Tag Archives: Cincinnati Arts Association

MAGICIAN  Ben Seidman
FROM NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON’T

BRINGS REAL CON ARTISTS TO THE STAGE

March 6, 2027
Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater

CON MAN: A True Crime Magic Show uses pickpocketing and sleight of hand to pull the audience into a unique con every single night,
and answers the question: Why do we fall for lies… even the ones we see coming?

Tickets on sale Friday, August 28 at 10:00 AM

[Cincinnati, OH] – Ben Seidman designed and taught magic for Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, the latest installment in the Now You See Me franchise. Now, he’s bringing that same expertise to the stage, with live cons and stories of real criminals. CON MAN: A True Crime Magic Show plays the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theater in Cincinnati on Saturday, March 6, 2027, at 4:00 PM & 8:00 PM, presenting actual scams to explore the psychology behind them and investigate why even the smartest people can make the best marks. The show is part of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s 2026-27 CAA Presents Season.

Tickets go on sale Friday, August 28 at 10:00 AM at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-2787 [ARTS], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. For group sales (10 or more), call (513) 977-4155. Prices include all applicable fees and taxes and are subject to change.

Seidman spent years studying con artists, learning how they control your attention and manipulate your reality. In CON MAN, he weaves those same tools with sleight of hand and misdirection to create a singular, mind-blowing experience. From card cheats to con men, from pickpockets to mind readers, every angle of modern deception will be explored, building to a see-it-to-believe-it finale.

“One simple lie can open the door to an entirely new reality,” Seidman says of CON MAN. “The show is a playground to explore the role of deception in all of our lives… whether we’re aware of it or not. Also… it’s just a really fun magic show,” he added, smiling.

Audience members aren’t just watching. They’re the marks in real-life, real-time cons… but without all the messy stuff, like losing their life savings. 

CON MAN has been eighteen years in the making, growing out of a question Seidman continually encountered in his work as a professional magician: Why do people fall for something even after they’ve been told it’s a trick?

“In most magic shows,” he says, “deception is just a tool. In Con Man… deception is the premise.”

For more information, visit https://conmanshow.com/.

About Ben Seidman

Ben Seidman is a magician, comedian, theatrical pickpocket, and creative consultant whose work is built around sleight of hand, psychology, and deception. He designed and taught magic for the cast of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. Seidman is known as the “sleight-of-hand and pickpocketing expert” from WIRED and Vanity Fair after starring in each of their expert-reacts series with millions of views. He appears on Netflix’s Brainchild, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Vanderpump Rules, and several Travel Channel specials.

Seidman was Resident Magician at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Princess Cruises named him Entertainer of the Year, and he spent three seasons consulting on A&E’s Criss Angel Mindfreak.

Cincinnati Arts Association SPONSORS

The Cincinnati Arts Association is supported [in part] by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Season Sponsors:  AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), MIAMI UNIVERSITY, ARTSWAVE, LOCAL 12 WKRC-TV, PROCTER & GAMBLE, TRIHEALTH 

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS:  21C Museum Hotel, altafiber, Bahl & Gaynor, CityBeat, Harlan Graphics, Heidelberg Distributing, Kinley Cincinnati, The Party Source, Pepsi, Summerfair Cincinnati

#  #  #

CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:                CON MAN: A True Crime Magic Show

WHEN:                Saturday, March 6, 2027 – 4:00 PM & 8:00 PM

WHERE:              Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater

PRICES:               Start at $45.25, inclusive of all fees.

INFO:                   Ben Seidman designed and taught magic for Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, the latest installment in the Now You See Me franchise. Now, he’s bringing that same expertise to the stage, with live cons and stories of real criminals. CON MAN: A True Crime Magic Show presents actual scams to explore the psychology behind them and investigate why even the smartest people can make the best marks.

TICKET INFORMATION – on sale Friday, August 28 at 10:00 AM

• www.CincinnatiArts.org 
• (513) 621-ARTS [2787]
• Aronoff Center Ticket Office
• For group sales (10 or more), call (513) 977-4155

 

Wackadoo!  Bluey, Bingo, Chilli, Bandit, and friends are returning to Cincinnati!

BLUEY’S BIG PLAY The Stage Show is making its way across Australia and will be at the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall from January 2-3, 2027

 “Bluey’s Big Play may be her first theatrical experiment, but I doubt it will be the last.” – The Australian Review

“There’s no better show to inspire a lifelong love of the stage in your littlies.” – The Courier Mail, Brisbane

“A Glorious Celebration of everything you love about the show.” ★★★★★ – The Guardian

Tickets on sale Friday, July 31 at 10:00 AM

[Cincinnati, OH] – Grab the sticky geckos, break out the duck cakes, and alert the grannies! It’s time to meet the much-loved Heeler family, who are returning to Cincinnati by popular demand with the Bluey live show, Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show! The Emmy® Award-winning animated preschool series, which airs on Disney Junior, Disney Channel, and Disney+, will be “taking the show on the road” to the Aronoff Center’s Procter & Gamble Hall on Saturday, January 2 and Sunday, January 3, 2027 (see full performance schedule below). The show is part of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s 2026-27 Season.

