Tag Archives: Memorial Hall

WE WILL ROCK YOU Review

By Katrina “Kat” Reynolds

WE WILL ROCK YOU presented by Memorial Hall through August 29th. I attended the Opening night performance.


Coming at you loud (but not as clear) this August, Memorial Hall presents We Will Rock You with Music and Lyrics by Queen and Story and Script by Ben Elton. This jukebox musical is set in a dystopian future where live music and individuality are banned – until some rogue warriors fight for their right to rock.

Director & Choreographer Leslie Goddard Baum leads a solid group of performers in this “lightly staged” production. To that end, choreography is not at its finest. The steps do not match the music and it is rare to see the ensemble dance in synch. However, Ms. Goddard’s use of the staging space is excellent. Music Direction by Steve Goers is unsurprisingly lovely, but some of his efforts in creating beautiful vocal pictures are lost due to poor sound balance between the band and singers. This is a particular shame given the level of talent in both live musicians and vocalists.

As stated earlier, this large ensemble of performing artists does not lack talent; there are, however, some stand-outs:

Mary Mills (as Scaramouche) may be petite in stature, but that girl can sing place down. She has a beautiful, trained, and controlled voice and needs to grace more stages. With his flawless hair and equally flawless dialect, Rory Sheridan crushes the role of Kash. (And now is the time to mention Costume Designer Dean W. Walz for his gorgeous concepts.) Finally, another small in stature human with a big voice is Heather Hale as Oz. While known for her volume, Ms. Hale is at her absolutely peak when she is allowed to send the shivers down our spines in quieter moments.

As a huge fan of Queen and Freddie Mercury in particular, I had my reservations about We Will Rock You. While the show itself is neither ground-breaking nor otherwise earth-shattering, it’s a bit of good fun with some great music and a high dose of nostalgia. I can only imagine how fun it would be to perform. With only one weekend left of its run, it’s time to get those tickets and enjoy an evening of Queen before it’s too late.

Click here for more information about the production.

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WE WILL ROCK YOU at Memorial Hall Runs Aug. 22-29

WE WILL ROCK YOU
Memorial Hall
Aug. 22-29
[Over-the-Rhine]

Directed and choreographed by Leslie Goddard
Musical direction by Steve Goers

Cast: Isaiah Burton as Galileo, Mary Mills as Scaramouche, Bethany Xan Kerr as Killer Queen, Rory Sheridan as Kash, Billy Chace* as Buddy, Tyler Kuhlman as Brit, Heather Hale as Oz, Jules Breslin as Super Yuppie/Ensemble & Luka Ashley Carter as Teacher/Ensemble
Ensemble: London Brinkman, Anyuli Martinez-Gomez, Mabrey Rice, Mia Zink, Robert Breslin, Logan Duerk, Dylan Maynard & Kevin Simons

This fist-pumping, foot-stomping anthem to freedom and self-expression is a musical for our time—unapologetically bold and filled with the timeless power of Queen’s legendary music. With over seven million fans rocked in its original 12-year West End run, WE WILL ROCK YOU made history as the longest-running show at London’s Dominion Theatre. A global phenomenon, WWRY has been performed in 28 countries and seen by more than 16 million people worldwide.

In the spirit of Memorial Hall’s past productions of TOMMY and RING OF FIRE, this lightly-staged production will include an on-stage, seven-piece band; nearly twenty costumed actors and dancers and scenic, lighting and projection design.

  • Sat, Aug. 23 at 8pm
  • Sun, Aug. 24 at 6:30pm
  • Thu-Sat, Aug. 27-29 at 8pm

Official page | Facebook event |

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The Music of Queen Rocks Historical Memorial Hall with Two-Week Run of Worldwide Smash Musical WE WILL ROCK YOU

Memorial Hall (1225 Elm Street, Over The Rhine) proudly presents the Queen musical WE WILL ROCK YOU, playing at the historic venue August 22 – 29, 2026. Tickets are $42 – $64 (including fees) and can be purchased at MemorialHallOTR.com or by calling the Memorial Hall Box Office at 513. 977.8838 (Tu – Fr, 1pm – 6pm).

