Darwinii at CPT

Argentine Cristobal has stolen the original Charles Darwin manuscripts from rare book libraries around the world. Why? Because he’s convinced he’s the great-great-great-great-bastard-grandson of the father of Natural Selection. As part of his sentence he must deliver a public apology, during which he digresses into a fresh and outrageous take on the evolution of man and the inherent human need to understand his place in society.

By Glen Berger
With story by Glen Berger and Brett Keyser

At Cleveland Public Theatre through March 17th.

Ensemble Theatre in Cleveland Heights, located at the former Coventry Elementary School and proximate to many great entertainment spots and restaurants on Coventry is hosting the Colombi New Play Festival. For more information on the participants in the festival, check out the festival site.

Festival

Colombi New Play Festival

What’s it about?

An American on a foreign business trip, is met at the airport by a hot beautiful colleague. They spend a passionate night together and he feels like he’s in one of those classic American movies where the dashing Yank goes to a foreign land and there’s adventure and romance and a life-changing experience. The next day at the office, however, our jet-lagged hero discovers that it’s not like that at all. It’s more like he’s in one of those bewildering foreign films where nothing makes sense, where there is no moral, and most importantly: NO SUBTITLES!

Details

The Internationalist, written by Anne Washburn, is directed by convergence-continuum’s Artistic director, Clyde Simon, and features actors Ray Caspio, Robert Hawkes, Geoffrey Hoffman, Laurel Hoffman, Tom Kondilas and Laura Starnik.

The Internationalist runs at 8p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through December 17 at the Liminis, 2438 Scranton Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113 in the historic Tremont neighborhood. Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 for seniors (65+) and $10 for students. Reservations and information are available at http://www.convergence-continuum.org and 216-687-0074.

(playing through December 18th on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)

Conni’s Avant Garde Restaurant: Home for the Hollandaise

Conni’s Avant Garde Restaurant is coming to CPT for the holidays with more fun, food and surprises! If you missed this energetic, feel good, eat well, theatre-like-you’ve-never-experienced-it-before production last year be sure to put it on your Holiday to-do list!

Playing Dec 1 – 18th

Thursdays, Fridays Saturday and Sundays – Hors d’oeurves start at 6:30pm
Single tickets $60

*Discounted Table Prices available by phone or in person only

“…it’s wonderful. Energizing. Hilarious. Filling. Maybe Brilliant. …Here’s a guarantee: You have never experienced anything like it. Unless, of course, your mom is a top chef and certifiably insane.” – Christine Howey on Rave and Pan

“Give yourself over to absolute pleasure.” – Tony Brown, The Plain Dealer

Conni’s Avant Garde Restaurant returns to bring you their latest, most important pioneering work. Muffin Character Hanshake, the company’s aging diva, shares her struggles with the career-upending decision to have a child- “Motherhood: That’s a show that never closes!” Her miraculous journey begins with a visit from the Soup Angel, and she is encouraged along her way by the Ensemble. The evening will feature a radical and dark re-interpretation of the Nutcracker Suite by ex-pageant queen, Miss Goodi Two Shoes, a rare Q&A with would-be rock ‘n’ roll hall-of-famer Mrs. Robinson, and instructions on the art of bussing tables from general manager Sue James. Throughout the evening, you will treated to a homemade, five-course meal devised by Cleveland’s own ChefChef BonBon, and holiday cheer dispensed by Doctor Smith and our barkeep Hunter.

*Advisory: For mature audiences only.

MENU
(with local produce subject to availability)

Hanky Panky’s and foccacia topped with ricotta, honey, and pumpkin seeds

Curried butternut squash soup

Warm salad of brussels sprouts and almonds

Roasted turkey with mashed potatoes, sugared carrots, and cranberry compote

Drunken chocolate bundt cake

DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
Conni’s Avant Garde Restaurant is able to accomodate food allergies and vegetarian needs. Please contact the box office to communicate dietary restrictions in your party. (216) 631-2727 or jkosmatka@cptonline.org

For More Information and Tickets Click Here

THE SEAFARER

by Conor McPherson

December 2 – 18, Wednesday through Sunday
Previews: November 30 & December 1
Directed by Scott Miller

Featuring: Bernard Canepari*, Joel Hammer*, Charles Kartali*, Larry Nehring*, and Tom Woodward*

*member of Actors’ Equity Association

Join us for Opening Nite on Friday, December 2 and enjoy a post-show wine & cheese reception.

Synopsis

The Seafarer takes place in the home of two aging bachelor brothers, one blind and on a bender, the other jobless and on the wagon. On Christmas Eve, they hold an all night liquor-soaked game of poker with their menagerie of friends. The arrival of a mysterious stranger drives the action of the evening’s game to the highest stakes imaginable. A Tony award winner, THE SEAFARER is a hilarious and chilling tale of the sea, Ireland and redemption.

