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Frequently Asked Questions

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Tickets

Ticket prices for individual Playhouse productions begin at $35 and vary based on the date and seating location desired. Generally, you'll receive the best seats at the best prices by purchasing early or by purchasing a Playhouse subscription. All Playhouse ticket prices are subject to change based on availability. To view specific prices, select the Buy Tickets button for the production you'd like to see. Then, select the date and seats you prefer.

Looking for a discount? The Playhouse offers a number of discount programs. Discounts for groups of eight or more adults are also available.

Yes, we have special prices for children and full-time students. Check each show's production page for a content advisory. Children under the age of 6 will not be admitted to Playhouse productions, unless otherwise advertised.
Tickets are subject to dynamic pricing, meaning that prices may increase as the performance approaches depending on demand. To secure the best prices for your seats, buy your tickets early, before dynamic price changes increase the cost of the seats you’d prefer.

Ticket prices vary based on performance and seat location.

The Robert S. Marx Theatre has four price zones. In our ticketing purchase path, you will see each zone represented by the following colors:

Price Zone 1 - Blue (includes the most expensive seats)
Price Zone 2 - Purple
Price Zone 3 - Green
Price Zone 4 - Pink (includes the least expensive seats for all show except A Christmas Carol)
*Price Zone 5 - Yellow (includes the least expensive seats for A Christmas Carol only)

The Shelterhouse Theatre has three price zones. In our ticketing purchase path, you will see each zone represented by the following colors:

Center Section - Blue (includes the most expensive seats)
Side Section A - Purple
Side Section B - Pink (includes the least expensive seats)

Contact the Box Office by phone or in person no later than noon the day of your performance. Tell us which show you want to exchange. Once we agree on an alternate seat location and date, we will exchange your seats instantly and release your old seats for sale immediately. Pick up your new tickets any time during Box Office hours. Destroy your old tickets by tearing them lengthwise and discarding them. Don't forget to mark your calendar with your new performance date.

Exchange Fees:

Subscribers: There is no service fee for subscribers to exchange any ticket, including additional single ticket purchases.

Non-subscribers: There is a $4 exchange fee per ticket/per exchange.

Upgrades: Exchanges made to higher-priced tickets will be charged the price difference. Upgrade charges are due at the time of exchange and can be charged to American Express, Visa, MasterCard or Discover.

Please note:

• If your tickets have expired, please read the missed performance procedure below to find out how you can still see the show.

• Seating is based on availability and may not be comparable to original seating. Since we do not save seats for exchanges, please call us as soon as you know you have a conflict.

• Reserved parking may not be available on your new performance day. If parking is sold out for your new date, we will put you on a waiting list and call you when we secure space. If we cannot secure a spot, please stop by the Box Office on the night of your performance to obtain a parking refund for that individual performance.

• Exchanges to lower-priced tickets will not receive a refund.

We will reprint lost or misplaced tickets free of charge. Call the Box Office to have your duplicate tickets waiting for you when you arrive at the theatre.
Seats in both theatres are set up in even and odd groupings. If your seat numbers are sequential even or odd numbers, they are together.

A $.90 per ticket fee is assessed by The Cincinnati Park Board on all ticket purchases.

In addition, the Playhouse assesses a $4 per ticket handling fee to all single ticket buyers. Subscribers pay no additional fees on any single ticket purchases.

Below are seat maps for the Marx Theatre and the Sheleterhouse Theatre, as well as a seat map specifically for A Christmas Carol, presented by First Financial Bank. (Click on a seat map to view it at full size.)


2017-18-MX-Seating-ChartWeb

This is the seating chart for the Shelterhouse in our current 2018-19 season:
2017-18-SH-Seating-ChartWeb2

This is the seating chart for the new Rosenthal Shelterhouse seating in our 2019-20 season:
2019-SH-Seating-Chart_BD
2017-18-MX-Seating-Chart-(Carol)Web
 

Ways to Save

The Playhouse has a longstanding commitment to the military personnel in our community. We welcome U.S. military personnel, spouses and children, as well as U.S. veterans with two programs.

AFTA-Cincinnati
Members of the active military and their immediate families can purchase half-price tickets for any Sunday 7pm through Thursday regular season performance. Offer made possible by AFTA-Cincinnati. Valid for Price Zones 2 and 3 in the Marx Theatre and Side A Section in the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre. Tickets for A Christmas Carol can be purchased for $10 off Price Zones 2, 3 and 4 for performances Nov. 27 through Dec. 5, as well as performances Dec. 12 and 27-29. Not valid with other discounts, including child and student tickets. Limit four discounted tickets per household. Visit the AFTA website for additional opportunities and complete details.

