“Only a Hippopotamus...”

Fiona: The Musical
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati
1127 Vine St,
Through Dec. 29

Performances: Wednesday–Saturday, 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m.

For the full schedule and ticket information visit www.ensemblecincinnati.org.

To paraphrase Oprah, “You get a hippopotamus and you get a hippopotamus and you get a hippopotamus…” for Christmas.

This year, the magic of a 1950s novelty song comes to life, as everyone’s favorite hippo makes her musical debut in the annual holiday musical from Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC).

Fiona: The Musical, written by Cincinnati native Zina Camblin and ETC composer David Kisor, is a touching story that reminds us of the power of perseverance, compassion, and never giving up!

Brandi La’Sherrill as Zoe Erin McCamley as Fiona

The cast of Fiona: The Musical

The cast of Fiona: The Musical

Kate Wilford* as Red Oxpecker and Sara Mackie* as Bibi

Brandi La’Sherrill as Zoe, TaShauna Ajoi Jenkins as Wanda, Darnell Pierre Benjamin* as Dr. Cornelius and Hannah Beaven as Annie

Brooke Steele* as Diana, R. DeAndré Smith as Henry, and Michael G. Bath* as Dudley

The cast of Fiona: The Musical

Michael G. Bath* as Lesser Kudu and Andrew Maloney* as Pelican

Brooke Steele* as Colobus Monkey and Darnell Pierre Benjamin* as Giraffe

The cast of Fiona: The Musical

Brandi La’Sherrill as Zoe, Sara Mackie* as Bibi, and TaShauna Ajoi Jenkins as Wanda

TaShauna Ajoi Jenkins as Bearcat, Emmy Rice as Ostrich, and Michael G. Bath* as Lesser Kudu

ETC Fiona 13_web.jpg

Brooke Steele* as Diana, Michael G. Bath* as Dudley, Brandi La’Sherrill as Zoe, and Andrew Maloney* as Zander

Elexis Selmon as Yellow Oxpecker, Erin McCamley as Fiona, and Darnell Pierre Benjamin* as Giraffe

The cast of Fiona: The Musical

Elexis Selmon as Yellow Oxpecker, Darnell Pierre Benjamin* as Giraffe, and R. DeAndré Smith as Henry

Photos by Ryan Kurtz

“Fiona’s story had a very rocky beginning and was a stressful time that, thanks to a great animal care team, had a happy ending,” says Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard. “It was hard for me to imagine how that could be captured in a musical, but I'm confident that the creative team at ETC will make it fun.”

When Fiona is born two months early at only 29 pounds, the odds are stacked against her. But when a determined team of zookeepers and doctors refuses to give up on the little hippo that could, the beautiful friendships that form might be just the thing to give Fiona the strength she needs.

“Her story, her battle, her strength; it’s irresistible,” says D. Lynn Meyers, ETC’s producing artistic director. “It’s an amazing story about never giving up. Fiona: The Musical is about something that seemed impossible and instead became reality. This production helps us celebrate Ensemble’s own underdog story and unlikely journey of survival. It’s not only a love letter to the zoo, but also a celebration of extraordinary possibility.”