By Shawn Maus
Touch the Moon is the kind of new work that reminds you why we make theater.
Cincinnati LAB Theatre’s Touch the Moon is not just a play, it’s an emotional reckoning. Written by Ariana Rose and masterfully directed by Elizabeth Harris, this new work is a slow-burn character drama that will leave you breathless. It’s loosely inspired by the Natalie Holloway case and shaped by a deeply personal experience from the playwright’s own family—and it shows in every raw, vulnerable moment.
The Story
Touch the Moon dives into the emotional aftermath of a young woman’s disappearance during a senior-trip vacation. What unfolds is a layered narrative about trauma, resilience, and the complicated relationships that stretch and snap in crisis. There’s no flashy set, no need for gimmicks, just a story with heart, hurt, and haunting humanity.
The Cast
- Elizabeth Hickerson as Becca
- Hannah Willow Diesman as Miranda
- Elliot Handkins as Stefan
- Michael Spitz as Dirk
- Gabi Homoff as Emily
This cast doesn’t just act, they disappear into their roles. The emotional gravity between Becca and Miranda carries the show. Their subtle shifts—from hope to panic, from silence to confrontation—are nothing short of hypnotic.
What Makes It Special
It’s the kind of play where you feel the room holding its breath. Audience members leaned forward, hung on every word, and—during the post-show talkback—asked questions that came from the gut. That’s how you know the story landed.
This is new work in action. Rose is still shaping the piece, and the audience’s voice is part of that process. Yet even in this early form, Touch the Moon is already whole. It’s rare to witness something this intimate, this grounded, and this emotionally charged on stage.
Get Tickets Today
CLT’s New Works Festival continues through July 26, 2025, with three fully staged productions and two Sunday staged readings. These are plays in progress—and you get to be part of that progress.
Tickets are available online (https://cincylabtheatre.wixsite.com/cincylab/tickets) and at the door. You can even purchase an All-Access Pass option to catch every moment and save a few bucks.
Shawn Says
This one doesn’t just touch the moon—it touches your soul. You’ll leave the theater changed. Maybe that’s the whole point. This is what new work is meant to be.
Show up, speak up, and support the future of theater while it’s still being written.
Shawn Maus is a Cincinnati-based writer, award-winning screenwriter, and communications professional with a deep passion for storytelling in all its forms. Holding an MFA in Screenwriting and a BFA in Electronic Media, Shawn brings a cinematic eye and narrative flair to his theatre reviews. As the owner of Shawn Maus Copywriting and Marketing, he manages digital content, social media, and newsletters. In his reviews for the League of Cincinnati Theatres, Shawn blends his love for theatre and classic cinema with a keen appreciation for live performance, offering readers insightful and engaging perspectives on the local theatre scene.
