Preview: THE MUSICAL THEATRE PROJECT presents 1962 ON STAGE AND SCREEN

 

The Musical Theatre Project was formed about 25 years ago with the mission of preserving and honoring 20^th-century American musical theater in songs, stories and social history through local live performances and in national radio broadcasts, online discussions and recordings. 

The organization’s next live program, 1962 ON STAGE AND SCREEN, is to be presented at 3:00 pm on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at Wiley Auditorium, 2181 Miramar Blvd in University Heights. 

It will feature selections from Stephen Sondheim’s A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, a musical farce which tells the tale of Ancient Rome in which Pseudolus, a slave, schemes to win his freedom by helping his young master Hero win a beautiful courtesan.   Songs of the delightful show include “Lovely, ““Everybody Ought to Have a Maid” and “Comedy Tonight.”

Another musical of 1962 featured in the program is Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse’s STOP THE WORLD—I WANT TO GET OFF, which places the spotlight on the much-put-upon Littlechap.  Each time something unsatisfactory happens in his life, he calls out "Stop the World!."  It features the classic song, “"What Kind of Fool Am I?" which won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

NO STRINGS is a Richard Rodgers and Samuel Taylor's romantic musical which broke new ground as the first Broadway musical to depict an interracial love story.  It centers on a successful Black American fashion model who, while in Paris, meets and falls in love with a Pulitzer Prize-winning white American writer.   The Broadway production starred Diahann Carroll and Richard Kiley and featured such songs as “The Sweetest Sounds” and the classic, “No Strings.”

THE MUSIC MAN, with book, music, and lyrics by Meredith Willson, concerns con-man Harold Hill, who sells band instruments and uniforms to naïve Midwestern townsfolk, promising to train the members of the new band. Prim librarian and piano teacher Marian sees through him, but when Harold helps her younger brother overcome his lisp and social awkwardness, Marian begins to fall in love with him.  He risks being caught to win her heart.  The libretto includes “Goodnight My Someone,” “Seventy-Six Trombones,” and “Till There Was You.”

GYPSY is a musical fable with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents.  It is loosely based on the memoirs of strip tease artist Gypsy Rose Lee, and focuses on her mother, Rose, whose name has become synonymous with "the ultimate show business mother.”

The musical contains many songs that became popular standards, including "Everything's Coming Up Roses," "Small World," "Together (Wherever We Go)", "You Gotta Get a Gimmick", and "Let Me Entertain You."  It is frequently considered one of the crowning achievements of the mid-twentieth century's conventional musical theatre art form.

The program will be co-hosted by Founding Artistic Director Bill Rudman and Nancy Maier and features Eric Fancher and Cindy Smith.

For tickets go to:  https://shop.musicaltheaterproject.org/products/1962-on-stage-and-screen

Next up:  A CHRISTMAS CABARET

From beloved Yuletide standards such as “Winter Wonderland,” “Let It Snow” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” to forgotten gems like Irving Berlin’s 106-year-old salute to Santa Claus that only The Musical Theater Project could dig up, every generation will be singing along with this joyous, warm celebration! Get in the spirit of the season as outstanding vocalists perform tributes to Rudolph, Frosty and that mean Mr. Grinch. With Founding Artistic Director, Bill Rudman, providing engaging and insightful commentary interspersed throughout.

December 13 & 14, 2024. Friday, December 13 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 14 at 2 pm, $20 per person.   Lorain County Community College, Stocker Arts Center, Cirigliano Studio Theatre, 1005 N. Abbe Road, Elyria, OH.

December 15, 16 and 17 at the Cleveland Skating Club there will be diner and a show for $95 per person.  Dinner @ 7, show at 8.  For information and reservations go to:  https://musicaltheaterproject.org/a-christmas-cabaret-at-cleveland-skating-club/

 

 

THE MUSICAL THEATER PROJECT starts its 26th season with GREAT 21ST CENTURY MUSICALS

 

