December 2018 - NEohioPAL - lists.neohiopal.org

It’s time for “Good Evening Cleveland “
by Alex P. Michaels 10 Dec '18

10 Dec '18

It’s time for “Good Evening Cleveland “ Prelude2Cinema is handling marketing and sponsorship for 5 Producers who have launched a new Talk show "Good Evening Cleveland." The show will be taped and launched on TV in Ohio and other markets and online this month In order to submit for awards for 2019. If you would like to part of the small audience, please send us a message. We are only inviting about two dozen people. If you are interested in sponsorship, let us know ASAP at goodeveningcle(a)prelude2cinema.com. Shooting takes place from 7pm to 9:30pm Saturday December 15th, 2018. Like the Facebook page to stay in the loop https://m.facebook.com/goodeveningcle/ Sincerely, Alex P. Michaels Cleveland Cinema Czar Prelude2Cinema http://www.prelude2cinema.com "Starving Artists 2 Working Artists” Join our New Social Network http://www.blockcityp2c.com/

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Free improv workshop at CVLT
by Tracy Cubbal 10 Dec '18

10 Dec '18

*Free Discover Improv Workshop* Thursday, December 13, 6:30 - 7:30 pm Chagrin Valley Little Theatre 40 River St. Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 Experienced improvisers from improv troupe River Side Valley Players will guide you through basic games and exercises designed to introduce you to what improv is all about: listening, communication, creativity and fun! Stay afterward to enjoy a glass of wine and a brief performance by RSVP. Please reserve a slot at least one day in advance by sending an email to improv(a)cvlt.org.

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Review of "Avenue Q" at Blank Canvas Theatre
by Bob Abelman 09 Dec '18

09 Dec '18

Wrong hands, warm heart defines Blank Canvas’ ‘Avenue Q’ Bob Abelman Cleveland Jewish News, The News Herald, The Morning Journal Despite being rooted in pop culture specific to the show’s original Gen-X audience – where a takeoff of 1970s children’s television drives the comedy, Muppet-like creations take to the stage, and a fictionalized Gary Coleman is a main character – the Tony Award Triple Crown-winning “Avenue Q” (Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book) is remarkably durable. The show’s endurance is no doubt due to Jeff Marx, Robert Lopez and Jeff Whitty’s hilarious script and gentle melodies (Lopez has since penned the score for “The Book of Mormon” and “Frozen”), but mostly it is the intriguing juxtaposition of adorable “Sesame Street”-like hand puppets being foulmouthed, simulating sex and singing politically incorrect songs (“Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist”), all while their human handlers are in full view. And it is in the handling of these puppets, well designed by Dave Haaz-Baroque, Noah Hrbek and director Patrick Ciamacco, where this Blank Canvas production falls short. For more of this article, go to www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/bob_abelman/

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KARAMU THEATRE AUDITIONS
by lillianpyles＠roadrunner.com 09 Dec '18

