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<h1><strong>PRESS RELEASE</strong><br>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</h1>
<p align="right">Date: 8-20-08</p>
<hr align="center" color="black" noshade="noshade" size="2"
width="100%">
<p>Contact: Andrew Rothman<br>
From: Chagrin Valley Little Theatre </p>
<p style="display: block; margin-left: 32px;">40 River Street<br>
Chagrin Falls, OH 44122<br>
Phone: 440-247-8955<br>
E-mail: <a href="mailto:cvlt@cvlt.org">cvlt@cvlt.org</a><br>
Website: <a href="http://www.cvlt.org/">www.cvlt.org</a></p>
<h4 align="center">PLEASE DOWNLOAD HIGH-RESOLUTION PRESS PHOTOS
from <a href="http://www.cvlt.org/promo">www.CVLT.org/promo</a></h4>
<h2>Maria Callas is alive and well at Chagrin Valley Little
Theatre</h2>
<p>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 <em>Master Class</em>, 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 <em>Master Class</em>, which has been called 'a
love letter' to the caustic, poignant and funny singer.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Throughout <em>Master Class</em>, 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.</p>
<p>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 <em>Death of
a Salesman</em> from Boston to California. She is glad to be back on
home ground and to be performing once again at Chagrin Valley Little
Theater.</p>
<p> <em>Master Class</em> 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. </p>
<p>Tickets for CVLT shows and events can be purchased online at <a
href="http://www.CVLT.org">www.CVLT.org</a>, 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.</p>
<p>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</p>
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