Category Archives: Press Releases

November 12, 2024 · 3:41 pm

TCT presents SANTA CLAUS: The Musical this December Featuring Local 12’s Bob Herzog

Bob Herzog as Nick. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Cincinnati – The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s 24-25 MainStage Season at the Taft Theatre continues with Santa Claus: The Musical December 7-16, 2024. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.thechildrenstheatre.com. This is the company’s last season at the Taft Theatre before opening the reimagined Emery Theater in October 2025.

Book by Noah Putterman. Music & Lyrics by David Christensen & Luke Holloway. The show features Local 12’s Bob Herzog as Nick, Santa’s chosen replacement.

It’s Christmas Eve! After 1,000 years of faithful service, Santa and Mrs. Claus announce their decision to hang up the big red suit and train a replacement. Enter Nick (Bob Herzog): a website designer and single dad to tech-savvy daughter, Bea. With pressures mounting–and a jealous, naughty elf thwarting their every move–will everyone in Santa’s Workshop come together in time for Nick to take the reins?

Jingle jam-packed with a sleigh full of fun, energetic, and original holiday music, Santa Claus: The Musical‘s heartwarming story and score put joyful audiences in the spirit of the season!

TCT’s production will be directed and choreographed by Anthony C. Daniel. As a Director/Choreographer, Anthony C. Daniel’s regional credits include The Sound of Music (starring Emilie Kouatchou), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Kinky Boots, Sister Act, Mary Poppins, Tick, Tick…Boom!, Million Dollar Quartet, The Little Mermaid, Murder For Two, The Marvelous Wonderettes, and more. National/International Tours: Associate Director – The Sound of Music, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cheers! Live on Stage, the American Premieres of The Boy Who Loved Batman, Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, A Complicated Woman, and The Witches of Eastwick. As an Educator, Anthony has worked with numerous collegiate institutions across the country and for the Broadway Dreams Foundation.

Santa Claus: The Musical is ideal for ages 4+. This production runs approximately one hour without intermission.

Public Showtimes include:

  • Saturday, December 7 at 2 PM
  • Saturday, December 7 at 5 PM
  • Sunday, December 8 at 2 PM
  • Friday, December 13 at 7 PM
  • Saturday, December 14 at 11 AM
  • Saturday, December 14 at 2 PM
  • Sunday, December 15 at 2 PM
  • Sunday, December 15 at 5 PM – ADDED PERFORMANCE!

Accessible Performance:

  • Saturday, December 7 at 2 PM

Additionally, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati presents eight additional performances of Santa Claus: The Musical for school students, including an exclusive homeschool performance. Tickets are $10 per student, with one free adult admission for every 15 students. For details on ordering school performance tickets or for free proficiency test-focused Study Guides visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

TCT last produced Santa Claus:The Musical in 2018.

Dani Lobello, Director of Production and Sound Designer. Jennifer Rhodus, Scenic Designer. Ben Gantose, Lighting Designer. Jeff Shearer, Costume Designer. Maggie Foley & Andrew Nunley, Technical Direction. Adam Borchers, Properties Supervisor. Jadi Davis, Production Stage Manager.

Santa Claus: The Musical is made possible by Dress Run Sponsor TriHealth, Production Sponsor The Summit Hotel, and Season Sponsor The Charles H. Dater Foundation. PNC Foundation provides additional funding for MainStage Ticket Subsidies. Additional Sponsors include the H.B., E.W. & F.R. Luther Foundation – Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees, the National Endowment for the Arts, and The Shubert Foundation Inc. Media sponsors include Local 12 and Q102.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by the tens of thousands who generously give to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source for arts funding. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Broadway-style MainStage productions, including Santa Claus: The Musical, are performed in the historic Taft Theatre, 5th and Sycamore Streets in Downtown Cincinnati. Tickets start at $12. Visit thechildrenstheatre.com or call the TCT Box Office at 513.569.8080 x10, Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM to purchase tickets.

