Category Archives: Press Releases

December 8, 2025 · 6:23 pm

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s ELF The Musical JR. at The Emery Theater

Buddy the Elf Seen in OTR! 

CINCINNATI – Reports of a joyful, sugar-loving elf spotted in Over-the-Rhine are officially confirmed: Buddy the Elf has arrived at The Emery Theater. The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) continues its inaugural season in its newly restored home with Elf The Musical JR., a heartwarming and hilarious holiday celebration perfect for families. Tickets are on sale now at www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

As TCT’s second production in the beautifully reimagined Emery Theater, this festive favorite invites audiences to experience Buddy’s big-hearted journey in a setting that blends historic grandeur with state-of-the-art theatrical innovation. Families will step into a magical holiday world as Buddy discovers his true identity, transforms a cynical city, and reminds everyone that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.

Kim Kern, President & CEO of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, said:

“The Emery Theater is more than a stage. It’s a symbol of Cincinnati’s cultural heartbeat. To continue this exciting new chapter with a story as joyful and spirited as Elf The Musical JR. feels incredibly special. We can’t wait to welcome families back to The Emery for our first holiday production in this extraordinary space.”

Directed and choreographed by former TCT Company Manager and Associate Artistic Director, Eric Byrd, who also currently teaches in the musical theatre department of the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Elf The Musical JR. brings nonstop laughs, uplifting music, and holiday sparkle to the stage.

Ideal for ages 4+. This production runs approximately 70 minutes without intermission.

Public Showtimes include:

  • Friday, December 5, 2025: 7 PM – OPENING NIGHT
  • Saturday, December 6, 2025: 2 PM and 5 PM
  • Sunday, December 7, 2025: 2 PM
  • Saturday, December 13, 2025: 11 AM and 2 PM
  • Sunday, December 14, 2025: 2 PM
  • Saturday, December 20, 2025: 2 PM and 5 PM
  • Sunday, December 21, 2025: 2 PM and 5 PM

ASL and Audio Described Performance:

  • Saturday, December 13, 2025: 2 PM 

Elf the Musical JR.: Book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin. Music by Matthew Sklar. Lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Based upon the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum. Originally produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures In Association with Unique Features. Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com 

Stage Direction and choreography by former TCT Company Manager and Associate Artistic Director, Eric Byrd. Music Direction Julie Spangler. Scenic Design Samantha Reno. Lighting Design Jessica Drayton. Original Costume Design Jeff Shearer. Video Design Lightborne Communications.

Elf The Musical JR. is made possible by Dress Run Sponsor TriHealth and Season Sponsor The Charles H. Dater 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 tens of thousands who generously give to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source for arts funding.

Elf The Musical JR. will be performed in the newly reimagined Emery Theater, 1112 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. 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.

-end-

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December 4, 2025 · 5:41 pm

Pageant Disaster Saves Christmas? Stage Right Presents Classic Holiday Story

Williamstown, KY – Stage Right Musical Theatre Company is delighted to announce its upcoming production of “The Best Christmas Pageant” by Barbara Robinson. This adaption, by the book’s author herself, showcases the talents of 20 kids from all over the Tri-State Area.
Performances run December 12-14, 2025, at the Williamstown Performing Arts Center.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever tells the story of a small-town church’s Christmas Pageant
being turned upside down by the arrival of the worst kids who ever lived: The Herdmans.
Through the chaos of improvising angels, cigar smoke in the bathroom, and some messy
rehearsals – The family in charge of this year’s pageant finds true meaning in the story they are so used to telling every year. At the end it leaves them asking, did the Herdmans actually save Christmas?

“This story is funny, a little messy, incredibly honest, and adds so much joy to the holiday
season,” says Director Emily Hilbrecht. “It reminds us that the Christmas story belongs to
everyone, even the Herdmans, and maybe especially them.”

The production stars Echo Mizer, Clayton Becker, Oaken Mizer, Sammy Maiden, Ivy Mizer,
Abby Sams, Samuel Becker, Ruthie Becker, Jaxson Henry, Rosie Becker, Morgan Henry, Lily
Hobson, Addison Johnson, Eden-Shay Wolfe, Elaine Becker, Vivian DiChiara, Jackson
Siedenberg, Kendyl Nickell, Anderson Blaze, and Naveah Hopper. The show is directed by
Emily Hilbrecht, stage managed by Mary Vosseberg, Production Designed by John Siedenberg. Costume Designed by Jayna Fry, Prop and Sound Designed by John Siedenberg II.

Performances will run Friday and Saturday (December 12 & 13) at 7:30 and Sunday (December 14) at 2:30. Tickets are on sale now at www.StageRightMTC.org. Discounted tickets are available for groups of 8 or more.

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November 24, 2025 · 5:09 pm

2026-2027 Season Announced by The Drama Workshop

AND THEN THERE WERE NONE
By Agatha Christie
Directed by Amy Eyers
August 2026

Building off our successful run of The Mousetrap, we are thrilled to present Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, a tightly-crafted, edge-of-your-seat mystery. The classic Christie mystery that has inspired dozens of copycats and spoofs will be brought to life on the Drama Workshop stage by Amy Eyers, who directed TDW’s Mousetrap.  Ten strangers are invited to a remote island under vague pretenses, only to find that they must face a terrifying truth: the killer is among them, and no one is safe.

