Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will host the American premiere of the new musical “Mythic.” Three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall will serve as director and choreographer for the Broadway-aimed production, which will begin performances on Sept. 20 and is scheduled to play a limited engagement through Oct. 19.
Featuring a pop-rock score by Marcus Stevens and a book by Oran Eldor, “Mythic” reimagines the world of Greek myths, with the gods assuming personalities of pop stars, politicians and influencers. Starstruck Persephone disobeys her mother Demeter and sneaks into a party at the Acropolis, where an encounter with Hades marks a turning point for her. “Mythic” took its world premiere bow in a 2018 production at London’s Charing Cross Theatre, which featured direction and choreography by Sarah O’Gleby. A North American premiere, directed by Brian Hill and choreographed by Avihai Haham, followed in 2019 at Montreal’s Segal Centre.
Marshall won Tony Awards for choreographing revivals of “Wonderful Town,” “The Pajama Game” and “Anything Goes.” She received additional Tony nominations for her work helming these three productions, as well as nods for her work on “Kiss Me, Kate” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It.”
Stevens has held many titles, including writer (providing the book and lyrics to the musical “Yo! Vikings!”), director (helming the Off-Broadway and national tour stagings of “Dragons Love Tacos & Other Stories”) and performer (in Off-Broadway’s “Forbidden Broadway.”).
Oran created the dance arrangements for the 2015 Main Stem revival of “Fiddler on the Roof.” His résumé also includes serving as orchestrator for the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, London Philharmonic and New York Pops. Oran arranged and orchestrated Kristin Chenoweth’s “Coming Home” television special.
“We [are] thrilled and honored to welcome the acclaimed Kathleen Marshall as director and choreographer for the U.S. premiere of “Mythic,” said Playhouse producing artistic director Blake Robison in a statement. “Having had a successful run in London, “Mythic” now has its sights set on Broadway. The capabilities of the new Rouse Theatre continue to attract nationally acclaimed artists to Cincinnati and to build our city’s reputation as a destination for the arts.”
The Playhouse’s 2025-2026 season will also include productions of “Mrs. Christie,” a new adaptation of “Little Women,” “The Piano Lesson,” “Where the Mountain Meets the Sea,” “The Heart Sellers,” “Mary’s Wedding” and “Because You’re Mine,” as well as return engagements of “Tenderly: The Rosemary Clooney Story” and “A Christmas Carol.”