09 Dec '18

AUDITIONS AUDITIONS FOR 2018/19 THEATRE SEASON Sunday, December 16 at 6PM – 8PM Monday, December 17 at 7PM – 9PM NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS Seeking Equity and non-Equity actors for the following 2018/19 theatre season plays: Tennessee Williams Plays The Velocity of Autumn Elton John & Tim Rice's Aida All roles are available. Performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, ages, as well as performers with disabilities are encouraged to attend every audition. If you are unable to attend the audition, please email your headshot and resume to casting(a)karamuhouse.org along with a request to submit a video audition. Please make note of your union status when submitting. APPOINTMENTS For an appointment, please submit the following materials information to casting(a)karamuhouse.org: • a current headshot and up-to-date resume with accurate contact information • the SHOW(s) and ROLE(s) you would like to be considered for (see below for BREAKDOWNS) • your current status with Actors' Equity Association union (i.e. AEA/non-AEA) TWO BY TENNESSEE WILLIAMS 27 WAGONS FULL OF COTTON Set during the Great Depression, in the midst of the oppressive Mississippi Blue Mountain summer heat, business has not been going well for a cotton gin owner and his young wife. In a desperate attempt to rescue himself from his financial woes, he sets fire to his neighbor’s thriving plantation. Unable to prove the act of arson, the neighbor seeks revenge in the most unconventional of ways. THIS PROPERTY IS CONDEMNED A chance encounter between two young people along a Mississippi railroad amidst the Great Depression leaves them both exposed in ways unimaginable. The young woman’s passionate account of her fragmented family somehow captivates the nervous young man’s curiosity, leaving him wanting more than just a little conversation. PRODUCTION DATES Rehearsals: Jan. 14 – Feb. 13, 2019 * Evening rehearsals run from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM * Sat from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sun from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM Performances: Feb. 14 – Mar. 10, 2019 * Evening performances on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30 PM * Matinee performances on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 PM ROLES** 27 WAGONS Jake Meighan (Male, 45-70, White/Fair-Skinned African-American) - owner and operator of a cotton gin; greedy, and ambitious Flora Meighan (Female, 18-30, White) - the young wife of Jake Meighan; childish and childlike Silva Vicarro (Male, 25-40, Latino/Hispanic) - superintendent of a cotton plantation; dark, intense, clever and intelligent THIS PROPERTY Willie (Female, 16-25, Any Ethnicity) - a young woman in her early teens, world-weary before her time Tom (Male, 25-40, Any Ethnicity) - a young man of 16, wide-eyed, quiet, and observant ** There will be one AEA Contract available for this production. THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN written by Eric Coble 80-year-old Alexandra finds herself in a showdown with her family over where she should spend her golden years. Armed with enough Molotov cocktails to take out the entire neighborhood, she is determined to remain in her Brooklyn brownstone...by any means necessary. Her estranged son Chris, tumbles onto the scene becoming an unlikely and ill-equipped mediator. Wonderfully touching and wickedly funny, this story touches on a sobering dilemma faced by families every day. PRODUCTION DATES Rehearsals: Feb. 28 – Mar. 27, 2019 * Evening rehearsals run from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM * Sat from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sun from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM Performances: Mar. 28 – Apr. 21, 2019 * Evening performances on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30 PM * Matinee performances on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 PM * Special Matinee performances on Thursdays at 1:00 PM ROLES** Alexandria (Female, 55+, African American/Latino) - 80-year-old artistic and vital life force, she is combatting the inevitability of aging and is desperately trying to maintain her independence and dignity despite the decline of her mental and physical capacities; still sees herself as the twenty-something freewheeling bohemian she was and is still sharp, guarded and ready for a fight; warm, sensitive, intelligent and funny underneath a cantankerous hard outer shell; she has barricaded herself in her Brooklyn brownstone to take a stand. Christopher (Male, 45-50, African American/Latino) - Alexandra’s son; a lost soul still looking to find meaning and purpose in his life; a gay New Age drifter; a desert rat who has been estranged from the family and living in New Mexico; very much his mother’s son, he is artistic, funny, highly sensitive and caring; just as combative as Alexandra, he is good with words and not one to easily back down; has always seen himself as the outcast black sheep and is looking to finally do something impactful in his life. ** There will be one AEA Contract available for this production. ELTON JOHN & TIM RICE'S AIDA music & lyrics written by Elton John and Tim Rice book written by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls, and David Henry Hwang An epic tale full of passion, loyalty and betrayal. Enslaved Nubian princess, Aida, finds her heart entangled with an Egyptian soldier who is betrothed to the Pharaoh’s daughter. As their forbidden love blossoms, she must decide if she will give in to her heart’s desire or rise up to be the leader her people need her to be. Featuring a Tony Award-winning score written by Elton John and Tim Rice, this rock musical based on the Giuseppe Verdi opera is a shining example of love that transcends cultural identity. PRODUCTION DATES Rehearsals: Apr. 16 – May 22, 2019 * Evening rehearsals run from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM * Sat from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sun from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM Performances: May 23 – June 16, 2019 * Evening performances on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30 PM * Matinee performances on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 PM ROLES** Aida (Female, 18-40, African-American/Latino) - a beautiful, brave Nubian Princess who is loyal to her people but is torn between her heritage and love for an Egyptian Captain; daughter of King Amonasro. Vocal Range: F5-F3 Amneris (Female, 18-40, Ethnically Ambiguous) - a beautiful and materialistic Egyptian Princess who is the betrothed of Captain Radames; daughter of the Pharaoh; Vocal Range: F5- E3. Radames (Male, 25-45, Ethnically Ambiguous) - an Egyptian Captain and the son of Head Minister Zoser; a strong, handsome, adventurous soldier who falls in love with Aida; Vocal Range: G5- B3. Zoser (Male, 45-70, Ethnically Ambiguous) - the manipulative and evil Chief Minister hungry for power; he attempts to poison the Pharaoh and is father to Radames; Vocal Range: Ab5-F4. Mereb (Male, 16-25, African-American/Latino) - a Nubian slave and servant to Radames; he is faithful to his Nubian heritage and befriends Aida upon her arrival to Egypt; Vocal Range: Bb5-G3. Nehebka (Female, 20-35, African-American/Latino) - a Nubian slave who admires Aida; Vocal Range: E5- A3. Pharaoh (Male, 55-70, Ethnically Ambiguous) - the Leader of Egypt and father to Amneris. Amonasro (Male, 45-55, African-American/Latino) - the King of Nubia and father to Aida. Ensemble (M/F, 16-50, All Ethnicities) - ministers, hand maidens, servants, slaves, workers, merchants. Must be strong singers who move or dance well. ** There will be up to two AEA Contracts available for this production. PREPARATION TENNESSEE/VELOCITY: Please come prepared with two contrasting monolugues. Audition pieces should not exceed 3 minutes. AIDA: Please come prepared with two vocal pieces (uptempo and ballad) in the style of the show. Selections should not exceed 3 minutes. Some actors may be asked to stay the read. Please plan accordingly. Some actors may be invited to an additional dance audition. An Equity Monitor will not be provided. COMPENSATION All actors receive compensation for their work in our productions. Equity members appear under a GA Tier 2 contract. Non-Equity actors receive a modest stipend. OTHER STAGE MANAGERS are also invited to send up-to-date resumes to casting(a)karamuhouse.org. Please make note of your union status when submitting. To be considered for any of the roles above, please email casting(a)karamuhouse.org to set up an audition appointment. Phone calls will not be accepted.

