Category Archives: Press Releases

MCP Welcomes Charlie Brown

Mason Community Players’ You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown opens on May 1st, a mere month away.

Make sure that you mark your calendars so that you do not miss this heart-warming piece of nostalgia. Your favorite Peanuts characters, created by the one and only Charles Schultz, will be dancing and singing their way into your hearts. Come spend a few hours with Woodstock (Rylee Combs), Snoopy (Jack Verner), Patty (Hannah Richardson), Schroeder (James Roberts), Lucy (Kaitlyn DeWitt), Linus (Ben Essex), and, of course, Charlie Brown (Will Sapp).

Relive the characters’ take on school. Visit Lucy’s Psychiatrist booth. Fly with Snoopy and the Red Baron. Share lunchtime and suppertime. Fly a kite. Play some baseball. And discover what happiness is!

Performances are May 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9 at 8pm, and May 3 at 2pm at the Mason Community Playhouse, 5529 Mason Road in Mason.

Tickets are available at MasonPlayers.org.

MCP is continuing their celebration of the semiquincentennial with their 2026 Season … Fighting for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of HAPPINESS! Come join the party!

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360 ALLSTARS | Thu., May 7 | Aronoff Center 

360 ALLSTARS

May 7, 2026
Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

[Cincinnati, OH] – SOLD OUT ON BROADWAY… SOLD OUT IN EDINBURGH… SOLD OUT AT THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE… SEEN BY OVER ONE MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE! An urban circus of BMX, basketball, breakdancing, acrobatics, drumming and more, the international hit 360 ALLSTARS makes its Tri-state premiere at the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 7:30 PM as part of its 10-year anniversary World Tour. The show is part of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s CAA PRESENTS! 2025-26 Season.

Tickets are on sale now www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. Group discount tickets for 10 or more are available by calling (513) 977-4155.

A phenomenal physical performance exploring all forms of rotation, 360 ALLSTARS connects the street with the elite to deliver a supercharged urban circus. Boasting a stellar cast of World Champion and World Record-holding artists and athletes, 360 ALLSTARS is a spectacular fusion of the extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture. Add to this a stunning live soundtrack delivered by award-winning musicians, coupled with spectacular video projections, 360 ALLSTARS is as aurally exciting as it is visually astounding. A magnificent, colorful, and astonishing expression of a generation that has reinvented the circus, 360 ALLSTARS is a revolutionary production that will leave you dizzy with excitement!

CAST BIOS

HERU ANWARI (Indonesia) – 3x Australian Champion BMX Flatlander
Born in Indonesia, Heru Anwari is an elite BMX Flatland rider. He was awarded “Rider Of The Year” by the Indonesian Ministry of Youth from 2011-2014, and in 2013, he was crowned champion at the Indonesia International Urban Sport Festival. In 2017, he moved to Australia and won the Down Underground Flatland Championship three years in a row. Outside of his success as a competitor, he has featured as an actor in the TV series GoBMX, founded his own clothing brand ZTFF, and has collaborated with companies such as Honda, Acer, Intel, and Sony.

B-BOY CURT RAGE (USA) – National Champion Break-Dancer
Curt Rage is a highly accomplished B-boy, originally from Annandale, VA, now based in Los Angeles. With an illustrious career in breaking, Curt Rage has won numerous prestigious competitions. This year, he was the winner of Freestyle Session with his crew, earning them a spot in the World Finals, in which they finished second place. He has been invited to Red Bull BC One multiple times and has competed internationally at some of the world’s top-tier events. Additionally, Curt Rage has been a featured judge and competitor in breaking battles worldwide. Beyond the dance floor, Curt Rage has appeared in commercials for major brands like Instagram, Camping World, and NBA 2K.

