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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><SPAN></SPAN><STRONG>F<SPAN
class=836012022-02032010>OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</SPAN></STRONG><BR><STRONG>March
2, 2010</STRONG>
<P></P>
<P><FONT size=5><STRONG>Cleveland’s Classic Theater
Company</STRONG><BR>Concludes 48th Season with <STRONG>an Outrageous
<BR>Off-Broadway Musical</STRONG> and <STRONG>a</STRONG> <STRONG>Magical
Masterpiece</STRONG></FONT></P>
<P><STRONG><EM><FONT size=3>BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
headline<BR>Great Lakes Theater Festival’s scintillating Spring
Repertory.</FONT></EM></STRONG></P>
<P><FONT size=2><STRONG><FONT size=3><EM>25% of the seats at every performance
are priced at $25 or less.</EM></FONT></STRONG> </FONT></P>
<P>CLEVELAND, OH (March 2, 2010) - <STRONG>Great Lakes Theater Festival</STRONG>
(GLTF) will conclude its 2009-10 season in the company’s revolutionary home at
the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare, with a <STRONG>Spring Repertory</STRONG>
that features Keythe Farley, Brian Flemming and Laurence O’Keefe’s outrageous
Off-Broadway <EM>Musical of the Year</EM>, <STRONG><EM>Bat Boy: The
Musical</EM></STRONG> and William Shakespeare’s magical masterpiece,
<STRONG><EM>A Midsummer Night’s Dream</EM></STRONG>. The productions will be
performed in rotating repertory April 8 <FONT face="Courier New"><FONT
face="Courier New">–</FONT></FONT> May 16, 2010. The Spring Repertory features
<STRONG>GLTF’s resident artistic company of actors</STRONG> performing two
alternating plays on the same stage over six weeks. Veteran Festival artist
<STRONG>Victoria Bussert</STRONG> will direct <STRONG><EM>Bat Boy: The
Musical</EM></STRONG> and GLTF’s Producing Artistic Director <STRONG>Charles Fee
</STRONG>will direct <STRONG><EM>A Midsummer Night’s Dream</EM></STRONG>.</P>
<P>Great Lakes Theater Festival’s <STRONG>2010 Spring Repertory is sponsored by
PNC</STRONG> with support from the <STRONG>Festival’s Business
Alliance</STRONG>. GLTF’s second season at the Hanna Theatre is presented with
support from <STRONG>The Cleveland Foundation</STRONG> and the <STRONG>Ohio Arts
Council</STRONG>. In addition, Great Lakes Theater Festival is generously
<STRONG>funded by the citizens of Cuyahoga County through Cuyahoga Arts and
Culture</STRONG>. Media sponsors for the Festival’s 48th season are Cleveland
Scene, The Plain Dealer, WCLV 104.9 FM, WCPN 90.3 FM ideastream, WKSU 89.7 FM
and The Weekly World News.</P>
<P>"We are thrilled to be back on <STRONG>the Hanna Theatre’s revolutionary
Parker Hannifin Stage</STRONG> where the finale of our second season in our
amazing home promises to be extraordinary," said GLTF Producing Artistic
Director <STRONG>Charles Fee</STRONG>. "Our Spring Repertory productions and our
Hanna Theatre performance space work together to provide an intimate theatrical
experience for audiences that is unlike any other in the region."</P>
<P><STRONG>GLTF’s Spring Repertory commences with Keythe Farley, Brian Flemming
and Laurence O’Keefe’s outrageous Off-Broadway musical, <EM>Bat Boy: The
Musical</EM></STRONG>. Ripped from the hilarious headlines of the supermarket
tabloid <EM><STRONG>The Weekly World News</STRONG></EM>, <EM>Bat Boy</EM> is a
classic love story with serious bite. This <STRONG>delightfully delicious twist
on the modern day musical comedy</STRONG> tells the amazing story of a strange
boy with pointy ears, his struggle to find a place in a world that shuns him,
and the love that creates both miracles and madness. Armed with an exuberant
score that integrates the best of rock, Broadway, gospel, and country music,
this Off-Broadway <EM>Musical of the Year</EM> award-winner is a witty comical
confection that keeps both tongue and fang firmly in cheek.</P>
<P><STRONG>William Shakespeare’s <EM>A Midsummer Night’s Dream</EM> completes
the Festival’s Spring Repertory pairing</STRONG>. An exhilarating night of
midsummer madness, this magical comedy brims with mistaken identity, mismatched
lovers and mischief-making fairies. <STRONG>Boldly inspired by the marvelously
mod influences of a rock ‘n’ roll infused 1960s London</STRONG>, this production
of Shakespeare’s comic masterpiece ensnares two pairs of lovers and a rustic
troupe of would-be actors in a magical-mystery tour de force. <EM>A Midsummer
Night’s Dream</EM> is a joyful celebration of love lost, transformed and
restored that casts a powerfully pleasing spell on audiences of all ages.</P>
<P><STRONG>GLTF’s 2010 Spring Repertory directing corps is comprised of familiar
Festival faces.</STRONG> <STRONG>Victoria Bussert</STRONG> will stage
<STRONG><EM>Bat Boy: The Musical</EM></STRONG>. Bussert celebrates her 23rd year
at Great Lakes Theater Festival this season. Her work was last seen by Festival
audiences this past fall when she directed <EM>The Mystery of Edwin Drood</EM>.
