Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

Just saw Luna Gale and had an excellent experience. What a nice little theatre this is! Small enough to feel personal and be up close to the action but large enough to put on some first rate shows! The historic building and easy parking across the street add to the perfection. I would highly recommend a visit here!

I have seen a number of plays here. Some I have loved and some that fell a little short for me. I think that’s to be expected with any theatre.
I wanted to mention their production of Outside Mullingar was outstanding! Not only well written, but well cast, and the production was amazing. One one small stage, they managed to really draw you in to the characters and developing story. They had one set change with actual water falling on a roof and dripping to a drain on the floor. The visual effect and realistic sound was amazin

I visited for the first time this weekend to check out their ‘Detroit 67′ stage play. The play was fantastic! Talented actors, great plot, realistic set, etc. I actually liked the smaller size of the venue. However, I did not really enjoy sitting far in the back — felt like you were going to tumble over! They should get rid of those last three rows or so. They also need to step up the game on their concession stand.

I had visitors in for the holidays and wanted to show them the city. Of course OTR is one of the main stops and since they brought their young teenage daughter I thought Sleeping Beauty would be a treat for her. Wow! How was I to know that I would love it too! I enjoy live theater but normally at the Playhouse in the Park. My first thought was that the area was so small it might be amateurish. I was so wrong. The stage setting was extremely plain but it made no difference as the singing was excellent and the close proximity to the stage from every seat allowed you to see the smallest expression of the actors. Such a great cast and they brought the story alive. I enjoyed every minute.

Such a great venue in the city and located near lots of cool eateries in OTR. I went here to see Sleeping Beauty and really enjoyed myself. I did feel that the theatre seating was a bit snug but overall I would enjoy seeing more productions here.

If you’re looking for a new place to see theater, check out ETC. Ensemble is probably my favorite theater to attend and not just because they have delicious treats at intermission on opening night, although the way to my heart is always my sweet tooth.
I love how their stadium-​style seats mean no seat has blocked sight lines and you feel so close to the stage. But it is an older theater so you could have the misfortune of sitting next to a stranger who sits legs spread wide (awkward). If you have a chance to take a tour of ETC and stand on stage, you’ll see it is bigger than you expect. And the sets they put on this stage are fantastic!

I went to see Hands on a Hardbody at the Ensemble Theatre. I wasn’t sure what to expect because I had only been to larger theaters but it was great! I loved that it was smaller and you could see the actors and actresses up close.
As for the musical it was really good! The storyline was great as well as the songs. It was also interesting to find out that it was actually based on a true story and there is a documentary on it. Now I am on the hunt for the documentary!

I’ve been to Over-​the-​Rhine often and did not know that this theatre existed. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional equity theatre. It was founded in 1986. It is Greater Cincinnati’s second largest professional theatre. It plays Off-​Broadway, plays and musicals.
My friend got tickets to «Hands on a Hardbody». We scheduled for friday night at 8:00 p.m.
Storyline:
It takes place in the state of Texas at a car dealership. A contest where 10 Texans has to keep their hands on the Truck. Whoever can hold on the longest, wins. Each person has a story and reason of winning the truck. The musical was 2 hours long with intermission. This musical has great harmony and a great storyline. The cast was very upbeat and kept the suspense going.
What I loved about this theatre is the vintage seating and intimate setting. Totally different from Aronoff Theatre. We had no problem finding our seats.
We pickup our tickets at the box office. It was a fast and easy transaction. The staff was very friendly and helpful.
My only con was that they did not except credit cards for alcohol/​drinks.

Ensemble Theater — Have been a year-’round subscriber for several years. Enjoyment! Love the «easy to see the stage» seating. Love the enthusiasm of «all involved». Love the location — parking, places to dine or snack, security and lighting outside the theater. Outstanding!

Went to see the Mountaintop last night thanks to Unilocal.This was a very moving play. The theatre was quaint, but it made for a more personal engagement. The play was based on the night before Martin Luther King Jr. was assasinated and it was very detailed in recreating the surroundings. The actors were great and really drew you into the moment. It is a must see for everyone!

