[NEohioPAL]Weathervane announces 70th Season

[WcpAkron at aol.com]

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WEATHERVANE PLAYHOUSE
Celebrates 70 Years!
 Kick Up Your Heels in Celebration!

Weathervane Playhouse Executive Director Elynmarie Kazle, Board of Trustees=20
President George Moxon and Education Director/Producer of Youth Productions=20
Sean McConaha are very pleased to announce Weathervane's 70th season.
   =20
>From 1935 until 1951, Weathervane Playhouse was housed in a modest carriage=20
house barn on Marshall Avenue in Akron.  The barn has long since been destro=
yed=20
but there are still a few people who recall its cramped quarters and=20
especially the energy and devotion of the four founding ladies - Grace Hower=
 Crawford,=20
Laurine Schwan, Helen Troesch and Muriel MacLachlan.  These ladies believed=20
that Akron deserved the best in theater and that volunteers could make it al=
l=20
happen.  In those early seasons, productions included everything from light=20
comedy to Shakespeare and even opera!

Though the barn is now only a memory, its rooftop weathervane gave the=20
theater its name and logotype character - the Chanticleer.

In 1951, the organization renovated a building on Copley Road and became a=20
more accommodating 100-seat facility.  In 1960, Weathervane hired its first=20
professional director, Bob Belfance, who served until 1992.  Along with long=
-time=20
custodian/ticket office manager, Nora Scott, the two-person staff relied on=20
volunteer support.  Paid guest directors and children's theater instructors=20
served in part-time positions and Weathervane existed on a lean budget.

In the mid-1960s, a fund-raising drive resulted in construction of the=20
present 260-seat facility, which opened in 1970 at the head of the corridor=20=
into the=20
Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  Thanks to Grace Crawford's legacy, that=20
mortgage has since been paid off.  Another, more recent capital fund-raising=
 drive=20
began in 2000 and is still in progress.  Following this successful=20
million-dollar campaign chaired by Eileen Moushey, the following improvement=
s were=20
dedicated on April 18, 2001.

Phase One of the Capital Campaign included the expansion of the present=20
facility which provided two classrooms, the Dietz classroom/theater, a scene=
ry=20
workshop and rehearsal hall, basement storage, the "fly" gallery and equipme=
nt,=20
elevator, soundproof production booth, costume shop, lighting system and lib=
rary=20
as well as the building's exterior repair and sealing.  Significant=20
contributors to this effort came from The GAR Foundation, County of Summit,=20=
The State=20
of Ohio and Former Senator Roy Ray, Weathervane Board of Trustees, The North=
ern=20
Ohio Golf Charities Foundation, The Knight Foundation, Margaret Dietz, The=20
FirstEnergy Foundation, Weathervane Women's Board, The Brennan Family=20
Foundation, The Sisler McFawn Foundation, FirstMerit Bank and Trust Company,=
 The=20
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, OMNOVA Solutions Foundation, The Lloyd L.=20=
and=20
Louise K. Smith Foundation, The Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation, H. P=
eter=20
and Eileen Burg, Libby and Jack Jacobs, Leslie and Richard Lund, The Family=20=
of=20
Charlotte Kaplan, Jo Ann Oelschlager, Roger and Judy Read, Bank One, Mona=20
Wolfman, The Albrecht Family Foundation, KeyBank, National City Bank, Thomas=
 R.=20
Trotter, John and Alice Ann Davies, Frank C. Comunale, Mary B. Demetros, The=
=20
Family of Jan Michael, The Lehner Family Foundation and Jim and Charlotte Ho=
rvath.

The Dietz Classroom/Theater will sport its first production in January 2005=20
when Weathervane presents Angels in America: Millenniun Approaches.  The pla=
y=20
is a courageous exploration of the universal themes of love, loss and the=20
possibility of redemption in the face of hypocrisy and malice.  Performances=
 will=20
run January 16 - February 2, 2005.

Weathervane invites everyone to join us this season and "kick up your heels"=
=20
in celebration of 70 years of dynamic community theater.

2004-2005 Season

Winnie the Pooh - July 17 - August 1, 2004
Dramatized by Kristin Sergel from the stories by A.A. Milne
Director: Jessica Shepard
What better way to spend a summer day than by joining Pooh Bear and friends=20
on his search for that elusive pot of honey?

Noises Off - September 8 - October 3, 2004
Comedy by Michael Frayn
Director: Scott Spence
This fondly remembered comedy to returns to the Weathervane stage.  A tourin=
g=20
group of actors love, laugh and pratfall through the tryout of a new play. =20
You get a peek at the backstage antics and learn that what happens offstage=20=
is=20
as funny as what happens onstage!

