Culture-loving Cincinnatians will attest that the Aronoff Center for the Arts caters to many tastes. Broadway lovers head here to watch the latest hits under the fiber-optic-starlit ceiling of Procter and Gamble Hall. Two more performance spaces - Jarson-Kaplan Theater and Fifth Third Bank Theater - are smaller and host more intimate productions.
Aronoff, with its open lobby of tall glass windows and crisp, yet comfortable auditoriums, was designed by architect Cesar Pelli and opened in 1995. All kinds of shows have crossed its stages since then. Wicked played there, as did Wilco. Comic writer David Sedaris brought his lecture series and the live version of Last Comic Standing brought down the house. A typical season will feature everything from the latest Cincinnati Ballet debut, to lectures by famous writers, live radio shows, plays, and concerts. Cincinnati Ballet's annual Christmas tradition of The Nutcracker happens here, and famous names touring with Broadway shows cross the stage often.
The Aronoff even has offerings for those who prefer non-performance type art. The Weston Art Gallery in the north end of the building is a free gallery with rotating exhibits to browse before your show starts, or simply on their own.
The anchor of downtown's Backstage District, Aronoff's location is hard to beat. Nada next door, and Bootsy's and Nicholson's across the street, are just the beginning of the fun dining options nearby, and there are just as many options for after-show drinks. The Aronoff's diverse schedule will keep you guessing, and the consistently high quality of the productions will have you calling for encores.
Attraction Information
- Contact and Ticketing:
- Location: 650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH
- Phone: 513-721-3344
- Cincinnati Arts Association Ticket Offices: 513-621-2787
- Website: www.cincinnatiarts.org/aronoff
