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.

Amazing little theatre, my partner and I assisted to The complete works of Jane Austen (Abridged)…read moreand what a performance! We were not expecting this funny, witty and immersive experience! The three actors have made a superb performance making it really memorable! The theatre ushers were so cordial and attentive, a space to be definitely visited! 10 out of 10, will come back for sure.

First time here. Loved it. Modern space well designed. We saw The Complete Works of Jane Austen…read moreAbridged last night. It was creative, very entertaining and surprisingly very funny. There were literally 3 actors performing the entire production.

Always an amazing experience here! I recently saw The Lion King, and it was absolutely stunning…read morefrom start to finish. They offer themed merchandise tied to each production, which is such a fun touch for fans. There are also plenty of concessions available, including snacks and alcoholic beverages. I had a glass of wine (a double pour, and surprisingly affordable), along with popcorn and chocolate-covered raisins. The popcorn wasn't the freshest, but it was still yummy. The venue feels very safe, with bag checks and scanners at the entrance. Bathrooms are spacious and clean. The theater itself has excellent acoustics and a large stage. There is always something exciting on the schedule, and ticket prices are usually reasonable. It's a great option for a family outing, date night, girls' night, or even a solo treat. Doors open about an hour before showtime, with access to the theater seating available 30 minutes prior.

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!

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.