At Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, one of Halloween’s most iconic stories has once again been injected with fresh blood.

Following a sold-out run last season, “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” returns to the stage with a comedic take on Bram Stoker’s classic tale from Oct. 9 through Halloween.

“This was one of our most successful productions of all time, and we loved welcoming so many new faces to the theater during the Halloween season,” said the organization’s Producing Artistic Director and CEO Brian Isaac Phillips, who returns to direct the production for a second time. “We knew we had to bring it back for another year!”

Filled with “outrageous twists, playful innuendo, and more laughs than you can count,” the play promises to show a side of the Prince of Darkness that you’ve never seen before.

“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 across the globe.

Every performance of “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” at Cincy Shakes will feature Blood Bag Cocktails, Halloween candy, spooky surprises and killer music before the show. But because it’s Halloween season, the acting company couldn’t stop there. Most nights are packed with costumes, prizes, themed treats and even more frighteningly fun surprises. Below is a list of each night’s special promotions:

BLINKULA
Thursday, October 8 & Friday, October 9
Dracula is getting the BLINK treatment! Both performances start early at 6:30 PM, so you can see the show first and then head out to experience BLINK throughout the city. Grab a free BLINKULA Goodie Bag filled with glow-in-the-dark vampire teeth, bat rings, temporary tattoos, candy and more. Plus, pre-paid parking is available nearby so you can park before the BLINK crowds arrive. It’s the perfect spooky start to your BLINK night! 

Insights: Behind the Bite
Thursday, October 15
Sink your teeth a little deeper into “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors!” Before the performance, join John Getz, Professor Emeritus of English at Xavier University, for a special Insights discussion exploring Dracula, comedy and what happens when one of literature’s most famous monsters gets played for laughs. 

Costume Nights:

Friday, October 16 – Villains After Dark
Tonight, the villains take over! Dress as your favorite Halloween villain, from classic monsters and movie baddies to your own devilish creation. We’ll crown our favorite villain of the night and award a themed prize. Evil has never looked so good! 

Friday, October 23 – Bard Bash 
Huzzah! It’s time to get fantastical. Come dressed in your best Renaissance, Shakespeare-inspired or fantasy look. Think kings, queens, fairies, knights, witches, woodland creatures and more. Our favorite look of the night will take home a themed prize! 

Friday, October 30 – Double, Double, Toil & Trouble Night
Calling all witches, wizards and magical mischief-makers! Dress in your best witch or wizard-inspired costume for a chance to win a themed prize. We’ll also have exclusive spooky cocktails and drinks on the menu for the evening. Consider it your Halloween Eve warm-up! 

Saturday, October 31 – Ultimate Halloween Costume Double Header
It’s Halloween, and which means the cast is going all in with two performances at 2 and 7:30 PM! Come in costume for the ultimate Halloween celebration at CSC, with themed prizes, candy in the lobby and plenty of spooky fun. Everyone who comes dressed up can stick around after the performance for a special group photo with the cast.

“Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” runs October 9 through 31, 2026 at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company in Over-the-Rhine. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Saturday matinees take place on October 10, 17, 24, and 31, with a Sunday matinee on October 18 and 25 at 2:00 p.m. For more information, visit the Cincy Shakes website.

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After seven years away, the Improv Festival of Cincinnati (known as IF Cincy) returns.

Featuring three nights of comedy from performers all around the nation, including troupes from places like Chicago, Portland, Los Angeles and Ann Arbor, the festival takes place from October 15 – 17 at the Know Theatre in Over-the-Rhine.

“Bringing the festival back to Know was an easy choice for us. They’re a great partner and the heart of the theater community in Cincinnati. This festival is bringing these world-class performers to our city and showing off the amazing talent we have locally. We couldn’t be happier than to have Know as our home,” said Festival Producer and Director of OTRimprov Neil Batra.

There are over a dozen local troupes performing, alongside some notable names from out-of-state.

“We wanted to make sure that we had some familiar faces join us,” Batra said. “So we invited performers who have performed at previous IF Cincys like Carla Cackowski, Bob Weick, and (trio) Broke Gravy.”

Kentucky-born, Los Angeles-based writer and comedic improviser Cackowski, whose television credits include PBS Kids, DreamworksTV, and Nickelodeon, has toured and taught improv internationally. Broke Gravy from Portland sees their mission as three Black men living and performing in America to use unscripted comedy and candid dialogue to explore the blurry lines of the daily grind, relationships and humanity. Weick has performed at IF Cincy in the past, along with numerous other festivals and performs and teaches regularly in Detroit.

In addition to the performances, a selection of the visiting artists are offering workshops to share their knowledge and experience with anyone interested in improving their improv skills. The workshops will be held at the Know Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

For more information, visit the festival’s official website.

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Next month, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) will open its 107th season with an all-new production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s “Mary Poppins JR.”

From October 9 – 25, audiences can head to the Emery Theater in Over-the-Rhine for a new adaptation of the Broadway and West End hit.

The musical includes favorite Sherman Brothers songs such as “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Feed the Birds,” “Step in Time,” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” along with new songs by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

“Mary Poppins is a story generations know and love, and the Emery Theater gives us the opportunity to tell it with an entirely new sense of scale and wonder,” said TCT President and CEO Kim Kern. “From the moment Mary flies into Cherry Tree Lane, audiences will be surrounded by the music, movement, and theatrical magic that make this show so special. It is a practically-perfect way to open our 107th season, and we cannot wait to welcome families back to the Emery!”

The production promises “colorful characters, an irresistible score, high-flying theatrical effects and the Emery Theater’s immersive stage technology” for an all-ages show that brings the unforgettable Banks family and the magic of Cherry Tree Lane to the stage.

For more information, visit the official website of The Children’s Theatre.

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It’s not often that a night at the theater gives you permission to get mad as hell alongside a room full of strangers.

But by the end of the first act of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s “Network,” that’s exactly what happened. What began as a remarkably polished recreation of a 1970s television studio had transformed into something much more visceral: a communal release that blurred the line between audience and performance and made a nearly 50-year-old story feel startlingly immediate.

Maybe that feeling of being completely swept up in a performance shouldn’t have surprised me. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company has been doing that to me for decades.

My best friend Vicki and I have a long-standing history with Shakespeare. Earlier this month when we saw a preview performance of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s production of “Network,” she reminded me of that. Back in the day, her parents were more than happy to introduce us to arts experiences including the free Shakespeare in the Park productions each summer. As we waited for the show to begin, memories flooded back from our experience seeing “Midsummer Night’s Dream” at President’s Park in Edgewood in the late 90s. It started a fascination for both of us in live theater and Shakespeare’s canon.

Of course, “Network” is not part of Shakespeare’s canon; this production is part of the company’s mission to bring not only Shakespeare to life, but also “the classics.” Based on Paddy Chayefsky’s 1976 Academy Award-winning film of the same name, “Network” tells the story of Howard Beale, a veteran TV news anchor who has “had enough.” Even without iambic pentameter, Vicki and I were bought in from the moment the lights when down.

