GiGi’s Playhouse Kicks Off 13-City Nationwide Tour with MLB Players at Cincinnati Playhouse

GiGi’s Playhouse, in partnership with MLB player Jake Burger and the Burger Family Foundation, kicked off its 13-city nationwide tour today in Cincinnati. Burger and his Texas Rangers teammates Corey Seager and opposing Reds players Graham Ashcraft and Nick Lodolo visited GiGi’s Playhouse Cincinnati to promote Down syndrome awareness and engage with families

The tour, aligned with the Rangers’ schedule, will see MLB players visiting GiGi’s Playhouse locations in cities where they’re playing, raising awareness and fostering acceptance.

Burger, Seager, Ashcraft, and Lodolo toured the Cincinnati Playhouse, participated in a Language Music N’ Our Peeps (LMNOP) class, and posed for photos with families, creating unforgettable moments with the community.

GiGi’s Playhouse Founder, Nancy Gianni, and her 22-year-old daughter and namesake, GiGi Gianni, were also present to help kick off the tour.

“We’re so excited to start this tour and have the support of these amazing MLB players,” said Nancy Gianni, Chief Belief Officer of GiGi’s Playhouse. “This initiative is about more than just awareness—it’s about fostering acceptance and understanding within the broader community.”

This tour is led by Jake Burger, who recently changed his jersey number to 21 in honor of his daughter, Penelope, who was born with Down syndrome. As the only MLB player with a child with Down syndrome, Jake is using his platform to advocate for inclusion and celebrate the Down syndrome community.

For over twenty years, GiGi’s Playhouse has provided free educational, therapeutic, and career programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Along the way, they’ve opened 61 locations across the US and Mexico. With the support of MLB players and the Texas Rangers, this tour is an exciting way to amplify the organization’s message of inclusion and showcase the importance of celebrating the abilities of all individuals.

After Cincinnati, the tour will continue in Hoffman Estates and Detroit, with more cities to follow.  Here’s a list of the 13 Playhouses and cities included in the tour:

• Cincinnati – March 31
• Hoffman Estates – April 8
• Detroit – May 9
• New York City – May 19 – 22 (Exact Date TBD)
• Chicago – May 23
• Tampa – June 1- 5 (Exact Date TBD)
• Minnesota – June 9
• San Diego – July 3 – 6 (Exact Date TBD)
• Orange County – July 7 – 10 (Exact Date TBD)
• Phoenix – August 1 – 3  
• Sacramento – August 28 – 30 (Exact Date TBD)
• Houston – September 15 – 17 (Exact Date TBD)
• Cleveland – September 26 – 28 (Exact Date TBD)

Stay tuned for more updates and photos from the tour as it makes its way across the country.