December 2015 - NEohioPAL - lists.neohiopal.org

Review of "Kris Kringle" at Olmsted Performing Arts
by John E. Thomas via NEohioPAL 09 Dec '15

09 Dec '15

'Kris Kringle' at Olmsted Performing Arts is a Shiny New Gift Under The Theatrical Tree Land of Cleve Getting a brand new toy on Christmas morning is one of the most exciting things that can happen to a child. And getting a brand new musical is one of the most exciting things that can happen to a theatre lover. Kris Kringle the Musical has arrived just in time for the holidays, delivered with care by producing partners Angel Polar Bear LLC and Creative Licensing Group. It takes some familiar characters and adds a few new ones to put a whole new spin on the season. And Northeast Ohio gets the first chance to unwrap the show in its world premiere production at Olmsted Performing Arts. Featuring a book by Maria Ciampi and music & lyrics by Tim Janis, the stage spectacle follows the adventures of a young toy designer who gets the chance to become an elf at the North Pole and pitch his ideas to the big man himself. Little does Kris Kringle realize that he's just a pawn in a sparring match between two estranged brothers who view gift-giving opportunities from very different perspectives. Thankfully, good advice from friends and family members -- along with a little magic -- save the day, and everyone has a merry Christmas in the end! For more of this review, visit: www.inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2015/12/cleve-review-kris-kringle-at-olms…

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A CUTE NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK FOR THE SEASON
by Dave Cockley via NEohioPAL 09 Dec '15

09 Dec '15

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Auditions! Peter and the Starcatcher (Weathervane Playhouse, Akron)
by Melanie Pepe via NEohioPAL 09 Dec '15

09 Dec '15

NEWS RELEASE Melanie YC Pepe Artistic Director 330.826.2626<tel:330.826.2626> Auditions Weathervane Playhouse 1301 Weathervane Lane * Akron, Oh 44313 For details, visit www.weathervaneplayhouse.com/audition<http://www.weathervaneplayhouse.com/audition> Peter and the Starcatcher Directed by Melanie YC Pepe February 25 to March 6, 2016 Auditions by appointment. www.weathervaneplayhouse.com/audition<http://www.weathervaneplayhouse.com/audition> Sunday, January 3, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, January 4, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Directed by Eileen Moushey January 24 & 25, 2016 Auditions by appointment. www.weathervaneplayhouse.com/audition<http://www.weathervaneplayhouse.com/audition> Sunday, January 24, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Review Sides. 8 p.m. Audition Monday, January 25, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Review Sides. 8 p.m. Audition Spamalot Directed by Dave Stebbins June 2 to 26, 2016 Auditions by appointment. www.weathervaneplayhouse.com/audition<http://www.weathervaneplayhouse.com/audition> Sunday, April 3, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, April 4, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. ###

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Fiddler On The Roof Auditions at the Olde Towne Hall Theatre
by John Schneider via NEohioPAL 09 Dec '15

09 Dec '15

*Announcing Auditions for the Olde Towne Hall Theatre’s production of* *FIDDLER ON THE ROOF* Sunday December 13th 5-7pm Monday December 14th 7-9pm Friday December 18th 6:30-8:30pm Saturday December 19th 2-4pm This is a group audition, come one of these evenings and plan to stay for the entire time specified. Olde Towne Hall Theatre 36119 Center Ridge Road North Ridgeville, Ohio 44039 (by the water tower & near the fire station) About the Audition: - You will be asked to fill out a form including - Your contact information - Any rehearsal conflicts you may have - Previous theatrical experience - You will need to come prepared to sing a song of your choice - You will be required to read a portion of the script alone and/or with others - You may be asked to learn and perform a few dance steps. Rehearsals begin Monday January 4th The show runs February 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, 28th, March 4th, 5th, 6th, 11 th, and 12th. Roles Tevye, the dairy man Golde, Tevye’s wife Yente, the matchmaker Lazar Wolf, the butcher Tzeitel, the eldest daughter Model, the tailor Hodel, the 2nd eldest daughter Perchik, the student Chava, the 3rd eldest daughter Fyedka, a Russian soldier Shprintze& Bielke, the youngest daughters The Constable The Rabbi Mendel, the Rabbi’s son Mordcha, the innkeeper Avram, the bookseller Grandma Tzeitel Fruma-Sarah

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Review of "Kris Kringle" at Olmstead Performing Arts
by Bob Abelman via NEohioPAL 09 Dec '15

