This weekend offers a variety of chances to check out the Otto M. Budig Theater, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s new venue at 1195 Elm St. (at 12th) in Over-the-Rhine. If you received and responded to the company’s invitation to a “Welcome Celebration Open House,” that’s happening from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday. The rest of the world is invited to drop by on Sunday, 3-7 p.m., for the “Family Festival Open House.” It’s a chance to tour the new theater and enjoy refreshments and activities for kids. Map your timing out carefully and you can stick around for a free performance in Washington Park of Romeo and Juliet at 7 p.m. I’ve had a chance to walk through and see what’s in store: It’s dazzling, and it promises a great leap forward in productions by Cincinnati’s classic theater company.
At The Carnegie in Covington, a production of The Full Monty opens this weekend. It’s the story of a band of laid-off Buffalo steelworkers who cook up a scheme to address their financial plight (not to mention their self-confidence) by becoming a male striptease act. They aren’t exactly perfect candidates to become sex objects, but their hearts are in the right place — and that’s what this show is all about. They guys are trying to do the right thing for their families, even if their dignity is at stake. Onstage through Aug. 27. Tickets: 859-957-1940.
Continuing productions include The Drowsy Chaperone at the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater in E. Price Hill, with a fine performance by Van Ackerman as an endearingly geeky musical theater fan. Through Aug. 27.
Also high in entertainment value is the very tongue-in-cheek, gender-bending comedy Marian, or The True Tale of Robin Hood at Know Theatre. Adam Szymkowicz’s play suggests that Maid Marian and Robin Hood are one and the same, and most of the “Merry Men” are strong, assertive women. A lot of ribald humor along the way, as well as some raucous stage combat. Through Aug. 18.
Rick Pender’s STAGE DOOR blog appears here every Friday. Find more theater reviews and feature stories here.