Blue Star Theatres
Members of the active military, their immediate families and U.S. veterans can purchase half-price tickets for regular season performances in the first week of each production. Valid for Price Zones 2 and 3 in the Marx Theatre and Side A Section in the Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre. Tickets for A Christmas Carol can be purchased for $5 off any performance in any zone. Not valid with other discounts, including child and student tickets. Limit four discounted tickets per household. Tickets available through the Box Office at 513-421-3888. Please identify yourself as a Blue Star Theatre participant when you come to the Box Office. Blue Star Theatres is a program of Blue Star Families and Theatre Communications Group, with support from the MetLife Foundation. Must present picture military ID to redeem tickets.

*All ticket prices, discounts and special offers are subject to change. Applicable handling fees apply.
Ticket Discounts
Get 50% off select performances with an ArtsWave ArtsPass! Good for seating in Price Zones 2 or 3 in the Marx Theatre and Side A section in the Shelterhouse Theatre. Visit artswave.org for information about the ArtsWave ArtsPass and to take advantage of this great offer.

Not good with other discounts, including children and teen tickets. Limit four. Subject to availability. Not valid on previous purchases. All offers subject to change. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Not valid on previous purchases. Additional fees/charges may be applied.
Let us help cover your babysitting expenses for your children 12 years and under!

Receive a $100 rebate at the end of the season when you purchase two Marx Theatre subscription packages in Price Zones 1, 2 or 3 at full price and get your ticket scanned at your performances. If you purchase only one Marx Theatre subscription at full price and get your ticket scanned at all performances, you'll receive a $50 rebate ($10 per production).

Request the rebate when you make your order for the season, and provide the names and birth dates of your children 12 and under. Subscribers must attend the shows in their package to be eligible for this rebate.

Not available for Shelterhouse Theatre packages, Build Your Own packages, or in Price Zone 4 in the Marx Theatre.
Child/Teen Tickets
Share theatre with the young people in your life! Single tickets prices for kids and teens are just $30 or $45 per ticket based on seat location. Check each show's production page for a content advisory, or call the Box Office for details. Children under 5 are not admitted.

Student Build Your Own Series Subscription
Choose as few as four shows from either theatre to introduce your child to the Playhouse! Get all the benefits of subscribing for as little as $15 per seat. Subscribe as a family, or, for the independent teen in your life who would like to come alone, it makes a great gift! Build Your Own Student Subscription today.

College Night
Sundays at 7 p.m. are College Nights! Students can purchase a $10.90 ticket through the Box Office in advance. Must provide a valid Student ID at Will Call when picking up the tickets. Not available on A Christmas Carol.

Student Rush
Need a night other than Sunday? Students may purchase a day-of-show ticket by phone or in person for only $15.90. Must provide a valid Student ID at Will Call when picking up the tickets. Includes A Christmas Carol.
Whether it's you and some friends, your church group, a company party or a national organization in town for a convention, the Playhouse offers attractive rates and amenities for groups of just eight or more adults.

Visit our Group Sales page for more information. You can also call the Box Office at 513-421-3888, or contact the Group Sales Manager at 513-977-2002. Save money on ticket costs and save on fees, too!
Receive emails from the Playhouse to stay up to date with new programs, events and productions, and to take advantage of exclusive offers and presale opportunities throughout the season.

You can sign up by clicking "Join our email list!" in the header or footer of our website.

Save by coming to our discounted preview performances (the shows prior to opening night).

Robert S. Marx Theatre previews occur on the Saturday (8 p.m.), Sunday (2 p.m.), Tuesday (7:30 p.m.) and Wednesday (7:30 p.m.) prior to opening night of a show.

Shelterhouse Theatre previews occur on the Saturday (8 p.m.), Sunday (7 p.m.), Tuesday (7:30 p.m.) and Wednesday (7:30 p.m.) prior to opening night of a show.

Visit each show's production page to find the dates for their respective preview performances under the "Related Events" section.
As a subscriber, you’ll always save up to 20 percent off single ticket prices and enjoy these great benefits:

  • Never experience price increases during the season.
    • Lock in the lowest rates on every production in your package.
    • Get exclusive discounts and no handling fees on single ticket purchases throughout the year, including A Christmas Carol, presented by First Financial Bank.
  • Never miss a show.
    • The seats and dates you want are set and guaranteed in advance.
  • Never worry about last-minute schedule change.
    • Subscriber ticket exchanges are FREE and easy. Charges only apply if you transfer to a more expensive seat.
  • Never pay one lump sum.
    • Spread out the cost of your ticket package over as many as nine monthly installments! Payment plan options are available with certain restrictions depending on the time of year and package level.
Begin your subscription journey today!
 

Your Visit

Parking is available in the Playhouse garage or on surrounding streets.
Yes. We offer a number of accessibility services, including infrared sound enhancement systems for the hearing impaired and large print programs, as well as audio-described and signed performances. Both theatres and all public areas are accessible to wheelchairs.

• Exchange your tickets by noon the day of your performance by calling the Box Office.

• Give the gift of theatre to friends, acquaintances or business associates. If you cannot get your tickets to them, we can print duplicates that they can pick up at the Box Office.

