From Stan Hywet to Greystone, Ohio Shakes performs live professional theatre in Akron's best venues. Don't read Shakespeare--see Shakespeare LIVE.
The Ohio Shakespeare Festival regards the actors, the script, and the audience as the quintessential elements of the theatre. As a professional theatre company, we are dedicated to articulating the inherently theatrical components of Shakespeare and his fellow playwrights throughout the ages in a manner that enables the collected imaginations of the artists to meet the collective imagination of the audience in a public celebration that transforms the world in which we live.
Operating as usual
12/15/2022
A huge shout-out to our corporate sponsor Orangetheory Fitness Akron. Our very own Prince Charming--Joe Pine--is a coach at OTF Akron. So if you want to get in shape for the ball, you can work out with the prince himself! First class is FREE to try!
Last weekend of Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella performances begins tonight!
12/14/2022
"This is more than a show. It is a wonderful gift that parents can share with their children and lovers can share with their significant others. It is lavish in both sight and sound. This year, why not give the gift of live theater to your family." -Mark Horning, Cleveland Theater Reviews
Tomorrow begins the final weekend to catch the magic of Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella
Our Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella is based off the Whintey Houston-produced teleplay from 1997. So we couldn't help recreate this iconic behind-the-scenes pic of Paulo Montalban and Brandy and their MacDonald's fries. (Sadly, MacDonald's is not sponsoring our show.)
We open Friday. ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES for tix
11/26/2022
Happy Small Business Saturday. In celebration, we offer our *only* yearly coupon deal. BOGO tickets for the next 24 hours!
Use code SMALLBIZ at checkout online.
Good for Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella, or future shows HAY FEVER and CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. Not applicable to gift cards*.
*Want a gift card instead? The coupon won't apply, be you can send one directly to your loved one--and even personalize the message, date, and time it is sent! www.ohioshakespeare.com/gift
11/21/2022
Want to keep your holiday monies local this year? May we suggest a gift certificate to a future Ohio Shakes show?
Experience gifts don't collect dust, and 22 years of exceptional reviews (like this!) show you that your loved one will get a memory to keep for life.
Gift certificates are non expiring and good for any $ amount you choose.
Did you know that Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella was originally a made-for-TV movie in 1957? 40 years later, Whitney Houston produced (what we believe is) the most beautiful and timeless rendition of them all, making CINDERELLA a story for everyone.
Rodgers & Hammerstein's: Cinderella opens in Akron on December 1.
Lovingly nicknamed Cindrella 2.0 at rehearsals, this production promises to be even more magical than last year.
Enjoy the Flat Egg Productions trailer from 2021, and get those tickets before they are gone.
ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES
11/04/2022
For those who didn't hear yet...we proudly announce our "mini" season*.
Noël Coward's HAYFEVER, March 9 - 26 2023
Like the Rose family from SCHITT'S CREEK? Meet their original, English counterparts: The Bliss Family.
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF by Tennessee Williams, April 27 - May 14
The Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece graces the Henry C. Bishop stage this spring.
Tickets on sale now at ohioshakespeare.com or 330-5-SHAKES
*COVID has prevented us from announce full subscriptions series for years now, but with the completion of these two titles, we will be back on track to announce a full season in March of 2023.
10/31/2022
Dracula (a charity reading) is a great way to spend this spookiest of evenings. Tonight only! Grab your favorite drink from the bar, and let us spook you old-fashioned style with this live radio-play reading with soundscapes that will make your skin crawl.
Only $15, which includes your donation to the American Red Cross.
Thanks and ever thanks to the artists that made DRACULA possible.
We all have Halloween weekend plans already, but what are you doing on *the* night of All Hallow's Eve, when the veil is at its thinnest?
Celebrate in spooky style with us at Dracula (a charity reading). $10-$15 tickets include a donation to our local blood banks.
ohioshakespeare.com/dracula-charity for tix
10/21/2022
The Sleepy Hollow Masquerade was a frightfully fun night! Thank you so much to all who attended, donated, volunteered, and made the night such a success. The pandemic hit live theatres hard, and this event truly helps up keep-on-keeping-on.