On August 24th and 25th, The Musical Theater Project will open its 26th season with GREAT 21STCENTURY MUSICALS, a sampling and celebration brand-new musicals, with, according to co-host and author of the program, Sheri Gross, “a glance back at some new works from composers that have been covered before and fit into the timing.”   To be staged in the intimate Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, the summer concert is part of the “Song Is You!” concert and cabaret series.    On its blog, TMTP explains that their mission is to preserve and honor the 20th [and 21st]-century classic American musical (both stage and screen) in songs, stories and social history by guiding their participants to learn about the art form’s past. The organization’s goal “is to bring us all closer together in greater understanding of each other, and in joy, hope and love—these are meaningful and uplifting hallmarks of the classic American musical.” Under the creative guidance of Bill Rudman, nationally renowned educator, broadcaster, producer and founder of The Musical Theater Project, the organization “has created more than 100 concerts and cabarets that celebrate and share musical theater as a uniquely American art form.” Usually, the live concerts are written and narrated by Rudman, with musical direction and additional narration provided by Nancy Maier.   The summer concert is being written and narrated by Gross and Maier, with vocals performed by TMTP audience favorites Nicole Sumlin and Eric Fancher. In an interview with Gross, it was revealed that the shows to be highlighted and songs to be presented were picked by the duo from current shows and musicals that opened on Broadway in the 21st century, augmented by new works from songwriters that have been covered in concerts that fit the timing. Works to be examined will include the Tony Award-winning THE OUTSIDERS, along with WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, SUFFS, THE NOTEBOOK, and THE DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES.  Songs by Jason Robert Brown and music from MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, COME FROM AWAY, THE PRODUCERS and WICKED will also be included.  (Side note:  both THE OUTSIDERS and WICKED were produced on Broadway by THE ARACA GROUP, whose partners are Matthew and Michael Rego and Hank Unger are native Clevelanders.) How was the program put together?  According to Gross, she and Maier examined shows that fit the theme, decided on what songs work for the singers, evened off the number of songs for cast, decided on how the songs flowed together, selected the opening and closing numbers and then wrote the text.    The program becomes a reality after the narrators and singers rehearse the show 4 or 5 times to make sure of the quality of the production and that it fits into the allotted time.   Experience GREAT 21ST CENTURY MUSICALS in-person on Saturday, August 24 @ 7:30 and Sunday, August 25 @ 2 at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, 40 River Street, Chagrin Falls.   For tickets go to: https://musicaltheaterproject.org/buy-tickets/   For updates on Chagrin bridge construction, please visit: https://chagrin-falls.org/336/N-Main-Street-Bridge—Information-Porta Free valet parking is available!

The Musical Theatre Project goes live with FOR GOOD: THE NEW GENERATION OF MUSICALS

After a two-year COVID hiatus, The Musical Theater Project returns to live performances, “For Good:  The New Generation of Musicals.”   The August 20, 21 and 27 offerings will feature narrators Nancy Maier and Sheri Gross and vocals by Jessica Cope Miller and Eric Fancher. 

 

Long time TMTP followers are used to hearing stories and songs from the Golden Era of the American musical.  In contrast, the material in the “For Good,” offerings will generally be picked from the scores from contemporary American musicals.  

 

The Golden Age lasted from the early 1940s through the end of that century.  The seminal OKLAHOMA, Rogers and Hammerstein’s ground breaking musical, set a template for most of the musicals that followed it. 

 

Keynotes of those offerings were a story line, usually developed via a double set of tales, one featuring the major love interests, the second, a comedy relationship.  Think Julie and Billie and Carrie and Mr. Snow in CAROUSEL or Annie and Frank and Winnie and Tommy in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN.  

 

Identifying parts of the format included two acts, the first ending with a problem, the solution to which would only be revealed if the audience came back for act two. For example, at the end of the initial act in THE KING AND I, the British are coming to Siam to determine the fate the country.  The issue:  Will Anna be able to aid the King to thwart off the potential take-over? 

 

Another stylistic factor of the Golden Age musical was the “I Want” song in which the lead character tells of their needs and desires.  “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” from MY FAIR LADY fulfills that requirement.

 

Among other key stylistic factors were an overture, show stopping production numbers and dance interludes.

 

The modern/contemporary era of musicals, which is the key to TMTP’s FOR GOOD series, was basically ushered in by Jonathan Larson’s RENT.  It broke most of the formulaic patterns and took on more of a story with music.  The songs are part of the dialogue, not a break from it.  The shows often contain no dancing.  The topics are more serious, for example, mental illness is probed in NEXT TO NORMAL.  Race is the keynote in CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, teen angst is the fulcrum of DEAR EVAN HANSEN and lesbian and gay coming out highlight FUN HOME. 

