Music, murder, mayhem and movies top the list of fun things to do this week. Agatha Christie and Michael Crichton have their moment, while Carmen (spoiler alert!) meets her maker at the hands of her jilted lover. Chamber music and art inspired by playing cards round out an exciting week of cool stuff to do.
Wednesday, July 22
The Carnegie, “Murder for Two” | 7:30 p.m. 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington. 859-491-2030. DETAILS: A two-man musical whodunit accompanied by a piano? 14 roles are played by two actors in this hilarious yet perfect blend of music, mayhem and murder. Who did kill Arthur Whitney, the great American novelist? His “grieving” widow or an uber friendly psychiatrist? Or somebody else? Book by Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian, with song lyrics by Blair and music by Kinosian. Runs through July 26.
Thursday, July 23
One Off Productions, “The Sunset Limited” | 7:30 p.m. Gabriel’s Corner, Liberty & Sycamore streets, Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: According to director Rupert Spraul, this stage play by Cormac McCarthy (“No Country for Old Men,” “The Road”) is “a conversation that wrestles with faith and futility.” An ex-con from the South saves the life of an intellectual atheist who wasn’t looking for salvation on a subway platform in New York City. The reformed murderer-turned-savior ventures to offer salvation of another kind, bringing the failed suicide victim back to his Harlem apartment for an articulate and moving debate about truth, fiction and belief. The two-person cast features local acting veterans Sylvester Little Jr. and Michael G. Bath. Continues through Saturday and July 30-Aug. 1.
True Theatre, “trueCRIME 2” | 7:30 p.m. Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-977-8838. DETAILS: Storytelling at its best. True Theatre wants you to know that their “storytelling events entertain, inspire and create empathy.” Tonight’s theme, true crime, is exactly that. Hear storytellers from all walks of life tell you about all things crime in one of their most popular shows. Come be part of creating community and dialogue, while you listen and remember that everyone has a story to tell. What’s yours?
Friday, July 24
Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center, “Shuffled Perspectives” | 6:30-8:30 p.m. 620 Greenup St., Covington. 859-431-0020. DETAILS: Enjoy Baker Hunt’s newest exhibit, “inspired by or using playing cards and the conceptual ideas of the artist.” Bicycle, Tarot, Pokemon or Affirmation cards will be the center of attention in this show including youth, teen and adult artists. One night only!
Drama Workshop, “And Then There Were None” | 7:30 p.m. 3716 Glenmore Ave., Cheviot. 513-598-8303. DETAILS: Don’t let this dark and foreboding tale of murder and mystery scare you. It’s only Agatha Christie at her best. She said the 1939 novel was her most difficult to write due to its complex plot and surprising solution. Christie, herself, adapted the novel into the 1943 play of the same name. Eight guests arrive at an isolated mansion on an island off the coast of Devon. In each bedroom hangs a framed copy of an old rhyme. One by one the guests are murdered, each murder corresponding to a line in the rhyme. Whodunit? Make your way to Cheviot (pretty safe, not so isolated) to find out. Runs through Aug. 9.
Cincinnati World Cinema, “The Python Hunt” | 7 p.m. Garfield Theatre, 719 Race St., downtown. DETAILS: Every year the state of Florida hosts a competition inviting hunters to kill as many Burmese pythons as possible for a $10,000 prize. The Florida Python Challenge seeks to kill the hoards of pythons that have overtaken the Florida Everglades. The Burmese python is considered an invasive species and has decimated the swampland’s wildlife. In this 2025 film, director and producer Xander Robin follows a group of native Floridians and a few out-of-state guests in their quest for the big prize. A Q&A with the director follows the screening. Repeats July 25, 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 25
Cincinnati Opera, “Carmen” | 7:30 p.m. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-3300. DETAILS: “Desire, freedom and fatal choices.” So goes Carmen and the story of Georges Bizet’s famous femme fatale. Don José, the soldier, is enchanted. Later comes along Escamillo, the bullfighter. Carmen dumps Don José for Escamillo. Don José gets really mad. You know the rest. J’Nai Bridges sings Carmen. Ryan McKinny is Escamillo And Matthew White is Don José. Ramon Tebar conducts. Repeats July 29, July 31 and Aug. 2.
Sunday, July 26
Taft Museum of Art, Summermusik Chamber Music Series | 2:30 p.m. 316 Pike St., downtown. 513-241-0343. DETAILS: Musicians from Summermusik make a visit to the Taft for an afternoon of chamber music. Sundays at the Taft are free, so perhaps have lunch in the Taft Café? And this is the final day for the current exhibit, “Beyond the Picturesque: The American Landscape as a Site of Memory, Identity and Continuity,” by painter Ayana Ross, this year’s Duncanson artist-in-residence.
Monday, July 27
Woodward Theater, “Maddie’s Secret” | 7:30 p.m. 1404 Main St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-345-7981. DETAILS: Cameo Cincy Film Collective presents this 2025 film by John Early in his directorial debut. Early also stars (in drag) as Maddie Ralph, a food influencer with a secret that impacts her life, career and personal relationships. Also starring Kate Berlant and Eric Rahill. A pre-recorded Q&A with John Early follows the screening.
Tuesday, July 28
Cincinnati Opera, “Orpheus and Euridice” | 8 p.m. Wilks Studio, Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. 513-381-3300. DETAILS: “Don’t look back. Really. Don’t look back.” Poor Orpheus, grieving over his beloved, dead Euridice, descends to the Underworld where he finds her, but alas. Orpheus doesn’t do as he is told and Euridice is lost, forever. Composer Ricky Ian Gordon tells the ancient story in a new and innovative way. The CSO’s principal clarinetist, Christopher Pell plays the role of Orpheus, the despondent musician while his Euridice is sung by Heidi Middendorf. Conducted by Stephen Mulligan and directed by Audrey Chait. Repeats July 30, 8 p.m. and Aug. 1, 3 & 8 p.m. NOTE: All performances are sold out, but we encourage you to join the waitlist.
Washington Park, ”Jurassic Park: Lost World” | 9 p.m. 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. DETAILS: Bring a chair and a late-night snack to enjoy this, the second film in the Jurassic Park franchise. Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Joseph Mazzello and Ariana Richards reprise their roles. The film is loosely based on Michael Crichton’s 1995 novel “The Lost World.” Take a return trip to Isla Soma, as the genetically engineered dinosaurs, left on the island years before, wreak havoc on the research team that has just arrived. Directed by Steven Spielberg.
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