STAGE FRIGHT: Tales of Drama and Mystery
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
Nov. 1
[Over-the-Rhine]
Dare to be scared? Join us for a night of spooky storytelling with some of your favorite local actors! Keep the haunted vibes alive by wearing your best costume—you just might get to tell your own spine-chilling tale. Enjoy tasty bites, wicked drink specials, and an exclusive first look at our upcoming regional premiere musical, The House on Watch Hill!
Filed under Events
By Katrina “Kat” Reynold
NEXT TO NORMAL presented by Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati through October 11th (extended). I attended the Opening Night performance.
In celebration of its 40th Season (way to go, ETC!), Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati presents a re-mount of one of its most popular productions: NEXT TO NORMAL with music by Tom Kitt and book & lyrics by Brian Yorkey. The 2010 Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama is the story of a family and how they navigate everyday – and not-so-everyday – troubles. Director D. Lynn Meyers (along with Assistant Directors Emily England and Becca Schall) give us a rock opera about mental health and its casualties at its finest.
Ms. Meyers truly encompasses everything a director should be: her vision goes above and beyond what most of us civilians could comprehend. In a show of this magnitude, it is safe to say that the production elements themselves are also important characters. It should come as no surprise that ETC delivers on all fronts. (I’m waiting for my partner in crime to tire of the fact that I will not shut up about an ETC set every single time I enter their theatre.) Scenic Designer Brian c. Mehring clearly understood the assignment with his appropriately stark and sleek blueprint of a set. Its design is solid (thanks to Carpenters Jeremiah Plessinger and Nathan Neorr) and its aesthetics (thanks to Scenic Charge Artist Rae Mack Kuhn) complement the lighting effects (executed flawlessly by Light Board Operator Allyson van Haaren and Spot Light Operators Krishangi Allin and Maximus Winski).
The set (and cast!) of NEXT TO NORMAL. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.
Music Director Steve Goers wields his magic once more in this strong ensemble piece. Mr. Goers has an enviable musicality and has been able to produce a simply stunning cacophony of emotionally-driven voices. (Particular shout-out to a seamless harmonic symphony in Act II’s “Song of Forgetting”.) His keyboard is supported by the following adept musicians: Aaron Almashy on guitar, William Mullen on drums, and Matt Wiles on bass.
This cast of six performing artists is an embarrassment of riches for lucky audiences. At the helm is Jessica Hendy as Diana, a woman struggling with a bi-polar diagnosis and the challenges of life as a wife and mother. Ms. Hendy has a clear, effortless voice rife with a deep emotional understanding of the material she is performing. Taking on the role of Diana’s husband Dan is Charlie Clark. Mr. Clark tackles probably the toughest character arc in the show and does so with incredible instincts and flawless portrayal.
My personal pick for stand-out performance is Julianne Ferguson in the role of Natalie. This talented CCM student commands the stage as the overachieving daughter who is just trying to find her place in life. Ms. Ferguson’s vocal talent is beyond her years: excellent control and filled with thoughtfulness. This will no doubt be one of many professional appearances for this up-and-coming artist.
Julianne Ferguson as Natalie and Charlie Clark as Dan. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.
Rounding out the ensemble are Carter Minor with an endearing turn as Henry; Jameson Zoller whose performance as Gabe is energetic and emphatic; and Rory Sheridan coming in like a hurricane as both Dr. Madden and Dr. Fine (and he is fine). Cheers to a superb ensemble!
Everyone can find something or someone in this story with whom they can empathize. Whether you’ve seen it before or this would be your first time, NEXT TO NORMAL is absolutely one of those shows you should make a priority. You will cry your heart out and then you will thank the performers for making it happen.
Click here for more information about the production.
Filed under Reviews
(Cincinnati, OH) Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) is pleased to announce the winner of the seventh annual PLAY/write: The Jackie Demaline Regional Collegiate Playwriting Competition. The annual collegiate competition nurtures local aspiring dramatists who are helping to shape the future of American theatre and provides a $2,500 juried cash award to support the early work and career of each winner along with staged professional readings of their scripts.
The winner of this year’s prize is Dinithi Fernando (University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music) for her play Be Patient, My Little Grasshopper, which will receive a full-length professional reading on Sunday, October 19 at 2:00 pm at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati.
The panel of judges would also like to recognize Iris Shipley (CCM) as the runner up for her play Last Call.
About the Competition
The competition commemorates the life and work of writer, critic, and theatre enthusiast Jackie Demaline. A passionate arts advocate, Ms. Demaline served as an important catalyst for change in the theater community and was an entertainment writer and editor for numerous publications. Her legacy lives on through this competition, providing professional development for emerging writers, amplifying new voices and perspectives, and kick-starting arts careers.
About the Play
Be Patient, My Little Grasshopper by Dinithi Fernando is a new dramedy that explores first relationships, identity, and how Sri Lankan culture wrestles with trauma. Lakshani has loved her college experience so far: she’s thriving with new friends, balancing family visits, and dreaming of the future. Then she meets him. Charming, funny, irresistible . . . until he isn’t. What starts as flirtation turns dark as his attention becomes dangerous. Lakshani is caught between her family’s expectations, her own fears, and the terrifying reality of a stalker who won’t let go. Can she confide in her parents? Will she find a way to break free? Or will silence put her—and everyone around her—at risk?
