People of Cincinnati: YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE KNOW THEATRE!
The Know is provocative, ahead of it's time, and sometimes even raunchy so it's makes perfect sense that it is in Cincinnati. Hahah Just kidding. But I'm so glad it is! The main reason I am in love with this place is because it brings all of that craziness to a sometimes very conservative city.
The show I saw was COCK. It featured three and sometimes four characters. The main storyline was that a gay man falls in love with a woman and the rethinks his entire being. The point? Society is so obsessed with what and how you are loving rather than who. This play has a solid base that any one could relate to. It was also sometimes so tense that it was funny. Very nicely written and comedicaly timed.
As for the theatre itself, the front is stunning you know its the KNOW when you see it! There are two areas: the bar area/lounge on the bottom level and then you go upstairs to the theatre/staging area. It's a little dingy but it think that adds to its character.
Overall this theatre opened my eyes to another level of Cincinnati's greatness I didn't even know was there. Don't you just love that? Cheer's to The Know. Keep doin' what you're doing and I can't wait for the Fringe Festival now!!!
This venue is awesome! Â Forward and provocative, and very entertaining.
I came here for the sneak preview of COCK. Â What a fantastic show! Â The actors did a fantastic job portraying their characters. Â
I love the way this theatre is set up. Â Bar downstairs and stage area upstairs. Â The upstairs is set up like stadium bleachers with the middle of the floor being the stage area for the actors to perform. Â It offered a very different perspective while watching the show. Â I enjoyed it a lot!
I highly recommend checking out a show here!
Without a doubt my fave theatre in the Cincinnati area, and not just because of their shows, or because they run the best two weeks of theatre around, Then Cincinnati Fringe Festival! Its also because they are so committed to helping ALL artists advance their art, whether that be through their Jackson Street Market process of helping other artists with performance space (Like OTRimprov or trueTheatre) or their inclusive attitude (youth in the FringeNext or dance, paint, sculpture in Fringe, etc). And they do it all with a party attitude and a welcoming smile! Not bad, guys, not bad!
Review Source:So let me start off by saying that I have never been to a show here. I have seen some of the members perform improve at a christmas dinner, but none-the-less.
We went to the Know Theatre's Speakeasy NYE Bash. It was AMAZING! It is hands down the BEST New Year's Eve activity I have ever been to.
They had food provided by several downtown local restaurants(Mayberry, Skirtz & Johnston, Washington Platform, Shanghai Mama's) They were mixing up very well themed drinks and they were jamming to with a DJ pumping some awesome throwback tunes.
To top it all off, they had casino tables. They gave every person some funny money to play with and you then traded in your winnings for raffle tickets at the end of the night.
It was such a great time, I will definitely check it out every year!
went to the theatre not long ago for a friends cd release party, was excited to find that he was having his event at the Know, due to attending the new years eve event there. I once again was happy to be there. its a very nice venue, the staff is polite and two times is a charm...had a blast each time I have gone to Know theatre
Review Source:I absolutely love this place! The shows are great and always fun to go see. I feel like this place is almost a hidden gem that not many people know about yet which is nice because it's not overly crowded, but disappointing b/c they deserve more credit.
One of the many shows I've seen was  a burlesque theme circus show and was pretty phenomenal. Additionally, if you choose to volunteer and help out with set up 2 hours before the event, you get to watch the show for free!
Staff is super friendly, and you can easily tell they have a passion for what they do there. Also, there's a bar for you to enjoy a beverage during to take with you to enjoy while you watch the show!
I had never been to the Know Theater but been near, around, in front of, etc. many times. A few friends and I decided on an evening out at the theater and we saw Collapse. I had no idea what it was about, hanging out with good friends was draw enough, and when it opened I though we were in for something relating to anal sex. I then learned it had nothing to do with that (hormone shot in the butt rather), and was relieved as the crowd was largely older, coupled, and that might have been weird. The show was four people, one set, and a great story.
