Wednesday, May 20, 2015

2015 Summer Cleveland Theater Calendar

Some theatres such as Cleveland Play House, Dobama, Great Lakes Theatre and Ensemble are dark for the summer season, but there are lots of other great venues operating.  Here’s a list of some of the offerings of the summer season (May through August).  SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL THEATRES!

ACTOR’S SUMMIT

330-374-7568 or go to www.actorssummit.org
Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and Sundays @ 2 PM

 ALWAYS PATSY CLINE (May 28-June 21, 2015)—A musical tribute to Patsy Cline’s spirit and a celebration of her music—“Crazy,” “Sweet Dreams,” “Walkin’ After Midnight” and 17 more.

BECK CENTER

216-521-2540 or http://www.beckcenter.org
8 p.m. evenings, 3 p.m. matinees

AMERICAN IDIOT (July 10-August 16 2015)—Two-time Tony winner tells the story of three lifelong friends, forced to choose between their dreams and the safety of suburbia.

BLANK CANVAS




440-941-0458 or www.blankcanvastheatre.com

TRIASSIC PARK THE MUSICAL (June 12-27)—Religion, identity, sex and raptors!  Chaos is unleashed upon the not-so-prehistoric world when one dinosaur in a clan of females turns out to be male!

OUR TOWN (August 14-29)—Thornton Wilder’s beloved,  Pulitzer Prize-winning classic depicts life, love and death in Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire while exploring life’s meaning and purpose.

CAIN PARK
14591 Superior Road at Lee, Cleveland Heights
216-371-3000 (Box office opens May 23--Cleveland Heights residents/May 30-- general public)
Information: http://www.cainpark.com/

GODSPELL (June 11-28)—Alma Theatre—Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak’s “hippie” musical with such pop songs as “Day by Day,” “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord,” and “Learn Your Lessons,” contains a series of parables based on the Gospel of Matthew.

CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE


216-631-2727 or go on line to www.cptonline.org

DONTRELL, WHO KISSED THE SEA (May 21-June 6, 2015)
It’s a month before his first day of college and Dontrell Jones III wakes up from a dream that will change his life.

JOHANNA:  FACING FORWARD (May 28-June 13)—7:30 Gordon Square Theatre--Based on the true story of Johanna Orozco, a Cleveland teen who survived a gunshot wound to the face by her boyfriend in 2007 and whose story sparked a nation-wide movement against teen domestic violence.

CLEVELAND SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
Free outdoor performances
For sites and times go to: http://www.cleveshakes.com/

THE LIFE OF TIMON OF ATHENS (June 5-28, 2015)—Set in 1970, against a backdrop of unpopular war and student unrest, TIMON is a hilarious history of his hypocrisy.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (July 17-August 2, 2015)-- Filled with contrasts and controversy, containing comic elements mixed with trenchant comment on the nature of intolerance, justice and forgiveness.

convergence continuum

convergence-continiuum.org or 216-687-0074
Thursday-Saturday @ 8

THE RECKLESS RUTHLESS BRUTAL CHARGE OF IT, OR THE TRAIN PLAY (June 26-July 18, 2015)—A “comi-threnody musical” about a 12-year old heroine who is on a comic-poetic collision course with time, history and a supernatural climax.

TEAR IT OFF (August 14-September 5, 2015)—A world premiere of Cleveland playwright Mike Geither’s play about two sisters who pass their time by writing a romance novel.

OBERLIN SUMMER THEATRE FESTIVAL

Free family classics in rotating rep
check blog  for dates of individual productions:     http://www.oberlinsummertheaterfestival.com/current-season/

TREASURE ISLAND (July 3-August 8, 2015)—Ken Ludwig’s play about 14-year old Jim Hawkins who finds a treasure map and embarks on an unforgettable voyage of treachery and mayhem.

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL (July 10-August 8, 2015)—Shakespeare’s bawdy comedy which asks, “all ends well. Or does it?”

CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY (July 17-August 7, 2015)—17-year-old Ernestine questions conflicting ideas and tolerance needed to live in a changing world when her African American family moves from Florida to Brooklyn.

OHIO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
714 N. Portage Path, Akron, Ohio 44303
For tickets go tohttp://www.ohioshakespearefestival.com/ or call 1-888-71-tickets

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (July 2-19, 2015)—Considered Shakespeare’s finest comedy, it examines honor, shame, and politics.

KING HENRY (July 30-August 16, 2015)—A Shakespeare history play based on the life of Henry VIII of England.

OLMSTED PERFORMING ARTS

6941 Columbia Road  Olmsted Falls
For tickets call 440-235-6722 or go to http://www.olmstedperformingarts.com/
Performances at 7:30 Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 on Sunday)

GUYS AND DOLLS (August 7-9, 14-16, 2015)—A musical that takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong.

PLAYHOUSESQUARE


For tickets:  216-241-6000 or go to http://www.playhousesquare.org
See the website for specific dates, times and details of each show

JOSHUA SETH’S BEYOND BELIEF (June 6, 2015)--Hanna Theatre—Combines thought reading, magic, hypnotism and some good old fashioned showmanship to create an atmosphere of mystery and laughter.

EXACT CHANGE (June 11-27, 2015)—The Helen--Christine Howey’s personal story is a tour-de-force spiced with political rants, historical reflections, and personal stories about her transitioning from being Dick Howey.

DOG POUNDED (July 17-August 8, 2015)—Kennedy’s Theatre—Tim Tyler’s comedic production returns for its second season to tell the tale of the tortured history of Cleveland Browns’ fans through words and music.

RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA (July 21-August 2, 2015)—Connor Palace--Part of the Key Bank Series, this Tony Award winning musical, is a contemporary take on the classic tale.

THE BOOK OF MORMAN (August 25-30, 2015)—State Theatre--The nine-time Tony winner returns for another visit!   If you hurry, you might be able to get tickets this time!

PORTHOUSE

Kent State University’s professional theatre
Located on the grounds of Blossom Center
For tickets:  330-672-3884 or http://www.kent.edu/porthouse/tickets
(Tickets go on sale May 26th)

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (June 11-27, 2015)—Porthouse’s Artistic Director Terri Kent stars  in Stephen Sondheim’s musical about a tangled web of romantic affairs.  Libretto includes “Send in the Clowns.”

VIOLET (July 9-25, 2015)—Tells the musical tale of self-discovery by a young lady with a disfigured face who is seeking out an Evangelical minister.

HAIRSPRAY (July 30-August 16, 2015)—With her bouffant hair and social activist attitudes, plus-sized teen Tracy Turnblad advocates for racial integration in her hometown of Baltimore in this family friendly treat.