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Audition Notice - The Dancing Wheels Company's 2019-20 Season - immediate opening for male dancer and wheelchair dancer
by Sara Lawrence-Sucato 09 Dec '18

09 Dec '18

The Dancing Wheels Company, Cleveland-based and America’s first, professional, physically integrated dance company, now in its 38th anniversary season, seeks to hire qualified male and female dancers with and without disabilities for the 2019-2020 season. There is an immediate opening for a male dancer and a wheelchair dancer*. The Dancing Wheels Company is a national touring company that works with highly acclaimed choreographers each year. Most recent works include full-length pieces from Donald McKayle, Dianne McIntyre, Nai-Ni Chen, Christopher Fleming, Michael Uthoff, Peter Kalivis, David Rousseve and David Dorfman to name a few. The 12 member ensemble trains together with both stand-up and sit-down wheelchair dancers in an equitable and accessible environment giving equal opportunity for training and employment for all. The preferred candidates should be proficient in ballet, modern and partnering. Experience and training required, must be able to work full‐time and tour throughout the nation. Pay scale is commensurate with experience; paid holidays and vacation time are included. *For wheelchair dancers, candidate must have excellent wheelchair mobility and prior dance experience or willingness to train. Must be able to work full‐time and tour throughout the nation. Where: Dancing Wheels Company Studio, 3030 Euclid Ave., First Floor, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 When: Saturday, January 12, 2019, 11:00 a.m. How to apply: To audition, interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resumé and head shot to Mary Verdi-Fletcher, President/Founding Artistic Director at VFletcher1(a)aol.com. Please visit *https://dancingwheels.org/event/open-audition-for-the-dancing-wheels-company-2-2/ <https://dancingwheels.org/event/open-audition-for-the-dancing-wheels-compan…>* / <https://dancingwheels.org/event/open-audition-for-the-dancing-wheels-compan…> for more information and call (216) 432-0306 to register in advance for the audition.