 

In a recent interview with Sheri Gross, who in real life serves as the Director of Arts, Culture, and Creative Programming at Gross Schechter School, is the theatre reviewer for the Cleveland Jewish News, and is serving as both a narrator and script developer for THE NEW GENERATION OF MUSICALS, it was revealed that this was the sixth TMTP show in which she has been involved.  She originally sang in productions, then started to write and then narrate.  

 

For this program, shows to be covered were agreed upon, songs selected from each, and the performers rehearsed their songs with music director Nancy Meier.

 

The format will center on behind the scenes info of the shows and the singing of lyrics.  Productions, from which songs have been selected, include MOULIN ROUGE, MR. SATURDAY NIGHT, A STRANGE LOOP, CAROLYN, OR CHANGE, SIX, GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY, FLYING OVER SUNSET, FUN HOME, and the revival of FUNNY GIRL.

 

Gross indicated that, as a performer and director of shows from the Golden Era, much of the material to be presented was new to her.  She finds that the present-day musicals show greater risk taking in topic selection, many of the songs have harmonies and musical patterns that are edgier, and that the story-lines reflect the issues in modern society.  She thinks much of this is thanks to Stephen Sondheim and this willingness to challenge tradition and be creative and edgy.  The program will include a special tribute to Sondheim.

 

The music from at least one of her favorite scripts, THE MUSIC MAN, will be included in this program.  Other favorite shows include FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.

 

FOR GOOD will be staged at the BOP STOP, 2920 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, on Saturday, August 20th (7:30 PM) and 21^st (2 PM) and on Saturday, August 27^th (7:30) at French Creek Theatre, 4540 French Creek Road, Sheffield).  Tickets are $35 and can be ordered online at MusicalTheaterProject.org or by phone 216-860-1518 ext. 710.

Musical Theater Project presents “MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY: THE SONGS OF COMDEN & GREEN”

Betty Comden (Basya Cohen) and Adolph Green were noted as one of the luminaire lyricist and script-writing teams of mid-20^th century Broadway and Hollywood.  

The duo, who were a creative partnership but not a romantic couple, met while they were studying drama at NYU.  They formed a troupe called “The Revuers,” which consisted of Betty, Adolph and Judy Holliday and played at venues in Greenwich Village.  Green’s good friend, Leonard Bernstein, often played the piano for the group.

The acts success earned them a movie offer, but their roles in the Hollywood flick were so small they barely were noticed.  They quickly returned to New York.

Their first Broadway composing effort teamed them with Bernstein for ‘ON THE TOWN,” a critical and financial success.  Unfortunately, their next two stage attempts were flops. 

Discouraged, they left NY for Hollywood, this time to be lyricists, not performers.  They found much success at MGM, which was noted for producing many memorable films during the era of the Golden Age of the Movie Musical.  Included were Comden and Green’s  "SINGIN' IN THE RAIN,” “GOOD NEWS,” and “THE BAND WAGON.” 

Flush with success, they returned to Broadway where they found Great White Way praise with “TWO ON THE AISLE,” “WONDERFUL TOWN,” “PETER PAN,” ‘ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY,” and “BELLS ARE RINGING.”  The latter show united them with Judy Holliday. 

Their song creations included such classics as “The Party’s Over,” “It’s Love,” “Lucky to be Me,” “Make Someone Happy” “Never Never Land,” and one of the top hits of all time, “New York New York.”   

Often referred to as Broadway’s “merry pranksters,” Betty and Adolph continually wrote about the witticism of life, of childhood, and how to escape from reality. 

The Musical Theater Project will pay tribute to the duo in “MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY:  THE SONGS OF COMDEN & GREEN.”  The multi-media production will be hosted by Bill Rudman and Nancy Maier and feature Eric Fancher, Sheri Gross and Sara Masterson.

Spotlight on Eric Fancher:  

Eric Fancher is well known to many CLE theatre-goers for his over 100 local theatre productions.

Originally from Detroit, the handsome and talented 31-year-old, who is noted for his well-trained singing voice and compelling stage presence, moved to this area in 1991.  

The product of an “artsy” theatrical family, his father, a minister, was a collegiate theatre major and his mother is a music teacher.

How did he become involved in theatre?  In a recent interview, Fancher revealed that in high school he was interested in a girl who was interested in theater.  How to better win over the damsel then to try out for plays!  Though the romance never developed, the theater connection did.