About the Playwright
Dinithi Fernando is currently an acting student at University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Her credits include playing M in Peerless at the Human Race Theatre, playing Mamillius in The Winter’s Tale at CCM, and writing and acting in this past year’s Transmigration Festival at CCM. She is working towards creating more representation in the industry, raising awareness about different social issues, and telling stories about her culture. Dinithi hopes Be Patient, My Little Grasshopper can raise awareness about stalking, assault, and how Sri Lankan culture deals with trauma.
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2025–2026 Season Presenting Sponsor is the LKC Foundation.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.
The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich, and inspire our audiences.
Filed under Press Releases
(Cincinnati, OH) Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) kicks off its 40th Anniversary Season with the regional musical revival of one of its bestselling shows and fan favorite, Next to Normal, returning to ETC’s stage September 13 – October 5, 2025. This Tony Award– and Pulitzer Prize–winning rock musical, with an extraordinary score by Tom Kitt and poignant book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, delves into the heart of a family shattered by mental illness but held together by love. Hailed by The New York Times as a “transformative” musical, this modern masterpiece is a must-see theatrical event. Premiere sponsors are Daniel Brown and Mark Haggard. Directed by D. Lynn Meyers.
Diana Goodman is a suburban mom struggling with bipolar disorder. Her daughter, Natalie, is a stressed-out overachiever ready to snap. And Dan, her exhausted architect husband, is determined to keep everything “normal.” As Diana’s symptoms worsen and effective treatment remains elusive, the Goodmans must finally connect and learn how to see each other for who they truly are. A cathartic and empathetic triumph of contemporary musical theatre, Next to Normal features soaring rock music, unforgettable characters, and a gripping, emotionally resonant story that echoes long after the final note.
“This isn’t a remount; this is a reinvention, a revival of the magnificent show we produced 14 years ago,” says Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “We were the first theatre in the country to receive the regional rights to do this show in 2011 and after a hugely successful run, it honestly never occurred to me that we could or would do it again. But for our 40th Anniversary, we wanted to do something from the vault. In a time when there’s so much discord in our world, we needed to stop and focus on what it means to lose, to gain, to make our own choices, and to stay alive. It’s an exceedingly real look at how trauma and grief can change someone and be unapologetic about what it costs to truly love someone.”
About the Cast
Jessica Hendy (Diana) returns to Ensemble Theatre to reprise her role in Next to Normal. She has spent the past twelve years in New York City with her son, Beckett. Recently, her autobiographical one-woman musical, Walking with Bubbles, premiered off-Broadway, earning her a Drama Desk nomination and an Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Solo Show. Her credits span four Broadway shows, off-Broadway shows, national tours, regional theatre, and symphony concerts across the country. Her work on Sondheim Unplugged Vol. 3 earned a 2023 Grammy nomination.
Charlie Clark (Dan) was last seen at Ensemble Theatre as Bruce Bechdel in Fun Home, as well as Father in Violet, Don in Rapture, Blister, Burn, Benny in Hands on a Hardbody (2014), Pastor Jay in Luna Gale, Brandon in Next Fall, and Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine in Next to Normal (2011). Other local credits include Church Girls, Take Me Out, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, On Golden Pond, Carousel, Love’s Labour’s Lost, See What I Wanna See, The Full Monty, and Sunday in the Park with George. His Chicago credits include Company (Jeff Award), The Hawkshaws, Into the Woods, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, and Sweeney Todd. His Twin Cities credits include Crazy for You, Guys and Dolls, Mary Poppins, The Bridges of Madison County, and Merrily We Roll Along.
Making their ETC debuts in this production are Julianne Ferguson (Natalie), Carter Minor (Henry), Rory Sheridan (Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine), and Jameson Zoller (Gabe).
Production team: Brian c. Mehring (Resident Scenic & Lighting Designer), Steve Goers (Music Director), Patti James (Choreographer), Hannah Dringenburg (Costume Designer), Jake Tillmann (Sound Designer), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Curator and Design Assistant), and Jacob Dowell (Technical Director). Production Stage Manager is Margot Whitney. Assistant Stage Manager is Lexi Muller.
Performance Information
Performances Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 pm. A complete calendar of show dates and times is available at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.
Ticket Prices
Tickets start at $22 for adults; student tickets are $29; and children are $27. Half-Price Rush Tickets: All remaining tickets for the current day’s performance(s) are available two hours prior to each show time for half-price (discount only applies to adult tickets) when purchasing by phone or in person.
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2025–2026 Season Presenting Sponsor is the LKC Foundation.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.
The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich, and inspire our audiences.
Filed under Press Releases
NEXT TO NORMAL
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
Sept. 13-Oct. 11
[Over-the-Rhine]
Cast: Charlie Clark as Dan. Julianne Ferguson as Natalie, Jessica Hendy as Diana, Rory Sheridan as Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine, Carter Minor as Henry & James Zoller as Gabe
One of ETC’s most popular productions returns! Diana Goodman is a suburban mom struggling with bipolar disorder. Her daughter, Natalie, is a stressed-out overachiever ready to snap. And Dan, her exhausted architect husband, is determined to keep everything “normal.” As Diana’s symptoms worsen and effective treatment remains elusive, the Goodmans must finally connect and learn how to see each other for who they truly are. A cathartic and empathetic triumph of contemporary musical theatre, Next to Normal features soaring rock music, unforgettable characters, and a gripping, emotionally resonant story that echoes long after the final note. NEXT TO NORMAL is a powerful portrayal of mental health, loss, and family dynamics. The show contains strong language and explores mature themes, including mental illness, grief, self-harm, and drug use, which may be triggering for some audience members. Please be advised that this production includes flashing lights and strobe effects.
Filed under On Stage
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 