Photograph by Mikki Schaffner courtesy The Carnegie
The Carnegie recently announced its 2027 season lineup, and it’s going to be the biggest in the Covington theater’s history. Greater Cincinnati’s home for musical theater will feature a special concert event, a collaboration with Queen City Cabaret, and five full productions—including the world premiere of a brand new musical.
“Our 2027 season is built around a simple idea: You Are Here,” says Producing Director of Theatre Tyler Gabbard. “This collection of shows explores what it means to be present—in this place, in this moment, at the start of something. It’s a season that spans 70 years of musical theater and reflects everything The Carnegie strives to be: ambitious, entertaining, artistically adventurous, and deeply connected to our community.”
The upcoming season sees a huge increase in performances, with more than 70 total scheduled show dates. The Carnegie has doubled its number of performances each year since 2023, growth that Gabbard says has been years in the making.
“We’ve invested heavily in expanding our audiences, strengthening artistic partnerships, and building a sustainable producing model,” he says. “As attendance has continued to grow, we’ve been able to increase the number of productions, extend performance runs, and take on new projects.”
When determining a season lineup, Gabbard looks for shows that will challenge the theater creatively and speak to the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati communities.
“Live theater creates moments that only exist because we’re all sharing the same room at the same time. If audiences leave having laughed, reflected, or discovered something new about themselves or someone else, then we’ve done our job,” Gabbard says. “One of the real joys of a Carnegie season is experiencing such a wide-ranging assortment of musicals. We want every visit to feel different and surprising while maintaining the artistic quality audiences have come to expect from us.”
First on the lineup on January 9 is Together, Wherever We Go, a night with Disney legend and Tony Award nominee Jodi Benson and her daughter Delaney. Jodi is known as the voice of Ariel in The Little Mermaid, while Delaney starred in The Carnegie’s 2023 production of Singin’ in the Rain.
This one-night-only event will feature the two performers on stage together, singing beloved Disney classics and Broadway favorites, and sharing behind-the-scenes stories and heartfelt conversation with the audience.
From February 19 to March 7, The Carnegie will host “one of the most celebrated musicals of the 21st century.” The company is keeping the show’s identity a secret for now, and the title won’t be revealed until September 28, but tickets are currently on sale.
Next up, from May 21 to 23, is Rodgers & Hammerstein & Hart, a collaboration with Queen City Cabaret, a local arts organization and musical duo that performs vintage jazz and pop. This event celebrates three of musical theater’s greatest songwriters: composer Richard Rodgers, eight-time Tony Award winner and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, and lyricist Lorenz Hart. Both Hammerstein and Hart had significant partnerships Hi with Rodgers, including the former pair’s work on The Sound of Music and the latter pair’s iconic song “Blue Moon.” The cabaret show will offer a fresh perspective on the songs that defined the American musical.
“Audiences will hear beloved classics, but I also know Queen City Cabaret will uncover some wonderful hidden gems from these legendary songbooks,” says Gabbard.
An exciting world premiere of Hit Show, a new musical, will next take place from June 9 to 13. This gives Carnegie audiences the opportunity to experience it before anyone else in the world. Written by emerging playwright Billy Recce, this is a swanky, noir-flavored musical inspired by the 1963 kidnapping of Frank Sinatra Jr., set against the stirrings of the queer liberation movement. With a cast of only four, this jazz-fueled fever dream will be an electrifying, late-night experience.
American classic The Music Man, which premiered on Broadway in 1957, will get a fresh and imaginative new production from July 1 to 18. This production will be directed by Rachel Stevens, who delighted Carnegie audiences in the past with runs of La Cage aux Folles and Seussical.
Next, a contemporary hit, Mean Girls, will run from August 6 to 22. Based on the film and musical written by Tina Fey, this pop-powered Broadway sensation presents a coming-of-age story that is both smart and funny. Gabbard has no doubt this show will bring out enthusiastic young audiences to the theatre.
The season will end with a co-production with the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music of Urinetown: The Musical. This subversive hit is one of this century’s most original theatrical experiences, and is a satire on politics, corporate greed, populism, and environmental collapse. It will show at The Carnegie from November 5 to 21 and will be performed by a cast of musical theatre students from CCM, showcasing the next generation of musical theater talent.
Tickets are now available for the season on The Carnegie’s website.