Tickets:
Wed/Thu/Sun: $21 regular, $19 senior
Fri/Sat: $26 regular, $24 senior
STUDENTS/Preview tickets: $10

RUSH: $5 (limited # of tickets available no earlier than five minutes before curtain for patrons 21 & under)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.dobama.org

Dobama Theatre
at the Heights Library
2340 Lee Road
Cleveland Heights, OH
(216) 932-3396
www.dobama.org

Dobama Theatre is generously supported by many individual donors, and the following foundations and government agencies: The Cleveland Foundation, Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, The Cyrus Eaton Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, The Milton and Tamar Maltz Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council, and Roe Green Foundation. Dobama Theatre is generously funded by Cuyahoga County residents through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

Dobama Theatre’s mission is to premiere the best contemporary plays by established and emerging playwrights. Through educational and outreach programming, Dobama Theatre nurtures the development of theatre artists and builds new audiences for the arts while provoking an examination of our contemporary world.

HIGHLAND HILLS – Cuyahoga Community College’s (Tri-C) Eastern Campus

theatre department presents ‘‘Night Mother on October 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 8 p.m. and October 16 and 23 at 2 p.m. The Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Marsha Norman will take place in the studio theatre, 4250 Richmond Road in Highland Hills. Eastern Campus Theatre Director Brian Zoldessy will direct the play which features Eastern Campus theatre instructor Joy Borland and local Actors’ Equity Association member Bernadette Clemens.

Marsha Norman received the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama

For her play ‘night, Mother. She has written the book and lyrics for such Broadway musicals as The Secret Garden, which won her a Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical, and The Red Shoes. Norman also wrote the libretto for the musical The Color Purple.

For tickets or more information, call 216-987-2438 or log onto www.tri-c.edu/easttheatre. All tickets cost $10 and are only available at the door. Free parking is available in the B lot on performance nights only.

On Saturday, November 12, 2011, from 9 a.m. until 3:45 p.m., the Ohio Region is hosting DIY: SELF-PRODUCTION FOR PLAYWRIGHTS, LYRICISTS AND COMPOSERS – and those who advocate for them. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

Dramatists Guild of America

Event Location:

The event takes place at PlayhouseSquare, 14th Street Theatre, 2037 East 14th Street, Cleveland, OH 44115. Visit www.playhousesquare.org and click on “Plan Your Visit” for a map and directions.

The program includes:

* A two-hour “Self-Production Primer: Brass Tacks,” with Guild Director of Membership, Roland Tec. Fundamentals of budgeting and scheduling will be mapped out in simply, easy-to-digest terms by Tec, who draws on his 20-plus years of experience as a producer of independent theatre and film. It is meant as an introduction to the more hands-on, in-depth exploration of his all-day “Self Production Boot Camp,” offered every January in the Guild’s New York offices.

*David Faux, DG’s Director for Business Affairs, presents a session on “Author as a CEO.” Learn to maintain and protect your intellectual property portfolio through properly structured licensing agreements.

*David Faux also offers his “Review of the Dramatists Bill of Rights,” the distillation of the rights of all writers as set forth in the U.S. Constitution and the Copyright Act of 1976. These rights have been further defined and bolstered by case law and almost a century of industry practice. They express themselves in specific ways for dramatists. If you write for the stage, you need to know your rights. And this lecture presents them with a minimum of legalese.

About PlayhouseSquare:

PlayhouseSquare is the nation’s second largest performing arts center (after Lincoln Center). They have graciously offered to host the event, as well as conduct an optional tour of the complex following adjournment on Saturday afternoon. For a complete list of performances on the weekend of Nov. 11-13, consult www.playhousesquare.org.

This DIY workshop is offered free of charge, but registration is essential and requested by November 10th. There is ample parking in adjacent lots and free street parking (for those who arrive early enough.) Coffee and snacks will be provided; lunch will be on your own.

For further information or to make a reservation, contact Faye Sholiton, DG Ohio Regional Representative at fsholiton@dramatistsguild.com.

continues its tribute to Stephen Sondheim with
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC!

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, OH — Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory’s Professional Wing presents the Tony Award-winning A Little Night Music, onstage at the Mayfield Village Civic Center October 27 – November 13, 2011. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 7:30 PM and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM. Located at the corner of Wilson Mills and SOM Center Roads, the Mayfield Village Civic Center (6622 Wilson Mills Road in Mayfield Village, OH), is the home of Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory (FPAC)’s theatrical productions. Order tickets on-line at FAIRMOUNTCENTER.TIX.COM or call 440-338-3171. Tickets range from $14 – $25. Group Rates are available. Discounts are available for Mayfield Village residents. All tickets for the Thursday, October 27 preview are only $15!

A Little Night Musicis the second in a two-part “Tribute to Stephen Sondheim” presented by FPAC’s Professional Wing.  Last April’s Company garnered rave reviews, including this accolade from Donald Rosenberg of The Plain Dealer, who proclaimed that FPAC’s Company “bests the New York Philharmonic’s recent star-studded production.”

Based on Ingmar Bergman’sfilm, Smiles Of A Summer Night , A Little Night Music is a witty and urbane musical set in waltz time. One of Broadway’s masterpieces, the romantic and achingly beautiful, A Little Night Music deals with the universal subject of love, in all its wondrous, humorous and ironic permutations. 

