Category Archives: On Stage

July 31, 2025 · 4:57 pm

BRIGHT STAR Runs Aug. 22-30

BRIGHT STAR
Merit Theatre Company
Aug. 22-30
Anderson Center [Anderson Township]

Directed & produced by Benjamin & Kaitlyn Iocco

Cast: Megan Dendler Johnson as Alice Murphy, Daniel Gnau as Billy Cane, Mike Yarick as Jimmy Ray Dobbs, Rachel Cobbs as Margo Crawford, Arnie Forman as Daddy Cane, Forrest Fairley as Mayor Dobbs, Rachel Mabry as Mama Murphy, Nathan Mabry as Daddy Murphy, Sam Parker as Daryl Ames, Allison Syvertsen as Lucy Grant, Adam Leigh as Dr. Norquist, Dakara Cooper as Edna, Sienna Glaze as Florence, Sylas Craven as Max & Karen Wiebe as Government Clerk
Ensemble: Corinne Baumann, Olivia Barthauer, Dakara Cooper, Sylas Craven, Marley Davis, Elena Escamilla, Sienna Glaze, Blake Heubach, Adam Leigh, Elizabeth Lightner, Max McDaniel, Sam Parker, Josephine Shaut, Noah Steffen, Allison Syvertsen, Gwen Uhlenbrock & Karen Wiebe
Youth Ensemble: Izzy Ashley, Jonah Hayley, Evelyn Heubach, Anna Manion & Joseph Manion

Set in the American South in the 1920s and 1940s, Bright Star tells a powerful story of love, loss, and redemption with a live bluegrass band and vibrant cast of characters. BRIGHT STAR is a heartwarming and uplifting musical suitable for most audiences, but it does include some mature plot elements. These include an unplanned pregnancy, some alcohol use, and a moment of intense action involving a baby. Nothing graphic is shown onstage, and the show ultimately centers on themes of hope, love, and redemption. Parents may wish to use discretion for younger children.

  • Fri, Aug. 22 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Aug. 23 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Aug. 24 at 3pm
  • Wed-Fri, Aug. 27-29 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Aug. 30 at 2pm

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July 29, 2025 · 3:37 pm

HAIRSPRAY Runs Aug. 20-Sept. 14

HAIRSPRAY
Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre
Aug. 20-Sept. 14
[East Price Hill]

Directed by Dee Anne Bryll
Music directed by Ryan Heinrich
Choreographed by Julius Jones

Cast: Carly J. Shepherd asTracy Turnblad, Sean Miller-Jones as Edna Turnblad, Douglas Berlon as Wilbur Turnblad, Savannah Slaby as Penning Pingleton, Jack Manion as Corny Collins, Jenny Herndon as Velma Von Tussle, Caroline Rakestraw as Amber Von Tussle, Tommy Sanders as Link Larkin, Roman Harris-Richardson as Seaweed J. Stubbs, Grace Manning as Little Inez, Mandy Gaines as Motormouth Maybelle, John Langley as Authority Figure, Emily Borst as Authority Figure & Cassidy Steele as Tammy/Ensemble/Dance Captain
Ensemble:  hristopher Wells, Kyle Rosa, Jordan Ward, Dylan Perez, Peyton Leonard, Mitchell Wolking, Kelsey Schwarber, Kertu Bell, Ashley O. Matt, Elizabeth Taylor, Austin Hoard, Derek Dunn-Melvin & Elijah Wilson.

It’s the 1960s, and change is in the air! Hairspray, winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, is a family-friendly musical, piled bouffant-high with laughter, romance and deliriously tuneful songs.  It’s 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable plus-size teen, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire – to dance on the popular “Corny Collins Show.” When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to dethrone the reigning Teen Queen, win the affections of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a TV network… all without denting her ‘do!

  • Wed-Thu, Aug. 20-21 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Aug. 22-23 at 8pm
  • Sun, Aug. 24 at 2pm
  • Wed-Thu, Aug. 27-28 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Aug. 29-30 at 8pm
  • Sun, Aug. 31 at 2pm
  • Wed-Thu, Sept. 3-4 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Sept. 5-6 at 8pm
  • Sun, Sept. 7 at 2pm
  • Wed-Thu, Sept. 10-11 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Sept. 12-13 at 8pm
  • Sun, Sept. 14 at 2pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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July 29, 2025 · 3:36 pm

GREASE Runs Aug. 15-24

GREASE
The Carnegie
Aug. 15-24
[Covington]

GREASE is the word! After a sizzling summer fling, Danny and Sandy find themselves navigating love, friendship, and the trials and tribulations of high school. With legendary hits like “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’,” and “You’re the One That I Want,” this electrifying new production is bursting with grit, glam and youthful exuberance. Rediscover the magic of this timeless classic that’s been winning hearts for generations.

  • Fri, Aug. 15 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Aug. 16 at 2pm & 7:30pm
  • Sun, Aug. 17 at 3pm
  • Thu-Fri, Aug. 21-22 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Aug. 23 at 2pm & 730pm
  • Sun, Aug. 24 at 3pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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July 28, 2025 · 4:56 pm

ALL THINGS CONSIDERED: A Historical Farce Runs Aug. 15-23

ALL THINGS CONSIDERED: A Historical Farce
Beechmont Players Inc.
Aug. 15-23
CASA at Essex Studios [Avondale]

Directed by Kiya Fix
Produced by Dan Cohen

Cast: Mary Jo Bissmeyer as Leslie Silva, Shelby Carter Collins as Jordan Greer & Gabi Homonoff as Avery Harrington

A satirical historical farce that critiques the fallacy of justifying missteps by pointing to worse incidents from the past. The play follows three frantic White House consultants as they attempt to defend a fictional president’s behavior by presenting a “history lesson” filled with presidential blunders — from Andrew Jackson’s foul mouthed parrot to Taft’s infamous bathtub mishap. Through absurd humor and sharp dialogue, the show exposes the flawed logic of excusing current problems simply because history has seen worse, ultimately challenging audiences to rethink the standards by which we judge our leaders.

  • Fri-Sat, Aug. 16-16 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, Aug. 17 at 2pm
  • Thu-Fri, Aug. 21-22 at 7:30pm
  • Sat, Aug. 23 at 2pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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July 28, 2025 · 4:52 pm

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL Runs Aug. 1-10

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
Springboro Community Theatre
Aug. 1-10
North Park Amphitheater [Springboro]

Directed by Meagan Kuchan Clark
Music directed by Lori Topping
Choreographed by Emily Hughes Rogers

Plunge into this stunning all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show! When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world!

  • Fri-Sun, Aug. 1-3 at 7:30pm
  • Fri-Sat, Aug. 8-9 at 7:30pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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