CAST

  • *LUCY ARGUETA…Blitzen
  • JUNO BROSAS…Punchy
  • CAMMI CALDWELL…..Chirpy
  • *HAILEY CHANG…..Vixen
  • *CELIA D’ASCENZO…Bea
  • *STELLA D’ASCENZO…Prancer
  • TINA DEALDERETE….Elf Ensemble
  • JOSH GALLOWAY…Henchy
  • NICK GODFREY…Elf Ensemble
  • BOB HERZOG…Nick
  • *CLAIRE HUNKLER…Dasher
  • DIANA HUTCHINSON…Tenchy
  • *GRACE JEFFREYS…Cupid
  • BETHANY XAN KERR…Mrs. Claus
  • *PARKER M. PATTON…Dancer
  • RYAN J. POOLE…Santa Claus
  • *AUDREY SATTERWHITE…Donner
  • KATE STARK…Elf Ensemble
  • *LISA TAKAHASHI…Comet
  • MORGAN TRACY…Elf Ensemble
  • ZACH TREINEN…Elf Ensemble

Understudies: For Punchy, Tenchy, and Chirpy: Morgan Tracy; for Henchy: Zach Treinen; for Nick and Santa: Nick Godfrey; for Bea: Claire Hunkler; for Mrs. Claus: Tina DeAlderete

*Denotes TCT’s Young Artists Company

All photos by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

-end-

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November 4, 2024 · 5:28 pm

The Second City 65TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW Now Open at Cincinnati Playhouse through Dec. 22

The cast. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

CINCINNATI Nov. 1, 2024) – THE SECOND CITY returns to celebrate 65 years of legendary laughs through Dec. 22 in the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre. The show includes some all-time favorite songs, sketches and characters hand-picked from their iconic comedy archive performed by the next generation of comedy superstars.

The cast of The Second City 65th Anniversary Show at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The Second City sells out its shows at the Playhouse every time they perform, and this year they arrived just in time to provide the perfect antidote for the busy holiday season.

This special 65th anniversary show includes songs, sketches and characters written by some of The Second City’s most recognizable alumni, including Catherine O’Hara, Tina Fey, Keegan-Michael Key, Stephen Colbert, Tim Meadows, Bill Murray, Joan Rivers and Eugene Levy. The cast features up-and-coming comedians who perform sketches and improvisation in the raucous style of Saturday Night Live.

Boasting a slew of well-loved and famous comedy alumni, The Second City continues to be the world’s most influential name in comedy for 65 years and counting. The Second City performs for more than one million audience members a year at esteemed venues around the world.

THE SECOND CITY 65TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW is directed by Anthony LeBlanc. The show features ensemble members Acquah Dansoh, Jessica Joy, Adam Peacock, Allison Price, Dominic Rescigno and Brittani Yawn, along with Music Director Matthew Pollack.

TICKETS
Tickets begin at $35.00. Prices vary based on seating location and performance day. Regular performances will take place on Tuesday-Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. A weekday matinee will be offered Nov. 20 at 1 p.m.

To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Playhouse Box Office at 513-421-3888 (toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana at 800-582-3208) or visit www.cincyplay.com. Patrons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled: dial 711 to connect to the Box Office via Ohio Relay Services.

ADVISORY
The Second City’s 65th Anniversary Show is recommended for adults and older teenage audiences. The comedy of The Second City contains strong adult language, covers a variety of mature topics, and includes some elements of audience participation. However, we can’t predict what might happen during the improvisation sections – other than that it will be hilarious.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: CONSTRUCTION ON EDEN PARK DRIVE
The City of Cincinnati has begun a months-long project to stabilize the slope and repair the sidewalk on Art Museum Drive leading up from Eden Park Drive. With this work, there are currently some road closures on the approach to the Playhouse from Eden Park Drive that will last into December. Please refer to this online map for information on the closures and alternate routes and add extra time for your arrival to the Playhouse. Thanks for your patience and understanding. Please call the Box Office at (513) 421-3888 with any questions.

