[NEohioPAL]Top Dog/Underdog Opening September 30 at Beck Center

Thu Sep 29 12:37:59 PDT 2005

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For Immediate Release

September 29, 2005

Direct questions to:  (216) 521-2540

Yvette Hanzel, extension 225

Scott Spence, extension 239

=20

Beck Center for the Arts

Presents

Top Dog/Underdog

September 30 - October 23, 2005

in the Studio Theater

=20

You are only yourself when no one's watching.

---Suzan-Lori Parks

=20

            Cleveland, Ohio -Beck Center for the Arts will premiere
Suzan-Lori Parks' Top Dog/Underdog, opening September 30 through October
23, 2005 in the intimate Studio Theater.

            Top Dog/Underdog is a dark comic fable of love and family
identity surrounding two brothers Lincoln and Booth.  The brothers,
whose names were given to them as a joke, generate a lifetime of sibling
rivalry and resentment.  Haunted by the past, the brothers are forced to
confront the shattering reality of their future. Top Dog/Underdog is a
funny sad portrait of two men with limited life chances.  What results,
is an electrifying text with a venue for two captivating performances.
Its message is concerned with the universal issues of family dynamics,
power struggles and love.

Top Dog/Underdog is perhaps the best-known work of Suzan-Lori Parks, and
earned her the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for drama. She was the first
African-American woman to win that title.

            This Cleveland premier is directed by Dale Shields and
features Ed Blunt and Jimmie D. Woody as the brothers, Lincoln and
Booth, respectively.  "Top Dog/Underdog is a universal story about the
inherent tensions between brothers." says Shields.  "The two brothers
follow unique game plans to find a catharsis to resolve a conflicted
childhood and disadvantaged adulthood.  I've enjoyed the experience,
along with the script's conflict between fantasy and reality, which
propels a dynamic interplay between two explosive African American
characters.  The language sizzles, pops and electrocutes!"

A special audience "talk-back" session will be held on Saturday, October
1, immediately following the performance.  This session will feature a
panel of experts on African-American issues including Dr. Yvonne
Williams, Professor of Black Studies and Political Science; Dr. Paul
Keith Jackson, Jr., Professor, African-American Theatre; Dr. Donna
Whyte, Assistant Vice President, Office of Minority Affairs and
Community Relations, Cleveland State University; and Dr. Alphine
Jefferson (Dramaturg), Professor of History at the College of Wooster.

Sponsoring this Cleveland premiere are 90.3 FM WCPN ideastream,
Cleveland Scene Magazine and Lakewoodbuzz.com. =20

Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00
p.m. For tickets call the Beck Center box office at (216) 521-2540 or
log onto www.beckcenter.org <http://www.beckcenter.org/> . Tickets are
$26 for adults, $23 for seniors (65 and older), and $15 for students (22
and under with ID). All individual ticket sales are subject to a $2
administrative fee per ticket applied at the time of ticket reservation.
Group discounts are available for parties of 12 or more. The Beck
Center for the Arts is located just 10 minutes west of downtown
Cleveland at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood.

=20

=20

Submitted by:

Fran Storch

Marketing Assistant

The Beck Center for the Arts

17801 Detroit Avenue

Lakewood, Ohio  44107

216-521-2540, ext. 244

=20

My office hours are Tuesdays through Fridays, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

=20

What's Happening at the Beck Center!

On the Main Stage:

Urinetown the Musical

September 16 through October 9

In the Studio Theater:

Top Dog/Underdog

September 30 through October 23

To reserve tickets, call the Box Office at 216-521-2540.

Register online for classes in dance, music, theater,=20

and visual arts at www.beckcenter.org or call ext. 222.

=20

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<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>For Immediate =
Release<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>September 29, =
2005<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Direct questions =
to:</span></font></b><font
size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>  (216)
521-2540<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
 style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Yvette =
Hanzel</span></font></st1:PersonName><font
size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, extension
225<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D2 =
face=3DArial><span
 style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Scott =
Spence</span></font></st1:PersonName><font
size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, extension
239<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></=
p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter =
style=3D'text-align:center'><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName
 w:st=3D"on"><b><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
  Arial;font-weight:bold'>Beck</span></font></b></st1:PlaceName><b><font
 face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'> =
<st1:PlaceType
 =
w:st=3D"on">Center</st1:PlaceType></span></font></b></st1:place><b><font
face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'> for the =
Arts<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><b><font =
size=3D3
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Presents<o:=
p></o:p></span></font></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter =
style=3D'text-align:center'><b><i><font size=3D5
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;
font-style:italic'>Top Dog/Underdog<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><b><font =
size=3D3
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>September
30 – October 23, 2005<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><b><font =
size=3D3
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>in
the Studio Theater<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dright =
style=3D'text-align:right;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></fo=
nt></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dright =
style=3D'text-align:right;text-autospace:none'><i><font
size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-style:
italic'>You are only yourself when no one's =
watching.<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dright =
style=3D'text-align:right;text-autospace:none'><font
size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>---Suzan-Lori
Parks<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'line-height:200%'><b><font size=3D3 =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;font-family:Arial;font-weight:=
bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'line-height:150%'><b><font size=3D3 =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:Arial;font-weight:=
bold'>            =
<st1:City
w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:City>, <st1:State =
w:st=3D"on">Ohio</st1:State> </span></font></b><font
face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-family:Arial'>–<st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName
 w:st=3D"on">Beck</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
for the Arts will premiere Suzan-Lori Parks’ <i><span =
style=3D'font-style:
italic'>Top Dog/Underdog</span></i>, opening September 30 through =
October 23,
2005 in the intimate Studio Theater.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

