Broadway in Cincinnati to stage 'Life of Pi,' 'Les Miserables,' 'Mamma Mia!'

David Lyman
Updated ·4 min read
One of the more memorable moments in the final scene of “Mamma Mia!,” starring, from left, Jalynn Steele, Christine Sherrill and Carly Sakolove.
One of the more memorable moments in the final scene of “Mamma Mia!,” starring, from left, Jalynn Steele, Christine Sherrill and Carly Sakolove.

There were times during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that it seemed the world of theater might never return to normal. Indeed, for most local and regional theaters, things haven’t returned to normal.

The one bright spot, theatrically speaking, has been the Broadway in Cincinnati series at the Aronoff Center. Mind you, it wasn’t always easy for them, either. Most touring shows shut down. There were delays and awkward date changes.

But somehow, they managed to get productions onto the stage. And we dared to come out and see them. Apparently, we needed some escape from the real-life news around us. And we still do, if the new season announced Thursday is any measure. All productions take place at the Aronoff Center. Subscriptions are on sale now at broadwayincincinnati.com.

The season opens Sept. 3 with “Mamma Mia!” Yes, the show has been here before. Six times, in fact. But when a production draws audiences – and “Mamma Mia!” does – you can count on it returning. Besides, what’s not to love about an evening filled with music by ABBA? The show is a delight – bright, bouncy and even though there is a bit of mystery tucked away in there, oodles of happiness.

Here's the rest of what they’re offering:

A wide-eyed Katerina McCrimmo, left, with Stephen Mark Lukas in the national tour of “Funny Girl.”
A wide-eyed Katerina McCrimmo, left, with Stephen Mark Lukas in the national tour of “Funny Girl.”

'Funny Girl' (Nov. 19-Dec. 1, 2024)

It’s hard to imagine that the original version of this show – the one that made Barbra Streisand a star – opened 60 years ago. But the tale of an ambitious girl determined to become a star is as timely as ever, especially when it’s filled with powerhouse songs like “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star” and “People.”

The cast of the touring company of “Les Miserables,” announced as one of the shows of Broadway in Cincinnati’s 2024-2025 season.
The cast of the touring company of “Les Miserables,” announced as one of the shows of Broadway in Cincinnati’s 2024-2025 season.

'Les Miserables' (Jan. 7-19, 2025)

An epic musical in every way. And we Cincinnatians seem to adore it. This is the 11th time the touring show has returned since its first Queen City performance in April 1989. The inspiring tale is set in early 19th-century France when the reverberations of the French Revolution are still upending society. The show is filled with grand music, high drama and enough passion to make you want to storm the stage yourself.

Hiran Abeysekera, left, and Richard Parker in the Broadway production of “Life of Pi.”
Hiran Abeysekera, left, and Richard Parker in the Broadway production of “Life of Pi.”

'Life of Pi' (Feb. 4-9, 2025)

Broadway loves an unlikely story. And few are more unlikely than this one. Based on Yann Martel’s Mann Booker Award-winning novel, the stage adaptation would go on to win both the Tony (NYC) and Olivier (London) awards for best play. It begins with a shipwreck. A 16-year-old boy named Pi is stranded in a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a royal bengal tiger. Strange company, it turns out, can make for joyous theater.

The company of “Kimberly Akimbo.”
The company of “Kimberly Akimbo.”

'Kimberly Akimbo' (Feb. 18-March 2, 2025)

The Broadway in Cincinnati folks describe this curiously brilliant musical as “a new musical about growing up and growing old (in no particular order).” The leading character – Kim – is 16, but because of a rare genetic disorder, looks much older. It’s far from the ideal way to navigate high school. Winner of five Tony Awards, including best musical, “Kimberly Akimbo” is a surprisingly optimistic paean to adolescence.

The cast and band of the touring production of “Come From Away.”
The cast and band of the touring production of “Come From Away.”

'Come From Away' (March 18-23, 2025)

You’d hardly expect a show built around the 9/11 attacks to make a profound statement about kindness. But this show, which played the Aronoff in 2019, does just that. When air traffic shut down back in 2001, the airport at Gander, Newfoundland, became the landing spot for more than 7,000 passengers whose flights had been grounded. This is the uplifting story of how the passengers and the community coped and gave us all a lesson in the best face of humanity.

Lorna Courtney in the title role of “& Juliet.”
Lorna Courtney in the title role of “& Juliet.”

'& Juliet' (April 8-20, 2025)

What if Juliet didn’t die at the end of Shakespeare’s play? What if Shakespeare, at his wife’s insistence, rewrites the ending? What if, instead of dying, Juliet and a few friends take a road trip to Paris? And what if ... well, you get the idea. With a score by Swedish pop composer Max Martin, the result is buoyant, boisterous and occasionally downright bawdy.

Nick Fradiani as Neil Diamond in “A Beautiful Noise.”
Nick Fradiani as Neil Diamond in “A Beautiful Noise.”

'A Beautiful Noise' (May 6-18, 2025)

In the spirit of “Jersey Boys” and “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” this is a biographical jukebox musical about Neil Diamond’s journey from poor kid in the freshman choir at Brooklyn’s Erasmus Hall High School to one of the world’s bestselling singer-songwriters. Diamond Heads, rejoice.

*Broadway in Cincinnati will also present a holiday special that is not part of any of the many subscription packages available.

James Schultz, left, as the Grinch and W. Scott Stewart as Old Max in the touring production of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
James Schultz, left, as the Grinch and W. Scott Stewart as Old Max in the touring production of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

'Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas' (Dec. 10-15, 2024)

You probably know the story already. But in case you’ve forgotten, it begins when that nasty green Grinch comes down from his mountaintop aerie determined to steal Christmas from the Whos, who are surely the happiest people on earth. Or at least in the Dr. Seuss universe. What he doesn’t count on, though, is the formidable sweetness of Cindy Lou Who.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Broadway in Cincinnati to stage 'Life of Pi,' 'Les Mis,' 'Mamma Mia!'