Costumes were on-point.
Attendees should check their emails--your photo booth pictures are there! Don't see you email? Just shoot us a message and we will resend.
Dracula (a charity reading) will perform one night only, on All Hallow's Eve. Your ticket includes a donation to our local blood banks.
$15 ($10 students). Join us, but BYOGarlic.
ohioshakespeare.com/dracula-charity
(teaser trailer from 2018)
10/18/2022
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a hit with audiences and critics alike. Bring the whole family, but get your tickets now. This final weekend is nearly s0ld 0ut!
Tickets at ohioshakespeare.com/hollow or 330-5-SHAKES
Thanks to Kerry Clawson, Akron Beacon Journal for a wonderful review of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This weekend's spooky entertainment resumes tonight...and get those tickets soon.
Kerry's full review: https://bit.ly/3EEriah (click to read--your clicks help keep critics writing and supporting local theatre!)
Tickets at: ohioshakespeare.com/hollow or 330-5-SHAKES
10/13/2022
We are unhappy to say that tonight's (Thursday 10/13) performance of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is cancelled due to a COVID infection and to provide a safe amount of time for our understudy to rehearse.
Tomorrow's performance, and the rest of the weekend, will go on as scheduled.
Affected customers can email [email protected] or call him at 330-5-SHAKES to receive a free reschedule, a nonexpiring gift card at 150% value of your ticket, or a refund. Instructions are also in your inboxes.
Thanks for continuing to support live theatre in this brave new world.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has deep roots in Americana literature--check out this CBS mini-doc on the haunting roots of the Headless Horseman. Then join us to see him live in Akron.
Tickets at ohioshakespeare.com/hollow or 330-5-SHAKES
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," first published 200 years ago by Washington Irving, is still one of America's all-time great ghost stories. Two centuries late...
10/09/2022
Today's performance of THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW is sold out. Don't wait to secure your tickets. We perform through October 23rd.
ohioshakespeare.com/hollow or 330-5-SHAKES
10/08/2022
Happiest of opening weekends to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Bring the whole family to this spooky Halloween show.
Production photos by Scott Custer.
Tickets at ohioshakespeare.com/hollow or 330-5-Ohio Shakespeare Festival
$5 student tickets available EVERY night.
10/08/2022
Photos from Ohio Shakespeare Festival's post
10/04/2022
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow opens FRIDAY.
The Sleepy Hollow Masquerade is in less than two weeks.
Pay What You Will Sunday (Oct 9) is nearly sold out.
Don't wait to secure your tickets to this spooky show, *just* scary enough for the family to enjoy together 😱
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ohio Shakespeare Festival posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Contact The Business
Send a message to Ohio Shakespeare Festival:
Videos
"With a hip-hip and a clippity-clop/
He's out looking for a top to chop!"
Who doesn't love Disney's Bing Crosby SLEEPY HOLLOW?
Catch our version for another ghost story, with music.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow opens October 7
ohioshakespeare.com/hollow
Goodbye hot Shakespeare summer. Hello spooky horseman fall.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow opens Oct 7, but it's not too early to get your tix...
Mega-Halloween-Fan? Join us for The Sleepy Hollow Masquerade on October 15.
ohioshakespeare.com/hollow
#ohioshakesHOLLOW
We've all heard of the Headless Horseman. But which one is your favorite version? Comment below (gifs encouraged!)
Then get ready for a new favorite when you see our The Legend of Sleepy Hollow this Halloween.
ohioshakespeare.com/hollow for tix #ohioshakesHOLLOW
We highly recommend not pissing off Katarina by missing the final weekend of SHREW. (Petruchio, too, actually.)
ohioshakespeare.com/shrew or 330-5-SHAKES
We know the weather prediction looks iffy tonight. Here's a reminder of our rain policy!
-We won't cancel in advance due to weather predictions.
-If the weather is dangerous or it's a true downpour at show time, we will cancel.
-If it is only raining, we will perform.
