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
BENT (June 1-July 1—Studio Theatre—Martin Sherman’s play follows a group of gay men finding ways to survive persecution before and after the Night of the Long Knives.
GYPSY (JULY 6-AUGUST 12—Mackey Theatre)—Based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the musical follows an overbearing stage mother and her two daughters during the 1920's when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born. The score features songs that have become standards, and helped launch the career of Stephen Sondheim.
BLANK CANVAS 440-941-0458 or www.blankcanvastheatre.com
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (June 8-23) Rock musical which tells of the search for love and identity by the “slip of a girlboy.”
WE WILL ROCK YOU (August 3-18) The Cleveland Premiere of a juke box musical, featuring more than 20 Queen songs, which tells the tale of two revolutionaries as they try to save Rock in a post-apocalyptic world.
DOBAMA
216-932-3396 or www.dobama.org
ON THE GRILL (June 21-July 8) The American premiere of Dror Keren’s 2015 Israeli Academy Award winning “best play,” is an intimate look into the hopes and heartbreak of an Israeli family and the community that surrounds them. Featuring Dorothy Silver, David Vegh and Juliette Regnier. (This production is supported by Cleveland-Israel Arts Connection, a program of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.)
CAIN PARK
216-371-3000 or http://www.cainpark.com
Thursday-Saturday 7 pm, Sunday 2 pm
MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL (June 14-July 10)—A juke box musical inspired by actual events, tells the story of a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break.
CLEVELAND MUSICAL THEATRE
216-584-6808 or https://www.clevelandmusicaltheatre.org/jane-eyre
August 31-September 9--Cuyahoga County Community College-East/Simon Rose Mandel Theatre—The world premiere of Paul Gordon and John Caird’s revised musical based on Charlotte Brontë’s most famous female heroine, who is a strong-willed and resilient young womAn on her journey to find independence.
CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE
216-241-6000 or go to http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com
Wednesday-Saturday @ 7:30, Saturday @ 2:30, Sunday @ 2:30 and 6:30
HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN (June 7-17) Award-winning Hershey Felder brings to life the remarkable story of Russian-American-Jewish Composer, Irving Berlin ("Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Always," "Blue Skies," "God Bless America," "Puttin' on the Ritz," "There's No Business Like Show Business.”)
CLEVELAND SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
Free admission.
For times and places go to http://www.cleveshakes.com
TROILUS AND CRESSIDA (June 15-July 1)—An adaptation of Shakespeare’s tale of the angst that took place when Troilus, a Trojan prince, falls in love with Cressida, the daughter of a Trojan priest who has defected to the Greek side.
TWELFTH NIGHT (July 20-August 5)—An adaptation of Shakespeare’s comic tale in which hidden identity, cross-dressing, unrequited love and chaos take the stage.
convergence continuum
convergence-continuum.org or 216-687-0074
Thursday-Saturday @ 8
AND ALL THE DEAD LIE DOWN (July 6-28)—The story of a gay couple dealing with stigmatization, family conflicts and their differing cultural backgrounds.
THE CASUAL TREE WARD (August 24-September 15)—The world premiere of Cleveland playwright/actor Robert Hawkes’ tale which asks the question, “Does the world really depend on this single tree (Yggdrasil), or is this a self-generating myth?”
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
LITTLE WOMEN (June 22 to August 5)—A drama adapted from the novel by Louise May Alcott concerns the struggle to keep a family together while their father is away in the Civil War.
ROMEO AND JULIET (July 6 to August 4)—Arguably the greatest love story ever told comes to life.
PICNIC (July 20-August 4)—William Inge’s award winning play which centers on a group of lonely women in a small Kansas town whose lives are disrupted by a charming drifter.
OHIO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens (outdoor performances)
714 N. Portage Path, Akron
ohioshakespearefestival.com or 1-888-718-4253 opt.1
ROMEO & JULIET (June 29-July 15)—Shakespeare’s classical tale of love and loss.
ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL (July 27-August 5)---A Shakespearean fairy tale turned on its head.
THE THREE MUSKETEERS: AN ADVENTURE WITH MUSIC (August 9- 12)---Alexandre Dumas' classic tale of friendship, daring, romance, and intrigue...with music. (A family adventure for all ages.)
PLAYHOUSE SQUARE
216-241-6000 or go to www.playhousesquare.org.
BEAUTIFUL—THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL (June 5-17—Connor Palace) A juke box musical based on the story of King’s rise to stardom.
HAMILTON (July 17-August 26—Key Bank State Theatre)—Key Bank Broadway Series—The mega hit about Alexander Hamilton, with book, music and score by Lin-Manuel Miranda, that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway.
Pre-Broadway Buzz…featuring Joe Garry (July 17-August 11—upper Allen Theatre)
Post show talk…featuring cast members (July 19-August 2--Key Bank State Theatre)
PORTHOUSE
http://www.porthousetheatre.com or 330-929-4416 or 330-672-3884
ANYTHING GOES (June 14-30)—Cole Porter’s timeless tale of boy meets girl and a ship full of singing and dancing sailors, gangsters and showgirls.
NEXT TO NORMAL (July 5-21)---A rock musical that examines bipolar disorders, depression, grief, marriage, and adolescence.
ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S OKLAHOMA! (July 26-August 12)—The show that changed the very nature of what is American musical theatre!
