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<TITLE>Cleveland Play House’s A Christmas Story Produced for Third Year!</TITLE>
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<P ALIGN=CENTER><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Cleveland Play House’s<I> A Christmas Story</I> Quickly Becomes Holiday Classic</FONT></B></P>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><B><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Stage adaptation of film favorite produced for third year at CPH</FONT></I></B></P>
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<P><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">CLEVELAND (November 8, 2007) –</FONT></B> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Back by popular demand, the stage adaptation of</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">A Christmas Story</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> returns to the Bolton Theatre for the third consecutive year at The Cleveland Play House. Opening for previews on Thursday, November 29, this tribute to the original, traditional, 100% red-blooded, All-American Christmas, will entertain the entire family through Sunday, December 23.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">“It's wonderful to see how</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">A Christmas Story</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> has become Cleveland's new holiday tradition,” says</FONT><B> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Michael Bloom, Cleveland Play House Artistic Director</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, of Philip Grecian’s stage adaptation of the motion picture filmed in Cleveland. “And it's always gratifying to be able to produce plays that have special meaning for our local audience.”</FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Cleveland Play House Associate Artistic Director Seth Gordon</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> will take the helm for the third year in directing</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">A Christmas Story</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">. Of the cast of 13 actors (including two understudies), seven are newcomers to the production and to The Cleveland Play House.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">“I'm thrilled to be able to direct this play for the third time -- it just seems to get richer and the actors dig deeper each time. And now we have mostly new kids, because the original cast has grown out of their roles,” says Gordon. “The newcomers will bring new flavor while blending nicely with the returning adults. I always look forward to this time of year; now I have two reasons.”</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> </FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Those returning to the Play House this year are Naomi Hill (Helen), Charles Kartali (The Old Man), Billy Lawrence (Ralphie), Christopher McHale (Ralph), Lily Richards (Esther Jane; she was the female understudy last season), and Elizabeth Ann Townsend (Mother).</FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">ABOUT</FONT></B><B><I> <FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">A CHRISTMAS STORY</FONT></I></B>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">When modern Christmas trappings are reduced to plastic reindeer and artificial logs, an aging Ralph Parker recalls Christmases long past. He revisits his home on Cleveland Street in 1938 Hohman, Indiana when all he wanted was an official Red Ryder 200-Shot Carbine Action Range Model Air Rifle “with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time.” Ralph becomes nine-year-old “Ralphie the Kid” again, battling varmints and other imaginary ne’er-do-wells.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The scenes of his childhood evoke a simpler time in America: Little Orphan Annie promises fame and fortune through her radio contest; kids “triple-dog-dare” each other; The Old Man goes to battle with a furnace that threatens to smoke the family out; and Mother somehow manages to keep it all together. Through it all, Ralphie lobbies tirelessly to convince the adults that owning his dream BB gun with</FONT><B> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">not</FONT></B> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">put anyone’s eye out.</FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">ABOUT THE CAST</FONT></B>
<BR><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">ADAM HASS-HILL</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (understudy, male children) has performed at the regional Theatre IV at the Children’s Theatre of Virginia in</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Best Christmas Pageant Ever.</FONT></I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">His community theatre credits include roles in</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Oliver</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Peter Pan</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Silhouette Productions and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Oliver</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Beachwood Community Theatre. Adam has appeared in school theatre productions of</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The King and I</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Once Upon This Island</FONT></I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">at Steward School in Richmond, Virginia, and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Holiday Heroes</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Gurney School in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Adam has attended the Fairmount Performing Arts Camp and enjoys soccer, baseball, writing and playing the trombone. Adam Hass-Hill lives in Chagrin Falls.</FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">NAOMI HILL</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Helen) returns to The Cleveland Play House and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">A Christmas Story</FONT></I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">in the role of Helen. She has performed in</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">South Pacific</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at the Jewish Community Center of Cleveland and various plays at Playmakers and the Heights Youth Theatre. Naomi has attended both Interlochen Performing Arts Camp and Fairmount Performing Arts Camp, and is a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Chorus. Naomi lives in Shaker Heights and is a seventh grader at Shaker Heights Middle School.</FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">CHARLES KARTALI</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (The Old Man) returns to the role of The Old Man for the third year at CPH. He performed in CPH’s FusionFest production of</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Trumbo</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> last season, and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Tuesdays With Morrie</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> in 2006. Mr. Kartali has performed in such Cleveland-area productions as</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Price</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune</FONT></I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">at Ensemble Theatre;</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Goat or Who is Sylvia?</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Dobama Theatre;</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">A Bright Room Called Day</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Cleveland Public Theatre;</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Zoo Story</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Charenton Theatre; and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Awake and Sing</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at the Halle Theatre. His regional theatre credits include productions at American Stage, Aspen Theatre in the Park, BoarsHead, Shadowland, Steppenwolf, The American Classics Festival and the Victory Gardens Readers Theater. Kartali was seen on television’s “Lost Subs,” and performed on film in</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">High Spirits.</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> Other credits include participation in WordBRIDGE Playwrights’ Lab (St. Petersburg, FL/Clemson, SC) and the Dorothy Silver Playwriting Competition (Cleveland).</FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">BILLY LAWRENCE</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Ralphie) returns to The Cleveland Play House for the third production of</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">A Christmas Story</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">. He played the role of Ralphie last season, and first appeared in the play as Randy in 2005. Billy has performed in</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Heights Youth Theatre, and productions of</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Three Musketeers</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Hobbit</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Guys and Dolls</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Oliver</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at University School. Billy studies piano, trumpet and voice and has attended the Fairmount Performing Arts Camp. He is in seventh grade at University School and lives in University Heights. </FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">CHRISTOPHER McHale</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Ralph) returns to The Cleveland Play House’s</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">A Christmas Story</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> for the third year in the role of Ralph. He has performed on Broadway in J</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">ulius Caesar</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> with Denzel Washington,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">King Lear</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> with Christopher Plummer,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Execution of Justice</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Iceman Cometh</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Piaf.</FONT></I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">His off-Broadway credits include roles in</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Lemkin’s House</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at McGinn-Cazale Theatre;</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Molly Sweeney</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Roundabout Theatre; eight Shakespeare productions at the New York Shakespeare Festival;</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Defiance</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Playland</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Manhattan Theatre Club; and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Domino</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at New York Theatre Workshop. His regional theatre credits include productions at Yale Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, Shakespeare Theatre of Washington, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Merrimack Repertory Theatre. Mr. McHale most recently appeared on the television shows “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” “Six Degrees” and “Without a Trace.”</FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">CAMERON McKENDRY</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Scut Farkas) has performed in</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Honk: The Musical</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at the</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"></FONT></I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Beck Center for the Arts. At the age of six, Cameron entered and won first place in an “In-Sync” dance contest, beating out four groups of high school dancers. He went on to study and performed hip hop and jazz dance for two years at the Shaker Dance Academy. He was introduced to stage acting at the Broadview Heights Recreational Center. Now a sixth grader at St. Albert the Great School, Cameron lives in Hinkley, Ohio.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> </FONT>
<BR><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">CAROLE MONFERDINI</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Miss Shields) has performed on Broadway in</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Misanthrope</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and the national tour of</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Waltz of the Toreadors</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">. Her off-Broadway credits include roles in</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Full Gallop</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Westside Theatre and National Tour;</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">If Memory Serves</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Promenade Theatre; and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Club</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Circle-in-the-Square. Regionally, Ms. Monferdini has performed at Delaware Theatre Company, Pittsburgh Public Theatre (multiple credits), Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Clarence Brown Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Geva Theatre Center, Barter Theatre, Portland Stage Company (multiple credits), Virginia Museum Theatre, Philadelphia Drama Guild, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Hartford Stage Company and Theatre Three. She has appeared on television in “The Brass Ring” and “As the World Turns,” and on film in</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Bell Jar</FONT></I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Next Stop, Greenwich Village</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">.</FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">KOLIN MORGENSTERN</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Flick) has performed in the community theatre productions of</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Prince and the Pauper</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at The Margo Snider Theatre and Weathervane Community Playhouse. A fifth grader at Miller South School for Performing Arts, Kolin has performed works of Shakespeare there and Barnes & Noble. He received the Miller South Thespian Troupe PlayWrite Award for his original screenplay</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">It Worked</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">. Kolin plays the baritone, loves to snow ski, and play baseball. He lives in Akron.</FONT></P>