SPONSORS
Production Sponsors are Dick and Sandy Manteuffel. Honorary Producer Charles and Joann Mead. Design Sponsor is Geiler. Artist sponsors are David and Elaine Billmire and Diane and Carl Iseman. Season Sponsor is The Vontz Family.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of almost 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation.

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November 1, 2024 · 8:03 am

Tony Award-Winning LIFE OF PI Tickets Go On Sale Friday, November 1

Hiran Abeysekera, Richard Parker (Fred Davis, Scarlet Wilderink, Andrew Wilson) by Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

CRITIC’S PICK! “Spectacular! LIFE OF PI delivers magic. That roaring you hear at the show’s end? It’s the sound of a standing ovation.” – The New York Times

★★★★★ “An extraordinary journey. Unmissable” – The Guardian

“SPECTACULAR AND SPELLBINDING!” -Wall Street Journal

“LIFE OF PI creates moment after moment of theatrical magic and thrills us with sheer emotion and awe.” -New York Post

“A FEAST FOR THE EYES!”  -Washington Post

“The single greatest innovation in puppetry ever to hit the global stage.”   -NY Daily News

“GLORIOUS! A DAZZLING MARVEL OF STAGECRAFT. THIS POWERFUL PRODUCTION SPARKS TO STUNNING LIFE.” – Entertainment Weekly 

LIFE OF PI
THREE-TIME TONY AWARD®-WINNING THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE
COMES TO CINCINNATI

TICKETS WILL GO ON SALE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1

ARONOFF CENTER
FEBRUARY 4 – 9, 2025

CINCINNATI – Broadway in Cincinnati is pleased to announce that tickets for LIFE OF PI, the hit Broadway and West End sensation will go on sale Friday, November 1 at 10:00 am. LIFE OF PI plays the Aronoff Center February 4 – 9 as part of the First Financial Bank Broadway in Cincinnati 24/25 season presented by TriHealth. Tickets will be available online at CincinnatiArts.org, by phone at 513.621.ARTS or in person at the Aronoff Center Box Office, downtown.

Lolita Chakrabarti’s dazzling Olivier and Tony Award®-winning stage adaption of LIFE OF PI embarks on another exciting adventure when it launches its North American Tour in Baltimore, Maryland in December 2024 at the Hippodrome Theatre. Cincinnati is one of 22 cities on the tour where theatregoers can experience this extraordinary show.

Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction and the best-selling and Man Booker Prize-winning book (over 15 million copies sold) by author Yann Martel, LIFE OF PI is captivating audiences across the world.  

LIFE OF PI is an unforgettable, epic tale and a breath-taking journey of endurance, hope and perseverance that speaks to every generation and “gives new life to Broadway” (The Today Show). The global phenomenon was lauded as “an exhilarating evening of theater” (The Wall Street Journal) and “a wonder to behold” (Entertainment Weekly).

After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, a sixteen-year-old boy name Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?

Told with jaw-dropping visuals, world class puppetry and exquisite stagecraft, the Broadway and West End sensation, LIFE OF PI creates a visually breathtaking journey that will leave you filled with awe and joy.

Martel’s extraordinary story of family, resilience and survival and the natural world was made into an Oscar-winning film in 2012. This breath-taking theatrical adaptation is a natural evolution for the source, as it utilizes the communal power of live storytelling and imagination, two of the other central themes of the original novel.  

LIFE OF PI, first opened to great critical acclaim with its cutting-edge visual effect at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in 2019. LIFE OF PI played Wyndham’s Theatre in London’s West End where it won five Olivier Awards in 2022, including Best New Play, Best Scenic Design and Best Lighting Design. In a historic first for the Olivier Awards, the seven performers who play Royal Bengal tiger “Richard Parker” were collectively awarded “Best Actor in a Supporting Role.”

