5 Touring Musicals Coming to Ohio This Winter

Even if you weren’t a theater kid in high school, there is something undeniable about the magic of the stage. When the lights go down and the curtains rise, we know that something incredible is about to unfold. What better time is there to enjoy the stage than during the chilly winter months? From an award-winning production by Alicia Keys to the iconic songs and sets of Les Misérables, be sure to grab your tickets and prepare to be entertained.

Hell’s Kitchen | Jan. 13-25
Set in New York City’s iconic Midtown Manhattan district, this smash hit from Alicia Keys tells the artist’s coming-of-age story. Get to know Ali, a 17-year-old girl who has a tumultuous relationship with her mother, and follow along as she meets a neighbor who begins to mentor her. Pick from one of 15 performances at Cincinnati’s Aronoff Center and experience Keys’ journey, decorated with her own music and directed by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif.

Shucked | Jan. 20-25
Spend the evening in stitches with this battle for the “heart and soil” of a tight-knit community at Toledo’s Stranahan Theater. The musical comedy, set in Cob County, follows a surprising hero and a con man audiences can’t help but love. Directed by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien and scored by Grammy Award winners Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, this small-town production promises big-time laughs.

Les Misérables | Jan. 27-Feb. 1
Hailed as “[‘Les Misérables’] for the 21st century,” this acclaimed production of the epic musical, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, makes its way to the Ohio Theatre in Columbus. Jean Valjean, previously incarcerated for stealing a loaf of bread, is released from prison after 19 years to a world unwilling to forgive him. When police inspector Javert is unconvinced Valjean has changed, the tale becomes a game of cat and mouse between the two. The story is propelled forward by iconic songs, including “I Dreamed a Dream” and “One Day More.”

Suffs | Feb. 3-22
Head to Cleveland’s Connor Palace during this production’s nearly three-week run for a celebration of the passionate women who fought for the right to vote. This female-led musical examines women’s struggle for equality, weaving history with humor for an unforgettable experience. Fittingly, “Suffs” was created by Shaina Taub, the first woman to independently win “Best Book” and “Best Score” at the Tony Awards.

The Sound of Music | Feb. 24-Mar. 1
Get tickets to this classic production that is making a stop at the Ohio Theatre in Columbus. The story follows Maria, a nun who leaves the convent to become a governess to seven children. When she arrives at their estate, she meets Captain von Trapp, their widower father who relies upon a strict regimen and leaves no room for nonsense. Maria, who is guided by her love of music, begins to teach the family the healing power of song, while learning a few lessons about herself along the way. Sing along to well-known hits, including “Do Re Mi” and “Sixteen Going on Seventeen.”