Still looking for the perfect holiday gift? Give the gift of an experience. Buy tickets to see Cinderella at the Ensemble Theatre downtown in Over the Rhine. You will not regret it. It’s become an annual tradition for us to see a show during Thanksgiving weekend. And it’s always one of our most memorable performances of the year. My favorite thing about the Ensemble in general is the feeling you get that you are right in the middle of the show. It is a steep and smaller theater so all of the seats have an unblocked view. This makes it great for my kids.

Why go see Cinderella if you’ve seen the newest movie, the old cartoon version, etc.? The press release describes it the best: “Throw out that glass slipper and break out your library card! What do you get when you combine a nearsighted bookworm heroine, two fabulously self-absorbed stepsisters, one devilishly diva stepmother, along with a self-empowering Well-Wisher? A fun spin on the classic fairy tale that demonstrates being smart is true beauty!” The Esemble always puts a new spin on an old fairy tale. My girls loved that she wore a sneaker and Stella really liked that Cinderella’s glasses were critical to the story.

Here are all of the details:

where: Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, 1127 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

when: December 2, 2015-January 3, 2016

times: Select Mon-Wed at 7:00 pm; Thurs-Sat at 7:00 pm; Sat & Sun at 2:00 pm; Sun at 6:00 pm

tickets: $44 for adults; students, $25; children 12 and under, $18

content advisory: This production is suitable for all audiences.

And…Who doesn’t love a discount?

Half-Price Rush Tickets: All remaining tickets for the current day’s performance(s) are available two hours prior to each show time for half-price (discount does not apply to senior or children’s tickets) when purchasing by phone or in person. $15 Student Rush Tickets: Students may purchase up to two $15 student rush tickets two hours prior to show time with valid student I.D. Available in person only. AAA and Military/Educator available. Group discounts available for 8+. Complete details available at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.

The characters stick around after the show for a meet and greet. The girls love this year after year. They enjoyed talking to Cinderella, the Prince, and the Stepsisters. But their favorite each year is the villian. The actress who performs those roles is fantastic. On our way to the show the girls were discussing it in the car…”Oh mom, we really hope that one lady is the Stepmother!” She has definitely type-cast herself, but my girls love her! And she’s the first one they always want a photo with at the end. But this year my favorite would have to be the Stepsisters. They had me laughing out loud throughout the production. Go see it.