His favorite role:  Harold Hill in “THE MUSIC MAN.” It was a role he played in a concert version of the classic at Cain Park under the direction of Joanna May Cullinan.  It was Cullin, who is the Marketing Director at TMTP, who made the arrangements for Fancher to try out for roles at TMP.  And, as the old saying goes, “The rest is history.”

Besides performing, Eric is the founder of The Cleveland Stage Alliance (http://www.clevelandstagealliance.com), which is a “website developed to expose local theatre to those who don’t know what’s going on theatrically in the area.  It promotes any and all locally produced theatre.”  As Fancher stated.  “There is more theatre in CLE than most people know about.  

For MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY, he will be singing 17 songs including “New York, New York,” “Once in a Life Time,” “Make Someone Happy,” “I Just Can’t Wait,” and Captain Hook’s Waltz” from “PETER PAN”. 

What is the rehearsal process like for a TMTP concert?    “There are one or two solo rehearsals with music director, a run through with cast and a tech rehearsal.”  Yes, all that wonder is created in 4 rehearsals.

What does Fancher like about Comden and Green songs?  “They are lyricists who are clever, funny, often beautiful, and each show has a different feel to it.”

Upcoming local gig for the talented singer/actor is TMTP’s “THE IMPACT OF CAMELOT,” to be staged in late May.  

You can see Eric and his co-performers in MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY:  THE SONGS OF COMDEN & GREEN at the First Baptist Church, January 24 @ 7 PM:  General admission: $38, TMTP Members: $33, tickets: 1-800-838-3006 or www.MusicalTheaterProject.org or Hanna Theatre, January 26 @ 3 PM:  General admission: $35-$55, TMTP Members: $30-$50, tickets:  216-241-6000 www.PlayhouseSquare.org

Spotlight: What you always wanted to know about the Musical Theatre Project

Roy Berko

On October 12 at 8PM in the Ohio Theatre and October 13 at 3 PM at Fairmount Temple, The Musical Theater Project (TMTP) will present “BLUE SKIES—IRVING BERLIN AND THE AMERICAN DREAM” with Bill Rudman, Paul Ferguson, Trev Offult and Michael Shirtz, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and Joe Hunter Trio.  It is a tribute to Irving Berlin.

The program is part of “The Song Is You! Series,” which celebrates the songs and artists that give the musical theater art form its passion and significance.   It, as all of the series programs (“docu–concerts” or live documentaries), explores remarkable words and music that speak to our lives, create memories along the way.

“The Musical Theater Project was formed in 2000 to foster a deep appreciation of the American musical -- and the social and cultural history surrounding it -- by producing concerts, in-school residency programs, radio broadcasts and recordings that:

• Create personal connections with the songs, characters and themes of the American musical.
• Document the lives of important American musical theater artists.
• Explore the connections between the musical and the rich diversity of the American experience.
• Examine the relevance of musical theater in contemporary society.”

An on-line interview with Bill Rudman, the founder and artistic director of TMTP, revealed a great deal about Bill and the program. 

What was the basis for your idea to develop TMTP?

“I had been doing my radio show on WCLV, “Footlight Parade,” for 15 years. In 1998, I decided to try to syndicate it, but I knew that would mean forming a nonprofit to provide support. I also knew that there was plenty more I wanted to do: The radio show is educational, and I wanted to create more of that in other forms. I was trained as an English teacher!  So, I wanted to develop concerts and a school program and heaven knows what else.”

What roadblocks, if any, did you encounter in developing TMTP or the radio show?

“It always comes down to money, doesn’t it? I needed to develop a base of support, and the challenge was to build this brick by brick — first by forming a board of trustees, and then 11 years later, bringing on Heather Meeker as a partner and going through serious strategic planning, which we’ve been doing every year since then. We believe we’ve done all this in a very smart way. If we hadn’t, we wouldn’t have lasted.”

How did the radio show go from local to national?

“By my talking to my friend Bob Conrad at WCLV, which had carried the show since 1983. Once we had some funding in place, they syndicated the program to public stations; we’re now carried by about 100. And 10 years ago, we pitched the show under a different title — “On the Aisle” — to SiriusXM Satellite Radio. They’ve been carrying it ever since. It’s the only show on their Broadway Channel that’s not generated in New York.”

What in your training/education best equipped you to develop and carry forth TMTP?

