Category Archives: Press Releases

January 15, 2024 · 6:26 pm

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA: Youth Edition Opens Feb. 17

TCTC_CinderellaOpens February 17 at the Taft Theatre

Cincinnati – Break out the glass slippers! The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA: YOUTH EDITION opens at the Taft Theatre February 17 – 26, 2024. Tickets are on sale now at https://thechildrenstheatre.com/shows/cinderella-23-24/.

This magical musical by Rodgers & Hammerstein will feature a BIPOC creative team, and diversity will be celebrated as your favorite characters show us that “Impossible” is possible! If you loved the 1997 film version of this classic musical, you won’t want to miss this enchanting production!

Originally presented on television in 1957 starring Julie Andrews, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella was the most widely viewed program in the history of the medium. Its recreation in 1965 starring Lesley Ann Warren was no less successful in transporting a new generation to the miraculous kingdom of dreams-come-true, and so was a second remake in 1997, which starred Brandy as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother. As adapted for the stage, with great warmth and more than a touch of hilarity, this enthralling fairy tale still warms the hearts of children and adults alike.

Music by Richard Rodgers. Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Stage Direction by Chris Stewart. Choreography by Tina DeAlderete. Dani Lobello, Director of Production and Sound Designer. Scenic Design by Seth Howard. Lighting Design by Yelena Babinskaya. Costume Design by Daryl Harris. Music Direction by Jason Alexander Holmes. Technical Direction by Ben Adams and Maggie Foley. Resident Stage Manager, Jadi Davis.

Ideal for ages 4+. This production runs 60 minutes without an intermission.

Showtimes for RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA: YOUTH EDITION include:

  • Saturday, February 17 at 2PM (ASL interpretation will be offered at this performance.)
  • Saturday, February 17 at 5PM
  • Sunday, February 18 at 2PM
  • Friday, February 23 at 7PM
  • Saturday, February 24 at 11AM
  • Saturday, February 24 at 2PM
  • Sunday, February 25 at 2PM

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA: YOUTH EDITION is made possible by Dress Run Sponsor TriHealth, Production Sponsors The Summit Hotel and The Sutphin Family Foundation, and Season Sponsor The Charles H. Dater Foundation, with special thanks to Media Sponsor Local 12.  Additional funding for MainStage Ticket Subsidies is provided by PNC Foundation. The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by the tens of thousands of people who give generously to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source for arts funding. This project was supported in part by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Broadway-style MainStage productions, including RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA: YOUTH EDITION, are performed in the historic Taft Theatre, 5th and Sycamore Streets in Downtown Cincinnati. Tickets start at $10. 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 (In Alphabetical Order)

Ensemble …………………LENA ANDREWS
Herald…………… JATHAN “JB” BRISCOE
Cinderella …………………. JUNO BROSAS
Ensemble ……………….. *BRINLEY CULVER
Ensemble ………….. MARLO D’ASCENZO
Ensemble …………………… LUCÍA DUQUE
Ensemble …………….. ANTWNAZIA FANT
Ensemble ……………………… *AVERY FOX
Joy………………………. ANNA ROSE DELEON GUERRERO
Ensemble …………… *GRIFFIN HATFIELD
Ensemble …….. *DEZ FLYNN HUTCHENS
Ensemble ……………….. *NOAH JEFFREYS
Ensemble ………………… ETHAN KUCHTA
Prince…………………………… JT LANGLAS
Ensemble ……………. AARON MARSHALL
King ……………………… JAZZ MCMULLEN
Ensemble ……… GABRIEL KANAI NAKATA
Ensemble …………………. *SARINA PATEL
Stepmother …………. SPRING STARR PILLOW
Ensemble …………….. *KIP RICHARDSON
Ensemble …………….. CHELSEA RUSSELL
Fairy Godmother ………………… TIA SEAY
Portia…………………………… KARLI SMITH
Ensemble …………………… TRE TAYLOR III
Ensemble ……………….. *KEYA VADIVELU
Ensemble …………………. JORDAN WARD
Queen…………………… MICHELLE WELLS
Ensemble …………. *CAMRYN WILKINSON

UNDERSTUDIES:
For Queen and Stepmother: Lena Andrews; for Joy: Marlo D’Ascenzo; For Fairy Godmother: Antwnazia Fant; for Herald: Noah Jeffreys; for Prince: Ethan Kuchta; for Cinderella: Chelsea Russell; for King: Trey Taylor III; for Portia: Jordan Ward

