“Playwrights Local is on a mission. Their aim is to nurture and support playwrights in the Northeast Ohio area. Sometimes, as is the case in their newest offering of Logan Cutler Smith’s *The Panther Dancer*, it works…Director Jimmie Woody uses a variety of brilliant techniques to tell the story, such as straight acting, singing and dancing, videos, and backlit shadow sequences. While the entire cast is terrific, special mention must be made of Anthony Velez…His precision dancing and singing is a wonder to behold. This is real talent on stage and alone is worth the price of the ticket….[*The Panther Dancer* is] a hoot and worth going to see.” -- Mark Horning, *Talkin’ Broadway* *Playwrights Local PresentsA World PremiereTHE PANTHER DANCERA new play by Logan Cutler SmithDirected by Jimmie Woody------------------------------SHOWDATESMay 11 – 26, 2018Thursday, Friday, & Saturday at 7:30 pmHalf-price Preview: Thursday, May 10 at 7:30 pmVENUECreative Space at Waterloo Arts397 East 156th StreetCleveland, OH 44110TICKETS$18 Adults | $15 Seniors & Groups | $12 Studentshttp://www.playwrightslocal.org/the-panther-dancer/ <http://www.playwrightslocal.org/the-panther-dancer/> (216) 302-8856------------------------------The Panther Dancer is an innovative new play that digs deep beneath the iconicity of a childlike American star. A series of inventive vignettes, this knowing parody follows a young wonder as he strives to become, in his own person, the very greatest show on earth. Tracing the arc of his campaign, the play becomes a playful synthesis of biography and tabloid journalism–a sidelong glance at a meteoric rise and a catastrophic fall.CASTAndrea BelserRobert BranchCorin B. SelfKim SimbeckAnthony VelezCREATIVE TEAMStephanie Bahnij...Stage ManagerChelby Benson...Set DesignerInda Blatch-Geib...Costume DesignerWes Calkin...Lighting DesignerTyler Collins...Social Media CoordinatorDrake Crowind...Projection DesignerSusan Dicken...Production ManagerTom Hayes...CarpenterJocelyn Laracuente...Assistant DirectorDavid Todd...DramaturgBrianna Williams...Sound Designer------------------------------COMPANYPlaywrights LocalCleveland, Ohiohttp://www.playwrightslocal.org/ <http://www.playwrightslocal.org/> *