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<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">JUSTIN MONTGOMERY PECK</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Schwartz) has performed in several community theatre productions, including</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">101 Dalmatians Kids</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">High School Musical</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Babes in Toyland</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Once Upon a Mattress</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Little Rascals</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Grinch</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, all at Olmsted Performing Arts. He has appeared on television in “Overrated Understudies.” He is a fourth grader at Fitch Intermediate School and enjoys singing, dancing, basketball, baseball, football, soccer and swimming. Justin lives in Olmsted Township.</FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">LILY RICHARDS</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Esther Jane) returns to</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">A Christmas Story</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at CPH after understudying for the female children’s roles last season. She has performed at the Beck Center for the Arts in productions of</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Cinder-Ella</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Phantom Toll Booth</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Snow White</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">School House Rock</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">. Her school theatre credits include roles in</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Snow White</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">King Arthur</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">North vs. South</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Passport to Asia</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, all at Ruffing Montessori School. Lily also appeared in the film</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Hero Tomorrow.</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> She studies both dance and voice, but also enjoys playing piano and guitar, as well as snow skiing, lacrosse, swimming, sailing, water skiing, and soccer. Lily is in the 7<SUP>th</SUP> grade at Ruffing Montessori School and lives in Lakewood. </FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">LISANDRA STEBNER</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (understudy, female children) has extensive community theatre credits, including productions of</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Stuart Little</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Rumplestiltskin</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Canton Players Guild;</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Les Miserables</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Annie</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Brundibar</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Wait Until Dark</FONT></I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">at Salem Community Theatre;</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Music Man</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Hiram College;</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at New Castle Playhouse;</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Secret Garden</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Best Christmas Pageant Ever</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Youngstown Playhouse; and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The King and I</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Snow White</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Move Over Broadway Productions. Lisandra served as a host for the local television program “SMARTS,” (and also appeared on “Overrated Understudies“and “PBS/SCT Superstars Competition.” She has appeared in various commercials, including Smith’s Dairy, Great Lakes Science Center and Sherwin-Williams. OTHER CREDITS: Lisandra won a Marquee Award for Best Juvenile in a Musical (</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Secret Garden</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">), 2007. She also won a Best Supporting Actress Arthur Award for the role of Gladys in</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Best Christmas Pageant Ever</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, 2006. She has attended the Fairmount Performing Arts Camp and lives in Canfield.</FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">JOEY STEFANKO</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Randy) has performed in community theatre productions of</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Godspell</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Alice in Wonderland</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Babes in Toyland</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Jack and the Beanstalk</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Cassidy Theatre; and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Nuncrackers</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Flashback</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Independence Community Theatre. Joey was a member of the 2005/2006 Radio Disney Pop Squad and was a 2006 Playhouse Square Rising Star semifinalist. He studies guitar and also enjoys playing baseball and football. Joey lives in Brooklyn Heights and is a third grader at Cuyahoga Heights Elementary School. </FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">ELIZABETH ANN TOWNSEND</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Mother) is making her third appearance in the role of Mother at CPH. Her Cleveland theatre credits are extensive, including roles