April 2016 - NEohioPAL - lists.neohiopal.org

PRESS RELEASE: Bette Davis returns to the stage in ME AND JEZEBEL at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre
by Chagrin Valley Little Theatre via NEohioPAL 19 Apr '16

19 Apr '16

*PRESS RELEASE* FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 4/19/16 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Contact: Andrew Rothman From: Chagrin Valley Little Theatre 40 River Street Chagrin Falls, OH 44122 Phone: 440-247-8955 E-mail: cvlt(a)cvlt.org <mailto:cvlt@cvlt.org> Website: www.cvlt.org <http://www.cvlt.org/> PHOTOS available for download at www.CVLT.org/promo <http://www.CVLT.org/promo> Bette Davis returns to the stage in ME AND JEZEBEL at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre CHAGRIN FALLS, OH – Nobody likes to deal with a troublesome house guest who overstays their welcome, yet that's exactly what happened to playwright Elizabeth Fuller, who found herself unexpectedly hosting the legendary Bette Davis for a month in 1985. She turned the experience into a magazine story, a full-length book, and eventually the acclaimed comedy ME AND JEZEBEL. The play opens April 29 on Chagrin Valley Little Theatre's 65-seat River Street Playhouse stage, running Friday and Saturday nights at 8 PM through May 14. Tickets are $12. Elizabeth Fuller was born and raised in Cleveland Heights but moved to Connecticut early in her career as a writer (she has published ten books and is an Op-Ed contributor to the New York Times). As a Bette Davis fan since childhood, she was starstruck when a chance encounter with a mutual friend led to Davis' appearance as a dinner guest at her house. When the friend was called away on a family emergency the next day and a hotel workers strike in New York closed all of the alternatives, Bette Davis called Fuller and asked if she might stay for a couple of nights. A limo arrived the next morning, with Davis and eighteen pieces of Louis Vuitton luggage, kicking off a thirty-two day adventure, during which the foul-mouthed and irascible star dished on rival Joan Crawford, rode shotgun in the Fuller family's beat-up Toyota, signed autographs at McDonald's, lectured Fuller on her parenting skills, and set the living room drapes ablaze. The juxtaposition of the larger-than-life diva against the ordinary suburban world made for a harrowing month and a bold comedy that has pleased critics across the US and around the world. CVLT's production is directed by Laurel Bryant and stars Lisa Freebairn as Bette Davis and Talia Valline as Elizabeth Fuller. Both actresses have appeared on the intimate River Street stage under Ms. Bryant's direction in the past. Ms. Freebairn, who is a mid-20th century music and movie aficionado with a weekend show on WKHR 91.5 FM, made a similarly biographical appearance as an aging Judy Garland in 2014's "The Property Known As Garland." Elizabeth Fuller still has family in the area and plans to return to the area for the show's closing weekend. Tickets to ME AND JEZEBEL can be purchased online at CVLT.org, or by calling or visiting the CVLT Main Box Office at 40 River Street in historic Chagrin Falls - 440-247-8955. Box Office hours are 1-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. The River Street Playhouse is located at 56 River Street, just west of the main building. The show contains strong language and is not recommended for children. CVLT is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture and supported by the Ohio Arts Council. CVLT is a proud member of the American Association of Community Theatre and the Ohio Community Theatre Association. ###

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Last Meeting of Shaker Film Czar
by via NEohioPAL 19 Apr '16

19 Apr '16

LaunchHouse is moving out of Shaker and the Shaker Film Czar office is closing. LAUNCHHOUSE IS NOT CLOSING, JUST MOVING. Prelude2Cinema Inc. will continue and will be moving with LaunchHouse and is inviting people to find out about our Crusade for a Cinema Industry. "The Show Must Go On." Prelude2Cinema will talk about its future and upcoming casting for new movies. Friday April 21st at 6:30pm Free event, but please RSVP. https://www.facebook.com/events/214128318966711/ Sent from Windows Mail

