[NEohioPAL]Berko: Preview of Fall 2003-04 theatre season

[Roy Berko]

PREVIEWS OF COMING ATTRACTIONS: Fall Season

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	

It’s summer, why think about the Fall theatre season
now?  With the financial status of the country being
what it is, some of the major theatres in area had to
cancel part of their 2002-2003 seasons.  In order to
avoid this, many have announced their seasons for the
next year hoping to attract subscribers and build up
financial reserves.  So, here’s your chance to get in
early and support the local theatres.

DOBAMA THEATRE

Though dates haven’t been announced, the theatre has
announced its potential future productions.  These
include:

Michael Frayn’s ‘COPENHAGEN’, an intriguing play based
on actual events in which a meeting was held in 1941
between physicists and long-time friends Werner
Heisenberg and Niels Bohr whose work together opened
the way to the atom.  Interestingly, they were on
opposite sides of World War II. 

‘THE LAST FIVE YEARS’ is Jason Robert Brown’s
two-person romantic musical which humorously charts
the journey of Jamie, a young Jewish novelist going
from unknown student to best-selling author, and
Cathy, an aspiring theate star who moved from the
Midwest to Manhattan to make it big.

‘THIEF RIVER’ is Lee Blessing’s study of the lives of
Gil and Ray, two young men from the Midwest who are
trying to learn who they really are and who they’re
expected to be.

‘RAISED IN LOVE’ is Nicky Silver’s story of a brother
and sister who reunite after many years at their
mother’s funeral.  This is an absurd comedy full of
twists and turns, including the mother’s death, which
was caused by an errant showerhead.

Its a train compartment containing a man and a woman. 
Through internal monologues, the man, a novelist,
contemplates the futility of writing.  The woman
thinks about her life.  Her latest work is tucked in
her handbag.  The play:  ‘THE UNEXPECTED MAN’ by
Yasmina Reza.

Conor McPherson’s ‘DUBLIN CAROL’ is an atmospheric
play about the ties that find and the frailty of the
human spirit. 

For information call 216-932-3396.  

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE’S BROADWAY SERIES

The season will feature seven productions.  Season
tickets range from $103-$368 and are available by
calling 216-241-2346 .  The season will include:

‘THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE’ the 2002 six-time Tony
Award winner.  Takes place at the height of the Jazz
Age in New York when "moderns" bobbed their hair,
raised their hemlines, entered the workforce and
rewired the rules of love.  November 4-16, 2003.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘STARLIGHT EXPRESS’ is a
high-velocity production that fuses state of art
technology, electrifying music and dazzling sets and
costumes.  Based on the ‘LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD’ it
is a feel-good musical.  December 9-21, 2003.

Don’t be put off by the title, ‘URINETOWN: THE
MUSICAL’ is a must see.  Produced by the Cleveland
vunderkindts, Matt Rego, Michael Rego and Hank Unger,
this show was a smash hit on Broadway.  It won the
2002 Tony Awards for best direction, best book and
best music and lyrics.  I LOVED THIS SHOW WHEN I SAW
IT ON BROADWAY!  January 20-February 1, 2004.

‘I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE!’ was produced
by Actors’ Summit this year.  It proved to be a
delight.  The show is called "Seinfeld set to music."
It’s a script that examines dating, romance, marriage,
lovers, husband, wives and in-laws.    Fortunately,
this will be done at the Hanna Theatre since it is an
intimate show.  Opening in January, 2004 for an
extended run.

You’ve seen her, well, him, on TV.  Now, you can see
Dame Edna in person at the Palace Theatre in ‘A NIGHT
WITH DAME EDNA.’  The adored Australian puts on a
fun-filled show.  Barry Humphries stars as the world’s
funniest diva.  For a preview go on-line to
www.dame-edna.com.

I love ‘MAME.’  Based on the book AUNTIE MAME,
co-written by Elyria and Cleveland’s Lawrence and Lee,
the musical is a delight.  It is coming to Cleveland
for a special engagement on its way to New York.  The
performance schedule and star will be announced
shortly.

The oft-produced ‘JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR’ will be at
the Palace Theatre from April 13-25.  Written by Tim
Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber it includes such songs as
"I Don’t Know How to Love Him," "Hosanna,"
"Everything’s Alright," and "Heaven on their Mind." 

This is not the most unique or exciting total season,
but shows like ‘THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE’ and
URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL’ are top notch selections.  Too
bad the area isn’t getting the touring production of
"HAIRSPRAY" which is going on the road, but not here.

ACTORS’ SUMMIT

The 2003-2004 season for this small professional
theatre includes:
The musical revue ‘AND THE WORLD GOES ROUND" by Kander
and Ebb, Tennessee Williams’ well-written  ‘THE GLASS
MENAGERIE,’ and Michael Frayn’s Tony Award winning
drama ‘COPENHAGEN’.   Also on the schedule are ’THE
LAST 5 YEARS,’ a new little musical by Jason Robert
Brown who wrote "I DO, I DO’ and ‘PARADE’.  G. B.
Shaw’s ‘MRS. WARREN’S PROFESSION and Ken Ludwig’s
laugh-out-loud farce ‘LEND ME A TENOR’ are also being
offered.   William Shakespeare’s MERRY WIVES OF
WINDSOR will star Cleveland legends Reuben Silver as
Falstaff and Dorothy Silver as Mistress Quickly. 

