Tag Archives: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

This Off-Broadway and West End hit comes to Cincinnati, just in time for spooky season! 

Cincinnati, October 2, 2025 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to present Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, playing September 5 – 20, 2025 and directed by Producing Artistic Director and CEO, Brian Isaac Phillips. This production is generously sponsored by Rance and Marilyn Duke.

About the show: Sink your teeth into a hilarious new take on the world’s most famous vampire! Filled with outrageous twists, playful innuendo, and more laughs than you can count, this delightful romp reimagines Bram Stoker’s gothic classic like you’ve never seen before. This dangerously debonair Dracula brings seductive chaos, proving that sometimes the Prince of Darkness can be as captivating as he is cunning. Join the hilarious hunt this Halloween season, where the only thing sharper than Dracula’s fangs are the gags that’ll leave you in stitches. Don’t miss the riotous ride that’s sure to leave you howling with laughter! 

Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors premiered Off-Broadway at New World Stages on September 4, 2023, where it quickly gained popularity with critics and audiences for its fast-paced farce and campy spin on Bram Stoker’s classic. The production became a viral sensation and went on to enjoy strong success in regional theatres across the U.S. Following its New York run, it made its UK premiere in March 2025 at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, marking a significant step in its international reach and continued popularity.

Bringing the outrageous world of Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors to life is a stellar cast of CSC favorites. Christopher Guthrie sinks his teeth into the title role of Count Dracula, while Kelly Mengelkoch showcases her versatility as both Mina Westfeldt and the fearless Dr. Van Helsing. Candice Handy takes on the role of Jonathan Harker, with Jasmine Bouldin as the spirited Lucy Westfeldt. Rounding out the ensemble, Billy Chace delivers double the laughs as both Dr. Westfeldt and the delightfully unhinged Renfield.

Directed by CSC Producing Artistic Director and CEO Brian Isaac Phillips, with Assistant Director Robert Carlton Stimmel, this creative team is bringing Halloween hilarity to life! Scenic Designer Chris Holloway sets the stage for comedic chaos, while Costume Designer Rainy Edwards—along with Kayla Cieslinski’s wig design—gives Dracula and the cast their iconic looks. Lighting Designer Aiden Bezark and Sound Designer Doug Borntrager add to the fun with a playful mix of gags and sound effects. Properties Designer Robert Carlton Stimmel provides the cast with an assortment of whimsical props, including puppets designed by Matthew Lewis Johnson. Gina Cerimele-Mechley serves as Fight and Intimacy Director, and Susan Jung brings movement to the stage as Dance Choreographer. The production is stage managed by Cole Sweasy, with Assistant Stage Management by Colton Wolf.

Content Advisory: Contains adult humor and situations, PG-13 recommended. Includes flashing lights and loud noises.

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Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors runs from October 3 – November 1, 2025. Performances of Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors are on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with two Saturday Matinees on October 25 and November 1 and three Sunday matinee on October 12, 19, and 26 at 2:00 PM. CSC offers performances with accessibility resources. Live Audio Descriptions are available on October 3, and there is a Sign Language Interpreted performance on November 1.

Tickets are on sale now. Preview performances are on Wednesday, October 1, and Thursday, October 2, with half price tickets. Discounts are available for students, seniors, local residents, and community partners. Each performance night has a limited number of $14 “Access” tickets.  These can be purchased in advance by going online or calling the Box Office.  And starting 1 hour before each performance, any unreserved tickets may be available as a discounted Rush Ticket to anyone, not just students. These tickets are only $12 and could be located anywhere in the house, depending on that evening’s availability. These cannot be reserved more than 1 hour before a show and must be purchased in person in the Box Office. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Ticketing fees apply. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at www.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 http://www.otrchamber.com/pages/WheretoPark.

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 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.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2025-2026 Season 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 National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest; 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!

This extraordinary gift is the largest bequest ever made to Cincinnati Shakespeare Company 

CINCINNATI, OH (September 18, 2025) — Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (CSC) is humbled to announce a $1,000,000 bequest from longtime friend, patron, and supporter Virginia “Jinny” Browning. This extraordinary gift – the largest bequest ever made to CSC – will strengthen CSC’s programming, operations, and endowment, helping ensure that the power of live classical theatre will inspire and connect generations to come.

Jinny’s relationship with CSC began in 2012, when she saw Producing Artistic Director and CEO Brian Isaac Phillips perform in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. From that night on, she became not only a faithful audience member but also a dedicated donor. Her generosity touched nearly every part of CSC: she provided annual support for operations, invested in the campaign to build the Otto M. Budig Theater, and, most importantly, offered friendship, encouragement, and belief in the Company’s mission.

“Our dear friend Jinny was incredibly generous to CSC in so many ways,” said Brian Isaac Phillips. “Her time, her expertise, and her passion helped make CSC a better place. I am humbled that she chose to remember CSC in this meaningful way. She will always be a part of who we are and what we do.”

