Wow! Another unforgettable season of amazing theatrical productions from Broadway Across Cincinnati has been released. Get ready to spend some time enjoying the theater at the Aronoff Center; the 25–26 season titles include: 

Back to the Future: The Musical, Sep. 9-21, 2025

The Notebook The Musical, Oct. 14-26, 2025

Hamilton, Dec. 16, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026

Hell’s Kitchen, Jan. 13-25, 2026

Shucked, Feb. 10-22, 2026

The Wiz, Mar. 3-15, 2026

Chicago, Mar. 24-29, 2026

Water for Elephants, Apr. 21-May 3, 2026

Suffs, May 12-17, 2026 and 

Disney’s The Lion King, Jun.10-Jul. 5, 2026

Visit cincinnati.broadway.com to register early for presale access and to learn all about the upcoming shows.

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On any given Tuesday or Thursday evening, children eagerly enter the Mayerson JCC, ready to step into the shoes of their on-stage characters. Laughter fills the lobby as the future cast members of the next big performance make their way into their creative space.

Theatre at the J is a relatively new program at the JCC, having launched in 2022. Since its inception, it has significantly grown, with two major Disney musical productions already under its belt. While the hard work and passion behind these performances is evident on stage, there is so much more unfolding behind the scenes during rehearsals.

“Participants gain invaluable experience during classes and rehearsals, where students grow their confidence and create peer connections,” said Eliana Rantz, director of Theatre at the J. “The process is just as important as the product.”

Rantz has witnessed even the shyest of children blossom into confident performers. Throughout the classes, actors discover their strengths, build confidence, and find their unique voices. While some students bound into each class, seeking out their friends, others may hang back, waiting for a chance to connect.

Fortunately, for those who feel nervous, Rantz makes a concerted effort to foster connections through engaging exercises. Each session incorporates fun games, breathing techniques, acting exercises, and more, fostering teamwork and self-expression as students develop their characters. Theatre at the J offers two classes for different age groups: Everyone’s a Star and Everyone’s a Star Mini. The upcoming session will culminate in a performance of Disney’s Frozen JR.

“I’ve seen tremendous growth in not only the theatre program, but with the students who make it happen,” Rantz said. “Come join us for Theatre at the J—where the drama begins this January 2025.”

The upcoming performance dates will be in May at the Mayerson JCC. We hope to see you there!

Learn more by CLICKING HERE!

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The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s 22-23 MainStage Season continues with PRINCESS & FROG, a new musical twist on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, The Frog Prince. Jason Marks wrote the music for the original show “Croaker The Musical”, and Debra Clinton wrote the book and lyrics. “Croaker The Musical” appeared Off-Broadway in 2016.

Here’s a quick synopsis of the show: When a beautiful, but spoiled, Princess Acrimonia throws her new golden ball down the palace garden well, she encounters an enchanted prince-turned frog, whose only hope of breaking his curse and turning back into a human is to be invited for dinner. Oh … and to be kissed on the nose by a princess. But this frog prince isn’t the only one under an enchanted curse. With the help of his amphibi-friends, the two form an unlikely bond by teaching each other the importance of self-discovery, friendship, and standing up for yourself.

“TCT is thrilled to adapt this fresh family musical based on the classic Frog Prince fairy tale,” says Artistic Director, Roderick Justice. “Audiences can expect to dive into the land of Astorya and go on an adventure with Princess Acrimonia and Prince Croaker, complete with tap dancing on lily pads! The first few rows might even wind up in the splash zone!”

PRINCESS & FROG marks the directorial debut for Maddie Burgoon Jones, who serves as Associate Artistic Director for The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. Maddie has been involved with TCT productions since she was nine years old, both onstage as a performer and off stage as choreographer, assistant director, and many other creative roles. Unplug and enjoy some live entertainment with the whole family! This 60-minute musical is great for all ages.

Hear what’s coming up next! TCT’s 23-24 MainStage Season will be announced prior to all performances of PRINCESS & FROG. PRINCESS & FROG runs at the Taft Theatre February 18 – 27, 2023. Get your tickets here: thechildrenstheatre.com/shows/princess-frog.

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Theatrical Classes for Kids

Does your child have a passion for singing, dancing, acting, or all three? TCT can help develop your child’s theatrical skills in a fun, welcoming environment. Our classes include Page to Stage, Theatre Games, Voice, Musical Theatre Dance, Improv, Drama Club and many more. Classes are offered for 4-6-, 7-9-, 10-12- and 13–18-year-olds. 

TCT’s AcademyLIVE

TCT’s AcademyLIVE! is back this fall with a fan-favorite musical CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION. This audition-only class combines instruction with the opportunity to perform in a fully staged musical with props, costumes and sets. Our curriculum combines instruction with “doing,” to best help your student internalize and master the theater skills taught. To complement and reinforce the learning process, students will also spend time rehearsing for their theater production that culminates in three public performances. This opportunity features two-hour classes, twice a week. Audition information will be posted soon.

Classes for Tiny Tots

For the tiny tots, TCT is now offering a TCT TOTS! Class is for 18–24-month-olds. Prepare to move, sing, dance, create and laugh with your little one in this five-week class that promotes developmental growth for your baby! This class is designed for baby and a parent, guardian or friend to participate together. Each class will be completely guided through music and will help build an environment conducive to social emotional learning.

Register for Fall Academy Classes

TCT Academy offers performing arts instruction from a professional theatre company, introducing children to all elements of live theatre, incorporating educational aspects as well as important life skills and milestones. It isn’t just learning how to sing, dance and act. It’s about gaining confidence, learning life skills and keeping your children active.

