INCLUDING FIRST PERFORMANCES IN THE NEW ROUSE THEATRE
CINCINNATI (Feb. 10, 2022) – Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park has announced the lineup of shows for its 2022-23 season, including the first in its new state-of-the-art Rouse Theatre. The 2022-23 mainstage season will feature eight shows, several of which the Playhouse will stage at venues around Greater Cincinnati in the fall of 2022 as construction of the Rouse Theatre is completed.
The Rouse Theatre will open in March 2023 with a new production of the musical A Chorus Line. The season also includes an Agatha Christie mystery, another chapter in August Wilson’s American Century Cycle and two world premieres, including a fresh take on the classic Western Shane from acclaimed playwright Karen Zacarías.
“From our grand opening production of A Chorus Line to exciting world premieres and new work, the 2022-23 season embodies the very best of American theatre and celebrates the rich diversity of our world,” said Blake Robison, producing artistic director. “Our new facility will serve the entire Cincinnati arts and culture community. We are eager to open our doors, share resources and highlight the work of so many outstanding artists.”
The 2022-23 season lineup features:
OFF-SITE PERFORMANCES – FALL 2022
- Agatha Christie’s masterpiece mystery, Murder on the Orient Express takes audiences on a thrilling ride with Ken Ludwig’s adaptation at the Aronoff Center’s Jarson-Kaplan Theatre.
- The iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo comes to life with incredible vibrancy in Frida…A Self Portrait, written and performed by Vanessa Severo, at The Carnegie Theatre in Covington, Kentucky.
- In an exclusive engagement of a new production, The Lion tells an intimate musical tale about one man’s courage and the redemptive power of music at the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater in Price Hill.
- In addition, the Playhouse’s Off the Grid Series will present two immersive theatrical experiences in the fall:
- Haunted Corn Maze is an all-new, immersive experience that promises chilling stories and festive frights aplenty in the corn maze at Berger Farm and Gardens on weekends in October.
- Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig’s Holiday Party will ring in the holiday season in December with an immersive Victorian-era party experience at The Phoenix event space downtown.
ROUSE THEATRE GRAND OPENING SEASON
- A Chorus Line, bursts with artistic passion as it opens the Rouse Theatre in March 2023.
- Another chapter of the American Century Cycle unfolds in August Wilson’s Seven Guitars.
- One of the greatest Westerns of all time is given new life by Karen Zacarías in Shane — a co-commission with the Guthrie Theater.
ROSENTHAL SHELTERHOUSE THEATRE SEASON
- Lloyd Suh’s The Chinese Lady paints a darkly poetic yet whimsical portrait of the first Chinese woman to step foot on U.S. soil.
- Origin Story is a world premiere comedy from playwright Nathan Alan Davis that answers life’s biggest questions in surprising ways.
“With our robust schedule of fall events, we’re deepening our roots in the community like never before,” Robison said. “The stages may be different, but the quality of artistry and the innovative spirit of our community events remain the same.”
Derek Snow.
Robison also announced two new community-based initiatives that will begin after the opening of the new mainstage theatre complex in 2023:
- The Resident Artists program will enable local artists to utilize Playhouse resources to enhance their own creative endeavors. Cincinnati-based theatre artists Curtis D. Shepard and Derek J. Snow will make up the inaugural cohort for the new program. Both Shepard and Snow have worked extensively in the Greater Cincinnati area as actors, directors and playwrights and have recently received national attention for their work with The Breath Project.
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Curtis D. Shepard
Meetup Mondays will host small arts and cultural organizations in need of a venue, hold discussions and events, offer enrichment opportunities and more. Further details on Meetup Mondays will be announced later.
“Our plan is to share our space with artists and community organizations,” said Robison. “Partnerships like these keep Cincinnati’s arts community rich with talent and collaboration.”
A full listing of the season with dates, directors, sponsors and descriptions is included below.
Subscriptions to the 2022-23 season go on sale in early March. The Rouse Theatre season subscription package will include Murder on the Orient Express. Seating in the new Rouse Theatre will begin in the spring after the renewal process for current subscribers is complete. The Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre package includes Frida…A Self Portrait and The Lion. Build Your Own Series packages allow a minimum of three shows from either theatre.
