Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s all-new mainstage theatre complex designed by BHDP Architecture. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.
CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park announced its 2023-2024 season today, including an all-new production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL specially designed for Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre, which opened in March. The season also includes the return of RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH, a world premiere adaptation of DRACULA and regional premieres of modern stories from Pulitzer-winning playwrights including Lynn Nottage.
“Our 2023-24 season promises to inspire, entertain, celebrate our differences and lift up our shared humanity,” says Blake Robison, Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director. “It features stories that feel familiar, that stand the test of time, and that are fresh and contemporary. We’re looking forward to the first full season in our mainstage theatre complex with a lineup of shows that exemplifies the best of American theatre.”
The 2023-24 Season includes:
- The return of the toe-tapping, soul-stirring musical biography RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH.
- Unmissable modern stories from three powerhouse playwrights who have each earned Pulitzer Prize acclaim, including Martyna Majok’s SANCTUARY CITY, Lynn Nottage’s CLYDE’S and Zora Howard’s STEW.
- A world premiere adaptation of the vampiric classic DRACULA, brought back to life with humor and thrills by playwright/performer Vanessa Severo (Frida…A Self Portrait) and Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Joanie Schultz
- Chaim Potok’s timeless story about the human ability to reach out across differences through an exploration of Jewish culture in THE CHOSEN.
- Stories that will capture your heart and make you laugh like the love story in VIETGONE and the interactive Catholic comedy of LATE NIGHT CATECHISM.
2023-24 ROUSE THEATRE SEASON
Presented by Schueler Group
RING OF FIRE: THE MUSIC OF JOHNNY CASH
Created by Richard Maltby, Jr.
Conceived by William Meade
Directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge
Aug. 26 – Oct. 1, 2023
Sponsored by U.S. Bank
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
The hit musical returns! Ring of Fire celebrates the iconic Johnny Cash — the Man in Black. As the story of Cash’s life unfolds, five actor-musicians deliver crowd-pleasing renditions of Cash’s musical catalog, including “I Walk the Line,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I’ve Been Everywhere” and, of course, “Ring of Fire.” Revisit this toe-tapping, soul-stirring musical biography like never before in The Rouse Theatre!
ONE-LINER:
Celebrate the music of Johnny Cash in this toe-tapping, soul-stirring musical biography.
CLYDE’S
By Lynn Nottage
Directed by Timothy Douglas
Oct. 14 – Nov. 5. 2023
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Every sandwich has a story at Clyde’s, a truck-stop operated by a group of people recently released from prison. Under the no-nonsense authority of Clyde, the small kitchen crew finds purpose through the art of sandwich-making. As they express themselves creatively, the crew attempts to reclaim their lives in this witty and inspiring dramedy from two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage.
ONE-LINER
A crew of people recently released from prison find purpose in the art of sandwich making in this witty and inspiring dramedy.
First Financial Bank presents
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
By Charles Dickens
Adapted and Directed by Blake Robison
Nov. 24 – Dec. 30, 2023
(Tickets not included in regular season subscriptions, but subscribers get first access.)
SHORT DESCRIPTION:
The holiday story you love unfolds in spectacular fashion with a brand-new production specially designed for Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre! Charles Dickens’ classic tale of the curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge combines with dazzling new set, costume and lighting designs for a magical holiday experience like never before!
ONE-LINER:
The holiday story you love unfolds in spectacular fashion with a brand-new production specially designed for Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre.
Leading Ladies presents
DRACULA
A world premiere
By Vanessa Severo in collaboration with Joanie Schultz
Directed by Joanie Schultz and Vanessa Severo
Feb. 3 – March 3, 2024
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Bram Stoker’s classic vampire tale comes back to life in this evocative world premiere where everyone has a secret…and those secrets are deadly. Tensions rise and temptation lures the characters into double lives as they unmask one man, Count Dracula. Pulsing with humor, humanity and blood-curdling thrills, this bold and highly theatrical re-telling breathes new life and new blood into the most famous vampire story of all time.
ONE LINER
Pulsing with humor, humanity and blood-curdling thrills, this bold and highly theatrical world premiere breathes new life and new blood into the most famous vampire story of all time.
THE CHOSEN
By Aaron Posner and Chaim Potok
Directed by Aaron Posner
April 13 – May 12, 2024
SHORT DESCRIPTION
How can two directly opposing ideas exist together? Chaim Potok’s classic novel intimately explores such complex and thought-provoking questions as it comes to life on stage. It’s 1940s Brooklyn, and two boys from two very different Jewish communities forge a life-changing friendship. This hugely popular adaptation is a heartfelt exploration of Jewish culture and the human ability to reach out across differences.
ONE-LINER
This thought-provoking adaptation of Chaim Potok’s classic novel is a heartfelt exploration of Jewish culture and the human ability to reach out across differences.
