Cleveland’s Classic Company at the Hanna Theatre presents
September 30–October 30, 2016
Photo: Roger Mastroianni
Great Lakes Theater
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Welcome..................................................................................................................... 4 About Great Lakes Theater............................................................................................ 5 News & Notes.............................................................................................................. 6 Twelfth Night............................................................................................................... 9 Cast of Characters...................................................................................................... 10 Spotlight On Twelfth Night.......................................................................................... 11 The Artistic Company................................................................................................. 21 Donors....................................................................................................................... 30 Trustees..................................................................................................................... 35 Staff.......................................................................................................................... 36 Guest Services at Playhouse Square............................................................................ 38 Sept./Oct. at Playhouse Square................................................................................... 39
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WELCOME Dear Friends,
O
at Playhouse Square
n behalf of our artists, staff, and Board of Trustees, welcome to Great Lakes Theater’s 55th season! Our mission, “to bring the pleasure, power, and relevance of classic theater to the widest possible audience,” guides our mainstage productions as well as our educational programming, in the belief that theater holds the capacity to illuminate truth and enduring values, celebrate and challenge human nature and actions, and provide our student audiences a glimpse of a broader world and the wellspring of learning made possible through the arts.
We open this season with a true classic of the American musical theatre (based on a masterpiece of British literature), My Fair Lady, Alan Jay Lerner’s and Fredrick Loewe’s awardwinning adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalian. Directed by Victoria Bussert, My Fair Lady promises to be an extraordinary experience for the whole family. Following in the footsteps of GLT’s recent productions of The Secret Garden and Les Misérables, Ms. Bussert’s staging in the Hanna Theatre will highlight the intimacy of the space, allowing the beauty of the score and the depth of character to take center stage! Playing in rotating repertory with My Fair Lady, Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, considered one of the Bard’s greatest comedies, brings a world of fools and madmen to the stage in Drew Barr’s wildly inventive staging. Come see our company of actors move seamlessly from the music of Lerner and Loewe to the elegance of Shakespeare’s poetry as they tackle both of these classic productions. As you read through your program and look around the theater tonight, you will see the names of many friends, partners, corporations, and foundations, whose generous support makes all of this possible. I encourage you to join these donors by becoming a member of the Great Lakes Theater family with your gift! (As a reminder, ticket sales account for only 50% of the cost of producing our mainstage productions and educational programs.) Complete membership information can be found in the brochure enclosed in this playbill. As the curtain rises on our 55th season, we offer special thanks to the Kulas Foundation, which has sponsored our musical productions for the last several years as the “Kulas Musical Theater Series at Great Lakes Theater.” We are also grateful to Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest for providing a generous grant in support of our work on Shakespeare’s plays. We extend our deepest gratitude to all of our sponsors and annual members, with continued appreciation to our partners of over 30 years at Playhouse Square and the tireless efforts of our Board of Trustees, dedicated administrative staff, gifted artists, and the tremendous generosity of this community! I hope to see you in our audience again soon.
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Charles Fee Producing Artistic Director
ABOUT GREAT LAKES THEATER
Great Lakes Theater’s spring 2016 production of Love’s Labour’s Lost (Photo by Roger Mastroianni) he mission of Great Lakes Theater (GLT), through its main stage productions and its education programs, is to bring the pleasure, power and relevance of classic theater to the widest possible audience. Since the company’s inception in 1962, programming has been rooted in Shakespeare, but GLT’s commitment to great plays spans the breadth of all cultures, forms of theater and time periods –– including the 20th century –– and provides for the occasional mounting of new works that complement the classical repertoire. Classic theater holds the capacity to illuminate truth and enduring values, celebrate and challenge human nature and actions, revel in eloquent language, and preserve the traditions of diverse cultures and generate communal spirit. On its main stage and through its education programs, GLT seeks to create visceral, immediate experiences for participants, asserting theater’s historic role as a vehicle for advancing the common good and helping people make the joyful and meaningful connections between classic plays and their own lives. The company’s commitment to classic
theater is magnified in the educational programs that surround its productions. Since its inception, GLT has had a strong presence in area schools, bringing students to the theater for matinee performances and sending specially trained actor-teachers to the schools for weeklong residencies developed to explore classic drama from a theatrical point of view. GLT is equally dedicated to enhancing the theater experience for adult audiences through Surround, a series of community programs that explore the themes of a main stage production. To this end, GLT regularly serves as the catalyst for community events and programs in the arts and humanities that illuminate the plays on its stage. Great Lakes Theater is one of only a handful of American theaters that have stayed the course as a classic theater. As GLT moves into a new era with a permanent home in the Hanna Theatre, the company reaffirms its belief in the power of partnership, its determination to make this community a better place in which to live, and its commitment to ensure the legacy of classic theater in Cleveland.
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NEWS & NOTES Team Shakespeare Takes Shape
at Playhouse Square
We are pleased to announce the promotion of a longtime teammate and the addition of two new team members to our administrative staff. Chris Fornadel will assume the newly created role of development manager after seven years of Liz Steward stewarding the theater’s audience Chris Fornadel Jeremy Lewis engagement efforts. Newcomers Jeremy Lewis and Liz Steward will join GLT as audience engagement coordinator and donor relations associate, respectively. Working with Chris, Jeremy and Liz, we look forward to deepening and expanding relationships with our generous donors and to engaging audience members just like you!
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Spend the Eight Ready to Educate
National Honors
Eight is our lucky number! Why? All eight of last season’s actor-teachers will be returning to our education department for the upcoming school year to conduct our lauded School Residency Program. With a combined 27 years of experience between them implementing these weeklong residencies, we think this great eight is first-rate for students! Beginning in September and continuing throughout the school year, our School Residency Program will positively impact the lives of approximately 15,000 students — connecting nearly 100 schools across our region to the classics.
Cleveland’s Classic Company is in select company! Arts Midwest, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, recently announced $1 million in grants to 40 nonprofit, professional theater companies across 26 states to perform the works of William Shakespeare for students through the Shakespeare in American Communities program. Great Lakes Theater is proud to have been selected as one of this season’s grantees for our upcoming production of Hamlet. We are thrilled to be able to introduce future generations to the classics as a result of this prestigious grant award.
night
with us...
Saturday, April 22, 2017 A party to benefit Great Lakes Theater!
Details coming November 2016
2016-17 SEASON All thE WAy Sep 17–Oct 9
Backroom deals and showdowns between the infamous and the influential take center stage in this absorbing Tony Award-winning drama highlighting Lyndon B. Johnson’s struggle to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
SEx With StrANGErS Oct 22–NOv 13
Olivia is an obscure novelist on the cusp of 40; Ethan is a famous blogger — and 28. When these two strangers collide, passion, intellect, and secret agendas clash in this smart, tantalizing take on modern love.
A chriStmAS StOry NOv 25–Dec 23
The record-breaking show returns to the CPH stage in all its pink-bunny-suit, glowing-leg-lamp, triple-dog-daring glory. The perfect holiday treat for the entire family. Ken Ludwig’s
BASkErvillE:
A ShErlOck hOlmES myStEry JaN 21–Feb 12
This madcap adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic mystery transforms The Hound of the Baskervilles into an all-out comedic, theatrical adventure. Full of humor, horror, and plenty of stage magic, five actors play nearly 40 roles in this kooky and spooky caper.
hOW i lEArNEd tO drivE Mar 4–26
Li’l Bit takes us on a no-holds-barred trip back in time to her adolescence in 1960s Maryland and her complicated relationship with an older man. This Pulitzer Prize winner masterfully veers in and out of personal memory and deftly traverses comedy, drama, and farce.
BEtWEEN rivErSidE ANd crAzy apr 1–23
Ex-cop Walter “Pops” Washington is not about to compromise, especially on the racially-charged lawsuit he filed years ago against the NYPD — even if it means risking the impressive rent-controlled apartment he shares with his parolee son and colorful surrogate family. An exuberant and darkly comic tale of truth, family, and pride.
frEAky fridAy apr 15–May 14
In this hilarious, contemporary musical update of an American classic, a mother and daughter swap bodies and experience each other’s lives first-hand, if only for a day.
216.241.6000 clevelandplayhouse.com GrOupS Of 10 Or mOrE SAvE • cAll 216.400.7027
Cleveland’s Classic Company AT THE HANNA THEATRE
presents...
2016/17 season
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE UP TO 25%! The Tony Award-Winning Broadway Musical Classic
MY FAIR LADY
September 23 - October 29, 2016 / Hanna Theatre Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner / Music by Frederick Loewe Adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s Play Pygmalion
Shakespeare’s Enchanting Romantic Comedy
TWELFTH NIGHT
September 30 - October 30, 2016 / Hanna Theatre By William Shakespeare
Northeast Ohio’s Favorite Holiday Tradition
A CHRISTMAS CAROL November 26 - December 23, 2016 / Ohio Theatre
By Charles Dickens / Adapted and Directed by Gerald Freedman
An Unforgettable Psychological Thriller
WAIT UNTIL DARK
February 17 - March 12, 2017 / Hanna Theatre By Frederick Knott
The World’s Most Famous Tragedy
HAMLET
March 31 - April 15, 2017 / Hanna Theatre By William Shakespeare
A Pitch-Perfect Jukebox Musical
FOREVER PLAID
May 5 - 21, 2017 / Hanna Theatre
Written by Stuart Ross / Musical Arrangements by James Raitt
216.640.8869 / GreatLakesTheater.org
Hanna Theatre September 30–October 30, 2016
Charles Fee Producing Artistic Director
With the generous support of
The Great Lakes Theater Business Alliance Presents
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Directed by
DREW BARR
Company
Pedar Benson Bate* Laura Welsh Berg* Lynn Robert Berg* Cassandra Bissell* Adrian Grace Bumpas
Aled Davies* Jodi Dominick* Tom Ford* Peter Gosik* Jillian Kates*
Juan Rivera Lebron* Laura Perrotta* Matthew Lynn David Anthony Smith* Jonathan Christopher M. A. Taylor* MacMillan* Christine Weber* Andrew Miller Emily Sofia Wronski
Scenic Designer Russell Metheny
Costume Designer Kim Krumm Sorenson
Lighting Designer Rick Martin
Sound Designer Lee Kinney
Composer Daniel Kluger
Music Director Joel Mercier
Fight Choreographer Ken Merckx
Stage Manager Tim Kinzel*
Assistant Stage Manger Amy Essick
GreatLakesTheater.org
By
There will be one fifteen-minute intermission. *Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. The video and/or audio recording of this production by any means whatsoever is strictly prohibited.
