Theater @ The Know

Know Theater ad, originally uploaded by brainy_nikki.

Growing up in Chicago, i never really went to "theater" as much as i went to "musicals". With so many great venues to see shows in, we usually went to at least one a year, and during that time i managed to see some great singing/dancing/what have you. While the Arnoff tries hard to have lots of good shows come through during the course of the theater season, I'm usually more than a little unimpressed with what is there to offer. For example, Mamma Mia was good the first time, but its been here every year for the past 4 years - are they even selling out shows? Sometimes we go there to see a show, but i often battle with the guilt from what i think are more than a little exorbitant ticket prices. Now, I'm not a stage manager and i don't know what it takes money-wise to run a show, but i do think 90+ for good seats at a show is a bit much, and often times the Playhouse isn't much better. Although i know 9 times out of 10 I'll like a musical, theater is a much more curious creature - you never really know if you'll like what you get, and I'm one who hates to waste money on bad theater.


That being said, last year i went to a few shows @ the Know Theater on Jackson Street and felt like I'd found a new place to go enjoy some good regional theater. We had been to a few other playhouses around town, and the Know was by far the most professionally done and well organized. My first show there was "Reefer Madness" which was hilarious and i can only hope is brought back - i laughed from the moment the show started till it ended. The second show i saw was the "Scientology Christmas Pageant" (i can't remember the title in full) which was also hilarious and an excellent satire on Scientology. The best things about the theater is that not only is there not a bad seat in the house - there's literally 80 seats to choose from - but thanks to a grant, tickets were only 12$! I'm not sure if tickets are still going to be that price this year, but i think it may be a possibility, which means I'll be back for more. I just got an email today detailing some shows they will be putting on next weekend as well as info on the season subscription costs, and i was happy to see it looks like the Know is still a well-priced way to enjoy the arts. Right now, you can buy a season subscription to 5 shows for 60$, which is a GREAT deal! You can buy them here


"The Reckoning" on 8/27-8/29 looks awesome, particularly since I'm often mocking powerpoint abuse and corporate lingo. Also happening on the 28th, in the open space area in front of the theater (where the bar is), there will be an improv show that you can go to for $5! If you don't want to shell out the 12$ to see an official "show", then throw 5$ their way, grab a drink at the bar and sit down for some improv, which is always a good investment. If you have the time and want to do something other than drink at a bar/watch tv/sit around - get out and see some good theater in downtown Cincinnati. It will cost you about as much as drinks at happy hour or a dinner out, so it can be a guilt-free expenditure!

Cincy Fringe: The Reckoning Unleash The Powerpoint Within You

Know Theatre of Cincinnati is proud to present an encore presentation of The Success Show. Let us all successulate. You are invited to a motivational and wealth-building seminar that goes horribly, horribly awry. Enjoy massive PowerPoint failures, divisive team-building exercises, and perhaps the most provocative uses of the words "synergy", "leverage", George Alexander as Denny and "successulation" ever to be put into a recession-era comedy.Named a "must see" and "simply one of the funniest shows" of the 2009 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

Written by Michael Comstock. Starring George Alexander and Randy Lee Bailey. Stage Managed by Josh Neumeyer. A Finite Number of Monkeys Production. You can purchase tickets online or call 513.300.5669

Stick Around After Vine-L Friday 8/28 Also seen at the 2009 Cincinnati Fringe Festival, Incredulity returns for one more performance as part of VINE-L Friday, the Final Friday event on Vine Street in the Gateway Quarter. Incredulity is an improv show that will be done for the first and last time each night it is performed. We will take suggestions from our audiences, put them into our random device, and create the show on the spot. Failure is a distinct possibility. Improvisers thrive on the risk and tension that comes from the presence of failure. You won't believe what's happening right in front of your eyes. Of course you won't, that's the name of the show. Performance of Incredulity

Friday, August 28 @ 10pm

Jackson Street Underground & Bar Doors open at 9:30

Walk-up Sales Only, $5

Playing at Know Theatre of Cincinnati