in</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Hay Fever</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Great Lakes Theatre Festival;</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Our Town</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Peter Pan</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Porthouse Theatre;</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Talley’s Folley</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Ensemble Theatre;</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Exonerated</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Dobama Theatre; and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Agnes of God</FONT></I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Boy Gets Girl</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at The Beck Center for the Arts. Her regional theatre credits include world premieres of</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Leaving Iowa</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Hope for Corky</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Completing Dahlia</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> at Purple Rose Theatre Company. She has appeared on television’s “The Sopranos” and “Law and Order,” and on film in Jeff Daniels’</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Super</FONT></I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Sucker. Ms. Townsend worked in NYC appearing in theatre, film, television, and national network commercials.</FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM</FONT></B>
<BR><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">PHILIP GRECIAN</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Playwright) began his “show business” career at the young age of four as a ventriloquist and a magician. He received his professional debut with Creede Colorado Repertory Theatre, and he continues to maintain a connection with the theatre as a playwright and a guest performer. He spent six seasons as Artistic/Managing Director and Resident Playwright for a theatre company he founded at the age of 16, and, in 1976, he left the company to create a professional dinner theatre, serving as Producer and Artistic Director. He then shifted his career to the film, video and audio production industry. In 1994, he became Founding Director/Playwright for I.H.S. Productions, Inc., which annually produces his stage adaptation of</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">In His Steps</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, based on the Charles Sheldon novel. Other works include Dickens’</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">A Christmas Carol</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Velveteen Rabbit</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Dragon of Nitt</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Lion and the Lyre</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (translated and performed in Russia),</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Little Pills</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (based on Moliere’s Imaginary Invalid),</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Toby Saves the Farm</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, and a translation Mozart’s</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Magic Flute</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">. Mr. Grecian has also adapted many novels and films into plays for staged radio dramatization, including</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Dracula!</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Frankenstein</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Twisted Tales of Poe</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Blood Countess</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">It’s a Wonderful Life</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">.</FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">SETH GORDON</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Director) is Associate Artistic Director of The Cleveland Play House. CPH: RFK, Of Mice and Men, Ferdinand the Bull, Dinner with Friends, Proof, Forest City (world premiere), Vincent in Brixton, Tuesdays with Morrie, A Christmas Story, The Wind in the Willows; this season, The Chosen, Doubt CLEVELAND: Dobama Theatre, Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, Beck Center for the Arts NEW YORK: Primary Stages, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Theatre for the New City, many others REGIONAL: Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Bay Street Theatre, Studio Arena Theatre INTERNATIONAL: Arabic premiere of Our Town in Cairo EDUCATION: High School of Performing Arts in New York and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh OTHER CREDITS: Mr. Gordon previously served as Literary Manager and then as Associate Producer of Primary Stages in New York. He has also directed and lectured at various
universities, including Case Western Reserve University. He received the Northern Ohio Live Awards for excellence in theatre in 2004 and 2006. He considers himself a lucky man.</FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">MICHAEL GANIO</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Scenic Designer) CPH:</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Proof</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, and world premieres of</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Jerusalem</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">A Kiss for Cinderella</FONT></I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">REGIONAL: Virginia Opera (multiple credits), Chicago Opera Theatre, South Coast Repertory Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre (multiple credits), Intiman Theatre (multiple credits), Denver Center Theatre Company (multiple credits), Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (multiple credits), Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (multiple credits), Williamstown Theatre Festival, Mannes Camerata Opera, Oregon Shakespeare Festival (multiple credits) EDUCATION: Mr. Ganio holds an MFA from New York University, and a BFA from Webster University in St. Louis</FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">DAVID KAY MICKELSEN</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Costume Designer) CPH: The Chosen, Cuttin’ Up, Of Mice and Men, A Christmas Story, Room Service, The Dinner Party, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Frank Langella’s Cyrano, I Hate Hamlet, Company, world premiere productions of Jerusalem and The Emancipation of Valet de Chambre REGIONAL: Guthrie Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, Denver Center Theatre Company, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Arizona Theatre Company, Pioneer Theatre, Geva Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Tennessee Rep, San Diego Rep, New Mexico Rep, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Sundance