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at Playhouse Square
CAST OF CHARACTERS Orsino, Duke of Illyria ...................................................................... Juan Rivera Lebron * Curio, gentleman attending on the Duke ........................................... Pedar Benson Bate * Valentine, gentleman attending on the Duke .............................................Andrew Miller Viola, a shipwrecked lady, later disguised as Cesario .............................Cassandra Bissell * Captain, of the wrecked ship who befriends Viola ........................... David Anthony Smith * Sebastian, Viola’s twin brother, also shipwrecked ............ Jonathan Christopher MacMillan * Antonio, a sea captain, friend to Sebastian .................................................. Peter Gosik * Olivia, a rich countess .......................................................................... Christine Weber * Maria, Olivia’s gentlewoman .................................................................... Laura Perrotta * Sir Toby Belch, Olivia’s uncle ...................................................................... Aled Davies * Sir Andrew Aguecheek, a suitor to Olivia ......................................................... Tom Ford * Malvolio, Olivia’s steward .................................................................. Lynn Robert Berg *~ Feste, a jester in Olivia’s house ...................................................................M. A. Taylor * Fabian, a member of Olivia’s household .............................................. Laura Welsh Berg * Priest .......................................................................................... David Anthony Smith * Ensemble ........................Pedar Benson Bate*, Laura Welsh Berg*, Adrian Grace Bumpas, Peter Gosik*, Jillian Kates*, Matthew Lynn, Andrew Miller, David Anthony Smith*, Christine Weber*, Emily Sofia Wronski ~ Fight Captain * Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
Run Times Act I: 1 hour 19 minutes
Intermission: 15 minutes
Act II: 1 hour 12 minutes
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spotlight an insider’s guide to
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Donald F. and Anne T. Palmer
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From the Director
Spotlight on Twelfth Night
Drew Barr
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he first record of a production of S h a ke s p e a re’s Twelfth Night, or What You Will comes from the diary of John Manningham, a student of law, who saw the play performed in the hall of Middle Temple on 1 February 1602. It is unknown whether there had been previous performances of the play. One fact remains certain: the number of people since John Manningham who have seen, read, acted in, staged or analyzed Twelfth Night is essentially unfathomable. Like the insatiable sea to which it alludes, the play attracts admirers with its beauty and humor; then it threatens to overwhelm them with the scope of its imagistic detail and psychological mystery. The text’s erotically-charged mixture of romantic fantasy and domestic realism conjures a world of wonder-filled possibilities and status-bound limitations. Juxtaposing exquisite pangs of loss and longing with exuberant declarations of carnal appetite, Shakespeare invites us to imagine a place called Illyria, where hope and fantasy collide with hunger and desire. What the protean citizens of Illyria do and say in one scene seldom adheres to their professed intentions in another. Bound together in service and society, they echo each other in provocative and perplexing ways. “What are you? What would you?” the Countess Olivia asks of the Duke Orsino’s intriguing emissary, Cesario. Questions of identity and intent reverberate throughout the play, as issues of perception and desire increasingly cloud characters’ ability to distinguish between illusion and reality. As the ever-shifting perspectives accumulate, Twelfth Night reveals how “what you will” largely depends upon who you are; while, who you are is inescapably linked to how people perceive you. Given its intrinsic mutability, Twelfth Night supports a wide variety of interpretations. In its history of performance, the play has seen more than its fair share of adaptations, rearrange-
John Manningham’s diary entry of February 1, 1602, reports a production of Twelfth Night at the Inns of Court. Some printed sources date the diary entry to 1601, but the Folger Shakespeare Library affirms 1602 as the correct transcription of the date. The diary entry appears in the Harleian MS 5353 on folio 12, verso.
ments and abridgments. Star turns have been fashioned out of many of its characters, while specific bits of stage business have become so attached to certain scenes that actors and directors must carefully weigh the benefits versus risks of bucking tradition. Perhaps more than any of Shakespeare’s plays, it profits from exposure to multiple productions, as recollections from past experiences haunt and inform the present. If one viewing of the play evokes a particular judgment, rest assured that a second may upend that certainty. With his elusive wit and his enigmatic characters, Shakespeare repeatedly challenges us to hold two opposing ideas in our heads at one time. He urges us to make peace with seemingly irreconcilable differences. Besides the timely conversations the play provokes about gender identity and the fluidity of love, Twelfth Night, or What You Will confirms a shared humanity across the ages, linking audiences of today to the audience at Middle Temple in 1602. Imagine what John Manningham would have to say about that.
Summary
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revenge plot against Malvolio. Malvolio is tricked into making a fool of himself, and he is locked in a dungeon as a lunatic. In the meantime, Sebastian has been rescued by a sea captain, Antonio. When Viola, as Cesario, is challenged to a duel, Antonio mistakes her for Sebastian, comes to her aid, and is arrested. Olivia, meanwhile, mistakes Sebastian for Cesario and declares her love. When, finally, Sebastian and Viola appear together, the puzzles around the mistaken identities are solved: Cesario is revealed as Viola, Orsino asks for Viola’s hand, Sebastian will wed Olivia, and Viola will marry Count Orsino. Malvolio, blaming Olivia and others for his humiliation, vows revenge. – Folger Shakespeare Library
Playnotes:
Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
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ritten in the midst of life, Twelfth Night skips lightly from mirth to loss. The play, first referenced in a diary entry of law student John Manningham in 1602, was probably composed the previous year. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was buoyed by success at the time. The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, the theater troupe he co-founded, had opened the new Globe Theatre in 1600. He already had the means to acquire an estate in his home town of Stratford and had petitioned for a coat of arms. However, sorrow had also darkened his days. Shakespeare’s son Hamnet died in 1596, at the age of 11. Hamnet was survived by his twin sister Judith. In Twelfth Night, Viola, the play’s heroine, is a fraternal twin who believes her brother has drowned. She keeps him “alive” by dressing like him. Whether the sundered twinship of Hamnet and Judith was on Shakespeare’s mind as he wrote Twelfth Night, the play explores what it feels like to be and lose a twin. While loss is examined in a more tragic vein in Hamlet, written about the same time, melancholy also pervades the comic Twelfth Night. The play may reflect Shakespeare’s conflicted
Richard Armin, who undoubtedly inspired and played the character of Feste in Twelfth Night, published a book of witty sayings, jokes, and stories in 1600, titled “Quips Upon Questions.” In this collection, he was following the example of his peer and possible mentor, comedian Richard Tarlton, who published “Tarlton’s Jests” the same year.
Spotlight on Twelfth Night
welfth Night—an allusion to the night of festivity preceding the Christian celebration of the Epiphany—combines love, confusion, mistaken identities, and joyful discovery. After the twins Sebastian and Viola survive a shipwreck, neither knows that the other is alive. Viola goes into service with Count Orsino of Illyria, disguised as a young man, “Cesario.” Orsino sends Cesario to woo the Lady Olivia on his behalf, but Olivia falls in love with Cesario. Viola, in the meantime, has fallen in love with Orsino. At the estate of Lady Olivia, Sir Toby Belch, Olivia’s kinsman, has brought in Sir Andrew Aguecheek to be her suitor. A confrontation between Olivia’s steward, Malvolio, and the partying Toby and his cohort leads to a
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Spotlight on Twelfth Night
Playnotes (continued)
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The so-called Sanders portrait is dated to 1603, about the time when Shakespeare wrote Twelfth Night. The portrait had been in the hands of the same private family, descendants of the possible painter, John Sanders, for 400 years, when it was first brought to public attention in 2013. Numerous scientific tests have validated the age of the portrait, and its label, identifying the sitter as Shakespeare, it has been authenticated as contemporary. But the identity of the sitter is still under debate.
status as a provider and a theater man. In Twelfth Night, two aristocrats provide two poles of action, while the other characters move between them as servants or dependents. The social mobility of an emerging middle class also informs another of Shakespeare’s plays from the same time period, The Merry Wives of Windsor. In Twelfth Night, Olivia’s steward Malvolio considers himself to be better than his station in life, but his hopes are dashed. Was aspiration as problematic for the Stratford glover’s son? Performers had one foot in the servant class.
Shakespeare’s company operated as a commercial venture, but its core income derived from service to the Lord Chamberlain, who supplied entertainment to the court of Queen Elizabeth. Shakespeare called attention to the social inferiority of players in the amateur theatricals of Love’s Labour’s Lost and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The title Twelfth Night may also allude to the service class; the traditional Tudor celebration of Twelfth Night, the last day of Christmas, involved a banquet presided over by a servant. In Twelfth Night, the character of Feste, the Clown, brings the player as servant to the fore. Feste, in service to Olivia, critiques the social structure he inhabits, marking a change of personnel in the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. In the company’s early days, its “clown” was Will Kempe, a physical comedian. But Kempe was replaced in about 1600 by Robert Armin, whose intelligence and musical talent made possible the pointed wit of Feste. The play’s twins and cross-dressing have deep comedic roots stretching back to Roman times. As Manningham recognized when he saw Twelfth Night in 1602, Shakespeare found the confusion of same-sex twins in Plautus’s Menaechmi and had already employed it in The Comedy of Errors. But as Manningham also recognized, the Italian commedia dell-arte tradition, beginning with the 1531 Gl’Ingannati (or “The Duped”), had already added the twist of fraternal twins with the sister impersonating the brother. Layers of complexity multiplied when Viola in Twelfth Night was played by a boy impersonating a woman impersonating a boy, particularly when Olivia, also played by a boy, falls for Viola as a boy while Viola pines for Orsino who is falling for Viola as a boy. Free of disguises, the sincere love that the character Antonio bears for Viola’s brother Sebastian echoes the theme in a less comic way. Exploration of gender complexity seems hard-wired into the play. Many scholars have argued that ardent expressions of samesex love in Elizabethan England may not have had today’s sexual connotations. But others have argued that Shakespeare may have been at least bi-sexual, pointing out that 126 of Shakespeare’s 154 love sonnets were addressed to a young man. No matter what Shakespeare’s personal
The words and a musical setting for a song included in Twelfth Night, titled “Farewell Dear Love,” can be found attributed to lutenist Robert Jones in “The First Booke of Songes or Ayres,” which was printed in 1600.
gender identity may have been, he wrote with empathy about the pain of unrequited love in a gender-complex environment. Court intrigues, another element of Shakespeare’s day-to-day life, may have found their way into the play’s subplot of the gulling of Malvolio. Scholars have uncovered specific instances where members of Queen Elizabeth’s court were accused, as Malvolio is, of being enemies of mirth. One instance intersects with Shakespeare’s circle. In 1598, a squire chastised Henry Wriothesley for carousing at cards after Queen Elizabeth had gone to bed. Wriothesley, the Earl of Southampton, was a patron of Shakespeare’s and is often identified as the “Fair Youth” of the sonnets. Could personal grievances fuel the vehemence of the play’s subplot? Other contemporary allusions provide a glimpse of Shakespeare’s literary scene. As Manningham’s diary entry reveals, Twelfth Night
had an alternate title, “Or What You Will.” The title may pun on Shakespeare’s own first name or convey romantic whimsy in the style of As You Like it. However, there was also a contemporary play of the same title by John Marston, who wrote topical satires for law students at the Middle Temple, where Twelfth Night was also performed. Marston waged a literary feud between 1599 and 1602 that was dubbed the War of the Theatres. The specifics of the shifting grudges are not as important as the fact that certain catch phrases became weapons. In Twelfth Night, Viola uses one of those phrases, “Westward Ho!” It was the call of boatmen on the River Thames but provided the title for one of the warring plays because, in the talk of the day, it represented the westward expansion of the middle class. In Shakespeare’s play, Feste also refers to the overuse of the word “element,” an accusation hurled at Ben Jonson in another volley in the “War of the Theatres” in 1601. We can’t recover from these elusive references Shakespeare’s particular place in the literary squabbles of his day. But Shakespeare brought the complex experiences of a rival writer, a partisan friend, a player, a tradesman’s son, and a father to the writing of Twelfth Night.
Spotlight on Twelfth Night
Court miniaturist Nicholas Hilliard painted this portrait of Henry Wriothesley in about 1594. Wriothesley was the Earl of Southampton and Shakespeare’s patron.
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Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night
Spotlight on Twelfth Night
Through the Ages
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Twelfth Night remained popular during the remainder of Shakespeare’s lifetime and beyond, with documented productions taking place in 1618 and 1623. The theaters in England then went dark when King Charles I was executed in 1649. After Charles II was restored to the throne and the theaters re-opened, impresario William Davenant revived Twelfth Night in 1661. The roles of the female characters—Olivia, Viola, and Olivia’s maid Maria—were played by women for the first time. The play was not favored by the great player-managers of the 18th and 19th centuries; David Garrick, Edmund Kean, and the like didn’t see in it a role of great enough range for themselves. However, beginning with Hannah Pritchard in 1741, celebrated actresses were eager to assail the role of Viola.