Over the past two decades, she has directed a host of memorable productions
including I<EM>nto the Woods, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,
Private Lives, Anything Goes, Gypsy, A Little Night Music, She Loves Me, The
Most Happy Fella, Rough Crossing, Blithe Spirit, La Ronde, The School For Wives,
Noel and Gertie, The Threepenny Opera</EM>, and <EM>Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar
and Grill</EM>. <STRONG>Charles Fee</STRONG>, GLTF’s Producing Artistic
Director, will complete the Festival’s Spring Repertory directing duo when he
helms William Shakespeare’s <EM><STRONG>A Midsummer Night’s Dream</STRONG></EM>.
Fee’s acclaimed productions of <EM>Twelfth Night</EM> (2009), <EM>The Comedy of
Errors</EM> (2009), <EM>Macbeth</EM> (2008), <EM>Hay Fever</EM> (2007), <EM>The
Importance of Being Earnest</EM> (2005), <EM>The Complete Works of William
Shakespeare (Abridged)</EM> (2004), and <EM>Hamlet</EM> (2003) have led to an
artistic and financial renaissance for Great Lakes Theater Festival. </P>
<P><STRONG>Great Lakes Theater Festival will maintain its new pricing structure
this spring - designed to increase accessibility for its audiences.</STRONG> As
part of the program, <STRONG>25% of the seats</STRONG> at every GLTF Hanna
Theatre performance are priced at <STRONG>$25 or less</STRONG>. Furthermore,
<STRONG>adult tickets for every performance always begin at $15</STRONG> and all
<STRONG>student tickets are $11</STRONG> - making the Great Lakes Theater
Festival experience one of the most affordable entertainment options in the
region. "It is absolutely vital to the mission and long-term health of our
organization that we create affordable opportunities for every person in our
region to experience live theater," said GLTF Producing Artistic Director
Charles Fee.</P>
<P><STRONG>Great Lakes Theater Festival’s award-winning home at the Hanna
Theatre features a visionary "Great Room" inspired design concept</STRONG> that
integrates the artist and audience experience into a single unified environment.
Hanna patrons select from <STRONG>a variety of seating opportunities</STRONG>
including traditional theater seats, club chairs, lounge/bar seats, banquette
couches and private box seating. Boasting <STRONG>a fully flexible hydraulic
thrust stage</STRONG>, a complete array of <STRONG>state-of-the-art theatrical
systems</STRONG> and an <STRONG>intimate 550-seat house</STRONG> arranged in a
thrust configuration, the Hanna is <STRONG>one of the most innovative theaters
in the country</STRONG>. </P>
<P><STRONG>Great Lakes Theater Festival will continue to afford patrons
extraordinary access to the artistic process this spring.</STRONG> The Hanna
always opens its doors <STRONG>ninety minutes before each performance</STRONG>
allowing <STRONG>patrons to observe the complete pre-show preparation process of
GLTF’s actors and technical staff</STRONG>. Elements traditionally hidden from
audiences such as stage combat rehearsals, dance calls, prop/scenic pre-sets,
technical cue rehearsals and actor warm-ups will be conducted in full view of
patrons, offering GLTF audiences an amazing glimpse into the theatrical
process.</P>
<P><STRONG>The Festival will also continue its unique series of social
enhancement programming at the Hanna.</STRONG> The programming, organized by day
of week, is designed to augment the patron experience and highlight the Hanna’s
new amenities. </P>
<P></P>
<UL>
<LI><STRONG><EM>"Salon Thursdays"</EM></STRONG> will feature an engaging
pre-show discussion/presentation beginning one hour before curtain with a
Festival artist or local scholar. <EM>(Offered: Apr. 29 & May 6, 13)</EM>
</LI>
<LI><STRONG><EM>"Happy Hour Fridays"</EM></STRONG> afford patrons the ability
to avoid the commute home from work and back to the theater in time for the
show. On "Happy Hour Fridays," audience members are invited to meet at the
Hanna’s bar and lounge immediately after work to enjoy a fine assortment of
savory hors d’ oeuvres and a complete range of beverages for sale beginning
ninety minutes before every performance. <EM>(Offered: Apr. 16, 30 & May
7, 14)</EM> </LI>
<LI><STRONG><EM>"Night Cap Night Saturdays"</EM></STRONG> are designed to
encourage audience members to stay after the performance and mingle with
friends and family in the Hanna’s bar and lounge. The Hanna’s bar and lounge
is open until ninety minutes after the performance on "Night Cap Saturdays."
