Here’s a list of some of the offerings of local theatres for the fall season (September-December, 2018). SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL THEATRES! You can track my reviews on http://www.royberko.info or contact me to get on my direct review list. You can see a synopsis of the members of the Cleveland Critics Circle comments about the plays they see at http://www.clevelandtheaterreviews.com/
BECK CENTER 216-521-2540 or http://www.beckcenter.org 8 p.m. evenings, 3 p.m. matinees
(September 14-October 7) AN ACT OF GOD—A comedy which attempts to give a new meaning to the phrase divine intervention.
(October 5-November 4) WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF—Edward Albee’s masterpiece of mind games and devastation.
(December 7-January 6, 2019) SHREK THE MUSICAL—The musical tale of a social outcast who takes an exciting journey to find out the real meaning of life.
BLANK CANVAS 440-941-0458 or http://www.blankcanvastheatre.com/ Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 7 pm
(October 5-27) CANNIBAL THE MUSICAL—From the co-creator of “South Park” and “The Book of Mormon,” comes the “All Singing! All Dancing! All Flesh-Eating” true story of the only person ever convicted of cannibalism in America. (Show will have a “splatter zone!)
(December 7-22) AVENUE Q--The Tony winning puppet-centric musical that addresses humorous adult issues. A cult favorite! CESEAR’S FORUM 216-241-6000 or go to http://www.cesearsforum.com/
Kennedy’s Theatre—enter from the Ohio Theatre lobby
(September 21-29 @ 8 PM)) PLATH AND ORION--Two one-act plays by Lanford Wilson concerning a chance meeting between two women. Their poignant, telling and poetic conversations reveal plainly their individual boundaries of hope and reality.
CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE 216-241-6000 or go to http://www.playhousesquare.org 7:30 Wednesday-Saturday, 2:30 Saturday and Sunday
(September 15-October 7) THE WOMAN IN BLACK— Halloween comes early this year! Arthur Kipps never believed in the supernatural until he came face to face with evil!
(October 13-November 4) SWEAT A compelling portrait of pride and survival in the Rust Belt. To read my review of the Broadway production go to: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3114387099896190039 - editor/target=post;postID=638743968349909341;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=3;src=postname
(November 23-December 23) A CHRISTMAS STORY—Ralph’s back! One holiday wish. And a world that seems to be conspiring to make certain it doesn’t come true. “Be careful or you’ll shoot your eye out!”
CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE 216-631-2727 or go on line to http://www.cptonline.org/
(October 4 – 6) ¡OBRAS EN EVOLUCIÓN 2018! A FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAY READINGS--written & directed by Teatro Publico de Cleveland Ensemble Members. In English & Spanish with bilingual supertitles.
(October 11-27) YA MAMA! The autobiographical story of a young Afro-Creole girl losing a mother, gaining a stepmother, and becoming a mother—all while being an artist. (Originally developed and produced by CPT in 2011.)
(October 20 – November 10) EVERYTHING IS OKAY (AND OTHER HELPFUL LIES)—the World Premiere of a hot mess musical, in which a group of close friends struggle to navigate the tragedies of life.
(November 8 – 11) Y-HAVEN THEATRE PROJECT--Created & Performed by the men of Y-Haven, a branch of the Greater Cleveland YMCA, a transitional housing facility for formerly homeless men recovering from substance abuse and mental health challenges. The Y-Haven Theatre Project captures an authenticity and emotional power as the cast shares their true-to-life experiences often hidden from the world.
(November 23-24) PINCH AND SQUEAL’S WIZBANG!--Two spectacular nights of absolute holiday madness filled with ridiculous acts, local circus performers, and professional misbehavers!
(November 29-December 22) CONNI’S AVANT GARDE RESTAURANT: A SNOWBALL’S CHANCE--This hilarious musical performance includes crazy cabaret, comedy, dancing, game show competitions, violence, and a five-course meal. The performers cook and serve the feast, using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. World Premiere.
convergence continuum convergence-continiuum.org or 216-687-0074 Thursday-Saturday @ 8
(October 12-November 3)—THIS MUCH (OR AN ACT OF VIOLENCE TOWARD THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE)—Gar can’t decide between the man who plays games and the man on one knee with a ring. Everyone wants answers, but nothing lives up to the image he has in his head. Ohio premiere.