LIFE OF PI made its Broadway premiere at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on March 9, 2023 to celebratory reviews. won three Tony Awards for Best Scenic Design of a Play Best Lighting Design of a Play, and Best Sound Design of a Play, four Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Play, Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play, Outstanding Projection and Video Design and Outstanding Puppetry and two Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play or Musical and Outstanding Video or Projection Design of a Play or Musical.

Prior to its Broadway premiere, LIFE OF PI made its North American Premiere at the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University. Most recently, LIFE OF PI launched a UK & Ireland tour in the summer of 2023. 

LIFE OF PI will play the Aronoff Center February 4 – 9, 2025: Tuesday – Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM, and Sunday at 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM. Tickets start at $43 and can be found online at CincinnatiArts.org, by phone at 513.621.ARTS or in person at the Aronoff Center Box Office downtown. For groups of 10 or more, contact the group sales department at 513.369.4363. Performance schedule, prices and cast are subject to change without notice. For more information, please visit BroadwayInCincinnati.com.

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STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH ALL THINGS BROADWAY IN CINCINNATI: Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @BroadwayCincy 

First Financial Bank Broadway in Cincinnati presented by TriHealth is committed to bringing the very best of Broadway to the Tri-State, presenting touring Broadway plays and musicals in Cincinnati since 1987. For over twenty years, Broadway in Cincinnati has presented all shows at the Aronoff Center. The Broadway in Cincinnati series brings more than 185,000 people downtown to the Aronoff Center each year and contributes an average of $30 million to the local economy each season. Broadway in Cincinnati is a member of the Greater Cincinnati Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and The Broadway League. The season is sponsored by First Financial Bank and presented by TriHealth. 

Broadway Across America (BAA) is part of the John Gore Organization family of companies, which includes Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office, and Broadway Brands.  Led by 22-time Tony-winning theater producer John Gore (Owner & CEO), BAA is the foremost presenter of first-class touring productions in North America, operating in 48 markets with over 450,000 subscribers. Presentations include Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, and Hamilton. Current productions include &Juliet, Hadestown, Hamilton, Hell’s Kitchen, MJ: The Musical, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Outsiders and Stereophonic. 

The John Gore Organization is the leading presenter, distributor, and marketer of Broadway theater worldwide. Under the leadership of 22-time Tony-winning theater producer and owner John Gore, its family of companies includes Broadway Across America, Broadway.com, The Broadway Channel, BroadwayBox.com, Group Sales Box Office and Broadway Brands. The company presents shows in 48 cities across North America as well as on Broadway, Off-Broadway, London’s West End, Japan, and China. It has won Tony Awards in every producing category as well as numerous other Drama League, Drama Desk, and Olivier Awards.  The John Gore Organization is committed to supporting theater access and education programs that introduce Broadway to the next generation of audiences and theater professionals.

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October 31, 2024 · 8:12 am

ETC Serves Up Unforgettable Tea Party with Family-Friendly Musical ALICE IN WONDERLAND

December 4 – 30, 2024

(Cincinnati, OH) Ain’t no party like a Wonderland party! Ignite your sense of adventure as Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) presents the return of one of its most popular family-friendly musicals, Alice in Wonderland, by local creative team Joseph McDonough (playwright) and David Kisor (composer and lyricist). Featuring an updated score and exuberant new costumes, this cherished musical will delight audiences of all ages this holiday season. Playing December 4 – 30, 2024.

Based on the beloved, imaginative tale by Lewis Carroll, this modern retelling is the toe-tapping story of a lost girl, a cool cat, a wild hare, and the original “dancing queen.” When ever-curious Alice falls from her own world into another, she must find her way home with the help of some whimsical and wonderful characters.

This year’s Alice in Wonderland is the sixth time it will appear onstage since ETC first commissioned and produced it in 1998 (subsequently presented in 2003, 2008, 2012, and 2018). Directed by D. Lynn Meyers. Premiere Sponsor is The Markley Family. Artist Sponsors are The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation & Paylocity.

