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This week’s theater news…

Published December 16th, 2011 by playhousesquare | No Comments

Cinderella to make first Broadway appearanceCinderella to make first Broadway appearance

Theater news for the week of December 10-December 16

Each week, we’re going to keep you up-to-speed with the latest Broadway news and stories. Check back every Friday to see what you missed this week and to catch a glimpse of what’s going on at PlayhouseSquare this weekend. Enjoy!

Happening on Broadway …

Austin Powers headed for Broadway

Mike Myers is in discussion to adapt the popular movie series Austin Powers for Broadway. Although Myers himself wouldn’t appear on stage to reprise the role of Powers, he would be heavily involved in the writing and development of the show. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery hit movie theaters in May 1997, with two successive sequels: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002).

Cinderella looking to premiere on Broadway in 2012-2013

The first Broadway production of Cinderella will potentially premiere in the 2012-2013 season. Cinderella was first produced as a made-for-television film in 1957; it will feature a new book by Douglas Carter Beane (Sister Act, Lysistrata Jones). The production is expected to feature several songs that were cut from other Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals including “Now is the Time” from South Pacific and “I’ve Lived and I’ve Loved” from The Sound of Music. The show will also have several storyline changes and elimination of some minor characters.

New musical It Shoulda Been You aims for Broadway launch

David Hyde Pierce’s new musical, It Shoulda Been You, is looking for a fall 2012 Broadway run. Featuring music by Barbra Anselmi and book/lyrics by Brian Hargrove, It Shoulda Been You follows a Jewish bride as she readies to marry her Catholic boyfriend. When the bride’s ex-boyfriend shows up, the perfect wedding starts to unravel, leaving the sister of the bride to turn a tangled mess into happily ever after.

Upcoming Events at PlayhouseSquare

The Game’s Afoot (or Holmes for the Holidays) –presented by Cleveland Play House
A Christmas Carol –presented by Great Lakes Theater
Neil Zaza’s One Silent Night
Joshua Seth’s Beyond Belief
Flanagan’s Wake –presented by the Frankie Kong Players
Elvis Birthday Tribute
Aaron D. Miller –presented by Town Hall of Cleveland and CWRU
Last Call Cleveland
Ten Chimneys –presented by Cleveland Play House
KEM with After 7
HAIR –part of the KeyBank Broadway Series

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This week’s theater news…

Published December 9th, 2011 by playhousesquare | No Comments

Les Miserables set to begin filming in February 2012.

Theater news for the week of December 3 -December 9

Happening on Broadway …

Sacha Baron Cohen and Helen Bonham Carter join cast of upcoming Les Miserables movie

Les Miserables (the movie) is set to begin production in February 2012, with a star-studded cast including Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne. Sacha Baron Cohen (best known for Borat) and Helen Bonham Carter (Sweeny Todd, Harry Potter) are also joining the cast in the roles of Monsieur Thénardier and Madame Thénardier.

Once moving on up to Broadway

Once, based off the movie of the same name, is moving on up to Broadway starting February 28, 2012. Originally intended to be performed off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop, Once will open in mid-February, starring Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti.

Broadway heading to TV’s Modern Family

Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale (Will and Grace, Sex and the City) and Tony winner Ellen Barkin (The Normal Heart) will guest star on TV’s Modern Family in early 2012. Cannavale will star as Louis, former partner of Fizbo, the alter ego of Cam (Eric Stonestreet). Barkin will play Vera, a tough-as-nails real estate broker who becomes enemies with Phil (Ty Burrell).

Upcoming Events at PlayhouseSquare

The Santaland Diaries
The Game’s Afoot (or Holmes for the Holidays) –presented by Cleveland Play House
A Christmas Carol –presented by Great Lakes Theater
The Nutcracker-Royal Winnipeg Ballet – presented by Fifth-Third Bank
Tinsel Town – A Holiday Celebration for Families at PlayhouseSquare, presented by PlayhouseSquare Partners
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Celebrates the Season, A Not So Silent Night – presented by Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
Jazz Up Your Holidays – presented by Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
Capitol Steps – presented by Town Hall Cleveland and CWRU
Jump Back Ball December Ticket Sales Happy Hour – presented by PlayhouseSquare Partners
The Singing Angels presents The Spirit of Christmas-featuring Peter Lawson Jones –presented by The Singing Angels
Neil Zaza’s One Silent Night

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Celebration!

