Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

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Morning Sun

by Simon Stephens

This event has passed.
The sun rising over city apartment buildings against the silhouette of a woman's face

A gutsy portrait of unsung women.

In a brief flash, Charley’s life is sketched out before her, from the moment she was born through now, fifty years later. Her family, her friends, people she only met once, every moment she’s ever remembered crash through in full vibrancy. In this bold story transcending time and space, three generations of women embark on a journey to embrace life before it’s too late. Deeply felt and gorgeously imagined by Tony winner Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), experience the first regional premiere production of this new play following its successful New York debut.

Run time: ~2 hr with no intermission

Content warning: This production contains strong language and adult content, including themes/descriptions of violence, pregnancy and abortion, sexual situations, loss, homophobia and homophobic slurs, and alcohol and drug use.

You'll love this show if you love:

  • Intergenerational and heartfelt stories exploring mother-daughter relationships
  • A small, intimate ensemble going between time and space to play multiple roles
  • Cerebral shows about the small moments that make a life
  • Plays that incorporate real-life historical events
  • Women as storytellers and all-women casts
  • Scripts honoring everyday people
  • Listening to Joni Mitchell!

Similar titles:

  • The Other Place by Sharr White
  • Three Tall Women by Edward Albee
  • Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed and Nia Vardalos
  • The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Simon Stephens

Video

Play Video
Watch the director interview for Morning Sun
Play Video
Watch the video
Play Video
Watch the trailer for Morning Sun.
Play Video
Watch the cast interview for Morning Sun
Play Video
Watch the teaser for Morning Sun
Play Video

Photos

Reviews

“Director D. Lynn Meyers has enabled her actors to perform with etched precision . . . [Morning Sun is] well worth seeing.” Talkin’ Broadway

“I’m unsure where I want to start with the praise I want to heap on Morning Sun.The Sappy Critic

Masthead_MorningSun

Press

Cast

Christine Dye

Claudette McBride & Others
Christine Dye

Annie Fitzpatrick

Charley McBride
Annie Fitzpatrick

Becca Howell

Tessa McBride & Others
Becca Howell

Caroline Marino

Claudette McBride u/s
Caroline Marino

Connan Morrissey

Charley McBride u/s
Connan Morrissey
A photo of a woman with a fair skin tone with curly light brown hair staring into the camera

Emmy Rice

Tessa McBride u/s
Emmy Rice

Creative team

Simon Stephens

Playwright
Simon Stephens

D. Lynn Meyers

Director
D. Lynn Meyers
A gray placeholder silhouette on a white background representing a person without headshot

Brian c. Mehring

Scenic & Lighting Designer
Brian c. Mehring
A gray placeholder silhouette on a white background representing a person without headshot

Brooke Arthur

Costume Designer
Brooke Arthur

Matt Callahan

Sound Designer
Matt Callahan
A gray placeholder silhouette on a white background representing a person without headshot

Shannon Rae Lutz

Properties Curator & Design Assistant
Shannon Rae Lutz

Jack Murphy

Technical Director
Jack Murphy
A gray placeholder silhouette on a white background representing a person without headshot

Margot Whitney

Production Stage Manager
Margot Whitney

Lexi Muller

Assistant Stage Manager
Lexi Muller

Events

Six people in their 20s and 30s by a pool table smiling at the camera

Show Up! A Young Professionals Event

March 2, 2023 @ 7:30 pm

Join other Young Professionals at a performance of Morning Sun then walk to Copper & Flame to mingle, discuss the show, and enjoy small bites and a beverage, all included in the heavily discounted $15 Show Up! ticket.

Learn more about our YP series including how to get your $15 ticket!

Book now

ETC Essentials

ETC Essentials

March 12, 2023 @ 1:00 pm

Art has the mysterious power to transport us across worlds and generate nostalgia and empathy. Why have some paintings, such as Edward Hopper’s Morning Sun, resonated with generation after generation? Join visual artists to discuss how art can be used to reflect the universal human experience in a raw and beautiful way.

This event is free, but registration is required.

Register

Meet the Artists

March 9 & 16, 2023

Interested in chatting with the artists behind the productions you love? Meet the Artists is a FREE post-show talk-back series on the second and third Thursday evenings for each production on our main stage. Discussion begins shortly after the show ends.

Accessibility

Icons of large print playbill, braille, and audio description.Audio-described performance

Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 7:30 pm

Mask-Required PerformanceMask-required performance

Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 7:30 pm​

 

Icons of a hearing aid and American Sign LanguageASL-interpreted performance

Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 7:30 pm

Relaxed PerformanceRelaxed performance

Saturday, March 18, 2023, at 2:00 pm​

Learn more.

Photo credits | Ticket Info, Bryant Bentley, Burgess Byrd, and Leslie Goddard-Baum in Detroit ’67 (Mikki Schaffner); Subscriptions, Cast of Hedwig and the Angry Inch; Ticket Discounts, Torie Wiggins in Your Negro Tour Guide. All images by Ryan Kurtz unless otherwise noted.