* Denotes TCT’s Young Artists Company

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA: YOUTH EDITION is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com   

-end-

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January 11, 2024 · 12:02 pm

2024-2025 Season Announced by Broadway in Cincinnati

BIC_logo& JULIET, LES MISÉRABLES, FUNNY GIRL, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, PLUS LAST SEASON’S TONY AWARD WINNER FOR BEST MUSICAL, KIMBERLY AKIMBO AND MORE
PART OF BROADWAY IN CINCINNATI’S 24/25 SEASON

Cincinnati, OH (January 11, 2024) – Broadway in Cincinnati presented by TriHealth announces a highly-anticipated season lineup of shows including the 2023 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical, KIMBERLY AKIMBO, alongside new hit musicals & JULIET and A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, the glitzy and glamorous revival of FUNNY GIRL, and returning favorites LES MISÉRABLES and MAMMA MIA!. These shows will be joined by one-week engagements of LIFE OF PI and COME FROM AWAY, as well as a special engagement of a holiday classic, DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL.

24/25   S E A S O N   S H O W S

MAMMA MIA!                                                           September 3 – 15, 2024

FUNNY GIRL                                                              November 19 – December 1, 2024

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS^               December 10 – 15, 2024

LES MISÉRABLES                                                       January 7 – 19, 2025

LIFE OF PI*                                                                 February 4 – 9, 2025          

KIMBERLY AKIMBO                                                  February 18 – March 2, 2025

COME FROM AWAY**                                              March 18 – 23, 2025

& JULIET                                                                    April 8 – 20, 2025

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE                                                 May 6 – 18, 2025

^DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL is a special engagement not included in a season subscription

*Week One Season Subscribers will automatically be seated into LIFE OF PI.

**Week Two Season Subscribers will automatically be seated into COME FROM AWAY.

Full show descriptions below.

Season tickets for the 24/25 Broadway in Cincinnati Season presented by TriHealth will go on sale Thursday, January 11 online, by phone, and in-person at 11:00am. There will be three convenient ways to purchase season tickets:

  1. Select your seats in person at the Aronoff Center ticket office, downtown at 650 Walnut Street, Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 5:00pm
  1. Order online 7 days a week/24 hours a day at BroadwayinCincinnati.com
  1. Call the toll-free Broadway in Cincinnati Season Ticket Hotline at 800.294.1816. The Hotline hours are Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 5:00pm, closed Saturday and Sunday.

Prices for the seven-show season subscription range between $266.00 and $885.00 depending on seat location. 

MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN
Order by February 15 and make six easy monthly payments.  (Offer only available using a credit card.)

EXCLUSIVE SEASON TICKET HOLDER BENEFITS                 

  • Free online ticket exchanges.
  • Priority purchase opportunities for additional tickets to series shows and any season specials.
  • Lost ticket insurance and replacement service.
  • Same premium seat location for all two-week season shows.
  • Priority renewal for future seasons.

SEASON PATRON CLUB
In addition to all the regular season ticket holder benefits, special Patron Club season tickets (available with an annual membership fee of $120) guarantee seating in the front orchestra or first three rows of the loge and include extended benefits such as complimentary drink vouchers and recognition in the PLAYBILL program.

CLOUD CLUB
For Broadway fans on a budget, the “Cloud Club” offers our seven-show package with complete subscription benefits starting at $266 for all performances. 

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Broadway in Cincinnati shows typically run for two weeks at the Aronoff Center.  Performance options are Tuesday through Friday evenings at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 7:30pm and Sundays at 1pm & 6:30pm. (All times subject to change.) An audio-described performance for the visually impaired and an American Sign Language interpreted performance for the deaf are available.  Anyone requiring either of these services or accommodations for the physically challenged may should request so when purchasing season tickets.  Guests interested in learning more about age appropriateness and content of shows can visit BroadwayInCincinnati.com/FamilyGuide.

GROUP SALES AND SINGLE TICKETS
Group sales information is now available for all shows. Reservations for all shows may be made by calling Group Sales Manager Peggy Hughes, at 513.369.4363 or email at Peggy.Hughes@BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

For more information visit BroadwayInCincinnati.com.