<EM>(Offered: Apr. 17 & May 1, 8, 15)</EM> </LI>
<LI><STRONG><EM>"Ice Cream Social Sundays"</EM></STRONG> offer patrons the
opportunity to enjoy a London theatre tradition brought state-side with family
and friends. Audience members are invited to purchase a cool personal ice
cream treat before the show or at intermission. Ice cream will be offered at
every performance in GLTF’s Spring Repertory, but on "Ice Cream Social
Sundays," the treat is half price. <EM>(Offered: Apr. 18, 25 & May 2, 9,
16)</EM></LI></UL>
<P></P>
<P><STRONG>Opening Night performances of <EM>Bat Boy: The Music</EM>al (April
10th) and <EM>A Midsummer Night’s Dream</EM> (April 24th) </STRONG>have been
scheduled for <STRONG>Saturday evenings</STRONG> with preview performances of
both productions scheduled for the preceding Thursday and Friday nights.
<STRONG>The Friday previews of <EM>Bat Boy: The Musical</EM> (April 9th) and
<EM>A Midsummer Night’s Dream</EM> (April 23rd) have been designated as "Press
Previews"</STRONG> <FONT face="Courier New"><FONT
face="Courier New">–</FONT></FONT> public performances that will also
accommodate theater critics and other media representatives. These nights also
feature a half-hour <STRONG>pre-show discussion with the director</STRONG>
beginning at 6:30 p.m. Curtain times for all evening performances will remain at
7:30 p.m., with a 1:30 p.m. curtain time for Saturday matinees and a 3:00 p.m.
curtain time for Sunday matinees. Both productions in GLTF’s Spring Repertory
will continue to <STRONG>offer sign-interpreted and audio-described
performances</STRONG> as well as the popular Playnotes pre-show discussion
series. <EM>(<SPAN class=354202322-02032010>Click here for a complete list of
performance calendar <A
href="http://www.greatlakestheater.org/calendar/">http://www.greatlakestheater.org/calendar/</A>)</SPAN></EM></P>
<P><STRONG>Single performance tickets for Great Lakes Theater Festival
productions range in price from $15-$69 (Student tickets are $11 <FONT
face="Courier New"><FONT face="Courier New">–</FONT></FONT> any performance /
any seat)</STRONG> and are available by calling (216) 241-6000, by ordering
online <SPAN lang=EN>at <A
href="http://www.greatlakestheater.org/tickets/default.asp">http://www.greatlakestheater.org/tickets/default.asp</A></SPAN><A
href="blocked::blocked::outbind://209/www.greatlakestheater.org"><U><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
lang=EN></U></FONT></FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN lang=EN> </SPAN><SPAN lang=EN>or by
visiting the PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office. <STRONG>Groups of ten or more
receive discounts of up to 38%</STRONG> by calling the Great Lakes Theater
Festival Group Sales Department at (216) 241-5490 x302. (Additional handling
fees may apply and may vary depending on point of purchase.)</P>
<P>Great Lakes Theater Festival has brought the pleasure, power and relevance of
classic theater to the widest possible audience since 1962. The first resident
company of PlayhouseSquare, GLTF celebrates its 28th year in downtown Cleveland
this season. Festival programming reaches 85,000 adults and students
annually.</P>
<P><STRONG># <SPAN class=912310422-02032010>#
</SPAN>#</STRONG></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Todd Krispinsky<BR>Marketing and
Public Relations Director<BR>Great Lakes Theater Festival<BR><?xml:namespace
prefix = ns0 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
/><ns0:Street><ns0:address><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:address
w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">1501 Euclid Avenue, Suite
300</st1:Street><BR></ns0:address></st1:address></ns0:Street><ns0:place><ns0:City><st1:City
w:st="on">Cleveland</st1:City></ns0:City>, <ns0:State><st1:State
w:st="on">Ohio</st1:State></ns0:State> <ns0:PostalCode><st1:PostalCode
w:st="on">44115</st1:PostalCode><BR></ns0:PostalCode></ns0:place>(216) 241-5490
x317 / (216) 241-6315 Fax<BR><A href="http://www.greatlakestheater.org/"><SPAN
style="COLOR: purple">www.greatlakestheater.org</SPAN></A><BR><BR><SPAN><STRONG>Stay
connected to Great Lakes Theater Festival...</STRONG></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><BR><EM><IMG border=0 hspace=0
alt="" align=baseline src="cid:380112622@02032010-02DF"> Become a fan of
the Festival on Facebook. </EM><A
href="http://www.facebook.com/gltfcleveland"><EM><STRONG><FONT
color=#0000ff>Click
here.</FONT></STRONG></EM></A></SPAN><SPAN><BR></SPAN><SPAN><FONT size=2><FONT
face=Arial><EM><IMG border=0 hspace=0 alt="" align=baseline
src="cid:380112622@02032010-02E6"> Follow us </EM><EM>on
Twitter</EM>. <EM><A href="http://twitter.com/GLTFCleveland"><FONT
color=#0000ff><STRONG>Click
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