Taking the Stage

Rendering of the Emery Theatre. Courtesy The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati.

August marks the last act for Summer, but local theaters are looking ahead to a busy Fall season of new venues, classic stories, and groundbreaking works.

The BIGGEST news comes from the organization meant for the smallest audience members! The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati opens its new home at The Emery Theater, 1112 Walnut St. later this year.

TCT holds a special “opening night” with a family-friendly block party in OTR on Saturday, Sept. 7, 12–4 p.m. Hosted by TCT-favorite Bob Herzog, the celebration includes music from Q102, face painting, balloon animals, character meet-and-greets, tours of the Emery Theater and food from LaRosa’s, Graeter’s and Kroger’s On-The-Rhine Eatery.

The TCT season at The Emery Theater begins with a one-hour “youth edition” of Frank L. Baum’s timeless classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” Oct. 10–26. In this story that has enchanted audiences for generations, audiences will follow Dorothy and friends down the Yellow Brick Road in an unforgettable experience unlike anything you have ever seen before.

The Cincinnati theatre officially kicks off a little earlier, as ”Where the Mountain Meets the Sea” opens in the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre at Playhouse in the Park on Aug. 30. This heart-waring story about a father-and-son bond, set to folk music continues through Sept. 28.

Playhouse in the Park then stages the U.S. premiere of “Mythic,” new pop-rock musical directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall.

This musical with Broadway ambitions, “Mythic” (Sept. 20–Oct. 19) turns the ancient Greek myth of Persephone on its ear, with the gods reimagined as chart-topping pop stars, power hungry politicians and attention-seeking influencers. Starstruck by Olympian celebrity, Persephone rebels against her mother Demeter’s expectations and decides to forge her own path. When she sneaks into a party at the Acropolis and meets brooding bad-boy Hades, her life takes an unexpected turn into the Underworld. “Mythic” played to critical acclaim in London and in a sold-out run in Montreal.

The creative team includes designers with numerous Broadway credits including “Hamilton,” “Anastasia,” “Beetlejuice,” and K”inky Boots.” The cast features a roster of exciting veteran and up-and-coming actors with Broadway credits with Savy Jackson as Aphrodite, Michael Park as Zeus, Mamie Parris as Demeter, Analise Scarpaci as Persephone, and Julius Thomas III as Hades.

At Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, experience a fresh and provocative new adaptation of the Henrik Ibsen classic “An Enemy of the People,” by Amy Herzog, opening Sept. 5.

When Dr. Thomas Stockmann discovers a shocking secret about his community’s prized health resort, he becomes determined to expose the truth- even if it means turning the entire town against him. With family, friendship, and the price of integrity hanging in the balance, “An Enemy of the People” is a riveting exploration of what happens when one person’s truth becomes a community’s greatest threat.

For this production, Cincy Shakes is partnering with the Mill Creek Alliance, which works to empower Mill Creek communities to protect and enhance the value of the creek, its tributaries, and watershed. Through inclusive, meaningful community engagement and collaborative action, the Alliance strives to create a Mill Creek watershed that is a healthy ecosystem where people and communities can thrive. The organization will be tabling at YP Preview Night (Wednesday, Sept. 3), sharing how to help keep our community’s water healthy.

Looking for a little more of an escape? Go back in time to the ‘80s – and the ‘50s! – with Broadway Across America’s “Back to the Future: The Musical,” at the Aronoff Center for the Arts Sept. 9–21. The beloved, cinematic classic turned Broadway musical will show you the Power of Love. When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself...back to the future.

Winner of the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, four WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical, and the Broadway World Award for Best New Musical, “Back to the Future: The Musical” is adapted for the stage by the iconic film’s creators Bob Gale (“Back to the Future” trilogy) and Robert Zemeckis and directed by the Tony Award®-winner John Rando with original music by multi-Grammy® winners Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, alongside hit songs from the movie including “The Power of Love,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “Earth Angel,” and “Back in Time.”

And, yes, there is a flying DeLorean!

The Know Theater kicks off their 2025-26 season with “King James,” and not the one from Bible fame! This comedy (Sept. 11–27) focuses on Ohio’s own LeBron James, with a story of brotherhood, basketball, and LeBron himself.

When “King” LeBron James shoots to basketball superstardom with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the city unites to cheer on their hometown hero. Matt and Shawn, an unlikely duo bonded through shared adulation of their sports idol, weather the highs and lows of a twelve-year friendship, “King James” is a celebration of basketball and chosen brotherhood.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, starting the season with revival of the rock musical that redefined musicals, “Next to Normal,” from Sept. 13 through Oct 4.

This pop-rock musical is a profoundly human story of struggle, perseverance, and hope.

“After 40 years, the dreams of Ensemble Theatre’s founders are still being realized today for creating a community of local artists, directors, and designers,” says Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “To celebrate Ensemble’s success and tenacity for staying in OTR, Next to Normal is a story that doesn’t get old and it’s one I felt needed to be retold. In 2011, we were the only theatre in the country to receive the rights to production it when it was still on its national tour, so we’re thrilled to bring it back to the stage again 14 years later.”

One of ETC’s most popular productions, this Pulitzer and Tony-award winning piece is a triumph of contemporary musical theatre. With soaring rock music, unforgettable characters, and a gripping, emotionally resonant story, the power of “Next to Normal” echoes long after the last note.

Just in time for Halloween, “The Rocky Horror Show” makes a triumphant return to The Carnegie Oct. 24 to Nov. 2. The camp classic follows two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and Janet – as they embark on an adventure in a creepy mansion with the charismatic Dr. Frank-n-Furter and his friends, with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity.