FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, June 25, 2021 CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE TO WELCOME AUDIENCES BACK TO THE THEATRE FOR 2021-22 SEASON CPH's dynamic 106th consecutive season will include two world premieres, two reimagined classics, one tour-de-force solo show, and a commitment to amplify stories written by artists of color. (Cleveland, OH) Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Laura Kepley announced today the 2021-2022 mainstage season lineup of plays for the Tony Award recipient's 106th consecutive season. Launching in October 2021, the productions for CPH's dynamic five-play in-person season will start small and grow in size and scale as the season progresses. The plays include: an uplifting solo show with music, a world premiere family friendly holiday musical, a swashbuckling classic filled with camaraderie and adventure, an ancient tale burning with contemporary relevance, and a world premiere family drama. With a commitment to sharing diverse and entertaining stories with Northeast Ohio audiences, CPH's 2021-22 season will include works from Brian Quijada, Jason Michael Webb, Lelund Durond Thompson, Catherine Bush, Emily Mann, and Charly Evon Simpson. CPH Artistic Director Laura Kepley says, "The feel of next season is that of a Homecoming - old friends and new friends coming together in the theatre, reuniting, and rejoicing. Part ritual, part party!" Kepley says, "The guiding artistic vision for next season is to tell life affirming stories that promote and foster resilience, healing, belonging, and joy. Together, we will process the grief, pain, loss, division, and isolation of this past year. The stories and experiences will remind us of our shared humanity and that we are not alone." The anticipated announcement arrives after 15 months of producing and presenting virtual programming to audiences of all ages around the world. Laura Kepley says, "The season will include programming that will uplift hope, possibilities, justice, and pathways to recovery and renewal. These past 15 months have been challenging to say the least, but I am so proud to say the Cleveland Play House never went dark. We kept the metaphoric lights on, creating over 47 hours of virtual theatrical programming and delivering support to our school communities through remote programs and academic learning pods that served over 450 children every day during the pandemic." With the success of CPH's 2020-21 virtual programming reaching audiences around the world, the theatre company plans to provide digitally accessible performances and programming throughout the season. To learn more about Cleveland Play House's 2021-2022 mainstage season, visit www.clevelandplayhouse.com<http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com>. CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE 2021-2022 MAINSTAGE SEASON Where Did We Sit On The Bus? by Brian Quijada Directed by Matt Dickson Oct 23 - Nov 14, 2021 Allen Theatre During a third grade lesson on the Civil Rights movement and Rosa Parks, a Latino boy raises his hand to ask, "Where did we sit on the bus?" His teacher can't answer the question. This autobiographical solo show follows that kid from his childhood to adulthood as he explores his family's history, his identity as a first generation American, and what the world will be like for his future children. Featuring live music that brings together Latin beats, hip-hop, and looping, Where Did We Sit on the Bus is a high energy, tour-de-force theatrical experience that examines what it means to be Latino in America. "An explosion of energy, raw emotion and irresistible storytelling." - Chicago Sun Times *** Light It Up! A New Holiday Musical by Jason Michael Webb and Lelund Durond Thompson Directed by Christopher Windom World Premiere Nov 27 - Dec 22, 2021 Allen Theatre For the holidays, we'll be bringing you a brand new, family friendly musical set in Cleveland! When the annual downtown Christmas tree lighting ceremony takes an unexpected turn, an array of Clevelanders step forward to keep the spirit of the season alive. Light It Up! illuminates the power of love, kindness, and each person's ability to make every day brighter. This world premiere musical features original pop, rock, gospel, and jazz holiday tunes and new arrangements of Christmas favorites by Tony-award winning composer Jason Michael Webb. Light It Up! is a celebration of family, friends, community, and connection. *** The Three Musketeers Adapted by Catherine Bush from the classic novel by Alexandre Dumas Directed by Laura Kepley Feb 5 - 27, 2022 Allen Theatre Get ready for exhilarating action that will have you cheering "All for One and One for All!"! The Three Musketeers, an adventurous tale of brave friends fighting injustice, is jam-packed with secret plots, treacherous spies, dazzling swordplay, and sweeping romance. This fast, fun, and fresh production directed by CPH Artistic Director Laura Kepley and designed by Lex Liang will feature a diverse cast and combat styles from around the globe. "Adapter Catherine Bush has streamlined and tweaked the plot of the 1884 novel by Alexandre Dumas. Her storytelling is crystal clear, though, as she gallops through the story's swirl of intrigues." - Orlando Sentinel *** Antigone Freely adapted by Emily Mann from the play by Sophocles Directed by Lauren Keating Mar 5 - 27, 2022 Outcalt Theatre An epic tragedy reimagined. In a dystopian near future, a war-torn nation struggles for peace and unity. The newly appointed leader, Creon, stands for law and order. But her niece Antigone kneels for justice. Neither will yield and a fatal battle of wills rages. Pushed to extremes, who will bend and who will break? This high-stakes timeless tale burns with contemporary relevance, as age and youth clash over the future of their country. CPH's 2020 production of Antigone was in its second week of rehearsal when it had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Featuring Mariah Burks as Antigone and Vanessa Morosco as Creon, CPH is pleased to bring this production back to the intimate Outcalt Theatre for the 2021-22 season. *** I'm Back Now by Charly Evon Simpson World Premiere Apr 30 - May 22, 2022 Allen Theatre Inspired by Cleveland's past, present, and future, I'm Back Now is a loving and tender family drama that transcends time and space. Sara journeys to Cleveland to meet her birth mother, Elle, and discovers that they are descendants of Sara Lucy Bagby, the last person ever prosecuted under the Fugitive Slave Act. Traveling through time from the 1860s to today, the play weaves together the lives of three generations of one Cleveland family. This play was commissioned by Cleveland Play House in 2020 through the Roe Green Fund for New American Plays. *** Additional events and programming to be announced in the fall include CPH's annual New Ground Theatre Festival, as well as a production of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, performed by the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program Class of 2022. TICKETING & PERFORMANCE INFORMATION Performances for the 2021-22 mainstage season run Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 pm, and select Tuesdays at 7:00 pm. (Titles, dates, and times are subject to change.) To guarantee seats to all productions, audiences are encouraged to become a CPH Subscriber. Subscribers save up to 30% off individual ticket prices and receive benefits, discounts, and perks throughout the season. Full and flexible season packages begin at just $120. Subscription sales begin August 15. Single tickets for all mainstage productions go on sale September 1. For more information about purchasing a subscription or to receive more information, visit www.clevelandplayhouse.com/subscribe<http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/subscribe>. ###