MISERY
by Stephen King, adaptation by William Goldman
Directed by Dane Rogers and Sarah Rogers
September 2026

You asked for more suspense, and we’re bringing it. Misery, adapted by William Goldman from Stephen King’s chilling novel, delivers a nerve-tightening thriller. When famed novelist Paul Sheldon crashes his car in a snowstorm, he’s “rescued” by Annie Wilkes, his self-proclaimed number-one fan. Directed by Dane Rogers and Sarah Rogers, this battle of wits and survival unfolds in this gripping, claustrophobic psychological drama — perfect for the intimacy of the TDW stage.

Ken Ludwig’s THE GAME’S AFOOT
By Ken Ludwig
Directed by Micheal Kiser
December, 2026

In classic TDW fashion, we are excited to bring you another non-traditional holiday offering. We’re lightening things up a bit with Ken Ludwig’s hilarious The Game’s Afoot, a witty comedy brought to you by Calendar Girls director, Micheal Kiser. Broadway star William Gillette invites his fellow cast members to his lavish mansion for a holiday gathering, but the night takes a wild turn after a mysterious attack, and theatrical chaos ensues.

HOME BREW #10

TDW’s popular festival of 10 minute plays by local authors will be back for a tenth time in 2027. Tickets are an option for Season Ticket purchasers.

MAN OF LA MANCHA
Book by Dale Wasserman
Music by Mitch Lee
Lyrics by Joe Darion
Directed by Dennis Murphy
March, 2027

And next, we are overjoyed to share with you that we dreamed an impossible dream and are making it a reality! Our Spring musical is Man of La Mancha, book by Dale Wasserman, music by Mitch Lee, and lyrics by Joe Darion – and directed by Dennis Murphy! This sweeping, inspirational musical brings Miguel de Cervantes’ legendary Don Quixote to life with passion, humor, and unforgettable songs!

PAINT NIGHT
By Carey Crim
Directed by Rose Vanden Eynden
May, 2027

After the heartwarming success of Calendar Girls, we’re excited to bring you another female-driven story that blends humor, vulnerability, and unexpected bravery. Paint Night, written by Carey Crim and directed by Rose Vanden Eynden, is a humorous, heartfelt exploration of friendship, second chances, and starting over. Reminiscent of the warmth and spirit of Steel Magnolias, Paint Night explores a group of women gathering for what should be a simple evening of wine and art but that evolves into an exploration of big emotions and buried truths.

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November 24, 2025 · 5:03 pm

Loveland Stage Company Partners with Toys For Tots

The Loveland Stage Company is excited to kick off our partnership with the Marines Toys for Tots program!

Outside of our theater there will be a Toys for Tots donation box where anyone can gift a needy child. (Toys must be new, in their original packaging and without any gift wrapping.) For our theater-goers there will also be a donation box in the lobby of the theater which will accept cash donations in lieu of toys. Last year over 5,000 needy children were gifted by the Toys-for-Tots program in Adams, Brown and Clermont counties alone.

Please consider a Christmas gift for youngsters whose families cannot afford much. More information can be found at: www.toysfortots.org/about/how-the-program-works.

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November 17, 2025 · 5:44 pm

Sinclair Theatre presents TWAS: A Holiday Musical 

Photo by Scottie Jackson.

Dayton, Ohio – November 21 – Sinclair Theatre is proud to present ‘Twas: A Holiday Musical, live on stage for ONE WEEKEND ONLY, December 11-14, in Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theatre, Building 2, on Sinclair’s downtown Dayton campus. Tickets are $10 and are available online at  www.sinclair.edu/tickets. Groups of 20 or more ordering online save all ticketing fees. Every performance will be interpreted by American Sign Language (ASL) shadow performers.

When the family pets are left alone on Christmas Eve, they are visited by the neighborhood animals who teach them that humans celebrate winter holidays in different ways.  They learn about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and La Posada and discover that while humans have different traditions, ultimately all celebrations are about love and togetherness.

“This production is the result of a lovely collaboration between Sinclair’s Theatre department and Interpreter Education department,” says director Kelsey Celek. “In the same way the play’s characters share their traditions and cultures, these departments are sharing their skills and resources. The result will be a true celebration of community, both on stage and off.”

The cast consists of Ryan Ford, Ryan Hester, William Finnell, Cormari Pullings, Jhoana Novelo, Adalia Gaynier, Tiffany Higgins, Zella Younce, Lucas Caldwell, and Laura Fuentes and featuring ASL shadow performers Tyrone Newsome, Liza Throne, Calli Diehl, Cheyenne “Chey” Reumann, and Hailey Mount.

Where: Sinclair Community College, Black Box Theatre (Building 2), 444 W. Third St., Dayton

Ticket Information: $10 plus $2 service fee. Tickets can be purchased online at: www.sinclair.edu/tickets 

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