Because this was a preview performance, members of the crew could be spotted watching from the audience. I occasionally observed them taking a note or two, but they mostly sat back and enjoyed the show: a testament to how prepared the team was to open later in the week.

I can’t compliment the production quality enough. The entire stage of the Otto M. Budig Theater was transformed into a working television set, straight out of the 1970s. Having so much eye candy to observe pre-show made for interesting conversation: and it was simply beautiful. Everything was immersive; you felt like part of the live studio audience. After consulting the program, I see that Brave Berlin was a part of the production which comes to no surprise.

That attention to detail extended beyond the set. The entire production embraced and carried out the era spectacularly, down to the costumes, hair and grainy video production quality. The entire ensemble brought it, from the tech crew to the “hair and makeup” department . . . each scene was authentic. They all felt plucked from the era and were perfectly cast in their respective roles.

When I was learning acting, my professor taught us that whenever our character is in a scene, there’s a reason for it. We don’t know that it isn’t our story, so whenever we’re on stage, we should act as though it is our story. That has stuck with me in how I show up onstage and how I direct other actors. Not everyone believes this methodology; some directors think it can steal focus from the important action of the scene. But my argument is . . . if the character wasn’t important to see, why would the playwright include them in the scene at all? The “background” actors in this show made it theirs; they were living the action just as if it were really happening in front of them. The overall production greatly benefited from their commitment and the vision of the director.

At the center of that committed ensemble, Jim Hopkins as Howard Beale was enthralling. I hope it’s considered a compliment to compare him to actor Tracy Letts, who I know from “Homeland” and as being married to Carrie Coon. They share the kind of classic actor bravado needed to carry such a role.

That bravado made the end of Act 1 one of the best outros into intermission I’ve ever experienced . . . and I mean it. The scene draws the room into its momentum until the usual boundary between audience and action begins to feel surprisingly thin. I won’t tell you exactly what happens next, but trust me, the cathartic release is much-needed, unexpected, and unmistakably communal; Shakespeare would be proud.

And then there’s the uncredited special appearance by a super-famous actor.

After the show, we were fortunate to find ourselves part of a talk-back with select actors from the production as well as the director. This was a much-welcomed deeper look behind the scenes of this regional premiere and gave us the opportunity to ask more about the celebrity appearance. I was able to ask Phillips how that relationship came to be, as my assumption was that his appearance was part of a “show package.”

“He auditioned like everyone else,” was Phillips’ response. If you do your homework, you can probably guess the actor to which I’m referring (think pork pie hat or a hazmat suit), and although I was given explicit permission by Phillips to name him, I just can’t bring myself to share such a blatant spoiler. So, you’ll just have to go see it to confirm whether your guess is correct. My friend and seatmate for the evening, Vicki Lorenz, said, “This was an amazing show. The catharsis at the end of the first act was very special, and I shared that feeling with the whole audience. The way the cast interacted with (famous actor name redacted) was highly impressive and creatively executed.”

Obviously, there’s so much more to see than a random celebrity cameo. 

That audience response speaks directly to the timeliness of this show and its message. If you know anything about the movie or have seen any preproduction promotion for the show, you know the phrase “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!” is a major part of the story. I don’t know about you, but I’ve uttered this phrase internally for months . . . and it was freeing to be able to externalize the sentiment, thanks to this show. This is one of those shows where you look around and see people leaning toward their seatmate and whispering, nodding and gesturing passionately with their hands.

Whenever I write a critical review, I try to abstain from giving you, the reader, a book report. I want to tell you how the show made me feel rather than recount the story because I want you to experience that part for yourself. Fortunately, Resident Dramaturg Tamara Winters provides a well-researched closer look at the world of “Network,” including its story and era, in the program.

Admittedly, having been a part of many productions myself, I am often a very harsh critic. I have very little, if anything, to complain about in this show and plenty to recommend. If you have been feeling a little mad lately, maybe even mad as hell and feel like you may not be able to take it anymore . . . take a night to immerse yourself in this fabulous production and let “Network” remind you just how cathartic it can be to get mad as hell together.

Network is running from now until September 26. Get your tickets here.

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One of the most iconic American tragedies is coming to the Aronoff Center in a completely new way.

An all-new, Tony-winning adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s legendary novel “The Great Gatsby” hit Broadway in 2024 and is now embarking on its first tour across the country. This Sept. 15, the show comes downtown to the Aronoff Center.

For those unaware, “The Great Gatsby” is a period piece set in the Roaring Twenties that follows the eccentric and mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby, who will stop at nothing in the pursuit of the lost love of his youth, Daisy Buchanan. Released in 1925, it is widely considered a strong contender for the best American novel ever published. The musical version brings the prose of Fitzgerald to life in a new way through song and dance.

“Most people probably had to read the book in school, or have seen the movie with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire,” said Senzel Ahmady, who plays Daisy Buchanan in the production. “It’s really been a joy getting to take a book so popular in American literature to the stage. It is pretty different from the book. Without spoiling … we tell the story through a 2026 lens, which is also fun because you get to see a lot of parts of the story that you didn’t before.”

Ahmady majored in musical theater at NYU, but left two years into her degree after being called up for the national tour of Broadway’s “Aladdin” (which also stopped in Cincinnati in 2023). She later played Daisy in “The Great Gatsby” on Broadway, in South Korea, and will now do so across the country. Ahmady is one of very few cast members in the show to have played the same role multiple times on stage.

“What was really fun about this time was that I got basically an entirely new cast with so many new wonderful actors to work with to create a whole new different version of Gatsby. So many cast members can do the same musical, but it truly is so different depending on what those actors bring to the table,” she said. “I really enjoy the liberties that we take with our show, because it feels like a fresh take on something that everybody knows.”

Her favorite number in the show is “My Green Lights” at the end of Act One, a duet between her character and Gatsby, played here by the “wonderful” Jake David Smith. It details the first encounter between the two after five years apart, although Daisy has married another man. She said she feels differently each time they perform the number together.

“We’ve been rehearsing since January, so we’ve really fleshed out how we want our characters to interact. Last night, though, we actually just had our first show in two weeks. And it was so crazy to see how just being off for two weeks felt like a completely different show, with different emotions, different intentions,” she said. “It’s a good reminder that no matter how hard you try to be the same, the show is always going to be different, which is such a joy for both the actors and the audiences watching.”

As mentioned, Ahmady has already stopped in Cincinnati before — most recently during the nationwide tour of “Aladdin.” She professed a love for Sotto, which she said is “one of the best Italian restaurants in the world … I’ll never forget going. I still remember it to this day, and it was almost three years ago.”

During “Aladdin,” she only had a week in the Queen City; this time, she has two, so she plans to try more restaurants, go to a Reds game and explore the city some more. She might even try Skyline Chili.

“I’m always open to trying new things. I try not to be a picky eater, so I will definitely eat it. I can’t promise that I like it, but I will try it for sure,” she said, laughing.

Ahmady said that audiences should see the show because it’s the kind of gargantuan stage production that “not everyone is doing these days,” and cited the show’s “opulent” sets and Tony Award-winning costumes from Linda Cho as standouts.