The theater itself was intimate (though the significant other was feeling nervous about the chairs on the risers 'moving'- ironic to the theme of our show). The lighting and set design were really successful in creating multiple scenes without movement. And in the end I was taken by the fact that despite movies costing tons of money and time, what is really desired in seeing a production is the story. This place told a good story this night, and I imagine they usually do.
As most theaters do, there was a pitch for fundraising that really starts to bug me after I've spent money on my ticket, but I understand the need to capitalize on an interested and captive audience. I'm not in a phase of my life to donate at a mere request, so I wish this was more 'elective' than part of the introduction. My only complaint.
We had dinner at Mayberry beforehand (and a 20% discount for our theater attendance) and didn't have a drink since we'd had a few with dinner, but I liked the bar atmosphere on the first floor had we arrived earlier.
I'd go back to the Know Theater. It was a fun and relatively affordable, high quality production. I assume this is their angle, and it's one I can get behind. Thanks Know, for a great start to an evening in OTR.
I went to the Know Theatre to watch the play "Collapse", the story of a woman who's about to, well, yeah, collapse, because her husband has a post-stress disorder, she had a miscarriage, her sister drops in on them and wants to stay with them... you can see how all of those ingredients would build up to a disaster...! I really enjoyed the show. I like the fact that it was a real story and especially the sister and the 4th character (an impotent sex addict)!
In terms of the venue, I keep being surprised at how often I'm going back to OTR. Not even having been in Cincinnati for 2 months this area is quickly transforming from the "don't go there it's dangerous" area to the "wow, there is always something cool to do in OTR! So many hidden gems!" And Know Theatre is probably one of them.
I say probably because I haven't really experienced it fully yet I think. The play was a preview and less than half of the seats were filled (a pity). There was absolutely no one at the bar before or after the play and while I could see it being a cool place to hang out, it didn't appeal to us to have a drink there while it was completely empty. The small stage downstairs did look cool for small concerts or stand uppers.
The staff was friendly and it looks like a cool place. So for now, I would say I'm a potential fan, but if I could, I'd give a 3,5 stars, to say "it's definitely ok, but I don't know if I'm a fan yet"
I saw Know's latest offering, Abraham Lincoln's Big Gay Dance Party. The theatre and the cast were pretty fun and funny but the play itself (the script not the cast, who did well with what they had) was a bit of a mislead.
Know Theatre is on a short little street you wouldn't need to go on if you weren't going to Know but near a reasonably priced parking garage (and Japp's and Neon's). Their marquee is really easy to spot.
The lobby is a nice bar/cafe area and a small stage (they had large cut outs of Lincoln to pose with that night). Their drinks were reasonably priced and you can take them into the show with you (just remember to pick up your trash).  I had a Moerlein OTR Ale  for $3.50 and they had mixed drinks for $4.
You go upstairs into their black box theatre space. The room is good size and I am interested to see a different set up (where the seats and stage are positioned) next time I go. The seats are comfortable.
The cast did well and the set was creative (they pulled tables and stands out by handles from inside the back wall!) The script was poor and misleading (I thought it would be funnier, more flamboyant, and have more of the fourth grader's play in it; plus the playwright obviously knew nothing about the judicial system which is a shame since 3/4ths of the main characters were lawyers). But its not like Know commissioned the work and one play does not a theatre season make.
I am looking forward to going back and seeing more from this edgy theatre but I hope the scripts get better.
It has been a long time since I've gone to a theater. I used to be a theater geek, but then music got the best of me! I saw a preview of "Gruesome Playground Injuries" with a bunch of other Yelpers. This was my first trip to a theater in a long time, and I am glad I went.
I'll try to limit my commenting on the show since they change. The play was dark comedy - although, I'm not sure I'd call it a comedy. There were funny moments. This was clearly an "indie" type play - not for the mainstream audiences, due to its somewhat graphic content and relatively short length (80 minutes). The actors were great though and the scenery was decent. For a relatively small operation, it was a fun show to see!