What a great space, with some wonderful and talented people! My husband and I had our first experience at the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati this past Thursday at their performance of the Drama Desk Award Winning ‘Tribes’.
I know many have said it before, but I really do enjoy the intimate space, where you can really feel like you are a part of the show taking place on stage. As someone who has been involved in theatre for a long time, I can honestly say that the big Broadway style theaters like the Aronoff Center are beautiful, but I have ALWAYS preferred to see shows in smaller spaces like those at the Ensemble Theatre. For me, it is always great to be able to fully see each facial expression the performers have, and to also see all of the small set, prop, and costume details! Maybe it is just the thespian in me, but it is what I prefer!
Tribes was witty, interesting, and beautiful. For the full 2 hours and 15 minutes of the show, I was on the edge of my seat, there wasn’t a dull moment. Each member of the cast was equally professional, talented, and extraordinary. ‘Tribes’ was about a young man who was born deaf, but was never taught to sign, nor was he exposed to the deaf community in any way. His world is turned upside down, when he begins dating a woman who has been a part of the deaf community her whole life. The play was truly a sensory roller coaster ride!
I can not wait to return back to Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, for another insightful performance.

Last night I went to see the last showing of the play «Tribes,» it was an intense play held in a spectacularly designed set! I won a pair of tickets to see the show, and opted for the day and time during which I could have seats in the third row!
I was accompanied by my friend, and we both enjoyed our selves immensely. I had some peanut M&M’s at intermission. The prices are good at the concession, and they have wine and soda too.
The ladies room was well attended, and had nice smelling gel hand soap.
I also want to make a comment on their set design, it was immaculate! The hard wood floors, the decoration of the house, and how they hid a fold down bed in the wall to create another place to hold a scene. It was ingenious! I loved it!
I’ve been to two productions at this play house now, and I highly recommend taking in this local cultural flavor now and again.
Hope to see you there some day!

Amazing space, theatre and people! Have been to a number of shows here and they are all very good.
This theatre is housed in an old German Bank in Over the Rhine. They focus on new productions (either regional premiers or national premiers). Small, intimate space with the stage being very close to the stadium style seats (if you sit in the front row you can touch the stage). All the people working here are extremely friendly. Overall a great place to check out a show, highly recommended if you are visiting or live in Cincinnati.

Love the intimate space of this charming theater. (NB: If you have a fear of heights, try for lower levels as the top tiers can feel a bit dizzying.) While located in what used to be a rather sketchy neighborhood, ETC now cozies up to some of the hottest new restaurants and bars that OTR has to offer with abundant close, well-​lit, reasonable parking.
I’ve seen a few productions here over the years and always leave saying that I need to come back more often. My most recent experience there was seeing «Freud’s Last Session» (Spring 2013) and it was wonderfully done – interesting set, talented actors, and a top notch show overall.
ETC also offers all kinds of discounts on tickets: group rates, student, last minute tickets, discounts with Enjoy the Arts & ArtsWave, and even Pay What You Can performance previews for most shows.

I recently checked out the Ensemble Theatre for the first time… why did I wait so long?! Cincinnati in itself has numerous theatres and offers a little bit of everything to everyone, how nice.
My experience started on the phone selecting tickets, they were very helpful in finding a seat for a show that was filling very quickly. I was even impressed by their social media skills with twitter haha, following up to let them know how my experience was after the show. Little communication things like that really help make the guest feel special and make for a well rounded experience, at least for myself.
So the night of the show parking was fairly easy to obtain, that corner can be quite congested, we parked in a garage right on the corner for 2bucks… sweetness. The ticket desk was well organized as well as concessions. Again everyone was friendly and helpful and we were directed to our seats alllll the way at the top. Even at the top they were great seats and the interior is pretty intimate.
The set was beautiful and the performance of Freuds Last Session was superb. I highly recommend getting there this week for their final shows or I’m sure any of their future productions will be just as great!

I have seen 4 or 5 things here and have generally enjoyed them. Their plays tend to be a little offbeat, but not completely fringe.
The seating is in an extreme stadium style. You may feel like you are going to fall off the world while in your seat, but every seat has a good view of the stage.
Before the show and during the intermission, they have simple food and drink (wine and beer included) that you can take into the theater during the show. I always enjoy a theater that is less worried about the upholstery on their seats than the patrons at their plays.
My one complaint is that if you need to go to the bathroom during a show, it is almost impossible to do so without having to walk directly in front of the action. This made for a very miserable last 20 minutes of a show last night!