WE WILL ROCK YOU is presented through special arrangement with, and all authorized performance materials are supplied by, The atrical Rights Worldwide – 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com

I Want To Break Free –About WE WILL ROCK YOU

WE WILL ROCK YOU is a high -octane, adrenaline -fueled musical featuring more than 20 iconic Queen hits, including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Are the Champions,” “Somebody to Love,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” and of course, “We Will Rock You.” Set in a post – pocalyp tic future where individuality has been outlawed and music is controlled by algorithms, the story follows two young revolutionaries who dare to defy the system to save rock ‘n’ roll.

This fist -pumping, foot -stomping anthem to freedom and self -expression is a musical for our time — unapologetically bold and filled with the timeless power of Queen’s legendary music. With over seven million fans rocked in its original 12 -year West End run, WE WILL ROCK YOU made history as the longest – running show at London’s Dominion Theatre. A global phenomenon, WWRY has been performed in 28 countries and seen by more than 16 million people worldwide. The show has not appeared in Cincinnati since a 2019 sto p at the Taft Theater.

In the spirit of Memorial Hall’s past productions of TOMMY and RING OF FIRE, this lightly -staged production will include an on -stage, five -piece band; nearly twenty costumed actors and dancers and scenic, lighting and projection design.

They Are The Champions –The Team Behind WE WILL ROCK YOU

Director / choreographer Leslie Goddard returns to Memorial Hall to helm WE WILL ROCK YOU following celebrated pre -pandemic stagings of RING OF FIRE and The Who’s TOMMY at the historic venue. A Broadway veteran whose credits include HAIRSPRAY and the Las V egas residency of JERSEY BOYS, Goddard is the Theatre Director of Cincinnati’s McNicholas High School. She teams once again with renowned local music director and UC College -Conservatory of Music (CCM) faculty member Steve Goers, who leads a band comprised of some of the Queen City’s top rock musicians. WE WILL ROCK YOU is produced by Memorial Hall director and two -time League of Cincinnati Theatres “Best Musical of the Year” winner Joshua Steele.

The lead roles in WE WILL ROCK YOU, inspired by the Queen classic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” are Galileo and Scaramouche, teenagers seeking their identities in a future where individualism is outlawed. The real – life ingenues are newcomers to the Cincinnati theat re scene in Isaiah Burton and Mary Mills, a current student and recent graduate of Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts (NKU), respectively. That university indeed looms large in the production, which also features NKU and CCM voice instructor Bethany Xan Jeffrey as the villainous Killer Queen, graduate Heather Hale (Oz) and musical theatre students Anyuli Martinez -Gomez, Mabrey Rice, Logan Duerk and Dylan Maynard in the show’s ensemble. The cast also gets a lift from a host of veteran and in -demand actors. Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati and Know Theatre standout Rory Sheridan plays uniformity enforcer Kash, opposite hippie spiritual leader and longtime Cincinnati Shakespeare Company favor ite Billy Chace* as Buddy. Veteran actor Tyler Kuhlman (Brit) returns stateside for the production following a string of cruise ship entertainer credits including Royal Caribbean, RWS and Holland America. Cincinnati theatre power couple Jules and Robert Breslin lead an ensemble rounded out by London Brinkman, Mia Zink, Luka Ashley Carter and Kevin Simons.

A full cast and production team list follows this release.

*Actor appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

About Memorial Hall
Memorial Hall, managed and programmed by 3CDC, and r ecent ly voted Best Concert Venue by Cincinnati Magazine readers , is a premier performance and event venue in the heart of Over -the-Rhine’s historic arts district. Now entering its 10th year of operation and programming done by 3CDC since a meticulous 2016 renovation . The venue overlooks Washington Park , is directly adjacent to Music Hall and down the street from both the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and the School for Creative and Performing Arts. Designed by Samuel Hannaford, the landmark features stunning marble staircases that lead to the intimate, 550 -seat Annie W. and Elizabeth M. Anderson Theater. With its exceptional acoustics, decorative murals, and Tiffany chandeliers, Memorial Hall provides an elegant, state -of-the-art setting for public performances and unique private events.