-Whether or not we cancel, if you have tickets to a rained-on show, you are welcome to reschedule those tix for free for any other performance in the 2022 season.
-A clarification: we can't reschedule rain tickets in advance--give the box office a call or email [email protected] *after* the rain event and we will happily help you out.
-Please reschedule rain tickets within 30 days of your rained out event.
https://www.ohioshakespearefestival.com/faq-1
Tonight only is FREE STUDENT NIGHT for TAMING OF THE SHREW! Free tix for students and under 18s. Reserve your tix (both student and adult) in advance or take your chances at the door.
(Under 18s do not need an ID. College students do.)
ohioshakespeare.com/shrew or 330-5-SHAKES
The Taming of the Shrew
The Taming of the Shrew previews tonight and opens tomorrow. Don't miss this lovely evening "one night out under the stars..."
Gorgeous trailer by Flat Egg Productions
Tickets at ohioshakespeare.com/shrew
The Taming of the Shrew
The Taming of the Shrew previews tonight and opens tomorrow!
Enjoy the trailer by Flat Egg Productions (this one is best with the sound ON!).
Then get those tix: ohioshakespeare.com/shrew
Sound on for your #momentofzen zen.
Last night during trailer filming, our rehearsal was cut short by the rain! But Flat Egg Productions caught this rare quiet moment on the outdoor stage. Beautiful!
Good news is the weather looks to be on our side for the rest of opening weekend of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. Get those tickets!
www.ohioshakespeare.com/shrew or 330-5-SHAKES
Preview Night: July 7, $15 tickets
Pay What You Will: July 10, any $ gets you in
Free Student Night: July 14, students + under 18s free
www.ohioshakespeare.com/shrew or 330-5-SHAKES for tix
The Importance of Being Earnest performs three more times. Tickets are on the move for this final weekend. Don't wait to get yours.
ohioshakespeare.com/earnest or 330-5-SHAKES for tix
(Quote from Kerry Clawson, Akron Beacon Journal, article here: https://yhoo.it/3NbzVtN)
"Take a wonderful story with comedic overtones, add extraordinary actors on a well appointed stage with exquisite period costumes with a surprise ending and you have the formula for an extremely entertaining evening of great theater. This show is worth the drive to Akron. Huzzah!" -Mark Horning, Cleveland Theater Reviews and Chagrin Valley Times
The Importance of Being Earnest performs until May 15. ohioshakespeare.com/earnest or 330-5-SHAKES
Full review: https://misterh215.wixsite.com/mysite/single-post/ohio-shakespeare-festival-s-the-importance-of-being-ernest-is-a-farcical-delight
Photo by Scott Custer
The Importance of Being Earnest, trailer
Sound on for the The Importance of Being Earnest trailer by Flat Egg Productions.
Bridgerton-style-cover-music done by company member Evan Wilhelms.
We open FRIDAY. ($15 preview night tickets for Thursday only!) ohioshakespeare.com/earnest of 330-5-SHAKES
You didn't know?!
Reduced ticket prices for EARNEST on:
Preview Night ($15)
Pay What You Will (any price)
Every day for students ($5 in the gallery)
ohioshakespeare.com/earnest or 330-5-SHAKES
"In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity, is the vital thing." - The Importance of Being Earnest
ohioshakespeare.com/earnest or 330-5-SHAKES
Come see this Bridgerton-before-Bridgerton.
If you know, you know.
Join us for The Importance of Being Earnest beginning April 28.
ohioshakespeare.com/earnest or 330-5-SHAKES for tickets.
$5 student tickets in the gallery for EVERY performance!
#ohioshakesEARNEST
Hey Ohio Shakes members...check your emails. You have a you-heard-it-here-first announcement in there.
Want to become an Ohio Shakes member? https://www.ohioshakespeare.com/memberships
ALL MY SONS previews tonight ($15 tickets!) and opens tomorrow. You'll be struck by the beauty of the set, the costumes, the text, and of course, the acting. ohioshakespeare.com/sons or 330-5-SHAKES
Thanks to Flat Egg Productions (www.flateggproductions) for the beautiful trailer.