“It really just is a feast for your eyes, and it’s just so fun to get to see the big classic musical. The sets are big, the costumes are sparkly. In a time when technology is taking over, live human performance for other humans cannot be replicated,” she said. “There’s a lot of AI in CGI used in movies, and there’s a lot of AI songwriting going on in the music industry. But the one thing it cannot touch is the theater community … This is one of the few musicals that anyone can like. Even if you don’t consider yourself a theater person, it’s fun for everyone to see something so classic put on a stage.”

The Great Gatsby premieres at the Aronoff Center this Tuesday, September 15 as part of the Broadway in Cincinnati program. The show runs through Sunday, September 27. Tickets are available now on the Cincinnati Arts Association’s official website.

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Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts will celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary with “American Snapshots,” its 2026-27 theater and dance program season.

Featuring six productions, the season explores the American experience through period works, contemporary adaptations, classic musicals and original choreography. From the ambitions of the March sisters and the eccentricities of a 1930s American family to the music of Irving Berlin and the rock anthems of the 1980s, “American Snapshots.”

The season includes:

“Little Women: The Musical”, Sept. 25- Oct. 4, at the Stauss Theatre. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, “Little Women: The Musical” follows the March sisters as they navigate heartache, ambition and hope. Featuring music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and a book by Allan Knee, the coming-of-age story celebrates sisterhood, self-discovery and the courage to pursue big dreams. Katharine Moser-Priddy directs, with music direction by Jamey Strawn and choreography by Jeri Gatch.

“Titus Andronicus: A Revenge Tragedy”, Oct. 23- Nov. 1 at the Stauss Theatre. William Shakespeare’s bloodiest tragedy is reimagined in a fractured, post-World War III America in the year 2100. Set in Rome, Kan., the production examines what happens when revenge becomes the rule and power and vengeance collide in a brutal struggle for control. Darnell Bengamin directs.

“White Christmas”, Dec. 3-13 at the Corbett Theatre. Based on the film, “White Christmas” follows veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, whose successful song-and-dance act leads them to a Vermont lodge owned by their former Army commander. The musical features 17 Irving Berlin songs including “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” “How Deep is the Ocean” and the title song. Genevieve Perrino directs and choreographs, with music direction by Jacob Priddy.

“You Can’t Take It With You”, Feb. 19-28, 2027, at the Stauss Theatre. George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy invites audiences into the unconventional world of the Sycamore family. Set in 1930’s America, the play celebrates individuality, optimism and the freedom to pursue happiness on one’s own terms. Corrie Danieley directs.

“Rock of Ages”, April 9-18, 2027, at the Corbett Theatre. The season turns up the volume with “Rock of Ages,” a high-energy musical packed with iconic 1980s hits, outrageous fun and a love story set against the backdrop of Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. Featuring big hair, big dreams and even bigger guitar riffs, the show celebrates the sound and spirit of America’s rock revolution. Michael Hatton directs, with music direction by Jacob Priddy and choreography by Ellie Chancellor.

Dance ’27: “Dream”, April 30- May 2, 2027, at the Corbett Theatre. The season concludes with “Dream,” a dance concert celebrating American innovation through movement, choreography and dynamic performances. Jeri Gatch serves as artistic director.

Tickets for all productions go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 8. For tickets and additional information, click here or call the NKU School of the Arts Box Office at (859)572-5464.

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This story originally appeared in our August 5-18 print edition. Check out the edition online here and find where you can get a print edition near you here.

Greater Cincinnati has a rich arts history, evidenced by hundreds of galleries, dance, music and performance groups, and theaters in every neighborhood. Did you know that ArtsWave, Cincinnati’s united arts fund, is the oldest and largest in the United States? Think about it: we have a larger arts fund here in Cincinnati than they do in New York City or Chicago. We are one of the only cities that has full-time professional resident companies for all three major performing arts: ballet, orchestra and opera. If you aren’t experiencing one of these many arts experiences, this is your sign to start exploring.

The typical theater “season” starts around August, so now is the perfect time to start planning your fall arts activities. I’m sure everyone is ready to escape this relentless summer heat and lean into cozier weather, pumpkin spices and a new, exciting season of live performance.

No matter what neighborhood you call home, Greater Cincinnati has theaters of all shapes and sizes a rock’s throw from any neighborhood you call home. From Middletown to Cheviot to Anderson to Covington: the choice is yours. Did you know there are levels to the theater you can experience? Let me help define those so you can choose the type that best suits your interests.

First, you have the big-boy professional theaters in the region. These are “Equity” houses where actors are part of the professional actor’s union and very specific rules apply for who can perform on stage and who can support the production technically (like backstage crew). Tickets tend to be more expensive, but the idea is that the caliber is higher, talent is more skilled and the experience is more elevated. Examples of these theaters include Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Many times in these productions, you will see familiar Cincinnati personalities on stage.

If you’re thinking I’ve left the Aronoff Center for the Arts or Music Hall off this list, let me clarify: The Aronoff, along with similar venues like the Taft, Music Hall and others, are venues, not production houses. These are places for other organizations to perform, and they do not (typically) produce on their own. The Broadway Series is exactly that: a touring series of shows that originated from the Broadway production in NYC. In these touring productions, it’s less likely you will see a familiar Cincinnati actor on stage. (Also, in case you didn’t know — and it’s OK if you didn’t — the term “Broadway” comes from the literal street where many theaters sit in Manhattan. So, a Broadway show originated in Manhattan.)

On the other end of the spectrum, you have community theaters. These scrappy, volunteer-led organizations are in many neighborhoods throughout the city. They vary vastly in their design: some own their theater (like Mariemont Players), some are resident companies in their respective local venue and others are more nomadic, finding performance spaces where they can. 

Most of these organizations are part of ACT, the Association of Community Theaters in Greater Cincinnati. “ACT is a unique nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the growth, development and excellence of community theatre,” says its website. Through its adjudication program, scholarships and the annual convention, ACT supports member organizations to strengthen their productions to provide the highest quality experiences for local audiences. ACT provides three adjudicators to attend each member group’s productions to provide constructive feedback on all elements of the production. At the end of the theater season, successes are celebrated at the annual convention, where awards are given and groups have the opportunity to participate in an excerpt competition. The convention is open to the public for an affordable entry price and is a great way to see bite-sized segments of productions.

As someone with community theater experience as both an actor and director, I can confidently share that just because these productions rely on volunteers to act, direct and produce shows, it does not make them any lower quality than some of the professional shows I have seen. The beauty here is that tickets are typically a lower price point, and you can usually find a group in your neighborhood.

In between the professional-level productions and community theaters, you have a collection of organizations who produce ongoing and professional productions where production personnel are paid. These groups are typically part of the League of Cincinnati Theatres. Examples in this category include The Carnegie, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, Know Theatre of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Landmark Productions. These groups usually have mid-tier pricing for shows and much like the ACT adjudication program, they have their own review program.

