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REVIEW: Molly Sweeney at Akron's Weathervane Playhouse
by Tom Wachunas 14 Nov '18

14 Nov '18

At the Site of Seeing By Tom Wachunas “…they may be everseeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding,…” - Mark 4:12 "Learning to seeis not like learning a new language. It's like learning language for the firsttime." - Denis Diderot What assumptions dowe make about someone’s well-being or world- view? What perceptions informthose assumptions? Do they justify our judgments on the circumstances of thatperson’s life? How do those judgements motivate our actions toward that person?Living, and loving, can be complicated, mysterious, and hurtful. With his 1994 play,Molly Sweeney, Irish playwright BrianFriel gave us a deeply probative and eloquent examination of theseconsiderations. It’s an utterly intriguing parable, generously laden with humorand pathos, about the vexing gap between seeing and understanding. The playvisits an ideological crash site at the daunting crossroads of philosophy,psychology, science, and spirituality - all colliding with life-altering force. Three fascinatingcharacters speak to the audience directly through intertwined monologues thataddress their divergent perspectives on the same story. Here’s the tale,directed by Craig Joseph, of 41 year-old Molly Sweeney (Natalie Sander Kern),blind since early infancy; her well-meaning dreamer of a husband, Frank(Abraham Adams); and Mr. Rice (Brian Newberg), a once famous opthamologist, nowdriven out of seclusion by his whiskey-soaked obsession to restore Molly’ssight. There’s somethingexquisitely appropriate about Craig Joseph’s choice of venue for thisproduction – the 50-seat Dietz Theater in Akron’s Weathervane Playhouse. Theperformance space itself could be taken as a metaphor for how sighted peoplemight assume that for a blind person, living must indeed be a sad condition - boxedin, it would seem, by blackness. The intimate darkness of the room gives way toan uncanny if not ironic effect of magnifying and illuminating even thesmallest of emotive gestures and facial expressions articulated by the actorswho are, in a word, astonishing. A thrilling elementthroughout the evening, thanks to dialect coach Chuck Richie, is the actors’command of their enchanting Irish accents, particularly from Kern and Adams.It’s much less present in Newberg’s speech, though still authentic whenconsidering that the Irish-born character of Mr. Rice spent years forging acareer while living in America (before his marriage fell apart), thus becomingmore Yankee-ized, as Frank so eagerly reminds us at several points. Through a largeportion of the play comprised of flashbacks on the characters’ lives, NatalieSander Kern renders the character of Molly with a palpably luminous countenance.Kern makes Molly Sweeney an effervescent embodiment of charisma, a positivelycontagious presence, and anything but morose – that is, at least until thecathartic eye operation. Her consistently riveting gaze isn’t the vacant lookof someone groping about the world tentatively (she doesn’t use a cane), butrather someone whose eyes sparkle with the shimmer of pure, wonderfulapprehension. In one of the play’s richest passages, she speaks of a favoritelife activity – being immersed in the sea, swimming. Her voice bubbles with joy,tinged with sorrow for sighted folk, when she recalls, “…Just offering yourself to the experience—every pore open and eagerfor that world of pure sensation, of sensation alone—sensation that could notbe enhanced by sight—experience that existed only by touch and feel; and movingswiftly and rhythmically through that enfolding world; and the sense of suchassurance, such concordance with it.” Molly doesn’t see her blindness, soto speak, as a tragic abnormality to be pitied or remedied. Equally captivatingand intense are the performances by Abraham Adams and Brian Newberg in theirroles of Frank and Mr. Rice, respectively. Adams is a dizzying amalgam of boyish bravado,self-doubt, tenderness, mournful frustration, and righteous anger as he recallshis big-hearted but quixotic career pursuits. They include his hilarious storyabout making cheese from Iranian goats afflicted with chronic jetlag. Andthough all his support for the successful outcome of Molly’s surgery isgenuinely ebullient, he doesn’t much like Mr. Rice. No wonder, perhaps.Maybe he sees too much of his own flawed motivations in the alcoholic doctor.In that role, Brian Newberg gives us a punctilious philosopher who quiteeffectively draws us into the angst-riddled disaster that his life had become,and the desperate hope to restore his internationally acclaimed reputation byperforming a miracle on Molly. Molly’s partiallyrestored vision initially leaves her in a short-lived period of giddy hope. Butamid Frank and Mr. Rice’s incessant pressures to educate her in correctlyconnecting to what she can see, itdawns on Molly, and us, that to the men in her life, she’s become an agenda, aproject, not a person. No miracle at all, the cure has forced her out of theecstatic sensory completeness she once knew, becoming instead an infection thatprogressively thrusts her into a state of heartbreaking withdrawal andconfusion. This work of greattheatre may well leave you longing for the same assurance and concordance withthe experience of being alive that Molly savored when swimming. In the end,more than a little heartbroken yourself, you’ll simply want to hug her. Molly Sweeney, in The Dietz Theater at Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane,Akron, Ohio / Friday, November 16 & Saturday November, 17 at 8 PM, SundayNovember 18 at 2 PM / produced and presented by Seat of the Pants Productionsand presented through special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. / tickets$20 - available ONLINE at https://mollysweeney.eventbrite.com www.seatofthepants.org For othercommentaries by Tom Wachunas on local performing and visual arts, please visithis blog, ARTWACH, at www.artwach.blogspot.com