The cast and crew reacting to the finished set for All My Sons. A video secretly shot by our set designer and production manager, Natalie Steen.
Want to see what they are seeing? Join us beginning Thursday for $15 Preview night, then Friday for opening.
https://www.ohioshakespeare.com/sons or 330-5-SHAKES
ALL MY SONS opens next weekend. At points heartwarming and heartbreaking, this is an Arthur Miller production not to be missed.
https://www.ohioshakespeare.com/sons
The 2022 Season Announcement
More info at https://www.ohioshakespeare.com
***
While our seasons used to span Summer - Spring, we are now transitioning into a calendar year rotation. Each new season will begin with the new year.
In this transition year, you'll notice some titles that you already knew about, and some that are new and exciting.
And learn more about our new membership program! www.ohioshakespeare.com/memberships
Special thanks to Special thanks to Norman Mallard for title artwork, Scott Custer for photography, and our volunteer models from the 2019 photoshoot.
TONIGHT. 8pm. The 2022 Season Announcement.
THE NECKLACE, a radio play
BY TESS BURGLER
ADAPTED FROM THE SHORT STORY BY GUY DE MAUPASSANT
TUNE IN 7PM EST, FEB 26
“She was one of those pretty and charming girls born, as though fate had blundered over her, into a family of artisans…She suffered endlessly, feeling herself born for every delicacy and luxury.
Jealousy and vanity lead to an unforgettable twist ending in this Victorian gothic drama. Tune in for a live—and free—radio play streaming on Facebook.
Don’t have time to catch it live? Enjoy it as a podcast! Listen anytime you’d like after it airs on our Soundcloud page; or stream directly from YouTube.
TONIGHT! Listen live for our newest radio play. 7PM EST. "See" you there!
(Can't listen live? It will live on our website, youtube channel, and soundcloud afterward for listening anytime!)
THE NECKLACE teaser
*Sound on* for this teaser of our newest radio play, live-streaming here this Saturday, 7pm EST.
THE NECKLACE
by Tess Burgler
Adapted from the story by Guy de Maupassant
Jealousy and vanity lead to an unforgettable twist ending in this Victorian(ish) gothic drama. Tune in for a livestreamed—and free—radio play on our page.
Don’t have time to catch it live? Enjoy it as a podcast! Listen anytime you’d like after it airs on our Soundcloud page; or stream directly from YouTube.
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella
Thanks so much to Flat Egg Productions, our favorite video producer, for creating the Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA trailer.
Happy opening night to the cast and crew who have worked so hard to bring the magical musical to life!
Tickets on sale at www.ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES.
We get some *serious* nostalgic feels when watching this medley, celebrating the release of the 1997 Brandy CINDERELLA on Disney+.
Come see our very own version of Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic starting December 2. (Spoiler alert: plenty of easter eggs to find if you know and love the 1997 teleplay!) #ohioshakes #ohioshakesCINDERELLA
tix at ohioshakespeare.com
"Impossible things are happening everyday..."
CINDERELLA opens December 2
ohioshakespeare.com/cinderella or 330-5-SHAKES
Only two more chances to see Miss Holmes crack the case. Join us tonight or tomorrow afternoon--tickets are limited!
https://www.ohioshakespere.com/miss-holmes or 330-5-SHAKES
The Ohio Shakespeare Festival regards the actors, the script, and the audience as the quintessential elements of the theatre. As a professional theatre company, we are dedicated to articulating the inherently theatrical components of Shakespeare and his fellow playwrights throughout the ages in a manner that enables the collected imaginations of the artists to meet the collective imagination of the audience in a public celebration that transforms the world in which we live.
For 17 years, Ohio Shakes has performed professional, accessible, and exciting Shakespeare outdoors at historic Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. In 2016, we added an indoor stage at beautiful Greystone Hall in the heart of Downtown Akron. Between our indoor and outdoor stages, we bring to life Shakespeare, his contemporaries, and classic musicals year-round in Akron, Ohio.
