2017 NEW GROUND THEATRE FESTIVAL MAY 11 - 20 | Cleveland Play House Sponsored by Honorary Producer Roe Green The 2017 New Ground Theatre Festival (NGTF) will mark Cleveland Play House's 12th annual showcase of new theatrical works. As in years past, offerings include a mixture of fully produced productions and play readings in their infancy-all by groundbreaking and nationally recognized playwrights. Part of the New Ground Theatre Festival's mission is to offer playwrights the opportunity to test new work in front of an audience for the very first time, which gives Cleveland audiences the chance to witness the birth of these incredible new contributions to American Theatre. Get tickets and learn more: 216-241-6000 | clevelandplayhouse.com/shows/new-ground-theatre-festival<http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/shows/new-ground-theatre-festival> Full descriptions and NGTF schedule are below Disney's Freaky Friday Mainstage Anchor Production book by BRIDGET CARPENTER music and lyrics by TOM KITT & BRIAN YORKEY based on the novel Freaky Friday by MARY RODGERS and the WALT DISNEY motion pictures directed by CHRISTOPHER ASHLEY Apr 15 - May 20 | Allen Theatre When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again before mom's big wedding. Freaky Friday, a new musical comedy based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers and hit Disney films, is a hilarious, contemporary update of an American classic in which a mother and daughter really see what it is to be a family and experience each other's lives first-hand, if only for a day. These Mortal Hosts Fully-Produced World Premiere written by ERIC COBLE directed by LALEY LIPPARD May 11 - 20 | The Helen What happens when you discover you're not alone in your body? In this world premiere play, Cleveland writer Eric Coble takes us to the tiny town of Dove Creek, Colorado, where three seemingly random locals find themselves at the center of mysteries-and potential miracles. As their lives become increasingly linked, the line between faith and madness begins to thin, and these former strangers hurtle down a course of life-changing proportions. The Chinese Lady Staged Reading written by LLOYD SUH, recipient of the 2017 Roe Green Award directed by LAURA KEPLEY May 20 | The Helen In 1834, Afong Moy is brought to United States from Beijing and put on display as the "Chinese Lady" for the American public. Over the next 55 years, she performs an ethnicity that both defines and challenges her own view of herself as she witnesses stunning transformations in the American identity. Inspired by the true story of America's first female Chinese immigrant, playwright Lloyd Suh unearths hidden history and spins a tale of dark poetic whimsy. The Nolan Williams Project Concert Reading of an Original Musical written by NOLAN WILLIAMS, JR. directed by ROBERT BARRY FLEMING May 20 | Outcalt Theatre To make his next big deal, an up-and-coming Philadelphia real estate developer needs to acquire-and level-a beloved family-owned soul food establishment. But as he's taken through the restaurant's incredible 100-year history, the present becomes entwined with the past, and the tale emerges of the escaped southern migrants who risked everything to build and celebrate their new life up north through cooking. With a live band on stage, cast members will perform select songs from this dynamic new score composed by American songwriter Nolan Williams, Jr., an emerging new voice in musical theatre. Behind-the-Scenes of New Ground - FREE events Cleveland Play House Compassionate Arts Remaking Education (CARE) Monologues May 13 | 5 p.m. In this special Behind-the-Scenes event, you will learn more about the CARE program, screen a selection of the monologues performed by professional actors, and hear from CPH's artistic and educational staff about the entire process. If schedules align, participating playwrights may join. Cleveland Play House has commissioned 16 playwrights to create 32 monologues for our prestigious CARE curriculum. Funded by the US Department of Education, CARE aims to provide scholars in urban school districts with high quality theatre education programs, while improving English language arts skills and social emotional competencies. The monologues were developed specifically with our Cleveland Metropolitan School district students in mind and explore a wide range of emotions including joy, pride, despair, worry, and anger. Playwrights include Eric Coble, George Brant, Rajiv Joseph, Kirsten Greenidge, Lloyd Suh, Marcus Gardley, Idris Goodwin, Dominique Morisseau, Karen Zacarias, Kimber Lee, Kristoffer Diaz, Laura Schellhardt, Lisa Loomer, Matthew Lopez, Philip Dawkins, and Tanya Saracho. Conversation with Lloyd Suh, 2017 Roe Green Award Winner May 20 | Allen Theatre Lobby | 1:30 p.m. Named for New Ground Theatre Festival Honorary Producer Roe Green, the annual Roe Green Award brings the country's best playwrights to Cleveland to develop new work. Join this year's winner and CPH Artistic Director Laura Kepley for an intimate and insightful discussion with this acclaimed playwright. NGTF Schedule Thursday, May 11 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. Freaky Friday | Allen Theatre 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. These Mortal Hosts | The Helen Friday, May 12 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. Freaky Friday | Allen Theatre 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. These Mortal Hosts | The Helen Saturday, May 13 2:30 - 5:00 p.m. Freaky Friday | Allen Theatre 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. These Mortal Hosts | The Helen 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Behind-the-Scenes: CARE Monologues 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. Freaky Friday | Allen Theatre 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. These Mortal Hosts | The Helen Sunday, May 14 2:30 - 5:00 p.m. Freaky Friday | Allen Theatre 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. These Mortal Hosts | The Helen Thursday, May 18 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. Freaky Friday | Allen Theatre 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. These Mortal Hosts | The Helen Friday, May 19 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. Freaky Friday | Allen Theatre 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. These Mortal Hosts | The Helen Saturday, May 20 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Behind-the-Scenes: Conversation with Lloyd Suh | Allen Theatre Lobby 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Freaky Friday | Allen Theatre 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. The Chinese Lady | The Helen 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. Nolan Williams Project | Outcalt Theatre 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. Freaky Friday | Allen Theatre 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. These Mortal Hosts | The Helen Get tickets and learn more: 216-241-6000 | clevelandplayhouse.com/shows/new-ground-theatre-festival<http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/shows/new-ground-theatre-festival>