Three Days of Rain - October 20 - November 7, 2004
Drama by Richard Greenberg
Director: Sean McConaha
After the death of a world-famous architect, his children and his business=20
partner's son gather to learn what their financial legacies will be.  Audien=
ces=20
will empathize with the children during the first act and their parents in t=
he=20
second act.  The action begins in 1995 and shifts to 1960, a bend in=20
perspective that reveals a secret from the past that the children can never=20=
know.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - November 20 - December 19, 20=
04
Musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber
Director: Sarah Bailey
Joseph returns for a triumphant 5th year as Weathervane's holiday production=
!
Joseph, a young man with a snappy coat and a way of finding trouble wherever=
=20
he looks, finds a home in Egypt in this fast-paced, good-time musical.

Ain't Misbehavin' - January 12 - February 5, 2005
Musical conceived by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr.
Music mostly by Thomas "Fats" Waller.
Director/Choreographer: Mart=EDn C=E9spedes
A multiple Tony Award-winner, Ain't Misbehavin' celebrates the life and musi=
c=20
of Fats Waller, the legendary jazz pianist and entertainer.  The joint is=20
really jumpin' with this hip, swinging musical. Songs include: I Can't Give=20=
You=20
Anything but Love, Mean to Me, Honeysuckle Rose, It's a Sin to Tell a Lie.

The Grapes of Wrath - February 16 - March 6, 2005
Drama by Frank Galati, based on the novel by John Steinbeck
Director: Penelope Frese, Ph.D.
Steinbeck's Pulitzer-winning novel is beautifully transferred to the stage i=
n=20
this Tony Award-winning play.  Set against live music of the period, the Joa=
d=20
family leaves their Oklahoma Dust Bowl farm, hoping for a better life in the=
=20
rich fields of California.

Little Women - March 18 - April 8, 2005
Adapted by Marisha Chamberlain from the novel by Louisa May Alcott
Director: TBA
Louisa May Alcott's timeless story of the March sisters was based on her own=
=20
upbringing as a young girl.  Set during the Civil Way, the girls rally=20
together to provide comfort and support to their mother when father is calle=
d to=20
duty. =20

The Tale of the Allergist's Wife - April 13 - May 8, 2005
Comedy by Charles Busch
Director: John Fagan
A reunion with a long-lost friend invigorates Marjorie, a woman who believes=
=20
her life to be a fraud.  But does her friend have ulterior motives?  This=20
sparkling comedy will leave you laughing for joy.

The Rocky Horror Show - June 8 - July 3, 2005
Musical by Richard O'Brien
Director/Choreographer: Jacqi Loewy
Successfully revived on Broadway three years ago, this campy classic almost=20
defies description.  A dark and stormy night, a castle filled with character=
s=20
from the East Village, and a tuneful and fun score.

    A wide variety of subscription packages are currently on sale.  Season=20
brochures are available at the Playhouse.  Weathervane's 2004-2005 season is=
=20
generously supported by the Ohio Arts Council, WKSU 89.7 FM and The Goodyear=
 Tire=20
and Rubber Company.

