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Presented by:
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation

God of Carnage
By Yasmina Reza
Translated by
Christopher Hampton
September 3 – October 1, 2011

When two sets of parents meet for a civilized discussion about their sons’ playground fight, the evening quickly deteriorates into a laugh-out-loud train wreck of finger-pointing, name-calling, tantrums and tears. And that’s before they break out the rum! Winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Play, this hysterical tale of parents behaving badly was described by The New York Post as “gleefully nasty fun,” and The New York Times hailed it as “first class!” 

“Elegant, acerbic and entertainingly fueled on pure bile.” — Variety

Red
By John Logan
October 15 – November 12, 2011

Winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play, Red took Broadway by storm with its provocative and searing portrait of an artist’s ambition and vulnerability. Having just landed the biggest commission in modern art history, abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko works feverishly in his studio with his brash, young assistant, Ken. As Rothko nears completion of what he hopes will be his crowning achievement, he faces the possibility that it could also become his undoing. 

“Smart, exciting and scintillating.”
— The New Yorker

Dead Accounts
By Theresa Rebeck
January 14 – February 11, 2012

At first, prodigal son Jack’s unexpected visit to Cincinnati from New York City appears to be an exercise in the mass consumption of comfort foods from his youth — Graeter’s, Skyline and LaRosa’s. However, his family soon wonders if he’s coming home or running away. And where did he get all the money? From the author of the hit comedy Bad Dates comes a world premiere that painfully and hilariously portrays Midwestern values and family dynamics to reveal why home remains important no matter where you live.

Merrily We Roll Along
Music & Lyrics by
Stephen Sondheim
Book by George Furth
Based on the original play by
George S. Kaufman and
Moss Hart
March 3 – 31, 2012

Stephen Sondheim’s remarkable Broadway fable of friendship and the high price of success opens in the present and moves backward in time. The triumphs and failures of a jaded composer and his two closest friends are traced from their estranged ending to their idealistic beginning. Directed by John Doyle, who led our Tony Award-winning production of Company, the performers in this highly anticipated revival will play all of the instruments as they act and sing one of Sondheim’s most melodic scores. 

“The score is beloved, often called Sondheim's most infectious and even personal.” — The Washington Post

Thunder Knocking on the Door
By Keith Glover
Music & Lyrics by Keb’ Mo’, Keith Glover and
Anderson Edwards
April 21 – May 20, 2012

The Playhouse’s biggest musical hit of the last 20 years returns! Once upon a time, a mysterious, blues-playing stranger named Marvell Thunder arrives at the door of the Dupree family with a unique challenge — a “cutting contest,” in which twin guitars are the weapons of choice. If he has his way, the epic musical showdown will change everyone’s life forever. A mystical, magical celebration of love, family and the exhilarating power of music to free your soul.

“One of those talk-about-it-for-years-to-come productions … with a stop-the-show, pull-you-to-your-feet blues score.” — Cincinnati Enquirer

 

Presented by:
Heidelberg Distributing Company

As You Like It
By William Shakespeare
October 1 – November 6, 2011

Shakespeare in the intimate Shelterhouse! In this glorious romantic comedy, the extraordinary Rosalind flees to the Forest of Arden when banished from court by her villainous uncle. Disguised as a boy, Rosalind finds herself instructing the man she loves on how to woo a woman — her! Mistaken identities and misguided affections untangle to reveal life, love, joy and the truth that, ultimately, “all the world’s a stage.” 

Always … Patsy Cline
Written & Originally Directed by Ted Swindley
Based on a true story
November 19, 2011 – January 22, 2012

This heartfelt, toe-tapping tribute to musical legend Patsy Cline was a sold-out hit off-Broadway, around the country and at the Playhouse. Based on a true story, Always … Patsy Cline recounts the real-life friendship between Cline and star-struck divorcee Louise Seger. Featuring nearly two dozen favorite songs, including Patsy Cline’s signature hits “Crazy,” “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “Sweet Dreams” and “I Fall to Pieces.”  

“A song-filled valentine.”
— Los Angeles Times

Speaking in Tongues
By Andrew Bovell
February 4 – March 4, 2012

Love, sex and deceit create the emotional labyrinth in this stylish, noir thriller. This theatrical jigsaw puzzle of parallel stories explores the betrayals of two married couples and the unexpected links among five isolated strangers, including a missing woman and a long-lost love. Each coincidental encounter and random confrontation exposes hidden connections in this fascinating psychological drama.

“Clever, provocative and resonant.”
— The New York Times

Tigers Be Still
By Kim Rosenstock
March 17 – April 15, 2012

“This is the story of how I stopped being a total disaster,” announces the heroine of this darkly funny and moving new comedy. Having recently earned her master’s degree, Sherry Wickman finds herself still living at home with a mother who won’t come downstairs and a depressed but smart-alecky sister. Follow Sherry’s quirky misadventures as she lands her first job and tackles her two biggest challenges … getting her mother out of bed and her sister off the couch.

“Piercing, endearing and devastatingly hilarious.” — The New York Times

The Second City 2:
Less Pride … More Pork
April 29 – July 1, 2012

ALL NEW SHOW! The world’s premier comedy company will again set its razor-sharp sights on Cincinnati. What’s left to skewer? The Second City was in town long enough to know they haven’t come close to exhausting material. Not to mention, between now and opening night, entire sports seasons will come and go, politicians will star on reality shows and streetcars may (or may not) be on track. The future holds nothing but promise for comedy at our expense. If the recent sold-out, record-breaking run was any indication, you gotta goetta your tickets now!