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Final Wknd! VIOLET - November 15-18 at Playhouse Square!
by Theatre 14 Nov '18

14 Nov '18

--------------------------------------------------- VIOLET - final weekend! November 15-18, 2018 Presented by Cleveland State University Department of Theatre and Dance Playhouse Square - The Helen Rosenfeld Lewis Bialosky Lab Theatre, Allen Theatre Complex TICKETS: $5-$15 | 216-241-6000 | www.playhousesquare.org <http://www.playhousesquare.org/events/detail/violet> Tickets are going quickly, so it's highly advised to purchase ahead! VIOLET is a moving production that features show-stopping anthems, ranging from American-roots to folk to gospel. As a girl, Violet was struck by a wayward axe blade when her father was chopping wood, leaving her with a visible scar across her face. With enough money finally saved she's traveling across the Deep South in 1964 towards a miracle - the healing touch of a TV evangelist who will make her beautiful. Although she may not succeed in having the scar on her face healed, Violet is able to repair those scars that are lying deeper than her skin. The show is directed by CSU Associate Professor Holly Holsinger, with music direction by Maria DiDonato. Music is by Jeanine Tesori, with lyrics and book by Brian Crawley. VIOLET is based on "The Ugliest Pilgrim" by Doris Betts. THE CAST The Cleveland State University cast features Raven Monet Bryant, Brooke Myers, Anthony "X" Brown, Sophia Marcella Costanzo, Chace Coulter, Rebekah Ferro, Jordan Ficyk, Brianna Hohenfeld, Frank Ivancic, Steven Livingston, Sullivan Ratcliff, and Ricki Thomas. DATES AND TICKETS Show times are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. $5-$15 tickets are available by calling 216.241.6000, visiting playhousesquare.org<http://www.playhousesquare.org/events/detail/violet>, or at the State Theatre Ticket Office, located at 1519 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. Tickets are also available 60-minutes prior to performances at the Allen Theatre Complex. See website<http://www.playhousesquare.org/events/detail/violet> for additional details on $25 Dinner and a Show packages. THERE IS NO LATE SEATING - please be advised to arrive early! ---------------------------------------------------

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Audition for Anyone Can Whistle at Near West Theatre! Nov 19, 20, 21
by Bailey Pfohl 14 Nov '18