Registration for Fall Academy Classes opens on July 15. Classes run September 6 – November 13. Sign up your child today – spots will fill quickly!

Visit thechildrenstheatre.com/tct-academy for full class schedule and more information.

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TCT is looking for children ages 9 – 17 and adults 18 and older to audition for SUPERMAN and Santa Claus: The Musical.  Auditions and callbacks are held at TCT’s headquarters at 4015 Red Bank Road.

Budding thespians are asked to schedule an audition appointment between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. May 14 – 17.  For more info, call 513-569-8080, ext. 21 or email eric.byrd@tctcincinnati.com. 

For more info about TCT’s upcoming MainStage season, visit thechildrenstheatre.com. 

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This got me thinking … while he thinks he is “playing” and pretending to be someone else, he is unaware of all the academic skills he is working on during his drama class. During each class he practices following directions, understanding and practicing stage terms and locations, recognizing his spatial relation to other actors in his class, he has to practice waiting as he has to wait until it’s time for his lines, he is working on his gross motor skills as he moves as various characters, he is practicing his reading and reading fluency while also working on his intonation, and he gets to practice working with others as he works on this play with his classmates. I am sure I could go on and on with ways that his class is embedding skills during their sessions.

I recall when I was in elementary school, being mortified to read out loud or talk in front of my class.  After this class, I am sure my son will not shy away or become anxious about speaking out loud to his class. As he happily tells me about all the fun he has each week, I will quietly let out a, “Muhahahahaha!” as I know that while he is having so much fun, he is also practicing a bunch of great social/emotional and academic skills. My son gives The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati two thumbs up and so do I!  Check out their offerings for this summer!

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The singing and dancing was amazing and the kids were laughing and clapping along to the songs. They couldn’t believe that Mary Poppins could fly across the stage with her umbrella, they kept asking if she was a witch and went to Hogwarts. We clearly watch too much Harry Potter.

Mary Poppins is practically perfect in every way and we had a practically perfect time at the Taft Theatre watching the production. On the way home the kids were asking about the movie so we rented it so they could compare and contrast it to the play. My kids were blown away. It was really fun to watch the kids in amazement as Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews blended animation and film together. It was also fun to watch the movie that we haven’t seen in years but fell in love with again after so long. The same songs are catchy as ever and the kids kept us entertained with renditions of “A spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down.”

The Children’s Theatre will presents Mary Poppins at the Taft Theatre next weekend 4/13-4/15, visit https://www.thechildrenstheatre.com/mainstage/details/mary-poppins for more information.

The post The Children’s Theatre Presents Mary Poppins Jr. appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

My children danced the “squ-dot” dance all the way out of the theater and into the line to meet the cast. My son made a connection and shared that he is the only Michigan fan in a school full of Ohio State fans and my daughter shared that she is proud to be a girl with short hair when most girls her age have long hair. My heart was full leaving the show, knowing that my children not only got to watch a great show, but they gained skills in standing up to bullies and confidence in loving and embracing their differences!

Get your tickets now! The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati outdid themselves again! This is another show you won’t want to miss!

The show is running until March 25. On March 24, Ms. Carlotta Walls LaNier will join TCT for a special performance and Q&A after the 5 p.m. show.  In 1957, age age 14, Ms. Walls LaNier was the youngest Little Rock Nine member to integrate Central High School.  Tickets for this special event will be $30.  Check out the website for more information: https://www.thechildrenstheatre.com/mainstage/polkadots-the-cool-kids-musical

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He just finished week four of his beginning drama class through The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. In the last four weeks he has learned (and taught me) theatre terms as well as practiced his skills in acting out different emotions, behaviors, and animals. He has begun to recognize how hard actors must work to pretend to be someone or something else. He has come to realize that the people he sees on shows on TV or on stage are acting out roles assigned to them. In the mere four weeks he has participated in drama classes, he has gained knowledge in the hard work it takes to be in a theatre production.

My boy loves sports, but thanks to The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, he has discovered he loves the arts just as much! As an educator, I know that his drama class is encouraging his creativity, confidence, decision making, focus and collaboration! Already planning your child’s summer vacation?  Check out what The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati has to offer! https://www.thechildrenstheatre.com/learning-the-craft/tct-summer-camp

The post The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati’s Center Stage: Beginning Drama appeared first on Cincinnati Family Magazine.

First up is Superman, coming Oct. 6 – 15.  Cheer on Superman as he attempts to defeat a vengeful scientist, the new villain Dr. Abner Sedgwick.

For the holidays, families will delight to Santa Claus: The Musical, coming Dec. 8 – 17.  Santa is ready to retire, but not all the elves are thrilled with his chosen replacement.

Beat the winter blues with Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS, coming Feb. 16 – 25.  The classic tale features a host of colorful characters and favorite songs from the movie.

Lastly, Sleeping Beauty (pictured; photo by Phil Groshman) takes the stage April 27 – May 6 in a world-premiere commission by TCT.  This clever take turns the classic fairy tale into a rock musical comedy. 

New subscriptions to the 2018 – 2019 Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati MainStage season at the Taft Theatre will be available in early June after existing subscription renewals are complete.  Subscriptions range form $23 to $103 for all four productions.  Single tickets go on sale Aug. 31.  For more info, call 513-569-8080, ext. 10 or visit thechildrenstheatre.com. 

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