Cincinnati Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations

Review: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS at the Aronoff Center
by Ana-Brit Asplen - December 13, 2024

With its spectacular design elements and a talented, lively cast, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a great outing for any family looking to celebrate some holiday spirit, or really anyone who appreciates the classic story by Dr. Seuss....

Review: RUTKA at Playhouse In The Park
by Ana-Brit Asplen - November 08, 2024

Rutka is a new musical that adapts the diary entries of a young Jewish girl's final months before being killed in 1943 in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Featuring an original indie-rock musical score, Rutka finds the balance of telling a nuanced account of her adolescent experiences while growing...

Review: MAMMA MIA! at the Aronoff Center
by Ana-Brit Asplen - September 09, 2024

Mamma Mia! is an absolute blast of a musical when it’s done right, and the current North American touring production goes above and beyond. Accepted as a classic with its charming story, energetic music using hit songs from the 70s disco band ABBA, and the energetic performances that fill the stage,...

Review: TICK, TICK… BOOM! at The Carnegie
by Ana-Brit Asplen - July 21, 2024

From the point of the titular ticking noise haunting the theatre at the beginning of the show, The Carnegie’s production of Tick, Tick… Boom! captivates the audience and lets them live vicariously through the characters’ joy, heartache, distress, and growth all in the span of 100 minutes....

Review: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at The Carnegie
by Ana-Brit Asplen - June 30, 2024

The anticipation of The Carnegie’s production of The Rocky Horror Show has paid off with its exciting cast, creative designs, and taboo energy. Dusty Ray Bottoms of RuPaul’s Drag Race stars in the iconic role of Frank-N-Furter....

Review: CLUE at the Aronoff Center
by Ana-Brit Asplen - May 15, 2024

Though the script is very similar to the 1985 movie of the same name and features many of the same iconic lines and story elements, this adaptation of Clue is successful in its own right. Between a talented cast, surprising design elements, and direction that knew how to transport the story to the s...

Review: SIX at the Aronoff Center
by Ana-Brit Asplen - April 24, 2024

The energy was high on opening night as the sold-out crowd cheered loudly from the house from the very first beat and light shift. With a newly refreshed cast, the current touring production of Six exudes extravagance, dedication, and plenty of impressive notes within each catchy tune....

Review: THE BOOK OF MORMON at the Aronoff Center
by Ana-Brit Asplen - February 21, 2024

Whether or not this is the first production someone has seen of The Book of Mormon, the talent holds up as the actors fully embrace their roles, while the remaining elements still perfectly fit the show's intent as it spreads its messages all over the country. Audiences lauded the funny shock value ...

Review: DANCING WITH THE STARS: LIVE! 2024 TOUR at the Taft Theatre
by Ana-Brit Asplen - February 07, 2024

This sold-out performance at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, Ohio was highly anticipated by local fans, and they voiced their elation over seeing their favorite dancers in person. The 2024 tour of Dancing with the Stars: Live! is an absolute joy for anyone who enjoys a huge spectacle and superb danc...

Review: HELLO, DOLLY! at The Carnegie
by Ana-Brit Asplen - February 03, 2024

With the combination of great direction by Joe Bertucci and an excellent execution by the rest of the team, The Carnegie’s production of Hello, Dolly! is a fantastic example of how a Golden Age musical should be presented through a local company....

Review: BEETLEJUICE at the Aronoff Center
by Ana-Brit Asplen - January 17, 2024

With stunning design elements, a highly professional cast, and an engaging plot, Beetlejuice is very worthy of its nearly sold-out run at the Aronoff Center in Cincinnati, OH....

Review: A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS at the Aronoff Center
by Ana-Brit Asplen - December 23, 2023

A Magical Cirque Christmas came to Cincinnati, OH for a night of jaw-dropping spectacle, pure talent, and holiday cheer. With acts ranging from body-bending acrobats, daring endeavors, and awe-inspiring magic tricks, this tour truly goes above and beyond a mere holiday variety show. The goal of the ...

Broadway Beyond Louisville Review: Broadway in Cincinnati presents GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY at the Aronoff Center
by Taylor Clemons - October 23, 2023

What did our critic think of GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY at Aronoff Center? Admittedly, I’m not a huge Bob Dylan fan. Not for any reasons like dislike, but generationally I was never really exposed to his music. So when I heard there was a new musical using his catalog, my expectations were tampered...

Review: WRECKING BALL at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
by Ana-Brit Asplen - October 20, 2023

The team at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company knows how to produce a successful play from all standpoints. Whether you’re a television enthusiast, a writer, a person who has to work with others in a professional setting, or someone who has a desire to stand up for what’s right, Wrecking Ball can be app...

Review: THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL: YOUTH EDITION at The Children's Theatre Of Cincinnati
by Ana-Brit Asplen - October 15, 2023

The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s production of The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition makes a splash using its vast resources to create striking visuals and cast performers who made the zany roles their own in the best way....

Review: MAYTAG VIRGIN at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
by Ana-Brit Asplen - June 03, 2023

A love story at its core, director Bridget Leak uses a great deal of nuance to form the connection of its two characters as they navigate the slow burn of attraction, grief, and life itself....

Review: TROUBLE IN MIND at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
by Ana-Brit Asplen - May 26, 2023

Trouble in Mind made its Broadway premiere in 2021, 66 years after it was produced off-Broadway at Greenwich Mews Theatre. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is known for its unique takes on classic stories and reviving them for a fresh audience, and this play is no exception. Known for its general them...

Review: MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL at the Aronoff Center
by Ana-Brit Asplen - May 12, 2023

From the opening of a quirky theatre etiquette lesson from the monkey, to the city-specific references of Skyline Chili, to the dance party curtain call reprise of 'I Like to Move It, Move It', Madagascar the Musical provided the audience with countless zany and laughable moments....

Review: THE JUNGLE BOOK at Gamut Theatre's Young Acting Company and Rasika School of Dance
by Andrea Stephenson - April 01, 2023

This production of The Jungle Book is visually beautiful and engaging, and appeals to audiences of all ages. While this production is sold out, the caliber of this performance is a testament to the work of Gamut Theatre and Rasika School of Dance. Readers should plan to get tickets early for their u...

Broadway Beyond Louisville Review: JAGGED LITTLE PILL at The Aronoff Center
by Taylor Clemons - March 29, 2023

What did our critic think of JAGGED LITTLE PILL at Aronoff Center?...

Broadway Beyond Louisville Review: TOOTSIE at The Aronoff Center
by Taylor Clemons - March 14, 2023

What did our critic think of TOOTSIE at The Aronoff Center? As theatre innovates and reinvents, the days of the old-time musical comedies are all but behind us. But the broadway musical adaption of Tootsie (based on the 1982 film), is a welcome and refreshing musical comedy. The story is simple: an ...

Broadway Beyond Louisville Review: TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at The Aronoff Center
by Taylor Clemons - November 01, 2022

What did our critic think of TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at The Aronoff Center?...

Review: THE BAND'S VISIT At The Aronoff Center
by Taylor Clemons - July 21, 2022

What did our critic think of THE BAND'S VISIT at The Aronoff Center?...

Broadway Beyond Louisville Review: MY FAIR LADY at The Aronoff Center
by Taylor Clemons - February 11, 2022

Lincoln Center Theater has a vast and now legendary history of producing lavish revivals of some of the most amazing golden age musicals. In recent years they brought us splendid productions of South Pacific, The King and I, and Falsettos. However, this is nothing new as they flourished in the 80s a...