[NEohioPAL] CLEVELAND THEATRE LOVERS!: OHIOANA LIBRARY “On the Road” MEETS CLEVELAND AUTHOR JEANNIE EMSER SCHULTZ AND GOES BACKSTAGE AT PlayhouseSquare on Sept. 8

[Paul Lockwood]

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

* *

August 1, 2012



CONTACTS:

Linda Hengst, Executive Director – Ohioana Library, lhengst at ohioana.org;
614-466-3831
Patty Donahey Geiger, PDG Communications,
patty at pdgcommunications.com614-325-6178
**

* *

* *

*OHIOANA LIBRARY **“On the Road” MEETS CLEVELAND*

*AUTHOR JEANNIE EMSER SCHULTZ AND *

*GOES BACKSTAGE AT  **PlayhouseSquare*





COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohioana Library, a Columbus-based non-profit organization,
recently launched a new program, “On the Road,” a series of statewide
literary adventures that explores how a sense of place has inspired Ohio
writers since the 1800s.



On *Saturday, Sept. 8*, Ohioana will be “on the road” to Cleveland for *“The
Curtain Rises on PlayhouseSquare,”* a backstage, on stage and
behind-the-scenes tour of these historic theatres.  Beginning at *10 a.m.,
at The State Theatre, 1519 Euclid Ave*., Jeannie Emser Schultz, author
of *Playhouse
Square: An Entertaining History*, will guide the group through the
theatres, talking with them about the incredible renovation and also the
story behind the story—how PlayhouseSquare became an inspiration to her.
They will also be joined by author John Vacha, who wrote *Showtime in
Cleveland: The Rise of a Regional Theater Center.*



“The experience at Playhouse Square is the perfect example of “a sense of
place” and how it can influence writing.  Both of these wonderful Ohio
authors have been inspired by Cleveland’s theatres and their drama—onstage
and off,” said Ohioana executive director Linda Hengst.



“We also realize that in addition to the authors’ stories, another
important aspect of the “On the Road” experiences is the way they bring
people who love to read into an exciting environment where they can meet
and interact with the authors.  We’re all enjoying that!”

* *

As Hengst points out, the drama of PlayhouseSquare is not limited to the
stage. It’s a convoluted tale of rescue and restoration with unexpected
plot twists that lead to a satisfying, happy ending. Built as vaudeville
houses in the 1920s, the five once-grand theatres had fallen into a state
of decay by the 1970s and were slated for demolition. Theatre lovers banded
together and saved them from becoming nothing but parking lots. The 34-year
restoration resulted in the creation of eight stages, making
PlayhouseSquare the second-largest performing arts center outside of New
York’s Lincoln Center.



The “On the Road” PlayhouseSquare tour will include visiting lobbies,
dressing rooms and rehearsal halls in these opulent structures.  A panel
discussion with the authors will follow the tour and a copy of Vacha’s
book, *Showtime in Cleveland: The Rise of a Regional Theatre Center* will
be included in the ticket price.



On September 15, Ohioana Library “On the Road” will again visit Northeast
Ohio with “The Mysteries of Amish Country” trip, and in the spooky month of
October, date TBA, “On the Road” will be back in Cleveland with the Lolly
the Trolley *Torso Tour*, retracing the murderous route of Cleveland’s
Torso Killer, circa 1930s, and talking with the author who has researched
and written about the serial murders.



*“The Curtain Rises on PlayhouseSquare”*

* *

   - Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
   - Where: The State Theatre, 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 44115
   - Tickets: $35/Ohioana members; $40/nonmembers (includes copy of *Showtime
   in Cleveland: The Rise of a Regional Theatre Center*
   - For more information or to make a reservation for this tour or other
   Ohioana programs, visit www.ohioana.org or call 614-466-3831



* *

*Ohioana’s mission is to: recognize and encourage the creative
accomplishments of Ohioans, preserve and expand a permanent archive of
books, manuscripts, and other materials by Ohioans and about Ohio, and
disseminate information about the work of Ohio writers, musicians, and
other artists to researchers, schools, and the general public.  Ohioana is
a 501-C-(3) not for profit organization supported by memberships,
subscription, gifts, grants, and a subsidy from the State of Ohio. *

###
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.neohiopal.org/pipermail/neohiopal-neohiopal.org/attachments/20120731/efe1b6fc/attachment-0004.htm>