Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Announces 2026-2027 Season
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company recently unveiled the lineup for its upcoming 2026-2027 season, marking a new chapter of bold storytelling and theatrical excitement. The announcement was made on Friday night before the opening of their current production ofOthello.
“This season is about bold storytelling and theatrical exhilaration,” says Producing Artistic Director and CEO Brian Isaac Phillips. “From Shakespeare’s fiercest political dramas to side-splitting farce, from American history reclaimed to modern media satire, we are inviting audiences into stories that entertain, challenge, and ignite conversation.”
Here’s a look at the full schedule:
Free Shakespeare in the Park:Much Ado About Nothing
By:William Shakespeare
Dates:July 14–September 6, 2026
Set in 1776, this production brings the war for America’s independence to life alongside the battle of the sexes.Much Ado About Nothingfollows two sparring skeptics, Beatrice and Benedick, whose witty war of words masks something far more tender. Packed with mistaken identities, overheard conversations, and joyful chaos, this beloved classic is one of Shakespeare’s most enduring comedies. Bring a blanket, bring a friend, and enjoy a lively, laughter-filled evening of free Shakespeare in the park.
Dogberry and Verges Are Scared
By:Michael Doherty and Will Mobley
Dates:July 10–25, 2026
ExperienceMuch Ado About Nothingfrom the perspective of Messina’s most misguided watchmen, Dogberry and Verges. Armed with lanterns, loyalty, and very little logic, these unlikely heroes blunder their way to a happy conclusion. Off stage, Benedick and Beatrice spar their way toward the aisle, while our bumbling constables take center stage. As they patrol the periphery, they stumble into a brand-new adventure fueled by paranoia, pride, and plenty of nonsense. This world premiere buddy comedy will warm your heart and leave you laughing long after the lanterns go out.
The Complete Works of Jane Austen (Abridged)
By:Jessica Bedford, Kathryn MacMillan, Charlotte Northeast, and Meghan Winch
Dates:July 31–August 23, 2026
Pride, prejudice, persuasion, and plenty of proposals collide in a theatrical tour of Austen’s greatest moments, served up with satire and silliness all before the tea has gone cold. With punchlines flying faster than a change of heart at a country ball, this affectionate parody condenses courtships, catastrophes, and carefully composed letters into a single, sparkling spectacle. Devoted fans will catch every clever nod, while newcomers can enjoy the romance, rivalry, and Regency ridiculousness without the multi-volume commitment.
Network
Adapted for the stage by:Lee Hall, based on the Paddy Chayefsky film
Dates:September 11–26, 2026
“I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” erupts across the airwaves in this immersive stage adaptation of the Academy Award-winning film. Set in 1970s America, as television tightens its grip on American culture, veteran anchorman Howard Beale unravels live on air. What begins as a breakdown becomes a broadcast phenomenon. Soaring ratings transform him into an unlikely prophet for a network hungry for spectacle, in a world where outrage sells and attention is the ultimate currency. A sensation on Broadway and in London,Networkblurs the line between news and entertainment with explosive consequences.
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors
By:Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen
Dates:October 9–31, 2026
Sink your teeth into a hilarious new take on the world’s most famous vampire! Filled with outrageous twists, playful innuendo, and more laughs than you can count, this delightful romp reimagines Bram Stoker’s gothic classic like you’ve never seen before. This dangerously debonair Dracula brings seductive chaos, proving that sometimes the Prince of Darkness can be as captivating as he is cunning. Join the hilarious hunt this Halloween season, where the only thing sharper than Dracula’s fangs are the gags that’ll leave you in stitches. Don’t miss the riotous ride that’s sure to leave you howling with laughter!
The Merry Wives of Windsor
By:William Shakespeare
Dates:November 13–December 5, 2026
Schemes, disguises, and delicious comeuppance abound in Shakespeare’s merriest misadventure. Set in a sparkling winter wonderland filled with plenty of good cheer,The Merry Wives of Windsorfollows two clever women who outwit the devious and debauched Sir John Falstaff. This puffed-up tipsy holiday patriarch, who believes he belongs at the head of the feast, finds himself bundled, baffled, and brilliantly outplayed by wives who refuse to be fooled. Each clever trap lands with festive flair, proving that Windsor’s women really run the show.
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)
By:Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald, and John K. Alvarez
Dates:December 11–27, 2026
CSC’s holiday smash hitEvery Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)is back again for another season of holiday hilarity! What begins as another annual production ofA Christmas Carol, soon devolves into a slightly irreverent (but undeniably adoring) look at all of your “Beloved Holiday Classics” including pop culture favorites likeIt’s a Wonderful Life,The Grinch,Rudolph,Charlie Brownand more! Add in topical references that always keep this annual tradition fresh and fun as we send up everything from Dickens to Dr. Seuss in an evening of high octane jollity and frivolity.
The African Company Presents Richard III
By:Carlyle Brown
Dates:January 29–February 14, 2027
History and theatre collide in this riveting true story drawn from a remarkable chapter of the American stage.The African Company Presents Richard IIItells the story of an all-Black theatre troupe in 1821 determined to stage Shakespeare’s tragedy on their own terms. As their bold production takes shape, a rival white theatre mounts its ownRichard IIIjust blocks away, threatening to undermine, overshadow, and outmaneuver them. What follows is a charged battle of artistry, ego, and survival, where the stage becomes a proving ground and performance itself becomes an act of defiance.
Hamlet
By:William Shakespeare
Dates:March 5–28, 2027
You know the skull. You know the question. But you haven’t truly experiencedHamletuntil you’ve witnessed the mystery, revenge, and intrigue live on stage. This is Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, a gripping portrait of a young prince caught between action and inaction, grief and rage, truth and deception. Renowned for its unforgettable language and raw psychological power,Hamletremains the ultimate theatrical event. This classic production will pull audiences into Hamlet’s fractured reality and refuse to let go.
Coriolanus
By:William Shakespeare
Dates:April 16–May 2, 2027
Before there was Julius Caesar, there was Coriolanus — a legend on the battlefield, a disaster in the public square. Shakespeare’s fierce and primal tragedy follows the celebrated warrior who knows how to conquer enemies but not how to win hearts. Meanwhile in Rome, unrest brews as a famine-stricken underclass challenges the ruling elite. Enter Coriolanus, a celebrated hero whose contempt for politics may cost him everything. From thunderous victory to shattering downfall, this play delivers sweeping action sequences, political intrigue, and a theatrical experience that hits with the force of a battle drum.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong
By:Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields
Dates:May 22–June 27, 2027
There’s a problem in Neverland. Well… several problems. This production ofPeter Panis flying straight toward a fiasco. Tinker Bell takes a tumble. Wendy’s wandering eye wrecks rehearsals. The Lost Boys look more lost than ever. And Captain Hook’s high hopes are hauled under as he helms this hopelessly sinking ship. This side-splitting comedy follows the same well-meaning troupe fromThe Play That Goes Wrong, whose latest attempt at stagingPeter Panquickly collapses into chaos. No amount of clapping can keep this production from crashing, but you’ll be a believer by curtain call, applauding wildly and thinking happy thoughts all the way home.