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<HTML><FONT FACE=3Darial,helvetica><P ALIGN=3DCENTER><FONT  COLOR=3D"#ff0000=
" SIZE=3D6 PTSIZE=3D24>WEATHERVANE PLAYHOUSE
<BR>Celebrates 70 Years!
<BR> Kick Up Your Heels in Celebration!</FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#000000" BACK=
=3D"#ffffff" style=3D"BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=
=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0">
<BR><P ALIGN=3DLEFT>
<BR>Weathervane Playhouse Executive Director Elynmarie Kazle, Board of Trust=
ees President George Moxon and Education Director/Producer of Youth Producti=
ons Sean McConaha are very pleased to announce Weathervane's 70th season.
<BR>   =20
<BR>From 1935 until 1951, Weathervane Playhouse was housed in a modest carri=
age house barn on Marshall Avenue in Akron.  The barn has long since be=
en destroyed but there are still a few people who recall its cramped quarter=
s and especially the energy and devotion of the four founding ladies - Grace=
 Hower Crawford, Laurine Schwan, Helen Troesch and Muriel MacLachlan.  =
These ladies believed that Akron deserved the best in theater and that volun=
teers could make it all happen.  In those early seasons, productions in=
cluded everything from light comedy to Shakespeare and even opera!
<BR>
<BR>Though the barn is now only a memory, its rooftop weathervane gave the t=
heater its name and logotype character - the Chanticleer.
<BR>
<BR>In 1951, the organization renovated a building on Copley Road and became=
 a more accommodating 100-seat facility.  In 1960, Weathervane hired it=
s first professional director, Bob Belfance, who served until 1992.  Al=
ong with long-time custodian/ticket office manager, Nora Scott, the two-pers=
on staff relied on volunteer support.  Paid guest directors and childre=
n's theater instructors served in part-time positions and Weathervane existe=
d on a lean budget.
<BR>
<BR>In the mid-1960s, a fund-raising drive resulted in construction of the p=
resent 260-seat facility, which opened in 1970 at the head of the corridor i=
nto the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  Thanks to Grace Crawford's lega=
cy, that mortgage has since been paid off.  Another, more recent capita=
l fund-raising drive began in 2000 and is still in progress.  Following=
 this successful million-dollar campaign chaired by Eileen Moushey, the foll=
owing improvements were dedicated on April 18, 2001.
<BR>
<BR>Phase One of the Capital Campaign included the expansion of the present=20=
facility which provided two classrooms, the Dietz classroom/theater, a scene=
ry workshop and rehearsal hall, basement storage, the "fly" gallery and equi=
pment, elevator, soundproof production booth, costume shop, lighting system=20=
and library as well as the building's exterior repair and sealing.  Sig=
nificant contributors to this effort came from The GAR Foundation, County of=
 Summit, The State of Ohio and Former Senator Roy Ray, Weathervane Board of=20=
Trustees, The Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation, The Knight Foundation=
, Margaret Dietz, The FirstEnergy Foundation, Weathervane Women's Board, The=
 Brennan Family Foundation, The Sisler McFawn Foundation, FirstMerit Bank an=
d Trust Company, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, OMNOVA Solutions Foun=
dation, The Lloyd L. and Louise K. Smith Foundation, The Mary S. and David C=
. Corbin Foundation, H. Peter and Eileen Burg, Libby and Jack Jacobs, Leslie=
 and Richard Lund, The Family of Charlotte Kaplan, Jo Ann Oelschlager, Roger=
 and Judy Read, Bank One, Mona Wolfman, The Albrecht Family Foundation, KeyB=
ank, National City Bank, Thomas R. Trotter, John and Alice Ann Davies, Frank=
 C. Comunale, Mary B. Demetros, The Family of Jan Michael, The Lehner Family=
 Foundation and Jim and Charlotte Horvath.
<BR>
<BR>The Dietz Classroom/Theater will sport its first production in January 2=
005 when Weathervane presents Angels in America: Millenniun Approaches. &nbs=
p;The play is a courageous exploration of the universal themes of love, loss=
 and the possibility of redemption in the face of hypocrisy and malice. &nbs=
p;Performances will run January 16 - February 2, 2005.
<BR>
<BR>Weathervane invites everyone to join us this season and "kick up your he=
els" in celebration of 70 years of dynamic community theater.
<BR>
<BR>2004-2005 Season
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#ff0000" BACK=3D"#ffffff" style=3D"BACKGROUND-COL=
OR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=
=3D"0"><B>Winnie the Pooh</FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#000000" BACK=3D"#ffffff" st=
yle=3D"BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF"=20=
FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"></B> - July 17 - August 1, 2004
<BR>Dramatized by Kristin Sergel from the stories by A.A. Milne
<BR>Director: Jessica Shepard
<BR>What better way to spend a summer day than by joining Pooh Bear and frie=
nds on his search for that elusive pot of honey?
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#ff0000" BACK=3D"#ffffff" style=3D"BACKGROUND-COL=
OR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=
=3D"0"><B>Noises Off</FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#000000" BACK=3D"#ffffff" style=
=3D"BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FAC=
E=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"></B> - September 8 - October 3, 2004
<BR>Comedy by Michael Frayn
<BR>Director: Scott Spence
<BR>This fondly remembered comedy to returns to the Weathervane stage. &nbsp=
;A touring group of actors love, laugh and pratfall through the tryout of a=20=
new play.  You get a peek at the backstage antics and learn that what h=
appens offstage is as funny as what happens onstage!
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#ff0000" BACK=3D"#ffffff" style=3D"BACKGROUND-COL=