“BA in English with a lot of theater at Hiram College, and I taught English in the Catskills.  So, first and foremost, I’m an educator. Plus, I worked for many years as the associator in charge of educational programming at Great Lakes Theater, and I’ve consulted for arts organizations all over the country. Plus, I’ve been teaching musical history in one form or another since the first full-credit course I offered as a student at Hiram in 1971. Plus, I fell in love with this art form when I was five and began studying it when I was 11. Plus, I’ve co-directed a national record label on musical theater since 1983. It’s now part of TMTP. Hope that’s enough! The point is, I’m a man obsessed. It’s a calling, pure and simple.”

You sing in some of the programs. Do you have any formal music training?

“Yes, all the way through high school and college. But I don’t consider myself a ‘singer.’ I’m an educator who uses singing as a teaching tool. I know what I can do and what I can’t. Let’s put it this way: You’ll never hear me attempt ‘Some Enchanted Evening.’ But ‘Lydia, the Tattooed Lady?’ Sure!”

What are two of your favorite experiences regarding your work with TMTP and/or the radio show?

“Gotta do three! Watching the concert audience grow from 38 for the first one to hundreds these days. Seeing the school program grow by leaps and bounds. Winning a national audience for the radio show that puts our community on the map.”

Who was the subject of the best interview you have done?

“The composer John Kander (“CABARET,” “CHICAGO”). He told me he was shy and hated interviews, but our conversation became very warm and very personal. It was a three-part, three-hour documentary.”

What one thing you would like me to include in the article that is not listed here.

Just that when theater people talk about their “journeys” as artists, that’s been true in spades for me as educator and artist since teaching my first class and doing my first radio show in college nearly 50 years ago. I believe that my colleagues and I in this organization are constantly growing intellectually, emotionally and even spiritually in terms of the work we do in our community — and the nation. And in turn, what we’re getting from them through the human, often truly deep connections we make. It’s a real and exhilarating conversation. What could be more fun — or thrilling — than that?”

Want more than the live production?  The radio shows, “Footlight Parade” and “On the Aisle” pull back the curtain to reveal information about the songwriters and performers who create musical theatre, as well as the universal themes and historic productions that make it a social and cultural touchstone.  The shows are heard locally on WCLV 104.9 Saturdays at 6 and On Sirius, it’s heard on Channel 72 Saturdays at 3 PM and Tuesdays at 9 PM.

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For tickets to productions and information about TMTP go to http://www.MusicalTheaterProject.org or call 216-529-9411.

History changing “Shuffle Along” to be examined by The Musical Theater Project and Karamu

Musical theater and Broadway have been changed by some specific shows.  Included are “Oklahoma!,” the first book musical, “Hair,” and its strong political/anti-war presence, “Chorus Line,” with its emphasis on dance, and “Rent” and its millennium theme.  Another show, which tends not to be as commonly known, is “Shuffle Along.”

“Shuffle Along” is one of the most significant musicals of the 20th century, since it was entirely written and performed by African Americans and was the first show that allowed black theatergoers to watch from the orchestra after so many years of segregated seating. It is noted for bringing the Harlem Renaissance to the musical stage.  

“Shuffle Along” was written by Eubie Blake and Noble Sissler, a Clevelander who graduated from Central High school in 1960.  He was one of 6 black students at the school. 

The program, “The Impact of Shuffle Along,” the first partnership between Karamu House and The Musical Theater Project, will be hosted by Bill Rudman and Tony F. Sias.  It features Treva Offutt, Justin Woody, Evelyn Wright, the Joe Hunter Trio and George Foley.

Sias, who hails from Jackson, Mississippi, has a graduate degree from Ohio University, and is the President and CEO of Karamu.  He was selected by Cleveland Magazine as one of CLE’s “Most Interesting People of 2016.

He came to “the place of joyful gathering” in 2015 after what he termed, “a great 15-year tenure as the director of arts education for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District” and after serving on Karamu’s Strategic Planning Committee.  He signed on with the attitude of “Things needed to happen…the quality of productions, the financial investment in the organization and its programs, and some progressive growth needed to be instituted.”  

Sias, is the product of a creative family, where piano lessons, arts culture, and the civil rights movement were a part of his everyday life.  This background led to his awareness of a need to create “an open, accessible and transparent” organization.  “His staff,” he states, “is lean and mean.”  When hiring he insisted that “they not only had content expertise to an arts discipline, but a good track record of leadership.”