Theater

Of the many theater productions happening this fall, there are a few that I am especially excited to see. It’s embarrassing that I haven’t yet seen a show at the newly renovated Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. I’m looking forward to seeing its production of “Mary Poppins” because “Step in Time” is always entertaining, but in a technologically advanced theater, I can only imagine what they can do to amplify the experience. Other shows that are on my radar include “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (because I deeply miss “What We Do in the Shadows”) and “BOOP! The Musical” (because I grew up watching Betty Boop cartoons and even named my cat after the titular character). As far as community theater productions go, I’m especially interested to see what Beechmont Players decide to do in their coming season and am keeping an eye on Mariemont Players’ 90th Season starting this fall.

MAJOR / PROFESSIONAL COMPANIES

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park

• Heist – Sept 12–Oct 11, 2026 (Rouse Theatre)
• Talk (world premiere, by Theresa Rebeck) – Sept 26–Oct 25, 2026 (Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre)
• Get Happy: Angela Ingersoll Sings Judy Garland – Oct 17–Nov 7, 2026 (Rouse Theatre)
• The Twelve Dates of Christmas – Nov 7–Dec 27, 2026 (Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre)
• A Christmas Carol (adapted by Blake Robison) – Nov 20–Dec 27, 2026 (Rouse Theatre)
• Address: 962 Mt. Adams Cir., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: (513) 421-3888
• URL: cincyplay.com

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC)

• Corner of the Sky: The Music of Stephen Schwartz (world premiere) – Sept 5–27, 2026
• Mrs. Mannerly – Oct 13–Nov 1, 2026
• Cinderella – Dec 9–30, 2026
• Address: 1127 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: (513) 421-3555
• URL: ensemblecincinnati.org

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

• Shakespeare in the Park: Much Ado About Nothing – through Sept 6, 2026 (touring various tri-state park locations)
• The Complete Works of Jane Austen (Abridged) – July 31–Aug 23, 2026
• Network – Sept 11–26, 2026
• Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors – Oct 9–31, 2026
• The Merry Wives of Windsor – Nov 13–Dec 5, 2026
• Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) – Dec 11–27, 2026
• Address: 1195 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: (513) 381-2273
• URL: cincyshakes.com

Know Theatre of Cincinnati

• Make Believe – Sept 10–26, 2026
• octKNOWber Nights – October 2026
• Die Hard is a Christmas Movie – Dec 3–20, 2026
• Serials! Season 17 – Jan 25, Feb 8 & 22, March 8 & 22 (spans into 2027)
• Address: 1120 Jackson St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: (513) 300-5669
• URL: knowtheatre.com

Broadway Across America (Cincinnati)

• The Great Gatsby – Sept 15–27, 2026
• BOOP! The Musical – Oct 20–25, 2026
• The Sound of Music – Nov 10–15, 2026
• ‘Twas The Night Before… – Dec 2–13, 2026
• Where: Procter & Gamble Hall, Aronoff Center for the Arts
• Address: 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: (513) 721-3344
• URL: cincinnati.broadway.com

Cincinnati Music Theatre

• English Lit – Sept 4–12, 2026 (Fifth Third Bank Theater, Aronoff Center)
• The Spongebob Musical – Nov 13–21, 2026 (Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center)
• Address: Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: (513) 621-2787
• URL: cincinnatimusictheatre.org

Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative

• The Opposite of Failure by Nancy Robinson Crist – Sept 15, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
• What Might Have Been by Leo Bradley – Oct 20, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
• An Evening of One Act Plays (“Who Gets Grandma’s Eyeball” / “Waiting Room Commerce”) – Nov 17, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
• Where: Fifth Third Bank Theater, Aronoff Center
• Address: 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: (513) 621-2787
• URL: cincyplaywrights.org

THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CINCINNATI

• Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins JR. – Oct 9–25, 2026 (Emery Theatre, Over-the-Rhine)
• The Drowsy Chaperone – Nov 6–14, 2026 (Corbett Showtime Stage, Red Bank Rd.)
• Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical – Dec 4–20, 2026 (Emery Theatre, Over-the-Rhine)
• Address (administrative/Corbett Showtime Stage): 4015 Red Bank Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45227
• Phone: (513) 569-8080 x10
• URL: thechildrenstheatre.com

COMMUNITY & REGIONAL THEATER — GREATER CINCINNATI (OHIO SIDE)

Cincinnati Landmark Productions (Incline Theater)

• Crazy for You – Aug 19–Sept 13, 2026
• Where: Incline Theater, Price Hill
• Phone: (513) 241-6550
• URL: cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com

Cincinnati LAB Theatre

• New Works Festival (“Enemy of the Good,” “Waiting for Fair,” “Little Boxes”) – late July 2026, just before the window; check site for fall programming
• Where: Bell Tower Arts Pavilion, Evendale
• URL: cincylabtheatre.com

CenterStage Players

• Firebringer – Sept 18–26, 2026
• Abigail for Now – Nov 13–21, 2026
• URL: centerstageplayersinc.com

Drama Workshop

• And Then There Were None – July 24–Aug 9, 2026
• Misery – Oct 2–18, 2026
• The Game’s Afoot – Dec 4–20, 2026
• Address: 3716 Glenmore Ave., Cheviot, OH 45211
• Phone: (513) 598-8303
• URL: thedramaworkshop.org

East Side Players

• Once Upon A Mattress – July 30–Aug 8, 2026
• Where: Blue Ash Amphitheater
• URL: esptheater.org

Fairfield Footlighters

• Company – September 2026
• 12 Angry Jurors – November 2026
• Address: 411 Wessel Dr., Fairfield, OH 45014
• Phone: (513) 867-5348
• URL: fairfieldfootlighters.org

Lamplight Theater

• Miracle on 34th Street – Nov 6–15, 2026
• Address: 8000 Miami Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45243
• URL: lamplighttheater.org

Lebanon Theatre Company

• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum – Aug 7–16, 2026
• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead – Oct 2–11, 2026
• The Game’s Afoot; or Holmes for the Holidays – Dec 11–20, 2026
• Address: 10 S. Mechanic St., Lebanon, OH 45036
• Phone: (513) 932-8300
• URL: ltcplays.com

Loveland Stage Company

• Into The Woods – Oct 9–25, 2026
• Address: 111 S. 2nd St., Loveland, OH 45140
• Phone: (513) 443-4572
• URL: lovelandstagecompany.org

Mariemont Players

• Arsenic and Old Lace – Sept 10–27, 2026
• A Tuna Christmas – Nov 5–22, 2026
• Address: 4101 Walton Creek Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45227
• Phone: (513) 684-1236
• URL: mariemontplayers.com

Mason Community Players

• Decision Height – Oct 2–10, 2026
• Where: Mason Community Playhouse, 5529 Mason Rd., Mason, OH 45040
• Phone: (513) 398-7804
• URL: masonplayers.org

Merit Theatre Company

• Fiddler on the Roof – Aug 28–Sept 5, 2026 (Anderson Center Theater)
• Phone: (859) 795-1860
• URL: merittheatre.org

One Off Productions

• The Sunset Limited by Cormac McCarthy – July 23–25 & July 30–Aug 1, 2026 (mostly before window, closes right at window start)
• Where: Gabriel’s Corner, Over-the-Rhine
• URL: oopstroupe.com