Tickets go on sale Friday, July 31 at 10:00 AM at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-2787 [ARTS], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. For group sales (10 or more), call (513) 977-4155. Prices include all applicable fees and taxes and are subject to change.

VIP Packages are available. Each package includes one orchestra seat in the first six rows, an exclusive post-show meet-and-greet session with Bluey costume characters, an exclusive Bluey VIP lanyard, exclusive Bluey VIP gift, and an exclusive photo opportunity per group. All VIP attendees must have their own VIP ticket. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 

Get ready for giggles, games, and a whole lot of Heeler fun! Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show brings Australia’s favorite family to life in a playful 45‑minute performance packed with music, imagination, and big heart. With beautifully crafted puppets and all the charm of the Emmy® Award‑winning TV series, it’s a theatrical adventure the whole family can enjoy together.

Live on stage, audiences will see Bluey, Bingo, Mum (Chilli), and Dad (Bandit) as they embark on a fun live adventure. When Dad is hoping for a quiet afternoon on the bean bag, Bluey and Bingo have other ideas. Using all the games, imagination, and ingenuity at their disposal, they set out to get him up and playing along! 

This smash‑hit live show has travelled the globe, playing to over two million fans across the UK, Ireland, Canada, the US, Europe, Singapore, South Africa, and the UAE.  Written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, with original music by composer Joff Bush, the show also features the iconic voices of Melanie Zanetti (Mum) and David McCormack (Dad).

Enjoy a heart‑warming, laugh‑out‑loud experience that brings families together through play, imagination, and joy.  Whether it’s your child’s first theatre show or a special family outing, Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show is guaranteed to create memories that last long after the curtain comes down.

This is Bluey, For Real Life.

Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show Performance Schedule 

• Saturday, January 2, 2027 – 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM
• Sunday, January 3, 2027 – 11:00 AM

For more information, visit blueylive.com.  Facebook / Instagram: @OfficialBlueyTV / #BlueysBigPlay

Cincinnati Arts Association SPONSORS

The Cincinnati Arts Association is supported [in part] by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Season Sponsors:  AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), MIAMI UNIVERSITY, ARTSWAVE, LOCAL 12 WKRC-TV, The P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, TRIHEALTH 

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS:  21C Museum Hotel, altafiber, Bahl & Gaynor, CityBeat, Harlan Graphics, Heidelberg Distributing, Kinley Cincinnati, The Party Source, Pepsi, Summerfair Cincinnati

#  #  #

CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:                Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show

WHEN:                Saturday, January 2, 2027 – 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM

                             Sunday, January 3, 2027 – 11:00 AM

WHERE:              Aronoff Center – Procter & Gamble Hall

PRICES:               Start at $55.00, inclusive of all fees. VIP packages available.

INFO:                   Get ready for giggles, games, and a whole lot of Heeler fun! Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show brings Australia’s favorite family to life in a playful 45‑minute performance packed with music, imagination, and big heart. With beautifully crafted puppets and all the charm of the Emmy® Award‑winning TV series, it’s a theatrical adventure the whole family can enjoy together.

TICKET INFORMATION – on sale Friday, July 31 at 10:00 AM

• www.CincinnatiArts.org 
• (513) 621-ARTS [2787]
• Aronoff Center Ticket Office
• For group sales (10 or more), call (513) 977-4155

ARONOFF CENTER & MUSIC HALL
JOB FAIR

Wednesday, August 5, 2026
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Aronoff Center for the Arts · Otto M. Budig Lobby
650 Walnut Street

[Cincinnati, OH]  Be a part of the team of guest services professionals at the Tristate’s premiere arts venues – the Aronoff Center and Music Hall. The Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is pleased to present a JOB FAIR on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM at the Aronoff Center’s Otto M. Budig Lobby (main lobby), located downtown at 650 Walnut Street between Sixth and Seventh Streets. Job seekers may attend either of two convenient shifts to learn about available part-time employment opportunities and interview on the spot. CAA is looking for people with outgoing personalities to fill a variety of positions that offer flexible schedules based on applicants’ availability.

Starting in September, part-time positions at the Aronoff Center and Music Hall will be available in the following guest services areas:   Front of House/Audience Services, Event Safety, Guest Relations Representatives, and Custodial Services. Interested job seekers will be able to speak with venue supervisors and members of CAA’s Human Resources Department to learn more about specific jobs. 

“We have been overwhelmed by our past Job Fairs, which attracted hundreds of applicants and resulted in the hiring of many new part-time employees, some of whom are still with us,” said Brenda Carter, CAA’s Vice President, Human Resources. “CAA is committed to serving individuals who are interested in part-time employment in the downtown and Over-the-Rhine area, and who want to work in a fun, artistic environment.  The Aronoff Center and Music Hall have a solid reputation for excellent Guest Services, and we are excited to have new faces join our team!”

CAA employs over one-hundred full-time employees, as well as more than 500 part-time employees in the areas of guest services, arts administration, and stagehand labor.