Ellen Terry as Viola in 1884
In 1884, with Ellen Terry playing Viola, actor-manager Henry Irving cast himself as Malvolio. Irving was not the first leading actor to play the role—it may have been originated in Shakespeare’s day by the great Richard Burbage—but he may have been the most celebrated to first and fully exploit the tragic dimension of the wronged steward. Since Irving’s time, the role of Malvolio has often been played by a leading man, from Herbert Beerbohm Tree in the early 20th century through Laurence Olivier and Derek Jacobi in the latter half of the century. The mid-20th century ushered in an emphasis on the dark and even sometimes cynical side of Twelfth Night. A 1969 Royal Shakespeare Company production, starring Judi Dench, portrayed the world of the play as a society sliding into corruption and decay.
The 1969 RSC production, starring Judi Dench, marked a shift in emphasis toward the play’s darker side.
Stephen Fry as Malvolio and Mark Rylance as Olivia in the acclaimed Globe Theatre production, which first originated in 2002.
The 2016 production of Twelfth Night marks the seventh time that Great Lakes Theater has presented the play, ranking it with As You Like It for most produced Shakespeare play. Artistic director Larry Carra offered it twice, in 1966 and 1973. In 1979, during the tenure of Vincent Dowling, Tom Hanks played Fabian, one of the anti-Malvolio plotters. Twelfth Night was the first show directed in 1985 by Gerald Freedman, who brought his trademark lyrical sensibility to the show. In the hands of guest director Daniel Fish in 2000, the stage was strewn with wrecked pianos.
This still from Gerald Freedman’s 1985 production of Twelfth Night captures the production’s lyrical sensibility.
In 2009, producing artistic director Charles Fee explored the play with the theater’s longstanding company of artists. Since the core of the acting company is still intact, Great Lakes Theater has a rare opportunity this season to re-examine the play with the same community of trusted artists. Some of the actors take on new challenges in the 2016 production, others take a new look at roles they’ve played before. The sense of a Great Lakes Theater’s production of Twelfth Night in 2009, with “home team” is all the stron- long-time company member David Anthony Smith as Malvolio ger when the company tack- in a scene that has been a fan favorite since the days of John les this abundant play anew. Manningham in 1602.
Spotlight on Twelfth Night
In 2002, Mark Rylance, who was then artistic director of the Globe Theatre in London, staged the show with an all-male cast. Rylance himself played the Lady Olivia, resembling Queen Elizabeth I in makeup and attire, and Stephen Fry played Malvolio. In casting choices and style of presentation, the production called attention to the gender complexity of Shakespeare’s own world. The same production was reprised at the Globe Theatre in the 2013-2014 season and transferred to London’s West End and then to Broadway.
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Spotlight on Twelfth Night
From inspiration to design
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Incorporating a loft for the musician, a chandelier worthy of Miss Havisham’s house, and an evocation of the sea in the distance, Russell Metheny’s set design encompasses the play’s many diverse realities in one space.
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hen Drew Barr read Twelfth Night with the fresh eyes of a director, he was immediately struck by two things: “the amazing, really seductive mixture of comedy and sadness in the play and the number of characters that the play asks us to invest in— people who are dealing with loneliness and longing and passion and desire and hunger and appetite. It seemed very important to create a world that could contain all of this.” Choosing the “world of the play” is a key decision that a director makes in collaboration with the production’s design team. Often it’s a discussion of what time period to set the play in. With its “upstairs/ downstairs” theme and character split, Twelfth Night would seem to fall naturally into a time period that involves servants. A broad swath of time from the mid-19th century Victorian era to the early 20th century Edwardian era fit that bill; it’s a time that’s past but recent enough to capture the sense of nostalgia that permeates the play. An image from within that time period resonated with the design team: Miss Havisham from Dickens’ Great Expectations—the woman for whom time stopped when she was jilted on
her wedding day. “We’re coming into Miss Havisham’s world before the cake rots,” jokes director Barr. “That is the path that Olivia is in danger of heading down. The arrival of Viola— and Sebastian—prevents this world from being stuck.” But as the design team steeped themselves in the play, approaching “time period” in a literal sense did not seem to serve Twelfth Night well enough. Referring to the play’s “fantastically mysterious absences,” Drew Barr observes,“This is a play that is asking us to look at the world in a non-realistic way and yet at the same time take into account all the actual minutiae of human life.” Released from approaching “period” in a literal way, costume designer Kim Sorensen felt free to create clothing in what she dubs a kind of “modern romantic style,” with silhouettes that are at once contemporary and evocative of the past. “There’s lots of black,” adds Sorenson, “which works with mourning, servants, and a Gothic feeling.” A non-literal approach to period also informed decisions about how to bring the play’s celebrated musicality to life. Director Barr polled the company to determine who could
play music live and settled on a female guitarist whose talents, together with other practical considerations, tipped the scale toward a contemporary style of music and also had an impact on the set design. “She needed a place,” explains scenic designer Russell Metheny, who created a balcony for her in the style of a SOHO loft. “Who is she? When she sings with Feste, does he know she’s there or vice versa? Who knows,” Metheny muses. Allowing for such ambiguity became a priority for director Barr and his design team. The play cuts quickly, often in short scenes, between the households of Orsino and Olivia. But rather than defining each location and switching between them, Metheny created one space redolent of a grand ballroom in decay. “It works in the way that poetry asks our minds and our hearts to combine two opposing forces in one thing and wrestle with how it’s possible for those two things to coexist as one,” explains Barr. “We became interested in superimposing locations on top of each other. We wanted to explore the extent to which the many plot lines and characters are constantly knitting themselves together.” Barr wanted, above all, to honor the fact that Twelfth Night is filled with unanswered questions. “It’s an invitation to the audience to consider that some questions about gender, and love, and attraction will persist. What is fascinat-
The design team for Great Lakes Theater’s current production of Twelfth Night pored over images of faded, and decayed, elegance.
ing is the way that the play seems to evade landing in a place that allows those questions to go away.” Accordingly, Barr and costume designer Sorenson experimented with androgyny in casting and clothing, to avoid making Viola’s cross-dressing a “one-off” choice in the world of this production. Asking each of us to identify with characters who feel trapped by who others think them to be is central to the art and humanity of Twelfth Night.
Spotlight on Twelfth Night
From Gorey illustrations to a recent collection of contemporary Belgian designer Ann Demeulemeester, costume designer Kim Sorenson found inspiration in diverse sources.
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Learn More and Explore Experience Enhancement Director’s Night
Enjoy a pre-show discussion with our Producing Artistic Director and the director of the show an hour before curtain.
Salon Thursdays Grab a beverage and enjoy a 30 minute pre-show discussion with a GLT artist an hour before the curtain.
Playnotes Listen in on a pre-show introduction to the content of the show before Saturday matinees at 12:30 p.m.
Nightcap Saturdays Stick around after the evening performance to mingle in the Hanna’s lounge – open ninety minutes following the show.
sights and sounds GreatLakesTheater.org
Visit our website for the latest production related audio and visual content in the Sights and Sounds section of our show page.
Special Thanks
Margaret Lynch, Writer/Researcher Stacy Mallardi-Stajcar, 20
Casual Images Graphic Design
THE ARTISTIC COMPANY Pedar Benson Bate* Curio/Ensemble Three seasons with Great Lakes Theater
Laura Welsh Berg* Fabian/Ensemble Eleven seasons with Great Lakes Theater Laura is thrilled to be returning to the Great Lakes Theater stage, where she was last seen as Vera Claythorne in And Then There Were None and Rosaline in Love’s Labour’s Lost. Shows with GLT and her sister company, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, include The Merry Wives of Windsor, Richard III, Sweeney Todd, The Tempest, Hay Fever, All’s Well That Ends Well, Major Barbara, Macbeth, Love’s Labour’s Lost, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Into the Woods, Arsenic and Old Lace, Measure for Measure, She Stoops to Conquer and A Christmas Carol. Other credits include Viola in Twelfth Night, Speed in Two Gentlemen of Verona and Nurse in Romeo and Juliet at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. Chicago credits include The Farnsworth Invention at Timeline Theater, Arms and the Man at Centerstage and Mill Fire at Sheil Park. She has a BA in theater from Baldwin Wallace University and an MFA in acting from DePaul University. Laura
Lynn Robert Berg* Malvolio Fifteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater Previously at Great Lakes Theater: the title role of Richard III, Hucklebee in The Fantasticks, Frank Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Bishop in Les Misérables, Jonas Fogg in Sweeney Todd, Polixenes in The Winter’s Tale, Doctor Purgeon in The Imaginary Invalid, Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet, Doctor Parker in Bat Boy: The Musical, Caliban in The Tempest, Sandy Tyrell in Hay Fever, Marcus Lycus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) and the Ghost of Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol. Other credits: Macbeth in the Short Shakespeare! Macbeth tour with Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Malvolio in Twelfth Night at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival; Bill Walker in Major Barbara, Hortensio in The Taming of the Shrew, Edmund in King Lear and Hastings in She Stoops to Conquer at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival; Prospero in The Tempest at Maine Shakespeare Festival; The Professor in All the Great Books (Abridged) at Delaware Theater Company; and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead at Writer’s Theater in Chicago. MFA from the University of Delaware PTTP. Lynn dedicates his work this season to the memory of his mother. SLL’M.
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Pedar is super excited to be back at Great Lakes Theater! Previous credits with GLT: Matt in The Fantasticks, Marius in Les Misérables and Slender in Merry Wives of Windsor. Other favorite regional theaters: Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, New London Barn Playhouse, Northern Stage, Opera Columbus and Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival. Bachelor of Music from The Ohio State University. A ginormous thank you to Charlie, Vicky, Greg and Joel, as well as to my wonderful wife, Meredith. Much love to all the Lark, Schneider and Bate families. Lastly, many thanks to you for supporting live theater. Proud member AEA.
is lucky enough to share her life, and work, with Lynn. For Linda.
Cassandra Bissell* Viola Three seasons with Great Lakes Theater Cassandra is delighted to return to GLT, having appeared previously in King Lear, The Secret Garden and Much Ado About Nothing. Regional (LORT) credits: The Mousetrap (Indiana Repertory); Sense & Sensibility (People’s Light); King Lear, The Secret Garden, Much Ado About Nothing (Idaho Shakespeare
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Festival); Sense and Sensibility, Comedy of Errors (Utah Shakespeare Festival); Detroit ’67 (Northlight); In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play, My Name is Asher Lev (Milwaukee Repertory); In the Next Room…, Memory House (Actors’ Theatre of Louisville); Noises Off, Pride and Prejudice (Cleveland Play House); Arcadia and Hamlet (Court Theatre). Chicago (CAT) credits: Short Shakespeare! Macbeth, King John, Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, Richard II (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); The Berlin Circle (Steppenwolf); Memory House (Victory Gardens); Twelfth Night, A Woman Killed With Kindness, Othello (Shakespeare Project of Chicago); Measure for Measure, In the Blood (Next Theatre); Mary’s Wedding - Jeff nomination, Best Actress (Rivendell Theatre Ensemble) and Othello (Shakespeare on the Green). Small professional theater credits: Proof (Company of Fools); Harvey (freeFall Theatre); Amelia, The Understudy, Crumbs from the Table of Joy (Renaissance Theaterworks) and six seasons with Peninsula Players. BA in gender studies, University of Chicago. AEA and SAG/AFTRA. Adrian Grace Bumpas Ensemble Great Lakes Theater debut Adrian Grace Bumpas is thrilled to be joining the Great Lakes Theater company and calling the [All In] CLE her home once again after just graduating right around the corner! Adrian is a graduate from Baldwin Wallace University, MT15’, and a proud NY resident. She was last seen in her New York debut, The Secret Theatre’s production of A Chorus Line, as the lovable Kristine. Adrian would like to celebrate her new collaborations with this crew, Deb for some laughs, the bosses at TPG, MT15’ for being the strongest brothers and sisters, Markus + Jonny for giving me the truest friendship, Robert + J for never ending support, Perotta for passing on her fearlessness, BumpiClan for never ending love and C for being the brightest light through all darkness, you amaze me. For KJB. “Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.”
