PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:
10/28/2020
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
CVLT to stream the
coming-out comedy "Matt's First (Real) Thanksgiving" in
November
Subhead: 2019 world-premiere
by local playwright makes encore appearance via the web
Nov. 20, 21, & 22
CHAGRIN
FALLS, OH - Chagrin Valley Little Theatre has, like most
local performance venues, remained 'dark' since March for
health and safety reasons. However, the venerable
non-profit has continued to offer entertainment via the
web while waiting for the resumption of in-person
productions. Having offered two successful streaming
events thus far, CVLT carries on with the archival video
of Matt's First (Real) Thanksgiving, a comedy by
Brandi Eaton. The video will be available to watch on
November 20, 21, and 22. Admission is 'pay-as-you-can' and
viewers can watch at any time they choose throughout the
weekend.
Matt's
First (Real) Thanksgiving made its world-premiere
as a fully staged production on CVLT's River Street
Playhouse stage under the direction of Kourtney Highland
in Fall 2019. The play centers on Matt (Brian Westerley)
who is bringing his boyfriend Jason (Tyler Barhorst) home
to meet his family for Thanksgiving. However, his meddling
Mom (Rose Gabrielle) and traditional Dad (Tom Stephan)
don't yet know that he's gay. Mixing into this holiday
recipe for comedy are Matt's younger sister (Adrienne
Jones), one boozy aunt (Sue Jeromson), his wise and
wisecracking grandma (Laurel Bryant), and an unexpected ex
(Michael Boutell). The result is an heartfelt comedy about
family that'll make you lose your stuffing!
Ms.
Eaton, a Stow-native and CVLT acting alumna, originally
devised the play as a ten-minute play based on the
experience of a friend. Having received good response on
it at the Weathervane Playhouse one-acts festival, she was
encouraged to extend it into a 90-minute one-act, which
received a staged reading in 2018. CVLT was honored to
premiere the first full staging of the complete two-act
play in October/November 2019, when this high-definition
video recording was made.
"Audiences
can expect lot of laughs, some heartfelt moments, and a
slew of fantastic performances," says the
playwright. "Out of the eight performers in the show, five
of them (Brian Westerley, Adrienne Jones, Rose Gabriele
Foti, Tom Stephan, Sue Jeromson) were with this show
through the workshopping process and different iterations
— they know these characters better than I do."
The
admission password for this one-weekend stream can be
purchased by PayPal or credit card at CVLT.org. A $10
minimum is suggested but greater amounts are highly
encouraged, helping CVLT to meet mortgage, utility, and
other obligations during the difficult suspension of all
in-person programming. Although this production includes
adult themes and language, those seeking more
family-friendly entertainment can look forward to CVLT's
encore streaming of the beloved musical ANNIE in December.
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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