Published December 7th, 2011 by playhousesquare | No Comments

Photo: Raul Esparza leads a vocal master class for Northeast Ohio college students the day before Celebration!

What a celebration we had this past Saturday night! To welcome Cleveland Play House and Cleveland State University to PlayhouseSquare, 860 guests gathered to view the transformed Allen Theatre and new Second Stage (the new Helen Rosenfeld Lewis Bialosky Lab Theatre will open in January 2012), wine and dine in our lobbies and on the State Theatre stage, enjoy a performance by the incomparable Raul Esparza and dance the night away to the sounds of Nitebridge.

Throughout the evening guests were treated to performances by students from Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program; Cleveland School of the Arts; Cleveland State University, Department of Dance; Cleveland State University, Department of Music; Cleveland State University, Department of Theatre; Fairmount Center for the Arts; and St. Ignatius Clown Company.

Celebration!, presented by Huntington, raised $1 million in support of The Power of Three: The Allen Theatre Project, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between a university, performing arts center and regional theater.

We gratefully acknowledge Celebration! Chairs Char Fowler, Ellen Stirn Mavec and K.K. Sullivan; Honorary Chairs Lainie Hadden, Chloe Oldenburg and Michael Schwartz; and Vice Chairs Julie Bolton, Jenny Brown and Mebby Brown who planned the memorable evening. Many thanks also are owed to The Power of Three Campaign Committee led by Co-chairs Walter Kalberer and Alexander Pendleton. Every donor to the campaign has our deepest gratitude.

Deck the Halls of PlayhouseSquare

Published December 6th, 2011 by playhousesquare | No Comments

State Theatre Christmas Tree

I’ve come to learn while interning at PlayhouseSquare that holiday decorations are a big deal around here. I can’t complain–walking into work every morning and seeing PlayhouseSquare decked out in lights, evergreen garlands and red bows can definitely put anyone in the holiday spirit. But it takes more than just a couple strings of lights and a decorated tree to make the area festive.

Dale Shanks, Assistant Maintenance Supervisor at PlayhouseSquare says the holiday decorating begins in October with setting up the outdoor lights. Red Coats and other volunteers help to check the lights to see which bulbs need to be replaced. The majority of our outdoor holiday decorations are stored in Eastlake, with some also stored in the Hanna Building. It’s estimated that approximately a quarter of a million lights decorate PlayhouseSquare and the surrounding district each year—definitely more than I have on my Christmas tree at home!

Decorations in the Palace Theatre

Star Plaza also gets decked out for the holidays. In addition to the giant snowman that sits atop the glass hut, and various light-up snowflakes, a 35ft Christmas tree goes up shortly before Thanksgiving and stays lit up through the New Year.

After all the lights and garland are placed on outdoor spaces, attention is turned to the inside. Each of the theater spaces has different decorations. For many, its tradition to take a family picture in front of beautiful Christmas tree in the center of the State Theatre lobby or to pose with the evergreen figures before going in to see a show.

Menorah in Palace Theatre

Both PlayhouseSquare and Cleveland Play House work with Plantscaping to create unique looks for all the spaces. Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Michael Bloom worked with Plantscaping to create a unique look for the newly renovated Allen Theatre, with a “traditional look for the Reinberger Rotunda, with old-fashioned puppets and a contemporary, abstract winter design for the Kalberer lobby.”

Next time you’re at PlayhouseSquare to take in a play or concert, be sure to take a moment to look around and be inspired by the holiday decorations!

–Carly

This week’s theater news…

Published December 2nd, 2011 by playhousesquare | No Comments

American Idiot heading to U.K.