(November 30-December 15)—RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN—an unflinching look at gender politics.
DOBAMA 216-932-3396 or http://www.dobama.org check the theatre’s blog for performance time
(September 7-30) SUNSET BABY—Ohio premiere of Dominique Morisseau’s tale of a tough, independent woman in Brooklyn, who is visited by her estranged father, a former revolutionary in the Black Liberation movement, who seeks to mend their broken relationship.
(October 9-November 11) JOHN—A young couple struggling to stay together, stop at a bed and breakfast. They encounter a cheerful innkeeper, her blind friend and an eerie world crammed with toys and one very odd American Girl doll.
November 30-December 30) ELLA ENCHANTED—Based on the best-selling novel, this modern Cinderella story is filled with delightful music, beautiful puppets, high adventure and plenty of girl power.
ENSEMBLE THEATRE 216-321-2930 or http://www.ensemble-theatre.com Fridays and Saturdays @ 8, Sundays @ 2
(September 7-30) ALABAMA STORY--A black rabbit marries a white rabbit! — stirs the passions of a segregationist State Senator and a no-nonsense State Librarian in 1959 Montgomery, Alabama, just as the civil rights movement is flowering. Another story of childhood friends — an African-American man and a white woman, reunited in adulthood in Montgomery that same year — provides private counterpoint to the public events of the play.
(October 19-Noveber 11) EAST OF EDEN—A staging of John Steinbeck’s tale of Adam Trask, who is determined to make a new start in California’s Salinas Valley. But family history, sibling rivalry, and the impending danger of World War I will threaten their little piece of paradise.
(November 30-December 16) AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS—A world premiere staging of Jules Verne’s tale of Phileas Fogg, and his new French valet, attempt to circumnavigate the world in 80 days.
GREAT LAKES THEATER http://www.greatlakestheater.org or 216-241-6000 Wednesday-Saturday @ 7:30, Saturdays @ 1:30, Sundays @ 3
(September 28-November 11) MAMMA MIA! —ABBA’s music set into a tale of love, laughter, family and friendship. Hanna Theatre
(October 5-Novemer 4) PRIDE AND PREJUDICE –Jane Austin’s classic novel comes to the stage. Hanna Theatre
(November 30-December 23) A CHRISTMAS CAROL—Charles Dickens’ classic tale of one man’s ultimate redemption. Ohio Theatre
INTERPLAY JEWISH THEATRE interplayjewishtheatre@gmail.com or 216-393-PLAY (Play readings at Dobama are free, but reservations are required. Presentations at the Maltz Museum are fee based)
(September 16 @ 7 PM) Jazz violinist AARON WEINSTEIN presents
V I O L I N S P I R A T I O N! --Dobama Theatre, 2340 Lee Road, Cleveland Hts.
A dessert reception follows the performance.
A minimum $10 donation per person will be collected at the door.
RESERVATIONS are required, including all names in your party. Contact interplayjewishtheatre@gmail.com; or call 216 393-PLAY and leave a message.
KARAMU HOUSE 216-795-707) or www.karamuhouse.org
(September 20-October 14)—SASSY MAMAS—back by popular demand we relieve the experiences of three longtime girlfriends who find themselves single and ready to ensnare much younger suitors.
(October 25-November 18)—DAY OF ABSENCE—A one-act satire about an imaginary Southern town where all black people suddenly disappeared.
(November 29-December 30)—BLACK NATIVITY—Langston Hughes’ famed retelling of the Nativity story with an entirely African-American cast, performed in gospel style!
LAKELAND CIVIC THEATRE 440-525-7134 or http://lakelandcc.edu/academic/arts/theatre/index.asp Performances at Lakeland Community College
(September 7-28) LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC—Stephen Sondheim’s Tony award winning musical about unrequited love, beautiful melodies and a total lack of misunderstanding amongst all the characters. Musical highlights include “A Weekend in the Country.”
NEAR WEST THEATRE 216-961-6391 or nearwestheatre.org
(September 21-30) NEWSIES—Youth cast, ages 9-15—a musical based on the Disney film.
