Though it seems like it will never be here, there will be summer and the Cleveland theater scene will heat up. Here’s a list of some of the offerings that are being staged.
BECK CENTER 216-521-2540 or http://www.beckcenter.org
8 p.m. evenings, 3 p.m. matinees
June 2-July 2—REALLY REALLY—A comic tragedy which was loosely inspired by the Duke University Lacrosse team scandal, in which the collegiate party of the year results in the regret of a lifetime, and one person will stop at nothing to salvage a future that is suddenly slipping away.
July 7-August 13--CITY OF ANGELS—The Tony award winning musical by Larry Gelbart (book), Cy Coleman (music) and David Zeppel (lyrics), is a tribute to 1940s film noir in which two plots simultaneously weaves between the ”real” world and the “reel” world.
BLANK CANVAS 440-941-0458 or www.blankcanvastheatre.com
June 9-24—PICASSO at the LAPÍN AGILE—A conversation between Einstein and Picasso before they became well-known, in which they debate the meaning of art, the power of thought and the essence of everything, as conceived by comedian Steve Martin.
August 11-26—EQUUS—A psychological puzzle in which a psychiatrist confronts a boy who has blinded six horses in a violent fit of passion. (This show contains adult content and nudity.)
CAIN PARK
216-371-3000 or http://www.cainpark.com
June 6-25—ROCK OF AGES—The regional premiere of the jukebox rock musical featuring the songs of Def Leppard, Journey, Scorpions, Poison, Foreigner, Guns N' Roses, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Bon Jovi, Twisted Sister, Whitesnake, and REO Speedwagon.
August 5-6—THE MUSIC MAN IN CONCERT—Liza Grossman and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra present a concert of Meredith Wilson’s musical with a score that includes “Seventy-Six Trombones,” “Ya Got Trouble,” “Gary, Indiana,” and “Pick a Little, Talk a Little.”
CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE 216-631-2727 or go on line to www.cptonline.org
May 26-June 17—RED ASH MOSAIC-- An experiment in theatrical form, with interwoven and contradictory narrative threads, powerful physical action, chanting and poetic texts, which is designed not to show, but to invoke. It begins in the daily doldrums of a video game store and erupts into a fracturing of realities and parallel lives of one man as he confronts his own death/life.
CLEVELAND SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
Free admission. http://www.cleveshakes.com
Varying locations…check site for times, dates and venue
JUNE 16-JULY 2--THE TAMING OF THE SHREW –Fortune-seeker Petruchio and shrewish headstrong Katherina, are forced into a relationship. Initially, she is an unwilling participant; however, he "tames" her with psychological torments until she becomes a desirable, compliant, and obedient bride.
July 21-August 6—MACBETH—Shakespeare’s tragedy, in which a Scottish general receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth causes a bloodbath that results in his madness and death.
DOBAMA
216-932-3396 or http://www.dobama.org
June 15-July 2--HOW TO BE A RESPECTABLE JUNKIE--Based on real-life events, JUNKIE takes an in-depth look into the troubled soul of a man caught in heroin’s deadly grip.
convergence continuum
convergence-continiuum.org or 216-687-0074
Thursday-Saturday @ 8
July 7 - July 29—NEIGHBORS--A minstrel show, family drama and tragic farce takes racial rage head-on in our supposedly "post-racial" world with shocking, savage humor.
August 25 - September 16—RHINOCEROS--Existentialist playwright Eugene Ionesco’s tale of what happens when a brutish rhinoceros storms through a quiet neighborhood, infecting the townsfolk with the "rhino virus," causing them to become part of the mindless herd.
OBERLIN SUMMER THEATRE FESTIVAL
Hall Auditorium, 67 N. Main Street, Oberlin
Free admission, reservations requested—440-775-8169
For details and dates go to www.oberlinsummertheaterfestival.com
June 16-July 30—THE MIRACLE WORKER—Follows Annie Sullivan who, as Helen Keller’s governess, tames and teaches the deaf, blind, mute, and completely out-of-control girl.
June 30-July 28—BAREFOOT IN THE PARK--Neil Simon’s romantic comedy about newlyweds during the contentious first days of marriage, as they learn how to live together.
July 14-29—THE WINTER’S TALE-- Shakespeare’s timeless romance of obsession and redemption which begins as an intense psychological drama, but midway jumps time and place to become a hilarious pastoral, and ultimately brings the two plots full circle to a magical and moving ending.
OHIO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens (outdoor performances)
714 N. Portage Path, Akron
June 30-July 16—AS YOU LIKE IT—A Shakespearean tale of forbidden loves, banished dukes, cross-dressing ladies, and three marriages.
July 28-August 13—THE WINTER’S TALE—A comic tragedy which tells a story of royal love, revenge, injustice, and family. (Contains probably Shakespeare's most famous stage direction: "Exit, pursued by a bear.”)
PLAYHOUSESQUARE 216-241-6000 or go to http://www.playhousesquare.org
See the website for specific dates and times
June 20-July 9—AN AMERICAN IN PARIS—The multi-Tony Award Winning musical, filled with wonderful music and sensational dancing, about an American soldier, a mysterious French girl and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war.
Note: One hour before each show, Joe Garry offers a free of charge Broadway Buzz Pre-Show Talk which is held in the Idea Center® at Playhouse Square (1375 Euclid Avenue). Following the June 22, 29 and July 6 performances, cast members come on stage to chat with the audience, offering a chance to ask questions.
July 18-23—THE SOUND OF MUSIC--The Rogers and Hammerstein musical story of Maria and the von Trapp children, is presented in a new production, directed by Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien.
August 15-20—MOTOWN THE MUSICAL--Motown founder Berry Gordy's journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more, which includes such songs as, “My Girl,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
TAKE A HIKE TOURS, FREE--every Thursday at 6 PM, from mid-May through mid-September, 90-minute walking tours of the Playhouse Square District, with actors portraying important historic Clevelanders from the neighborhood.
PORTHOUSE
http://www.porthousetheatre.com or 330-929-4416 or 330-672-3884
June 15-Juy 1—9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL—With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, the musical, based on the 1980 hit movie, places a spotlight on three female coworkers who confront their sexist, egotistical boss.
July 6-22—AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’—The 1978 Tony Award winning jukebox musical is a celebration of the legendary jazz great, Fats Waller.
July 27-August 13—NEWSIES--Adapted from the Disney film of the same name, the dance-centered musical follows the plight of newsboy Jack Kelly as he takes on publishing giants Joseph Pulitzer and Willian Randolph Hurst as the powerful duo attempts to endanger the livelihood of a band of newsboys.
THE MUSICAL THEATER PROJECT http://www.MusicalTheaterProject.org for tickets and information (productions staged in review format with narration)
June 24—3 PM—PURE IMAGINATION— Geauga Lyric Theatre--Tickets—216-245-8687--An interactive performance for the entire family with tunes from Disney and Sesame Street featuring Ursula Cataan, Jodi Maile Kirk, Nancy Maier and Shane Patrick O’Neill
June 25—3 PM—PURE IMAGINATION
Lorain County Metro Parks, French Creek Theatre--Tickets: 440-949-5200 X221 or http://www.metroparks.cc/