14 Nov '18

Audition for Anyone Can Whistle at Near West Theatre Winter Youth Show: Cast ages 9-15 AUDITIONS: November 19, 20, 21 (pick one day) SHOW RUN: February 15-24, 2019 Book by Arthur Laurents Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Orchestration by Don Walker Directed by Kelcie Nicole Dugger More information at http://www.nearwesttheatre.org/pages/audition or https://www.facebook.com/events/967398126781287/ TIME: 6:30 – 9:30 PM LOCATION: Near West Theatre, 6702 Detroit Ave, Cleveland OH 44102 ABOUT THE AUDITION: Near West Theatre holds group auditions in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. No preparation or preregistration is required. Actors of all experience levels are led through multiple improvisational exercises providing every participant equal opportunity to create through word, movement and song. Auditions focus on the creative process, not the product; on working as an ensemble, not solo. After this first level audition, callbacks will focus on individual roles/songs and working from the script. All individuals should come prepared wearing comfortable clothes to move in, and should arrive 15 minutes early to register. Auditions begin promptly at the designated time. Anyone arriving after the starting time will be asked to audition at the next scheduled time. ABOUT THE SHOW: Written by Stephen Sondheim, Anyone Can Whistle, is an absurdist social satire about insanity and conformity (among a dozen other things!). This legendary cult show is a wacky, intelligent, highly unconventional musical which tells the story of a corrupt mayoress who fakes a miracle to revitalize her bankrupt town and the ill-fated romance between the rational nurse and the easy-going doctor who is determined to enjoy the chaos that it brings. Anyone Can Whistle delivers a poignant message about the importance of the individual in a conformist society – but not before aiming its still-relevant barbs at government, religion, science and anything else that stands in its way! CASTING ALL ROLES: Fay Apple – Female The resilient, young nurse at The Cookie Jar. She falls in love with Hapgood. She is meticulous and practical, but provides a lot of fun throughout the show. Cora Hoover Hooper – Female The rich and greedy Mayor who is hated by her people. Controlling and desperate. J. Bowden Hapgood – Male The new doctor in town who falls for Fay. Hapgood is wild, whimsical, and charming. He is more than meets the eye. Comptroller Schub – Male The town's Comptroller and Cora's right-hand man. He is hotheaded and mean. Treasurer Cooley – Male A former Preacher and the town Treasurer who was tossed out to pasture. Schub's right hand man. Scuzzy, slimy. Chief Of Police Magruder – Male Serves as the Chief of Police and rounds out the trio of Cora's lackeys. He aims to please and gets excited when he does, but he is mostly a day late and a dollar short. Mrs. Schroeder – Female Baby Joan's tough mother. Dr. Detmold – Male The fussy doctor of The Cookie Jar. A very busy man and a bit of a snob. Ensemble Cookies, Deputies, Townspeople, Pilgrims, and more! Can't make it to these auditions? Call Kelcie Nicole Dugger at 216-961-9750, or email kdugger(a)nearwesttheatre.org<mailto:kdugger@nearwesttheatre.org> Near West Theatre 6702 Detroit Ave Cleveland, OH 44102-3014 Phone: 216.961.9750 Fax: 216.961.6381 Box Office: 216.961.6391 info(a)nearwesttheatre.org<mailto:info@nearwesttheatre.org> Visit us online at nearwesttheatre.org facebook.com/NearWestTheatre Instagram & Twitter: @NearWestTheatre Bailey Pfohl Development & Community Engagement Coordinator NEAR WEST THEATRE www.nearwesttheatre.org W: 216.961.9750 x 110 C: 315.374.7289

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DRIVING MISS DAISY WILL AUDITION IN STRONGSVILLE
by patricia dailyda 14 Nov '18

14 Nov '18

Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry; Directed by Chris Bizub Performing: March 8th - 17th, 2019, Fri & Sat @ 8pm and Sun @ 3pm Audition Dates: Mon, Dec 10th, 2018, 6:30 - 9:30pm Tues, Dec 11th, 2018, 6:30 - 9:30pm *Auditions are open - no reservation required* Preparation: Auditions will consist of readings from the script. What to Bring: A headshot and resume A list of your January - March, 2019, conflicts Callbacks: Thurs, Dec 13th, 2018, 6:30 - 9:30pm (Invitation only) Audition Location: Strongsville Senior Center, 18100 Royalton Rd., Strongsville OH 44136 (behind the Target)

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The Gifts of the Magi OPENS in 2 WEEKS!
by fctheatre 14 Nov '18

14 Nov '18

French Creek Theatre<http://metroparks.cc/theatre.php> is pleased to present... THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI Music by Randy Courts Lyrics by Mark St. Germain & Randy Courts Directed by Jacqi Loewy Musical Direction by Jayne Kacik When you have nothing, what do you give the person who is your everything? Such is the plight of Jim & Della, a young, penniless couple in New York City on Christmas Eve. Searching for the perfect present for one another, they discover the richness of their love despite being poor in means. Taken from the short stories of O. Henry, warm your heart and spirit with The Gifts of the Magi. PERFORMANCES November 30 - December 16, 2018 Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30PM Sundays at 3:00PM TICKETS Adults $16-$18 Youth (under 18) $10 Call (440) 949-5200, purchase online<http://metroparks.cc/french-creek-theatre-tickets.php> or visit the FCT Box Office, open 10AM-6PM daily. FEATURING Melissa Anderson Erin Donovan Michael Knobloch Zach Palumbo Carla Petroski Corey Thur

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Final Weekend! New Plays by Faye Sholiton & Robert Hawkes
by Playwrights Local 14 Nov '18