Prism Community Players / Lumos Players

• She Kills Monsters – through July 25, 2026 (ends just before window; check for fall listing)
• Address: 8639 Columbia Rd., Maineville, OH 45039
• URL: prismcommunityplayers.org

The Story Collective

• Godspell – July 24–26, 2026 (before window; check for fall shows)
• Where: Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
• URL: thestorycollective.org

True Theatre

• trueCRIME 2 – July 23, 2026 (before window; check for fall storytelling events)
• Where: Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• URL: truetheatre.org

Others with no fall dates posted yet at time of research

Contact directly for updates:

• Beechmont Players | Anderson Center, 7850 Five Mile Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45230 | (513) 233-2468 | beechmontplayers.org
• Angelico Project | St. Monica St. George–Newman Center, 328 W McMillan St., Cincinnati, OH 45219 | angelicoproject.org
• Arts Alliance | Cottell Park, 5847 Irwin-Simpson Rd., Mason, OH 45040 | (513) 309-8585 | the-arts-alliance.org
• Clifton Players | Liberty Exhibition Hall, 3938 Spring Grove Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45223 | (513) 813-7469
• Sunset Players | Arts Center at Dunham, 1945 Dunham Way, Cincinnati, OH 45238 | (513) 588-4988 | sunsetplayers.org
• Tri-County Players | Bell Tower Arts Pavilion, 3270 Glendale Milford Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45241 | (513) 471-2030 | tricountyplayers.org
• Oxford Area Community Theatre | Oxford Community Arts Center, 10 S. College Ave., Oxford, OH 45056 | (513) 524-8506 | oxfordact.org
• Royal Theatre Company | 308 W. Main St., Mason, OH 45040 | royaltheatrecompany.com
• Sharonville Cultural Arts Center | 11165 Reading Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45241 | (513) 554-1014 | sharonvilleculturalarts.org
• Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre | Parrish Auditorium, 1601 University Blvd., Hamilton, OH 45011 | (513) 737-7529 | ghctplay.org
• Cincinnati Black Theatre Company | 2237 Losantiville Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45237 | (513) 241-6060 | cincinnatiblacktheatre.org
• Clifton Cultural Arts Center | 3412 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45220 | (513) 497-2860 | cliftonculturalarts.org

Queen City Productions

• Once Upon A One More Time – July 31–Aug 9, 2026
• Where: Arts Center at Dunham, 1945 Dunham Way, Cincinnati, OH 45238
• URL: queencityproductions.weebly.com

UNIVERSITY THEATER PROGRAMS (OHIO)

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)

• Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon (In Concert) – Sept 25–26, 2026, 8 p.m. (Corbett Auditorium)
• Intimate Apparel – Oct 1–3, 2026 (Cohen Studio Theater)
• Rent – Nov 12–14, 2026 (Corbett Theater)
• Address: CCM Village, University of Cincinnati, 2600 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45221
• Phone: (513) 556-4183
• URL: ccm.uc.edu

Xavier University Theatre (Gallagher Theater)

• The Guys – Sept 10–12, 2026
• The Rocky Horror Show – Oct 23–31, 2026
• Much Ado About Nothing – Nov 19–22, 2026
• Address: 3800 Victory Pkwy., Cincinnati, OH 45207
• Phone: (513) 745-3939
• URL: xavier.edu/theatre-program

Miami University Theatre

• Dracula – Oct 28–Nov 1, 2026
• The Last Five Years – Nov 18–22, 2026
• Address: 119 Center for Performing Arts, Oxford, OH 45056
• URL: miamioh.edu/cca/departments/theatre

Mount St. Joseph University

• No fall 2026 productions posted at time of research
• Address: 5701 Delhi Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45233
• Phone: (513) 244-4387
• URL: msj.edu

NORTHERN KENTUCKY THEATER

The Carnegie (Covington)

• La Cage Aux Folles – Aug 14–23, 2026
• Carrie: The Musical – Oct 23–Nov 1, 2026
• Address: 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington, KY 41011
• Phone: (859) 491-2030
• URL: thecarnegie.com

Falcon Theatre (Newport)

• Eureka Day – Sept 10–26, 2026
• Tinderbox – Nov 6–21, 2026
• Where: Monmouth Theatre, 636 Monmouth St., Newport, KY 41071
• Phone: (513) 479-6783
• URL: falcontheater.net

Footlighters, Inc. (Newport)

• 1776 – Sept 10–27, 2026
• The Bridges of Madison County – Nov 5–22, 2026
• Where: Stained Glass Theatre, 802 York St., Newport, KY 41071
• Phone: (859) 291-7464
• URL: footlighters.org

Village Players (Fort Thomas)

• Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike – Sept 25–Oct 3, 2026
• Reina Deer and the Humbugs – Dec 4–13, 2026
• Address: 8 N. Ft. Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, KY 41075
• Phone: (859) 392-0500
• URL: villageplayers.org

Kincaid Regional Theatre (Falmouth)

• Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr. – Aug 28–30, 2026
• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – Oct 15–17, 2026
• Annie – Dec 3–13, 2026
• Address: 208 Memory Dr., Falmouth, KY 41010
• Phone: (859) 654-2636
• URL: krtshows.com

InBocca Performance (Fort Thomas)

• The Road to Oz – July 31–Aug 2, 2026 (staged at Know Theatre, Cincinnati)
• Address: 8 N. Ft. Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, KY 41075
• URL: inboccaperformance.com

Northern Kentucky University (NKU) Theatre & Dance

• Little Women: The Musical – Sept 25–Oct 5, 2026
• Titus Andronicus: A Revenge Tragedy – Oct 23–Nov 1, 2026
• Irving Berlin’s White Christmas – Dec 3–13, 2026
• Address: Highland Heights, KY 41099
• Phone: (859) 572-5464
• URL: nku.edu/artsci/sota/theatre

Commonwealth Artists Student Theater (CAST)

• Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 – July 24–Aug 2, 2026 (Corbett Theatre, NKU — closes right at window start)
• Phone: (859) 545-0770
• URL: caststages.org

Thomas More University Theatre (Crestview Hills)

• No fall 2026 productions posted at time of research
• Address: 333 Thomas More Pkwy., Crestview Hills, KY 41017
• Phone: (859) 341-5800
• URL: thomasmore.edu/program/theater

The Dinner Detective (Murder Mystery Dinner Show)

• When: Saturdays, 6:00 p.m. (ongoing)
• Where: Embassy Suites Rivercenter, 10 E. Rivercenter Blvd., Covington, KY 41011
• URL: thedinnerdetective.com/cincinnati

Commonwealth Sanctuary (Dayton, KY)

• Weekly comedy shows (ongoing)
• Address: 522 5th Ave., Dayton, KY 41074
• URL: commonwealthsanctuary.com

FESTIVALS, TOURING & MISC.

