Cincy 6: Onstage and Beyond
Once again, Cincinnati stages were bursting with gripping performances, thrilling music, and a continued demonstration of the amazing arts in our region. From revivals to world premieres, it was another banner year to enjoy the arts.
If you want to feel something – be deeply moved – there’s no better place to find that than at Cincinnati Opera. While all the performances this year were spectacular, Karah Son – returning to Music Hall after her triumphant “Madame Butterfly” – was breathtaking in “Tosca.”
She took us on a journey! Her singing was beautiful and I felt every bit of her conflict and murderous rage from the audience. Seriously, she coudl sing the phone book and I’d be rived. Brava!
–Tricia Suit
“Simply the Best: The Music of Tina Turner” performed with the Cincinnati Pops at Music Hall
– Jackie Reau
It’s not only professional theatre companies and musicians who create magic on stage!
I have to say the Walnut Hills Choir has been about the most consistent performance I've been able to get too, but I love watching my kids on that stage, their choir program is so well done, an absolute treat hearing them!
– Rachel DesRochers
I'm continually blown away by the talent of the Walnut Hills Choir program. Professors Nims and Albright put together incredibly ambitious arrangements of music for even the most seasoned vocalists, let alone for children ages 12-18! Always a delight to hear the voices of hundreds of students come together in song.
– Leslie Mooney
The opening of the reimagined Emery Theater marked a defining moment for The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, and for me personally. Seeing this incredible space restored and buzzing with families has been pure joy!
– Krista Katona Pille
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati new and improved home at The Emery Theater, complete with state-of-the-art digital and stage enhancements that make for an incredible theater viewing experience.
–Linsey Kraeling
“The Great Gatsby” at Cincinnati Ballet, The Wizard of Oz at Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati at the beautiful new theater…Wow, “Lable*Less,” and “& Juliet.”
– Michelle Jones
“King of Them All” living on PBS Passport has been both surreal and deeply meaningful. I’ll admit there’s some obsession involved, refreshing and rewatching more than is probably healthy, but seeing a Cincinnati story take up space nationally has been incredibly rewarding.
I’ve also loved spending time with my jazz family, especially hanging at the Lounge jam sessions. Those rooms remind me why live performance still matters, because it’s honest, generous, and rooted in real human exchange. It’s why Cincinnati continues to punch above its weight creatively.
– Yemi Oyediran
I thought it was so cool to watch an early screening of “Superman” at The Cincinnati Museum Center since part of the movie was filmed there. I love that Cincinnati is a city that advocates have cinema filmed here.
– Melissa Lewis
Colson Whitehead at the Mercantile Library's Niehoff Lecture was perfect.
– John Faherty
“The Great Gatsby” by Cincinnati Ballet
– Debbie Brant
You can see the best of the best at the “Summerfair Select” at the Weston Art Gallery now through January 11th. It's so wonderful to see how Summerfair's mission helps local arts become all they can be and more.
–Jayne Utter
Locally, “Next to Normal” at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati was maybe the best production I’ve seen in 2025, followed closely by “& Juliet” (Broadway in Cincinnati).
– Andrew Maloney
“Next to Normal” which resonated so deeply with our sold out audiences and personally allowed me to work on a piece from my past that spoke to my present life. The result was performances so honest that you felt it, became part of the story
– D. Lynn Meyers
“Next to Normal” – an excellent production at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati.
– Holly Brians Ragusa