Single ticket on-sale dates for individual shows will be announced at a later date.    

24/25 Season Show Descriptions:

MAMMA MIA!                                                                       September 3 – 15, 2024
A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget.

Set on a Greek island paradise where the sun always shines, a tale of love, friendship, and identity is beautifully told through the timeless hits of ABBA. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited decades ago.

For nearly 25 years, people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story, and the music that make MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show. 

FUNNY GIRL                                                              November 19 – December 1, 2024
WELCOME TO MUSICAL COMEDY HEAVEN.  Featuring one of the greatest musical scores of all time, including classic songs “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People,” this love letter to the theatre is the story of the indomitable Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who dreamed of a life on the stage. Everyone told her she’d never be a star, but then something funny happened—she became one of the most beloved performers in history, shining brighter than the brightest lights of Broadway. 

SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS                     December 10 – 15, 2024
Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life on stage. Featuring the hit songs “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” The Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the Whos, an endlessly cheerful bunch bursting with holiday spirit. Celebrate the holidays with the show The New York Times calls “100 times better than any bedtime story!”

LES MISÉRABLES                                                                               January 7 – 19, 2025
Cameron Mackintosh presents the acclaimed production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES. This brilliant staging has taken the world by storm and has been hailed as “a reborn dream of a production” (Daily Telegraph). Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, LES MISÉRABLES tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More” and many more.

LIFE OF PI                                                                                           February 4 – 9, 2025
A THEATRICAL EVENT UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE.  Winner of three Tony Awards® and the Olivier Award for Best Play, the Broadway and West End sensation LIFE OF PI is “an exhilarating evening of theater” (The Wall Street Journal).

Based on the novel that sold more than 15 million copies and became a worldwide phenomenon, LIFE OF PI is an epic story of perseverance and hope that speaks to every generation and “gives new life to Broadway” (The Today Show).

After a shipwreck in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi survives on a lifeboat with four companions— a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a Royal Bengal tiger.

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

KIMBERLY AKIMBO                                                             February 18 – March 2, 2025
A new musical about growing up and growing old (in no particular order), KIMBERLY AKIMBO is the winner of 5 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL.  It features Tony Award-winning book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (Shrek), a Tony Award-winning score by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), choreography by Danny Mefford (Dear Evan Hansen) and direction by Tony-nominated director Jessica Stone.

Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. In this “howlingly funny heartbreaker of a show” (The New Yorker), Kim is forced to navigate family dysfunction, a rare genetic condition, her first crush … and possible felony charges. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure.

COME FROM AWAY                                                                          March 18 – 23, 2025
Come back together at COME FROM AWAY! On 9/11, the world stopped. On 9/12, their stories moved us all. This stirring and inspiring musical returns to take you into the heart of the remarkable true story of the small town in Newfoundland that opened their homes to 7,000 stranded travelers on 9/11. During that fateful week, cultures clashed, and nerves ran high—but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. Celebrate the best of humankind and the best in all of us at COME FROM AWAY.

& JULIET                                                                                                  April 8 – 20, 2025
Created by the Emmy®-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & JULIET asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.

Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including “Since U Been Gone‚” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life‚” “That’s The Way It Is,“ and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”—all from the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE                                                                               May 6 – 18, 2025
THE UNTOLD TRUE STORY OF A BROOKLYN KID WHO BECAME A CHART-BUSTING, SHOW-STOPPING, AWARD-WINNING AMERICAN ICON.  Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE is the uplifting true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chart-busting, show-stopping American rock icon. With 120 million albums sold, a catalogue of classics like “America,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” and “Sweet Caroline,” an induction into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis, Neil Diamond’s story was made to shine on Broadway-and head out on the road across America.

Like Jersey Boys and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical before it, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL is an inspiring, exhilarating, energy-filled musical memoir, that tells the untold true story of how America’s greatest hitmaker became a star, set to the songs that defined his career.

#   #   #

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 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 20-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 400,000 subscribers. Presentations include Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, and Hamilton. Current productions include &Juliet, Hadestown, Hamilton, Kimberly Akimbo, MJ: The Musical and Moulin Rouge! The Musical. 

The John Gore Organization is the leading presenter, distributor, and marketer of Broadway theater worldwide. Under the leadership of 20-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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January 10, 2024 · 7:28 pm

LSC’s JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT Runs March 1-17, 2024

LSC_Joseph“Sha la la, Joseph, you’re doing fine! You and your dreamcoat, ahead of your time!”

