Cincy Shakes’ Project Much Ado kicks off with the World Premiere of “Dogberry and Verges are Scared” this week, followed by “Much Ado About Nothing” as the 2026 FREE Shakespeare in the Park production opening next week!
Cincinnati, July 8, 2026 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to present the World Premiere of Dogberry and Verges are Scared by Michael Doherty and Will Mobley, co-produced with Slippery Trout Productions. This hilarious new play gives audiences a whole new perspective on Shakespeare’s beloved comedy Much Ado About Nothing, revealing what the bumbling watchmen Dogberry and Verges are up to when they are offstage in Shakespeare’s original story.
Following its World Premiere in Cincinnati, the cast and crew of Dogberry and Verges are Scared will travel internationally to perform at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, the largest arts festival in the world and one of the most celebrated showcases for new and innovative performance. Each year, artists and audiences from around the globe descend on Edinburgh for thousands of performances across theater, comedy, dance, music, and more. The festival has become famous as a launching pad for groundbreaking new work and emerging artists, making the selection of Dogberry and Verges are Scared an exciting opportunity to bring a brand-new work to an international stage. Cincinnati audiences have the exclusive opportunity to see the show here before it heads overseas.
As part of Cincy Shakes’ commitment to making classic stories relevant in new and unexpected ways, Dogberry and Verges are Scared launches Project Much Ado, a special initiative pairing the World Premiere with Cincy Shakes’ production of Much Ado About Nothing, opening next week as the 2026 FREE Shakespeare in the Park production and touring to more than 40 locations throughout the tri-state region.
Together, the two productions offer audiences a never-before-seen opportunity to experience the world of Much Ado About Nothing from two entirely different angles: through Shakespeare’s beloved original comedy and through the hilarious untold adventures of two of its most memorable characters.
More about Dogberry and Verges are Scared: Experience Shakespeare’s beloved comedy Much Ado About Nothing from the point of view of Messina’s most misguided watchmen, Dogberry and Verges. Armed with lanterns, loyalty, and very little logic, these unlikely heroes blunder their way to a happy conclusion for all. Off stage, Benedick and Beatrice spar their way toward the aisle, while our bumbling constables take center stage. As they patrol the periphery, they stumble into a brand-new adventure fueled by paranoia, pride, and plenty of nonsense.
Bringing this hilarious World Premiere to Cincinnati is an ensemble of 6 actors: Playwright Michael Doherty and Philadelphia based actor Anthony Lawton lead the show as Dogberry and Verges respectively. Jeremy Dubin, Courtney Lucien, Sami Ma, and Elizabeth Chinn Molloy round out the cast, seamlessly portraying multiple characters as the events of Shakespeare’s comedy unfold, keeping the original story and some famous scenes from Much Ado alive in the periphery of the play.
After rave reviews at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, the creative team is back to bring Dogberry and Verges are Scared to the stage at Cincinnati Shakespeare. Matthew Decker makes his directorial debut at Cincy Shakes. Samantha Reno brings the backstreets of Messina to life with her scenic design. Rainy Edwards costume designs add a modern flair to Shakespeare’s iconic characters. Mike Inwood’s lighting and Robert Carlton Stimmel’s sound design amplify every laugh, and Jenn Rose’s energetic choreography transforms the stage into a party. Dogberry and Verges are Scared is stage managed by Cole Cammack-Sweasy with Assistant Stage Manager Cassidy Stone.
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Dogberry and Verges are Scared runs July 10 through July 25, 2026. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30pm. Saturday matinees take place on July 18 and July 25, with a Sunday matinee on July 19 all at 2:00pm. Tickets are $14-75.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company also offers these performances with accessibility resources: Live Audio Description will be available on Friday July 10, and an American Sign Language-interpreted performance will take place on July 25 at 2:00pm.
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Tickets are on sale now. Discounts are available for students, seniors, local residents, and community partners. Each performance also includes a limited number of $14 “Access” tickets, available in advance online or by calling the Box Office. Beginning one hour before each performance, any remaining unreserved seats may become available as $12 Rush Tickets for anyone, not just students. Rush Tickets may be located anywhere in the theater depending on that evening’s availability, cannot be reserved in advance, and must be purchased in person at the Box Office.
All major credit cards are accepted. Ticketing fees apply. To purchase tickets or learn more, contact the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1 or visit the website online at cincyshakes.com.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is located at The Otto M. Budig Theater at 1195 Elm Street in OTR, adjacent to Washington Park. Many parking spaces are available on the street and in nearby lots and garages- for more information, visit online here.
CSC has coordinated a prepaid self-parking option right next door to the theater for a hassle‐free, guaranteed spot. A limited number of reserved spaces are available starting 1.5 hours before performances and lasting through the end of the show. The 3CDC parking attendant will have your name on the list with advance purchase, guaranteeing your spot and price. Visit www.cincyshakes.com/parking to reserve self-parking.
This is the first production in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2026-2027 Season which is generously presented by our Operating Support Partners: The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation; The Linnemann Family Foundation; The Ohio Arts Council; The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation; The Shubert Foundation; Maureen and John Bridgeland, Cindy Bridgeland Crilley, and Debby and Jim Mason in honor of Jim Bridgeland; Lightborne, and the tens of thousands of people who give generously to the ArtsWave Community Campaign.
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About Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for all. In the summer of 2017, the theater relocated to the Otto M. Budig Theater, a brand new facility in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati. CSC’s repertoire is composed of the works of William Shakespeare, literary adaptations, world premieres, and contemporary classics. CSC performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with the Actors’ Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of Theater Communications Group and Shakespeare Theatre Association. Each year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Education and Outreach Programs reach more than 50,000 young people and community members by meeting audiences where they are. This includes sharing programming in schools, parks, community centers and hosting educational matinees of mainstage productions. In 2015, CSC was proud to become one of the first five theaters in the United States to “Complete the Canon” by producing all 38 plays by William Shakespeare. CSC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to be Cincinnati’s stage for the Classics!