“Alice in Wonderland is consistently the holiday show our patrons want to see again,” says ETC’s Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “We get to go with Alice on her journey to this magical and unusual place, but this production features a couple of new songs, brand new costumes, and an updated set. It’s a brand-new Wonderland! There’s just something about this show that brings an infusion of joy into the world.” 

Cast includes Sara Mackie (Queen of Hearts), Michael G. Bath (White Rabbit), Phil Fiorini (Mock Turtle), Andrew Maloney (Tweedledum), Brooke Steele (Cheshire Cat), Kate Wilford (Dormouse), Brandi La’Sherrill (March Hare), Timothy Belton (Card 5), TaShauna Ajoi Jenkins (Tweedledee), and KG Rucker (Mad Hatter). Making their ETC debuts are Elli Maddock (Alice), Sean Miller-Jones (Card 7), Erin Morton (Caterpillar/Butterfly), and Amira F. Jackson (Card 2).

Production team: Brian c. Mehring (Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer), Steve Goers (Music Director), Dee Anne Bryll (Choreographer), Cat Schmeal-Swope (Costume Designer), Jeremy Lee (Sound Designer), Trey Tatum (Assistant Sound Designer), Missy J. White (Wig & Makeup Designer), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Curator & Design Assistant), and Jacob Dowell (Technical Director). Production Stage Manager is Lexi Muller. Assistant Stage Manager is Abby Sauer. 

Performance Information
Performances are Wednesday-Saturday at 7:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 pm. Performances vary. A complete calendar of performances is available at www.ensemblecincinnati.org. 

Ticket Prices
Tickets for adults start at $30; student tickets are $28; and children are $24. Half-Price Rush Tickets: All remaining tickets for the current day’s performance(s) are available two hours prior to each show time for half-price (discount only applies to adult tickets) when purchasing by phone or in person. $15 Student Rush Tickets: Students may purchase up to two $15 student rush tickets two hours prior to show time with valid student I.D. Available in person only.

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2024-2025 Season Presenting Sponsor is the LKC Foundation.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre rooted in historic Over-the-Rhine dedicated to engaging, enriching, and inspiring audiences through our thought-provoking world and regional premiere productions, creating and sustaining careers in professional theatre, building community partnerships, and sharing impactful education programs throughout our region.

 

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October 31, 2024 · 8:11 am

Cincinnati Opera Announces its 2025 Summer Festival, Including an All-New Production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

The company’s 105th anniversary season also features Verdi’s Rigoletto, Puccini’s Tosca, and the return of Studio Sessions

Performances take place June 12 through July 27, 2025, at Cincinnati’s historic Music Hall

CINCINNATI (October 30, 2024)—Cincinnati Opera’s Christopher Milligan, The Harry Fath General Director & CEO, and Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, have unveiled details for the company’s 2025 Summer Festival, its 105th anniversary season.

Next summer, Cincinnati Opera will present one of the world’s all-time favorite musicals, Fiddler on the Roof, in a brand-new production. Also featured will be a new-to-Cincinnati production of Rigoletto, Giuseppe Verdi’s tragic story of vengeance gone wrong, and a revival of the company’s production of Tosca, Giacomo Puccini’s gripping tale of love, betrayal, and political intrigue. Rounding out the 2025 Summer Festival is the return of Studio Sessions, a series of intimate, artist-curated concerts presented cabaret-style. Performances run from June 12 through July 27, 2025, at Cincinnati Music Hall (1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202).

The 2025 Summer Festival also marks Evans Mirageas’s 20th season as Cincinnati Opera’s artistic director. Said Mirageas, “For our 105th summer of opera and my 20th with this extraordinary company, we’re excited to offer opera as a catalyst for connection, both with oneself and one’s community. From the affecting emotional landscapes of Tosca and Rigoletto to the life-affirming message of Fiddler on the Roof to the soul-stirring intimacy of Studio Sessions, the 2025 season offers experiences that will resonate deeply with the spirit and illuminate our shared humanity.”