• Donate your tickets to the Playhouse as a charitable contribution to a not-for-profit organization. Call the Box Office to release your seats BEFORE the scheduled performance, destroy your tickets and we will issue a receipt for your tax return. Once the performance begins, we cannot issue tax-deductible certificates.

If the show is still running, yes. We offer admission after a missed performance for a fee of $5 (plus any additional costs associated with improved seating), valid only for another performance of the same play. Here's how it works:

• The Box Office distributes seating beginning ONE HOUR prior to curtain on a first-come, first-served basis when expired tickets are presented.

• If reserved seating is not available, you will be given an empty seat pass. You will then meet the house manager at the door of the theatre just prior to curtain. He or she will assist you in finding empty seats in the theatre.

• The missed performance admission is valid through the final performance of the missed show. Please call the Box Office to confirm the show time(s) on the day you plan to attend.

Mobile phones and beepers must be turned off inside the theatre. If you need to be reached, please leave your phone or pager with the house manager, along with your name and seat location. This will help us locate you quickly in case of an emergency. Our emergency number is 513-345-2247.
The show must go on! The Playhouse may be located in a park, but it is an indoor performing arts complex.

Unless the city officially closes roads to non-essential traffic, all performances will continue as scheduled, regardless of weather conditions. In the event of a show cancellation, the cancellation information is posted on the homepage of our website. We also call and/or email patrons with tickets to the cancelled performance, so please make sure we have your correct contact information.

If you are uncomfortable driving in certain weather conditions please call our Box Office at 513-421-3888 for assistance.
No, the Playhouse is not an outdoor venue. While we are located within Eden Park, our entire facility — the two theatres, lobby, bar and dining spaces — is indoors. The nearby outdoor performance space — also in Eden Park — is called Seasongood Pavilion and is not part of Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, nor do we perform there.
Latecomers are seated at the discretion of the house manager, so as not to disturb other audience members and the performers. This may be as late as intermission. Latecomer admission depends on the demands or structure of a particular production. Should you need to leave the theatre during a performance, re-admittance and seating are also at the discretion of the house manager.
Theatre is, after all, about expressing yourself. So dress it up or dress it down — it's up to you. We want you to be comfortable and enjoy yourself.
You can enjoy one of several on-site or nearby food options. Whether you're looking for a complete meal, a mid-show snack or just a cocktail from the bar, the Playhouse has you covered. Visit our Eat & Drink page for local and onsite recommendations and menus.
 

Donations & Tax Credit

Every year, the Playhouse is proud to issue ticket donations valued at more than $30,000 to assist other nonprofits in raising funds for their organizations.These ticket donations valued at over $170 per set entitle recipients to attend one of the current Marx Theatre subscription season productions. Please note conditions of the donation and expiration date.

Application Process
To request a donation for your organization please follow these guidelines:

• Requests are accepted via U.S. post only. Include a self-addressed stamped standard #10 envelope for the donation to be returned to you. Requests must be on the receiving organization's letterhead, with the name of the organization, address, telephone number and nonprofit ID number, name of the event, contact's name, address and phone numbers. No donation will be issued to an individual.

• Requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The Playhouse is not responsible for lost or misdirected donations and is unable to issue reprints. Requesting organizations may receive one donation per Playhouse's fiscal calendar, July 1 through June 30. Multiple requests are discarded.

• Tickets are subject to availability, are valid for the Marx Theatre production listed. Valid for Sunday evenings-Fridays.

• The Playhouse is unable to consider donations that benefit political parties or candidates, for-profit companies (including employee recognition/appreciation days) and holiday events.

Application Submissions 
Mail to:
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park 
Attn: Ticket Donations
962 Mt. Adams Circle
Cincinnati, OH 45202

Donate your tickets to the Playhouse as a charitable contribution to a not-for-profit organization. Call the Box Office to release your seats BEFORE the scheduled performance, destroy your tickets and we will send you a receipt for your tax return. Once the performance begins, we cannot issue tax-deductible certificates (per Internal Revenue Service guidelines).
 

For information about our script submission policy, visit this page.

Welcome to the Playhouse: A Newcomer's Guide

Jul 13, 2018
Natalie Hulla

If you’re new to theatre, or new to the Playhouse, we know that it might be a little intimidating at first glance. We’ve put together this newcomer’s guide to help you navigate your first trip here.

CONTINUE READING>

CONTACT THE BOX OFFICE

513-421-3888

TOLL FREE (OH, KY & IN only)
800-582-3208

Telecommunication Device for the Deaf
513-345-2248

 

STANDARD SEASON HOURS

Monday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Box Office closing hours vary based on performance schedule.

 

SUMMER HOURS

Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 

ADDRESS

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
ATTN: Box Office
962 Mt. Adams Circle
Cincinnati, OH 45202

 
 
 

Barbara Chisholm in Erma Bombeck: At Wit's End. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.