<HTML dir=ltr><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=unicode">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.6000.16527" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2><B><FONT size=5>
<P align=center>NEWS </P></FONT><FONT size=4>
<P align=center>The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland </P></FONT></B></FONT><FONT face="Trebuchet MS,Trebuchet MS" size=2><FONT face="Trebuchet MS,Trebuchet MS" size=2>
<P align=center>26001 South Woodland Rd, Beachwood OH 44122 </P></FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=4><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=4>
<P align=left>For Immediate Releas </FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>Tucker </FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=4><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=4>
<P align=left>e</FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>Contact: Anita</FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>December 19, 2008 </FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>(216) 228-7285
<P align=left>Anita@Where4ARThou.com </P></FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=4><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=4>
<P align=center>Mandel JCC Selects Director for World Premiere of Commissioned Play </P></FONT></FONT><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>
<P align=center>Cleveland Heights </FONT></FONT><I><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>to Open February 2009
<P align=center>Journey of a Play, Playwright and Director </P></FONT></FONT></I></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>
<P align=left>The Mandel JCC Arts & Culture Program announces that </FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>Brian Zoldessy</FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>, Director of Theatre Arts for Cuyahoga Community College Eastern Campus and a stand-out in the Cleveland theater community, will direct the upcoming production of </FONT></FONT><B><I><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>Cleveland Heights</FONT></FONT></I></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>, co-produced with Tri-CŪ Eastern Campus Theatre Arts. Zoldessy, who recently endured a kidney transplant, marks his return to directing with this script commissioned by the J Arts & Culture Program and based loosely on the lives of mid-twentieth-century Jews in Cleveland.
<P align=left>Zoldessy’s passionate commitment to sharing new and compelling theater with Cleveland audiences convinced him to accept the role of director. The same love of and dedication to theater is mirrored in his personal life: his donor came from the ranks of the local theater community. "It’s been a remarkable journey," says Zoldessy, "I’m thrilled to return to directing with a project this exciting – one that has shared its own journey with the Cleveland community, just as I have." </P></FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>
<P align=left>JOURNEY OF A PLAY </P></FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>
<P align=left>The road to </FONT></FONT><I><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>Cleveland Heights </FONT></FONT></I><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>began in early 2008 when The Mandel JCC Arts & Culture Program commissioned playwright </FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>Keith Reddin </FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>to script a play. Reddin, who has premiered works at theaters across America, visited Cleveland in February to interview several Jewish Clevelanders representing commercial, educational, religious and historical segments of the city. He combined their perspectives and personal histories with his own research done locally and conceived and wrote </FONT></FONT><I><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>Cleveland Heights</FONT></FONT></I><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>. In June and again in October, Reddin returned to the city, participating in numerous private and public readings before Cleveland audiences. After months of development, Reddin’s script has grown into a story of the city mirrored in the struggles of one fictional Jewish family.
<P align=left>The involvement of the Cleveland community has been an integral part of Reddin’s creative process. "I’m delighted to provide Clevelanders with not only great new theater but also the enriching experience of being part of the playwright’s journey and the evolution of a play," says Reddin, who has shared his thoughts and experiences on his </FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>blog </FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>at <U>http://mjccnewplay.blogspot.com </U>(also accessible via <U>www.clevejcc.org</U>). </FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>
<P align=left>THE PLAYWRIGHT </P></FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>
<P align=left>Trained at Northwestern University and Yale School of Drama, </FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>Keith Reddin </FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>has premiered works at Wisdom Bridge, South Coast Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, American Repertory Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, Atlantic Theatre Company, The Goodman Theatre, The Alley Theatre, Playwrights Horizon, City Theatre of Pittsburgh, The Gate Theatre, and, as part of this year’s FusionFest, the Cleveland Play House. In 2004, Reddin was named signature playwright for Chicago’s Eclipse Theatre and saw three of his plays produced during their 2004 season. He has also penned successful film and television screenplays and acted on both the big screen and Broadway stage. </FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>
<P align=left>THE PERFORMANCE </P></FONT></FONT></B><I><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>
<P align=left>Cleveland Heights </FONT></FONT></I><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>runs </FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>February 26 through March 15</FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>, </FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>2009</FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>, at the Cuyahoga Community College Eastern Campus Performing Arts Center.
<P align=left>Tickets: </P>
<P align=left>Preview Night February 26: $12 </P>
<P align=left>Opening Night February 28: $14 </P>
<P align=left>All Other Dates: $24 </P>
<P align=left>ADVANCED SALE Ticket Discounts: </P>
<P align=left>JCC Members: $21 </P>
<P align=left>Seniors: $22 </P>
<P align=left>Students: $12 </P>
<P align=left>Group of 10+: $18 </FONT></FONT><I><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>(Call 216-593-6258 to order.) </FONT></FONT></I><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>
<P align=left>To purchase tickets: </FONT></FONT><I><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>(Transaction fees will be added to phone and online orders) </FONT></FONT></I>
<DIR>
<DIR>
<P align=left>• <FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>Call (866) 546-1358 </FONT></FONT></P>
<P> </P></DIR></DIR>
<P align=left>• Purchase online at <U>www.clevejcc.org </U></P>
<P align=left></P>
<P align=left>• Visit The Mandel JCC during regular business hours </P><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>
<P align=left>2008-09 ARTS & CULTURE SEASON </P></FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>
<P align=left>In addition to </FONT></FONT><I><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>Cleveland Heights</FONT></FONT></I><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>, events remaining include </FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>Open a New Window: The Songs of Jerry Herman </FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>(January 11); </FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>An Evening of Classical Music & Art </FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>(May 3); </FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>Helen Welch & Trio: A Tribute to Jewish Lyricists and Composers </FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>(May 9); and </FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>Pangs of the Messiah </FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>(June 11-28). For event details, please call The Mandel JCC at (216) 831-0700 or visit www.clevejcc.org.
<P align=left>Generous support from </FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>Roe Green and The Green Arts Fund </FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland has helped make the 2008-09 Mandel JCC Arts & Culture season possible. Media support is provided by </FONT></FONT><I><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>The Cleveland Jewish News. </FONT></FONT></I><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>Accommodations are provided by Marriott Cleveland East. </FONT></FONT><B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>
<P align=left>The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland </FONT></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3><FONT face=Arial,Arial size=3>builds and strengthens Cleveland’s entire Jewish Community by providing exceptional programs and services that enhance Jewish continuity and Jewish identity in four key program areas: Health, Wellness and Recreation; Early Childhood Education; Camping; and Cultural Arts, which are central to the mission of JCC’s nationwide. Membership to The Mandel JCC is open to all. The Mandel JCC is a non-profit social service agency that receives funding from the Jewish Community Federation and the United Way.
<P>-# # #- </P></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>