2023-24 ROSENTHAL SHELTERHOUSE THEATRE SEASON
Presented by the Vontz Family
SANCTUARY CITY
By Martyna Majok
Directed by Kareem Fahmy
Sept. 16 – Oct. 22, 2023
Sponsored by Digi and Mike Schueler
SHORT DESCRIPTION
In this strikingly intimate play, two young people become one another’s sanctuaries as the children of U.S. immigrants in the wake of 9/11. Through years of late-night conversations, they see each other through adolescence and fight to find their place in the world. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok has created a searing and unconventional love story that’s as timely as it is unforgettable.
ONE-LINER
This unconventional love story about two children of U.S. immigrants fighting to find their place in the world is as timely as it is unforgettable.
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM
By Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan
Nov. 3 – Dec. 17, 2023
SHORT DESCRIPTION
One of the longest running shows in Chicago and U.S. theatre history, this one-nun comedy is part catechism class, part stand-up routine. A playful and compassionate send-up of Catholic culture, the audience becomes Sister’s class in this uproarious piece of interactive theatre. The Hollywood Reporter said it’s “a laugh-filled evening for all cultures, classes and religions.”
ONE-LINER
A playful and compassionate send-up of Catholic culture, the audience becomes Sister’s class in this uproarious piece of interactive theatre.
STEW
By Zora Howard
Directed by Stori Ayres
March 2 – April 7, 2024
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Three generations of Black women gather in Mama’s kitchen to cook an important meal — and things are about to boil over. As they take turns preparing a stew, closely held details of their lives rise slowly to the surface. Stew tells a captivating, funny and intimate story about the relationship between mothers, daughters and the realities that bind them together.
ONE-LINER
Three generations of Black women gather in Mama’s kitchen to cook an important meal, and closely held details of their lives rise slowly to the surface.
VIETGONE
By Qui Nguyen
Directed by Joanie Schultz
April 27 – June 2, 2024
SHORT DESCRIPTION
An all-American love story about two very new Americans. Vietgone tells a partially true and endlessly entertaining tale of how the playwright’s parents met in a refugee relocation camp in Arkansas during the Vietnam War. With irreverent humor, hip-hop and heightened theatrical storytelling, this original story reinvents the romantic comedy genre and captures your heart.
ONE-LINER
This all-American love story about two very new Americans reinvents the romantic comedy genre and captures your heart.
2023-24 SEASON SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION:
Season subscribers who renew by June 2 can save their existing seats or make requests to change them. Subscribers also enjoy exclusive benefits with the best prices, payment installments, discounted parking and more. And only subscribers get first access to tickets for our brand-new adaptation of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, which was specially designed to make the most of the enhanced theatrical capabilities in the Rouse Theatre. Purchase A CHRISTMAS CAROL with your subscription and add the cost to your payment plan (Tickets for A CHRISTMAS CAROL are not part of the season subscription offerings.)
Subscriptions can be purchased by visiting the Playhouse website at www.cincyplay.com or by calling the Box Office at 513-421-3888 or 800-582-3208 toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. For TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) access, call 513-345-2248. The Playhouse is fully accessible.
2023-2024 OUTREACH TOUR SEASON
In addition to full seasons in the Rouse and Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatres, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will present new Off the Hill outreach productions that will perform at schools and community theatres throughout the region. For more information on outreach touring plays, visit cincyplay.com.
THE VELVETEEN RABBIT
By Saskia Janse
Based on the book by Margery Williams
Produced by special arrangement with Plays for New Audiences
Schools: Sept. 25 – Nov. 10, 2023
Off the Hill (at various community theatres across the region): Oct. 6 – Nov. 4, 2023
Jamie receives a velveteen rabbit for Christmas, but he prefers his mechanical toys which seem more “real.” The Velveteen Rabbit is sad that he is not loved by Jamie and is instead tossed in his already full toy cupboard. But another toy, Skin Horse teaches Rabbit that what makes a toy real is when its owner truly loves it. When Jamie’s china dog is misplaced, the Velveteen Rabbit becomes Jamie’s constant companion. Even though the Rabbit becomes shabby, Jamie continues to love him no matter what.
THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
By le Clanche du Rand
Based on the book by C.S. Lewis
Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois
Schools: March 18 – May 10, 2024
Off the Hill (at various community theatres across the region): March 29 – May 11, 2024
The classic C.S. Lewis story gets an entertaining and innovative treatment in this two-actor adaptation. The heroic tale of love, faith, courage and giving; the life and death struggle for control of Narnia and the grandeur of the triumph of good over evil has enthralled audiences of all ages.
The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of almost 40,000 contributors to 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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This spring, we brought our once-in-a-generation project to a close with the opening of the Mainstage Theatre Complex, featuring Moe and Jack’s Place – The Rouse Theatre. Now, we’re looking forward to the first full season in our new home with a lineup of shows that exemplifies the best of American theatre and takes advantage of all the enhanced theatre technology our new, state-of-the art facility provides.
Nate the Great is on the case! When Annie tells Nate that her new painting has gone missing, the world’s greatest boy detective sets out to solve the mystery. He tracks down clues and puts suspects to the test — and then, another mystery unfolds. Nate finds himself facing the biggest challenge of his career. And worse yet, Mom is all out of pancakes!
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 