Individual tickets for fall productions, including Off the Grid, are expected to go on sale this summer, and individual tickets for the Rouse and Rosenthal Shelterhouse theatres will go on sale sometime in the winter. COVID-19 health and safety guidelines for next season are unknown and will be announced later.
For more information, visit cincyplay.com or call the Box Office at 513-421-3888 or 800-582-3208 toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Patrons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled dial 711 to connect to the Box Office via Ohio Relay Services. The Playhouse is fully accessible.
SEASON SPONSORS
Rouse Theatre Season presented by Schueler Group
Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre Season presented by Margaret and Albert Vontz III
Season Sponsor of New Work: The Rosenthal Family Foundation
OFF-SITE PERFORMANCES – FALL 2022
Andrew May as Hercule Poirot in the Indiana Repertory Theatre 2020 production of Agatha Christie’s MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS. Photo by Zach Rosing.
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig
Directed by Risa Brainin
Sponsored by U.S. Bank
Sept. 25 – Oct. 23, 2022
Jarson-Kaplan Theater at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
SHORT DESCRIPTION
Whodunit? Detective Hercule Poirot is determined to find out in Agatha Christie’s thrilling murder mystery. Ten passengers board the luxurious Orient Express. But after the train unexpectedly stops in the isolated, snow-swept mountains, only nine of them are still alive. This masterpiece from the world’s most popular mystery writer promises a suspenseful evening of theatre that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
ONE-LINER
Whodunit? Detective Hercule Poirot is determined to find out in this masterpiece from the world’s most popular mystery writer.
Vanessa Severo in the Portland Center Stage 2021 production of FRIDA…A SELF PORTRAIT. Photo by Owen Carey.
FRIDA…A SELF PORTRAIT
Written and performed by Vanessa Severo
Directed by Associate Artistic Director Joanie Schultz
Sponsored by Digi and Mike Schueler
Oct. 15 – Nov. 6, 2022
The Carnegie Theatre, 1028 Scott St, Covington, KY 41011
Short Description
Frida Kahlo, the iconic Mexican painter, captured the difficulties and wonders of her life with incredible vibrancy. Now, she comes to life onstage through playwright and performer Vanessa Severo. With music and movement, this searing new play cracks open a powerful portal between Vanessa and Frida bringing breathtaking physicality and raw honesty to this stunningly creative production.
One-liner
Iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo comes to life onstage with breathtaking physicality and raw honesty in this stunningly creative production.
THE LION
By Benjamin Scheuer
Directed by Sean Daniels and Alex Stenhouse
Sponsored by Chemed
Nov. 12 – Dec. 4, 2022
Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, 801 Matson Pl, Cincinnati, OH 45204
Short Description
An exclusive Playhouse engagement, The Lion features a singer-songwriter who shares the turbulent story of his family and his own brush with mortality. Six guitars accompany him as he explores love, loss and the redemptive power of music through heartrending monologues and original songs. Hailed by critics as a “wondrous” and “spellbinding” experience, The Lion redefines the genre of musical theatre.
One-liner
An exclusive Playhouse engagement, a singer-songwriter shares the story of his family through heartrending monologues and original songs.
Off The Grid Events – Sponsored by First Financial Bank
HAUNTED CORN MAZE
Friday and Saturday evenings, October 7 – Oct. 30, 2022
Berger Farm and Garden Center, 7849 Main St. (RT 32), Cincinnati, OH 45244
The fields of Berger Farm and Garden Center still have many spooky tales to tell. This all-new, immersive experience promises chilling stories and festive frights aplenty! These haunted corn maze performances coincide with Berger Farm’s annual Fall Fun Festival and take place on Friday and Saturday nights across four weekends in October. In addition to the interactive experience in the corn maze, guests can enjoy a hot drink station, a bonfire pit and hay bales.
MR. AND MRS. FEZZIWIG’S HOLIDAY PARTY
December 14 – 18, 2022
The Phoenix, 812 Race Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
You’re invited to ring in the holiday season with Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig! Everyone’s favorite hosts from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol invite you to this Victorian-era party featuring beverages, a buffet and festive activities like parlor games, Victorian dances, a puppet show and more. Take it all in at your leisure as actors perform throughout the stately event spaces at The Phoenix, creating a truly immersive theatrical celebration for the holidays.
