I'm still feeling the awe of seeing the Cincinnati Ballet last night. What a fabulous spectacle!…read more We saw the production of the Wizard of Oz. It has been a favorite movie of mine since I was a small child and I couldn't wait to see this show. I haven't been to a ballet since I was in elementary school and saw Swan Lake. I never forgot that emotional experience! Last night's production invoked those same feelings. The costumes were gorgeous! The dancing was beautifully choreographed and expressive. The puppeteer that handled the puppet of Toto was amazing! The orchestra was fantastic, as well. It was an incredibly emotional experience to witness our Cincinnati Ballet in action.

I just attended the first event this season for New Works. It is a great idea, and a fun, behind…read morethe scenes experience. And who can beat the price? (FREE!!) One week before the official opening of each new Cincinnati Ballet show, they open up a few spots in their practice studio for guests to watch them rehearse. It's a great way to preview the coming show, while sitting only a few feet away from the stars. The seating is assigned, so get your tickets together with the people you want to sit with. Try to get there a little early as well because the parking lot has limited space available. The main part of the rehearsal is about an hour long, then you can continue watching or file out for free pizza and water, wine, or beer. It's a very social setting, so this is your time to mingle and start up conversations with the people involved as well as the people attending. Here's a rundown on the skinny of the event: Watch rehearsal in the studio with Cincinnati Ballet Company dancers and choreographers. Enjoy delicious pizza provided by LaRosa's. Sip beer provided by Arnold's Bar & Grill and wine provided by Ludlow Wines. Meet Cincinnati Ballet dancers and staff. Go behind the scenes. Socialize Time: Rehearsal begins promptly at 5:15 p.m, Reception begins at 6:15 p.m. Reservations are required. "Please note that all seating is assigned and that Cincinnati Ballet reserves the right to redistribute your tickets if you have not checked in by 5:10pm. Handicapped accessible seating is available in limited amounts; should you require handicapped accessible seating, please notify the ticket representative when making your reservations." The way the access to this event breaks down is as follows: Seating is limited. If you have a subscription package or are a donor to Cincinnati Ballet, you will be given first shot at the available seating. A few days later, reservations will be opened to all those who hold a ticket for the individual performance. For every ticket purchased, you will get 2 reservation spots to Ballet & Beer. If this does not fill the event space to capacity, it will be opened up to the general public at a later date. These events can easily be booked to capacity quickly, so be sure to keep on top of the reservation deadlines. If it sells out, don't fret. You can call the day of to see if there are any early cancellations. Additionally, you can show up and at 5:10, tickets that have not been claimed may be redistributed. Also, if they do fill the seating, they may be so inclined as to allow some people to enter and stand in the aisles. Arnold's is also running specials for Ballet & Beer which allows you to bring in your ticket stub in exchange for a buy one, get one free entree after the show. When the show officially begins, Arnold's will offer a special $40 price which allows you to get dinner before the show, see the show, and then return to Arnold's for dessert after. These are limited though, so you want to reserve in advance in possible. This is a fun way to support the arts, get a feel for what goes into a production, get a sneak peek of the show, and socialize with fellow patrons.

I absolutely love Cincinnati Music Hall. My husband surprised me with tickets to The Nutcracker,…read moreand it was such a magical experience. The ballet is beautiful--the dancing and performances are simply stunning, and the dancers are incredible. Being able to take a drink into the hall is a big plus. The lobby has two concession stands with snacks and beverages, including alcoholic options, and there's usually a merchandise booth as well. During The Nutcracker, they had the most beautiful ballerina ornaments for sale--such a lovely touch. Parking is easy, too. There's a public garage right across the street, plus street parking nearby. Overall, an elegant venue and a wonderful night out. Highly recommend.

The Studio Ghibli Concert was superb! Bravo Wilbur Lin (conductor). Spirited Away definitely…read morespirited us away. Excellent!!!

We went here today for a school field trip and the kids (1st and 5th graders) absolutely loved it!…read moreI really appreciated that there was also adult humor incorporated into the show! The building is absolutely gorgeous and although it wasn't open today, they did have a condensation stand with a bar. Parking was a bit of a pain though, I ended up parking a block or 2 away from the theater itself. The show was incredible and blew my expectations out of the water! My only suggestion is to not sit in the top row, as you can sometimes see what is happening in the back. Overall, we loved this place and will definitely be back!

From the owner: Madcap Puppets is nationally recognized for engaging and original children's theatre productions,…read moreas well as in-school educational programs that include performances, workshops and residencies. Children's learning experiences are enriched with performances based on world literature and cultures, thanks to our partnerships with schools and libraries across the country. Audiences enjoy the collaborations with orchestras, museums, opera and ballet, which allow us to bring a richly textured artistic experience to children and their families. To kick off all the fun, we premiere each season's original productions through the Hats Off series at the Cincinnati Art Museum and Clifton Cultural Arts Center.