Full Cast and Production Team List

CAST
Galileo – Isaiah Burton
Scaramouche – Mary Mills
Killer Queen – Bethany Xan Kerr
Kash – Rory Sheridan
Buddy – Billy Chace*
Brit – Tyler Kuhlman
Oz – Heather Hale
Super Yuppie, Ensemble – Jules Breslin
Ensemble – London Brinkman, Anyuli Martinez -Gomez, Mabrey Rice, Mia Zink
Teacher, Ensemble – Luka Ashley Carter
Ensemble – Robert Breslin, Logan Duerk, Dylan Maynard, Kevin Simons,

PRODUCTION TEAM
Director / Choreographer – Leslie Goddard
Music Director – Steve Goers
Scenic Designer – Christopher Boone
Lighting Designer – Morgan Abercrombie
Costumer – Dean Walz
Assistant Costumer, Hair & Makeup Designer – Luc Vandenbroek
Stage Manager – Carissa Gandenberger
Assistant Stage Manager / Props Jenna Fair
Production Assistant – Alex Smith

*Actor appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

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Video Auditions Announced for WE WILL ROCK YOU at Memorial Hall

WE WILL ROCK YOU
Directed by Leslie Goddard
Music Direction by Steve Goers
Produced by Joshua Steele

Rehearsals: August 2 – 21, 2026 | Performances: August 22, 23, 27, 28 & 29, 2026
At Historic Memorial Hall in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine Neighborhood

ABOUT THE SHOW
Memorial Hall seeks singing actors and dancers for its planned production of WE WILL ROCK YOU, featuring the music of Queen. Broadway veteran Leslie Goddard directs and choreographs a lightly-staged presentation including costumes, scenic design, projection design and live band.

We are accepting submissions for the roles of Galileo, Scaramouche, Brit, Oz and Ensemble.

Performers can expect a tight rehearsal process over a three-week period, consisting mostly of evening and weekend work.

The production will allow for up to two Actors’ Equity Association Guest Artist contracts.

Non-AEA compensation begins at $600.00 ($150.00 / week) for the project. Parking will be provided.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

The first round of auditions will be via video submission.
Please prepare two contrasting, 16 – 32 bar selections in the style of the show. Queen selections are acceptable. Callbacks will take place in person on the evening of April 29 or 30 (TBD) at Northern Kentucky University.
The final day to submit an audition is Friday, April 24. 

SUBMIT YOUR AUDITION

To submit your audition, please visit MemorialHallOTR.com/auditions.
Please review the production dates and audition requirements carefully before registering.

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Please Help Us Keep the Proscenium Lights on at Memorial Hall

MEMO_Lights OnIn a recent visit to Memorial Hall’s beloved Anderson Theater, you may have noticed that the light bulbs on the proscenium (the plaster arches over the stage) have been increasingly going dark. It’s complicated! And we need your help!

Please consider a gift to help keep the proscenium Lights On at Memorial Hall! Even a small gift will go a long way to ensuring that our treasured venue looks as fantastic as the day it opened nearly 120 years ago.

Learn more about the plastering, electrical work and theatrical technology needed to update the 116-year-old wiring in the proscenium.

Donate today to help keep the proscenium lights on!

To make a contribution:

  • Online: CLICK HERE and make a donation via credit card.
  • Phone: call the Memorial Hall Box Office at 513.977.8838 (Tu – Fr, 1pm – 6pm)
  • Mail: Mail a check payable to the “Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society” to 1225 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Please include ‘lighting’ in the memo line.

A collaboration of the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society, 3CDC, and Hamilton County. © Memorial Hall OTR

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