I visited Ensemble Theatre for the first time recently to see Alice in Wonderland with my family. The first pro in cold weather like this is that there’s a convenient parking garage right across the street! The front of the theatre is recently redone, I believe, and it looks great. Inside, the lobby is small but inviting. The theatre itself is smaller than I originally imagined, but it lends to an intimate atmosphere that I really enjoyed. We were seated in the very last row, but I didn’t feel as though we were that far away.
The show itself was really great. All of the actors were incredibly talented, and I was extremely impressed by how energetic it was. I’m really looking forward to making return trips to see more of what Ensemble Theatre has to offer.

A charming theatre in the heart of the OTR Gateway Quarter, Ensemble is noted for its grandiose pillared exterior while having a modern, comfortable theatre sitting underneath their roof.
The theatre features stadium style seating, giving everyone in the 125-​seat audience a good view. I’ve seen a few plays here, ranging from complex sets that encompass three walls, floor to ceiling, to ones that are minimalist. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a set change here; all the actors work within one area which makes their performances even more unique. Casts tend to be small, ranging from two to five actors. Some shows have one actor portraying several roles at once.
My favorite thus far has been Mrs. Mannerly, a hilarious mystery featuring a 10-year-old’s antics in an etiquette class run by an intimidating older woman. The young boy was portrayed by a 30-​something man wearing knickers, knee socks, and an oversized suitcoat. From there, humour ensued. The actor transitioned into six of the seven characters in the play on a whim’s notice, which added to the dimension of the show.
The Ensemble is known for contemporary plays and is a great place to catch a new regional première. With fantastic acoustics, beautiful sets, and good views from each seat, an evening at the theatre is sure to be top notch.
Price per person: $ 40.00

I had the good fortunate to experience another excellent performance at this theatre. This night I saw Time Stands Still*, a great play about a photojournalist and freelance writer. The only negative thing I noticed this time was a slightly distracting noise the seats make when people move or adjust themselves. Not a big deal by any means, but thought I’d mention it.
The bathrooms need some decorations or something, they are rather dull and institutional. I like the concession offerings. I saw an older lady eating a large Reese Cup and was very tempted to buy one of my own.
I think it would be great if they offered some kind of last minute Rush Tickets for a reduced rate. I am not sure and didn’t ask the ticket attendants so they might already offer this. There were almost 2 full rows of empty seats when I attended! Fill those up with college kids or something. They might have already been sold and the people were no-​shows, I don’t know.
The seats towards the top are high above the stage and give you this God-​like view of everything. You might want to buy seats more towards the middle or closer up if this doesn’t sound appealing to you. But keep in mind that the views from all seats are great.
Let’s keep supporting artistic venues in the city as well as other businesses. It will only help us.
*Some plays/​musicals are designated as fairly adult in either theme, language, etc. This play did have some profanity, but it was neither excessive or unrealistic. It was appropriate for the conversation/​dialogue.

Ok all, it’s confession time. I love OtR, I preach the awesomeness of OtR and I spend a lot of time in OtR … but I had never seen a show at the Ensemble Theatre until the other day!
I know, I know, it’s terrible, but there it is. For the longest time, though, I didn’t even know this building was a theatre. I think I thought it was a bank — what with the marble pillars outside the the doors and windows you couldn’t see through (and sometimes a security guard standing in front.) Sounds like a bank to me.
But it is not a bank! It is a theatre! And a wonderful theatre at that.
The Ensemble is a great independent, giant theatre in over-​the-​Rhine. You’re not quite sure the size as you’re in the relatively small lobby but walking into the theatre makes you go, «woah!» It’s stadium style seating for a ton of rows so you’re going way, way, way up and looking down. This is a little disconcerting for a bit, since I’m used to staring nearly straight during theatre, but it did mean that no one was blocking my view.
And the play was fantastic. The sound was crisp, the background set was amazing and the acting top notch. Loved being here.
I also like that they hire interns to do a lot of the work and get a lot of the experience. I think I heard there were 10 this season and they do a ton with each performance, all the way down to stage managing. Fantastic.
All in all, this is a gem and if you haven’t checked it out, you are missing out for sure. Don’t ignore this bank … er, theatre any longer!