B-BOY KENZO (USA) – National Champion Break-Dancer
Kevin “Kenzo” Ibanez is a powerhouse of movement and passion. A two-time National Champion who claimed his titles in Washington, D.C., Kenzo began breakdancing at just seven years old and has been dominating the floor ever since. Known for his explosive style, fearless energy, and gravity-defying flips, he’s competed and performed at some of the biggest stages in the country. Whether in the heat of a battle or in performance on stage, Kenzo brings intensity, creativity, and unmatched charisma. He maintains a deep love for his art and is always on a mission to prove that greatness starts with passion and ends with impact. 

JOSH CURTIS (UK) – Internationally Acclaimed Roue Cyr Artist
Born in the English countryside, Josh Curtis is a dynamic Cyr wheel artist whose journey began with breakdancing as a kid. After earning a BA (Hons) in Circus Arts in 2020, Josh has gone on to captivate audiences around the world with his unique style and fluid control. When not performing, he shares his passion by teaching circus arts, helping to inspire the next generation. His work has taken him to major stages and collaborations with global brands like Hyundai and ASICS. Now in his fourth year touring with the international sensation 360 ALLSTARS, Josh continues to push the limits of movement and performance. 

PAFO (Japan) – World Renowned Basketball Freestyler
Pafo is one of the world’s leading basketball freestylers. Hailing from Japan, he has travelled the world wowing audiences with his incredible tricks and unparalleled freestyling feats that rival even the best of the Harlem Globetrotters. An experienced and exciting performer, Pafo has been featured in productions, events, basketball games, festivals, and televised performances, wowing audiences across the globe with his phenomenal basketball freestyle skills.

MIRRAH (USA) – International Mistress of Ceremonies
Mirrah is a passionate LA-Sydney based hip hop and soul artist, with a strong message of self-empowerment, positivity, and unity. Armed with a microphone, she is able to amaze crowds with her incredibly versatile vocal skillset and sensational stage presence. Combining intricate wordplay with soulful vocals and a comprehensive mastery of her craft as a captivating performer, Mirrah’s unique and uplifting approach to live performance has taken international stages by storm. She has been featured in film clips of artists including Christina Aguilera, Destiny’s Child, Snoop Dogg, Jay Z, 50 Cent, and many more. Bringing world-class talent to the stage, Mirrah is able to seamlessly draw you in with her endearing personality and blow you away, all at once!

GENE PETERSON (Australia) – Multi Award-Winning Drummer and Composer
Gene Peterson has fast established himself as one of Australia’s leading musicians. He is a phenomenal percussionist, a prolific composer, and an exceptional pianist. As a drummer, he has toured extensively across Australia, Europe, Asia, America, and The Middle East, and has won numerous awards and competitions, including “The Billy Hyde’s National Drum Play Offs.” Aside from his successes as a touring artist, Gene is also a renowned producer and composer, has been commissioned to create the scores for symphony orchestras to productions on Broadway, and is the creator and director of 360 ALLSTARS.

COMPANY BIO 

ONYX PRODUCTIONS
Onyx Productions has fast established itself as a leading Australian production house, with a portfolio of multi-disciplinary contemporary works. Founded in 2011 by producer and performer Gene Peterson, Onyx Productions has achieved significant success both nationally and internationally. To date, the company has delivered over 3,500 performances across more than 100 tours to more than two million people worldwide, including sold out seasons on Broadway, in Edinburgh, and at the Sydney Opera House.

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

#  #  #

CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:                360 ALLSTARS

WHEN:                Thursday, May 7, 2026 – 7:30 PM

WHERE:              Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

PRICES:               ADULT:  start at $35, inclusive of all fees

                          STUDENT: $25, inclusive of all fees

INFO:                   A phenomenal physical performance exploring all forms of rotation, 360 ALLSTARS connects the street with the elite to deliver a supercharged urban circus. Boasting a stellar cast of World Champion and World Record-holding artists and athletes, 360 ALLSTARS is a spectacular fusion of the extraordinary artistry that emerges from street culture.

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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Enter Revolting Times with Walnut Hills High School’s MATILDA JR

Katherine Hoffman as Miss Honey & Annajane Updegrove as Matilda. Costumes by Grace Cotton and Greta Linser. Hair and makeup by Izzy Hayes. Photo by Mikki Shaffner.