For many at CSC, Jinny was more than a patron—she was family. In one memory, Sara Clark, CSC’s Director of Development, visited Jinny at her home in Maysville, Kentucky. Together with a colleague, she performed the famous Romeo and Juliet balcony scene right in Jinny’s living room. “That’s the kind of supporter Jinny was,” Clark recalled. “She welcomed us into her home, celebrated the art we created, and made sure it would thrive long into the future. Her bequest is an act of love as much as generosity.”

Jinny’s gift also shines a light on CSC’s growing Planned Giving program, which invites supporters to make a lasting difference by including CSC in their estate plans. Donors inspired by Jinny’s example can learn more at cincyshakes.com/Legacy or reach out directly to Sara Clark at sara.clark@cincyshakes.com for a confidential conversation.

“We hope Jinny’s generosity encourages others to imagine the legacy they can leave,” Clark added. “Her gift ensures that CSC will continue bringing people together for Shakespeare and the classics for years to come.”

Virginia Browning’s full obituary is available here.

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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!

Brent Vimtrup as Doctor Thomas Stockmann. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

When a doctor exposes a public health danger, the community rallies—not around the science, but against the scientist 

Cincinnati, September 3, 2025 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to present Amy Herzog’s new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, playing September 5 – 20, 2025 and directed by Producing Artistic Director and CEO, Brian Isaac Phillips. An Enemy of the People is generously sponsored by Rance and Marilyn Duke and President H. James Williams and First Lady Carole Campbell Williams of Mount St. Joseph University.

Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People premiered in 1882 in Norway and quickly became one of his most enduring and controversial works. The play has been revisited across centuries for its sharp commentary on truth, corruption, and the conflict between the common good and economic self-interest.

Amy Herzog’s acclaimed new adaptation, which premiered on Broadway in 2024 starring Jeremy Strong (Succession) and Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos), was heralded by critics for its urgent resonance and incisive dialogue. The New York Times called Herzog’s version “an electrifying revival that makes Ibsen feel written for today.” Cincinnati audiences will now experience this remarkable new play just one year after its Broadway success.

When a doctor discovers a shocking secret about his community’s prized health resort, he becomes determined to expose the truth—even if it means turning the entire town against him. With family, friendship, and the price of integrity hanging in the balance, An Enemy of the People is a riveting exploration of what happens when one person’s truth becomes a community’s greatest threat. A timeless masterpiece that asks how far we are willing to go to stand up for what’s right.

The cast at CSC features many familiar faces. Brent Vimtrup returns as Dr. Thomas Stockmann, who uncovers a dangerous truth that threatens to destroy his community. Guest Artistic Associate Matthew Lewis Johnson plays his brother, Mayor Peter Stockmann, who fears the economic consequences of the discovery. Jasimine Bouldin appears as Petra Stockmann, Dr. Stockmann’s daughter and fiercest supporter. Montez Jenkins Copeland, Patrick Earl Phillips, and Barry Mulholland portray Hovstad, Billing, and Aslaksen, respectively, with Jim Hopkins as Morten Kiil and Sylvester Little Jr. as Captain Horster.

The production’s creative team includes Jon Savage returning as Scenic Designer after last season’s thrilling Macbeth. Erin Reed Carter and Baxter Chambers make their CSC debuts as Costume Designer and Lighting Designer, respectively, with Zack Bennett as Sound Designer and Alice Hopkins as Properties Designer. The show is stage managed by Danitza Piper with Tessa Killen as Assistant Stage Manager.

This production of An Enemy of the People is staged in the round, with the audience seated on all sides of the stage for an intimate and immersive perspective. A limited number of $14 Access Tickets are available for on-stage seating, giving theatergoers a rare chance to sit within the world of the play itself and experience the drama unfolding just steps away.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is also proud to highlight two special community partnerships during this production. The printing and letterpress artifacts on stage are on loan from the Cincinnati Type & Print Museum, a working museum in Lower Price Hill that preserves the city’s rich printing history while training individuals in valuable job and life skills. CSC is also partnering with the Mill Creek Alliance, whose mission is to protect and enhance the value of Mill Creek and its watershed. Representatives from the Alliance will host an information table at the Young Professionals Preview Night on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, sharing ways we can all work together to keep our community’s water healthy.

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An Enemy of the People runs from September 5 – 20, 2025. Performances of An Enemy of the People are on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with two Saturday Matinees on September 13 & 20 and one Sunday matinee on September 14 at 2:00 PM. CSC offers performances with accessibility resources. Live Audio Descriptions are available on September 5, and there is a Sign Language Interpreted performance on September 20.

Tickets are on sale now. Preview performances are on Wednesday, September 3, and Thursday, September 4, with half price tickets. Discounts are available for students, seniors, local residents, and community partners. Each performance night has a limited number of $14 “Access” tickets.  These can be purchased in advance by going online or calling the Box Office.  And starting 1 hour before each performance, any unreserved tickets may be available as a discounted Rush Ticket to anyone, not just students. These tickets are only $12 and could be located anywhere in the house, depending on that evening’s availability. These cannot be reserved more than 1 hour before a show and must be purchased in person in the Box Office. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Ticketing fees apply. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at http://www.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 http://www.otrchamber.com/pages/WheretoPark.

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 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.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s 2025-2026 Season 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 National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest; 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!