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Aled Davies* Sir Toby Belch Sixteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater Previously for GLT: General Mackenzie in And Then There Were None, Scrooge/Samuels in A Christmas Carol, King Lear in King Lear, Gonzalo in The Tempest, Chief Inspector Hubbard in Dial “M” for Murder, John Falstaff in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Arvide Abernathy in Guys and Dolls, Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Major Metcalf in The Mousetrap, Brabantio in Othello, The Earl of Caversham in An Ideal Husband, Sheriff Reynolds in Bat Boy: The Musical, Oberon/Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Your Chairman in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Dorn in The Seagull, Deputy Governor Danforth in The Crucible, King of France in All’s Well That Ends Well, Prospero in The Tempest, David Bliss in Hay Fever, Senex in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, Julius Caesar in Julius Caesar, Claudius in Hamlet, Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing, Buckingham in Richard III, Topper in A Christmas Carol, and many others. Aled has been a proud and appreciative member of Actors’ Equity Association since 1984. Jodi Dominick* Understudy Nine seasons with Great Lakes Theater Jodi’s previous roles include Fantine in Les Misérables, Mistress Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, Mollie Ralston in The Mousetrap, Sally Bowles in Cabaret, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Lady MacDuff in Macbeth, Olivia in Twelfth Night, Helena Landless in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Lady Chiltern in An Ideal Husband, Samson in Romeo and Juliet, Lucetta/Outlaw in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Louison in The Imaginary Invalid, Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, Prince Edward in Richard III and others. Seven seasons at Idaho Shakespeare Festival, our sister company. Other credits include Diana in I Love You Because at 14th Street Theater
in Playhouse Square, Miss Gardner in Carrie the Musical, Clara in Passion and Helen in The Break Up Notebook at Beck Center. Other theaters: New World Stages, Hudson Backstage Theater, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Hayworth Theatre, Dobama and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Jodi is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music. Tom Ford* Sir Andrew Aguecheeck Eleven seasons with Great Lakes Theater
Peter Gosik* Antonio/Ensemble Two seasons with Great Lakes Theater Peter is elated to return to Great Lakes Theater! Prior Great Lakes Theater and Idaho Shakespeare
Jillian Kates* Ensemble Three seasons with Great Lakes Theater Jillian Kates is bloomin’ ecstatic to be returning to GLT after appearing as Lily in The Secret Garden last season. Other credits include Young Little Edie in Grey Gardens, Cinderella in Into the Woods and Glinda/Nessarose understudy in Wicked. She is a proud graduate of Baldwin Wallace University. Immense thanks and gratitude to Charlie, Vicky, Drew, Tom, Greg, Joel and the entire cast, crew and staff of Great Lakes Theater. Love to my squeebs!
GreatLakesTheater.org
Great Lakes Theater: Wargrave in And Then There Were None, Dull in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Dr. Craven in The Secret Garden, Fool in King Lear, Stephano in The Tempest, Sidney Bruhl in Deathtrap, Dr. Caius in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Thénardier in Les Misérables, Sweeney in Sweeney Todd, Argan in The Imaginary Invalid, Mr. Paravicini in The Mousetrap, Baker in Into the Woods, Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Casca in Julius Caesar and Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Idaho Shakespeare Festival: My Fair Lady, Twelfth Night, And Then There Were None, The Tempest, The Secret Garden, King Lear, Les Miserables, Sweeney Todd, Richard III, The Imaginary Invalid, The Winter’s Tale, The Mousetrap, Into the Woods, Macbeth, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Romeo and Juliet, Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Merry Wives of Windsor, As You Like It, Julius Caesar and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. Other theaters include: Boise Contemporary Theater, Portland Stage Company, New London Barn Playhouse. Broadway: Alan Ayckbourn and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s By Jeeves at the Helen Hayes Theater. TomFordActor.com
Festival credits include Oswald in King Lear and The Fakir in The Secret Garden. Other favorite credits include Enjolras in Les Misérables (Riverside Theatre), Robbie in A Man of No Importance (Arvada Center), El Gallo in The Fantasticks (Flat Rock Playhouse), Man #2 in The World Goes Round (Florida Studio Theatre), the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz (First National Tour) and Smudge in Forever Plaid (Heritage Rep). Peter has workshopped new musicals with directors Jerry Zaks and Tony Stevens and appears in An Idiot Abroad’s Christmas Special with Karl Pilkington and Warwick Davis. Peter holds a BFA in musical theater from the University of Michigan and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Love and gratitude to Mom, Dad, and my wonderful agent, Eddie, and tremendous thanks to Charlie, Vicky, Greg, and Drew for this spectacular opportunity. For Elenor, Lloyd, and Shirley. petergosik.com
Juan Rivera Lebron* Orsino Four seasons with Great Lakes Theater Great Lakes Theater: Costard in Love’s Labor’s Lost, Sylvius in As You Like It, Don John in Much Ado About Nothing, Clown in The Winter’s Tale and Cleante in The Imaginary Invalid. Other selected credits include Mr. Wickham in Pride and Prejudice and Florizel in The Winter’s Tale at The Guthrie Theater. Seven
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seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival including Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing, Sylvio in The Servant of Two Masters, Rodolfo in A View from the Bridge, Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet, Valentine in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Bicycle Pants in Lorca in a Green Dress. BFA, Carnegie Mellon University. Member of the U.S. delegation to the Unesco/ITI World Congress in Madrid, Spain, 2008. Recipient of the Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowship funded by the William & Eva Fox Foundation and administered by Theater Communications Group. Member of Actors’ Equity Association. Special thanks to C, A, O and B for their love and support. Matthew Lynn Ensemble Great Lakes Theater debut Matt is thrilled to make his GLT/ISF debut! Favorite credits include Dennis in All Shook Up and Al in A Chorus Line (Baldwin Wallace University), the title role in Bat Boy: The Musical (Westfield High School – Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role from the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards), Marcellus in The Music Man and Inspector Kemp in Young Frankenstein (Forestburgh Playhouse) and most recently The Piraqua Guy in In The Heights (The Beck Center). Matt is entering his senior year at Baldwin Wallace University and cannot wait to move to NYC with his awesome class. He would like to thank his family for all their support, as well as Vicky and Greg for this exciting opportunity. For Baldwin Wallace University, MT17’. Instagram: mattlynn Jonathan Christopher MacMillan* Sebastian Great Lakes Theater debut
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Jonathan Christopher MacMillan is delighted to be debuting at Great Lakes Theater in Twelfth Night and My Fair Lady. Recent credits include Clouk in Mirette (Lewis Family Playhouse), Harry in My Fair Lady (Atwood Concert Hall), Baby T-Rex in Walking with
Dinosaurs (International Tour) and Joey/Goose in the original Broadway production of War Horse. Other favorites include the Wolf/Prince in Into the Woods, Jean in Rhinoceros, Woody in Six Degrees of Separation and the Waiter in She Loves Me. This winter, he can be seen starring in the independent western film Destiny Trail. Big thanks to Charlie, Vicky, Greg, Joel, Drew and the entire GLT company. For Carina, my happily soon-to-be wife! Andrew Miller Valentine/Ensemble Five seasons with Great Lakes Theater Previous credits with GLT: Marcade, Love’s Labour’s Lost; Fred Narracott, And Then There Were None; Richard/Peter Cratchit/Dick Wilkins, A Christmas Carol; Ensemble, The Tempest; Strato, Julius Caesar and Ensemble, The Merry Wives of Windsor. Other credits: Male 1, Teacher From the Black Lagoon and Other Storybooks (TheatreWorks, USA); Marcellus, The Music Man; Milt Fields, Laughter on the 23rd Floor; Hysterium, A Funny Thing Happened…Forum (New London Barn Playhouse); Grumio, The Taming of the Shrew (Ithaca Shakespeare Company). Training: BFA, Ithaca College. Andrew is proud to have been born and raised in Solon, OH. Many thanks to the entire team here at GLT. GO CAVS! Laura Perrotta* Maria Fifteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater Laura is happy to return to GLT, where she has performed since 1999! A native New Yorker, she has worked extensively in regional theater, including off-Broadway and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. She currently resides in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and has enjoyed the last decade as a company member at Great Lakes Theater and Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Favorite roles include Goneril in King Lear, Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden, Emily Brent in And Then There Were None, Arkadina in The Seagull, Lady M in Macbeth, Amanda Prynne in Private Lives, Mrs. Cheveley in An Ideal
Husband, Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret and M’Lynne Eaton in Steel Magnolias. David Anthony Smith* Sea Captain/Priest/Ensemble Fourteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater
M. A. Taylor* Feste Thirteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater M.A. (alias Mark Anthony) gratefully returns to the magnificent Hanna Theatre in a Championship City! It’s always a pleasure to share this work with the generous audiences of northeast Ohio. Previous roles at Great Lakes Theater include Rogers in And Then There Were None, Nathaniel in Love’s Labour’s Lost, Charity Man/Old Joe in A Christmas Carol, Hugh Evans in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Babet/Lesgles in Les Misérables, Beadle in Sweeney Todd, Verges in Much Ado About Nothing, Old Shepherd in The Winter’s Tale, Guy in The Imaginary Invalid, Grumio in The Taming of the Shrew, Speed in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Actor 3 in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), Flute/Fairy in A Midsummer
Christine Weber* Olivia Three seasons with Great Lakes Theater Great Lakes Theater: Maria in Love’s Labour’s Lost and Celia in As You Like It. Other credits include Jane Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Perdita in The Winter’s Tale, Jessica in The Merchant of Venice, Nancy Holmes in When We are Married, several seasons of A Christmas Carol and Dasha in the world premiere of When I was a Ghost ... (Guthrie Theater); Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet (The Acting Company); One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Cabaret, Company, The Wizard of Oz, Snow Queen (Children’s Theater Company); Alice in You Can’t Take it with You and Daisy in Biloxi Blues (Theatre L’Homme Dieu). She has directed productions of Tigers Be Still (Los Angeles debut) and Striking 12 (Bloomington Civic); and served as assistant director on Freud’s Last Session (dir. Rob Melrose, Guthrie Theater), the American premiere of Conor McPherson’s The Birds (dir. Henry Wishcamper, Guthrie Theater) and the regional premiere of 36 Views (dir. John Heimbuch, Walking Shadow Theater Company). She is a member of the 2016-2017 Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation’s Observership Class, and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie BFA Actor Training Program. Love to J, A, O and B.
GreatLakesTheater.org
GLT audiences have seen him as Prospero in The Tempest, Iago in Othello, Jaques in As You Like It, Duke of Buckingham in Richard III, Muggeridge/The Ghost of Christmas Present/ Debtor/Ensemble in A Christmas Carol, Viscount Goring in An Ideal Husband, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Macduff in Macbeth, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, Sergius in Arms and the Man, Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest, Marc Antony in Julius Caesar and Berowne in Love’s Labour’s Lost. He has performed at the Tony Award-winning Old Globe Theater in San Diego, South Coast Repertory, sixteen seasons with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival (title role in Henry V), Laguna Playhouse, Sierra Rep, Madison Rep and the Shakespeare festivals of Utah, Colorado, Garden Grove, Rhode Island, Nevada and Lake Tahoe. Forever and a day — Natalia.