Said Christopher Milligan, “We’re thrilled to invite audiences to experience our 2025 Summer Festival, a season that reflects our commitment to both tradition and exploration. We aspire to offer accessible points of entry to enjoy opera, and we hope that productions like Fiddler on the Roof alongside classics like Rigoletto and Tosca, plus our Studio Sessions series, will open the doors of Music Hall to all who are curious about exploring this inspiring art form.”

Cincinnati Opera

2025 Summer Festival

Rigoletto

Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave

Thursday, June 12, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 14, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Springer Auditorium | Cincinnati Music Hall
Sung in Italian with projected English translation

Opening the 2025 Summer Festival is Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto. Set in a corrupt 16th-century court, the opera follows the tragic story of the jester Rigoletto, whose attempt to protect his daughter, Gilda, from the immoral Duke of Mantua spirals into a harrowing tale of betrayal and revenge. Known for its riveting drama and unforgettable music including the iconic aria “La donna è mobile,” Rigoletto reminds us that fate cannot be fooled.

Singing the title role is baritone Michael Chioldi, who enjoyed recent successes as Rigoletto at The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, and Austin Opera; said Broadway World, “Not only does he give us every note in his beautiful baritone, he makes us feel his love, anger, pain, and grief at every moment.” His daughter, Gilda, will be sung by soprano Kathryn Lewek, of whom the New York Times said, “Singing like Lewek’s is what the magic of opera is all about.” Appearing as the Duke of Mantua is Zach Borichevsky, who was praised as possessing a “tenor [with] a magical brilliance that brought goosebumps” (Music City Review). As the assassin Sparafucile, Cincinnati Opera Artistic Advisor Morris Robinson brings his “booming, focused bass” that lends “chilling effectiveness” (ArtsATL) to the role.

This new-to-Cincinnati production from The Atlanta Opera, originally directed by Tomer Zvulun, features scenic design by John Conklin, costume design by Vita Tzykun, lighting design by Thomas C. Hase, and hair and makeup design by James Geier. John Fiore will conduct the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Henri Venanzi will lead the Cincinnati Opera Chorus.

Tosca

Music by Giacomo Puccini
Libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa

Thursday, June 26, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 28, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Springer Auditorium | Cincinnati Music Hall
Sung in Italian with projected English translation

The season continues with Puccini’s glorious ode to undying love, Tosca. Floria Tosca, a passionate singer, is caught in a dangerous triangle between her lover, the artist Cavaradossi, and the villainous police chief, Scarpia. As tensions escalate, Tosca must confront her deepest fears and make an agonizing choice to save the man she loves. With its gripping drama and stirring music, Tosca remains one of opera’s most compelling works.

Following her extraordinary company debut as Cio-Cio-San in Cincinnati Opera’s 2023 production of Madame Butterfly, soprano Karah Son returns to Music Hall to sing Tosca; The Guardian (U.K.) has lauded her Tosca as “forceful and convincing … Son brings a potent dignity and sense of agency to the role.” Matthew White returns to Cincinnati Opera with his “elegant tenor capable of exciting high notes” (Cincinnati Business Courier) in his role debut as Cavaradossi. Appearing as Scarpia is baritone Anthony Clark Evans, who most recently moved Cincinnati audiences with his affecting portrayal of Germont in the company’s 2024 production of La Traviata.

Cincinnati Opera will revive its celebrated production of Tosca featuring stage direction by Jose Maria Condemi, scenic and costume design by Robert Perdziola, lighting design by Thomas C. Hase, and hair and makeup design by James Geier. Conductor Clelia Cafiero makes her U.S. debut leading the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Henri Venanzi directs the Cincinnati Opera Chorus.