Cincy Shakes is amazing! I always enjoy coming to this theatre. They always completely commit to…read morethe shows they do by decorating the lobby. I've recently started trying their themed drinks. The one they had for Dracula was 10/10. I was obsessed! I really enjoy their comedic takes on classic shows! It's a great weeknight outing with friends or a partner. I would definitely recommend

This is one of the finest theaters in the Cincinnati area . All performances have been excellent…read more Actors are superb. We are here to see Skakespeares Pericles. A modern take on his works. Parking on the street or in Washington park garage .

We live about an hour away, so hadn't been to the Aronoff Center in over 20 years until going to…read moresee Complexions Contemporary Ballet last night. I'm happy to see that it has been kept up so well over the years, it's beautiful! It was an A+ visit from start to finish. Ordering and accessing digital tickets was a breeze, the staff was friendly and helpful, and the show was outstanding! We have a fantastic arts center in Dayton that we have broadway season's tickets to and attend other performing arts shows as well, but we will definitely be back to see shows at the Aronoff from time to time now that we had such a fantastic evening out!

Just had my first experience at the Aronoff and it was truly an unforgettable experience. We…read moreattended the Hamilton show on January 4th, 2026. We had brunch at Nicholson's across the street then walked over and entered the venue at Noon. The check-in process was quick and easy. They had several Hamilton banners through the lobby area to get photos before the show. Right after checking in, you hit the merchandise booth where they had a large selection of items for purchase such as shirts, sweaters, and tons of accessories (I'm sure this various by production so keep that in mind). We took the elevator to the loge level (steps are available as well) and took a seat to relax a bit before they opened the doors to the theater. An attendant approached us and mentioned that our niece would need a booster seat and showed us where we could grab one - this was an incredible display of customer service and that remained true throughout our whole time at the Aronoff. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. They really made you feel welcome and that was a highlight of our experience. They offer light concessions such as drinks, themed cocktails and candy. I would recommend eating at one of the many options around the Aronoff prior to your event or after. The doors opened, we took our playbills and found our seats. The show was phenomenal. This was my first time seeing a musical and I loved it! The stage and venue is spectacular as well. We will definitely be back! We just bought tickets to see the Lion King in July. Highly recommend attending a production here - you won't be disappointed.

Anyone seeking an affordable (free!) and inspiring experience should attend the next…read moreChoreographers' Showcase in the CCM Dance Series. Having gained familiarity with CCM's multi-arts offerings during my stint as a grad student at the University of Cincinnati, I was willing to trade a few hours of sunshine this afternoon for the indoor delights of CCM Dance Division's winter program. The house was nearly full of patrons and the program full of promising choreographers and dancers, demonstrating not only what they're learning but also where they're going. The depth of CCM Dance Division was illustrated most clearly by the near-perfect, last-minute substitution of William Gasch for Martin Roosaare due to an injury. The program opened with Jennifer Levin's "December 9, 1997," dedicated to the choreographer's father in honor of his heart transplant. Only halfway through the composition, when the music moved to a driving percussion reminiscent of a human heartbeat did Levin's conceit become obvious, but it was never maudlin. Red lighting and costumes also fit the blood/heart theme, and Levin made great use of the youthful lyricism and athleticism of her dancers, particularly in extended moves en pointe that belied the physical strength required of her performers. Second was Heather Guernsey's "Easy Come, Easy Go," a humorous take on the over-the-top music and lyrics of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." The storyline, reminiscent of the Broadway/film hit "Chicago," took a stab at the cult of celebrity, featuring a less-than-remorseful killer, out to impress a Greek chorus of winsome, flirtatious, and ultimately girl-groupie showgirls. The goofy "rock opera" romp was a crowd favorite, especially among CCM students in the audience. In "Palladio," Becca Brenner brought new life to a lovely melody once ruined by its ubiquitous placement in diamond advertisements on radio and television. As in other compositions, dancers occasionally missed the true unison expected from a corps de ballet, but this took nothing from the most lovely movements, when Brenner's choreographed asynchronicity showcased both the dancers' agile grace and her balletic patterns. Julie Eicher and Lydia Parks presented the most challenging choreography -- and themes -- in the program, with their respective compositions, "Into Smoke" and "Eliana Hope." I watched the former, set to Barber's "Adagio for Strings," through tears (Barber gets me every time), gasping at the emotional power of the work, set in costumes and scenery every bit as austere as Barber's music is overwhelmingly lush. Eicher is reminiscent of OSU's Susan Hadley (who performed with Senta Driver, Meredith Monk, and Mark Morris, as well as being the rehearsal director for several Morris compositions, and a tremendously talented choreographer in her own right), inserting pedestrian patterns into full-bodied movement to evoke passionate interior landscapes. Eicher's performers fight for sanity against the straitjackets of modern life, from which eventually a lone dancer is excluded. Equally gorgeous and moving was the balletic "Eliana Hope," which Parks dedicated to her sister and brother-in-law and the infant they lost to stillbirth. The most important moment in the composition occurred with a set of exquisite pairings, the mourning parents in subdued duet with the angelic child and her creator. Whether this was intentional on the part of the choreographer or forced upon them by a late substitution, the result was profound, illustrating the difference between our world and the heavens; there the sun shines brighter, the breeze tastes sweeter; here we are weighed down by our grief. The angelic duet also featured a level of partnering unanticipated from amateur/student dancers. Between these emotional powerhouses, its impact somewhat diminished by its placement, was the graceful "Light/Shadows," choreographed by Mandy Milligan. Set to live music, Milligan's moves and patterns were most compelling when her trios danced in unison en pointe. Deanna Karlheim's duet, "The Final Beginning," which fell victim to Roosaare's injury, was replaced by "Nothing's A Mistake," choreographed and performed by Karlheim and Mariana DeMarco, who joyfully displayed the graceful give-and-take necessary for true unison between such different dancers. Finally, Carol Tang's "Corporate Grime" shook things up with a bold mix of krump and modern dance styles set to urban/techno dancefloor music, which audience and dancers loved alike. While no composition was performed flawlessly, each student displayed a dedication to and delight in their craft that will bloom professionally, as they mature from talented amateurs to seasoned dancer-choreographers. With this level of ability, and so many free performances, it never ceases to amaze me that CCM events are not all SRO. Local patrons should take advantage of the chance to see these kids before they're famous!

