Photo Flash: GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER Comes to the Stage in its Cincinnati Debut

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company continues the Debut Season at The Otto M. Budig Theater with Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, by Todd Kreidler, based on the screenplay by William Rose, playing January 26- February 17, 2018. This production marks the script's Cincinnati premiere, and is directed by D. Lynn Meyers, the Artistic Director of Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. The cast includes CSC Associate Artists Darnell Pierre Benjamin and Kelly Mengelkoch alongside Barry Mulholland, Annie Fitzpatrick, Caitlin McWethy, Ken Early, and Thursday Farrar. The production is sponsored by Frost Brown Todd, BB&T, and Moerlein Lager House.

Self-proclaimed liberals Matt and Christina Drayton (Barry Mullholand and Annie Fitzpatrick) must wrestle with their own buried prejudices when their daughter Joanna (Caitlin McWethy) returns home with her new fiancé: African-American doctor John Prentiss (Darnell Pierre Benjamin). When the family is joined by John's parents (Ken Early and Thursday Farrar), the young couple offers an ultimatum: the families must come to terms with their impending marriage that night - or John and Joanna will part forever.

This production follows closely on the 50th anniversary of the film Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, which premiered December 12, 1967. The film featured Hollywood's first interracial kiss and was groundbreaking in its portrayal of Joanna and John's romance, and its incredible financial success cemented Sidney Poitier's position as the top box-office draw of the year. The film also marked the final time that real-life power couple Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy appeared together onscreen, as Tracy passed away mere days after filming ended. Sidney Poitier will also be turning 90 years old this year on Feb. 20, days after this production closes!

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company welcomes D. Lynn Meyers to the Director's Chair again after working with CSC on Sense and Sensibility. Ms. Meyers is in her 22nd season as the Producing Artistic Director of Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, where she has directed over 80 world and regional premieres, including The Legend of Georgia McBride, Hands on a Hardbody, Detroit '67, I Am My Own Wife, Next to Normal, and Cinderella: After Ever After. She has directed Off-Broadway at the York Theatre with Marsha Norman's Traveler in the Dark and James McClure's Max and Maxie. She has directed extensively throughout the US and Canada and began her career as the Associate Artistic Director at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Aside from directing, Ms. Meyers is also a member of the Casting Society of America, having cast for Hallmark, PBS, CBS, BBC, HBO, MTM, Paramount, and MGM. Her favorite feature credits include Carol, Miles Ahead, The Goat, and The Public, in addition to serving as the Location Casting Director for The Shawshank Redemption. She was named a finalist for the Zelda Fichandler National Award in 2011 and is a past recipient of the YWCA Career Woman of Achievement Award.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner runs January 26- February 17, with performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM, as well as Saturday February 17 at 2:00 PM. Preview performances are January 24 and 25 at 7:30.

On Sundays Feb. 4 and 11, bring your younger kids (4+) for artist-led childcare DURING the performance! The "Playdate" program is only $15 and free for subscribers. The option to add this program will be available as you are buying tickets for either of these show dates. Activities will range from Shakespeare Storytime to theatre games and crafts. Share the great benefits of CSC's programming with your children: Playdate will style activities to correspond with each production, so even your youngest can join in the discussion on the ride home!

The theater is now located at The Otto M. Budig Theater at 1195 Elm Street in OTR, adjacent to Washington Park. Single ticket prices range from $14-$52. Student/Children and Preview tickets are only $28. If available that day, $14 student rush tickets may be purchased thirty minutes before a show with a valid student ID. This production is a part of this season's subscription package. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Ticketing fees may apply. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups as well as AAA members. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at www.cincyshakes.com.

Valet Parking is now available for every performance! Make reservations for $10 in advance when purchasing tickets. Purchasing in advance guarantees a spot at the discounted rate of $10 (vs. $15-20+ at the curb). 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.) The valet will have your name on the list after you purchase- it's that easy!

Photos by Mikki Schaffner Photography

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