<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">SOLON</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> CENTER</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> FOR THE ARTS PRESENTS </b></font></font></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">2011 SIGNATURE SERIES OF PROFESSIONAL MUSICAL THEATER</font></font></b></p>
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<p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Solon Center for the Arts is proud to announce an exciting season of regional theater in 2011. Generously funded by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, the 2011 Signature series includes “Kiss Me, Kate” with its wonderful music by Cole Porter, the powerful “Madama Butterfly” by Giacomo Puccini and a charming take on an old holiday favorite, “The Christmas Carol Rag” by Norman Allen is set to the music of Scott Joplin.</font></font></p>
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<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </span>The SCA 2011 Signature Series was designed as a reinvestment in the Cleveland theater community with both audiences and performers in mind. Through this series of productions, SCA aims to provide an intimate venue for local theater-goers to experience and appreciate the exceptional talents of Northeast Ohio’s own area performers.</font></font></p>
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<p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“Kiss Me, Kate” kicks off the Signature Series on May 13 (7:30 pm), 14 (7:30 pm) and 15 (3:00 pm). The show is directed by Larry Nehring, musical direction by Kerry Glann and choreographer is Sarah Clare. It was Cole Porter’s biggest hit and won him his first Tony Award for Best Musical in 1949. It went on to win another Tony in 1999 for Best Broadway Revival. With songs like “Another Op’nin, Another Show,” “Wunderbar,” “So In Love” and “From This Moment On,” it is certain to be a sell-out in Solon.</font></font></p>
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<p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Cast members performing in “Kiss Me, Kate” include James Love and Judith Overscash, portraying the arrogant Fred Graham and highly volatile Lilli Vanessi, Katherine DeBoer and Eric Fancher, appearing as Lois Lane and Bill Calhoun, Steven Madden and Dusten Welch, playing the hilarious Thugs. Completing the cast as the show’s highly versatile ensemble are, Bethany Ferry, Craig Feldman, Amanda Heywood, Caitlyn Houlahan, William John Liptake II, Christine Madden, Robert Pierce, Donald Prather and Solon resident, Steven Skaggs.</font></p>
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<p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">The next production is “Madama Butterfly” in partnership with Hugh A. Glauser School of Music Opera Studio at Kent State University. Show dates are Friday, September 30 (7:30 pm) and October 2 (3:00 pm). SCA is excited to announce that the Saturday, October 8 performance is already completely sold out!</font></p>
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<p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">The starring cast includes Marian Vogel and Cio-Cio San and Timothy M.R. Culver and Lieutenant Pinkerton. The opera will be directed by Fenlon Lamb and conducted by Kerry </font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Glann. For more than a century, audiences have been thrilled by Puccini’s haunting, poignant music and touched by the lovely Butterfly, who gives up everything for love. This being one of the world’s most beloved operas, seeing it in the intimate 200-seat Calvetta Bros. Floor Theater at SCA will bring a new meaning to the power of its story and the music!</font></p>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Closing the 2011 Signature Series will be a musical comedy, “The Christmas Carol Rag” by Norman Allen. Meet Evelyn Scrooge and her chain-rattling partner Janet Marley in this charming take on “A Christmas Carol. The foot-stomping ragtime score, based on the music of Scott Joplin, and its witty script are a holiday treat for all ages! Production dates are December 9 (7:30 pm), December 10 (7:30 pm) and December 11 (3:00 pm)</font></div>
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<p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Solon Center for the Arts is excited and honored to welcome director and Solon resident George Roth – a highly seasoned actor in his own right and who has appeared on most of Northeast Ohio’s theatrical stages – for his SCA with “The Christmas Carol Rag”.</font></font></p>
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<p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">In addition, SCA has partnered with the new restaurant, Harvest Kitchen & Lounge, 33730 Bainbridge Road in Solon for dinner theater packages. Chef Michael Longo will create special entrees for those who would like to enjoy dinner before the show. Seating will be 2 hours before curtain. Dinner theater packages will include two appetizers, entrees, desserts and non-alcoholic beverages for $60. For more information or reservations, visit <a href="http://www.harvestsolon.com">www.harvestsolon.com</a> or call (440) 349-6520.</font></p>
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<p style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman">Tickets for the all shows are $25 adult and $20 student/senior and also include a Theater Preview with the director 45-minutes before curtain and a ‘Meet the Artists’ reception immediately following in the SCA Gallery. SCA is located at 6315 SOM Center Road. Tickets can be purchased by calling (440) 337-1400. </font></p>
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