The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park wants your theatergoing experience to be as enjoyable as possible. Following is a list of content within Crime and Punishment that may be of concern to some members of our audience. Please understand that some information may give away surprises within the story. The information is provided to help you make informed decisions. Keep in mind, however, that the language and themes outlined below, taken out of context, may seem more offensive than they would be within the context of the actual play. This information will continue to be updated until the opening of the show to address any changes that may occur throughout the rehearsal process. Please check back often.

Crime and Punishment is suitable for adult and teenage audiences. It contains some adult language and mature themes.

In this heart-racing 90-minute adaptation, two elderly women are found murdered and a detective must rely on the information provided by their penniless young neighbor to solve the investigation. As the show begins, Porfiry is questioning Raskolnikov, an impoverished law student, about the death of a pawn broker with whom he had left several pieces. The young man was the only person not to come forward to claim his belongings when news leaked of the woman’s death. Pale and weak, Raskolnikov explains that he’s been ill, and the unusually hot temperatures combined with his poor living conditions conspired to keep him away.

They discuss an article the man had written for a local periodical explaining his theory on the thought processes of a criminal both before and after the crime. From Raskolnikov’s perspective, there are both ordinary and extraordinary men in the world. An extraordinary man has the right to commit crimes if doing so would benefit the greater humanity.

From this questioning, the story shifts back into Raskolnikov’s memories of the days leading up to the woman’s death: of his visit with her and also with Sonia, a prostitute whose family he had befriended. Raskolnikov had given them money to help in burying their father. The man, a drunk, had run away and left his family with nothing. With a dying stepmother and younger sister to support, Sonia resorted to selling herself in order to make enough money to care for them.

Crime and Punishment contains the use of some adult language. This includes “sh*t” (three times), “dam*” or “goddam*” (three times), “b**ch” (once) and “whore” (once).

The show includes the brief description of two murders.

There are references to alcohol in the play.

One character is described as a prostitute.

The show is a psychological examination into the mind of a murderer.

Crime and Punishment runs approximately 90 minutes. The play is performed without an intermission.