[NEohioPAL]Dobama Theatre Announces Cutbacks to 2002-03 Season

[Marjorie Preston, PR/Marketing Director]

Dobama Announces Cutbacks to 2002-03 Season
- - -
25th Annual Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwriting Festival to be Celebrated as
Planned

As a result of the current economic climate and in an effort to ensure the
future health and vitality of Dobama Theatre, the Board of Trustees has
voted to cancel the 2003 productions of Nicky Silver’s Raised in Captivity,
Dobama Night Kitchen’s Punk Project and the Owen Kelly Adopt-A-Playwright
Program.

Highlights of the 2002-2003 season included the Midwest premiere of Jason
Sherman’s Three In The Back, Two In The Head, and Charles Busch’s The Tale
of The Allergist’s Wife.  “Dobama’s reputation for producing innovative,
professional theatre is unquestioned,” says Board President Spencer Caress.
“Our actions regarding the 2002-2003 season reflect our commitment to the
future success of Dobama, including relocating to our new home.”

Dobama Artistic Director Joyce Casey, who has been with the 43-year-old
theatre for 25 years, says this is the first time she can recall the theatre
ever having to remove a production from the schedule. “During this season,
we successfully premiered the work of two of America’s Pulitzer-Prize
winning playwrights – Tony Kushner, author of Homebody/Kabul, and Suzan-Lori
Parks, who wrote our current production, In the Blood, which is running
through March 30th,” she says. “I am constantly nourished and recharged by
the work of our artists,” says Casey. “Canceling a production is a loss for
all of us as well as for our loyal patrons, whose continuing support we
deeply appreciate.”

Casey adds, “We will be celebrating Cleveland’s youngest playwrights in
June. The award-winning 25th Annual Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwriting
Festival (MBKPF) will be celebrated as planned June 5th-8th, 2003.”  MBKPF
is a real gem in Dobama’s production schedule and it is the first children’s
playwriting festival in the United States!  Each year, Dobama fully produces
ten to twelve plays written by Cuyahoga County students in grades 1-12, June
5th is a benefit night at $25 per person, and the festival will culminate in
nine free performances June 6th-8th.

For more information, call Dobama Theatre at (216) 932-6838.
For reservations for the Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwriting Festival, call
(216) 932-3396.

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Dobama Theatre is proud to present In the Blood by Suzan-Lori Parks,
directed by Sonya Robbins.
Featuring RaSheryl McCreary and original music by Bill Ransom
Through March 30

"If there is such a thing as a perfect production, In the Blood comes
close." Cleveland Jewish News
"...a pitch-perfect blend of smoldering naturalism and hissing
stylization..." The Plain Dealer
"In an exceptional cast, the standout is Rasheryl McCreary, who is achingly
wounded and relentlessly resilient as Hester." Scene
"...must see...felt like a Broadway play in the heart of Manhattan." Call &
Post
"...brilliant, logical and twisted...truly reflects the quiet deprivation of
our society."  City News
"...energetic direction...production values are stunning" Les Roberts, Sun
Press
"must see...you will not see a finer performance than Rasheryl McCreary's
emotionally shattering Hester...She is magnificent!" Roy Berko, The Times
Newspapers

Upcoming Productions:
THE 25th ANNUAL MARILYN BIANCHI KIDS' PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL
Benefit Night June 5
FREE Performances June 6-8

2003/2004 SEASON SCHEDULE TO BE ANNOUNCED THIS SUMMER!

Dobama Theatre is located at 1846 Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights.  For
reservations, call Dobama's box office line: (216) 932-3396.