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Berko review: SHREK @ Beck
by Roy Berko 09 Dec '18

09 Dec '18

*•••••••••••••••••••••••••••* *CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: “Shrek The Musical’ should be an irresistible mix of adventure, laughter, romance and zaniness. In spite of creative appropriate choreography, and at least one standout performance, the production is less than it should be. **www.royberko.info* <http://www.royberko.info>*. ** To read the capsule judgements of the other Cleveland reviewers go to: **www.clevelandtheaterreviews.com* <http://www.clevelandtheaterreviews.com> *••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••*

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Auditions Tomorrow and Tuesday for GODSPELL!!
by Avenue Arts Marketplace & Theatre 09 Dec '18

09 Dec '18

Avenue Arts Marketplace & Theatre announces auditions for GODSPELL (2012 Revised Version) Located at 324 Cleveland Ave. NW Canton, Ohio 44702 SYNOPSIS: A small group of people help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques and a hefty dose of comic timing. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville, is employed as the story of Jesus' life dances across the stage. Dissolving hauntingly into the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, Jesus' messages of kindness, tolerance and love come vibrantly to life. GODSPELL - 2012 REVISED VERSION is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI <http://www.mtishows.com/>www.MTIShows.com <http://www.mtishows.com/> Directed by: Delorna Toy Musically Directed by: Jared Sparks Choreographed by: Sarah Jane Toy Auditions will be held on Monday, December 10th and Tuesday, December 11th All auditioners are asked to prepare 32 bars of music in the style of the show. Please bring sheet music in the appropriate key. An accompanist will be provided. We also ask that you bring a current headshot and resume with you to auditions. Rehearsals will begin on December 17th and will generally take place Sun-Thurs. Performances: March 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, and 23rd at 8pm and March 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th and 23rd at 2pm. CHARACTERS: Jesus (Male, 16+, Tenor) John the Baptist/Judas (Male, 16+, Baritone) Ensemble (Any gender, 16+, SATB) - Followers of Jesus TO SIGN UP FOR AUDITIONS, PLEASE VISIT: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c4bafa82ca3fe3-godspell <https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0c4bafa82ca3fe3-godspell> All questions should be directed to avenueartstheatre(a)gmail.com <mailto:avenueartstheatre@gmail.com>

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Sinatra Birthday Bash at Blu THIS WEDNESDAY!
by dave banks 09 Dec '18

09 Dec '18

This Wednesday night we celebrate the “Chairman of the Board’s birthday!! BluJazz, December 12, at8pm with Michael Sonata and the Dave Banks Big Band! Join us as some of Northeast Ohio’s finest musicians assemble for an unforgettable night of big band jazz as we swing your Sinatra favorites: “ Fly Me to The Moon,” “ I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “ Summer Wind,” “ ome Fly With Me" & more with one of the midwest's finest Sinatra artists- get your tickets today for this special big band birthday show! For reservations, go to: https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com/dave-banks-big-band-ol-blu-eyes-12-12-2… <https://blujazzakron.ticketleap.com/dave-banks-big-band-ol-blu-eyes-12-12-2…>

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CASTING CALL FOR STUDENT FILMS
by Phil Bernstein 09 Dec '18

