[NEohioPAL] Amazing reviews for THE ELEPHANT MAN at CSU Summer Stages

[James Kosmatka]

Elephant Man Receives Heaps of Praise
The Elephant Man, playing at downtown Cleveland's only professional summer
theatre company Cleveland State University Summer Stages, has received
universal praise from critics and patrons alike. Says Tony Brown
<http://www.cleveland.com/onstage/index.ssf/2010/07/csu_summer_stages_is_a_g
ood_wo.html>  of the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
		...the incredible transformation of recent CSU grad Eric
Perusek from upright young man to the painfully twisted Merrick and back
again is the worth the price of admission.
		Add to Perusek a heapin' helpin' of the corseted Ursula
Cataan as a famous London stage actress who befriends Merrick and makes him
a cause célèbre among the tony set, and you have a sexual tension that
drives much of the second act.
Bob Abelman
<http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2010/07/16/life/nh2764602.txt>  of the
News-Herald agrees:
		Early in the play, when we are introduced to John Merrick,
his grotesqueness is put on display before a panel of Victorian physicians.
As each biological abnormality is itemized with British precision and
described in clinical detail, Perusek's exposed and perfectly normal
physique slowly absorbs and painstakingly adopts each abominable anomaly.
Before our eyes he becomes the Elephant Man.
		The dramatic impact of this remarkable and complete
transformation is bested only by Perusek's ability to sustain this agonizing
posture for the duration of the evening while simultaneously communicating
Merrick's intelligence, gentility and perspective.
		This singular performance is reflective of the sustained
excellence that has become the trademark of Cleveland State University's
four-year-old professional summer theater repertory program.
	...
		This is a gripping play, an engrossing production, and the
first in a series of three offerings in repertory over the next five weeks.
Summer Stages is off to a very good start.
And, Christine Howey
<http://raveandpan.blogspot.com/2010/07/elephant-man-csu-summer-stages.html>
at Rave and Pan states:
		...there are many layers at work in The Elephant Man by
Bernard Pomerance, now at CSU Summer Stages. This is the story of John (real
name Joseph) Merrick, a man burdened with morbid physical deformities but
possessing a gentle and intelligent mind. And this CSU production under the
direction of Everett Quinton gets virtually everything right, fashioning a
drama that raises questions both simple and profound.
The Elephant Man runs this weekend on Saturday, July 24 at 8pm and Sunday,
July 25 at 2pm, as well as July 29 and August 5 (our Dinner and a Show
<http://www.csuohio.edu/theater/SummerStages/Spotlight.html>  deal) at 8pm.
Like last year's award winning season
<http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/best-theater-production/BestOf?oid=1678
255> , Summer Stages performs three shows in rotating repertory during a
five-week run through August 8.  
Tickets are available by phone at 216-687-2109 or at
http://csu.ticketleap.com
Tickets only $10-15
		Ticket prices are $15 general admission, $10 for seniors,
and $10 for groups of 10 or more. 
		For tickets or more information on Summer Stages, please
call the Box Office at (216) 687-2109, go to csu.ticketleap.com. The Factory
Theatre is located on East 24th Street between Chester and Payne avenues.
Parking is free in Lot S1. 
Dinner and a Show: $20
		Elements Bistro on Euclid and CSU Summer Stages are teaming
up to offer you dinner and a show for only $20. Enjoy this exclusive deal on
Friday, July 9 (Oh Dad), Friday, July 23 (Curtains), and Thursday, August 5
(Elephant Man). Elements will be open from 4-8pm n these dates and will be
offering an entrée and a small plate or dessert, followed by a performance
at the CSU Factory Theatre. Elements is located two blocks south of the
Factory Theatre at 2300 Euclid Avenue. Tickets and meal vouchers can be
purchased at http://csu.ticketleap.com, from Elements, or from the CSU
Factory Theatre Box Office at 216.687.2109.
Curtains
Book by Rupert Holmes
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Original book and concept by Peter Stone
Directed by Dr. Michael L. Mauldin, Director of the CSU Department of
Theatre
Choreographed by Martin Cespedes
		July 10, 11 (2pm), 15, 23, 31
		August 1 (2pm), 7, 8 (2pm)
		"Knock 'em dead!" A less-than-stellar leading lady has been
killed at curtain call (serves her right for murdering all her songs!) and
it's up to homicide detective (and musical theatre aficionado) Frank Cioffi
to unravel the case before he takes his final bow.
The Elephant Man
By Bernard Pomerance
Directed by Everett Quinton
		July 8, 16, 24, 25 (2pm), 29
		August 5 
		Winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, this powerful drama
about the beauty and truth hiding beneath an ugly exterior tells the story
of the misshapen sideshow performer John Merrick when a well-meaning doctor
brings him into the fold of Victorian society.
Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feeling So Sad 
By Arthur Kopit
Directed by Scott Spence, Artistic Director of the Beck Center for the Arts
		July 9, 17, 18 (2pm), 22, 30
		August 6
		A Drama Desk Award winner in 1962, Oh Dad is a farce of epic
proportions, wherein mommy dearest, Madame Rosepettle, will stop at nothing
to keep her philatelist son hiding under her skirt until well past puberty.
Meanwhile, dad's still dead. And hanging in the closet.

Box office: 216.687.2109
More information: http://www.csuohio.edu/theater/SummerStages/