The theater is quite interesting. I imagine the room conforms to what each play needs in terms of space. The chairs were set up in a long row, but people who had been to the Know before said that chairs had been arranged differently in other shows. Needless to say, there isn't a bad seat. I sat in front of the costume/makeup area - I'm not sure if this is a typical thing for plays at the Know, or specific to the play, but it as really fun to watch the actors put on the makeup and do their quick costume changes (I imagine most are not like that though...)
Needless to say, the experience was fun. The Know has a small bar inside it with so-so priced alcohol - which I decided to pass on that evening. The tickets usually are decently priced - $15 would be an appropriate price for the show I saw. The one little knock I have is that the chairs were less than comfortable. If it had been a longer play, I may have been more upset, but luckily the play wasn't long enough where it became a serious issue.
I'm not sure I'll check the Know out again - but I'd consider it if I'm bored and have nothing better to do. Certainly nothing will stop me from wanting to return other than my desire to watch a play.
Wow. My first, but hopefully not last, trip to this theatre was for the Gruesome Playground Injuries Yelp preview. Before I entered the theatre I was struck by the cool red light Know Theatre loge projected onto the sidewalk. As Susan L. stated, the marquee helps you find this theatre on a street that I had never "know"ingly been on. Get it?
When we entered, there was a nice lady that greeted us and directed us to the area where there is a really cool cabaret style area and bar. I skipped the bar so I can't comment on prices and options but noticed a few people drinking beers.
The theatre for GPI was upstairs, so I'm not sure how often the lower level stage is used.
I will try not to repeat Susan L's synopsis, but the setup for GPI is rather open and the video projections during the scenes are soooo cool. See the picture. The show's length is perfect. The plot, while dark and moody, is at times lighthearted and laugh inducing. I left feeling that I had really seen a great show and was able to share it with other theatre lovers. Thanks to Alex S. for arranging this event. Â I will certainly try to support this theatre in the future and look forward to other semi-avant garde/modern productions.
The Know Theatre has added a Marque which looks great and helps it stand out, because it is a little hidden. Â A new play opened tonight: Gruesome Playground Injuries. Â It is a complex play, there are a lot of laughs in it, but it is not a comedy. Â Drew Fracher, a great theatrical resource we have in this city, directed it. Â The seats were totally rearranged for this show in a manner I have never seem there before but worked for this show. There are only 2 actors in this show, and it traveled time back and forth (during the 90minute no intermission). Â One thing that was really cool and made the show more compelling was that the actors did their transformations (which were minor but effective) between the different time period on the stage and part of it was projected on videos on the stage. Â A better writer than me could probably give a good descriptive of how this enhanced the show, but it was compelling to see see their transformations instead of having lulls between each scene.
They lost some of their funding for their $12.00 tickets, so they have had to raise them to $15.00. Â The Know Theatre is very much into getting theatre accessible for everyone.
My first visit to Know was to see The Dragon earlier this month. I was really impressed with the design of the facility. While modern with dark, mysterious theatre appeal, the building maintained a lot historical architecture as well.
Upon entering, guests wait in a lounge area equipped with a small stage, perhaps used for stand-up comedy on other nights. There was a full bar and popcorn available to snack on before the show. At house open, we were led upstairs to the main stage. It was an intimate space, with comfortable tiered seating.
The Dragon was a fabulous, creative play which included live actors, marionette puppets and a jazz band. The theme had political undertones, which I loved. Nothing is better than intellectual entertainment. Â The performers were very talented and the craftspeople for the marionettes did an outstanding job with the details.
Know Theatre does a fantastic job of reviving creative theatre in Over The Rhine. I'm looking forward to seeing what show they produce next!
I recently had an opportunity to see a production of "The Dragon." Â I hadn't been to a Know Theatre performance since their days at Gabriel's Corner, so that should tell you it was a long-overdue visit. Â
I really like their new (to me) space. Â There is a nice sitting area downstairs with a bar and an upstairs performance space with general seating. Â The performance was great. Â I'm really looking forward to visiting again.