09 Dec '15

‘Kris Kringle’ a cringe-worthy Christmas musical Bob Abelman Cleveland Jewish News, The News Herald, The Morning Journal Member, International Association of Theatre Critics True Story: Several years ago, while having Christmas dinner at a friend’s house, the family dog got into everything. Scattered across the living room floor were piles of shredded red and green wrapping paper, remnants of assorted toys and stuffed animals, shards of heirloom glass ornaments, gnarled spruce twigs still bearing silver and gold tinsel, dismembered gingerbread men, and fragments of sprinkled cookies. The random collection of pieces and parts was colorful and festive, but everything was now incomplete, incompatible and beyond repair. So, too, is “Kris Kringle: The Musical,” a holiday show by Maria Ciampi (book) and Tim Janis (music/lyrics) that is getting its limited run world premiere production at Olmsted Performing Arts. For more of this review, go to www.news-herald.com/general-news/20151209/theater-review-olmsted-performing…

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Growth has Mamaí Theatre Company Poised for its Fourth Season of Classical Theatre in Cleveland in 2016
by Christine via NEohioPAL 09 Dec '15

09 Dec '15

For Immediate Release Contact: Christine McBurney, C0-Artistic Director mamaitheatrecocleveland(a)gmail.com www.mamaitheatreco.org 440.394.8353 Growth has Mamai Theatre Company Poised for its Fourth Season of Classical Theatre in Cleveland in 2016 Cleveland, Ohio, December 9, 2015 — Now in its fourth season, Mamai Theatre Company <http://www.mamaitheatreco.org/> is pleased to announce exciting growth: additional public and private funding, new General Manager and Education Associate positions, new youth outreach programming, expanded adult outreach programming, and a streamlined summer season, June 2 - September 4, 2016. Additional Public & Private Support Cuyahoga Arts & Culture has awarded Mamai a 2016 Project Support grant to help fund new youth outreach programming. As a second-time recipient of a CAC grant, Mamai is grateful to the citizens of Cuyahoga County who overwhelmingly passed Issue 8 which funds many artistic organizations and artists in Cleveland. Additionally, increased private support from multiple foundations has enabled Mamai to fund capacity-building initiatives, including new staff positions. Lastly, Mamai gratefully acknowledges an increased number of sponsors and donors who stepped up this past year to support classical theatre in Cleveland. Introducing New Staff & Youth Education Outreach Mamai welcomes its first General Manager, Michael Parker, who will manage operations as of January 1st. Michael is a former board member whose support of Mamai and familiarity with its mission and programming dates back to Mamai’s inaugural season. Co-Founder Wendy Kriss returns to staff as Mamai’s first Education Associate. She will steer the new Mamai Matinee program conceived by Co-Founder Derdriu Ring, which invites children ages 5-7 to an interactive workshop full of storytelling, movement, music and visual artwork with new friends. Children will experience a collage of art activities designed to promote self-expression, comfort and confidence in the creative process, and the development of collaboration skills. Beginning in the 2016 season, patrons can register children ages 5-7 for this drama workshop in an adjacent location while enjoying Mamai’s Sunday 2:30pm matinee performance. One (1) adult admission is included with child registration fee. See Mamai’s website for details. Expanded Adult Outreach Mamai will expand its adult programming with community reading discussion events beyond our popular eastside reading and discussion series at the Beachwood branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library in 2015. Events will be free and open to the public. Mamai’s 2016 Benefit - March 7th - One Night Only! Women on Fire By Irene O'Garden Directed by Juliette Regnier Mamai's benefit features great food and wine at one of Cleveland's most valued cultural venues, The Maltz Museum <http://www.maltzmuseum.org/>, followed by a staged reading of Irene O'Garden <https://ireneogarden.com/>'s WOMEN ON FIRE, featuring some of Northeast Ohio's premiere actresses! Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage 2929 Richmond Rd, Beachwood, OH 44122 7:00 pm ~ Wine and Hors d’oeuvres Reception ~ Admission to Museum Galleries 8:00 pm ~ Staged Reading Performance Limited Seating! Tickets here <http://www.mamaitheatreco.org/#!women-on-fire---mamai-benefit/c1eh6>! 2016 Venue & Ticket Information Mamai is thrilled to return downtown to The Cleveland Masonic Performing Arts Center <http://www.paccleveland.com/>, 3615 Euclid Avenue at E. 36th Street, with free and ample parking in an onsite gated lot, air-conditioning, and ADA-accessibility. Mamai will mount all three of its 2016 productions on the beautiful 1920s proscenium stage inside the DeMolay Room. Top Girls By Caryl Churchill Directed by Jaime Bouvier June 2-19, 2016 Top Girls transgresses ancient to modern femininity in two distinct acts. Act One features an imagined restaurant table full of ladies who lunch... in a time-traveling dialogue from various centuries and cultures in womankind's history! Act Two is a springboard departure into family drama-- a personal examination of relationships between mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Lady Windermere's Fan By Oscar Wilde Directed Bernadette Clemens July 14-31, 2016 Oscar Wilde fans the flames of Edwardian social change with his typical adroitness. Comedy and manners offer a tongue-lashing, suspenseful assault on Victorian values. An attractive stranger invades the domestic bliss of Lady & Lord Windermere, and her past has the potential to drastically alter their future. Lord Darlington plays a hand. All bets hinge on chance, fate, accident... and a fan. The Woman Hater - U.S. Premiere! By Fanny Burney Directed Christine McBurney August 18-September 4, 2016 An absurdly satirical indictment of the excesses of both men and women, this 1802 comedy remained unproduced until 2003. When Sir Roderick is jilted by Lady Smatter, he proclaims himself a woman-hater and is determined to keep his young heir away from the opposite sex. Identities are mistaken, social pretensions are deliciously exposed, and the gender constructs of wifely and daughterly duties are boldly upended — bringing forth a new kind of heroine. You can sponsor <http://www.mamaitheatreco.org/#!tickets/cvvh>, join our mailing list <http://www.mamaitheatreco.org/#!tickets/cvvh> or purchase tickets <http://www.mamaitheatreco.org/#!three-sisters/cguq> online! TICKETS: <http://sic.brownpapertickets.com/>www.mamaitheatreco.org or 440.394.8353 Adults: $22 Seniors (65 & older): $20 Students (25 & under): $15 Mamai Theatre Company was co-founded in 2010 by Bernadette Clemens, Wendy Kriss, Christine McBurney, and Derdriu Ring. Mamai (pronounced Mah' may) is the Gaelic word for “mother.” Four working mothers, theatre artists, colleagues, and friends arrived at a place where it was time to create opportunities for themselves and their community. “Don’t wait to create” became the inspiration for Mamai Theatre Company. Our mission is to create intelligent, relevant classical theatre that offers an artistic home for Cleveland's theatre artists, and equal opportunity for women in the professional theatre community. In 2013 The Plain Dealer announced, “Mamai Theatre Company...has made a howling entrance onto the city’s artistic scene” and named their inaugural production, Medea, a top-10 theatre event of the year. In 2014 LandofCleve.net added, “In only a few short years, Mamai Theatre Company has established themselves as a major player in the Cleveland theatre community." We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. ###