Night’s Dream and Durdles in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Among other credits: Candy in Of Mice and Men (PTTP/Rep), the title role in Dracula (Boise Contemporary Theater) and Crave & Fully Committed (Tooth & Nail Theater, Salt Lake City). He holds an MFA from the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP). He wishes to thank his Families (both genetic & professional) who make it possible for him to do what he Loves. Go Tribe!
Emily Sofia Wronski Ensemble Great Lakes Theater debut Emily is so happy to be in her first season with GLT! Recent credits: Ensemble, U/S Eliza in
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My Fair Lady and Twelfth Night (Idaho Shakespeare Festival), Sara in Theory of Relativity (Playhouse Square, regional premiere) and Helena Landless in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (New London Barn Playhouse). She is a senior in the Baldwin Wallace Music Theatre program working toward her Bachelor of Music. She is a proud member of EMC. Emily is known for her love of fishnets, cupcakes and RuPaul’s Drag Race. Many thanks to her momma (the Storybook Mom of Chicago), friends (shoutout to Wilders, Abigail, WCT, Barnies and the Misfits), professors (special thanks to Vicky, Janet, Greg, Greg & David) and anyone who has ever showed her love. “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?” Stay spooky.
Understudies Pedar Benson Bate*, Laura Welsh Berg*, Adrian Grace Bumpas, Tyler Collins, Jodi Dominick*, Peter Gosik*, Jillian Kates*, Matthew Lynn, Andrew Miller, Alexa Querin, David Anthony Smith*, Dan Telford
Directors Drew Barr Director Ten seasons with Great Lakes Theater
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Drew returns to Cleveland for his tenth season with GLT, where he has previously directed The Tempest, The Mousetrap,The Seagull, The Crucible, Arsenic and Old Lace, Love’s Labour’s Lost, You Can’t Take It With You, The Taming of the Shrew, Tartuffe and Much Ado About Nothing. Most recently, Drew directed the Dutch language premiere of War Horse at Amsterdam’s Royal Carré Theatre, after previously directing the Australian premiere and serving as the resident director of War Horse at Lincoln Center Theater. Other credits include revivals of Frank Marcus’s, The Killing of Sister George, and Brian Friel’s Lovers for The Actors Company Theatre in NYC and productions for PlayMakers Repertory, Portland Stage and Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Drew received his BA from Stanford University and his MFA from the Graduate Acting Program of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He is a member of SDC and AEA.
Charles Fee Producing Artistic Director Fifteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater Directing credits at GLT: And Then There Were None, Dial “M” for Murder, Deathtrap, Blithe Spirit, Romeo and Juliet, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth, All’s Well That Ends Well, Hamlet, Hay Fever, The Importance of Being Earnest, Arms and the Man and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Charles holds a unique position in the American theater as producing artistic director of three independently operated, professional theater companies: Great Lakes Theater in Cleveland, Ohio (since 2002), Idaho Shakespeare Festival in Boise, Idaho (since 1991) and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival in Incline Village, Nevada (since 2010). His appointments have resulted in a dynamic and groundbreaking producing model for the companies, in which more than 60 plays have been shared since 2002. In 2009, Charles was honored to receive recognition for his leadership by the Cleveland Arts Prize as a recipient of the Martha Joseph Award. Other awards include The Mayor’s and Governor’s awards for Excellence in the Arts, Idaho. From 1988 to 1992, he held the position of artistic director at the Sierra Repertory Theatre in California. He has also worked with The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, the Milwaukee and Missouri repertory theaters, Actor’s Theatre of Phoenix and the Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival. In addition to his work with the companies in Ohio, Idaho and Nevada, Charles is active within the community. He has served as a member of the strategic planning committee for the Morrison Center, as producer of the FUNDSY Award Gala (’96, ’98 and 2000), and as producer of the 1996 Idaho Governor’s Awards in the Arts. Charles has served on the board of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Downtown Rotary Club. He received his B.A. from the University of the Pacific and Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, San Diego. Along with his wife, Lidia and daughter, Alexa, Charles resides in Boise,
Cleveland and Lake Tahoe — a feat that is only possible because of the incredible love and support of his family, and the generous communities he serves!
Merckx received his MFA, in acting, from the University of Illinois and his BA, in theater studies, from the University of Washington.
Ken Merckx Fight Choreographer Twelve seasons with Great Lakes Theater
Lee Kinney Sound Designer Great Lakes Theater debut Lee Kinney is a New York based sound designer. New York: The Father, A Doll’s House (Theatre for a New Audience); The Tomb of King Tot (Clubbed Thumb Summerworks); The Convent of Pleasure (Cherry Lane Theatre); A Wolf in the River, Student Body, Smoke (The Flea); Empathitrax, Shitloads of Money, Asking For Trouble, Metro Cards (Ensemble Studio Theatre); peer@me (NYU Tisch); In The Car With Blossom and Len and Harvey (Centenary Stage Company). MFA: Ohio University. Daniel Kluger Composer Two seasons with Great Lakes Theater GLT: The Mousetrap. NEW YORK: Antlia
GreatLakesTheater.org
Ken Merckx has choreographed fights and taught actors theatrical combat for film, television, theater and universities all across the country. Ken is the resident fight choreographer for Great Lakes Theater, Idaho and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festivals and A Noise Within (Los Angeles). He is proud to have staged violence for the world premieres of Steven Dietz’s Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure (Pasadena Playhouse), Jeffery Hatcher’s Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (San Jose Repertory) and The Suicide Club (Arizona Theatre Company), OctKadtLadySolis’ Cloudlands (South Coast Repertory), Jane Martin’s Somebody/Nobody directed by Jon Jory (Arizona Theatre Company) and the theatrical adaptation of Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner (San Jose Repertory). Mr.
Designers
Be the Star of the Show PHOTO: JULIE HAHN/SUGARBUSH DESIGN
In the glamour of Downtown Cleveland’s Theater District allow Wyndham’s service professionals to host your Wedding Reception, Rehearsal Dinner, and Wedding Brunch. Contact Beth Blankenship, our wedding specialist at 216-615-3325 or bblankenship@wyndham.com
1260 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115 216-615-7500 www.wyndhamcleveland.com
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Pneumatica, Marjorie Prime, Iowa (Playwrights Horizons); The Effect, Hit the Wall (Barrow Street Theatre); The Mystery of Love and Sex, Nikolai and the Others (Lincoln Center); Significant Other, The Common Pursuit (Roundabout); Lost Girls, The Nether (MCC); I’m Gonna Pray for You So Hard, Women or Nothing (Atlantic Theater Company); You Got Older (PAGE73); Somewhere Fun, The North Pool (Vineyard). REGIONAL: The Old Globe, Mark Taper Forum, La Jolla Playhouse, Long Wharf, Pig Iron, Two River Theater, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. www.danielkluger.com
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Russell Metheny Scenic Designer Twelve seasons with Great Lakes Theater For GLT, Russell has designed And Then There Were None, Dial “M” for Murder, The Tempest, Deathtrap, As You Like It, Blithe Spirit, The Mousetrap, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Othello, The Seagull, The Comedy of Errors, Measure For Measure, The Tempest, Julius Caesar, Arsenic and Old Lace, Love’s Labour’s Lost and The Merry Wives of Windsor. For ISF he has designed The 39 Steps, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Woman In Black, Othello, A Tuna Christmas, The Seagull, The Comedy of Errors, Greater Tuna, Measure for Measure, Arsenic and Old Lace, The Tempest, Love’s Labor’s Lost, King Lear and Julius Caesar. Recent productions include April 4, 1968; The Matchmaker; Both Your Houses; Philadelphia; Here I Come; The Game’s Afoot; Kurt Vonnegut One Acts; A Little Night Music; 4000 Miles; 1776; The House That Jack Built; Jekyll and Hyde; My Fair Lady and Betrayal. Regionally, Russell has also designed for ACT San Francisco, Asolo Theatre, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, The Old Globe, Pasadena Playhouse, Missouri Rep, Indiana Rep, Syracuse Stage, Geva Theatre, Weston Playhouse, The Studio Theatre (D.C.), Portland Stage, Philadelphia Theatre Co., Goodspeed Musicals and Geffen Playhouse. Mr. Metheny has received three Helen Hayes awards for outstanding scenic design.
Kim Krumm Sorenson Costume Designer Thirteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater Kim is pleased to be spending her thirteenth season with Great Lakes Theater, where she most recently designed And Then There Were None, The Tempest and Dial “M” for Murder. Past designs include As You Like It, Blithe Spirit, The Mousetrap, Othello, The Seagull, The Crucible, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Measure for Measure, The Taming of the Shrew, Julius Caesar, The Importance of Being Earnest, Much Ado About Nothing and Tartuffe. She is a frequent designer for the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Her work has also been seen at REP/ University of Delaware, Urban Stages, TACT, Delaware Theatre Company, Juilliard School, Playmakers Repertory Company, Hartford Stage Company, Guthrie Theatre, Intiman Theatre, George Street Playhouse, Coconut Grove Playhouse, Walnut Street Theatre, The Acting Company, Indiana Repertory Theater and Portland Stage Company. Kim holds an MFA from Southern Methodist University and is a member of USA 829. She lives in New York with her husband, Scott, and their two beautiful daughters, Carly and Gemma. Rick Martin Lighting Designer Fifteen seasons with Great Lakes Theater Many productions with GLT and ISF including The Tempest, Romeo and Juliet and And Then There Were None. Other theater: US premiere of Kurt Weil’s Marie Galante (Opèra Français de NY); Hekabe, The Illiad and The Rage of Achilles with Music-Theatre Group (New York and Santa Fe) and The Bitter Tears of Petra van Kant (Henry Miller Theatre, New York). Opera: Mitridate, Re di Ponto (La Monnaie, Brussels – scenery and lighting), Le Diable dans le beffroi, La Chute de la Maison Usher (Opéra national de Paris – scenery and lighting); Castor et Pollux, Pellèas et Mèllisande and To Be Sung (Opéra Français de NY); Dialogues des Carmèlites, Cenerentola (Opéra de Toulon) and Romèo et Juliette (Spoleto Festival USA). Concerts: Harawi (Opèra Comique, Paris – scenery and lighting), Le martyre de Saint Sèbastien (Citè de la Musique, Paris and Arsenal, Metz), Orchestre national de Lyon and the Orchestre de Champs Élysées (Lyon,
Poitiers, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, São Paulo). Coming up: Hamlet (GLT) and La Cenerentola (ABAO-OLBE, Bilbao). Member: United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829, IATSE.
Stage Management Amy Essick Assistant Stage Manager Three seasons with Great Lakes Theater
Previous stage management credits for Great Lakes Theater include A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, An Ideal Husband, Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Taming of the Shrew, Romeo & Juliet, Imaginary Invalid, Blithe Spirit, Much Ado About Nothing, Richard III, Deathtrap, As You Like It, Merry Wives of Windsor, Dial “M” for Murder, The Tempest, King Lear, And Then There Were None, Love’s Labour’s Lost and The Fantasticks. Tim has multiple stage management credits from the following companies: Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Playwrights Horizon, Cherry Lane Theater NYC and Houston’s Stages Repertory Theatre. Love to his family and friends. Shout out to Clevelanders for making downtown and Playhouse Square the place to be. We finally got to witness a Cleveland championship parade. Let’s have another. ROLL TRIBE!
It’s time for a new identity. One that tells the story of creativity in Ohio and illustrates it. Expression is an essential need. By better illustrating our story, we can better help you express yours.