(November 16-December 9) CARNIVAL—Intergenerational cast, ages 7 and up—The “Love Makes the World Go ‘Round” musical in which Lili, a lonely orphan, is enchanted with a traveling carnival. She gets to join the troupe and ends up working with the puppet act and two men fall in love with her.
none-too-fragile theatre 330-671-4563 or http://www.nonetoofragile.com
Thursday, Friday and Saturday @ 8, select Sundays @2 and select Mondays at 8
(September 28-October 13) FREAK STORM--Mark Pelfrey’s macabre comedy tells the tale of a young couple who get a visit from two old friends who tell them that someone, or something from their past is coming for them all!
(November 16-December 1) BOOGIBA--Explores the lasting effects of war upon two soldiers of different eras.
OHIO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL www.ohioshakespearefestival.com (Winter and Spring Home: Greystone Hall, Akron) Thursdays-Saturdays @ 8, Sundays @ 2
(September 28-October 14)—TREASURE ISLAND: AN ADVENTURE WITH MUSIC—a new play by Terry Burlger, based on the novel by Robert Lewis Stevenson. World Premiere.
(November 30-December 16)—SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE—Young Will Shakespeare has writer's block... the deadline for his new play is fast approaching but he's in desperate need of inspiration. That is, until he finds his muse – Viola. This beautiful young woman is Will’s greatest admirer and will stop at nothing (including breaking the law) to appear in his next play.
PLAYHOUSESQUARE 216-241-6000 or go to www.playhousesquare.org See the website for specific dates and times
(October 2-21) HELLO DOLLY—The national tour starts here! Betty Buckley stars as Dolly in the Tony Award winning musical based on Thornton Wilder’s THE MATCHMAKER. Songs include: “It Takes a Woman,” “Put On Your Sunday Clothes,” “Before the Parade Passes By,” “Hello Dolly” and “It Only Takes a Moment.” Connor Palace
(October 30-November 18) LES MISÉRABLES--“Les Miz” is born again. A new staging of Boubilil and Schonberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, based on the Victor Hugo novel. Songs include: “One Day More” and “I Dreamed a Dream.” Connor Palace
(November 27-December)—CHICAGO--Huntington Bank presents a touring production of one of the longest running American musicals in Broadway history. Connor Palace
BROADWAY BUZZ--Get the inside scoop on Key Bank Broadway shows from host, Joe Garry, one hour before performances. Please check event schedule for exact dates and times. Broadway Buzz Pre-Show Talks are held in the Upper Allen, accessible through the Allen Theatre lobby.
PLAYHOUSE SQUARE TOURS—Nearly 100 years after our historic theaters first opened, Playhouse Square has become the largest performing arts center outside of New York City and hosts nearly 1,000,000 guests and 1,000 curtains each year. Each of the theaters has its own story to tell. Our tours are a great way to learn about the history and community impact of one of Cleveland’s most important cultural institutions. 1 st Saturday of each month, 10-11:30 AM, every 15 minutes a 90-minute tour leaves from Key Bank State Lobby. No reservations needed for groups of 10 or fewer.
THE MUSICAL THEATER PROJECT http://www.MusicalTheaterProject.org or 1-800-838-3006 for tickets and information (productions staged in review format with narration)
(September 17-- The Music Box Supper Club @ 6:30 PM)—MARVELOUS PARTIES—The songs that make shindig sizzle—featuring Eric Fancher, Laura Lindauer, Nancy Maier and Bill Rudman. 12:18 PM Tickets—800-838-3006
(October 19--First Baptist Church of Cleveland @ 7 PM) (October 21—Mixon Hall, Cleveland Institute of Music @ 3 PM)—SILVER LININGS, THE SONGS OF JEROME KERN—a lecture/performance of the melodies of the human heart.
(November 14—Solon Center for the Arts @ 7 PM) (November 18—Hanna Theatre, Playhouse Square @ 3 PM)—JUST FOR LAUGHS—A celebration, through explanation, live performance and video clips of what makes us laugh at a song in a musical featuring Bill Rudman, Nancy Maier, Douglas F. Bailey II, Ursula Cataan and Sherri Gross.
(December 14 @ 8 PM, December 15 @ 2 PM—Stocker Arts Center) (December 16 @ 7 PM and December 17 @ 7 PM—Nighttown)—A CHRISTMAS CABARET--“Winter Wonderland,” “White Christmas,” “Let It Snow” and about every other holiday song from Irving Berlin. Featuring Bridie Carroll, Nancy Maier, Joe Monaghan and Bill Rudman.