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THIS SATURDAY Near West Theatre invites YOU to a Community Conversation: Race in America and "Show Boat"
by Kelcie Dugger via NEohioPAL 19 Apr '16

19 Apr '16

YOU'RE INVITED to this FREE EVENT! COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: Race in America and "Show Boat" SATURDAY, APRIL 23rd from 2:00pm-4:00pm Location: Near West Theatre<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=00168nYvCEePJMbe7qN9qeVZ0o6oMS7Sebcw2fQa2KmG8uX…>, 6702 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102 JOIN US for this next installment in our Community Conversation series, where we explore the themes and messages of the productions of Near West Theatre. This Community Conversation features two outstanding community leaders, Bill Rudman<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=00168nYvCEePJMbe7qN9qeVZ0o6oMS7Sebcw2fQa2KmG8uX…>, Artistic Director of The Musical Theatre Project, and Indigo Bishop<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=00168nYvCEePJMbe7qN9qeVZ0o6oMS7Sebcw2fQa2KmG8uX…>, Cleveland Action Strategist and certified social justice mediator. The dialogue will begin with a talk by Bill Rudman focusing on the history of Show Boat and its place in the narrative of early race relations in America. His presentation will then be followed by a facilitated dialogue on race led by Indigo Bishop. ALL are welcome, and admission is FREE! Visit our Facebook Event Page<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=00168nYvCEePJMbe7qN9qeVZ0o6oMS7Sebcw2fQa2KmG8uX…> to read more and to RSVP! (Not required, but it will be great to see who is coming!) We'll see you there!

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BLOOMS OF STEEL, THE MUSICAL Sprouts into Lorain!
by Jeremy Benjamin via NEohioPAL 19 Apr '16

19 Apr '16

The Lorain Historical Society, in partnership with the Lorain Palace Theater and Lorain County Community College¹s Theater Department, is proud to present Blooms of Steel, The Musical, written by Kimberly Aldrich-Ceja, directed by Skip Corris, with musical direction by David Blazer, Friday, April 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 24 at 3 p.m. at the historic Lorain Palace Theater, 617 Broadway Ave., Lorain. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. They are available through The Palace website www.lorainpalace.org or by contacting The Palace Box Office at 440-245-2323. ³We hope that people of all ages attend one of the performances. It is our hope that by rekindling some of the nostalgia for the Lorain of the past, and coming to a better of understanding of its rich tradition and history, the community can find inspiration and motivation to help re-vitalize our City,² says Barb Piscopo, Executive Director of the Lorain Historical Society. ³I found myself singing the songs in my head long after I saw the play,² continued Piscopo. ³The lyrics and the melodies are filled with a haunting nostalgia and others are a rousing cry to rally around our rich heritage and continue the work of re-birthing the City.² Kimberly Aldrich-Ceja, playwright, summarizes the play with the following: Based on the play of the same name, commissioned in 2008 by the Lorain County Metro Parks, Blooms of Steel, The Musical tells the story of the community that grew around the steel mill in Lorain through the family history of fictional steel mill retiree, Emil Hubiak, a recent widower clinging to the last threads of independence. When his grandson moves his family in after losing his posh Florida home to foreclosure, Emil is determined to make their temporary stay permanent by showing them how deeply rooted they are in the city¹s history. While the family attributes his love and loyalty to a once-vibrant and proud city to the ramblings and sketchy memories of an old man, soon, they too are caught up in the magic and resilience of a city on the brink of rebirth and are reminded there really is no place like home. Partial funding for this project is made available through the Ohio Arts Council. For more details about the event and for additional contact information, please call or email Barb Piscopo, Executive Director of the Lorain Historical Society at 440-245-2563 or bpiscopo(a)lorainhistory.org. Jeremy K. Benjamin Director of Theatre Production Manager/Technical Director/Designer Lorain County Community College (440) 366-7120 jbenjami(a)lorainccc.edu -- ³Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift, That¹s why we call it ³The Present.² Anonymous