Saw our first show there on Feb 19. Â It was excellent, highly recommend going. Â
The cast is very talented, we saw their "Aliens" show. Â
The bar has local beers (incl the awesome Helles Lager) and you can take your drinks into the theatre with you. Â
You enter into a bar/antechamber then go upstairs to the theatre. Â Seating is Gen. Admin but its not big so no worries if you sit in the back. Â The Theatre staff was also very nice to talk to at intermission and after.
$12 tickets, top-notch performances, urban artistic vibe, full bar, walkable from downtown
Been to one show here, stoked for the next in a few weeks. "Skin Tight" during its closing weekend was amazing. Beth Harris, the female lead, was captivating. Jens Rasmussen, the male lead, somehow managed to steal her spotlight. A small 20x20 stage with minimal props, lighting, and stadium style bench seating on 3 sides makes for a performing arts experience unlike anything else I have been to.
Sidenote, Beth Harris pulls double duty as backup guitar and vocals for "The Hiders", a recent Cincinnati music discovery that upgraded my life significantly. Keep your ears tuned for their next show.
Love the Know, love OTR, LOVE Cincinnati!
I love the Know. Â Even when I don't want to love the Know, I love the Know. Â It's hard not to fall in love with the space and the company - especially Fringe which I'm sure has it's own reviews.
I like the focus on contemporary pieces you may not see elsewhere and I adore the ticket prices. Â
The space itself is cool, cramped and customized all at the same time. Â The company picks its productions carefully and this can be attributed to its awesome director. Â
There is something moving about this space and it's normal sell outs will attribute it to that.
I have to give this a five star because they work so hard for it. Widely varied, small production, local theatre for a reasonable price. On top of that, they have so many great community activities including happy hours, great bands, and killer holiday events.
They have a large dj/band/dance area upstairs and a lounge area down. Both include bars. Parking is, well, what you would expect for the area: not terrible, but plan to do some walking.
The staff is so friendly, and they want to get the community involved. As a result they do have special events and discounts from time to time. It's worth it to stop in for a couple events and see for yourself.
I might have been too hasty in my three-star review before. In fact, I was, I take it back. This place deserves more stars, no question.
Everything I said before is true - it is hard to find and it is rather intimate (or cramped depending on how much you want to whine about it). Still, there's a real beauty to the Know that I didn't appreciate after only one show. It's so cool and interesting and the shows are unlike anything else you've seen and the people are so nice. Plus, they rock the Cincy Fringe Festival ever year, and truth be told, Cincinnati could use more events like that.
Know, I did not give you enough credit, and I am sorry.
Forgive the pun, but until this week I didn't know this place existed. We were invited to a special function by the team at Blackbook EMG. We saw a great show and had a blast hanging out and drinking with the Blackbook folks and the Managing Director of the theater. What a great, hidden gem in an ever-improving area of OTR. Check it out. Shows only cost $12!
Review Source:I don't miss a show that this theatre produces, and I've not been disappointed yet. The shows they select and the way they are presented are always new, fresh, a bit of the wall, and fantastic. I've laughed until I've nearly peed my pants. I've cried through an entire pack of tissues. This place moves me.
On top of the great productions, the theatre space and attached bar are also fantastic. If you hear of a party here, go, you'll have a blast.
And the beer or wine you buy at the bar? Yes, you can take it in to the show with you!
While I haven't seen a show yet at the Know Theater, my band did play their during Midpoint Music Festival and I really loved the place.
We played in the downstairs area where there was a nice bar and some seating. The stage was slightly raised and it sounded great down there. The ads they had laying around for their shows looked fantastic. My wife and I can't wait to go back and see the upcoming show about Scientology!
Left of off Broadway is a perfect description for the shows here, and it is desperately needed in contrast to some of the boring stuff the Aronoff gets.
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