A list of Summer theatre and dance offerings
According to local weather forecasters, warm weather may be approaching, so it’s time to examine what’s going on this summer in theatre and dance. Here’s a partial list of what’s on the boards:
PORTHOUSE
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee running June 10 – 26. This hilarious musical chronicles the experience of six adolescents vying for the spelling championship. Some audience members are picked to display their prowess as spellers.
The Foreigner by Larry Shue is a story about Charlie, a painfully shy Englishman, who, while on a vacation, concocts a plan to avoid speaking to others by posing as a mysterious foreigner who speaks no English. Running July 1 – 17.
Bye Bye Birdie, the Elvis goes to the army musical, with book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse. Running July 22 – August 7.
Curtain times are 8 PM Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2 PM Sundays.
Box Office--330-929-4416 or 800-304-2363.
SUMMER STAGES, CSU
The Elephant Man, July 8 – August 5. The true story of John Merrick, a man hideously deformed at birth, which questions the ideas of perception and what it means to be beautiful.
Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mama's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feeling so Sad by Arthur Kopit, July 9 – August 6. Madame Rosepettle is fabulously wealthy. She travels around the world according to her fancy, dragging along her neurotic son, an endless pile of luggage, and the body of her deceased husband.
Curtains, July 10 – August 8. A musical of murder mystery plots. Can a police detective who moonlights as a musical theater fan save the show, solve the case, and maybe even find love before the show opens, without getting killed himself?
All shows run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00.
CONVERGENCE CONTINUUM
Dark Ride (May 21-June 19) Cross the threshold into a phantasmagoric carnival.
Hunter Gatherers (Jul 16 – Aug 14) Cross the threshold into a primal universe.
Say You Love Satan (Sep 3 - 25) Cross the threshold into a dating hell.
To make reservations: 216-687-0074 or go on-line to https://www.ticketleap.com
PLAYHOUSESQUARE
The Phantom Of The Opera
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s International Award-Winning Musical returns to PlayhouseSquare in Cleveland in its FINAL Ohio Engagement, July 28 – August 22
Tickets: 216-241-6000 or www.playhousesquare.
THE CLEVELAND SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, Cleveland’s only for free outdoor Shakespearean theater, presents Titus Andronicus and The Merry Wives of Windsor in repertory on Saturdays and Sundays at various outdoor locations throughout Northeast Ohio. Audience members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and seat themselves prior to each outdoor performance.
For more information on The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival go to www.cleveshakes.org.
INGENUITY FESTIVAL
Ingenuity is hosting Speakeasy 2.0 on Friday, July 23rd in the West Side subway tunnels and catacomb spaces of the Detroit-Superior Bridge.
This fundraiser begins at 6 PM with cabaret performances, classic cocktails, food, and drinks. Tickets for this portion of the evening will be $100. At 9 PM there’s a more casual party with DJs, drinks and dancing. Guests can enter for this part of the evening for $20, which includes two drink tickets. Details and ticket information at www.ingenuitycleveland.com/speakeasy or by calling 216-589-9444.
CAIN PARK
Theatre and dance offerings at Cain Park are:
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Alma Theatre, June 10-27, Thursday through Saturday, 7 pm, Sat and Sunday, 2 pm. The award winning Sondheim musical tells the story of exiled Sweeney Todd, who returns to London to find his wife and daughter in the hands of evil Judge Turpin. Due to the subject matter no one under the age of 13 will be admitted without an adult.
Famous Son, Alma Theatre, June 22 @ 7 pm. A concert reading of a show with book and lyrics by John Paul Boukis which centers on John Quincy Adams’ quandary between defending his family’s place in history or taking another path. Free admission.
Groundworks Dancetheater, July 16 and 17 at 7 pm, Sunday at 2 pm, Alma Theater. Led by artistic director David Shimotakahara, the program includes a world premiere, a dramatic restaging and a mysterious and striking new collaboration.
Neos Dance Theatre, July 22, Evans Amphitheater @ 8 pm, and a children’s matinee on July 21 at 1 pm, the eclectic company performs ballet and contemporary movement and tap dance under the artistic direction of Robert Wesner.
Inlet Dance Theatre, July 29, 8 pm and a children’s matinee on July 28 at 1 pm, features a repertoire of original works alongside collaborative pieces from nationally recognized choreographers that address social issues and the human condition. Free admission.
Verb Ballets, August 6, 8 pm, Evans Amphitheater. Cleveland’s premiere dance repertory company celebrates the contributions of Jewish artists including Danial Shapiro, Woody Guthrie, and excerpts from other new works.
After June 5, tickets for all Cain Park offerings: 216-371-3000, or now at Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 800-745-3000.
MERCURY SUMMER STOCK
Joseph And His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (June 11-26)
Li’l Abner (July 9-24)
The Scarlet Pimpernel (August 6-21)
New location: The Brooks Theatre in The Cleveland Play House. For reservations and more information call (216) 771-5862 or go to www.mercurysummerstock.com
SUMMER THEATRE AT NOTRE DAME
The first season of Summer Theatre At Notre Dame will present:
Titus Andronicus directed by Allan Byrne, Friday and Saturday, June 18, 19 @ 7pm
The Merry Wives of Windsor directed by Tyson Rand, Friday and Saturday, June 25, 26 @7pm
Location: NDC Steps of the Administration Building, bring lawnchairs & a picnic! Rain space available. Free admission
The Fantasticks directed by Elizabeth Presley, Fridays and Saturdays, July 9, 10, 16, 17 @ 7pm
Location: NDC Performing Arts Center. Donations accepted, no charge