I am loving this newly renovated theater. It has tons of charm and is easily accessible from nearby…read moreparking garages. We recently saw Diary of a Wimpy Kid here and I purchased a discounted parking pass with our tickets. That made parking a breeze. Our seats were near the stage, maybe 3 rows back and we could see the entire stage. The show was very entertaining and the sound and lighting were excellent. I would definitely consider a subscription to the next season.

We are on our second round of drama classes for our 8 year old here and we love it. We have been…read moregoing to shows since our boys were very little and never disappoint. Their new facility on Red Bank is amazing. Beautiful space rhat offers plenty of room for classes and performances and a wonderful lobby and waiting area for parents.

It's only appropriate that the American Classical Music Hall of Fame be located in Cincinnati. We…read morehave a world renowned orchestra, the oldest continual choral festival in the world, and the second oldest opera company in the country. Located in gorgeous Memorial Hall this museum houses some very important memorabilia, photographs, and some beautiful antique pianos and harpsichords among other things. It's a beautiful building and a beautiful museum so go check it out!

The Patricia Corbett Auditorium stands out like a sore thumb against the College Conservatory of…read moreMusic's cement landscape. The green angled roof suggests a beautiful auditorium on the inside, and it is. Built in 1971 this 380 seat auditorium offers a more versatile space than the Corbett Theatre to CCM students and local performing groups. The stage is a thrust stage which means it juts out into the audience a bit. The seating is around the stage in a semi-circle. On each side of the wall are very interesting architectural designs on the walls made up of squares and other shapes. The theater also contains a large Casavant Tracker organ. I saw a wonderful production here of The Wild Party that was presented by the musical theater majors at CCM. The show was tight, wild, and entertaining!

This is such a gem that nobody talks about. CCM puts on such an amazing performance…read more I saw Don Pasquale performed by CCM grad students and they did such a good job. Shout out to the lead, Don Pasquale, as well as Norina and The Doctor. They were hilarious. The entire crowd was laughing, it felt more like a comedy show than the opera. Mark Gibson, the conductor was also superb. He's a show in himself, just watch him, it's great. He really gets the best from the orchestra which was also very good. I can't really say enough good things, best money I've spent in a long time. I'd recommend sitting in the back if you don't speak the language. They always have subtitles, but if you sit in the front you'll have a kink in your neck from looking up at the screen. Can't wait to go back, too bad the shows are almost over for the season.

What a fantastic, intimate theater. There's not a bad seat in the house…read more The theater seats around 50, so it is indeed a small venue. Seating is comfortable. The folks running the place up front are kind and informative. We saw the one-man show, Vincent. It was fantastic. Even though I was in the second to last row (there aren't that many rows), I felt like I was right in the middle of the action. The location on Monmouth is convenient to many nearby restaurants, so it's easy to plan a nice dinner-and-a-show evening out with friends.

Gotta love this little venue for theater. We frequent here for their productions. I'm not a…read moretheater type guy but this place has some great shows. Tonight is a historical based play.. Breaking the code. A WWII story about Alan Turing. He was the genius behind breaking the German Enigma code system. The play was great. Kudos to the actors and the production staff. I never disappointed coming here. Street parking with meters but there is free parking just up the street.