[NEohioPAL] PRESS RELEASE: Maria Callas is alive and well at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre

[Chagrin Valley Little Theatre]

  *PRESS RELEASE*
  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 8-20-08

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Contact: Andrew Rothman
From: Chagrin Valley Little Theatre

40 River Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44122
Phone: 440-247-8955
E-mail: cvlt at cvlt.org <mailto:cvlt at cvlt.org>
Website: www.cvlt.org <http://www.cvlt.org/>


        PLEASE DOWNLOAD HIGH-RESOLUTION PRESS PHOTOS from
        www.CVLT.org/promo <http://www.cvlt.org/promo>


    Maria Callas is alive and well at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre

CHAGRIN FALLS, OH - "I am not an angel and do not pretend to be. That is 
not one of my roles. But I am not the devil either. I am a woman and a 
serious artist, and I would like so to be judged." So spoke the 
legendary opera diva Maria Callas, the subject of Terrence McNally's 
drama /Master Class/, which launches Chagrin Valley Little Theatre's 
79th consecutive season this fall. Harriet DeVeto and Thomas M. Stephan 
direct this challenging play, based on a series of master classes given 
by the singer at the Juilliard School of Music in New York in the early 
1970s. Ms. DeVeto also portrays Maria Callas in this production of 
/Master Class/, which has been called 'a love letter' to the caustic, 
poignant and funny singer.

In the play, a trio of aspiring opera singers come to study with 'la 
divina', and receive not only singing lessons, but also instructions in 
bearing, conduct, attitude, and stagecraft. Callas is both tender and 
harsh, bullying, mocking and caressing the would-be stars. Each of the 
students, played by Amy Hall and Sharon Lloyd (sopranos) and Marc Finney 
(tenor) react in their own way to this treatment, as the accompanist 
(David Keith Stiver) ads his own presence to the mix. The cast is 
rounded out by Marc Dusini as the stagehand.

Throughout /Master Class/, the great Maria Callas reflects on her life 
and her career. Her affair with Aristotle Onassis, an abortion forced on 
her, her early years as an ugly duckling and an old man's wife, and her 
emergence as a social icon after an amazing weight loss and 
transformation into one of the "beautiful people" are all part of this 
provocative evening of theater. The play culminates with the diva 
speaking soulfully about the sacrifices that must be made in the name of 
art.

In the leading role is Harriet DeVeto. Ms. DeVeto was a professional 
actress for thirteen years. She returned to Northeast Ohio in 2006 from 
New York to perform once again in community theaters, where she started 
many years ago. Harriet has performed in most Cleveland and Akron area 
theaters, spending several years in the 1980s at Great Lakes Theater 
Festival, with whom she toured in /Death of a Salesman/ from Boston to 
California. She is glad to be back on home ground and to be performing 
once again at Chagrin Valley Little Theater.

/Master Class/ is on CVLT's main stage Friday and Saturday evenings at 
8:00 PM, from September 12 through September 27. There will also be an 
audience Q & A session on opening night, Friday, September 12, at the 
conclusion of the performance. Tickets are $14 regular admission, or $10 
for students and seniors.

Tickets for CVLT shows and events can be purchased online at 
www.CVLT.org <http://www.CVLT.org>, or by calling the Box Office at 
440-247-8955 between 1 and 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. Season 
subscriptions for CVLT's 79th Season are now available, including 
subscriber-exclusive valet parking options and other perks.

Chagrin Valley Little Theatre is generously funded by Cuyahoga County 
residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and is supported by the Ohio 
Arts Council. CVLT was voted 'Best Community Theatre' by Cleveland 
Magazine Readers, and 'Best Theatre Group' on the Fox 8 HotList in 2007

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