INFORMATION: (513) 721-3344 or www.CincinnatiArts.org/jobfair. 

Volunteer Opportunities
For those who are interested in volunteering at the Aronoff Center and/or Music Hall, CAA is also looking for outgoing and personable individuals to welcome guests, assist with seating, and maintain the comfort and safety of the audience during events at both venues. For more information, visit www.CincinnatiArts.org/volunteer or stop by the Job Fair to meet the team and learn more about getting involved.

Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees the programming and management of two of the Tristate’s finest performing arts venues – the Aronoff Center for the Arts and Music Hall – and is dedicated to supporting performing and visual arts. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of 700,000 people in its venues; features the work of talented local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery (located in the Aronoff Center); and supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies, including Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati May Festival, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Symphony/Pops Orchestras, and First Financial Bank Broadway in Cincinnati, presented by TriHealth. Since the inception of its acclaimed arts education and community engagement programs in 1995, CAA has reached more than 2.1 million students and adults.

# # #

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH EXPERIENCE®: A John Denver Christmas

Starring Rick Schuler   
America’s Top John Denver Tribute Show

December 18-19, 2026
Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater

Tickets on sale Friday, June 26

[Cincinnati, OH] – Feel a little sunshine on your shoulders this holiday season when Rocky Mountain High Experience®: A John Denver Christmas starring Rick Schuler plays the Aronoff Center’s intimate Jarson-Kaplan Theater on Friday, December 18, 2026 at 7:30 PM and Saturday, December 19, 2026 at 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM as part of the Cincinnati Arts Association’s 2026-27 Season. The tour is presented by Emery Entertainment.

Tickets go on sale Friday, June 26 at 10:00 AM at www.CincinnatiArts.org, (513) 621-ARTS [2787], and the Aronoff Center Ticket Office. For group sales (10 or more), call (513) 977-4155.

Get ready to fall in love with the holidays all over again! Rocky Mountain High Experience®: A John Denver Christmas whisks you back to the unforgettable 1970s – a golden era when John Denver’s music lit up the airwaves and warmed hearts across America.

Acclaimed performer Rick Schuler brings it all roaring back to life in a holiday concert you’ll be talking about for months. Sing along to the Denver classics you know by heart: “Rocky Mountain High,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Annie’s Song,” and “Sunshine On My Shoulders,” – each one more stirring than the last.

Then prepare for pure holiday magic as the evening pays loving tribute to Denver’s legendary Christmas specials. Picture the warmth of seasonal treasures like “Aspenglow,” “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World,” and “Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire” – the perfect soundtrack to the most wonderful time of the year.

Whether you’re a lifelong superfan or first-time listener, it doesn’t matter. You’ll walk out inspired, uplifted, and bursting with holiday cheer. This is a celebration for all ages, and the one show this season you absolutely cannot miss. Come experience the magic of John Denver, live! 

RICK SCHULER
Rick Schuler emerged as the leading performer of John Denver’s music almost four decades ago. His Rocky Mountain High Experience® is just that – a true experience. Even Denver’s bandmates sing Schuler’s praises. He not only sings, sounds, and looks like Denver, he shares his humanitarian spirit and incorporates his global works into the show. He performs in front of thousands of Denver fans at such wide-ranging venues as performing arts centers, theatres, and outdoor festival stages, and has been featured on nationally syndicated television and radio shows. Also, Rick was chosen to open and close the major Hollywood film release of Grace and Grit (2021), starring Mena Suvari and Frances Fisher among others and directed by Sebastian Siegel. For more information on Rick Schuler, visit https://www.rickschulermusic.com

Cincinnati Arts Association SPONSORS 

The Cincinnati Arts Association is supported [in part] by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Season Sponsors:  AMERITAS (Founding Season Sponsor), MIAMI UNIVERSITY, ARTSWAVE, LOCAL 12 WKRC-TV, The P&G FUND of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, TRIHEALTH 

SEASON PRESENTING SPONSORS:  21C Museum Hotel, Bahl & Gaynor, CityBeat, Harlan Graphics, Heidelberg Distributing, Kinley Cincinnati, The Party Source, Pepsi, Summerfair Cincinnati

#  #  #

CALENDAR INFORMATION

WHAT:                Rocky Mountain High Experience®: A John Denver Christmas

WHEN:                Friday, December 18, 2026 – 7:30 PM

Saturday, December 19, 2026 – 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

WHERE:              Aronoff Center – Jarson-Kaplan Theater

INFO:                  This magical and intimate concert experience will take you back to the ’70s when John Denver’s music permeated the airways and spanned the radio dial. Rick Schuler’s enchanting holiday show features all your favorite Denver hits, plus many of the heartwarming, inspirational carols and holiday classics from his memorable TV specials and Christmas albums.

TICKET INFORMATION – on sale Friday, June 26 at 10:00 AM

• www.CincinnatiArts.org  
• (513) 621-ARTS [2787]
• Aronoff Center Ticket Office
• Group sales (10 or more): (513) 977-4155