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Corrected dates times for "The Art of Dining"
by Gloor, Fred via NEohioPAL 19 Apr '16

19 Apr '16

"The Art of Dining" By Tina Howe Directed by Robert Ellis Cal and Ellen are the owners and sole staff of a small, elegant gourmet restaurant. Cal's main preoccupation is paying back the $75,000 it cost to start it up, and that means packing in the customers. Chef Ellen is preoccupied with the food's quality and stopping Cal from sampling the ingredients. The diners act out their own private dramas over dinner and their conversations are exquisite burlesques of contemporary attitudes. There's a sensual middle aged couple who go into paroxysms of ecstasy just reading the menu and then there's three crass chic young career women. Finally, there's Elizabeth, a maladroit, shy and neurotic writer who's dining with her prospective publisher. Her actions and conversation are unintentionally hilarious and a delicious example of how not to act and what not to talk about while dining. Cast: Ellen - Kennedy Ellis Cal - Gordon Hinchen Hannah Galt - Gabi DeFelice Paul Galt - Carter Ellis Elizabeth Barrow Colt - Kaitlyn Levigne Herrick Simmons - Julia Watson Nessa Vox - Jasmine Alshabani Tony Stassio - Liana Chapman David Osslow - Jon Heus Performances are April 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 @ 8:00pm, April 24 & May 1st @ 2pm and April 28 @ 10:30am Tickets: $10 - Adult, $8 Non Tri-C Student & Faculty/Staff. Group rate of ten or more available for $7. FREE for Tri-C students with a valid ID. Tickets can be purchased online by going to www.tri-c.trickets.com<http://www.tri-c.trickets.com> or by calling the Box Office: 216-987-5536 Fred Gloor Tri-C Western Campus Theatre Dept. 11000 Pleasant Valley Rd. Parma, Ohio 44130 216-987-5536 For tickets go to http://www.trictickets.com<http://www.trictickets.com/> Tri-C (r) Where futures begin SM www.tri-c.edu<http://www.tri-c.edu/> [facebook]<http://www.facebook.com/westtheatre#!/tricwesttheatre>

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BEHIND THE MUSICAL--THE FANTASTICS
by Roy Berko via NEohioPAL 19 Apr '16

19 Apr '16

For a preview of BEHIND THE MUSICAL--THE FANTASTICS, go to www.royberko.info

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Tri-C West to open "The Art of Dining" this Friday, April 22nd
by Gloor, Fred via NEohioPAL 19 Apr '16

19 Apr '16

"The Art of Dining" By Tina Howe Directed by Robert Ellis Cal and Ellen are the owners and sole staff of a small, elegant gourmet restaurant. Cal's main preoccupation is paying back the $75,000 it cost to start it up, and that means packing in the customers. Chef Ellen is preoccupied with the food's quality and stopping Cal from sampling the ingredients. The diners act out their own private dramas over dinner and their conversations are exquisite burlesques of contemporary attitudes. There's a sensual middle aged couple who go into paroxysms of ecstasy just reading the menu and then there's three crass chic young career women. Finally, there's Elizabeth, a maladroit, shy and neurotic writer who's dining with her prospective publisher. Her actions and conversation are unintentionally hilarious and a delicious example of how not to act and what not to talk about while dining. Cast: Ellen - Kennedy Ellis Cal - Gordon Hinchen Hannah Galt - Gabi DeFelice Paul Galt - Carter Ellis Elizabeth Barrow Colt - Kaitlyn Levigne Herrick Simmons - Julia Watson Nessa Vox - Jasmine Alshabani Tony Stassio - Liana Chapman David Osslow - Jon Heus Performances are April 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 @ 8:00pm, April 22 & May 1st @ 2pm and April 28 @ 10:30am Tickets: $10 - Adult, $8 Non Tri-C Student & Faculty/Staff. Group rate of ten or more available for $7. FREE for Tri-C students with a valid ID. Tickets can be purchased online by going to www.tri-c.trickets.com<http://www.tri-c.trickets.com> or by calling the Box Office: 216-987-5536 Fred Gloor Tri-C Western Campus Theatre Dept. 11000 Pleasant Valley Rd. Parma, Ohio 44130 216-987-5536 For tickets go to http://www.trictickets.com<http://www.trictickets.com/> Tri-C (r) Where futures begin SM www.tri-c.edu<http://www.tri-c.edu/> [facebook]<http://www.facebook.com/westtheatre#!/tricwesttheatre>

