[NEohioPAL] See the acclaimed OH DAD, POOR DAD at CSU Summer Stages

[James Kosmatka]

Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feeling So Sad
The critics have had a lot to say about this mouthful of a play.  For
example, Tony Brown at the Plain Dealer
<http://www.cleveland.com/onstage/index.ssf/2010/07/csu_summer_stages_is_a_g
ood_wo.html>  of Everett Quinton's drag take on Madame Rosepettle:
		It's only the second time that Kopit... has ever heard of an
en travesti performer in a role played by Hermione Gingold (Broadway, 1963)
and Rosalind Russell (film, 1967). And it's a mugfest from start to finish,
a hoot from hell.
Bob Abelman of the News-Herald is even more impressed:
		Quinton's performance is as hilarious as it is mesmerizing,
giving us not only some of the best moments in this season's Summer Stages
repertory but some of the best moments in Cleveland professional theater.
		Keeping pace is Eric Perusek's incredible portrayal of
Madame's socially underdeveloped son Jonathan. Perusek gives his character's
severe psychological damage a startling physicality, allowing Jonathan's
nervous stutter to manifest itself in palsied movement and facial tics.
Each difficult word fighting to the surface appears to cause both emotional
and physical pain.
		 George Roth as Commodore Roseabove, who attempts to seduce
the Madame but is in turn seduced, and Jillian Bumpas as Rosalie, who
attempts to seduce Jonathan but is in turn strangled, are also absolutely
wonderful.  Roth is particularly astute at making every moment on stage
count and adds so much to this production.
And, Christine Howey
<http://raveandpan.blogspot.com/2010/07/oh-dad-poor-dad-mammas-hung-you-in.h
tml>  at Rave and Pan rounds it out by saying:
		Rosepettle's scene with Roseabove, works exceptionally well,
thanks to Quinton's hypnotically malevolent monolog about Madame's first
hubby, and George Roth, who gives the Commodore a sweet innocence that wilts
under Rosepettle's onslaught.
Oh Dad, Poor Dad runs this weekend on Friday, July 30 and next Friday,
August 6 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
Thursday, August 5 (along with The 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/