Cleveland legend Dorothy Silver will play the wise and observant Madame Armfeldt.  Silver is beloved in greater Cleveland for her outstanding work spanning more than five decades, including her recent tour de force performance in Wings at Beck Center. Her appearance in a musical is a rare and exciting event. A Little Night Music marks a return for Tracee Patterson, who played the acerbic Joanne in FPAC’s Company last spring. Patterson will plumb the depths of an equally complex character, Desirée Armfeldt, the glamorous actress who is loved by one man, while the man she loves seems just out of her grasp.  Desirée Armfeldt sings arguably the most well-known and oft-performed of Sondheim songs—one which he claims to have composed in just ten minutes—the moving “Send In The Clowns.”  Tracee Patterson is acclaimed for a wide range of work locally from The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? at Dobama to Luisa in Nine at Cain Park. Award-winning actor, director and educator Matthew Wright plays the sharp-witted lawyer, Fredrik Egerman, who is Desirée’s former flame—and possibly the love of her life. Matthew Wright*, has numerous credits locally, including the title role of the hit Jerry Springer: The Opera at Beck Center, and as Father in Ragtime at the JCC / Tri C East. He also has appeared at many prominent national theatres including the La Jolla Playhouse, The McCarter Theatre and Trinity Repertory Theatre.

The rest of the principals are rounded out by Anna Bradley (Penny Lou Pingleton in Beck Center’s summer smash Hairspray), Katherine DeBoer (Caroline, or Change at Karamu), James Love (Curley in Oklahoma at Porthouse), Luke Wehner (Roger in Rent at Near West), Natalie Green (Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Beck Center), Eric Fancher (Charlie Brown in You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown at TrueNorth) and Cara Corrigan (Bet in Oliver at Cassidy). Completing the company are the requisite servants: Joiel Bauschatz, Kayla Spira, Jeremy Jenkins, as well as The Liebeslieders, a quintet – William Clarence Marshall*, Claire Connelly, Bernadette Hisey, Justin Williams and Lydia Hall.

Directing this highly anticipated production of A Little Night Music is the notable Fred Sternfeld. Sternfeld, whose numerous and award-winning directing credits include Yellowman (Karamu), Baby (TrueNorth Cultural Arts Center), The Sound of Music and Fiddler on the Roof (Cain Park), Ragtime (JCC/TRI C) and Man of LaMancha (JCC), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Beck Center) and many productions with the Fairmount Center, is also the Artistic Director of FPAC and Director of the School of Theatre at the Fairmount Center for the Arts.

A Little Night Music’s creative team includes musical director David Williams, choreographer Bebe Weinberg Katz, scenic designer Trad A. Burns, lighting designer Ben Gantose, costume designer Craig Tucker and sound designer Carlton Guc. A Little Night Music is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

For more information about Fairmount Center for the Arts, visit www.fairmountcenter.org or call 440-338-3171.

Reposted from NEOHIOPAL

This year, we’re kicking off our season with a new series, Springboard; a Staged Reading Festival that will feature eight new works. I know what you’re thinking – “Oh great, who wants to see a boring stage reading on a Saturday night??” Well, here’s my response…

1.       FREE BEER after the show on Fridays! (This will be happening ALL season too!)

2.       Raymond Bobgan and Chris Seibert will kick off Springboard by performing in the stage reading of Again and Against by Betty Shamieh this Thursday (October 6^th) and Saturday (October 8^th). Yes, you read that right – two powerhouses of talent tackle Shamieh’s beautifully complex script. You can’t miss the very rare occurrence of Raymond being on stage!

3.       Springboard is striving to break the rules of conventional staged readings. You’re not going to see actors just standing and reading a play. Directors, playwrights and actors are making bold, adventurous choices with each piece. Everyone is striving to create the best possible production of the script within the confines of just a few rehearsals and minimal technical support.

4.       You get to see and experience more than Springboard. With a purchased ticket to any CPT performance this fall, you get free admission to Royal Ann’s Preserve, a performance installation created by Faye and Joan Hargate. I experienced this piece at Pandemonium and it is beautiful and moving. It’s in the storefront just east of the box office and will be open a half hour before and after the show. Trust me when I say that it is not to be missed!

5.       Tickets to Springboard are only $10! Or you could purchase a pass to the entire festival for only $30. If you purchase a pass, you can come to the festival as many times as you want. Even if you don’t come to all eight of the readings, you could come to CPT for the next three Fridays, see some cool pieces in development, AND get a few complimentary drinks after the show. You can’t beat that!!

So, I really hope I get to see you at the theatre this weekend to help up us throw open our doors and welcome in CPT’s 11/12 Season.

Springboard runs October 6 – 23; Thursday – Saturday @ 7pm and Sundays @ 3pm. Click here to purchase tickets and get more information about the plays!

If you come on Thursday, October 6^th, there will be an opening reception for the series. We’ll have pizza, snacks and drinks. Come and celebrate with us!!