Tag Archives: The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

Cincinnati – The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) is thrilled to announce a second, transformative gift of $500,000 from the Farmer Family Foundation to benefit TCT’s campaign to revitalize Cincinnati’s historic Emery Theater and make it the company’s permanent MainStage home. This contribution from the Farmer Family Foundation brings TCT significantly closer to fully funding this ambitious $51.5 million dollar project, A Crown for the Queen City, which aims to provide a world-class, family-focused performing arts space for generations to come, and ensure the company’s future as a premiere arts organization. The remaining amount to raise is $3,250,000. 

TCT President & CEO Kim Kern expressed gratitude for the Foundation’s continued commitment: “The Farmer Family Foundation’s generous support is instrumental in bringing our vision for TCT at the Emery to life. Their belief in this project reflects a shared dedication to enhancing our community’s cultural fabric, and we are immensely grateful for their enduring partnership in building a venue that will create lifelong memories for young audiences and families.”

TCT’s renovation of the storied Emery Theater includes modern upgrades to create a state-of-the-art performance space while preserving the historic charm of the venue. Campaign Co-Chair Allison Kropp emphasized the impact of the Farmer Family Foundation’s latest contribution: “With this gift, we are within reach of a landmark cultural center designed with families in mind. We hope this inspires others to join us in realizing this dream for Cincinnati’s youth and families.”

The Farmer Family Foundation, known for its deep-rooted commitment to enriching the lives of local families, has a long-standing history of supporting impactful community projects in Cincinnati. Their focus on education, health, and youth aligns seamlessly with TCT’s vision to create accessible arts programming for all.

As the oldest professional children’s theatre in the United States, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati has inspired, entertained, and educated young audiences for over 100 years. With the renovation of the Emery Theater, TCT seeks to elevate its programming and expand its reach, offering a vibrant gathering place where young people can experience the transformative power of the arts.

What TCT imagines is not simply a restoration but a reinvention of the theater into a modern and memorable venue equipped with the latest technology that both inspires and teaches. TCT’s plans to incorporate the most modern technology, a turntable stage lift, an automated fly system, a 40’x 60’video wall, and projection mapping will provide an immersive audience experience and overcome backstage and wing space limitations.

With The Emery as its home, TCT will unlock its potential to inspire diverse audiences with original works and even more innovative programming. TCT will also expand programming for younger children (theatre for the very young) and teenagers, with work considered a revenue risk in its current rented space.

After the completion of fundraising and construction, The Children’s Theatre will open the Emery in Fall 2025, as planned, with its 2025-2026 MainStage season.

History of The Emery Theater:
Imagined by philanthropist Mary Emery and designed by the famed architectural firm of Samuel Hannaford & Sons, the Emery Auditorium opened in January 1912 with an inaugural concert by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. The acoustically exceptional 2,200-seat theater in Over-the-Rhine was once considered one of the top concert halls in the country. Sergei Rachmaninoff, John Philip Sousa, George Gershwin, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bette Davis, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. all stood on the Emery stage at various points in its history. The Emery was also the performance home of TCT until 1969, when the University of Cincinnati took ownership of the property and ran it as the College of Applied Sciences until 1989. The theater was used for films, lectures, and meetings for the next decade. While the building’s upper floors were developed as apartments in 2001, the theater has fallen into disrepair since that time. TCT is the Emery Theater’s best hope to be restored to its former glory and to regain its place as a memorable and iconic arts venue.

About The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati:

Celebrating 105 years this season, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) is the oldest professional theatre for young audiences in the country, creating lifelong memories and lasting impact for children and families for more than a century. TCT brings art to life through three divisions: TCT MainStage productions, TCT on Tour/WorkShops, and TCT Academy. TCT draws more than 100,000 youth and adults to its MainStage productions, over 50,000 K-8 students to TCT on Tour Shows, and 1,200 students participate in TCT Academy. Each season, 60,000 students attend TCT MainStage productions with their schools. Delivering much more than entertainment, TCT offers an inclusive space and innovative programming for children and adults to learn confidence, patience, and imagination. TCT’s partnerships with regional schools allow thousands of students each year to reap the lifelong benefits of a quality arts education that they might otherwise not experience.

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Bob Herzog as Nick. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Cincinnati – The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s 24-25 MainStage Season at the Taft Theatre continues with Santa Claus: The Musical December 7-16, 2024. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.thechildrenstheatre.com. This is the company’s last season at the Taft Theatre before opening the reimagined Emery Theater in October 2025.

Book by Noah Putterman. Music & Lyrics by David Christensen & Luke Holloway. The show features Local 12’s Bob Herzog as Nick, Santa’s chosen replacement.

It’s Christmas Eve! After 1,000 years of faithful service, Santa and Mrs. Claus announce their decision to hang up the big red suit and train a replacement. Enter Nick (Bob Herzog): a website designer and single dad to tech-savvy daughter, Bea. With pressures mounting–and a jealous, naughty elf thwarting their every move–will everyone in Santa’s Workshop come together in time for Nick to take the reins?

Jingle jam-packed with a sleigh full of fun, energetic, and original holiday music, Santa Claus: The Musical‘s heartwarming story and score put joyful audiences in the spirit of the season!

TCT’s production will be directed and choreographed by Anthony C. Daniel. As a Director/Choreographer, Anthony C. Daniel’s regional credits include The Sound of Music (starring Emilie Kouatchou), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Kinky Boots, Sister Act, Mary Poppins, Tick, Tick…Boom!, Million Dollar Quartet, The Little Mermaid, Murder For Two, The Marvelous Wonderettes, and more. National/International Tours: Associate Director – The Sound of Music, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cheers! Live on Stage, the American Premieres of The Boy Who Loved Batman, Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, A Complicated Woman, and The Witches of Eastwick. As an Educator, Anthony has worked with numerous collegiate institutions across the country and for the Broadway Dreams Foundation.