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Previous Production Assistant/Assistant Stage Manager credits include The Fantasticks, And Then There Were None, The Secret Garden, A Christmas Carol, The Tempest, Les Misérables and The Merry Wives of Windsor with Great Lakes Theater. Other Assistant Stage Management credits include Damn Yankees, And The World Goes Round, The Sound of Music, Hello Dolly and The Sunshine Boys with Porthouse Theatre. Amy earned her BA in Theater Studies from Kent State University. She has also worked as the Company Manager for Porthouse Theatre and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. Love to all my family and friends, and thank you for all of the support!
Tim Kinzel* Stage Manager Six seasons with Great Lakes Theater
Complete the story at oac.ohio.gov/identity. 30 EAST BROAD STREET, 33RD FLOOR, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215-3414 | 614-466-2613 OAC.OHIO.GOV | @OHIOARTSCOUNCIL| #ARTSOHIO
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DONORS The trustees, staff and artistic company of Great Lakes Theater express our deepest gratitude to the hundreds of supporters of “Cleveland’s Classic Company.” The donors listed below and on the following pages made generous gifts between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016. “I can no other answer make but thanks.” Twelfth Night, Act III, Scene iii
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Make a Contribution Great Lakes Theater served more than 100,000 students and adults last year through its Hanna and Ohio Theatre mainstage productions and education programs throughout northeast Ohio. This would not have been possible without the annual support of the hundreds of generous donors listed below. Please join the Great Lakes Theater family by making a tax-deductible contribution to support Cleveland’s Classic Company. Visit the “Support Us” section of our website (GreatLakesTheater.org) or call us at (216) 453-4442 to learn more about our membership and donation programs.
Sponsors Company Sponsors $100,000 and above The Cleveland Foundation***
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture** Lead Sponsors $50,000 to $99,999 The David & Inez Myers Foundation*** Ohio Arts Council*** The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation***
The George Gund Foundation*** The Kulas Foundation*** The John P. Murphy Foundation***
Sponsors $25,000 to $49,999 The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation The GAR Foundation*** The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation***
Season Sponsors:
PNC Foundation* The Reinberger Foundation***
Season Media Sponsors:
The Great Lakes Theater Business Alliance:
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*3 – 5 consecutive years as a donor **6 – 9 consecutive years as a donor ***10 or more consecutive years as a donor
THE LEGACY SOCIETY
Great Lakes Theater’s Legacy Society honors individuals, families, foundations and other generous donors that make gifts to Great Lakes Theater’s Endowment Fund or have made a provision for Great Lakes Theater through their estate plans. Please consider becoming a member of the growing list of generous Great Lakes Theater Legacy Society supporters and help ensure that classic theater endures for future generations in northeast Ohio by designating Great Lakes Theater a beneficiary in your will, trust or other estate plans.
“Evermore thanks.” Marilyn* & Paul* Brentlinger Willard & Donna Carmel Mary* & Leigh Carter Natalie & Morton Epstein Edward S. Godleski Samuel S. Hartwell Jack & Mary Ann Katzenmeyer Kate Lunsford Mary Anne* & Jack McGrath Janet & Bob Neary
Richard II, Act II, Scene ii James A. Nelson* Donald & Anne Palmer Lynn & Tim Pistell Professor Alan Miles Ruben & Judge Betty Willis Ruben The John Sherwin Family George* & Marjorie* Springer Thomas G. & Ruth M. Stafford Arthur L. Thomas Audrey* & Dick* Watts
*Deceased: The legacy of these generous donors lives on for future generations.
LEAVE A LEGACY!
For more information regarding planned gifts, please contact Don Bernardo, Director of Development. (216) 453-1068 | dbernardo@greatlakestheater.org.
THE SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY
at Playhouse Square
Individual donors of $1,000 and above are members of Great Lakes Theater’s “Shakespeare Society” and are entitled to certain benefits, including invitations to special Society events and activities. For more information, contact Don Bernardo at (216) 453-1068.
Avon Circle $10,000 to $24,999
Globe Circle ($2,500 to $4,999)
Folio Circle ($1,000 to $2,499)
The Abington Foundation* The Community Foundation of Lorain County*** Eaton Corporation*** Jack & Mary Ann Katzenmeyer*** Janet & Bob Neary*** The Lubrizol Foundation*** The Nord Family Foundation*** Nordson Corporation Foundation** Dr. & Mrs. Donald Palmer*** Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Pistell*** Mrs. James O. Roberts*** John & Barbara Schubert*** The Shubert Foundation*** Thomas G. & Ruth M. Stafford***
Chuck & Bonnie Abbey** Michelle R. Arendt*** Walt & Laura Avdey** Dalia & Robert Baker*** David & Carolyn Bialosky* Kim & Bart Bixenstine* Mitch & Liz Blair*** Glenn & Jenny Brown*** Mr. & Mrs. Homer D. W. Chisholm*** The George W. Codrington Charitable Foundation*** Gail Cudak & Thomas Young*** Richard & Evelyn Dolejs* Timothy J. Downing & Ken Press* Charles, Lidia & Alexa Fee** Elizabeth Grove & Rich Bedell* Susan C. & Jeffery A. Hastings** Mary Elizabeth Huber William W. Jacobs*** Katie Kennedy & Doug White Victor C. Laughlin, M.D. Memorial Foundation Trust*** MAP Royalty, Inc.** Mr. & Mrs. Donald J. Mayer*** Donald W. Morrison*** Nicholas & Sue Peay*** Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Peterman*** Dr. Scott & Mrs. Judy Pendergast*** Thomas A. Piraino & Barbara C. McWilliams** Prof. Alan Miles Ruben & Judge Betty Willis Ruben* Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Ruhl*** Kim Sherwin** Steve Gariepy & Nancy Sin*** Brit & Kate Stenson*** Arthur L. Thomas Mr. & Mrs. Paul L. Wellener IV*** Robert & Emily Williams* Ms. Rebecca A. Zuti & Mr. Anthony D. DeCello**
John & Laura Bertsch** H.F. & J.C. Burkhardt*** Calfee, Halter & Griswold, LLP** Jack & Janice Campbell*** Beverly J. Coen* Carolyn & Charles Dickson*** Ms. Leslie C. Dickson* Mr. & Mrs. John Dunn Dr. Howard Epstein Leigh L. Fabens Mr. James Graham & Mr. David Dusek Henry G. Grendell* The Gries Family Foundation*** Drs. Thomas & Cynthia Gustaferro Virginia Hansen*** Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Heller Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.*** Faisal Khan & Angela DiCorleto Donna M. & Alex I. Koler Charlotte R. Kramer* John J. & JoAnn D. Lane* Ken & Mary Loparo*** Mr. & Mrs. William E. MacDonald III* Jack McGrath*** John J. Meiburger* Mr. & Mrs. John C. Morley*** Ms. Danielle M. Morris Ms. Karen Nemec** John & Norine Prim*** Ms. Ana G. Rodriguez Linda Schlageter*** Mr. & Mrs. Rudolph K. Schmeller* Sally J. Staley*** Diana & Eugene Stromberg*** Gerald F. Unger*** Mary C. Warren** Mr. & Mrs. Kevin M. White* Julie Sabroff Willoughby Patrick M. Zohn*** John & Jane Zuzek***
Stratford Circle ($5,000 to $9,999) Bridgewater Associates, Inc.** The Eva L. & Joseph M. Bruening Foundation*** Mr. Todd M. Burger & Ms. Kristie Beck Bill & Judie Caster* Barry & Suzanne Doggett*** Carol Dolan & Greggory Hill** Mr. & Mrs. Morton G. Epstein*** Ernst & Young, LLP*** Dianne V. Foley* The Harry K. & Emma R. Fox Foundation*** The Giant Eagle Foundation** Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Hartwell*** Paul R. & Denise Horstman Keen** Diane Kathleen Hupp The Laub Foundation*** Mr. & Mrs. Leslie H. Moeller*** David P. Porter & Margaret K. Poutasse*** Laura & Alvin Siegal The Thomas H. White Foundation, a KeyBank Trust**
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*3-5 consecutive years as a donor. **6-9 consecutive years as a donor. *** 10 or more consecutive years as a donor.
Sustainers ($500 to $999)
Patrons ($250 to $499) The Thomas and Joann Adler Family Donor Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland** Ms. Laura Aquila Ms. Nancy J. Arndt Mr. & Mrs. Benham S. Bates** Fred & Mary Behm*** Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Berges Jerry & Kathy Berkshire Roger Bielefeld Martha & Wayne Bifano Paul & Heather Blonsky Gary & Kay Bluhm** Bernice A. Bolek***
Frank & Vicki Titas** Robert & Marti Vagi* Mr. & Mrs. James D. Vail** Carol Lee Vella* James L. Wagner** Mr. & Mrs. James L. Wamsley III Dr. & Mrs. Gregory A. Watts* Nancy-Anne Wargo* Mr. Matthew T. Wholey & Dr. Leland L. Metheny Mr. John Wiedemann & Ms. Pamela Schnellinger* Ms. Margaret E. Zellmer* Donald & Dorothy Zito
Associates ($125 to $249) Chuck & Maureen Adler Donna Beletic* Ms. Pamela Benson* John & Jeannene Bertosa** Susan Bobey** John Bolton** Ms. Dorothy F. Borer* Joanne R. Bratush*** Richard & Mary Ann Brockett James F. Brown Mike & Carole Brown* V. Elizabeth Brown** Larry & Andi Carlini** Jean McQuillan & Richard Christ*** John & Donna Clifford*** Rollin & Anne Conway** Douglas Court Stan & Lisa Corwin David & Gayle Cratty** Dr. Ben S. Curatolo Lowell & Carole Davis*** Chad & Andrea Deal** Marilyn P. Demeter*** Daniel & Joyce Dyer * Bob & Ginny Eckardt* Mr. & Mrs. Robert Eikenburg*** Howard P. Erlichman** Gene & Patricia Ewald Susan L. Fike*** Mary Eileen Fogarty*** David V. Foos** Mr. & Mrs. Gerald R. Frei** Deborah A. Geier*** Dr. Richard J. Goetsch John Greene* Tom & Kirsten Hagesfeld** Michael & Suzanne Harris* Curt & Karen Henkle** Kathy & Jamie Hogg*** Clyde A. Horn*** Ron & Joanne Hulec*** Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Janson* Marilyn & Howard Karfeld*** Lauren Kawentel** Michael & Lynn Kleinman* Mr. Thomas Knox* Ursula Korneitchouk Fred & Joann Lafferty*** Leslie Lahr