Theater news for the week of November 26-December 2

Happening on Broadway …

Broadway hits receive Grammy nominations

The cast recordings of Anything Goes, The Book of Mormon, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying have all received nominations for “Best Musical Theater Cast Album” for the 54^th annual Grammy Awards, which will be presented on February 12, 2012. Harry Connick Jr., who is currently on Broadway in On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, received a nomination for “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album” for his 2010 Broadway concert album.

American Idiot to launch U.K. Tour

American Idiot is heading to the U.K. with a tour at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre on October 9, 2012. The tour will run through December 8. Although casting has not yet been announced, the production is expected to feature American actors. American Idiot, inspired by Green Day and a book by the band’s frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, follows three friends as they chase their musician dreams, only to be torn apart by the harsh realities of life. The show opened on Broadway on April 20, 2010, and earned three Tony Award nominations, included Best Musical.

Ghost set to open on Broadway in March 2012

Caissie Levy and Richard Fleeshmam, who starred as Ghost lead characters Molly and Sam in the musical adaptation of Ghost on the West End, will reprise their leading roles as the show moves to Broadway. Set to begin March 15, 2012 at the Lunt-Fontane Theatre, Ghost follows a young couple, Sam and Molly, who get mugged while walking home to their New York apartment. Sam is killed and becomes trapped as a ghost, unable to leave Molly who is still in danger. With the help of psychic Oda Mae Brown, Sam tries to communicate with Molly in hopes of saving her.

Upcoming Events at PlayhouseSquare

Trying
The Santaland Diaries
The Game’s Afoot (or Holmes for the Holidays) –presented by Cleveland Play House
A Christmas Carol –presented by Great Lakes Theater
Celebration!
North Coast Men’s Chorus- Do You Hear What I Hear?
Chicago Live in Concert
Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2011
Celtic Thunder Heritage and Christmas Tour
The Nutcracker-Royal Winnipeg Ballet – presented by Fifth-Third Bank
Tinsel Town – A Holiday Celebration for Families at PlayhouseSquare, presented by PlayhouseSquare Partners
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Celebrates the Season, A Not So Silent Night – presented by Cleveland Jazz Orchestra
Jazz Up Your Holidays – presented by Cleveland Jazz Orchestra

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Celebrate the holidays with family at Tinsel Town

Published December 1st, 2011 by playhousesquare | 1 Comment

It seems like every year the holidays have a way of sneaking up on me. One day I’m buying candy for Halloween, and before I know it, the Christmas season is here. It’s dark by 5 p.m. Christmas displays have made their way into stores and people’s yards, the radio is Jingle Bell Rockin’ and I’m running around buying presents and baking enough cookies to feed an army (or at the very least my dad and brothers).

Christmas at PlayhouseSquare means the return of holiday concerts and shows, a wonderland of decorations and the annual Tinsel Town event. Hosted by PlayhouseSquare Partners, Tinsel Town is an afternoon of holiday fun for the family.

The Palace Theatre is transformed into a Christmas lover’s dream. Garland, complete with red bows, is hung from the balcony and woven through the railings of the staircases. Wreaths, adorned with red and gold ornaments and stars are displayed on the walls. The whole Christmas scene is died together with white lights, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Adding to the inviting atmosphere are all of the kid friendly holiday crafts and activities including cookie decorating and face painting. Santa will be in attendance and available for photos. Kids can also create their own ornaments and candy cane reindeer.

When it comes time to refuel those creative juices, parents and kids can stop by the hot chocolate bar or try one of the other holiday treats available.

Tinsel Town takes place Saturday, December 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Palace Theatre. All proceeds benefit Community Engagement and Education programs. For more information or to order tickets visit playhousesquare.org/tinseltown.

Check out pictures from last year’s Tinsel Town here!

–Rachael

The Nutcracker brings holiday spirit to Northeast Ohio

Published November 29th, 2011 by playhousesquare | No Comments

Seeing the Nutcracker at
PlayhouseSquare is a memory quite a few Northeast Ohioans have—from seeing the ballet with a school group or having that tradition of seeing this holiday classic each year with your family, the Nutcracker is a special part of the holiday season at PlayhouseSquare.

