Shawn Says: Touch the Moon is the kind of new work that reminds you why we make theater.

League of Cincinnati Theatres review for Cincinnati Lab Theatre production

A Layered Drama That Cuts Deep

Cincinnati LAB Theatre’s Touch the Moon is not just a play—it’s an emotional reckoning. Written by Ariana Rooks and masterfully directed by Elizabeth Harris, this new work is a slow-burn character drama that will leave you breathless. It’s loosely inspired by the Natalie Holloway case and shaped by a deeply personal experience from the playwright’s own family—and it shows in every raw, vulnerable moment.

The Story

Touch the Moon dives into the emotional aftermath of a young woman's disappearance during a senior-trip vacation. What unfolds is a layered narrative about trauma, resilience, and the complicated relationships that stretch and snap in crisis. There’s no flashy set, no need for gimmicks—just a story with heart, hurt, and haunting humanity.

The Cast

• Elizabeth Hickerson as Becca

• Hannah Willow Diesman as Miranda

• Elliot Handkins as Stefan

• Michael Spitz as Dirk

• Gabi Homoff as Emily

This cast doesn’t just act—they disappear into their roles. The emotional gravity between Becca and Miranda carries the show. Their subtle shifts—from hope to panic, from silence to confrontation—are nothing short of hypnotic.

What Makes It Special

It’s the kind of play where you feel the room holding its breath. Audience members leaned forward, hung on every word, and—during the post-show talkback—asked questions that came from the gut. That’s how you know the story landed.

This is new work in action. RoseZdx is still shaping the piece, and the audience’s voice is part of that process. Yet even in this early form, Touch the Moon is already whole. It’s rare to witness something this intimate, this grounded, and this emotionally charged on stage.

Don’t Miss the Rest of the Festival

CLT’s New Works Festival continues through July 26, 2025, with three fully staged productions and two Sunday staged readings. These are plays in progress—and you get to be part of that progress.

Tickets are available online (https://cincylabtheatre.wixsite.com/cincylab/tickets) and at the door, with an All-Access Pass option to catch every moment and save a few bucks.

Shawn Says... this one doesn’t just touch the moon—it touches your soul. You’ll leave the theater changed—and maybe that’s the whole point. This is what new work is meant to be. Show up, speak up, and support the future of theater while it’s still being written.