 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs at Loveland Stage Company from March 1-17, 2024!

Tickets are available online at www.Lovelandstagecompany.org/tickets on February 1st.

Call (513) 443-4572 for groups of 15+ or handicapped seating.

One of the most enduring shows of all time, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers and the coat of many colors.

Told entirely through song – The Narrator leads us through a retelling of the story of Joseph – the favorite son of Jacob – who is blessed with vivid dreams that foretell the future. Jacob buys Joseph an elegant coat of many colors, which doesn’t please his 11 brothers. After being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the amorous advances of Potiphar’s wife.

However, news of Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams travels and sparks the interest of the hilarious and troubled Elvis-like Pharaoh. Joseph’s solution to Egypt’s famine elevates him to Pharaoh’s right-hand man. In the midst of the famine, the 11 brothers find themselves unknowingly at the mercy of the brother they betrayed. Joseph tests their integrity, and ultimately the brothers are reconciled. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is set to a multitude of musical genres, spanning from traditional musical theater to country and calypso to pop and rock n’ roll.

Director: Michael Yarick / Assistant Director: Kiya Fix
Vocal Director: Amy Prestridge
Choreographer: Garrett Klaas
Orchestra Director: Jeanne Bilyeu
Producers: Becky Jones & Kayla Haas

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Show Dates:

  • March 1 at 7:30 pm
  • March 2 at 7:30 pm
  • March 3 at 3:00 pm – *ASL performance
  • March 8 at 7:30 pm
  • March 9 at 7:30 pm – **Narrator role u/s
  • March 10 at 3:00 pm
  • March 15 at 7:30 pm
  • March 16 at 7:30 pm
  • March 17 at 3:00 pm

    *Sunday March 3rd at 3:00 pm will feature ASL interpreters as a part of the performance.
    **Note: on Saturday, March 9th the role of Narrator will be played by the understudy, Pettrina Barresi. ACT/OCTA Adjudicators should attend a separate show date in order to provide consistent reviews of the production.**

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Really Useful Group. www.concordtheatricals.com

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January 10, 2024 · 7:18 pm

World Premiere Adaptation of Bram Stoker’s DRACULA to Bring Humor, Humanity and Blood-Curdling Thrills Beginning Feb. 3

PIP_Dracula

DRACULA by Tony Arrasmith/Arrasmith and Associates

CINCINNATI (Jan. 10, 2024) – A bold and theatrical re-telling of DRACULA will sweep Cincinnati audiences into the dark and mysterious world of pop culture’s most iconic vampire beginning Feb. 3. Presented by the Leading Ladies, the world premiere runs through March 4. Opening night is Feb. 8.

In DRACULA, the classic vampire tale pulses with humor, humanity and blood-curdling thrills. Every character harbors secrets of their own, and each dramatic turn of events threatens their exposure – leaving the audience in suspense until the show’s final moments.

Writer-actor Vanessa Severo in collaboration with Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Joanie Schultz adapted the classic 1897 novel into a thrilling dramatic production for live theatre. They previously collaborated on Frida…A Self Portrait, which charmed Playhouse audiences last season and continues to captivate on stages around the country.

“We started with Bram Stoker, but we are making a play for this audience now, something that spoke to us as artists, and like every Dracula you’ve ever seen on film, TV, or theater, this takes some twists in the spirit of the source material but that will speak to today,” Schultz, who also co-directs the production with Severo, said of the new adaptation.

Theatrical magic, stylized movement and surprise special effects crafted by a team of artists including an illusion designer transform the stage in Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre into Count Dracula’s lair.

“It will feel like a place you maybe shouldn’t be, but you also don’t want to walk away from,” explained Severo. “Dangerous and alluring, and somewhat familiar…a design that will make you unsure of what you just saw and leave you asking how it was done on the drive home.”

DRACULA’s well-known ensemble of characters – including Lucy, Mina, Dr. Van Helsing and Renfield – are on hand for the story and viewed through a new lens and with a fresh perspective.