Cincinnati, OH – For their fourth show of the season, the Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department is excited to present Matilda Jr! The show dates are April 23rd & 25th at 7 pm, along with a matinee on April 25th at 2 pm. All performances will take place in Walnut Hills High School’s Westheimer Auditorium.

Matilda Jr. is based on the children’s novel of the same name, Matilda, published in 1988 and written by Roald Dahl. The story follows the bright young Matilda, a gifted child with a knack for reading books and attaining new knowledge. Her neglectful parents oppose her smarts, and send her to school after many years of desperately wanting to attend. However, she quickly discovers that this school has an imperious headmistress: The Trunchbull.

With the assistance of her classmates, her understanding and kind teacher Miss Honey, and a sudden development of telekinetic powers, Matilda navigates her way through various conflicts, allowing for a pleasant and meaningful story to unfold for all audiences alike.

Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for students.Tickets can be purchased at: https://whhstheatre.ludus.com/

This production and the entire WHHS Theatre Season is graciously sponsored by:

  • The Walnut Hills High School Class of 1964 Performing Arts Fund
  • The Walnut Hills High School Alumni Foundation
  • Wings Walnut Hills Theatre Boosters
  • WHHS Parent Association
  • Dr. Pepper and Family

Walnut Hills High School Theatre Department Presents: Matilda Jr.

Book by Dennis Kelly, Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin

Silas Dronen as The Trunchbull in Walnut Hills High School’s production of Matilda Jr. Costume by Grace Cotton and Greta Linser. Hair and makeup by Izzy Hayes. Photo by Mikki Shaffner.

Featuring Annajane Updegrove as Matilda, Katherine Hoffman as Miss Honey, Silas Dronen as Trunchbull, Will Crone as Mr. Wormwood, Amelia Hoops as Mrs. Wormwood, Ellis Klump-Lawson as Bruce, Madeline Benoit as Lavender, Adina Morvay as Amanda, Grayson Isenberg as Nigel, Mabel Hartmann as Alice, Violet Haunschild as Erica, Bea Steele as Hortensia, Norah Kestner as Tammy, Red Kinnear as Mrs. Phelps/Ensemble, Tomi Olakanmi as Escapologist/Ensemble, Charlie Hans as Acrobat/Ensemble, Christian Alexander as Michael/Ensemble, Ivy Syroney as Rudolpho/Ensemble, Levi Singer as Sergei/Ensemble, Eleanor Augustynen as Cook/Ensemble, Leni Cable as Mechanic/Ensemble, and Sanah Badran, Ellie Cowan, Gabrielle Daniels, Fiona Fischer, Mabel Garth, Oli Georgin, Zoë Haas, Lucy Howe, Laney Kelley, Mia Kline, Neve Kolshorn, Sienna McClain, Theo Miritello, Bridget Patel, Annie Sayre, Rayhanna Sen, Charlotte Sorenson, Denise Wentz, and Harper Willison as Ensemble.

Director- Joe Mitchell
Assistant Directors- Elijah Cook and Caroline Lovelace
Music Director- Bret Albright
Assistant Music Director- Clark Sayre
Technical Director- Michael Sherman
Student Technical Director- Abbie Kershner
Student Choreographers- Lauryn Shafer and Annie Kate Sayre
Production Stage Manager- Noa Jaffee
Costume Designers- Grace Cotton and Greta Linser
Costume Manager- Alice Carmicle
Hair and Makeup Designer- Izzy Hayes
Marketing and Publicity Leads – Adelaide Linser and Naomi Madaris
House Manager- Ellie Cook
Lighting Designers- Norah Boehm and Dallon Hatton
Lighting Managers- Dallon Hatton and Eleanor Jackson
Props Designer- McKenzie Bell
Props Manager- Asher Morin
Scenic Designers- Kieran Karuna and Easton Taylor
Scenic Manager/Sound Designer- Lily Pavelka
Sound Manager- Violet Garitson