The last (and probably the most special time) that I saw the Nutcracker was for my 16^th birthday in 2004-I’ll never forget going down to PlayhouseSquare with my mom and sitting in awe as I watched Clara dance across the stage with her beloved Nutcracker. I’ve taken dance classes since I was five, so I definitely have an appreciation of this iconic ballet.

This year the Royal Winnipeg Ballet is returning with The Nutcracker December 8-11 in the State Theatre and local children were given the opportunity to audition for a role in the ballet. Out of the approximately 100 children who auditioned for the roles of party girls and boys, mice and mounties, angels,
Clara, Julien and Dieter, a total of 47 were cast.

The children that will perform as party girls and boys, mice/mounties and angels are: Lauren Addis, Emma Advent, Madeline Allen, Shannon Bailey, Christina Beran, Brooke Bodnar, Olivia Bodnar, Cassidy Brengartner, Sydney Chatterton, Emma Debski, Zhanri Desphy, Ella Gilson, Gillian Hall, Ara-Leah Hamman, Allison Huminsky, Kamora Jeffries, Maria Kostyack, Adia Sophia Kralovic, Alexis Kunovich, Erica Leaver, Madison Lewis, Amanda Lewis, Olivia Mansier, Morgan Mansier, Vincent Marchionte, Marla Minadeo, Julia Morgan, Hailey Morgan, Adam Murphy, John-John Pape, Samantha Paros, Eden Powers, Janna Raeber, Danielle Raeber, Cailee Rockas, Mitsana Sanderson, Julia Sassano, Theresa Sowul, Evelyn Willett, Corbin Williams, Ashley Workman and Vienna Wynocker.

The children performing the roles of Clara, Julien and Dieter include:

Clara: Megan Carcioppolo, Emma Von Enck
Julien: Adam Wheeler, Scotto Hamed-Ramos
Dieter: Taylor Ventura, Elizabeth Beran

Those cast were separated into two groups, with each group getting the opportunity to perform in two different shows. The cast began rehearsals on November 13 and will be rehearsing right up until the night of the first performance on December 8.

–Carly

This week’s theater news…

Published November 25th, 2011 by playhousesquare | No Comments

Rocky the musical heads to Germany.

Theater news for the week of November 19-November 25

Happening on Broadway …

Rocky headed for Germany

The musical adaptation of Sylvester Stallone’s 1976 movie Rocky is set to make its world premiere in Hamburg, Germany next November. Stallone, who is serving as producer of Rocky, plans on bringing the musical to audiences across the globe with a worldwide tour. “I love the idea of seeing Rocky on stage, it’s just a natural extension,” Stallone said.

Seminar, starring Alan Rickman, opens this week on Broadway

Seminar, directed by Sam Gold and written by Theresa Rebeck; starring Alan Rickmna, Lily Rabe and Jerry O’Connell, opened this week at the Golden Theatre. Rickman leads the group as a celebrated novelist who critiques the work of four students who have signed on to take his seminar class.

An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin opens on Broadway

A limited engagement of An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin opened this week at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Directed by Patinkin, with musical direction by Paul Ford, LuPone and Patinkin perform a mix of their “greatest hits” from Evita and Gypsy, as well as songs and scenes from South Pacific and Carousel.

Upcoming Events at PlayhouseSquare

Trying
The Santaland Diaries
The Game’s Afoot (or Holmes for the Holidays) –presented by Cleveland Play House
Culture Shock Fashion Show
An Old-Fashioned Christmas – presented by the Cleveland Pops Orchestra
Straight No Chaser
A Christmas Carol –presented by A Christmas Carol
Celebration!
North Coast Men’s Chorus- Do You Hear What I Hear?
Chicago Live in Concert
Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2011

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This week’s theater news…

Published November 18th, 2011 by playhousesquare | No Comments

Mary Poppins celebrates 5 years on Broadway this week.