CAST
Van Helsing – Rin Allen
Mrs. Westerna – Andrea Cirie
Renfield – Harmon dot aut
Lucy – Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
Jonathan/James – Torsten Johnson
Mina – Mi Kang
Dracula – Adam Poss
Dr. Seward – Julian Remulla
Arthur – Donovan Woods

UNDERSTUDIES
Van Helsing/Mrs. Westerna – Liz Comstock
Mina/Lucy – Hannah Gregory
Arthur/Jonathan/James – Aaron Schilling

PRODUCTION
Playwright/Co-Director – Vanessa Severo
Playwright/Co-Director – Joanie Schultz
Set Designer – Yu Shibagaki
Costume Designer – Kathleen Geldard
Lighting Designer – Pablo Santiago
Sound Designer/Composer – Thomas Dixon
Magic/Illusion Designer – Nate Dendy
Casting Director – Stephanie Klapper, CSA
Stage Manager – Andrea L. Shell
Assistant Stage Manager – Brooke Redler
Assistant Stage Manager – Mary Kathryn Flynt

TICKETS

Tickets begin at $35.00. Prices vary and seating location and performance day. Preview performances take place Feb 3, 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m. Opening night is Feb 8 at 7:30 p.m.

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 on Feb. 21 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.

EVENTS

Preview Performances:
Be among the first to see the show before opening night and save! Preview performance tickets are discounted.

Sat., Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Tue., Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Opening Night:
Share the excitement of Thursday opening nights with a lively post-show cast party.

Thu., Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Art Talks:
(Formerly Meet the Artists) Stay after select performances for a behind-the-scenes discussion with members of the artistic team.

Sun., Feb. 11 at 2 p.m.
Thu., Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Pre-performance Talks:
Come early and hear about this world premiere production from Joanie Schultz, co-director of Dracula and Playhouse Associate Artistic Director. The pre-performance talks are free and last approximately 20 minutes. No reservation or additional ticket is required.

Tue., Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Tue., Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Tue., Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m.

Wine Pairing Dinner:
Join us before selected evening performances of Dracula for a special wine pairing dinner, including a short sneak peek at the production from Joanie Schultz, co-director of Dracula and Playhouse Associate Artistic Director.

Four-course dinners are $75 per person and start at 6 p.m. in the Kaplan Lobby. For a detailed menu and to reserve your dinner, visit cincyplay.com or call the Playhouse Box Office at 513-421-3888. Tickets to the performance are not included in the wine pairing dinner price and must be purchased separately. Reservations close eight days prior to each wine pairing dinner. Space is limited.

Fri., Feb. 9 at 6 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.
Thurs., Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.
Fri., March 1 at 6 p.m.

Audio-Described Performance
Trained volunteers describe the visual elements of the production via a hearing enhancement system, allowing patrons to hear dialogue, music and other sound effects. The description is timed to avoid interfering with dialogue. Before the show and during intermission, show and actor information are shared.

Sat., Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

Signed ASL Performance
Each Rouse Theatre production offers one signed ASL performance during the show’s run.

Sun., Feb. 25 at 2 p.m.

ADVISORY

DRACULA is recommended for ages 13 and up. This theatrical re-telling features the most famous vampire of all time, so it’s no spoiler to say there are some sexual situations and violence – although mostly presented in an implied or stylized fashion – and, of course, blood is depicted on stage. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be DRACULA.

SPONSORS

Presented by Leading Ladies. Season Sponsor of New Work is Mark and Nancy Dawes. Artist sponsors are Frost Brown Todd and Towne Properties. Honorary Producers are Julie and Steven J. Shifman. Moe and Jack’s Place — The Rouse Theatre Season is presented by Schueler Group. Season Design Sponsor is Kerry Automotive.

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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January 10, 2024 · 6:55 pm

Cincinnati Opera Unveils Dynamic Community Programs and Performances Enhancing Its 2024 Summer Festival Experience

co_logoSpanning January to July, the diverse menu of opera-inspired events endeavors to build community connections and offer unexpected and inclusive ways to experience the art form

CINCINNATI (January 10, 2024)—Building upon the anticipation of its previously announced 2024 Summer Festival, Cincinnati Opera today unveiled a wide-ranging roster of community events and performances designed to augment and enhance its festival-going experience. Events begin in January 2024 and run through July 2024.

In September 2023, the company announced its 2024 mainstage season lineup at Cincinnati’s historic Music Hall, which will feature W.A. Mozart’s Don Giovanni (June 13 and 15), Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata (June 27, 28*, and 30), and the highly anticipated world stage premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, in its first-ever operatic presentation (July 18, 20, 21, and 27).