09 Dec '18

Casting call for two Tri-C student films to shoot in February and March 2019. These films are final projects for students in the program and will be highly polished, suitable for demo reels. Auditions will be held on* Thursday, December 20 from 4:00-5:45 PM*, and *Saturday, December 22 from 12:00-4:00 PM* at the Louis Stokes Wing of the main branch of the *Cleveland Public Library (525 Superior Ave)*. Sides are available by email. *Production title: *Interior (previously under the working title “House”) *Genre: *Mystery, Drama, Horror *Union / Non-Union:* Non-Union *Production Type:* Independent, Student *Project length: *10 mins *Director: *Perry Billett *Producers: *Perry Billett, Phil Bernstein *Audition Location:* Cleveland Public Library *Shooting Location: *Canton, OH (can provide transportation from Cleveland) *Email:* perry.billett(a)gmail.com *Compensation: *No *Synopsis:* An interior designer goes to confront a missing colleague at a client’s house, only to find the house in eerie disarray and his colleague in a state of fear -- but refusing to reveal why. *Character BIOS* *[FRANK/FRANCES]* [ETHNICITY: ANY] [GENDER: ANY] [AGE: 30s-50s] No-nonsense Senior Member an interior design firm. Confronts friend, a Junior Interior Designer, at a client’s house about a project that’s taken weeks longer than scheduled. *[HARRIET/HOWARD]* [ETHNICITY: ANY] [GENDER: ANY] [AGE: LATE 20s] Creatively ambitious young interior designer of the same firm. Forced to serve the Phantom and becomes trapped in the House. Struggles with this isolation. *[PHANTOM]* [ETHNICITY: ANY] [GENDER MALE] [AGE: 30+] [HEIGHT: As tall as possible (6’5”+)] Eerie man who haunts the house and whoever happens to enter it. Charismatic and can lure you into believing him. Plays a sadistic trick on the Interior Design Director. *Production title: *The Summoners *Genre: *Horror, Drama *Union / Non-Union:* Non-Union *Production Type:* Independent, Student *Project length: *10 mins *Director: *Phil Bernstein *Producers: *Perry Billett, Phil Bernstein *Audition Location:* Cleveland Public Library *Shooting Location: *Cleveland Heights, OH *Email:* phil.bernstein115(a)gmail.com <perry.billett(a)gmail.com> *Compensation: *No *Logline:* Two occultists attempt to summon a dangerous supernatural being, but with every failure, each becomes more suspicious of the other. *Character BIOS* *[GWEN]* [GENDER: FEMALE] [ETHNICITY: ANY] [AGE: 20s-30s] A medium obsessed with summoning a powerful, possibly demonic entity. She’s talented and confident, but begins to unravel under the pressure of the ritual. *[ALEX]* [GENDER: MALE] [ETHNICITY: ANY] [AGE: 30s] A mysterious, wealthy man who organized the summoning ritual. He’s initially friendly, but is revealed to be impulsive, aggressive, and dishonest. *KEY DATES* *Auditions:* Thursday, December 20, 4:00-5:45 PM Saturday, December 22, 12:00-4:00 PM at the Downtown branch of the Cleveland Public Library. *Shooting Dates: *Each project will shoot for two weekend nights in late February or early March 2019 *About Us and the Project* We’re both graduates of Case Western Reserve University who are now in our final semester of the Media Arts and Filmmaking program at Tri-C. Our goal is to produce character-focused shorts that can serve as professional-grade additions to both our reel and yours. Our previous work includes two episodes of *Arcadia*, a series of vignettes about a fictional Ohio suburb (episode 1: https://vimeo.com/302758606, episode 2: https://vimeo.com/302751121) and a music video for “Limit” by local rapper C.A.L (https://vimeo.com/300283709)

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Review of "Shrek: The Musical" at Beck Center for the Arts
by Bob Abelman 08 Dec '18

08 Dec '18

Vocals, not visuals, win the day for Beck’s ‘Shrek: The Musical’ Bob Abelman Cleveland Jewish News, The News Herald, The Morning Journal Screen-to-stage productions are a mixed blessing and a diverse lot. While theatrical stagings of live-action films like “Billy Elliot” and “The Producers” need only the addition of a musical score to facilitate the storytelling in the absence of editing, animated films like “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” require elaborate production values to compensate for the lack of computer generated imagery and cinematic artistry. Try as it might with scenic designer Don McBride’s movable set pieces, Brittany Merenda’s often animated projections and Steve Shack’s lighting, Beck Center for the Arts’ production of “Shrek: The Musical” falls short of the film’s visual majesty and the higher-budgeted Broadway and touring productions’ bells and whistles. Rented costumes, augmented by costumer Betty Pitcher, help fill the void but only to a point. Not a problem, for this staging more than makes up the deficit in so many other ways. For more of this article, go to www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/bob_abelman/

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