Best of Cincinnati Theatre Fall 2025

December 29, 2025

LCT reviewers share about their favorites--and why. Some times it was spectacle which made it the favorite, sometimes the performances, sometimes the theme, and some times, seeing a well-known story in a new light.

By LCT Reviewers

What was your favorite show in Cincinnati during Fall 2025?

Some of the LCT reviewers gathered and discussed the best shows, performances and design so far this season. So hard to pick just one, the reviewers shared about their favorites–and why. Some times it was spectacle which made it the favorite, sometimes the performances, sometimes the theme, and some times, seeing a well-known story in a new light.

Alan Jozwiak

Long time reviewer and local theatre historian Alan Jozwiak shared three shows which stood out to him: NKU SOTA’s Oklahoma!, CSC’s An Enemy of the People and CCM’s The World Goes ‘Round. He said each company presented a familiar musical or play in a new and exciting way. “Oklahoma! really shocked me” he said. He praised how director (Kat Moser-Priddy) interpreted this golden age musical to make it seem new. “An Enemy of the People had a fantastic set, and presented a theme that resonates today–the importance of clean water for health,” he said. He continued to explain The World Goes ‘Round showcased the skills of CCM musical theatre students, who nailed the Kander and Ebb songs.

Chase Johnson

Chase Johnson also praised NKU SOTA’s refreshingly intimate take on the well known A Christmas Carol. He loved the staging and loved that he got a gift of citrus fruit. “The bell work was fantastic and it supported a good cause as well,” he added. Additionally, Johnson admired An Enemy of the People, for the same reasons as Jozwiak and Love’s Labour’s Lost–both at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. “Love’s Labour’s Lost was hilarious–set in the 1980’s. I was dubious–but it worked! The gags were there!”

Iden and Gonzalez

Doug Iden and Lara Gonzalez both raved about The Notebook, the Musical presented by Broadway in Cincinnati. A love story told in reverse, both agreed it was highly professional, well structured and moving–although neither cared for the book or movie.

Iden also sang the praises of Falcon Theatre’s focus on new shows this season, including Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons and Juliet: A Dialogue about Love. “Both had a thematic impact well beyond the bounds of what I am used to seeing,” said Iden. Iden regularly attends musicals–and teaches a class at OLLI on musical theatre. The reviewers all agree it is good to mix up genres and theatres–and highly recommend this to theatre audiences. Gonzalez also was impressed with CCM’s The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, both for bringing a beloved YA novel to the stage, and for the strong performances and staging.

Percy Jackson — ***Falcon’s Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons***

Razi and Maus

Afshin Razi added “I’ve never seen a bad show at the Carnegie”–a testament to the caliber of producing and programming Theatre Director Tyler Gabbard has been providing. The group raved about The Color Purple and Grease this summer. Razi also sang Roderick Justice’s praises for what he has done at the Emery Theater, including a heart warming spectacle that was Elf the Musical JR. “The technical design, as it extends into the theatre space, is breathtaking.” Eichler added how the “rainbow arch” lit up the proscenium during Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition.

***TCT Cincinnati’s Elf JR at the Emery Theatre***

“There were a lot of strong showings by everyone,” said Shawn Maus, and voiced regrets for missing Miami University Theatre’s Murder on the Orient Express. Razi and Liz Eichler, LCT president, were quick to point out the amazing scenery, lighting and effects, as well as some strong performances. “Miami’s design team really knocked it out of the park on this one, with great attention to historical detail,” said Razi.

Iden added praise for the choreography he’s witnessed at Covedale. Instead of simple box steps, the casts have really stepped up. He praised choreographer Cassidy Steele and some of CLP’s recent directors for focusing on choreography to elevate performances such as Hello, Dolly!

Murder on the Orient Express set at Miami University.

Liz Eichler’s Favorites

Eichler’s favorites included Rocky Horror, in an encore from last season–“I grew up with Rocky Horror Picture Show. I have seen multiple stage productions, which are fun, but hard to compare with the film. But this production was so well cast, so well performed, so well designed, it really blew me away.”

Ensemble Theatre’s Next to Normal, was another favorite, but also another show which Ensemble brought back due to great success. “Brian c. Mehring’s scenery and lighting design for this show is perfect. Amazing cast–full of passion and incredible voices. Another amazing example of Cincinnati’s Broadway-caliber professional theatre,” said Eichler.

The Rocky Horror Show runs now through November 2, 2025 at The Carnegie in Covington. — **The Carnegie’s Rocky Horror**

Next to Normal Ensemble Theatre 2025 — **The Carnegie’s Rocky Horror**

Eichler continued to highlight Know Theatre’s King James as a great show–and surprisingly accessible to people who don’t follow basketball.” She noted the clever setting in the Underground section of Know’s lobby. Know also surprised their audiences with an array of short run scary season events in OctKNOWber–clever programming by AD Bridget Leak and the board. Then a few more added events in December, such as Aint True and Uncle False for the Holidays, a warm, quaint, new yet familiar hug of a holiday show.”