Theater news for the week of November 12-November 18

Happening on Broadway …

Porgy and Bess revival headed for Broadway

Porgy and Bess, staring Norm Lewis and four-time Tony winner Audra McDonald, is set to begin previews on December 17 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, and will open on January 12, 2012. Porgy and Bess tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers—Porgy, who lives in Charleston and Bess, whom he attempts to rescue from Crown (her pimp) and drug dealer Sportin’ Life (played by Tony nominee David Alan Grier). The show features music by George Gershwin, including the classic song “Summertime”

Mary Poppins celebrates 5 years on Broadway

The cast of Mary Poppins celebrated 5 years on Broadway this week with a lighting of the Empire State building. Steffanie Leigh, who plays Mary Poppins, along with some of the cast, lit the skyscraper blue on November 15 in honor of the 5-year anniversary. Mary Poppins is currently at the New Amsterdam Theatre and runs through July 1, 2012.

Disney adaptation of Newsies headed for Broadway

Disney’s adaptation of Newsies, based on the 1992 film of the same name, is heading to Broadway. Directed by Jeff Calhoun and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, the musical will run at the Nederlander Theatre beginning March 15, 2012, with opening night set for March 29. The show will run through June 10. Newsies tells the story of a young New York City newsboy who leads a group of orphans in a protest against several newspaper publishers, including Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst.

Upcoming Events at PlayhouseSquare

La Cage Aux Folles – part of our Key Bank Broadway Series
Trying
The Scream Tour
Cleveland Comedy Festival: Stand-Up Contest
Ohio State vs. Penn State Viewing Party – presented by PlayhouseSquare Partners
Cleveland Comedy Festival: Favorites Showcase
Cleveland Comedy Festival: Ryan Stout
Jim Brickman and Friends…A Birthday Celebration
The Santaland Diaries
The Game’s Afoot (or Holmes for the Holidays) –presented by Cleveland Play House
Culture Shock Fashion Show
Cameo
An Old-Fashioned Christmas – presented by the Cleveland Pops Orchestra
Straight No Chaser

Share your thoughts on this week’s news below, or talk to us on Facebook or Twitter!

This week’s theater news…

Published November 11th, 2011 by playhousesquare | No Comments

Disney’s The Lion King celebrates 14 years on Broadway this week.

Theater news for the week of November 5-November 11

Happening on Broadway …

The Lion King to Celebrate 14 Years on Broadway

The Tony award-winning Disney musical The Lion King will celebrate 14 years on Broadway November 13 at the Minskoff Theatre. Since its Broadway premiere, 19 global productions have been seen by more than 63 million people, and grossed over $4.7 billion to date. The Lion King is the seventh longest-running musical in Broadway history.

Sex and the City’s Kim Cattrall on Broadway

Private Lives, starring Sex and the City’s Kim Cattrall and Paul Gross kicked off previews this week on Broadway, with opening night set for November 17 at the Music Box Theatre. Private Lives centers on the glamorous Amanda (Cattrall) and her ex-husband (Gross) who are both on honeymoons in France with their new spouses. When the couple connects again in France, their feelings for each other are re-kindled.

Broadway veteran Stephanie J. Block back on Broadway

Broadway veteran Stephanie J. Block (Wicked, The Pirate Queen) is back on Broadway for a limited engagement, starring as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, now until November 22. Block is stepping in for Sutton Foster while she’s off filming a TV pilot. Anything Goes is currently running at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre

Upcoming Events at PlayhouseSquare

La Cage Aux Folles – part of our Key Bank Broadway Series
Trying
Anthony Bourdain
Daddy Long Legs – presented by Cleveland Play House
Class by the Glass-Cabaret – presented by PlayhouseSquare Community Engagement & Education Department
David Pogue
Cleveland Comedy Festival: Stand-Up Contest
La Cage Aux Folles Master Dance Class – presented by PlayhouseSquare Community Engagement & Education Department
Drumline Live –part of the U.S. Bank Star Performance Series
The Scream Tour
Cleveland Comedy Festival: Favorites Showcase
Ohio State vs. Penn State Viewing Party – presented by PlayhouseSquare Partners
Cleveland Comedy Festival: Ryan Stout

Share your thoughts on this week’s news below, or talk to us on Facebook or Twitter!

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A not-for-profit performing arts center that presents and produces a wide variety of performing arts, advances arts education and creates a destination that is a superior location for entertainment business and residential living, thereby strengthening the economic vitality of the region.