&nbsp=
;          Top Dog/Underdog is a dark comic =
fable of
love and family identity surrounding two brothers Lincoln and =
Booth.  The
brothers, whose names were given to them as a joke, generate a lifetime =
of
sibling rivalry and resentment.  Haunted by the past, the brothers =
are
forced to confront the shattering reality of their future. Top Dog/Underdog is a funny sad =
portrait
of two men with limited life chances.  What results, is an =
electrifying
text with a venue for two captivating performances.  Its message is
concerned with the universal issues of family dynamics, power struggles =
and
love.<o:p></o:p>

Top =
Dog/Underdog is perhaps the =
best-known work of
Suzan-Lori Parks, and earned her the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for drama. She =
was the
first African-American woman to win that =
title.<o:p></o:p>

&nbsp=
;          This
<st1:City w:st=3D"on"><st1:place =
w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:City>
premier is directed by Dale Shields and features Ed Blunt and Jimmie D. =
Woody
as the brothers, Lincoln and Booth, respectively.  “Top Dog/Underdog is a universal =
story
about the inherent tensions between brothers.” says Shields. 
“The two brothers follow unique game plans to find a catharsis to =
resolve
a conflicted childhood and disadvantaged adulthood.  I’ve =
enjoyed
the experience, along with the script’s conflict between fantasy =
and
reality, which propels a dynamic interplay between two explosive African
American characters.  The language sizzles, pops and =
electrocutes!”<o:p></o:p>

</div>

<font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;
font-family:Arial'><br clear=3Dall style=3D'page-break-before:always'>
</span></font>

<div class=3DSection2>

A special audience “talk-back” session =
will be
held on Saturday, October 1, immediately following the =
performance.  This
session will feature a panel of experts on African-American issues =
including
Dr. Yvonne Williams, Professor of Black Studies and Political Science; =
Dr. Paul
Keith Jackson, Jr., Professor, African-American Theatre; Dr. Donna =
Whyte,
Assistant Vice President, Office of Minority Affairs and Community =
Relations,
Cleveland State University; and Dr. Alphine Jefferson (Dramaturg), =
Professor of
History at the College of Wooster.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'text-indent:.5in;line-height:150%;text-autospace:
none'><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;line-height:150%;
font-family:Arial'>Sponsoring this <st1:City w:st=3D"on"><st1:place =
w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:place></st1:City>
premiere are 90.3 FM WCPN ideastream, Cleveland Scene Magazine and
Lakewoodbuzz.com.  <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and
Sundays at 3:00 p.m.  For tickets call the <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName
 w:st=3D"on">Beck</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
box office at (216) 521-2540 or log onto <a href=3D"http://www.beckcenter.org/">www.beckcenter.org</a>.=

Tickets are $26 for adults, $23 for seniors (65 and older), and $15 for
students (22 and under with ID).  All individual ticket sales are =
subject
to a $2 administrative fee per ticket applied at the time of ticket
reservation.  Group discounts are available for parties of 12 or
more.  The <st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Beck</st1:PlaceName> =
<st1:PlaceType
w:st=3D"on">Center</st1:PlaceType> for the Arts is located just 10 =
minutes west
of downtown <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Cleveland</st1:City> at <st1:Street =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:address
 w:st=3D"on">17801 Detroit Avenue</st1:address></st1:Street> in =
<st1:City w:st=3D"on"><st1:place
 =
w:st=3D"on">Lakewood</st1:place></st1:City>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>=

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Submitted =
by:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><st1:PersonName w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dnavy
 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Fran
 Storch</span></font></st1:PersonName><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span=
></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Marketing =
Assistant<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName
 w:st=3D"on">Beck</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
for the Arts<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><st1:Street w:st=3D"on"><st1:address =
w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D2
  color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
  color:navy'>17801 Detroit =
Avenue</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street><font
size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:City w:st=3D"on"><font =
size=3D2
  color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
  color:navy'>Lakewood</span></font></st1:City><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dnavy
 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>, <st1:State
 w:st=3D"on">Ohio</st1:State>  <st1:PostalCode =
w:st=3D"on">44107</st1:PostalCode></span></font></st1:place><font
size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>216-521-2540, ext. =
244<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoAutoSig><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>My office hours are Tuesdays =
through
Fridays, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dred face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></s=
pan></font></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dred face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red;font-weight:bold'>What's Happening at =
the <st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Beck</st1:PlaceName> =
<st1:PlaceType =
w:st=3D"on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>!<o:p></o:p></span></font><=
/b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>On the Main =
Stage:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><i><font size=3D2 color=3Dred face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red;font-weight:bold;
font-style:italic'>Urinetown the Musical</span></font></i></b><b><font =
size=3D2
color=3Dred face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:red;font-weight:bold'><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>September 16 through October =
9<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>In the Studio =
Theater:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><i><font size=3D2 color=3Dred face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red;font-weight:bold;
font-style:italic'>Top Dog/Underdog</span></font></i></b><font size=3D2
color=3Dred face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:red'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>September 30 through October =
23<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>To reserve tickets, call the Box =
Office
at 216-521-2540.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Register online for classes in =
dance,
music, theater, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>

and visual arts at =
www.beckcenter.org or
call ext. 222.<o:p></o:p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>

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