Theatre, The Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis, Ford’s Theatre, Portland Center Stage, A Contemporary Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Pennsylvania Center Stage, Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre, Theatre of the Open Eye, Hampton Playhouse, Timberlake Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, as well as the Oregon, Colorado, Utah and Illinois Shakespeare festivals OTHER CREDITS: Originally from Canby, Oregon, David now makes his home in Long Beach, California. He is a member of United Scenic Artists. </FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">RICHARD WINKLER</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Lighting Designer) CPH:</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> The Underpants</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> Dirty Blonde</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> A Tuna Christmas</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, and</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> Waverly Gallery</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, as well as the world premiere productions of</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> Jerusalem</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> and</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> The Smell of the Kill</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, which transferred to Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theatre in 2002 NEW YORK:</FONT><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Howie the Rookie</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> Silent Laughter</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> Cinderella</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, NYC Opera; a tribute to jazz legend Shirley Horn, a concert version of Carmen Jones with Venessa Williams conducted by Placido Domingo, and individual concerts starring Patti Lu Pone, Julie Andrews, Barbara Cook, and Liza Minelli at The Kennedy Center NATIONAL TOURS:</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> Whatever Happened to Baby Jane</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (world premiere),</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> A Chorus Line, Your Arms Too Short to Box with God</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> A Funny Thing…, On the Twentieth Century</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> South Pacific</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> My Fair Lady</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> Kiss Me Kate</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> Tommy</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> Funny Girl</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">,</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> Jekyll and Hyde</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, and</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> Anything Goes</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> REGIONAL: Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Theatre Virginia, The State Theatre (multiple credits), OTHER CREDITS: Mr. Winkler’s designs for the 25th anniversary tour of</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> Evita</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, directed by Harold Prince, and the recent national tour of</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> Fame, The Musical</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> were widely acclaimed. He has also designed for major opera companies in Houston, Miami, San Diego, and Dallas, where his 50 productions included</FONT><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> The Aspern Papers</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">, televised on PBS.</FONT></P>
<P><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">JAMES C. SWONGER</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> (Resident Sound Designer) CPH: The Chosen, Bunnicula, Man of La Mancha, Trumbo, Lincolnesque, The Clean House, Cuttin’ Up, Of Mice and Men, RFK, Rabbit Hole, Dream a Little Dream, Custody of the Eyes, Well, A Streetcar Named Desire, A Christmas Story, I Am My Own Wife, Room Service, Bad Dates, Restoring the Sun, Rounding Third, The Real Thing, The Piano Lesson, John Henry, Tuesdays with Morrie, Plaid Tidings, Crowns, Hurlyburly REGIONAL: Cleveland’s Lyric Opera, Utah Festival Opera Company, Utah’s Pioneer Theatre Company, Baltimore’s Center Stage, New Jersey’s George Street Playhouse, Yale Repertory Theater OTHER CREDITS: designed the premiere productions of The Tragic Demise of Whaleship Essex, Swinging on a Star: A Tribute to the Music of Johnny Burke, Tangents, and The Count of Monte Cristo, adapted by Charles Morey; designed sound system installations for restaurants, theatres, and churches; former adjunct professor for the University of Utah’s Fine Arts program.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Founded in 1915, The Cleveland Play House is the first permanently established professional theatre in the United States. More than 12 million people have attended over 1,300 productions at The Play House – including more than 130 American and/or World Premieres. Today, under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Bloom and Managing Director Kevin Moore, The Cleveland Play House is an artist-driven theatre that serves the Greater Cleveland community by holding true to its mission:</FONT></P>
<P><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">To produce plays of the highest professional standards that inspire, stimulate, and entertain our diverse audiences, and to conduct training and educational programs that enhance the quality of life for those we serve and help to insure the future of theatre.</FONT></I></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The Ohio Arts Council helps to fund The Cleveland Play House with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.</FONT></P>
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<P><B><FONT COLOR="#800080" FACE="Californian FB">Alison Bibb-Carson</FONT></B>
<BR><FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE=2 FACE="Californian FB">Associate Director of Communications and Marketing</FONT>
<BR><FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE=2 FACE="Californian FB">The Cleveland Play House</FONT>
<BR><FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE=2 FACE="Californian FB">8500 Euclid Avenue</FONT>
<BR><FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE=2 FACE="Californian FB">Cleveland, Ohio 44106</FONT>
<BR><FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE=2 FACE="Californian FB">216.795.7000 x236</FONT>
<BR><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">SEEING</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">IS</FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">BELIEVING...www.clevelandplayhouse.com</FONT>
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