Cincy Fringe Festival

• When: Next edition is June 2027 (24th annual) — outside this window, but applications open in October 2026 if you’re interested in participating
• Where: Various pop-up venues, Over-the-Rhine
• URL: cincyfringe.com

IF Cincy: Improv Festival of Cincinnati (OTRimprov)

• When: Oct 15–17, 2026
• Where: Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• URL: otrimprov.com

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: The Greatest Show On Earth

• When: Dec 4–6, 2026
• Where: Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Cincinnati, OH 45202
• URL: heritagebankcenter.com

Cincinnati Arts Association (Aronoff Center) — special engagements

URL: cincinnatiarts.org

The Thorn – Sept 11–12, 2026 (Procter & Gamble Hall)

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE – Oct 3, 2026, 2:00 p.m. (Procter & Gamble Hall)

The Sixties Show – Oct 16, 2026, 7:30 p.m. (Procter & Gamble Hall)

Address: 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

Phone: (513) 621-2787

Dance

Full disclosure, I am the board president of Pones, a local nonprofit that uses dance as a movement for social justice, community building and healing. Pones is reimagining where dance happens, who it’s for and how it can move us all. 

On Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., commuters across Northern Kentucky are invited to experience their daily ride in an entirely new way during Ride with an Artist Day, presented by Pones in partnership with the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky, or TANK, and made possible through funding from the ArtsWave NKY Placemaking Grant. This one-day creative placemaking event transforms public transit into a space for joy, connection and belonging through free performances and artistic encounters on buses, at transit hubs and along neighborhood routes. Jenny Kammes, marketing manager for TANK, said: “We’re excited to once again welcome local artists aboard TANK buses, bringing creativity, energy and unexpected moments of joy to our riders. These performances help transform the everyday commute into a unique community experience while celebrating the incredible talent found throughout our region.” 

The Kaplan New Works Series (Cincinnati Ballet)

• When: Sept. 18-26, 2026 (individual performance dates/times on site)
• What: Four choreographers premiere new works, two influenced by Cincinnati visual artists
• Where: Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center for the Arts
• Address: 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-621-2787
• URL: cballet.org/26-27-season-performances

Cincinnati Ballet LIVE! in Concert (Cincinnati Ballet)

• When: Nov. 6, 2026, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 7, 2026, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
• Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-381-3300
• URL: cballet.org

The Nutcracker (Cincinnati Ballet)

• When: Dec 17-27, 2026
• Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-381-3300
• URL: cballet.org/26-27-season-performances

Exhale Dance Tribe (Resident Company)

• When: Fall 2026 mainstage performance(s) — not yet dated at time of research; check site for announcements (this company typically performs a handful of times per year at the Jarson-Kaplan Theater)
• Where: Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center for the Arts
• Address: 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-621-2787
• URL: cincinnatiarts.org/about-us/resident-companies/detail/exhale-dance-tribe / exhaledancetribe.org

Mutual Dance Theatre — Jefferson James Contemporary Dance Theater Series

• When: Fall 2026 guest-artist dates not yet posted at time of research; check site
• Where: Mutual Arts Center
• Address: 8222 Monon Ave., Cincinnati (Hartwell), OH 45216
• Phone: 513-494-6526
• URL: mutualdance.org

Revolution Dance Theatre — Annual Holiday Concert (“Hot Chocolate”)

• When: Typically December (exact 2026 dates not yet published at time of research)
• Where: Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center for the Arts (past years) — confirm venue for 2026
• Address: 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-621-2787
• URL: revodance.com

Pones Inc.

• When: Fall/winter 2026 community dance programming — check site for current calendar
• URL: ponesinc.org

CCM Dance Works

• When: Typically March (outside this window in past years); confirm whether a fall 2026 dance concert is scheduled as part of CCM’s 2026-27 season
• Where: Patricia Corbett Theater, CCM Village, University of Cincinnati
• Address: 2600 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45221
• Phone: 513-556-4183
• URL: ccm.uc.edu/areas-of-study/academic-units/dance.html

Music

Surprisingly, I do not have as many concerts on the calendar as I would like, but I highly recommend seeing Sara Bareilles, who will be performing her Good Grief Tour at the Taft Theatre on Sept. 25. I had the good fortune to see her premiere a new song earlier this year when she dropped by the Brandi Carlile Valentine’s Day concert at Madison Square Garden. And because my mom is an original The Beatles fan, the Friends of Music Hall production “Come Together Live: The Beatles’ Legacy on the Mighty Wurlitzer” is also on my list.

“This program is about more than nostalgia. It’s about experiencing the music in a completely new way,” said Jessy Williams of Friends of Music Hall. “The Beatles changed the way the world heard music. Pairing their songs with the Mighty Wurlitzer invites audiences to hear that innovation all over again.”

Summermusik Festival 2026 (Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra)

• When: Aug. 4-29, 2026 — Mainstage concerts, “A Little Afternoon Musik” Sunday chamber concerts, and “Chamber Crawl” performances at rotating venues (exact per-concert dates/times released closer to the festival on their site)
• Primary venues: School for Creative and Performing Arts (Mainstage), The Redmoor (Chamber Crawl), plus Delhi Event Center, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church–Kenwood, HighGrain Brentwood Brewpub, The Woodward Theater, and Newport Syndicate (KY)
• SCPA address: 108 W. Central Pkwy., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-723-1182
• URL: summermusik.org/festival

Cincinnati Pops: Lea Salonga in Concert

• When: Sept. 12-13, 2026 (time TBA — CSO evening concerts are typically 7:30 p.m.)
• Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium
• Address: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-381-3300
• URL: cincinnatisymphony.org

Cincinnati Symphony: Sarah Hicks – PSYCHO in Concert

• When: Oct. 27, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
• Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium
• Address: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-381-3300
• URL: cincinnatisymphony.org

Cincinnati Ballet LIVE! in Concert with Over the Rhine & the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

• When: Nov. 6, 2026, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 7, 2026, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
• Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium
• Address: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-381-3300
• URL: cincinnatisymphony.org / cballet.org

CSO: Philippe Jordan Conducts All-Richard Strauss

• When: Nov. 21-22, 2026 (time TBA)
• Program: Death and Transfiguration; Oboe Concerto (Dwight Parry); Also sprach Zarathustra
• Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium
• Address: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-381-3300
• URL: cincinnatisymphony.org

Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert

• When: Nov. 29, 2026, 2 p.m.
• Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium
• Address: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-381-3300
• URL: cincinnatisymphony.org

CSO: Gemma New — CSO Conducting Debut

• When: Dec. 4-5, 2026 (time TBA)
• Program: Grenfell’s Clockwerk, Mozart Piano Concerto No.
• Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium
• Address: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-381-3300
• URL: cincinnatisymphony.org

The Nutcracker (Cincinnati Ballet, live music by CSO)

• When: Dec. 17-27, 2026 (multiple performances; check site for individual dates/times)
• Where: Music Hall – Springer Auditorium
• Address: 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-381-3300
• URL: cballet.org/26-27-season-performances

Fine Art

Gallery 506 is a hidden gem art gallery in Elsmere, Kentucky, offering so much more than “just art.” Owner Laura Sams invites you to this unique venue that has been gradually modified to be a beautiful oasis of art, featuring a gorgeous perennial garden behind the building. I love that Laura Sams is reimagining fine art by bringing together multiple disciplines; my adorable parents along with several other couples have been doing weekly dance classes right in the gallery space. Sams says the program will continue this fall.