Jennifer & Robert Larson* Mr.& Mrs. Brian Lawler* Ms. Carla Licastro and Mr. Jim Gallagher* Brian & Renee Lowery** Robert MacMurray* Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. McDonald*** Jennifer & Peter Meckes* Rita C. McLaughlin* Nan Miller** Diane Moffett Toni & Linda Moore** Mr. D. Stephen Botorff & Ms. Patricia J. Moyer** Marion Murfey Robert & Margery Orth Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Patalon* Brian Perry & Ka Pi Hoh* Ms. Mary L. Pollak Andrew & Brenda Pongracz* Mr. & Mrs. Louis Pongracz** Ms. Betsy R. Quinn Ms. Lori Riga* Reinhold & Ginny Roedig*** Mr. & Mrs. James A. Saks** Donna Schuerger*** Doris A. Schultz** Richard Shirey Dr. Howard Simon* Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Slavin** Mr. & Mrs. John Southworth* William E. Spatz** Kathlyn & Harry Stenzel*** Susan St. John** Katherine Stokes-Shafer Anita K. Stoll Mr. & Mrs. Timothy L. Sullivan** Mr. & Mrs. William W. Taft Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Tatman* Dr. & Mrs. Ken Tomecki** Dorothy Ann Turick Anne Unverzagt & Richard Goddard** Christine and Daniel Vento Mr. Kenneth Vinciquerra Ms. Kimberly A. Vivolo Raymond Voelker* Mrs. Betty S. Weiss** Bobby Withrow Thomas M. Wladyka James & Sandra Wood** John & Dianne Young
GreatLakesTheater.org
Mrs. Al A. Archambault Mr. & Mrs. Glenn G. Anderson, Jr. Robyn & David Barrie*** Mr. Gary D. Benz & Ms. Betsy Karetnick Ms. Melanie Bingham Jeffrey Boecker & Susan Iler Bette Bonder & Patrick Bray** Steven & Sharon Broz* Beverly & Bruce Cameron* Donald & Annamarie Chick*** Mary Dolan & David Haracz James Eschmeyer*** Evans Charitable Foundation Dale Gabor Janet & Patricia Glaeser*** Ted & Nancy Goble Mr. & Mrs. Randall J. Gordon Gary & Joanna Graeff Mr. A. Allen Howell Kenneth Karosy*** Stewart & Donna Kohl Ms. Shirley Lanzieri Eva & Rudolf Linnebach* Rosa & Samuel Lobe Memorial Fund of the Jewish Federation** Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. Lynch*** Mark & Barbara Mazzone* Francis & Viola McDowell** Helen & Harry Mercer** David & Leslee Miraldi*** Mr. Ken Myles Deborah L. Neale*** Mr. & Mrs. William Osborne, Jr.*** Mr. John Rampe Thomas & Helen Rathburn** Robert & Linda Jenkins Naomi G. & Edwin Z. Singer Family Fund, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland** Gary & Jane Small Mr. Terry Szmagala Kathleen Turner*** Margaret & Loyal Wilson* Women’s Committee of Great Lakes Theater ***
Tim & Cindy Carr* Larry & Nancy Case Ms. Megan Casserlie* Mr. & Mrs. John Clarry Dr. & Mrs. Kevin D. Cooper* Brian Wynne & Patrick Cozzens* Bruce & Maryellen Cudney Audrey DeClement*** William Demboski Mr. & Mrs. Steve deMoulpied Ms. Anne B. DesRosiers & Mr. Stephen Kadish* Pete & Margaret Dobbins Mr. & Mrs. L. William Erb Ann & Harry Farmer Mr. Joseph A. Ferritto Catherine Fishbach Mary Ann & Joseph Fischer Ms. Michelle Frygier Chad & Ivy Gaizutis* Mr. & Ms. Patrick F. Gallagher Larry & Jean Gilbert* Ms. Michelle Goad Mr. Richard Goddard Gary & Frances Goins Ilona K. Gram* Douglas Gray Mr. & Mrs. Richard S. Gray** Ms. Jackie Grimm Lee & Peter Haas Ms. Kathleen E. Hancock Ms. Brighid Hillmuth Rick Hoch Mr. Herbert J. Hoppe, Jr. Mr. Richard Hyde Robert & Linda Jenkins** Amy & Jeff Johnson Bernie & Nancy Karr*** Ms. Joylen J. Kent* Mr. & Mrs. Donald Kimmel** Charles King & Catherine Keating Bob & Nanci Kirkpatrick*** James & Rosemary Koehler Ronald G. Kollar** Mr. Gene Kratus Jacob Kronenberg & Barbara Belovich** Stephen & Carolyn Kuerbitz Anne R. & Kenneth E. Love** Thomas & Sheryl Love The Mersol Family*** Mr. Salvatore Mileti Mary & Steve Mitchell*** Dale Sr., Dale Jr. & Gayle Montgomery Mr. & Mrs. Wilmer M. Piper*** Mr. & Mrs. James M. Petras Michael & Paulette Poklar James & Susan Prince Dr. Edward J. Rockwood*** Mrs. Sharon M. Rogers** Otmar & Rota Sackerlotzky*** Jim & Joan Schaefer Mr. Jon Shaffer Ms. Laura Shaw Dr. & Mrs. Lynn A. Smith*** Albert Stratton** Bob Taylor & Jeff Herrmann
Friends ($75 to $124) Ms. Josephine B. Anderson Ms. Nancy M. Barnes Brian & Teresa Bester Elizabeth A. Billings Dr. & Mrs. Dieter F. Bloser*** Phyliss M. Boggs Mr. & Mrs. Charles P. Bolton*** Carol Brenneman Mr. Stanley C. Brandt & Ms. Mary K. Whitmer*** Mr. & Mrs. Jim Britenbach Julia & Ben Brouhard* James F. Brown Barbara J. Burke*
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Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Charlick* Dr. & Mrs. Dale H. Cowan Samuel Cowling** Judith Darus* Shirley B. Dawson Chris & Mary Ann Deibel*** The DeMinico Family Donna Douglas*** Ms. Patricia R. Esposito Janice Evans* Mr. & Mrs. Frank L. Field*** Laura & Donald Ford Mr. Bob Fowler Mr. & Mrs. Ralph C. Frey* Mr. & Mrs. Lou Galizio*** Greg & Gail Gibson*** Virginia T. Goetz Linda Grau Jean E. Gubbins** Marian Hancy** Ms. Charlene S. Harner Linda A. Heath Jean Heller* Ms. Eleanor W. Helper Mr. and Mrs. Douglas M. Hicks Frank & Gerry Hoffert** Mark & Lynn Hofflund* Ms. Sharon J. Hoppens Mary Immormino Chet & Greta Insolia* Marie Ivkanec Brittany Jackson Deb & Gar Kaminski Dennis Kelly* Mr. & Mrs. Joseph C. Kelley Mr. Gilbert P. Kenehan* Samuel C. Kennell William & Marion Kettering* Mr. & Mrs. Mark D. Kozel*** Mr. & Mrs. Gregory G. Kruszka*
Eleanor & Stephen Kushnick Gregory Leach Ms. Linda V. Lefkovitz Gregory & Vickie Leyes* Morton & Lola Litt Ken & Mary Loparo Mr. & Mrs. John M. Lovett Gretchen Mates** Rev. Edward E. Mehok*** Antoinette Miller*** Frances Stewart & David Mook Tom & Mary Neff* Friends of Nordonia Hills Library Gerald Norton Fulton & Thea O’Donoghue Joan M. Oravec*** Meribeth Pannitto Lou M. Papes** Mr. & Mrs. Harold I. Pittaway III Mr. William Plesec Mr. Alan A. Pomiecko Maria Poulos Larry & Susan Rakow* Judy & Clifford Reeves** The Reinker Family*** Mr. & Mrs. Gerald P. Rencehausen Ms. Jacqueline Y. Rhodes* Ms. Ellen Roberts Robinson Family Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland* Mark & Monica Schie Mrs. Lois Schneider Steve & Kathy Schultz* Linda Sebald Jeff & Beth Ann Sedam Randall & Sara Shaner Dr. Dave & Faye Sholiton* Mary Slowey Mr. James Smekal
The Bier Stube in The Hermit Club at Hofbräuhaus Cleveland
Take a trip to Germany before the show and be back in time for curtain call!
Enjoy a piece of Germany in an intimate, pre-show dinner ideal for smaller groups #atHBcle 216-621-BEER (2337)
**6 – 9 consecutive years as a donor ***10 or more consecutive years as a donor
Matinee Idols Donors who underwrote tickets to 2015-2016 Student Matinees so more students can attend. Michelle R. Arendt Carol Barnak Robyn & David Barrie Jack & Janice Campbell Mr. & Mrs. Richard L. Chernus Beverly J. Coen Carol Dolan & Greggory Hill Dianne V. Foley Ron & Joanne Hulec Jack & Mary Ann Katzenmeyer Bob & Nanci Kirkpatrick Mr. & Mrs. Donald J. Mayer Ms. Danielle M. Morris Janet & Bob Neary Rita Schneider & Sandra Beichler Sally J. Staley John & Dianne Young
ArcelorMittal Corning Incorporated Foundation Eaton Corporation GlaxoSmithKline Foundation IBM Corporation The Lubrizol Corporation PNC Foundation Nordson Corporation Foundation
Call us at 216-621-2337 or visit us at www.hofbrauhauscleveland.com
1550 Chester Avenue, Cleveland
*3 – 5 consecutive years as a donor
Matching Gift Corporations
Reservations Available for a Limited Time!
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Alma L. Smith* Mr. & Mrs. Tony Smits Tom Wagner & Malinda Smyth* Darwin L. Steele *** Gail Stroud Ms. Elizabeth Swenson The Edward & Katherine Thomas Family Mr. & Mrs. Frederick C. Tyler, Jr. Carol A. Vidoli*** Adele Viguera Michael Wagner Rev. & Mrs. David M. Walker*** Mrs. Alice H. Webster Mr. & Mrs. Zach Wemple Sharon & Yoash Wiener*** Ms. Hope Wright Mr. A. Paul Ziegler Ruth & Sidney Zilber*** Arthur & Deborah Zinn
hofbrauhauscleveland.com
Gifts were received in honor of: Martha & Wayne Bifano Todd Krispinsky Lisa Ortenzi Sally Staley Diana & Gene Stromberg Bob Taylor & Jeff Herrmann
Gifts were received in memory of: Beverly Dilling Hildegard Gebhardt James O. Roberts
The Women’s Committee Formed in 1961, the committee is Great Lakes Theater’s longest standing volunteer support group. Members act as hosts for our actors, provide support in our administrative office & at events, & cheer us on throughout the season. If you would like to become a member, call Joanne Hulec at (216) 252-8717 for more information. Officers
Barbara Cercone, President Janice Campbell, Vice Chair Viola McDowell, Recording Secretary Bernice Bolek, Corresponding Secretary Nanci Kirkpatrick, Treasurer
Every effort is made to ensure that our Donor records are current and correct. Please call the Development Office at (216) 4534442 with questions or to report updates and revisions.
TRUSTEES Chair
Thomas G. Stafford
President
Timothy J. Downing
Secretary
Kim Bixenstine
Treasurer Walter Avdey
Trustees
Mary J. Mayer John E. McGrath Leslie H. Moeller Danielle Morris Janet E. Neary Robert D. Neary Pamela G. Noble Michael J. Peterman Timothy K. Pistell David P. Porter Georgianna T. Roberts Ana G. Rodriguez Sally J. Staley Diana W. Stromberg Gerald F. Unger Thomas D. Warren Nancy Wellener Kevin M. White Julie Sabroff Willoughby
Patrick Zohn Rebecca A. Zuti
Life Trustees
Carolyn Dickson Barry Doggett Rudolph Garfield William MacDonald III Ellen Stirn Mavec John D. Schubert Peter Shimrak Laura Siegel
STRATEGIC ALLIANCE In 2002, Great Lakes Theater (Cleveland, Ohio) and Idaho Shakespeare Festival (Boise, Idaho) conceived a unique, strategic producing alliance designed to maximize return on organizational investments, increase production efficiencies, create long term work opportunities for artists and share best practices. In 2010, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival (Incline Village, Nevada) joined the collaborative — further contributing to the momentum of the revolutionary producing prototype's success. The long term results have been remarkable. The alliance's three independent, 501c3 regional theaters have shared 50 jointly-created productions — each featuring long term, multi-city employment opportunities for artistic company members. This revolutionary producing model has realized its vision and exceeded expectations while simultaneously resulting in notable audience growth for each company.