2022-23 ROUSE THEATRE GRAND OPENING SEASON
The Singular Sensations present
A CHORUS LINE
Conceived and Originally Directed and Choreographed by Michael Bennett
Book by James Kirkwood and Nicolas Dante
Music by Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics by Edward Kleban
Directed by Blake Robison
March 11 – April 14, 2023
Short Description
Celebrate the grand opening of the Rouse Theatre with one singular sensation! Winner of 10 Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize, A Chorus Line finds 17 dancers competing for a role in a new Broadway musical. Heartfelt monologues and beloved musical numbers like “At the Ballet,” “The Music and the Mirror” and “What I Did for Love” underscore this timeless experience that’s bursting with artistic passion.
One-liner
Celebrate the grand opening of the Rouse Theatre with the sensational, Tony Award-winning musical that bursts with artistic passion.
The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation presents
AUGUST WILSON’S
SEVEN GUITARS
Directed by Ron “OJ” Parson
April 22 – May 14, 2023
Short Description
It’s 1948 in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, and a group of old friends gathers to mourn and reminisce about Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton — a gifted guitarist whose untimely death has irrevocably changed each of them. With live blues and lyrical dialogue, August Wilson’s Tony Award-winning play — a part of his American Century Cycle — promises a soulful exploration of the ties that bind and the chords that hold us together.
One-liner
With live blues and lyrical dialogue, August Wilson’s Tony Award-winning play promises a soulful exploration of the ties that bind and the chords that hold us together.
SHANE
By Karen Zacarías, Playhouse Associate Artist
Directed by Blake Robison
Co-Commissioned by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and the Guthrie Theater
Sponsored by Johnson Investment Counsel and Clark Schaefer Hackett
June 3 – 25, 2023
WORLD PREMIERE
Short Description
One of the greatest Westerns of all time finds new life on the stage! Shane, a mysterious ex-gunfighter, is a man with a dangerous past. Yet, the Starrett family finds kinship with him, and Shane helps protect their Wyoming farm in 1889. Based on the classic novel by Jack Schaefer, this world premiere by acclaimed playwright Karen Zacarías brings an exciting, fresh perspective to an extraordinary American genre.
One-liner
One of the greatest Westerns of all time finds new life on the stage with a fresh perspective from acclaimed playwright Karen Zacarías.
2022-23 ROSENTHAL SHELTERHOUSE THEATRE SEASON
THE CHINESE LADY
By Lloyd Suh
Sponsored by Ohio National Financial Services
March 25 – April 30, 2023
Short Description
Afong Moy is 14 years old when she’s brought to the United States in 1834 and placed on public display as “The Chinese Lady” — supposedly the first to step foot on U.S. soil. Decade after decade, she performs as a living exhibit. Inspired by the true story of Afong Moy’s life, The Chinese Lady is a darkly poetic yet whimsical portrait of our collective past through the eyes of a young Chinese woman.
One-liner
The Chinese Lady is a darkly poetic yet whimsical story about Afong Moy — supposedly the first Chinese woman to step foot on U.S. soil in 1834.
ORIGIN STORY
By Nathan Alan Davis
Directed by Associate Artistic Director Joanie Schultz
May 20 – June 25, 2023
WORLD PREMIERE
Short Description
In this heartfelt, world premiere comedy, Margaret finds herself in a quarter-life crisis, wading through banal office triviality by day and the slow-moving graveyard shift at a drive-thru by night. She yearns to belong somewhere, and so do the coworkers and customers who she interacts with every day. With delightfully unexpected turns and an ensemble of endearing characters, Origin Story is a touching tale about life’s biggest questions and the surprising ways we find the answers.
One-liner
With delightfully unexpected turns and an ensemble of endearing characters, Origin Story is a world premiere comedy about life’s biggest questions and the surprising ways we find the answers.
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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CINCINNATI (Feb. 1, 2022) Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s Off the Grid series returns for its fifth year of interactive, site-specific programming with four upcoming events, starting with “Top Mom and Pop” the weekend of Feb. 25 and 26 at Garage on York in Newport, KY.
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) and is committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion in all areas of its work, both on and offstage. Qualified individuals who bring diverse perspectives and life experiences to the workplace are especially encouraged to apply.
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