BWW Preview: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Announces 2017 - 2018 Season in New Location

Join theater patrons in a new building on Elm Street in Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati, for the 2017-2018 Cincinnati Shakespeare Company season. The addition of the Otto M. Budig Theater opening September 8, 2017 enhances an arts area, which includes Music Hall, Memorial Hall and the School for Creative and Performing Arts. Features in the new theater include a thrust stage, 197 seats on the main floor as well as a gallery and balcony. Every seat is only twenty feet from the stage.

To kick off the season, Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips has chosen the popular A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (September 8 - 30). In his fifteenth year directing the company, Phillips said, "This is the perfect Shakespeare comedy to welcome old audiences and new into our home."

Following that play will be DRACULA, October 13 - November 4, adapted by Steven Dietz. Longtime company actors Giles Davies and Miranda McGee take the lead parts.

Cincy Shakes, as the theater is known, features both plays by the bard as well as other hits. THE ADVENTURES OF Tom Sawyer by Laura Eason and adapted from the novel by Mark Twain will be on the boards from November 17 - December 9.

To continue a holiday tradition is EVERY CHRISTMAS EVER TOLD (AND THEN SOME) December 21 - 31. Written by Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald and John K. Alvarez, the play features three actors who take a comedic romp through the years during the holidays.

From January 26 - February 17, Todd Kreidler's adaptation of the 1967 film GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER will receive its Cincinnati debut in the Otto M. Budig Theater. It is based on the screenplay GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER by William Rose.

Back to Shakespeare in the early spring with OTHELLO March 2 - 24. Phillips said, "The intimate nature and contemporary themes of this Shakespeare tragedy provides a great opportunity for us to show our audience how relevant the Bard is today."

Following Othello is another American classic, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF April 6 - 28. Written by Tennessee Williams in 1955, the play features one man's battle with his health and family issues.

To close the inaugural season in the new building, CSC will present NOISES OFF by Michael Frayn. This is a British comedy about staging a sex farce. Dates of production are May 18 - June 9.

For more information, visit cincyshakes.com or call the box office at (513) 381-2273. Single tickets are now available.

Photo provided by Mikki Schaffner. (L to R: Jay Woffington and Brian Isaac Phillips)

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