OR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=
=3D"0"><B>Three Days of Rain</FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#000000" BACK=3D"#ffffff"=
 style=3D"BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERI=
F" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"></B> - October 20 - November 7, 2004
<BR>Drama by Richard Greenberg
<BR>Director: Sean McConaha
<BR>After the death of a world-famous architect, his children and his busine=
ss partner's son gather to learn what their financial legacies will be. &nbs=
p;Audiences will empathize with the children during the first act and their=20=
parents in the second act.  The action begins in 1995 and shifts to 196=
0, a bend in perspective that reveals a secret from the past that the childr=
en can never know.
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#ff0000" BACK=3D"#ffffff" style=3D"BACKGROUND-COL=
OR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=
=3D"0"><B>Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat</FONT><FONT  COLOR=
=3D"#000000" BACK=3D"#ffffff" style=3D"BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 P=
TSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"></B> - November 20=
 - December 19, 2004
<BR>Musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber
<BR>Director: Sarah Bailey
<BR>Joseph returns for a triumphant 5th year as Weathervane's holiday produc=
tion!
<BR>Joseph, a young man with a snappy coat and a way of finding trouble wher=
ever he looks, finds a home in Egypt in this fast-paced, good-time musical.
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#ff0000" BACK=3D"#ffffff" style=3D"BACKGROUND-COL=
OR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=
=3D"0"><B>Ain't Misbehavin'</FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#000000" BACK=3D"#ffffff"=20=
style=3D"BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF=
" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"></B> - January 12 - February 5, 2005
<BR>Musical conceived by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr.
<BR>Music mostly by Thomas "Fats" Waller.
<BR>Director/Choreographer: Mart=EDn C=E9spedes
<BR>A multiple Tony Award-winner, Ain't Misbehavin' celebrates the life and=20=
music of Fats Waller, the legendary jazz pianist and entertainer.  The=20=
joint is really jumpin' with this hip, swinging musical. Songs include: I Ca=
n't Give You Anything but Love, Mean to Me, Honeysuckle Rose, It's a Sin to=20=
Tell a Lie.
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#ff0000" BACK=3D"#ffffff" style=3D"BACKGROUND-COL=
OR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=
=3D"0"><B>The Grapes of Wrath</FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#000000" BACK=3D"#ffffff=
" style=3D"BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSER=
IF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"></B> - February 16 - March 6, 2005
<BR>Drama by Frank Galati, based on the novel by John Steinbeck
<BR>Director: Penelope Frese, Ph.D.
<BR>Steinbeck's Pulitzer-winning novel is beautifully transferred to the sta=
ge in this Tony Award-winning play.  Set against live music of the peri=
od, the Joad family leaves their Oklahoma Dust Bowl farm, hoping for a bette=
r life in the rich fields of California.
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#ff0000" BACK=3D"#ffffff" style=3D"BACKGROUND-COL=
OR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=
=3D"0"><B>Little Women</FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#000000" BACK=3D"#ffffff" style=
=3D"BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FAC=
E=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"></B> - March 18 - April 8, 2005
<BR>Adapted by Marisha Chamberlain from the novel by Louisa May Alcott
<BR>Director: TBA
<BR>Louisa May Alcott's timeless story of the March sisters was based on her=
 own upbringing as a young girl.  Set during the Civil Way, the girls r=
ally together to provide comfort and support to their mother when father is=20=
called to duty.  
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#ff0000" BACK=3D"#ffffff" style=3D"BACKGROUND-COL=
OR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=
=3D"0"><B>The Tale of the Allergist's Wife</FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#000000" BA=
CK=3D"#ffffff" style=3D"BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMI=
LY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"></B> - April 13 - May 8, 2005
<BR>Comedy by Charles Busch
<BR>Director: John Fagan
<BR>A reunion with a long-lost friend invigorates Marjorie, a woman who beli=
eves her life to be a fraud.  But does her friend have ulterior motives=
?  This sparkling comedy will leave you laughing for joy.
<BR>
<BR></FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#ff0000" BACK=3D"#ffffff" style=3D"BACKGROUND-COL=
OR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=
=3D"0"><B>The Rocky Horror Show</FONT><FONT  COLOR=3D"#000000" BACK=3D"#ffff=
ff" style=3D"BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=3D"SANSS=
ERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"></B> - June 8 - July 3, 2005
<BR>Musical by Richard O'Brien
<BR>Director/Choreographer: Jacqi Loewy
<BR>Successfully revived on Broadway three years ago, this campy classic alm=
ost defies description.  A dark and stormy night, a castle filled with=20=
characters from the East Village, and a tuneful and fun score.
<BR>
<BR>    A wide variety of subscription packages are currently on sale. &nbsp=
;Season brochures are available at the Playhouse.  Weathervane's 2004-2=
005 season is generously supported by the Ohio Arts Council, WKSU 89.7 FM an=
d The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.</P></P></FONT></HTML>

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