Today’s newly announced events include the expansion of the company’s recently launched Studio Sessions, a series of intimate performances at Music Hall’s Wilks Studio curated and performed by stars of the 2024 Summer Festival. Also included is the return of the fan-favorite, free events Opera Goes to Church!, Back to the Zoo, and Opera in the Park.

Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals (COYP), a volunteer organization composed of opera fans under 40, will bring back the popular event series Singers & Spirits, hosted at local bars and wineries. In January, COYP will present their first-ever signature fundraiser, COYP Bacchanal, and in May, they’ll remount their opera season kickoff event, Divas & Diamonds.

In July, Cincinnati Opera will host a celebratory fundraising event in conjunction with the opening night performance of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, details of which will be announced in February 2024.

The newly announced events are in addition to the company’s previously announced Opera Raps, a free series of conversations led by opera experts revealing behind-the-scenes insights into the works featured during the 2024 Summer Festival.

Cincinnati Opera will also present multiple events focused on equity, accessibility, and inclusion, which will be produced in partnership with local healthcare and social service organizations. These include the annual Sensory-Friendly Rehearsals and Community Open Dress Rehearsal, as well as the second annual Access Night, which offers audiences with diverse accessibility needs the opportunity to experience opera through the use of assistive technologies. Dates and information for these events will be shared via community partners. Additional details are available from Cincinnati Opera’s Community Engagement and Education department: education@cincinnatiopera.org.

“Our summer festival of grand opera in Music Hall is the foundation of our programming,” said Christopher Milligan, Cincinnati Opera’s Harry Fath General Director & CEO. “At the same time, we are also committed to an array of programs that connect us with our community throughout the year. Many of these programs were developed hand-in-hand with artists and community partners and in response to our audience’s appetite for variety. As always, we seek to expand access and welcome in new audiences by providing multiple, meaningful points of connection.”

The full schedule of Cincinnati Opera’s community events and performances leading up to and surrounding the 2024 Summer Festival can be found below. Admission prices vary; see schedule for individual event and ticketing details. For additional information, visit cincinnatiopera.org.

*Indicates new performance date. The second performance of La Traviata has been moved from June 29, 2024, to June 28, 2024, in order to avoid conflicts with other major events near Music Hall.

Cincinnati Opera
2024 Community and Special Events
Calendar

January 25, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
Opera Rap: Hausmusik: Mozart and Friends at Home
Wilks Studio at Cincinnati Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

In anticipation of Cincinnati Opera’s June 2024 production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Don Giovanni, audiences are invited into this immersive exploration of the composer’s life and work. On countless evenings between 1784 and 1787, Mozart would invite friends to his Vienna home for food, wine, and music-making. Joseph Haydn was a frequent guest, as were many other celebrated musicians of the day. This event recreates a typical evening with the Mozarts featuring music for piano four hands, songs, and a string quartet dedicated to Haydn, along with excerpts from visitors’ memoirs, Mozart’s letters, and more.

Admission: Free. Cash bar available. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org.

January 26, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
Opera Rap: Mozart’s Women
Wilks Studio at Cincinnati Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

The celebrated conductor, scholar, and author Dame Jane Glover, who will conduct Cincinnati Opera’s Don Giovanni in June 2024, leads a discussion inspired by her book, Mozart’s Women: His Family, His Friends, His Music (Harper, 2006). Dame Jane will delve into Don Giovanni as well as the composer’s other glorious music for women, with performances by two members of the Don Giovanni cast: sopranos Jessica Rivera and Erin Keesy, accompanied by Cincinnati Opera Head of Music Andrew Crooks. The event precedes Dame Jane’s appearances that weekend with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, where she will conduct an all-Mozart program.

Admission: Free. Cash bar available. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org.

January 26, 2024, at 8 p.m.
COYP Bacchanal
The Transept
1205 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

More is more as Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals turn up the heat in this mid-winter party to raise funds in support of Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Summer Festival, community and education programs, and young professionals events. Guests are invited to a sultry, bacchanalian adventure of operatic proportions and dancing the night away. Admission includes an open bar (21+ only) along with performances by Cincinnati Opera, drag, and burlesque artists, and more surprises.

Admission: $125–$200. For tickets, group discounts, and more information, visit cincinnatiopera.org/young-professionals.