14 Nov '18

Raves for *Above* & *The Silence* in *Land of Cleve: <https://inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2018/11/cleve-review-stark-short-play…>* -- "...intriguing on many levels." -- "Sholiton and Hawkes each have a gift for offering ear-catching language, stark settings, and riveting situations." -- "expert" performances from Nicholas Chokan and James Alexander Rankin. -- "Hawkes compellingly essays [his] role, matched in edgy elegance by actress Anne McEvoy. Ray Caspio makes an indelible impression." --- "The design team transforms the intimate venue into a shadowy sanctuary...[a] top-notch creative staff" ================================= Playwrights Local Presents A Double-Bill of One-Act Plays ABOVE AND BEYOND By Faye Sholiton | Directed by Craig Joseph >> In 1973, two Air Force officers report to their launch center bunker in a state of alert. They could be asked to destroy a distant city, then live with the results. THE SILENCE OF DR & MRS CALIGARI By Robert Hawkes | Directed by Susan Soltis >> The charlatan showman and his "somnambulist" son from Robert Wiene’s classic film, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), are reimagined in a theatrical, cruelly comic setting. ========================= TICKETS & INFO http://www.playwrightslocal.org/above-beyond-the-silence/ FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE https://www.facebook.com/events/1979654042097404/ ========================== SHOWDATES November 2 – 18, 2018 Friday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. & Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Half-price preview: Thursday, November 1 at 7:30 p.m. VENUE Creative Space at Waterloo Arts 397 East 156th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44110 TICKETS $18 Adults | $15 Seniors & Groups | $12 Students Buy Online <http://www.playwrightslocal.org/above-beyond-the-silence/> -- http://www.playwrightslocal.org/above-beyond-the-silence/ (216) 302-8856 | info(a)playwrightslocal.org ================================= ABOVE AND BEYOND Nicholas Chokan……….Marc Garfinkle James Alexander Rankin……….Darren Whitley Megan Slabach……….Stage Manager THE SILENCE OF DR AND MRS CALIGARI Ray Caspio……….Cesare Robert Hawkes……….Dr Caligari Anne McEvoy……….Mrs Caligari JC Cifranic……….Stage Manager CREATIVE TEAM Inda Blatch-Geib……….Costume Designer Walter C Boswell……….Set Designer Marcus Dana……….Lighting Designer Tom Hayes……….Carpenter Beau Reinker……….Sound Designer Lisa L. Wiley……….Prop Designer # # #

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CALL FOR ARTISTS: Borderlight Fringe - Come Play with Us.
by Cathleen O'Malley 14 Nov '18

14 Nov '18

Calling Theatre Artists! Apply to participate in the BorderLight Fringe...Cleveland’s own (and Cleveland-grown) "fringe festival," to take place July 25-28, 2019. https://www.borderlightcle.org/about-the-fringe/ Selected companies will have the opportunity to self-produce their shows in traditional and non-traditional venues on the “fringe” of the BorderLight Festival of International Theatre, energizing and activating the festival with fresh and emerging voices. BorderLight Fringe programming will run concurrently with the BorderLight Festival’s international touring work, collaborations between Cleveland companies and visiting international artists, and free public events—all to take place in downtown Cleveland, July 25-28, 2019. (Yup, that’s right. Mark your calendar.) Deadline to apply is December 15, 2018. THE SELECTION PROCESS The BorderLight Fringe is committed to presenting a wide range of theatrical work. We are looking for everything from devised creations to musical adaptations; from experimental opera to new circus; from physical theatre, to original scripts, to interactive wandering shows, to reimagined classical texts…and everything in between. The inaugural BorderLight Fringe will use a juried selection process—and the application is the first step. Here’s what we’re looking for: * Surprise, innovation, and creative risk-taking in the proposed work * Artistic quality and style of the proposed work and/or work samples * Feasibility of your show’s technical requirements within the Fringe format * Enthusiasm and capacity for self-promotion * Preference for shows 45-60 minutes in length; no shows longer than 90 minutes * An expressed interest in the work of others, being part of the Festival community, and embracing the collaborative spirit of the inaugural BorderLight Festival Perhaps you are a new or emerging artist, and don’t have extensive materials to share – we still want to hear from you. The spirit of the Fringe is one of risk-taking and development, and we are looking to program diverse works that represent a wide range of artistic styles, modes, and points of view. Or perhaps you're a busker, street performer, or pop-up musician who doesn't need a venue space, but is looking for a way to get involved - we'd love to hear from you as well! Contact us at fringe(a)borderlightcle.org. For more information on Participation Fees, Box Office Compensation, Production, and Scheduling, see "Information for Artists" at www.borderlightcle.org/information-for-artists<https://www.borderlightcle.org/information-for-artists> Any questions? Don't hesitate to contact fringe(a)borderlightcle.org and we will get you answers. Consider applying! Cathleen O'Malley Communications + Engagement Director BorderLight Festival of International Theatre 484.554.7789 | cathleen(a)borderlightcle.org<mailto:cathleen@borderlightcle.org> www.borderlightcle.org<http://www.borderlightcle.org/> www.facebook.com/borderlightcle<http://www.facebook.com/borderlightcle><http://www.facebook.com/borderlightcle> @BorderLightCLE<https://twitter.com/BorderLightCLE>

