The Academy Award Winning Film, NETWORK comes to Cincy Shakes’ Stage in its Regional Premier

A sensation on Broadway and in London, the immersive and relevant “Network” receives its Regional Premiere here in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company presents the Regional Premiere of Network, adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, based on the Academy Award winning film by Paddy Chayefsky. The production is directed by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Producing Artistic Director and CEO Brian Isaac Phillips. The Ensemble is generously sponsored by Macie and Jim Kinney joined with the Production Support Sponsor is Brave Berlin.

“I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore!” erupts across the airwaves in this immersive stage adaptation of the Academy Award winning film. Set in 1970s America, as television tightens its grip on American culture, veteran anchorman Howard Beale unravels live on air. What begins as a breakdown becomes a broadcast phenomenon. Soaring ratings transform him into an unlikely prophet for a network hungry for spectacle, in a world where outrage sells and attention is the ultimate currency. A sensation on Broadway and in London, Network blurs the line between news and entertainment with explosive consequences.

Network features an incredible ensemble of 16 actors, including many familiar faces. Jim Hopkins stars as Howard Beale, whose public unraveling becomes the center of the story. When Beale’s breakdown turns into a broadcast sensation, Max Schumacher, played by Barry Mulholland, finds himself battling network executives Frank Hackett and Diana Christensen, played by Brent Vimtrup and Hayley Guthrie, over the future of the network. Rounding out the cast is a talented ensemble featuring Geoffrey Warren Barnes II, Jasimine Bouldin, Eva Olivia Catanzariti, Montez Jenkins Copeland, Cary Davenport, Giles Davies, Phil Fiorini, Candice Handy, Kelly Mengelkoch, Connan Morrissey, Patrick Early Phillips, and Robert Carlton Stimmel.

Bringing this iconic film to the stage is our design team, directed by Brian Isaac Phillips. Jon Savage’s scenic design brings the audience into a 1970s newsroom, with vintage cameras and TV screens. Costumes designed by Erin Reed Carter and wigs by Kayla Cieslinski further establish the 1970s setting with subtle nods to the original film. Zack Bennett’s sound design and Robert Carlton Stimmel’s media design bring the world of television news to life, incorporating real news clips from the 1970s. Alicia Rodis serves as fight and intimacy director. Network is stage managed by Danitza Piper with Tessa Killen as Assistant Stage Manager.

Please note: This production includes gunshots and other loud noises, strong language, discussions of suicide, simulated sexual activity, theatrical haze, and flashing lights. Patrons with questions should reach out to the Box Office at 513-381-2273.

Network runs September 11 through 26, 2026. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Saturday matinees take place on September 19 and 26, with a Sunday matinee on September 20 all at 2:00 p.m..

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company also offers these performances with accessibility resources:

Live Audio Description will be available on Friday September 11, and an American Sign Language-interpreted performance will take place on September 26 at 2:00 p.m.

cincyshakes.com

Pictured: (L to R) Brent Vimtrup, Patrick Earl Phillips, Geoffrey Warren Barnes II, Hayley Guthrie, and Jasimine Bouldin in “Network” adapted for the stage by Lee Hall, based on the Paddy Chayefsky film, directed by Brian Isaac Phillips, playing September 11-26, 2026 at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Photo by Phil Armstrong.