By LCT Reviewers
For Cincinnati theatre lovers, mid-May always feels like a turning point. Mainstage seasons wrap up, Cincinnati Fringe posters begin appearing everywhere, and audiences start debating the year’s standout productions.
This season theatres have been cross-collaborating, encouraging new works, and providing many great shows and initiatives to build, entertain, and educate audiences. Whether it is seeing a classic play performed or building empathy for other humans, theatre is a great way to spark conversation. Before the city fully shifts into summer mode, here is Part 1 of our look back at some favorite moments from the 2025-2026 theatre season.
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT)
One of the biggest stories of the season was the reopening of the Emery Theater. Artistic Director Roderick Justice has left a clear artistic stamp on the restored space, from the visual details throughout the building to the ambitious technical execution on stage. Cincinnati is fortunate to have his leadership guiding a team of designers, artists, educators, and technicians into this new era.
The Emery now boasts one of the most technically advanced proscenium theatres in the region while preserving its renowned acoustics. The 20-by-20 pneumatic lift allows for dramatic entrances, while enhanced media walls immerse audiences in the action, where cornfields shimmer in the sun and sway in the breeze.
LCT reviewer Alan Jozwiak gives a special shout out to Kevin Frisch and the design team responsible for the dragons in DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon JR. It was another example of the high production values and design excellence audiences have come to expect from TCT.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (CSC)
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company opened the season with an urgent and powerful production of An Enemy of the People, according to Alan Jozwiak. Katrina Reynolds named A Soldier’s Play the highlight of the season, with Othello a close second.
Billy Chace’s Iago demonstrated that he is far more than simply a comic actor. Alan Jozwiak also praised Tess Talbot’s Desdemona for bringing intelligence and emotional clarity to a role too often reduced to passivity.
Liz Eichler adds, with a wink, that the Q Kidz remain among the company’s highlights. Jozwiak also notes that the outer-space setting for Pericles worked so well that “there should be none other,” giving praise to director Brian Isaac Phillips, with assistance from Liz Carman.
Emma opens this week–I’m sure it will be a contender as well.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati opened its season strongly with Next to Normal. Liz Eichler says it was even better than the company’s previous production, with striking scenery and emotional impact that slowly builds until “it hits you in the heart.”
Ensemble also continued supporting local playwrights and composers by commissioning It’s Fritz! A Sequel to Fiona: The Musical, with book by Zina Camblin and music and lyrics by David Kisor. The production was a clever way to connect with younger audiences through a story deeply tied to Cincinnati.
Human Race Theatre Company
Human Race Theatre Company’s production of Hay Fever took a comedy written nearly a century ago and made it feel surprisingly contemporary. Liz Eichler compared the eccentric family dynamics to the characters of television’s Schitt’s Creek — people capable of both supporting and repelling one another while wearing fabulous clothes.
The Dayton-based company also continues to maintain strong artistic ties with Cincinnati, regularly employing performers familiar to local audiences, including Jennifer Joplin, Jared Joplin, Kieran Cronin, Darnelle Benjamin, AJ Baldwin, Andrew Ian Adams, and Char Adams.
Know Theatre
“The script of King James really made the fan experience accessible, plus stellar performances by Kieran Cronin and Phillip Latham. Ohio native and Miami University graduate Rajiv Joseph keeps showing us why he has been a Pulitzer contender,” says Liz Eichler.
Katrina Reynolds highlights Constellations–a beautiful piece with strong acting by Caitlin McWethy and Phineas Clark. She also praised director Bridget Leak for maintaining excellent pacing throughout the production and the “ethereal set designed by Melissa Bennett and brought to life by Scenic Artisan Samantha Reno.” In addition, Reynolds notes The Ravenside Occurrence stood out as a haunting work with a strong message, and the special effects were fantastic.
Know also started a new tradition–Leak and her Board’s innovative programming for OctKNOWber, opening the theatre to companies eager to give audiences a good scare–or laugh.
The Carnegie
The Carnegie’s production of The Rocky Horror Show, remounted from the previous year, successfully balanced homage to both the stage musical and film adaptation, delivering high energy and memorable performances throughout. Pam Kravetz anchored the chaos as the Narrator, while Dusty Ray Bottoms brought theatrical flair and unpredictability to Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
Reynolds and Eichler also agreed that this year’s collaboration with CCM, Anything Goes was “a non-stop party rife with talent.” Under the leadership of Tyler Gabbard–who designs many of the sets–the Carnegie’s theatre programming grows stronger each season. Extra shout out to Music Director Julie Spangler for ensuring the music wasn’t overpowering the performers.
Playhouse in the Park
Beyond its strong mainstage season, regional theatre Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park continues investing in local artists through its Arts Incubator program, which supports playwrights including Isaiah Reaves and Maggie Lou Rader. Run by Artistic Engagement Manager Katie Baskerville, the program reflects Playhouse’s commitment to cultivating “local and nationally recognized theatre-makers as well as cultural organizations from our community.”
The season also highlighted the company’s ongoing collaborations with other regional theatres, many members of the League of Regional Theatres. Milwaukee Repertory Theater first staged The Piano Lesson before it came to Cincinnati, while Mrs. Christie originated here, featuring Cincinnati’s own Dale Hodges, before transferring to Milwaukee. Playhouse also partnered with Portland Center Stage on Little Women, directed by Joanie Schultz and starring one of Cincinnati’s favorite young performers, Beasley, and Kieran Cronin (yes, again).
Katrina Reynolds adds that The Heart Sellers was “an unexpectedly great play in the Shelterhouse –thoroughly entertaining and beautifully wholesome.”
American Legacy Theatre
Coming up on its 10th year, American Legacy Theatre continues its mission to amplify voices that are too often unheard.
In addition to their education programs, ALT’s Playwrights for Change program continues to innovate–creating new works, with collaboration from audiences. Their recent Bridge City shows great promise to have a life outside of Cincinnati.
Broadway Series
Katrina Reynolds calls Suffs “the Broadway Series’ best offering and probably the best show of any theatre this season.” Eichler agrees. “I can sing at least three songs from Suffs right now,” she says. “And Paul Tazewell’s costumes are beautiful on stage–and the detailing looks even better in the production photos. Hopefully, in addition to great theatre, Suffs message is heard.”
of SUFFS. Photo by Joan Marcus, 2025.
Best of Cincinnati Theatre 2025-26?
Our reviewers agree that it is very hard to choose just one show, one performance, or one design to highlight at any theatre, let alone picking “the best” from all LCT member theatres.
Best Musicals of the 2025-2026 Cincinnati Theatre season from these theatres? Suffs, Next to Normal, and Anything Goes are certainly contenders. Suff’s moving and memorable anthems, Next to Normal’s fragility and power, and Anything Goes heart thumping tap were all must-see theatre.
Best Play? That debate may be even harder. Reynolds is rallying for The Heart Sellers. Know’s innovative and excellent production of Constellations certainly stacks up against the classics of Enemy of the People, Othello and A Soldier’s Play at CSC. Let’s keep the debates open…until Part 2 is published.
What was your favorite Cincinnati theatre production from the 2025-2026 season?