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Fw: News anchor needed
by Bruce Seifert 14 Nov '18

14 Nov '18

________________________________ From: Bruce Seifert <joyfulnoisepro(a)hotmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2018 3:46 AM To: neohiopal(a)lists.fredsternfeld.com Subject: News anchor needed Lakeland College's "Action New Go" is seeking a male co-anchor for a signal broadcast. This yearly broadcast has been a great addition to many resumes over the past 3 years. The scheduled male co-anchor has had to withdraw for personal reasons, leaving us in need of a replacement. Taping is scheduled for Monday Nov. 19th, so your timely response is needed. Please contact us at the number below for more information. Bruce Seifert Professor, Media Studies Lakeland Community College (216) 926-6560

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Wandering Aesthetics's Presents: Bigger Than a Breadbox: Akron's Legends of Tomorrow.
by Nicole Romo 14 Nov '18

14 Nov '18

Wandering Aesthetics' Bigger Than A Breadbox: Akron's Legends of Tomorrow Saturday, November 17th, 2018 @ 7:30 PM Bricco Prime (4315 Manchester Rd, Akron, OH 44319) Doors/Vendors 6:00 PM Performance 7:30 PM ...the future is ART... Join Wandering Aesthetics for another rendition of Bigger Than A Breadbox, Akron’s rousing variety show. “Akron’s Legends of Tomorrow”, the third #AkronBreadbox <https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/akronbreadbox> production, features a diverse array of artistic talent as they explore legends in Akron, from past to present. This live vaudeville performance explores Akron’s cultural heritage and celebrates those artists who work to preserve it. Featuring music, comedy, poetry, art (and a few surprises), this variety show has something for everyone! THE ACTS: Deb <https://www.facebook.com/debzep> Zep & BZ (Brian <https://www.facebook.com/bzdug>) Douglas (Music/Storytelling) Benjamin Rexroad <https://www.facebook.com/benjaminrexroad> (Civic Seminar) Gideon Lorete <https://www.facebook.com/gideonpatrick.lorete> (Dance) Joy of Voting (Clowning/Theatre) Nici Romo <https://www.facebook.com/nici.romo> & Kyle Jozsa <https://www.facebook.com/vibratingsoul> Yoly Miller <https://www.facebook.com/justyoly> (Poetry) Gum-Dip Theatre <https://www.facebook.com/gumdiptheatre/> (Theatre/Movement) The Wild Embers <https://www.facebook.com/Thewildembers/> (Music) Emcees: Madame Payoh & Uncle Willie (AKA Mercy Littell <https://www.facebook.com/Mercedes.Littell8706> & Matt Dodds <https://www.facebook.com/matt.dodds.12>) The Vendors: Zae & Sam Bath Bombs CJ's Shimmering Sensations VIP <https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629199020444505/> S. E. Cowley <https://www.facebook.com/S-E-Cowley-886576291514932/> Art Tarot Card Reading -- *Nici Romo* Managing Artistic Director Dunamis Theatre

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Free Staged Reading | Thursday, 11/15 @ 7:00 pm
by Playwrights Local 14 Nov '18

14 Nov '18

Playwrights Local Presents A Free Staged Reading and Potluck Reception *New Short Plays from Our Recent Workshop* *“Who’s on Stage? Workshop for Beginning Playwrights”* *Hosted by class instructor Dr. Mary E. Weems* Thursday, November 15 @ 7:00 pm Creative Space at Waterloo Arts 397 East 156th Street, Cleveland, OH 44110 *Featured Playwrights* Victor Aume Fred Boswell Jarrett B. Davis Danielle Dixon Diane Kelly Patricia McCorkle Cameron Pfahler Julie Washington Free | Tickets or reservations not required info(a)playwrightslocal.org | www.playwrightslocal.org

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