Renaissance Theatre

About the Theatre

The Renaissance Performing Arts Association is a nonprofit performing arts organization based in Mansfield, Ohio, dedicated to fostering greater human connection and understanding through experiences that inspire, engage, and educate. Since 1928, the historic Renaissance Theatre has served as a cultural cornerstone for North Central Ohio, producing professional theatre, presenting concerts and family entertainment, and serving as the home of the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra. Through award-winning education programs, innovative artistic initiatives, and a commitment to accessibility, the Renaissance provides meaningful arts experiences for audiences of all ages while strengthening the cultural and economic vitality of its community. Learn more at rentickets.org.

Articles

Review: CAAMP at Schottenstein Center

by Paul Batterson · August 31, 2026

“Cheers, Columbus. I don’t have to give an elaborate speech about how we got here. Most of you know how we got here. You are the reason how we got here.' Taylor Meier…

Review: PIPPIN at Short North Stage

by Paul Batterson · August 10, 2026

What did our critic think of PIPPIN at Short North Stage? Production director Edward Carignan said PIPPIN is a “legacy” show – a performance that can be pulled out of the vault, dusted off, and re-released every five years or so. SNS last did this Stephen Schwartz musical (a personal favorite …

Review: AC/DC POWER UP TOUR at Ohio Stadium

by Paul Batterson · July 17, 2026

Perhaps the biggest change was the audience. In the 1980s, AC/DC was the rebellious band parents warned their children about. Now, the band is the spectacle parents bring their children to experience. It was a little unnerving to hear a mother asking, “Timmy, would you like a cookie?” before the…

Review: MONET TO MATISSE: DEFYING TRADITION at Art Gallery Of South Australia

by Barry Lenny · July 13, 2026

An experience that may possibly require more than one visit.…

Review: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at Ohio Theatre - A Spectacle in Search of a Soul

by Christina Mancuso · June 10, 2026

Based on Sara Gruen’s beloved 1932 novel - and its 2011 film adaptation, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS is a technical triumph wrapped around a dramatically uneven musical.  Directed by Tony Award nominee Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo), with book by three-time Tony nominee Rick Elice (Jersey Boys, Peter an…

Review: FLANNEL: A 90S MUSICAL at Shadowbox Live!

by Paul Batterson · June 2, 2026

What did our critic think of FLANNEL: A 90S MUSICAL at Shadowbox Live!?…

Review: 1776 at Abbey Theater Of Dublin

by Paul Batterson · June 1, 2026

What did our critic think of 1776 at Abbey Theater Of Dublin?…

Review: HADESTOWN at Ohio Theatre

by Paul Batterson · May 18, 2026

HADESTOWN will always have a special place in the heart of Ohio Theatre patrons. On Nov. 16, 2021, the musical was the first production in the historic theatre after the COVID epidemic dimmed the lights there for nearly a year and a half. The theatre staff  laid roses on every seat to signal Broadw…

Review: PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Short North Stage

by Paul Batterson · May 17, 2026

What did our critic think of PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at Short North Stage?…

Review: LIFE IN MOTION: A STORY TOLD THROUGH DANCE at Shadowbox Live!

by Paul Batterson · April 30, 2026

What did our critic think of LIFE IN MOTION: A STORY TOLD THROUGH DANCE at Shadowbox Live!?…

Monty Python's Spamalot

Mar 5 – Mar 13, 2022

The international stage hit, lovingly ripped off from the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot tells the real story of King Arthur, his knights of the round table, The Lady of the Lake and a very angry killer rabbit. Outrageous, uproarious and endlessly entertaining...

Assassins

Oct 8 – Oct 17, 2021

A multiple Tony Award-winning theatrical tour-de-force, Assassins combines Stephen Sondheims signature blend of intelligently stunning lyrics and beautiful music with a panoramic story of our nations culture of celebrity and the violent means some will use to obtain it, embodied...

Renaissance Youth Opera Theatre: Singin' in the Rain

May 29 – May 30, 2021

"Tap your toes and sing along in this splashy adaptation of the celebrated and beloved film. The ""Greatest Movie Musical of All Time"" is faithfully and lovingly adapted by Broadway legends, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, from their original award-winning screenplay in Singin'...

Titanic

May 21 – May 23, 2021

The sinking of the Titanic in the early hours of April 15, 1912, remains the quintessential disaster of the twentieth century. A total of 1,517 souls—men, women and children—lost their lives (only 711 survived). The fact that the finest, largest, strongest ship in the...

Little Shop of Horrors

Apr 17 – Apr 25, 2021

"Feed the need for musical hilarity with this delicious sci-fi smash about a man-eating plant, featuring the 2003 Broadway orchestrations. A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop Of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatre-goers for over...

The Sound of Music

Mar 6 – Mar 14, 2021

The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world's most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "My Favorite Things," "Do Re Mi," "Sixteeen Going on Seventeen" and the title number, The Sound...

RYOT: Kiss Me, Kate

Feb 6 – Feb 7, 2021

Egotistical leading man, director, and producer Fred Graham is reunited with his ex-wife, Lilli Vanessi, when the two are forced to play opposite one another in a new production of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Alongside their bickering, the shows supporting actress, Lois...

MY Theatre: Tarzan

Jan 15 – Jan 17, 2021

"Disney's Tarzan, based on the smash-hit Disney animated film, tells the story of an orphaned boy taken in and raised by a tribe of gorillas. As he grows, striving for acceptance by his ape father and grappling with his uniqueness, Tarzan encounters the beautiful explorer, Jane...

R&H Cinderella

Dec 5

Rodgers + Hammersteins Cinderella is the Tony Award-winning musical from the creators of South Pacific and The Sound of Music thats delighting audiences with its surprisingly contemporary take on the classic tale. This lush production features incredible music, jaw-dropping...

Stream R&H Cinderella the Musical at Home

Nov 28 – Dec 5, 2020

From November 16-December 5, you can watch Cinderella from the comfort of your home as many times as you want.After purchase, you will get an email confirmation with the URL to stream this show on any device with a web browser!Rodgers + Hammersteins Cinderella is the Tony...