Review by Aiden Sims
A dark and stormy night, created in surround sound. A mysterious box sticks out of the front row of the Know Theatre’s main stage, while the dilapidated rib cage of what was lately an inn looms in front and on either side. Then—CRASH—four women spill into Cincinnati native Derek J. Snow’s The Ravenside Occurrence, confronting cultural skeletons and laying to rest some unfinished business.
View beware, you’re in for a scare.
Performers and Plot
Even before we see them clearly, we hear Bethany (Tierra London Rush), Emma (Meredith Frankie Crutcher), Hazel (Jordan Trovillion), and Nora (Abi Esmena). Dialect coach Julia Guillard ensures that the women, having fled an asylum, carry Cockney, British RP, and Irish inflections. At times, however, those accents compete with the play’s early exposition as our ears adjust.
Esmena’s Nora is the spirited, comedic heart of the piece, supported by strong ensemble work all around, although some of her lines are swallowed in a mouth full of cockney and food. Trovillion’s brogue underscores her grounded, straight-woman swagger. Crutcher is a wonder at naturally unpacking the narrative, and a word of warning: keep your eyes on Rush.
Production Team
Last seen onstage in Constellations, director Caitlin McWethy clearly wants you to love these women and takes care with their interpersonal dynamics. They feel real and are lovely to watch.
The design elements possess you in this ghost story, which at times feels reminiscent of The Play That Goes Wrong. Scenic designer Gabby Trice and lighting designer Charlie Raschke transform the space into a shadowy specter, aided by technical director Drew Homan and executed by stage manager Rebecca Armstrong. Jimmie A. Parker, ConcertNova, and Douglas Borntrager create a soundscape that is both rich and unsettling. Noelle Wedig-Johnston’s costumes evoke the 19th century, and Camille Jones’ choreography conjures the ancestors.
Conclusion
This ghost story is told somewhat out of sequence, at times missing connective tissue and feeling underserved by the action. However, the play’s message is clear: racism and misogyny are not mere apparitions, but ongoing threats to the lives and liberty of women and people of color. Overall, it’s a spooky and relevant good time. (Sit behind the box for a unique experience—but don’t touch it!)
Tickets
The Ravenside Occurrence runs at Know Theatre of Cincinnati through April 18, 2026. For more information about the production and to purchase tickets, visit the theatre’s website.