How did the collaboration between TMTP and Karamu come about?  Sias relates that “Bill Rudman and I have worked on projects together. Bill asked if Karamu could partner and I could co-host.   I thought that Bill’s brain-child and the timing were right.”  

Tony’s interest in “Shuffle Along” comes from the awareness that the show “was a turning point of American theatre, helping Broadway redesign itself.”  “It is a seminal piece, has historical relevance and great ragtime and jazz music.  

Sias, who has a strong theater and music background, is looking forward to not only telling the tale, but in singing the show’s score, which includes such classics as “I’m Simply Full of Jazz,” “Love Will Find a Way,” “I’m Just Wild About Harry, “Everything Reminds Me of You,” and “The African Dip.”

“The Impact of Shuffle Along” brings two unique organizations together, each with different demographics to heighten the CLE community’s awareness of an important musical, “telling a story of then and today.”

The concerts will be staged on Thursday, February 7, 2019, Friday, February 8, 2019  and Saturday, February 9, 2019 @ 8:00 PM, and Sunday, February 10, 2019@ 3:00 PM at the newly renovated Jelliffe Theater located at Karamu House, 2355 East 89th Street, which has a fenced, lighted parking lot adjacent to the theatre, and provides free parking.  For tickets, which cost $30, call 216-795-7077 or go to http://www.karamuhouse.org/

Musical Theatre Proejct and CPT to present "I Am What I Am" as part of the Gay Games

Are you ready?  From August 9-16 the eyes of the world will be focused on Cleveland as athletes, entertainers, and guests invade the city for the 2014 Gay Games.  Sponsored by the Cleveland Foundation, with the support of 23 diverse organizations, Cleveland and Akron will showcase sports and cultural festivals.

Cleveland, which is not known as a gay Mecca, beat out Boston and Washington, D.C. to host the events.  Some have questioned whether our Midwestern fairly conservative bastion is ready to put itself on display and will be open to same sex-couples walking downtown holding hands, public displays of affection, and yards and yards of rainbow ribbon and balloons.  Even our staid Terminal Tower will be festooned out in a display of rainbow-colored lights.

National news outlets have pointed out that  we don't have a 'gayborhood' like so many cities do.  Yes, Lakewood, Ohio City, Tremont and Coventry in Cleveland Heights are noted to be “open,” but not a “destination” place with gay bars, restaurants and entertainment.  Also, though gay marriage is legal in 19 states and The District of Columbia (as of the day this is written), Ohio is not one of them.   Media also related that area Muslim taxi drivers have refused to drive cabs that advertise the Gay Games.  Will conservatives, Tea Party members, and right wing church groups picket or try to disrupt the events?

The Games, which are open to all adults—regardless of sexual orientation or athletic abilities, has 35 different sports events from darts to triathlon, bowling to softball.  What may surprise some is that over 150 entertainment events are scheduled during Games week.

Entertainment venues, people and organizations that will be featured are The Cleveland Orchestra, Oven Productions, The Cleveland Indians, Goodtime III and The Nautica Queen, Boy George, Actors’ Summit Theatre, North Coast Men’s Chorus, Greg Louganis, The Cleveland Museum of Art, and Lance Bass.

A kick-off entertainment event will be jointly presented by The Musical Theatre Project and Cleveland Public Theatre.

“I Am What I Am:  Gays, Lesbians and the American Musical,” will be staged on Sunday, August 10, 2104 at 2 and 7 pm at Gordon Square Theatre at CPT, 6415 Detroit Avenue (Gordon Square Arts District).

Conceived by TMTP’s artistic director, Bill Rudman, the concert will be directed by Scott Plate and feature Katherine DeBoer, Molly Andrews-Hinders and Jared Leal, with Nancy Maier serving as the music director.

The material will span 85 years, featuring such highlights as the “coded” lyrics of closeted gay songwriters Cole Porter and Lorenz Hart, new material as heard in “Kinky Boots,” “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” and “Fun Home.”  Also included will be the unofficial Gay National Anthem, “I Am What I Am” from “La Cage Aux Folles,” and music from Michael Bennett’s “A Chorus Line,” “Kander and Ebb’s “Kiss of a Spider Woman” and Jonathan Larson’s “Rent.” 

For concert tickets call 216-631-2727 X 501. 

For information about the Gay Games and to purchase tickets, call 216-479-6470 or go to http://www.gg9cle.com/