Opening Sept. 19 with a reception from 6 to 10 p.m. is Gallery 506’s next show: VERSO with works by Cole Carothers. Carothers explains that “verso” means “the reverse of something” and that this word “describes my direction these days: to challenge thoughts and creativity as a reaction to the complacency of style or brand.”

FINE ART / VISUAL ART

Gee Horton: Chapter 4, In Another Lifetime

• When: On view through Aug. 30, 2026
• Where: Contemporary Arts Center
• Address: 44 E. Sixth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-345-8400
• URL: contemporaryartscenter.org

Michael Stillion: And then it was flowers

• When: On view through Aug. 30, 2026
• Where: Contemporary Arts Center
• Address: 44 E. Sixth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-345-8400
• URL: contemporaryartscenter.org

CAC 2026–27 Season Exhibitions (new fall shows)

• When: Expected to open late summer/early fall 2026 — not yet fully announced; check site
• Where: Contemporary Arts Center
• Address: 44 E. Sixth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-345-8400
• URL: contemporaryartscenter.org/visit/exhibitions

Cincinnati Art Museum — Fall/Winter Special Exhibition

• When: Oct. 16, 2026-March 7, 2027 (title not yet confirmed in research; ticketed, free for members)
• Where: Cincinnati Art Museum, Eden Park
• Address: 953 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-721-2787 (also 1-877-472-4226 toll-free)
• URL: cincinnatiartmuseum.org

Tamary Kudita: Photography Special Feature

• When: On view through Sept. 6, 2026 (Gallery 104)
• Where: Cincinnati Art Museum, Eden Park
• Address: 953 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-721-2787
• URL: cincinnatiartmuseum.org/art/exhibitions/special-features

The Scandinavian Home: Landscape and Lore (organized by The Frick Pittsburgh)

• When: Dates within 2026 — exact run not fully confirmed; check site directly, likely overlapping the Aug–Dec window
• Where: Taft Museum of Art
• Address: 316 Pike St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-241-0343
• URL: taftmuseum.org/exhibitions

Unfolding Elegance (18th-century fan collection)

• When: Exact dates TBD — conservation work was underway; check site for opening
• Where: Taft Museum of Art
• Address: 316 Pike St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-241-0343
• URL: taftmuseum.org/exhibitions

Weston Art Gallery — Fall 2026 Exhibition

• When: A new exhibition cycle should open in the Sept-Dec window (last known run ended June 14, 2026); check site for current show and opening/closing reception times
• Where: Aronoff Center for the Arts (Weston Art Gallery)
• Address: 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-977-4165 (Weston Art Gallery direct) / 513-621-2787 (Aronoff main)
• URL: cincinnatiarts.org/weston-art-gallery/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions

BLINK — A Festival of Light & Art

• When: Oct. 8-11, 2026, nightly (evening hours, typically ~7-11 p.m.)
• Where: 30+ city blocks across Downtown Cincinnati, Over-the-Rhine, Covington and Newport, Kentucky (start near Findlay Market)
• Phone: N/A (contact via site form)
• URL: blinkcincinnati.com
• Related ticketed event — “the afterglow” (Official BLINK After Party): Oct. 19, 2026 (per site), MegaCorp Pavilion, 2764 Madison Pike, Covington, Kentucky (confirm exact address/time on ticket site)

LEGO Jurassic World: The Exhibition

• When: Open through Jan. 4, 2027 (already running; overlaps entire window)
• Where: Cincinnati Museum Center, Union Terminal
• Address: 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45203
• Phone: 513-287-7000
• URL: cincymuseum.org/special-exhibits

Cincinnati Museum Center — Other Rotating Exhibits

• When: Several traveling exhibits run on staggered schedules through fall 2026 (some closing Aug. 23 and Oct. 14, 2026) — check site for the current lineup as of your visit date
• Where: Cincinnati Museum Center, Union Terminal
• Address: 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45203
• Phone: 513-287-7000
• URL: cincymuseum.org/special-exhibits

21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati — Rotating Contemporary Art Galleries

• When: Free, open 24/7 (current show as of research: “Fragile Figures: Beings and Time” — confirm it’s still on view for your dates)
• Where: 21c Museum Hotel
• Address: 609 Walnut St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
• Phone: 513-578-6600
• URL: 21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati

Other

ArtsWave is going into its centennial year in 2027, and I am excited to see what arts experiences go along with the celebration. I’ve heard some teasers and I’m confident there will be many super cool experiences in store.

Of course, I also have to mention that BLINK is coming back for another year of immersive, memorable experiences throughout the region from Oct. 8 to 11.

My husband and I are huge fans of standup comedy and have really enjoyed going to the Commonwealth Comedy Club in Dayton, Kentucky. The venue is intimate, the tickets are affordable and the comedy is peak. Whether we’ve heard of the performer or not, I can’t say I’ve never been to a “bad” comedy show, so if you need a laugh, this is the place!

The post There are opportunities everywhere to get involved in the arts scene in Cincinnati. Here’s where to start appeared first on Cincinnati CityBeat.

Theaters in the Cincy area have a robust mix of shows and musicals in August. Keep reading to learn about some of the shows we’re looking forward to, along with ticketing info and logistics. 

The Complete Works of Jane Austen (Abridged)

Next to playwright William Shakespeare, the British writer likely most beloved is early 19th-century novelist Jane Austen. So it seems only fitting that she’s getting gently poked fun at by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company this month with the local premiere of “The Complete Works of Jane Austen (Abridged).”

Written and first produced in 2019, it’s a fast-paced, respectful and affectionate parody by Jessica Bradford, Kathryn MacMillan, Charlotte Northeast and Meghan Winch — a quartet of actors, directors and dramaturgs.

Jenny Lavery, who’s staging the show for Cincy Shakes, recently spoke with CityBeat about the show. It’s a co-production with Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell, Massachusetts, where she’s currently the interim artistic director. It will be remounted at Merrimack in November and December. 

The brief, one-act script offers chaotic, witty and affectionate mashups of Austen’s six novels (“Sense and Sensibility,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “Mansfield Park,” “Emma,” “Northanger Abbey” and “Persuasion”) and countless romances wrapped in incisive social satire. It’s done with just three nimble actors —Cincy Shakes’ veterans Hannah Gregory, Jasimine Bouldin and Patrick Earl Phillips.

The sustaining joke of the play is that, when a cast member abruptly goes missing, the remaining two must teach an understudy the entire Austen canon on the fly. Lavery noted that the four playwrights were all “Janeites,” a name coined in 1894 by a British literary critic for Austen’s committed fans. Today there are numerous active chapters across England and the U.S., including in Cincinnati and Dayton.

“One of the attributes of the Janeite community is this banter and this love for witty sparring with one another about which book is better, why it’s better and why the other person is wrong,” Lavery said. 

Thanks for reading, but eventually you need to get off the couch. Find something to do with Cincinnati’s busiest events calendar!