We are a company model, which means that many of our performers have been working together for a decade or more. The relationships we cultivate with one another enhance and inform our performances and our relationship with the audience at large. A number of our performers are also “actor-managers,” taking on other duties to improve the quality of the theatre. For example, our resident actor-manger Joe Pine also serves as our in-house Technical Director. When he is performing as Romeo, he is also spending his days building the sets (outdoors and indoors). Ryan Zarecki is a leading actor with the company who also choreographs all our stage combat, and he also serves as Properties Master. Tess Burgler manages media content, administrative work, and more throughout the year while also acting in the shows. These are just three examples of our 12 actor-managers. This actor-manager model allows our employees to become more invested in our art on multiple levels, which in turn makes the art even more meaningful and thoughtful. (Plus, it’s not dissimilar to the way Shakespeare’s original company of actors produced their shows!)
We believe in the vibrancy and immediacy of Shakespeare and other classic plays/playwrights. We are known for exciting and daring live stage combat, acrobatic dancing, rowdy and lively Greenshow (pre-show) performances, and a direct approach to classic language that helps the words become clear and relevant. Our shows are briskly paced but easily understood.
Above all, we respect the work of the playwright. We do not impose concepts or new themes onto our productions, but instead, we serve as the vehicle to tell the author’s story as clearly as possible.
Happy Friday April 29, 2022, Everybody! If you're looking for good ideas for weekend fun, you came to the right place, because, oh, look, here are some now:
First off, it's Akron RubberDucks vs Altoona Curve at Canal Park stadium tonight, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.
It's a good weekend to enjoy the dramatic arts, with no fewer than 3 stage productions to enjoy all weekend, including The Wizard of Oz, performed by Ballet Theatre of Ohio at the Akron Civic Theatre, The Importance of Being Earnest, presented by Ohio Shakespeare Festival, and La Cage Aux Folles Presented by The BOOM Theater.
For the full listing of Arts & Entertainment, and there are a lot of choices, check here: https://bit.ly/AandE_4_29-5_5
🎤Special Announcement: On Friday, you can try the Ohio Tea Lady's new Vegan/Gluten-Free menu for free! Reserve a spot at their FB page.
Live music is poppin' this weekend. A couple of highlights: Victor Samalot at El Patrón Tequilería & Cuisine, Akron City Gospel Singers Community Event Session at Jaron M. LeGrair Studio (where you'll be doing the singing!), and The Akron Symphony Orchestra will be joined by the Akron Symphony Chorus for The Creation, considered as one of Haydn’s masterpieces at E.J. Thomas. Oh, there's more: https://bit.ly/LiveMusic_4_29-5_5
Food & Drink options this weekend include weekend brunch at Jilly's Music Room, NOMZ, Akronym Brewing, and a Plant Pop-Up & Potting Party (lotta Ps) at High St. Hop House. Plus: 2022 Ohio Barista Champs at Muggswigz https://bit.ly/FoodAndDrink_4_29-5_5
BONUS: Tuesday from 5 - 7 pm at the Knight Stage of the Akron Civic Theatre is the Lock 3 Public Park Open House. Share your ideas about Lock 3 Park and how might we create an accessible, equitable and welcoming park for everyone. https://bit.ly/3rVY0g7
As always, you can find lots of other great stuff to do and see in downtown Akron on our events calendar: http://bit.ly/DAP_Calendar
Happy Friday, April 15, 2022, Everybody! It's Good Friday, and Easter Weekend (happy Easter to all who observe the holiday). We opened a couple Easter Eggs, and here are the treats we found inside!
