baum’s timeless classic, The Wizard of Oz. A story that has enchanted audiences for generations, audiences will follow Dorothy and friends down the Yellow Brick Road in an unforgettable experience unlike anything you have ever seen before! This wickedly colorful adventure over the rainbow will surely be remembered for generations to come.

  • Fri, Oct. 10 at 7pm
  • Sat, Oct. 11 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, Oct. 12 at 2pm
  • Sat, Oct. 18 at 11am & 2pm
  • Sun, Oct. 19 at 2pm
  • Sat, Oct. 25 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, Oct. 26 at 2pm

Official page | Facebook events |

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August 26, 2025 · 5:02 pm

Family-Friendly Block Party at The Emery Theater On Sept. 7

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati invites the community to
celebrate the rebirth of a historic landmark

Cincinnati – The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) will host a family-friendly Block Party on Sunday, September 7, from 12 PM to 4 PM (rain or shine), to celebrate the reimagining and future opening of its permanent home: the jaw-dropping Emery Theater in Over-the-Rhine.

When The Emery reopens in October 2025, it will be the most technologically advanced proscenium-style theatre in the United States—a dazzling blend of historic preservation and industry-leading innovation.

The party takes place outside 1112 Walnut Street between Central Parkway and 12th Street, which will be closed to traffic for the festivities.

Block Party Highlights

Guests of all ages can enjoy:

  • A first look inside the historic and reimagined Emery Theater
  • Delicious eats from LaRosa’s, Graeter’s, Kroger’s On-The-Rhine Eatery, and more
  • Music from Q102
  • Complimentary face painting, balloon animals, glitter tattoos
  • Character meet-and-greets with TCT favorites
  • Available viewing of the Big Game on a screen outside
  • And much more!

Learn more here: https://thechildrenstheatre.com/emery-theater-block-party/

A Historic Moment

At 12:30 PM, a short program will feature Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, hosted by Local 12’s Bob Herzog. In a playful twist on a ribbon-cutting, Mayor Pureval and Bob Herzog will activate the rotation of the giant crown on The Emery’s marquee, officially opening the doors of the restored theater.

Why It Matters

In 2022, TCT launched a $51.5 million campaign to restore and reimagine The Emery Theater—an acoustic marvel once compared to Carnegie Hall by famed conductor Leopold Stokowski. After decades of abandonment and false starts, TCT is achieving what no other group could: returning The Emery to life as a permanent home for America’s oldest children’s theatre company.

This is not simply a restoration—it’s a reinvention. The Emery will combine its legendary acoustics with cutting-edge technology, including:

  • A fully automated stage lift and turntable
  • Automated SLOAT system and line sets
  • Digital LED rear wall
  • Projection mapping across the proscenium and house walls
  • All powered by a single NISCON control system

“No other venue in the country combines all of these,” says theatre infrastructure expert Tom Neville of Apeiro Design, TCT’s theatrical consultant on the project. When The Emery reopens in October 2025 with TCT’s production of The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition, its full suite of cutting-edge technology will set a new national standard as the most technologically-advanced proscenium-style theatre in the United States.

Through this remarkable technology and planned expansion of programming, TCT will revitalize an icon, return it to its original home, and put Cincinnati on the map as a family-friendly theatrical destination.

Coming Soon

The 25-26 Season of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati at The Emery features the following productions:

  • The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition — October 10-26, 2025
  • Elf: The Musical JR. — December 5-21, 2025
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical JR. — February 20 – March 8, 2026
  • DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon: The Musical JR. — April 17 – May 3, 2026

Tickets and subscriptions on sale now https://thechildrenstheatre.com

Block Party Media Sponsors

The TCT at the Emery Block Party is made possible in partnership with Cincinnati Magazine, Local 12, and Q102.

-end-

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August 21, 2025 · 5:30 pm

SEUSSICAL JR Runs Sept. 12-28

SEUSSICAL JR
Town Hall Theatre
Sept. 12-28
[Centerville]

Transporting audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that’s been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird.  Although Horton faces ridicule, danger and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him.  Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant!

  • Fri, Sept. 12 at 7pm (Blue cast)
  • Sat, Sept. 13 at 3pm (Red cast)
  • Sun, Sept. 14 at 3pm (Blue cast)
  • Fri, Sept. 19 at 7pm (Red cast)
  • Sat, Sept. 20 at 11am (Blue cast) and 3pm (Red cast)
  • Sun, Sept. 21 at 3pm (Blue cast)
  • Fri, Sept. 26 ta 7pm (Red cast)
  • Sat, Sept. 27 at 3pm (Blue cast)
  • Sun, Sept. 28 at 3pm (Red cast)

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