A lot of the jokes, she said, were borrowed directly from the Janeite community. 

“The characters in the play also hold some of the most well-known Janeite [attitudes],” Lavery said. “One is more of a romantic caught up with Darcy and the loves, the dresses and the movies and all of those things. The other one is more of a purist — she’s a stickler for the fact, for the heightened language, the poeticism. She read the books in the order they were written. Between the two different characters, we cover a lot of ground.”

The character played by Phillips is a newcomer to Austen. Lavery described him as a keyhole for the newbies or the plus-ones in the audience who aren’t as familiar with Austen’s work. 

“That addition of him is important because it allows them to do more palatable takes on every book,” Lavery said. “He becomes the one who asks all the dumb questions that people in the audience, even if you’ve read all her books, might be asking as well.”

Asked to describe the show’s appeal, Lavery called it a fast and fun and joyous 80-minute experience that stays true to the text. 

“For people who don’t know, there’s a lot to be gleaned about how wild and progressive and ahead of her time Jane Austen was and kind of still is,” Lavery said. “Her writing is pretty radical even for right now. The hope is that maybe people will go read one of her books for the first time or revisit one read long ago.”

La Cage aux Folles

The Carnegie in Covington has established itself as a go-to venue for productions, especially when teamed with talent from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Musical theater director Rachel Stevens, a CCM professor, is staging “La Cage aux Folles.” It’s onstage Aug. 14-23.

The 1996 film “The Birdcage” was based on the original play and musical, featuring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. 

“La Cage aux Folles” was the first hit Broadway musical to depict a gay relationship, receiving a Tony Award in 1983. It’s about middle-aged Albin, a drag performer, and Georges, the owner of a posh gay night club in St. Tropez. It’s been a crowd-pleaser for decades, with a tuneful score by Jerry Herman and a riotously funny book by Harvey Fierstein. 

Josh Walden, playing Albin, appeared as a Cagelle, the star performer at the club in the show’s 2004 revival. An accomplished director, choreographer and educator, Walden recently served as artist-in-residence for CCM in 2025. Several CCM musical theater students are in the cast.

One hour before each Carnegie performance, audiences are invited to step into an immersive preshow experience that transports them into the nightclub and highlights local queer talent. The Carnegie’s galleries and public spaces will be transformed into an extension of the titular nightclub.

Crazy for you

“Crazy for You” by George and Ira Gershwin is showing at the Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre in Price Hill starting Aug. 8.

One of Cincinnati’s best local theater artists, Dee Anne Bryll, will direct a cast of 20, in a compendium of tunes by the brothers, composed in the 1920s and ’30s. A city slicker falls for a hometown girl in this zany, ebullient romantic comedy featuring cowboys, show girls and high-energy production numbers. 

First produced on Broadway in 1992, this light-hearted show won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical. 

We Will Rock You

Music by British rockers Queen is the score for “We Will Rock You,” featuring music by Queen at Memorial Hall in Over-the-Rhine for two days in late August. 

Broadway veteran Lesley Goddard will direct and choreograph Queen’s fist-pumping, foot-stomping title number, plus more than 20 Queen hits, such as “We Are the Champions” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The lightly staged production is put on by a cast of 17, including Bethany Xan Kerr, Rory Sheridan and Billy Chace (a regular with Cincy Shakes). A five-musician band led by CCM conductor Steve Goers accompanies the stage production. 

Originally produced in London, “We Will Rock You” had a 12-year run there (2002-2014). It’s been performed in 28 countries worldwide. 

The post From a Jane Austen parody to the musical that inspired The Birdcage, don’t miss these August shows appeared first on Cincinnati CityBeat.

The Cincinnati Opera will open its 2027 Summer Festival with a world premiere honoring civil rights icon John Lewis, leading a season that also features classic operas and the return of a fan-favorite musical.

Last Saturday, the Cincinnati Opera announced its 2027 Summer Festival dates and productions prior to the opera’s opening night performance of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen.”

Evans Mirageas, the Cincinnati Opera’s artistic director, took the stage to share with audiences all that the organization has planned for next summer’s slate, which starts June 18 and runs through Aug. 1.

The 2027 season opens with the world premiere of “John Lewis: Good Trouble” (June 18 and 20), inspired by the life of the civil rights icon, with music by Maria Thompson Corley and libretto by Diana Solomon-Glover, marking the second new work to be created through Cincinnati Opera’s Black Opera Project. “The Marriage of Figaro,” Mozart’s comic masterpiece, returns (July 8 and 10) in a charming period production.

Not performed at Music Hall since 2015, Puccini’s final opera “Turandot” will take the stage in a new-to-Cincinnati production (July 24 and 30; August 1). Completing the season are “Viva Verdi!,” a concert evening celebrating the music of beloved composer Giuseppe Verdi (June 25), and two Studio Sessions (July 1 and 14) in Music Hall’s intimate Wilks Studio, featuring artist-curated performances in a cabaret-style setting.

Learn more about Cincinnati Opera’s current and future slate by visiting the organization’s official website.

The post Cincinnati Opera announces summer 2027 festival appeared first on Cincinnati CityBeat.

This fall, hundreds of small, local venues will be hosting events across the Greater Cincinnati area — from stand-up comedy and gallery exhibitions to hardcore shows and anarcho-puppetry.

There’s a good chance that something you’ll want to see or be a part of is happening in the next few months. Perhaps you’ll catch a life-changing play, or take in a breathtaking light show; maybe you’ll mosh your brains out, or sit and listen to quiet acoustics. However you choose to engage with art, you’re almost guaranteed an opportunity to do so this fall.  

So, to help ring in the new season, as the leaves begin to slowly change color and the temperatures hopefully begin to drop, here is a brief calendar of events to keep your eye on until the snow starts to fall. 

The event is not ticketed, but for more information, visit the studio and gallery’s website, studiokroner.com. 

Tickets cost $18, and are available at caffevivace.com. 

On Sep. 23, a special preview of the exhibit will be held, tickets to which will be available through the gallery’s Eventbrite page. 

Early bird tickets cost $10.00, general tickets cost $15, and day-of tickets cost $20.00. To get your early bird tickets now, visit the bar’s website, cometbar.com. 

Oct. 17: Local indie alt rock band White Lighter will perform at the Wicked Pickle bar and grill in Loveland, right off the bike trail. The band, made up of Ethan Qureshi (guitar), Hallie Menkhaus (bass), Ben Jervis (vocals) and CityBeat’s own Christian LeDuc (drums),will be on stage from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

The event is not ticketed, but for more information, visit the bar’s website, wickedpickleloveland.com. 

Disclaimer: LINK Media Community Editor Christian LeDuc is a member of the band White Lighter. Reporters and contributors make their own independent decisions about what events to include in articles.

Tickets cost $20 — though no one is turned away due to lack of money — and are available at the troupe’s website, breadandpuppet.org. 

RSVPs can be made at the gallery’s website, artclecticgallery.com. 

The post Small venue shows to watch out for this fall appeared first on Cincinnati CityBeat.