Category Archives: On Stage

September 17, 2024 · 5:20 pm

THUMP On Oct. 15

THUMP
Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative
Oct. 15
Aronoff Center Fifth Third Bank Theater [Downtown]

Written by Michael DeFrancesco

A director and two couples meet to discuss and agree on a scenario for a community theater contest. For one of the couples an event lays bare their fight of conscience.

About the Author:
Michael taught drama and English to high school students outside of Cincinnati. While teaching, he was awarded a Rockefeller grant to the University of Cincinnati’s Theater Arts program, where he earned an M.A. His Master’s thesis was a Readers Theater production of Black poetry with five black students in the high school where he was teaching. Because of getting a family quickly while in graduate school, he backed off of the Theater except to watch it.

He became more interested in writing than acting, and engaged in that off and on over a number of years. In the past dozen years he has written several plays: four full lengths, two as one acts and four as ten-minute plays.

He is a member of the Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative and has had several staged readings at CPI: The Circle, The Car Ride, The Hound, and for October 2024, Thump.

Tue, Oct. 15 at 7:30pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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September 16, 2024 · 6:30 pm

RUTKA: A New Musical Runs Oct. 13-Nov. 10

RUTKA: A New Musical
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Oct. 13-Nov. 10
Rouse Theatre [Eden Park]

Directed by Wendy C. Goldberg

You’ll never forget her name. A powerful indie-rock musical makes its world premiere in Cincinnati to launch its path to Broadway. Rutka’s world is consumed by the usual teen concerns, like friendships, gossip, a new haircut and the flickers of first love — all of which she documents in her diary. But the world at large is far from usual. It’s 1943 in war-torn Poland, as Rutka and her friends are trying to live life as normally as possible while confined in the Jewish Ghetto. With their futures and fates uncertain, they reach for hope, resilience and resistance. This all-new musical is a compelling drama based on Rutka’s Notebook — a publication of the real diary left behind by 14-year-old Rutka Laskier, and a shining example of how even one small voice can make a difference in the world. Rutka is brought to life by an extraordinary ensemble of young performers and with a raw and emotional sound, promising an unforgettable musical experience. Advisory: RUTKA is recommended for ages 12 and up. The teenage characters in Rutka try to live normal lives with discussions of first feelings of love, first kisses and new haircuts. Yet, the reality of the world around them includes descriptions of the violence and death associated with the Holocaust.

  • In preview Sun, Oct. 13 at 2pm
  • In preview Tue-Wed, Oct. 15-16 at 7:30pm
  • Thu-Fri, Oct. 17-18 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Oct. 19 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Oct. 20 at 2pm
  • Tue-Fri, Oct. 22-25 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Oct. 26 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Oct. 27 at 2pm
  • Tue, Oct. 29 at 7:30pm
  • Wed, Oct. 30 at 1pm
  • Thu-Fri, Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Nov. 2 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Nov. 3 at 2pm
  • Wed-Fri, Nov. 6-8 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Nov. 9 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Nov. 10 at 2pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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September 11, 2024 · 5:50 pm

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR Runs Oct. 12-21

Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST JR
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
Oct. 12-21
Taft Theatre [Downtown]

Directed by Maddie Jones
Choreographed by Roderick Justice

Cast: Lena Andrews as Mrs. Potts, Juno Brosas as Belle, Avery Fox* as Silly Girl/Ensemble, Josh Galloway as Lefou, Max Hunker as Monsieur D’arque/Ensemble, James Jones as Lumiere, Evan Koons as Gaston, Ethan Kuchta as Beast/Prince, Casey Merren as Babette/Milk Maid, Bobby Montaniz as Maurice, Gabrield Kanai Nakata as Cogsworth, Ellie Maddock* as Silly Girl 1/Ensemble, Parker Patton* as Chip, Madeline Stern as Wardrobe/Ensemble & Keya Vadivelu* as Silly Girl 2/Ensemble
Ensemble: Jude Abella, Kate Bauer, Brinley Culver*, Edrico Evans-Pritchett, Jonathan Hobbs, Claire Long*, Austin Mills, Anthony Nocero, Kip Richardson*, Avery Sherman, Colton Slade, Kari Keller Stewart, Cynsere Stevens, Lisa Takahashi* & Mia Zink*

TCT last produced Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR. in 2009 and 2014, and the new 2024 production will feature a fresh concept with an interesting twist for the “tale as old as time.” The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed to his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

  • Sat, Oct. 12 at 2pm & 5pm
  • Sun, Oct. 13 at 2pm
  • Fri, Oct. 18 at 7pm
  • Sat, Oct. 19 at 11am & 2pm
  • Sun, Oct. 20 at 2pm

Official page | Facebook events |

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September 11, 2024 · 5:48 pm

Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN Runs Oct. 11-Nov. 2

Mary Shelley’s FRANKENSTEIN
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Oct. 11-Nov. 2
[Over-the-Rhine]

Directed by Brian Isaac Phillips

Cast: Jasimine Bouldin as Actor 2, Alexis Bronkovic* as Actor 3, Billy Chace* as Actor 5, John Patrick Hayden* as Actor 1 & Jay Wade as Actor 4

On a dark and stormy night, a group of friends challenge each other to tell a frightful tale and thus Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is born. Cast away by his creator, Victor Frankenstein’s rejected creature is thrust into a world that recoils in terror, disgusted by his inhumanity. A new spin on the gothic tale from the mother of science fiction promises to be a spine-tingling encounter with one of literature’s most iconic monsters. Ideal for the Halloween season, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein will ask the question: who is the real monster, creature or creator?

  • In preview Wed-Thu, Oct. 9-10 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Oct. 11-12 at 7:30pm
  • Wed, Oct. 16 at 7:30pm
  • Sat-Sun, Oct. 19-20 at 2pm
  • Thu-Sat, Oct. 24-26 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Oct. 27 at 2pm
  • Fri, Nov. 1 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Nov. 2 at 2pm & 7:30pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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September 11, 2024 · 5:46 pm

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Runs Oct. 11-20

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Xavier University Theatre
Oct. 11-20
Gallagher Student Center Theatre [Evanston]

Directed by Stephen Skiles
Music Directed by Scot Buzza
Choreographed by Jenna Treinen

What’s the buzz? Jesus Christ Superstar has wowed audiences for over 50 years. Set against the backdrop of an extraordinary and universally known series of events but seen, unusually, through the eyes of Judas Iscariot, Jesus Christ Superstar follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life. Loosely based on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Jesus Christ Superstar features music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

  • Fri-Sat, Oct. 11-12 at 7:30pm
  • Fri, Oct. 18 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Oct. 19 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Oct. 20 at 2pm

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