When you think of live theater, you might naturally picture large metropolitan cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and especially New York. Cincinnati should also be on your list, with its local playhouses and venues that host Broadway touring companies. Whether you're in the mood for a show you might see on Broadway, some children putting on a memorable performance, or something in between, make sure you check out these locations to witness some fine acting.
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Image via Flickr by cincyproject | Licensed by CC BY 2.0
In 1959, college student Gerald Covell had aspirations of creating a professional theater in Cincinnati, and that's how the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park began. The original Playhouse was in the park's shelter, which now houses the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre at 411 Gest St. As the Playhouse grew, it needed a new location so more people could view the performances. You can now watch performances at either the Shelterhouse or the Robert S. Marx Theatre, which was named after a well-known area philanthropist. It's located at 962 Mt. Adams Circle.
Each year, more than 50,000 young people participate in Playhouse programs. It hosts productions for 10 months out of the year and attracts 190,000 people annually. Each show runs for at least four weeks with eight performances hosted each week, every day except Mondays. The nonprofit Playhouse was also one of the first theaters to offer discounted tickets for students to attend matinee shows.
Aronoff Center for the Arts
Simply known as The Aronoff to Cincinnati residents, the Aronoff Center for the Arts was named after Senator Stanley Aronoff, who had a vision of establishing a fine arts center in his hometown. The center, which opened in 1995, sits at 650 Walnut St. and is just a block away from Fountain Square near downtown Cincinnati. Internationally renowned architect Cesar Pelli designed the building, which features stainless steel, dramatic glass, and a brick facade.
Stepping inside the center, you'll notice it has three separate performance spaces. The largest one, which hosts major events, is the Procter & Gamble Hall, and it seats up to 2,700 patrons. The Jarson-Kaplan Theater has 437 seats and is ideal for local dance and theater presentations. The smallest space is the Fifth Third Bank Theater, which seats up to 150 patrons and can be reconfigured for more intimate gatherings. The center also boasts galleries on two levels through the Weston Art Gallery. Stop by the gallery to view exhibits by amateur and professional artists.
Several organizations call The Aronoff home, including the Cincinnati Music Theatre, the Cincinnati Ballet, the Exhale Dance Tribe, the Cincinnati Playwrights Initiative, and the Contemporary Dance Theater. However, the center is best known for hosting touring Broadway shows, such as "Wicked," "The Phantom of the Opera," "Les Miserables," and "The Lion King."
The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati
Created more than a century ago, The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) has created lifelong memories for families who have school-age children. Many children experience their first live theater experience with TCT. Most of the TCT's performances occur at The Taft Theatre, which sits at 317 E. 5th St. The TCT strives to entertain, educate, and engage all audience members through its theatrical performances.
The theater began with Helen Schuster-Martin in the Schuster-Martin School of Drama in 1919. She sought to bring her experience with live theater by starting The Junior League Players, eventually launching TCT as an independent nonprofit organization in 1947. Today, the Junior League of Cincinnati continues to offer strong volunteer support for TCT's endeavors.
East Side Players Community Theater
The East Side Players Community Theater puts on plays performed by ordinary people who have a love of theater. Since it began more than 25 years ago, the group has performed almost 100 shows. Each production takes months to perfect before its presented to an audience. The performers don't get paid for their efforts; they simply do it because they love the fine arts. They design and create their own sets, choreograph their dances, and design their costumes.
The group seeks to show interest, appreciation, and participation in theater. It's open to people of all ages who have a desire to showcase their talents to the local community. All of its performances occur at the Blue Ash Amphitheater at 4433 Cooper Road in Blue Ash. Tickets for all performances are $!0 at the door, while children age 3 or younger are free.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
Located in downtown Cincinnati in the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood at 1127 Vine St., Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati produces contemporary theater with more than 220 shows annually. It produces regional and world performances of events that highlight compelling social issues. The theater, which was founded in 1986, began as a way for local artists to transform the community through the arts. Thanks to the financial efforts of Ken and Mary Taft Mahler as well as John and Ruth Sawyer, the theater immediately had an impact on the area and has since become the second-largest professional theater in the area.
Prices for shows at the theater are based on demand. All adult tickets start at $35, but as the date for the show becomes closer and seats become scarcer, the prices may increase by up to $15 per ticket. Tickets for children ages 12 and under are always $25, regardless of when you purchase the tickets. Student tickets are also $25 for all performances as long as you show a current school ID. If you attend a sensory-friendly performance, the tickets are in a pay-what-you-can format, but you must fill out a special ticket request form.
Now that you've had a chance to look through this list of venues where you can watch live theater in Cincinnati, what do you think? Did our team from Kings Toyota mention all the locations you were thinking about? If not, please contact us so we can make sure to add it to our list. We want people to be aware of all the places they can attend, so help us point out all the local spots we might have missed.
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