ShakesQueer 2026

About ShakesQueer 2026

ShakesQueer 2026 brings a night of cabaret and burlesque to the stage at the Otto M. Budig Theater in Over-the-Rhine on Thursday, June 25, with doors at 7 p.m. and the show at 8 p.m. Produced by Queen City Cabaret alongside Smoke & Queers Burlesque inside the home of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, this cheeky Pride-season variety night is a theatrical highlight of the calendar. The show mashes up classic theater flair with drag, burlesque, music, and comedy, a campy, grown-up celebration that plays beautifully in Cincinnati Shakespeare's intimate, modern theater. Expect bold performances, a warm and rowdy crowd, and the kind of close-up cabaret energy you only get in a room built for live performance. It is a fun, arts-forward alternative to the bar scene, perfect for theater lovers and anyone who likes their Pride with a little spectacle and a lot of personality. The Otto M. Budig Theater is at 1195 Elm Street in Over-the-Rhine, directly across from Washington Park and right on the Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar line, with garages nearby. Tickets start around 20 dollars, with cabaret-table seating available for a bit more, and this is an 18-and-over show, so bring a valid ID. Arrive close to the 7 p.m. doors to grab a drink and a good seat before the 8 p.m. start. For a midweek Pride night that trades the dance floor for the spotlight, ShakesQueer is a standout entry on Cincinnati Pride 2026.