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Making God Laugh
by Rtodd Todd via NEohioPAL 19 Apr '16

19 Apr '16

Looking for a woman to play Lady from her mid-to-late twenties to mid-to-late fifties show to run starting May 6th 7th 13th 14th 15th 20th and 21 rehearsals are Monday Wednesdays and Fridays contact Richard Todd at rtoddassocinc(a)gmail.com

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Review of "The Good Peaches" at Cleveland Play House
by Bob Abelman via NEohioPAL 19 Apr '16

19 Apr '16

When New Ground goes old school with ‘The Good Peaches’ Bob Abelman Cleveland Jewish News, The News Herald, The Morning Journal Member, International Association of Theatre Critics In a keynote speech in 1992, Tisch School of the Arts performance studies scholar Richard Schechner alerted the crowd to the graying of the theatergoing audience. It was time, he noted, for theater artists to reinvent themselves and their art in order to survive. They needed to make theater more attractive and appealing to younger audiences or else, he predicted, it would go the way of other outmoded art forms: “Theater as we have known and practiced it… will be the string quartet of the 21st century.” The Cleveland Play House just proved Schechner’s prediction to be correct. Only theater has not become a string quartet; it has become, in “The Good Peaches,” a 55-piece symphony orchestra. For more of this review, go to www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/.

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Review of "Talley's Folly" at Actors' Summit
by Bob Abelman via NEohioPAL 19 Apr '16

19 Apr '16

‘Talley's Folly’ given a tender rendering at Actors’ Summit Bob Abelman Cleveland Jewish News, The News Herald, The Morning Journal Member, International Association of Theatre Critics Olmsted Falls-born, Catholic-raised, Actors’ Summit-based Keith Stevens sure makes a convincing Latvian Jew. He does so in Lanford Wilson’s romantic comedy "Talley's Folly,” which invites us to eavesdrop on the courtship between two thoroughly mismatched but magnetically drawn soulmates at a boathouse in rural Missouri in 1944. The play begins with Stevens, as 42-year-old Matt Friedman, directly addressing the audience and confiding in his plans for the evening’s entertainment. “If everything goes well for me tonight,” he says, “this should be a waltz… a no-holds-barred romantic story.” Stevens delivers this and all of Matt’s well-structured sentences with their multisyllabic reader’s vocabulary with the Talmudic singsong cadence, over-articulation and assertiveness of an orthodox émigré. He adds to the mix the immediately ingratiating manner of a gentle man who is scarred by a traumatic past, living in a very lonely present, and in desperate need of a more pleasant, promising future. That future is in the arms of Sally Talley, a wealthy “old maid” daughter of a bigoted Protestant textile mill owner. Sally, played with just the right touch of southern gentility and damaged-goods defensiveness by Shani Ferry, is also scarred by a traumatic past and in desperate need to break away from the toxicity of her home on the hill. But she is not at all sure if this “communist infidel” – her father’s words, not hers – or any man is her way out. “Talley’s Folly” – the second of Wilson’s trilogy (“Fifth of July” and “Talley & Son”) about the Talley Family – won the 1980 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, so there is no doubt that this deceptively simple story is a complex, brilliantly told piece of work. The challenge facing any performance of it is doing the foreshadowed waltz with grace and conviction. For more of this review, go to www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/.

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