[NEohioPAL] Big [BOX] 2008 opens Friday at Cleveland Public Theatre!

[Mindy Herman]

Cleveland Public Theatre Presents Big [BOX]

Award-winning artists in residency program returns for 6th year

 

Cleveland Public Theatre Executive Artistic Director Raymond Bobgan is proud to present the 2008 Big [BOX] series.  Big [BOX] is an award-winning residency program produced by Cleveland Public Theatre that focuses on the independent creative artist and the exciting things that can happen when one is given the space and time to create. Now in its sixth successful year, Cleveland Public Theatre is proud to support and foster the work of area artists in this unique program. Over eight weekends, ten artists are given keys to The James Levin Theatre and the freedom to transform the space for the presentation of their work.  

 

The goal of Big [BOX] is to support new work and local artists. 

 

CPT provides: 

*         The James Levin Theatre

*         Basic production staff, stage management, box office support 

*         Marketing and advertising support

 

The artists provide the rest!

 

Big [Box]

January 4 - February 24, 2008

 

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm

Sundays at 3:00pm

Tickets:  General Admission $15 | Students and Seniors $12

 


To purchase tickets, please visit www.cptonline.org or call the CPT Box Office. To RSVP for the reception please contact Eric Veres at everes at cptonline.org or 216.631.2727 x212.
 

January  4 - 6

Modern Problems 

by Steve Maistros

Directed by Christopher Johnston

 

On the border between reality and absurdity you will find Modern Problems.  This collection of fourteen one act comedies travel that distance and illustrate how close everyday life is to the tipping point. What pushes life over that edge?  In these plays it's one detail that changes normal characters and situations into abnormal ones.  A desire to want.  A casual Friday gone too far.  An interviewee with something to hide.  An unexpected church announcement.  A notice for jury duty.  A consultant with a grudge.  A one woman welcome committee.  A goat at a petting zoo.  These are the points where everyday life turns absurd. Modern Problems will change your life for the better ... or the worse ... or leave it absolutely unchanged.  If it does not do one of these three things you probably weren't paying attention and have no one to blame but yourself.

 

 

January 11-13

Companions

Presented by MegLouise Dance          

Choreographed and Directed by Megan Pitcher

 

Come to an elegant, intimate 1920's cabaret for conversation, dance and just a touch of drama. Subtle, delicious dancing and music that is enchanting. MegLouise dance invites you to experience a sensuous evening in the lap of luxury.  

 

January 18 - 20

Crashing Through Ceilings

Written and Directed by Anne McEvoy 

Produced by Elizabeth R. Wood

 

Crashing Through Ceilings gives voice to the stories of several women who share not only the same address, but also the challenge of growing up with developmental disabilities. It seems their real handicap often lies in others' low expectations, fears, and misconceptions about their ability to grow up at all. A dicey intersection of words and silences, laughter and tears, Crashing Through Ceilings promises to raise more than the roof as 6 outspoken ladies discuss everything from gold fish to fishnets, inviting audiences to recognize the common grounds of our woundedness, worth, and wonder. Featuring Lisa Langford, Kate Duffield, Anne McEvoy, Jenna Messina, Lara Mielcarek and Elizabeth R. Wood.  

 

January 25-27

The Greatest Story Ever Told 

By Jason Mullin

Directed by Nancy Burkinshaw

Produced by Michael Sepesy

 

A comic exploration of the relationship between faith and storytelling.  Jesus Christ, Santa Claus, and Mary Magdalene agree to appear on a talk show to reveal their true stories but realize they don't understand as much as they think.  This new work debunks religious dogma and satirizes the creative process.  Says Jesus:  Faith is a crapshoot, darlings! Featuring Doug Kusak, Kip Thomas, Nina McCollum, Allen Branstein and Mike Sobczak.

 

AND

 

The Josie Project  

By Michael Williams     

Directed by James Kosmatka

 

The story of a young man and his wife and the gynoid (female android) who comes between them.  The Josie Project is about perceptions, relationships and love. It's about the not-so-distant-anymore future, where man loving machine means more than just popping the hood. It's about a different kind of cyber connection, one that may or may not prove more substantial than gazing into a screen. It's about a man who's said, "I do," and his machine that says, "I will." This new work explores mankind's desire to create artificial intelligence and illustrates just some of its many potential ramifications.

 

February 1-3

The One Who...

by Scott Plate

Directed by Joel Hammer

 

An original work that listens to the voices of five gay men who live outside of typical gay urban "Mecca's."  They are unaware they are being seen by an audience, or by anyone for that matter - their invisibility is part of their problem.  The play explores a spectrum of gender expression from a completely closeted and repressed Irish Catholic priest to a cross-dressing shaman doing a public access cable television show.   Each character searches for - and ponders what it means to have - an essential self, in a world that makes it necessary to hide it. Featuring Scott Plate. 

 

February 8-10

Costumbrismo, or Khandihba Wars 

by Deborah Magid
Musical Direction by Joan Bendix

 

Costumbrismo, or Khandihba Wars is a new comic chamber opera about passion, desire, how societies function, and candy bars as an allegory for sexual preference. In mythical Khandihba, the Drooler, Sensualist, Nibbler, Fanatic, and S&M Guy each enjoy YumBar, the local delicacy, in their own unique manner, and all carry on a daily discordance as to whose method and perception is best.  A mysterious woman appears and seduces the folks to accept her MyBar instead, modulating and altering each character's musical theme to bend that person to her will and, more importantly, to destroy the economy of Khandihba. Her game is exposed, and a dangerous mob forms!  The wise Mayoress recognizes that diversity is a necessary part of society, and persuades everyone to welcome the interloper and her MyBar into their quirky fold. Written in the American Neoromantic genre, Costumbrismo also utilizes tango, waltz, etude, and march styles to explore societal and musical diversity.

 

February 15-17

vis-à-vis

Choreographed by Kalindi Stockton and Maree ReMalia       

 

A dance noir collection that explores a myriad of personal and social issues inspired by daily observation and common experience. When confronting our habits, influences, and current state of being, we use this artistic opportunity to come face to face with all of our "humanness."  An exciting evening with touches of humor and hope.  

 

AND

 

De Vices

Presented by Hi Lyfe              

Choreographed and Directed by Shenee King

 

Using the music of James Brown, dance company Hi Lyfe explores the duality found in women's relationships with men, other women and themselves. This new work attempts to create a framework for interpreting the behavior of various women in various stages of life. Hi Lyfe's work utilizes the movements of the African Diaspora to entertain, motivate and illustrate aspects of urban life in a theatrical setting. 

 

February 22-24

Ictus 

by Barbara Becker

Directed by Rose Leininger

 

An athletic, healthy, thirty-five year old woman experiences a severe stroke, or brain attack, while traveling through Italy on vacation. In seconds her life is derailed. Unable to speak or swallow and paralyzed, she must find a way to put her life back together as she struggles through rehabilitation. The brain is the center of the self. How do you reawaken yourself when everything that defines you is broken? Ictus is a journey through a foreign country and through the world of catastrophic illness.

 

Big [BOX] 2008

James Levin Theatre 

January 4 - February 24. 
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 3:00pm

Tickets:  General Admission $15 | Students and Seniors $12

 

Visit www.cptonline.org <http://www.cptonline.org/>  or call 216.631.2727 to purchase tickets now!

 

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