Fiddler on the Roof

Based on Sholem Aleichem stories by special permission of Arnold Perl
Music by Jerry Bock | Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick | Book by Joseph Stein
Produced on the New York stage by Harold Prince
Original New York stage production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins

Wednesday, July 23, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 25, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 26, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 27, 2025 | 3 p.m.
Springer Auditorium | Cincinnati Music Hall
Sung in English with projected lyrics

Winner of nine Tony Awards, Fiddler on the Roof tells the story of Tevye, a milkman in a small Russian village, who struggles to uphold his family’s traditions in a rapidly changing world. As his daughters grow up and challenge age-old customs, Tevye must navigate the tension between honoring the past and embracing the future. Through its exploration of love, tradition, and resilience, Fiddler on the Roof captures the universal struggle of families facing change.

“Fiddler on the Roof has been a global sensation since its Broadway premiere in 1964,” said Evans Mirageas. “We believe this piece is perfectly suited for the operatic stage. With its sweeping symphonic score, richly crafted roles, and emotional depth, it’s a natural fit for the talents of our extraordinary cast, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera Chorus, and Cincinnati Ballet. Our production will give this classic new life, celebrating its vibrancy and universality.”

Max Hopp will make his U.S. debut as Tevye, a role he has performed to acclaim in Europe; said the New York Times of his portrayal, “Max Hopp carried most of the evening. … [His] performance peeled back the character’s many layers and identities—Everyman, fool, pious Jew, paterfamilias—without ever reducing him to a single one.” With “singing and acting [that] radiate intensity” (Opera News), GRAMMY Award-winning mezzo-soprano Victoria Livengood makes her company debut as Golde, Tevye’s wife. Their daughters, Tzeitel, Hodel, and Chava, will be sung by sopranos Rachel Kobernick, Rachel Blaustein, and Jennifer Zetlan. The cast also includes mezzo-soprano Janice Mayerson as Yente, baritone Simon Barrad as Perchik, and vocalist Sarah Folsom as Fruma Sarah.

Cincinnati Opera’s new production will be directed by Crystal Manich and will feature scenic design by Andrew Boyce, costume design by Chad Phillips, lighting design by Thomas C. Hase, hair and makeup design by James Geier, and choreography by Michael Pappalardo, featuring dancers from Cincinnati Ballet. Levi Hammer will conduct the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Henri Venanzi will lead the Cincinnati Opera Chorus.

Fiddler on the Roof is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Studio Sessions

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 | 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 10, 2025 | 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 17, 2025 | 8 p.m.
Wilks Studio | Cincinnati Music Hall

Beyond the mainstage, Cincinnati Opera will host three Studio Sessions in Music Hall’s Wilks Studio, each offering an artist-curated, up-close, and personal performance experience. These intimate concerts will immerse audiences in a unique atmosphere where artists take center stage, guiding the evening through storytelling and song. Studio Sessions provide a rare opportunity to connect with opera in a way that feels both fresh and deeply personal. Featured artists and programming will be announced at a later date.

Casts, Community Programs, and Tickets

Full season casting and community programming for the 2025 Summer Festival will be shared in early 2025. Subscriptions for Cincinnati Opera’s 2025 Summer Festival are now available and start at $105. Tickets to individual performances go on sale April 1, 2025, and start at $36. Discounts are available for seniors, educators, U.S. veterans and active military personnel, full-time students, ArtsWave ArtsPass members, and SNAP cardholders. For more information, visit cincinnatiopera.org or contact the Cincinnati Opera Box Office at 513-241-2742.

About Cincinnati Opera

Cincinnati Opera’s mission is to enrich and connect our community through diverse opera experiences. Founded in 1920 and the second-oldest opera company in the nation, Cincinnati Opera presents a thrilling season of grand opera every summer and engaging programs throughout the year. The company’s repertoire includes beloved classics and contemporary masterworks brought to life by some of the world’s most dynamic performers and creative artists.

Cincinnati Opera is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. Cincinnati Opera receives funding from the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts. Cincinnati Opera also receives general season support from The Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Patricia A. Corbett Estate and Trust, and the Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation, along with general season and project support from many other generous individuals, corporations, and foundations. Cincinnati Opera is a member of OPERA America. Learn more at cincinnatiopera.org.

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