GreatLakesTheater.org
Michelle Arendt Dalia Baker Gary D. Benz David Bialosky Mitchell G. Blair Todd M. Burger
William Caster Beverly J. Coen Gail L. Cudak Leslie Dickson Carol Dolan Dr. Howard G. Epstein Natalie Epstein Dianne V. Foley Stephen H. Gariepy Elizabeth A. Grove Samuel Hartwell Mary Elizabeth Huber Diane Kathleen Hupp William W. Jacobs John E. Katzenmeyer Denise Horstman Keen Kathleen Kennedy Faisal Khan John W. Lebold
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STAFF Leadership Charles Fee, Producing Artistic Director Bob Taylor, Executive Director
at Playhouse Square
Management Team Director of Development.........................Don Bernardo Production Manager...............Christopher D. Flinchum Director of Educational Services.................Kelly Schaffer Florian Director of Marketing & Strategic Advancement......................Todd Krispinsky Director of Educational Programming...... Lisa Ortenzi
Artistic
Wardrobe Supervisor..................... Colleen McLaughlin Wardrobe Crew............ Zach Hickle, Mackenzie Malone Wig Design...................................Mary Schilling-Martin Master Electrician.....................................Tammy Taylor Scenic Artist.................................................. Ruth Lohse Audio Supervisor.....................................Brian Chismar Stage Manager............................................... Tim Kinzel Assistant Stage Manager............................. Amy Essick Production Associate...................................Amy Essick Run Crew.......................Richard Haberlen, Gary Zsigrai Hanna Theatre Crew............Thomas Boddy, Chris Guy, Shaun Milligan, Nathan Tulenson
Volunteers
Artistic Associate..............................................Tom Ford
Trinity High School Intern......................Maxwell O’Neal Company Doctor.....Dr. Donald Ford & Cleveland Clinic
Administration
Special Thanks
Development Manager............................Chris Fornadel Audience Engagement Coordinator........ Jeremy Lewis Assistant Production Manager......... Corrie E. Purdum Manager of Finance & Administration.....................................Stephanie Reed Donor Relations Associate...............Elizabeth Steward
Arrow Video Baldwin Wallace University Costume Department
Education Education Outreach Associate................David Hansen School Residency Program Actor-Teachers........................................... Luke Brett, Chennelle Bryant-Harris, Chelsea Cannon, DeLee Cooper, Khaki Hermann, Tim Keo, Shaun O’Neill, Will Sanborn
Great Lakes Theater is a member of the League of Resident Theaters (LORT) and operates under agreements with LORT, Actors’ Equity Association, American Federation of Musicians, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, and the United Scenic Artists, which are unions representing professional actors, stage managers, musicians, stagehands, directors, choreographers, and designers, respectively, in the United States.
LORT
Production Technical Director.......................................Mark Cytron Assistant Technical Director..........William Langenhop Master Carpenter.......................................Lindsay Loar Carpenter/Welder...............................Richard Haberlen Properties Master..............................Jessica Rosenlieb Assistant Props Master......................Bernadine Cockey Costume Shop Manager................. Esther M. Haberlen Assistant Costume Shop Manager.................Leah Loar
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1501 Euclid Ave., Suite 300, Cleveland, OH 44115 P: (216) 241-5490 F: (216) 241-6315 W: GreatLakesTheater.org
Playbill Editor: Linda Feagler For advertising information, please contact Matthew Kraniske: 216-377-3681
PLAYHOUSE SQUARE HISTORY HANNA THEATRE Trivia Since its opening in 1921, the Hanna Theatre has been the site of two world premieres: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Me and Juliette in 1953 and, in 1974, Odyssey by Michel Legrand starring Yul Brynner. Another first occurred in 1937, when Gilbert and Sullivan’s first Cleveland-staged opera was performed at the Hanna by the D’Oyly Carte Company from London.
The GE Chandelier Officially the world’s largest outdoor chandelier, the 20-foot tall GE Chandelier is adorned with 4200 crystals. To find out how it was made, visit the Playhouse Square YouTube channel.
One of many fascinating items to be found in the book Playhouse Square: An Entertaining History deals with the infamous John Wilkes Booth. Booth performed locally at the old Academy of Music, which was one of the first drama schools in the country and was located at 1371 W. 6th Street. It was at that Cleveland Academy where he would play his last role prior to performing at Washington D.C.’s Ford Theatre where he would assassinate President Lincoln. (Might history have been changed if the Academy had held over Booth’s play for an extended run?)
World’s Longest Lobby Explained In 1920 as the Loew’s chain anticipated building in the area that would come to be known as Playhouse Square, it was discovered there wasn’t sufficient room to build two theaters side by side in the available space. Since it was important that the proposed theater marquees be located on Euclid Avenue, an architectural plan was devised. Even though the State Theatre would be completed and open 21 months before the
What Would It Cost to Build Them Today? Even though the Connor Palace is not the largest of the Playhouse Square venues, it was the most costly to build ($3.5 million) by the time it premiered on Nov. 6, 1922. The largest theater, the State, (opened Feb. 5, 1921) was built at a cost of $2 million; the Ohio (Feb. 14, 1921) also cost $2 million, and the Allen’s costs totaled $1.9 million when it opened April 1, 1921. (Exact building costs for the Hanna Theatre — which opened March 28, 1921 — have yet to be uncovered.)
There Goes the Neighborhood! The 1870s ushered in the golden age for Euclid Avenue as the street became a stretch of grand mansions, with grounds often extending as far as Lake Erie, and stately elm trees arching over the avenue. Called Millionaire’s Row, it was the address where all the best families lived. But by Cleveland’s Centennial in 1896, Euclid Avenue residents were likely muttering, Well, there goes the neighborhood! as the dirt street was paved with sandstone, and businessmen began to buy up and tear down the mansions and towering elms to make way for commercial ventures. Streetcar lines on the once totally residential stretch hastened the creation of a commercial district, forcing wealthy families to move even farther east on Euclid Avenue. In another 30 years, the district would see the birth of the five main theaters that would eventually become Playhouse Square.
GreatLakesTheater.org
A Change in History?
Connor Palace, it was decided to build the State behind the Connor Palace. This led to the construction of the State’s 320-footlong lobby, reported to be the longest theater lobby in the world. The Ohio Theatre would then be built on the other side of the State, giving all three theaters the desired Euclid Avenue marquee frontage.
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GUEST SERVICES AT PLAYHOUSE SQUARE Guest Assistance For questions or service that may provide a quality, entertaining experience, please see the House Manager on duty. A RedCoat usher can direct you to their office location.
at Playhouse Square
We Love Hearing From Our Guests Your feedback is important. For matters that are not immediate or for additional questions you may have, please access our online comment form at playhousesquare. org/contact-us. We read and share all comments with the staff and meet often to discuss how we can improve upon your experience at Playhouse Square. You may also find us on Facebook at facebook.com/playhousesquare, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/playhousesquare.
Beware of Ticket Scalpers Buy your tickets ONLY from the Playhouse Square Ticket Office, at playhousesquare. org, by phone at 216-241-6000 or your licensed group/travel leader. (We cannot guarantee validity or admittance for tickets purchased elsewhere, nor can we issue replacement tickets if they are lost or stolen). Help us keep ticket prices affordable and fair for everyone.
Service for Our Guests with Special Needs Large type programs and wireless headsets are available in the House Manager’s office.
Camera Policy Cameras, including cameras on cell phones and other personal handheld devices, audio/ video tape recorders and flash photography are strictly prohibited.
Emergency Phone Number In emergency situations, family members or babysitters may call 216-771-5537 (evening hours) or 216-771-4444 (daytime hours) should they need to get a message to a guest in our theaters.
Cell Phones The experience of a live performance can be ruined by the interruption of ringtones, vibrating phones or conversation. The magic of a darkened theater can be disrupted by the light of someone text messaging as well. Please be considerate to others and remember to turn off your cell phone for the duration of the show.
Thank You
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Playhouse Square gratefully acknowledges the people of Cuyahoga County for their historical support to theater restoration, upkeep and programming, as well as through their ongoing contributions through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.
SEPT./OCT. AT PLAYHOUSE SQUARE OUTCALT/ HELEN/ ALLEN ALLEN
ALLEN Sunday
Monday
HANNA
KENNEDY’S
Tuesday
Yoga (11:15 am)
4
Havana Cuba All-Stars
5
OHIO
Wednesday
Tai Chi (11 am)
6
7
Yoga (11:15 am) Tai Chi (11 am) Carlos Jones and the Plus Band (5:30)
CONNOR PALACE Thursday
STATE
US BANK WESTFIELD PLAZA STUDIO
Friday
SEPTEMBER
Saturday Summer Movie Series: Minions
Farmer’s Market (10:30 am) Take A Hike Tours (6:30 pm)
Cleveland Bazaar (10 am) Hoop Class (11 am)
Farmer’s Market (10:30 am) Take A Hike Tours (6:30 pm)
Cleveland Bazaar (10 am) Hoop Class (11 am)
Farmer’s Market (10:30 am) Take A Hike Tours (6:30 pm) Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards
Hoop Class (11 am) All The Way Sonia Rodriguez: A Ballerina’s Legacy
Jersey Boys All The Way
Jersey Boys Black Violin All The Way My Fair Lady Lanford Wilson: TAKE 5
1
8
2
3
9 10
Jersey Boys All The Way
Jersey Boys All The Way
Jersey Boys All The Way My Fair Lady Lanford Wilson: TAKE 5
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 All The Way
Jersey Boys All The Way
Peppa Pig Live! All The Way
All The Way NeNe Leakes
OCTOBER
All The Way Lanford Wilson: TAKE 5 Twelfth Night
All The Way Lanford Wilson: TAKE 5 Twelfth Night
Fun Home All The Way Lanford Wilson: TAKE 5 Twelfth Night
Fun Home All The Way My Fair Lady Lanford Wilson: TAKE 5 Twelfth Night Jackie Evancho
Fun Home My Fair Lady Lanford Wilson: TAKE 5 Bianca Del Rio GroundWorks DanceTheater
Fun Home My Fair Lady Lanford Wilson: TAKE 5 Get The Led Out GroundWorks DanceTheater
Fun Home Twelfth Night Lanford Wilson: TAKE 5 Music Masters: Johnny Cash
Fun Home My Fair Lady Lanford Wilson: TAKE 5 Twelfth Night C.S. Lewis Onstage Sex With Strangers
My Fair Lady Lanford Wilson: TAKE 5 Sex With Strangers Mufaro’s/Daughters Southern Hip Hop Avenue Q
My Fair Lady Lanford Wilson: TAKE 5 Twelfth Night Sex With Strangers Mufaro’s/Daughters Avenue Q The Capitol Steps
25 26 27 28 29 30
Fun Home All The Way Twelfth Night
2
Fun Home All The Way My Fair Lady Lanford Wilson: TAKE 5
3
Fun Home All The Way Love Jones The Musical
Fun Home All The Way My Fair Lady
Fun Home All The Way My Fair Lady
4
Fun Home A Celebration of Dance & Music
5
Fun Home Twelfth Night
6
Fun Home Twelfth Night
7
1
GreatLakesTheater.org
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Giada Valenti All The Way
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9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Fun Home My Fair Lady Lanford Wilson: TAKE 5
Fun Home
My Fair Lady C.S. Lewis Onstage Sex With Strangers Manh Transfer/Take 6
Sex With Strangers Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters
Fun Home My Fair Lady Joan Baez
Fun Home My Fair Lady
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Twelfth Night Sex With Strangers Mufaro’s/Daughters Avenue Q
23/30 24/31
My Fair Lady Sex With Strangers Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters
My Fair Lady Sex With Strangers Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters Avenue Q
25 26 27 28 29
New shows are announced every week. Sign up for the Playhouse Square newsletter at playhousesquare.org to get advance notices by email!
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WE’VE BEEN PATRONS OF THE LOCAL ARTS SCENE FOR YEARS. NEARLY 150 OF THEM. We’re extremely proud to sponsor Playhouse Square. Your creativity and passion inspire all of us to try to shine as brightly as you. From all your fans at Huntington Bank, thank you.
The Huntington National Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. ® and Huntington® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. Huntington.® Welcome.TM is a service mark of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. ©2016 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.