Santa Claus: The Musical is ideal for ages 4+. This production runs approximately one hour without intermission.

Public Showtimes include:

• Saturday, December 7 at 2 PM
• Saturday, December 7 at 5 PM
• Sunday, December 8 at 2 PM
• Friday, December 13 at 7 PM
• Saturday, December 14 at 11 AM
• Saturday, December 14 at 2 PM
• Sunday, December 15 at 2 PM
• Sunday, December 15 at 5 PM – ADDED PERFORMANCE!

Accessible Performance:

• Saturday, December 7 at 2 PM

Additionally, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati presents eight additional performances of Santa Claus: The Musical for school students, including an exclusive homeschool performance. Tickets are $10 per student, with one free adult admission for every 15 students. For details on ordering school performance tickets or for free proficiency test-focused Study Guides visit www.thechildrenstheatre.com.

TCT last produced Santa Claus:The Musical in 2018.

Dani Lobello, Director of Production and Sound Designer. Jennifer Rhodus, Scenic Designer. Ben Gantose, Lighting Designer. Jeff Shearer, Costume Designer. Maggie Foley & Andrew Nunley, Technical Direction. Adam Borchers, Properties Supervisor. Jadi Davis, Production Stage Manager.

Santa Claus: The Musical is made possible by Dress Run Sponsor TriHealth, Production Sponsor The Summit Hotel, and Season Sponsor The Charles H. Dater Foundation. PNC Foundation provides additional funding for MainStage Ticket Subsidies. Additional Sponsors include the H.B., E.W. & F.R. Luther Foundation – Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees, the National Endowment for the Arts, and The Shubert Foundation Inc. Media sponsors include Local 12 and Q102.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by the tens of thousands who generously give to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source for arts funding. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Broadway-style MainStage productions, including Santa Claus: The Musical, are performed in the historic Taft Theatre, 5th and Sycamore Streets in Downtown Cincinnati. Tickets start at $12. Visit thechildrenstheatre.com or call the TCT Box Office at 513.569.8080 x10, Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM to purchase tickets.

CAST

• *LUCY ARGUETA…Blitzen
• JUNO BROSAS…Punchy
• CAMMI CALDWELL…..Chirpy
• *HAILEY CHANG…..Vixen
• *CELIA D’ASCENZO…Bea
• *STELLA D’ASCENZO…Prancer
• TINA DEALDERETE….Elf Ensemble
• JOSH GALLOWAY…Henchy
• NICK GODFREY…Elf Ensemble
• BOB HERZOG…Nick
• *CLAIRE HUNKLER…Dasher
• DIANA HUTCHINSON…Tenchy
• *GRACE JEFFREYS…Cupid
• BETHANY XAN KERR…Mrs. Claus
• *PARKER M. PATTON…Dancer
• RYAN J. POOLE…Santa Claus
• *AUDREY SATTERWHITE…Donner
• KATE STARK…Elf Ensemble
• *LISA TAKAHASHI…Comet
• MORGAN TRACY…Elf Ensemble
• ZACH TREINEN…Elf Ensemble

Understudies: For Punchy, Tenchy, and Chirpy: Morgan Tracy; for Henchy: Zach Treinen; for Nick and Santa: Nick Godfrey; for Bea: Claire Hunkler; for Mrs. Claus: Tina DeAlderete

*Denotes TCT’s Young Artists Company

All photos by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

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CINCINNATI, OH – The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) is thrilled to offer a unique opportunity to be part of history. For a $500 gift, you can dedicate a seat in the newly renovated Emery Theater, creating a lasting tribute for a loved one or marking a special milestone.

With this dedication, a personalized signature of your choice, along with your family name, will be carefully placed on a seat at the Emery Theater. This lasting tribute will remain for the life of the current seating configuration, ensuring that in 30 years, your grown children can return with their own families to see the seat and remember the moment when their signature was first placed there.

Why Dedicate a Seat?

• Celebrate a child or grandchild
• Honor a family member, friend, or even yourself
• Mark a special occasion with a unique gift

Exclusive Benefits:

• Invitation to our private Seat Dedication Day in Fall 2025
• A permanent legacy cherished for generations

Flexible Payment Plans:

• Quarterly: 4 payments of $125
• 12 months: $41.60 per month

To arrange a payment plan, please contact Anne Venters at anne.venters@tctcincinnati.com.

We’re Serious About Seating—Especially Leg Room! At TCT, we’ve made it a priority to ensure comfort in the new Emery seats. You asked, and we listened: “Will there be enough leg room?” The answer is a resounding yes! Our creative partners at GBBN went above and beyond, crafting a full-scale plywood mockup to confirm the comfort and spaciousness of the new design. With careful planning and testing, we’re excited to move forward with seats that offer both comfort and ample leg room.

Reserve your seat in history today! Visit https://tinyurl.com/Emery-Seats to purchase your seat now. 

Please Note: This naming opportunity does not reserve the seat for performances. Seat availability can be inquired about when purchasing tickets.

About TCT:
Celebrating 105 years, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) is the oldest children’s theatre in the U.S. and the only professional theater in the region dedicated to children’s productions. Our mission is to educate, entertain, and engage audiences of all ages. We reach over 200,000 people annually through our MainStage, TCT on Tour, and TCT Academy programs. The historic Emery Theater, our future home, is undergoing a $51 million revitalization, set to open in October 2025. Join us in making history and creating memories for the next century!  For more information about The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati and the Emery Theater, visit our website at https://thechildrenstheatre.com/the-emery/.

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