February 22, 2024, at 6 p.m.
Singers & Spirits: Revel OTR
Revel OTR Urban Winery
111 East 12th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals presents Singers & Spirits, an event series pairing festive beverages and performances by Cincinnati Opera artists at local wineries and breweries. The vibe is relaxed and the experience is unexpected—a perfect taste of opera. Admission includes one drink.

Admission: $20. For tickets, deals, and information, visit cincinnatiopera.org/young-professionals.

March 6, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Opera Rap: The Beatles Phenomenon
Woodward Theater
1404 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Inspired by Cincinnati Opera’s July 2024 world stage premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, University of Cincinnati educator and local authority on The Beatles Dr. Om Srivastava will lead audience members on a journey into the creativity and worldwide impact of the Fab Four. With recordings, interviews, and photographs, Dr. Srivastava will trace the phenomenon of the Beatles from their early days in Liverpool and Hamburg to the epochal albums and worldwide tours (including two Cincinnati appearances!).

Admission: Free. Cash bar available. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org.

March 14, 2024, at 6 p.m.
Singers & Spirits: Oakley Wines
Oakley Wines
4011 Allston Street, Cincinnati, OH 45209

Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals presents Singers & Spirits, an event series pairing festive beverages and performances by Cincinnati Opera artists at local wineries and breweries. The vibe is relaxed and the experience is unexpected—a perfect taste of opera. Admission includes one drink.

Admission: $20. For tickets, deals, and information, visit cincinnatiopera.org/young-professionals.

March 28, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Opera Rap: Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio: Sneak Peek with the Creative Team
Cincinnati Opera Production Facility
7712 Reinhold Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45237

Audiences are invited to this exclusive glimpse into the creation of Cincinnati Opera’s world stage premiere production of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio. Director Caroline Clegg, designer Leslie Travers, and choreographer Michael Pappalardo will offer insights into their creative vision for this extraordinary new theatrical experience and share a guided first look at the production under construction.

Admission: Free. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org.

April 11, 2024, at 6 p.m.
Singers & Spirits: MadTree Alcove
The Loft at MadTree Alcove
1410 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals presents Singers & Spirits, an event series pairing festive beverages and performances by Cincinnati Opera artists at local wineries and breweries. The vibe is relaxed and the experience is unexpected—a perfect taste of opera. Admission includes one drink ticket and light bites.

Admission: $20. For tickets, deals, and information, visit cincinnatiopera.org/young-professionals.

April 17, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Opera Rap: Violetta’s Chosen Family
First Lutheran Church
1208 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

As a preview to Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 production of Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, stage director Trevore Ross explores this beloved masterpiece as an ode to the outsider. When Verdi composed the opera in 1853, his life bore some similarities to that of his heroine, the Parisian courtesan Violetta Valéry; he was something of a social outcast, living unmarried with his lover, the opera star Giuseppina Strepponi. Through this lens, Ross will examine Violetta’s world and the friends with whom she surrounded herself. Were they members of high society, fellow demimondaines, or both? The evening will include excerpts performed by soprano Dana Pundt and tenor Pedro Barbosa.

Admission: Free. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org.

April 22 and 23, 2024, at 7 p.m.
Opera Goes to Church!
Zion Global Ministries
9180 Cincinnati Columbus Road, West Chester, OH 45069

Presented in partnership with Zion Global Ministries, Opera Goes to Church! blends gospel, jazz, and classical music to create a one-of-a-kind, dynamic community concert experience. The performances will feature acclaimed opera artists, Zion Global Ministries’ inspiring congregational choir, local musicians, and more.

Admission: Free. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org beginning January 12, 2024, at 12 p.m.

Support for Opera Goes to Church! is provided by Greater Cincinnati Foundation and the P&G Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

May 14, 2024, at 7 p.m.
Back to the Zoo
Wings of Wonder Theater at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220

Cincinnati Opera returns to its first home, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, where performances were held from 1920 to 1971. Come relive the magic of the Zoo Opera days with hosts Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera, and Thane Maynard, Director of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, along with a colorful cast of singers and zoo animals.

Admission: Free. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org beginning January 12, 2024, at 12 p.m.

Back to the Zoo is sponsored by The Unnewehr Foundation.