For a brochure and ticket information call
330-342-0800.  Tickets for all 8 shows run as low as
$64.

BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Beck's’ 2003-2004 impressive looking season includes
the exciting musical  ‘THE FIX’ and ‘BOY GETS GIRL’ by
Rebecca Gilman.  ‘JEFFREY’, the post-AIDS comedy by
Paul Rudnick tackles every possible stereotype as the
title character vows eternal celibacy.  The always
popular ‘JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT’
by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber again will grace
the Beck Stage.  Anton Chekhov’s THE SEAGULL’ kicks
off the new year.  John Steinbeck’s engrossing classic
  ‘‘OF MICE AND MEN’ will be directed by Fred
Sternfeld.  ‘FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE’, which is based on
the jazz music of Louis Jordan will be directed and
choreographed by the very talented Martin Cespedes. 
"AGNES OF GOD’, which questions religion and
psychology will be directed by Seth Gordon.  The new
musical ‘REEFER MADNESS’, written by the team that
wrote ‘LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS,’ resurrects its story
from one of the all time great "B" movies.  This will
be the inaugural U.S. production outside of Los
Angeles and Off-Broadway.  ‘STEEL MAGNOLIAS’, the
modern classic, and award winning"MISS SAIGON’ will
close the season.  The latter will be receiving it’s
local production premiere.  Gee, wonder how they are
going to fly in the helicopter?

Beck Center has evolved into one of the Cleveland
area’s premiere theatres.   This season looks like a
real winner, filled with new pieces and key revivals. 
For details call 216-521-2540.

GREAT LAKES THEATER FESTIVAL

GLTF’s regular season includes ‘HAMLET’ and ‘TARTUFFE’
in revolving repertory from October 10 to November 9. 
‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ will again highlight the holiday
season.  The spring of 2004 will find GLTF will
coproduced ‘NICKEL AND DIMED’ a contemporary work that
has been a smash hit in Seattle and Los Angeles, with
Cleveland Public Theatre.  This show will be staged at
the Gordon Square Theater.  It is GLTF’s new approach
to work cooperatively with local theatres.

Look for the announcement of GLTF’s summer season to
be staged in Playhouse Square.

J HALLE THEATRE

The J Halle Theatre will stage ‘THE LAST NIGHT OF
BALLYHOO’ by Alfred Uhry who wrote ‘DRIVING MISS
DAISY.’  Variety calls this "a winning new
play..wonderfully crafted script." October 25-November
9.

>From January 17-February 1, ‘TO KNOW HIM’, the winner
of the 2002 Dorothy Silver Playwriting Competition
will be staged.  Abli Gorn’s play is creativey, witty,
humorous and insightful.  

‘KINDERTRANSPORT’ by Diane Samuels will be staged from
March 13-March 28.  It is a story inspired by the
real-life evacuation of 10,000 Jewish children from
prewar Nazi Germany and their subsequent placement in
English foster homes.

‘GROUCHO: A LIFE IN REVUE’ by Arthur Marx and Robert
Fisher, looks at the lives of Groucho and the zany
Marx brothers.  The New York Post called this, an
absolutely hilarious evening." Productions dates are
May 15-May 30.  

Call 216-382-4000, extension 274 for information.

CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE

CPH’s 88th season include a number of Ohio and
Cleveland premieres, as well as two world premieres.  
 Offerings include ‘2 PIANOS, 4 HANDS’, a play with
music.  The question is asked, to be or not to be a
world-class pianist.  September 23-October 19.

‘FOREST CITY’ was developed as part of the 2002-2003
"Next Stage Festival." A world premiere, it examines
the true story of Forest City Hospital, Cleveland’s
first African American hospital.  October 21-November
16.

Did you see ‘FOREVER PLAID’ in it’s long local
Playhouse Square run?  PLAID TIDINGS is the follow-up
show which looks at the pop music icons The Four Lads,
The Four Freshmen and The Hi-Los.  November
18-December 21.

Love Neil Simon?  Well, here’s your chance to see his
newest play, ‘THE DINNER PARTY’ from January
6-February 1.

Billed as a seriously silly comedy, THE UNDERPANTS is
Steve Martin’s adaptation of Carl Sternheim’s
celebrated turn-of-the-century farce.

‘LEADING LADIES’ by Ken Ludwig, who wrote ‘LEND ME A
TENOR’ and ‘MOON OVER BUFFALO’ is a hilarious new
comedy which contains cross-dressing, a la ‘SOME LIKE
IT HOT.’ March 2-March 28.

‘FAR AWAY’ is a drama by Caryl Churchill which
examines the experiences of a young girl who is
experiencing a childhood rite-of-passage.  This is one
of the most celebrated new plays of the current New
York season.  March 30-April 25.

‘COOKIN’ AT THE COOKERY’ is a musical which covers the
life and times of Alberta Hunter.  April 27-May 30.

For details about the season call 216-795-7000 or go
on line to www.clevelandplayhouse.com

SEE YOU AT THE THEATRE!


__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
http://search.yahoo.com