1. The Downtown Cherry Blossom Instagram Photo Contest is on through Sunday, April 17, so visit the Towpath in downtown Akron & submit your best photo for a chance to win some nice stuff! Details are here: https://bit.ly/CherryBlossomPhoto22
2. Plenty of cool music to enjoy downtown this weekend, including "Nancy & Cannonball" ft. Bobby Selvaggio Quintet w/ Céline Iris at BLU Jazz+ tonight, and Old School Karaoke at OH SNAP Photo Lab. Here are more live music delights for your ears: https://bit.ly/LiveMusic_4_15-21
3. Arts & Entertainment offerings include the The Global Get Down! at the Akron Civic Theatre on Saturday, and screenings of Dual, and the unsettling Inland Empire (ahem, David Lynch) at The Nightlight. https://bit.ly/AandE_4_15-21
4. Food and beverage options abound, with Ohio Shakespeare Festival's ShakesBEER: A Midsummer Night's Dream and Jilly's Music Room's Jazzy Easter Brunch, for which there are a few tables remaining, so book up! https://bit.ly/FoodandDrink_4_15-21
As always, you can visit the DAP events calendar for more ideas of places to visit and things to do in downtown Akron: http://bit.ly/DAP_Calendar
We all know Shakespeare's words are immortal. 🎭
Now, the Ohio Shakespeare Festival's production of "Romeo and Juliet" from several years ago has inspired the opening song of the rock band Weezer's new album, SZNZ: Spring!
Happy Monday Afternoon! We hope you had a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving weekend. Here are some photos from Friday's Downtown Akron Tree Lighting Ceremony. Shoutout to the City of Akron, Ohio - Mayor's Office and Lock 3 Akron, Ohio for putting on a great evening, and to Puzzle - Creative Solutions for creating the beautiful cityscape that is part of the Lock 3 environment this year.
There's lots of fun stuff to do in downtown this week and throughout the holiday season, including ice skating, ice bikes and bumper cars in Lock 3, live music and theater productions at the Akron Civic Theatre, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, E.J. Thomas Hall, live music, shopping, movies, art and more. Keep track of all of it with the DAP events calendar: http://bit.ly/DAP_Calendar
Im soo excited to be in the Ohio Shakespeare Festival production of Cinderella! I'm apart of the best doggone cast one could be involved in! The entire production team is AWESOME!!! And I can't wait to go to the ball with you all! ....Speaking of Going to the Ball! Join us at our 20 year anniversary Cinderella's Fairy Tale Ball
Happy Friday October 8, 2021 Everybody! The sheer amount of stuff to do and enjoy is daunting to say the least, but I'm here to say that we can meet this challenge together. Allow me to be your guide:
1. Akron Civic Theatre hosts Napolean Dynamite: A Conversation with Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez and Jon Gries (a.k.a. Napoleon Dynamite, Pedro and Uncle Rico) TONIGHT at 7:30 p.m. Sharing of tots at The Lockview before or after the event is up to you.
Also tonight: enjoy live music from The University of Akron School of Music faculty member and classical guitarist James Marron at Guzzetta Recital Hall from 7:30 - 9 pm. OR, dance the night away with The Ladies Night at Jilly's Music Room
2. On Saturday, join us on Cascade Plaza for Downtown K-Pop Skate Night from 6 - 9 pm. We'll be spinning your favorite K-Pop hits, along with Random Dance Play with UA K-Pop Club Xenon, and food from International Jerk and more finger hearts than you can count. 🫰
Or, crack the case with Ohio Shakespeare Festival's production of Miss Holmes at 8 pm on Saturday, or 2 pm on Sunday.
Enjoy live music at Akron Civic Theatre (Almost Queen), Jilly's Music Room (the Numbers Band), Musica ( Parting w/ Curtail, Glass Bones, Anna's Anchor, & The Last Arizona), Akronym Brewing's Biergarten (The Ohio Weather Band), or at Brass Day at The University of Akron.
3. On Sunday, why not reserve an elegant brunch with the Ohio Tea Lady? Or, drop in at NOMZ between 9 am and 3 pm, or Akronym Brewing from 11 am to 2 pm. Sunday evening, Rubber City Comics hosts appointment-viewing with its interactive Live Streaming Claim Sale at 7 pm. Just head over to their page to get some amazing deals on your fav comics, characters, Funko Pops and more.
BONUS: On Monday, October 11, Crave hosts another of their popular Beer Dinners, this time featuring the craft beers of Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. Seating is very limited, so call (330) 253-1234 to reserve a spot.
Wow, that's a lot! But there's so much more. Cast your eyes upon the DAP Events Calendar: http://bit.ly/DAP_Calendar