Last night we had a date night in Over the Rhine ~ dinner and a show. Thanks to Cincy Shakes we got to see “The Play That Goes Wrong” and it was truly hilarious. We laughed throughout the entire show and on our way home as well. We have seen this show before but this performance, with this cast, on this stage was our favorite. This cast made the whole wild debacle of the play gone wrong feel so real.
It seems that the tickets are going fast so get your tickets now! You do not want to miss this hilarious experience!
Here’s a sneak peek:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Presents the Farcical Fiasco The Play That Goes Wrong
Cincy Shakes concludes its 30th Anniversary Season with the highly anticipated comedy that is already breaking Box Office records! Get ready for an evening of side-splitting laughter and theatrical mayhem as Cincinnati Shakespeare Company proudly presents the uproarious comedy, The Play That Goes Wrong. Running from May 24 – June 16, 2024, this riotous production promises to be the comedy event of the season and is directed by Brian Isaac Phillips. Penned by the talented trio Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, The Play That Goes Wrong has been described as “A GUT-BUSTING HIT!” by The New York Times. This show is a delightful disaster that has garnered acclaim from audiences and critics alike since its premiere. The production design is generously sponsored by Messer and KeyBank.
About the Play: It’s Opening Night at the Cornley Drama Society, and they are staging their newest production, “The Murder at Haversham Manor.” The stakes have never been higher, but from the very beginning, nothing goes according to plan. The theater is plagued by accident-prone actors, a corpse that refuses to play dead, and a leading lady who’s knocked out cold. Amidst the chaos, the valiant (but hapless) actors struggle to reach the final curtain call without bringing down the house—literally.
This farcical fiasco celebrates the timeless theater adage that “the show must go wrong,” woops, we mean “the show must go on!”
Meet the Cast and Crew: Directed by CSC’s Producing Artistic Director, Brian Isaac Phillips, the production features an ensemble cast of CSC comedy veterans. Audiences will be delighted by the performances of Geoffrey Warren Barnes II, Darnell Pierre Benjamin, Billy Chace, Jared Earland, Jeremy Dubin, Candice Handy, Matthew Lewis Johnson, Justin McCombs, and Kelly Mengelkoch. Their comedic timing and chemistry bring this madcap play to life, ensuring non-stop laughter.
The production’s creative team includes Samantha Reno (Scenic Design), who creates the perfect set for chaos to ensue, and Rainy Edwards (Costume Design), who dresses the actors in era-appropriate attire that adds to the humor. Alice Trent (Lighting Design) illuminates the stage to enhance the comedic mishaps, while Chris Guthrie (Sound Design) provides sound effects that punctuate every comedic turn. Gina Cerimele-Mechley (Fight Choreography) choreographs the slapstick and physical comedy, and Kara Eble Trusty (Properties Design) ensures that every prop plays its part in the calamity. Stage Manager Cole Sweasy and Assistant Stage Manager Abby Sherr keep the backstage chaos under control.
A Comedy Sensation: Since its debut in London in 2012, “The Play That Goes Wrong” has become a global phenomenon. Its success caught the eye of producer-director J.J. Abrams, who brought the play to Broadway in 2017, where it was met with enthusiastic acclaim. This slapstick comedy has since become a favorite of theater companies nationwide, delighting audiences with its blend of physical comedy, witty dialogue, and sheer theatrical disaster.
Ticket and Theater Information: Tickets are on sale now and are going fast- some performances are sold out. The Play That Goes Wrong runs from May 24 – June 16, 2024. Performances are on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, with two Saturday matinees on June 8 and 15 and three Sunday matinees on June 2, 9, and 16 at 2:00 PM as well as an added show on Wednesday May 29. Sunday matinees include a Q&A with the cast following the performance. CSC offers performances with accessibility resources. Sign Language Interpretation and Live Audio Descriptions are available during the Sunday, June 16 2:00 PM performance.
Friday, May 31, 2024 will be a special gala fundraiser performance. Click here to find out more about this event called REVEL & Rollick.
Discounts are available for students, seniors, local residents, and community partners, as access to all is important to CSC. Each performance night has a limited number of $14 “Access” tickets in the Upper Gallery and Stage Gallery. These can be purchased in advance by going online or calling the Box Office. And starting 1 hour before each performance, any unreserved tickets may be available as a discounted Rush Ticket to anyone, not just students. These tickets are only $12 and could be located anywhere in the house, depending on that evening’s availability. These cannot be reserved more than 1 hour before a show and must be purchased in person in the Box Office. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Ticketing fees apply. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at cincyshakes.com.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is located at The Otto M. Budig Theater at 1195 Elm Street in OTR, adjacent to Washington Park. Many parking spaces are available on the street and in nearby lots and garages- for more information, visit otrchamber.com/pages/WheretoPark.
CSC also offers Valet Parking for every performance! Make reservations for $25 in advance when purchasing tickets, or visit www.cincyshakes.com/parking. Purchasing in advance guarantees a spot. Valet is available right at the corner of 12th and Elm Street in front of the theater and begins approx. 1.5 hours before a performance. Cars can be picked up for up to one hour following a performance. (After one hour, you will need to arrange pick up with the valet service directly.) After purchasing, the valet will have your name on the list— it’s that easy!
NEW! Reserved parking spaces are available for $15 in the lot adjacent to CSC on Elm Street, conveniently located next to the theater at 1119 Elm St. Parking opens approximately 2.5 hours prior to each performance. Upon purchase, your name will be added to the list by the 3CDC parking attendant – it’s hassle-free! Booking in advance ensures your space, but drive-ups are welcome if spots are available. Please note that this option is not offered on FC gamedays. Visit cincyshakes.com/your-visit/parking to reserve now.
Disclaimer: I was given a pair of tickets to see this production, but I promise you that the opinions are 100% my own. Photos by Mikki Schaffner and press release provided by the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.