May 23, 2024, at 5 p.m.
Divas & Diamonds
Richter & Phillips Jewelers
601 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Cincinnati Opera Young Professionals host this kickoff event for the 2024 Summer Festival, presented in partnership with Richter & Phillips Jewelers. Young professionals and arts lovers of all ages are invited to celebrate Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 season like a diva, featuring drinks, delectable treats, dazzling diamonds, and opera arias. Admission includes drinks, light bites, and more.

Admission: $40-60. Tickets become available March 1, 2024; for tickets and information, visit cincinnatiopera.org/young-professionals.

June 3 and 5, 2024, at 7 p.m.
Opera Goes to Church!
Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church
9991 Wayne Avenue, Woodlawn, Ohio 45215

Presented in partnership with Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church, New Jerusalem Baptist Church, and Southern Baptist Church, Opera Goes to Church! blends gospel, jazz, and classical music to create a one-of-a-kind, dynamic community concert experience. The performances will feature acclaimed opera artists, the churches’ inspiring congregational choirs, local musicians, and more.

Admission: Free. Reservations are required by calling 513-241-2742 or visiting cincinnatiopera.org beginning January 12, 2024, at 12 p.m.

Support for Opera Goes to Church! is provided by Greater Cincinnati Foundation and the P&G Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

June 9, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Opera in the Park
Washington Park
1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Celebrate the opening of Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Summer Festival with a magical evening of music under the setting sun. This free outdoor concert features a selection of opera and musical theater favorites performed by stars of Cincinnati Opera’s 2024 Summer Festival, the Cincinnati Opera Chorus, and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Preceding Opera in the Park, the Cincinnati Brass Institute will offer a special performance in Washington Park starting at 6 p.m.

Admission: Free. Tickets are not required, though registration is encouraged to receive event updates and weather alerts. To register, visit cincinnatiopera.org/opera-in-the-park.

June 18, 2024, at 8 p.m.
Studio Sessions: Jacqueline Echols McCarley
Wilks Studio at Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Before her appearances as Mary Dee in Cincinnati Opera’s world stage premiere of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, Metropolitan Opera soprano Jacqueline Echols McCarley will present “Soul and Spirit,” an intimate concert tracing her musical inspirations. Joined by Damien Sneed at the piano, McCarley takes audience members on an inspiring journey through some of the music that has shaped her, including sacred songs, spirituals, and hymns, as well as classical, gospel, and jazz.

Admission: $45 general admission; $60 reserved seating. For tickets and information, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org beginning April 1, 2024, at 12 p.m. 2024 Summer Festival subscribers may purchase in advance with their season ticket package.

July 2, 2024, at 8 p.m.
Studio Sessions: Elliot Madore
Wilks Studio at Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

After starring in Cincinnati Opera’s season-opening production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, world-renowned baritone Elliot Madore takes to Music Hall’s Wilks Studio for “A Portrait of the Artist as a Middle-Aged Man,” an autobiographical evening of song. Through stories and music, Madore will illuminate the contrast between his everyday life as a middle-aged man with his chaotic, exhilarating, and sometimes exasperating career as an international opera singer. Accompanying him will be pianist Kevin Miller.

Admission: $45 general admission; $60 reserved seating. For tickets and information, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org beginning April 1, 2024, at 12 p.m. 2024 Summer Festival subscribers may purchase in advance with their season ticket package.

July 11, 2024, at 8 p.m.
Studio Sessions: Jessica Rivera
Wilks Studio at Music Hall
1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Grammy-winning soprano Jessica Rivera, who appears as Donna Elvira in Cincinnati Opera’s season-opening production of Don Giovanni, returns to perform “Canciones de Mi Alma Latina: Songs of My Latin Soul,” an exploration of her musical career through the lens of her Peruvian-American heritage. Rivera will perform music by Osvaldo Golijov, Fernando Obradors, Manuel de Falla, Antonio de Salazar, and Federico Moreno Torroba, as well as operatic favorites by Puccini and Mozart. Joining Rivera is her longtime collaborator Mark Carver on piano.

Admission: $45 general admission; $60 reserved seating. For tickets and information, call 513-241-2742 or visit cincinnatiopera.org beginning April 1, 2024, at 12 p.m. 2024 Summer Festival subscribers may purchase in advance with their season ticket package.

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. This project was supported in part by 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 proud member of OPERA America. Learn more at cincinnatiopera.org.

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