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THE ADVENTURES OF ALVIN SPUTNIK: DEEP SEA EXPLORER | May 1-2, 2026 | Aronoff Center

THE ADVENTURES OF ALVIN SPUTNIK:
DEEP SEA EXPLORER

May 1-2, 2026
Aronoff Center – Fifth Third Bank Theater

[Cincinnati, OH] – The deeply affecting, multi-award-winning, one-man micro-epic puppet show, The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer, that melds technology and multimedia into a touching story of enduring love and the end of the world, makes its Cincinnati debut at the Aronoff Center’s Fifth Third Bank Theater on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 7:00 PM and Saturday, May 2 at 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM. The show is part of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s CAA PRESENTS! 2025-26 Season.

Tickets are on sale now www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. Group discount tickets for 10 or more are available by calling (513) 977-4155.

Created by Tim Watts, The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer is a visually inspired solo show. Employing a unique blend of puppetry, live and recorded music, and animation, the show presents an exploration of the next and oldest frontier: the deep blue sea.

The seas have risen, billions have died, and those who are left live on farms atop skyscrapers, atop mountains. The scientists have tried everything. Floating islands sank, space probes found nothing, and effort to refreeze the icecaps failed. Now, science and humanity are turning to the oceans themselves. A last-ditch effort to save the human race requires journeying down through the mysterious depths of the deep blue sea to find a new place for us to live.

Alvin Sputnik, who has just lost his wife, accepts this perilous mission so that he may follow her soul down to the underworld to be together once more.

This exquisite one-man show is a unique and charming performance that is emotional, uplifting, touching, and funny – a heart-warming and beautiful experience that’s a remarkable pocket masterpiece of invention, staging, and performance.

Watts debuted The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer at Perth’s (Australia) Blue Room Theatre in May 2009 before presenting a highly successful season at the New York International Fringe Festival, where it was awarded “Outstanding Solo Show” and received rave reviews. The show has been performed over 400 times across the world including Korea, China, New Zealand, America, Canada, and the UK. Alvin is a very moving and touching piece, which has a deep emotional resonance with those who’ve seen it.

TIM WATTS (Show Creator/Performer)
Tim Watts is a performer, deviser, director, puppeteer, improvisor, and animator from Perth, Western Australia. He is a founding member of The Last Great Hunt and a Sidney Myer Fellowship recipient. He has a passion for creating and performing original, imaginatively engaging theatrical experiences born from improvisation and experimentation.

Since graduating from Notre Dame University, Fremantle, Western Australia, with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in 2005, he has participated in international workshops, including studying clown and physical comedy with Dell’Arte International in Blue Lake, CA, as well as Puppetry workshops with Spare Parts Puppet Theatre in Fremantle and Blind Summit in the UK. He has co-created and performed in a plethora of shows, some of which won awards and toured all over the world. These include: The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer (2009), It’s Dark Outside (2012), BRUCE (2014), Monroe and Associates (2015), New Owner (2016), The Irresistible (2017), Stay With Us (2018), Lé Nør [The Rain] (2019), Whistleblower (2021), and Cicada (2022).

Audience age range recommendation: 10+. Content advisory: themes of loss and death. While Alvin is suitable for (and enjoyed by) ages 10+, it’s not just for kids. It’s a show loved and enjoyed by adults and kids alike, combining childlike wonder and emotional complexity into a whimsical yet poignant experience for all ages.

…akin to a theatrical Wall-E.” – The New York Times

“…an ingenious and beguiling blend of live action, puppetry, animation, music and film to tell a story of love, loss and quiet heroism…” – The Guardian (UK)

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

#  #  #

CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:                The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer

WHEN:                Friday, May 1, 2026 – 7:00 PM

Saturday, May 2, 2026 – 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

WHERE:              Aronoff Center – Fifth Third Bank Theater

PRICE:                 $25, inclusive of all fees. Subject to change.

