Review: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS at the Aronoff Center
by Ana-Brit Asplen - December 13, 2024
With its spectacular design elements and a talented, lively cast, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a great outing for any family looking to celebrate some holiday spirit, or really anyone who appreciates the classic story by Dr. Seuss....
Review: RUTKA at Playhouse In The Park
by Ana-Brit Asplen - November 08, 2024
Rutka is a new musical that adapts the diary entries of a young Jewish girl's final months before being killed in 1943 in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Featuring an original indie-rock musical score, Rutka finds the balance of telling a nuanced account of her adolescent experiences while growing...
Review: MAMMA MIA! at the Aronoff Center
by Ana-Brit Asplen - September 09, 2024
Mamma Mia! is an absolute blast of a musical when it’s done right, and the current North American touring production goes above and beyond. Accepted as a classic with its charming story, energetic music using hit songs from the 70s disco band ABBA, and the energetic performances that fill the stage,...
Review: TICK, TICK… BOOM! at The Carnegie
by Ana-Brit Asplen - July 21, 2024
From the point of the titular ticking noise haunting the theatre at the beginning of the show, The Carnegie’s production of Tick, Tick… Boom! captivates the audience and lets them live vicariously through the characters’ joy, heartache, distress, and growth all in the span of 100 minutes....
Review: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at The Carnegie
by Ana-Brit Asplen - June 30, 2024
The anticipation of The Carnegie’s production of The Rocky Horror Show has paid off with its exciting cast, creative designs, and taboo energy. Dusty Ray Bottoms of RuPaul’s Drag Race stars in the iconic role of Frank-N-Furter....
Review: CLUE at the Aronoff Center
by Ana-Brit Asplen - May 15, 2024
Though the script is very similar to the 1985 movie of the same name and features many of the same iconic lines and story elements, this adaptation of Clue is successful in its own right. Between a talented cast, surprising design elements, and direction that knew how to transport the story to the s...
Review: SIX at the Aronoff Center
by Ana-Brit Asplen - April 24, 2024
The energy was high on opening night as the sold-out crowd cheered loudly from the house from the very first beat and light shift. With a newly refreshed cast, the current touring production of Six exudes extravagance, dedication, and plenty of impressive notes within each catchy tune....
Review: THE BOOK OF MORMON at the Aronoff Center
by Ana-Brit Asplen - February 21, 2024
Whether or not this is the first production someone has seen of The Book of Mormon, the talent holds up as the actors fully embrace their roles, while the remaining elements still perfectly fit the show's intent as it spreads its messages all over the country. Audiences lauded the funny shock value ...
Review: DANCING WITH THE STARS: LIVE! 2024 TOUR at the Taft Theatre
by Ana-Brit Asplen - February 07, 2024
This sold-out performance at the Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, Ohio was highly anticipated by local fans, and they voiced their elation over seeing their favorite dancers in person. The 2024 tour of Dancing with the Stars: Live! is an absolute joy for anyone who enjoys a huge spectacle and superb danc...
Review: HELLO, DOLLY! at The Carnegie
by Ana-Brit Asplen - February 03, 2024
With the combination of great direction by Joe Bertucci and an excellent execution by the rest of the team, The Carnegie’s production of Hello, Dolly! is a fantastic example of how a Golden Age musical should be presented through a local company....