PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 6/15/2020

Contact: Andrew Rothman
From: Chagrin Valley Little Theatre

40 River Street
Chagrin Falls, OH 44122
Phone: 440-247-8955
E-mail: cvlt@cvlt.org
Website: www.CVLT.org
PRESS PHOTOS: www.CVLT.org/promo

The show must go on as Chagrin Valley Little Theatre takes “The Turn of the Screw” to the web, June 25 & 26

Subhead: Heeding social-distance guidelines, CVLT premieres its first digital performance

CHAGRIN FALLS, OH - Like many local arts groups, Chagrin Valley Little Theatre was forced to make broad changes to its schedule this year, cancelling the remainder of its milestone 90th Season. However, their planned production of THE TURN OF THE SCREW by Jeffrey Hatcher, adapted from Henry James’ eerie 1889 novella, will carry on in the digital realm this month. The classic yarn about the looming dread of an unpredictable and invisible evil is an unexpectedly appropriate piece for the moment.

CVLT will present Hatcher’s play to an online audience on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27. A $13 admission, purchased via credit card or PayPal at CVLT.org, will give audience members password access to a private page in the Little Theatre’s website on which they may view the specially pre-recorded performance at their convenience on either date.

The Turn of the Screw has been adapted many times for radio, film, stage, and television (most recently in January 2020 for the big-screen release The Turning). It is the supernatural tale of a new governess hired to care for two orphaned children at an English manor. After arriving, she begins to see the ghosts of her predecessor and the estate’s former valet, each of whom died under mysterious circumstances. Both the governess and the audience begin to question whether these spectres are real or a figment of her imagination.

Hatcher’s unique adaptation is written with just two actors and a sparse stage in mind. Director Laurel Bryant cast Cleveland State University Theatre graduates Jamie Satterfield and her partner Steven Livingtson in the roles after auditions at the end of February. The couple have many credits in the Cleveland area between them, including work with Convergence-Continuum Theatre and Lakeland Civic Theatre. While many other shows were halted, the trio pressed ahead.

“Not being able to work at a theatre during this challenging time has been incredibly difficult,” said Ms. Bryant. “Theatre is my outlet. It gives me life, spirit and joy. But I have also discovered that it is my experiences in theatre that are helping me get through this year. The theatre community is no stranger to thinking outside of the box, being prepared, adapting, and taking care of the other actors they share the stage with.”

Having a cast two actors who live in the same home proved serendipitous once the pandemic arose, allowing rehearsals to proceed without additional risk or travel. After the originally planned three-weekend live run had to be scratched, the publisher gave CVLT special permission to stream the play online for a limited time.

Satterfield and Livingston will perform the play for the camera on CVLT’s River Street Playhouse stage at 56 River Street in Chagrin Falls. The online format, however, will offer every audience member an up-close seat (and the most convenient parking ever!)

“Prepared with scripts, masks, and hand sanitizer, we had our work cut out for us stepping foot back onto the stage,” said the director, “but it felt like coming home again.”

CVLT anticipates more online events to come. “We are working creatively to remain a safe, viable venue for our patrons and the community,” says CVLT’s President Julia Wolff. “We are negotiating with several drama publishers to secure the rights to present additional virtual programs and continue to discuss our options as we move into the autumn and beyond.” CVLT has already secured permission for an encore streaming of Jeff Baron’s Visiting Mr. Green, which starred Don Edelman and Krystopher Perry under Carol Jaffee Pribble’s direction in 2016, as a donation-based online event on July 25 and 26.

Wolff encourages public support of the theatre during this challenging time. Although the buildings are closed, funds are needed to maintain the Main Stage and River Street Playhouse buildings, along with the reduced staff. She pointed out that the CARES Act passed by Congress allows for additional above-the-line federal tax deductions for charitable gifts of up to $300 and can be claimed even if you are not itemizing on your 2020 tax return.

Chagrin Valley Little Theatre is located at 40 River St. in Chagrin Falls and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded through individual and corporate contributions along with a grant from the Ohio Arts Council and by the citizens of Cuyahoga Country through Cuyahoga County Arts and Culture.

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