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Tickets still available for Claus for a Moment
by Dan Folino via NEohioPAL 09 Dec '15

09 Dec '15

*HOMEWRECKER PRODUCTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH BLANK CANVAS THEATRE PRESENT...* *Claus for a Moment* *Written and Performed by Jeff Glover* *Directed by Dan Folino* *ONLY TWO PERFORMANCES!!!* *MONDAY DECEMBER 14th at 8pm * *TUESDAY DECEMBER 15th at 8pm* *It's Santa's busy season, but he's taking a few minutes out of his day to set the record straight on some Christmas legends gone astray. A holiday tale of love, family, violence and sex. * * Leave the little ones at home.* *VISIT THE FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE BY CLICKING* HERE!!! <https://www.facebook.com/events/933906766688581/> *GET YOUR SUPER CHEAP TICKETS NOW BY CLICKING HERE!!! <http://www.blankcanvastheatre.com/other-event-tickets/>* -- ~df

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Final 2 weekends for comedy BOB: A LIFE IN FIVE ACTS
by convergence-continuum via NEohioPAL 09 Dec '15

09 Dec '15

BOB: A LIFE IN FIVE ACTS, NOW ONSTAGE AT CONVERGENCE-CONTINUUM. JUST 2 MORE WEEKENDS TO SEE WHAT AUDIENCES AND CRITICS AGREE IS A REAL HOOT! playwrights wit has found its voice. And con-con is the perfect place for Bob: A Life in Five Acts to be heard. the result is hilarious. comic timing is perfect and the brilliant little piece of interpretive dance each actor is asked to perform in the course of the play adds a lovely layer of absurdity. (Bob Abelman, Cleveland Jewish News) If your humor runs the course between outrageous and farcical, this is the perfect show for you. ... It is minimalist theater done to perfection as Bob takes you on a trip you will not forget. (Mark Horning, ASX / Examiner.com) "the show succeeds on all levels -- it's funny and heartwarming and weird and shocking all at the same time." "the perfect blend of comic character actors." (Rich Stimac, InTheLandofCleve) Born and abandoned in the bathroom of a fast food restaurant, Bob energetically embarks on an epic journey across America and encounters a host of larger-than-life oddballs along the way, all struggling to find their own places in the hullaballoo of it all. Will Bob's wacky life ever be able to live up to his dream? BOB is a rip-roaring comedic exploration of the American Dream, the risky pursuit of happiness, and discovering what it means to be truly "great." BOB runs Thu-Sat at 8 pm through Dec 19 at the Liminis theater, 2438 Scranton Rd, Cleveland 44113 in the historic Tremont neighborhood. Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 seniors (65+), $10 students. Reservations at http://convergence-continuum.org or 216-687-0074. Read the full reviews at: http://m.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/bob_abelman/con-con-s-delightfu… http://inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2015/12/cleve-review-lively-bob-life-i… http://www.axs.com/convergence-continuum-s-bob-is-a-trip-through-the-life-f…

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A Christmas Story Celebrates the Season with InsideCPH Event This Saturday
by Natalie Ault via NEohioPAL 09 Dec '15

09 Dec '15

A Christmas Story Celebrates the Season with InsideCPH Event This Saturday Cleveland Play House’s record-breaking production of A Christmas Story, running now through Dec 23, includes the fun and FREE InsideCPH event, Behind-The-Scenes: Kids Say the Darndest Things on Saturday, December 12 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in the Helen Theatre. Join the child actors from A Christmas Story for hot chocolate, cookies, and an acting workshop that will be fun for the entire family. We triple-dog-dare you. RSVP required at www.clevelandplayhouse.com<http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com>

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CPT is now Requesting Proposals for 16/17 Season
by Caitlin Lewins via NEohioPAL 09 Dec '15

09 Dec '15

Dear Northeast Ohio artists, CPT is planning the 2016-2017 Season, and once again we are reaching out to you for great ideas. CPT is focused on new work that is surprising, unexpected and somehow outside the realm of conventional theatre. CPT is looking for proposals from Northeast Ohio artists for complete projects. Proposals may be for world premieres, second or third US productions, radical re-envisionings of classic plays or other projects. The show could be your own show or a script you would like to work on. Based on the success of past co-productions and our Big Box series, we are also interested in creating opportunities for artists and groups that would like to retain greater ownership of projects and who can share risk with CPT. Before sending a proposal: * Take time to look at CPT's recent seasons-these are excellent examples of our programming choices. Click Here for the Season Archive<http://www.cptonline.org/performances/seasons/>. * Get a sense of CPT's aesthetic and artistic sensibility-if you haven't seen a lot of shows at CPT, talk to people who have. * Keep in mind CPT's financial limitations. * If this is new/original project, think through its current state of development-is it still in early development or at the right moment for full production? Submitting a Proposal Proposals of complete projects should be 1-3 pages long, not including script or work samples, and must include: * a one page summary of the project: including why this project fits CPT's mission and why it's important to you as an artist * your sense of what state the project is currently in and a general plan to bring it to completion * a resume for all primary artists involved * additional materials that will help us get a sense of the project: copy of proposed script, sample of past work, video, etc. * please mention if you are interested in co-producing options Deadline for proposals is January 18th, 2016. If you are submitting an idea for a play that is already written by an outside artist, please keep in mind that others may be proposing the same script (For example, just because you are suggesting the script does not mean that you have dibs on doing it at CPT). Please be aware that CPT does not comment on why proposals are not selected. We occasionally make subjective artistic suggestions related to a project if we are asked to give feedback. Please send your ideas electronically to CPT's New Play Associate, Caitlin Lewins at clewins(a)cptonline.org<mailto:clewins@cptonline.org>. Subject line: your name and "Season Proposal" - for example: Jane Smith, Season Proposal. Please post videos to VIMEO or other website and send link with proposal. Thanks, Caitlin Lewins New Play Associate Caitlin Lewins New Play Associate Cleveland Public Theatre 6415 Detroit Ave Cleveland OH, 44102 (216) 631-2727 x211

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