INFO:                   Created by Tim Watts, The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer is a visually inspired solo show. Employing a unique blend of puppetry, live and recorded music, and animation, the show presents an exploration of the next and oldest frontier: the deep blue sea. This unique and charming performance is emotional, uplifting, touching, and funny – a heart-warming and beautiful experience that’s a remarkable pocket masterpiece of invention, staging, and performance.

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 World of Dragons Comes to Life at The Emery This April

DreamWorks’ HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON The Musical JR.

CINCINNATI – The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) completes its inaugural MainStage season in the newly restored and reimagined Emery Theater with DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon The Musical JR., opening Friday, April 17, 2026. Tickets start at $12 and are on sale now at thechildrenstheatre.com.

Based on the beloved DreamWorks film, the one-hour (JR.) version of How to Train Your Dragon, The Musical  brings the epic adventure of Hiccup, a young Viking, and a dragon named Toothless to life in a thrilling stage production filled with soaring music, heartwarming friendship, dynamic storytelling, and of course… dragons!. Determined to prove himself, Hiccup discovers that strength is not about fearing and fighting dragons, it is about understanding them. What unfolds is a powerful story about courage, compassion, identity, and the relationships that change everything.

This visually stunning production is designed to take full advantage of the Emery Theater’s cutting-edge technology, transforming the stage into a world where dragons rule the skies. With immersive projection, dynamic staging, and theatrical magic at every turn, audiences will be transported to the Isle of Berk in one of TCT’s most ambitious and cinematic productions to date.

Kim Kern, President and CEO of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, said: “DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon The Musical JR. is exactly the kind of breathtaking, imaginative storytelling the Emery Theater was built for. It’s big, bold, and visually stunning, but at its heart, it’s a story about connection, courage, and seeing the world differently. Watching Hiccup and Toothless form that bond is something that stays with you. And to bring a story like this to life on this stage, in a way that feels larger than life, with all the technology we now have at our fingertips, is exactly why we dreamed so big for the Emery. This is the kind of experience families will talk about long after they leave.”

Public Showtimes include:

  • Friday, April 17, 2026: 7 PM – OPENING NIGHT
  • Saturday, April 18, 2026: 2 PM and 5 PM
  • Sunday, April 19, 2026: 2 PM
  • Saturday, April 25, 2026: 11 AM and 2 PM (ASL and Audio Described Performance)
  • Sunday, April 26, 2026: 2 PM
  • Saturday, May 2, 2026: 2 PM and 5 PM
  • Sunday, May 3, 2026: 2 PM

Good to know: This production uses theatrical fog, haze, loud sound effects, and lifelike dragons. Flashing lights, but no strobe effects, are used. This production runs approximately 60 minutes without intermission. Ideal for ages 4+.

From DreamWorks Theatricals. Book By Kate Thomas. Music By Veronica Mansour. Lyrics By Kate Thomas & Veronica Mansour. Concept and Stage Direction by TCT Artistic Director, Roderick Justice. Choreography by TCT Education Director, Angelo Cerniglia. Music Direction, Jamey Strawn. Scenic Design, Nate Bertone. Lighting Design, Yelena Babinskaya. Costume Design, John Coulter. Video/Projection Design, Lightborne. Sound Design, Dani Lobello. Puppet Design/Creation, Kevin Frisch.

Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon The Musical JR. is made possible by Dress Run Sponsor TriHealth and Season Sponsors The Charles H. Dater Foundation and The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Foundation. PNC Foundation provides additional funding for MainStage Ticket Subsidies. Additional Sponsors include The Sutphin Family Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and The Shubert Foundation INC.

This production is made possible 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.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source for arts funding.

DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon The Musical JR. will be performed in the beautifully renovated and reimagined Emery Theater, 1112 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Tickets start at $12. Visit thechildrenstheatre.com anytime or call the TCT Box Office at 513.569.8080 x10, Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM to purchase tickets. 

-end-

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