PlayhouseSquare Behind the Curtain Blog

This week’s theater news…

playhousesquare — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:00:30 +0000

Disney to adapt Peter and the Starcatcher for big screen.

Theater news for the week of May 19 – May 25

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

Happening on Broadway …

Bernadette Peters, Ricky Martin and more to perform at 2012 Tony Awards

The cast of Once, Newsies, Nice Work If You Can Get It, along with Bernadette Peters and Ricky Martin are set to perform at the 2012 Tony Awards. Also expected to perform is Josh Yong from Jesus Christ Superstar and the cast of Godspell. Check out who else is performing here!

Harvey begins run on Broadway

Harvey, starring two-time Emmy winner Jim Parsons, began previews on May 18 and will officially open on June 14 at Studio 54. Directed by Scott Ellis, the Roundabout Theatre Company production will play a limited engagement through August 5. Harvey tells the tale of Elwood P. Dowd (Parsons), an eccentric man with an unusual best friend—a six-foot-tall rabbit named Harvey.

Disney to adapt Peter and the Starcatcher for Big Screen

Jesse Wigutow is set to write a film adaptation of the best-selling children’s novel Peter and the Starcatcher. Peter and the Starcatcher recently earned nine Tony Award nominations and is running at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre; the show’s company of 12 actors portray some 50 characters, all on a journey to answer the question: How did Peter Pan become The Boy Who Refused To Grow Up?

Upcoming Events at PlayhouseSquare

Elegy for a Lady/Three Women
Girl’s Night: The Musical
Sondheim on Sondheim – part of the KeyBank Broadway Series
Take A Hike Tours
7^th Annual Golf Outing – sponsored by Lexus
Footloose – presented by CMSD and Great Lakes Theater

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This week’s theater news…

playhousesquare — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:47:42 +0000

Andrew Veenstra to lead War Horse national tour cast.

Theater news for the week of May 12 – May 18

Happening on Broadway …

Peter and the Starcatcher, Evita announce national tours

Peter and the Starcatcher, which recently earned 9 Tony nominations and the Tony nominated revival Evita, have both announced they are set for national tours in 2013. The national tour of Evita will kick off its national tour in the fall of 2013 at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The national tour of Peter and the Starcatcher will kick of in August 2013 at the Ellis Caulkins Opera House in Denver,Colorado.

Andrew Veenstra to lead War Horse National Tour

Andrew Veentra is set to lead the national tour of War Horse as Albert Narracott, which kicks off June 14 at the Ahmanson Theatre inLos Angeles. Veenstra will be joined by Brian Keane as Arthur Narracott, Michael Wyatt Cox as Billy Narracott, Todd Cerveris as Ted Narracott, Angela Reed as Rose Narracott, Jason Loughlin as Lieutenant James Nicholls, and Jason Alan Carvell as Private Schnabel.

Zooey Deschanel is headed to Broadway

Zooey Deschanel is set to play Loretta Lynn in the Broadway-bound musical Coal Miner’s Daughter. Loretta Lynn made the announcement on Thursday from the Ryman Auditorium inNashville during Opry Country Classics. Deschanel was personally picked beLynn for the show. An opening date and complete casting has not yet been announced.

Upcoming Events at PlayhouseSquare

Come Fly Away – part of the KeyBank Broadway Series
Elegy for a Lady/Three Women
Girl’s Night: The Musical
Sondheim on Sondheim – part of the KeyBank Broadway Series
Dancing Wheels
The Business of the Arts Careers in the Performing Arts Distance Learning Program

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Don’t know Stephen Sondheim? Guess again

playhousesquare — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:15:06 +0000

I must admit, when I first heard about the shows in the 2011-2012 KeyBank Broadway Series, I wasn’t so sure about Sondheim on Sondheim. I knew the name sounded familiar from somewhere, but aside from not be able to place where I knew the name, I knew nothing else. Or so I thought.

Fast forward to researching Stephen Sondheim while learning about all the Broadway shows when I first started working for PlayhouseSquare—I immediately felt a bit dumb because it turns out, I knew a lot more about Sondheim than I originally thought.

Know the show West Side Story? Have you seen A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Into the Woods, Gypsy, or Sweeney Todd? All are shows Sondheim contributed to—either in writing the lyrics or composing both the music and lyrics. In addition to those works, Sondheim is known for his music work in the following shows: Follies, A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George, Assassins, Anyone Can Whistle and Company and Passion, just to name a few.

His music has also been featured in movies, some of which include: The Birdcage, Terms of Endearment, Anger Management, Ella Enchanted and Sleeping With The Enemy.

Sondheim’s contributions to music don’t stop there-in addition to film and theater, his music has been featured on many television shows, including The Simpsons, Friends, The Muppet Show, Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Brady Bunch and Glee.

Among the many awards and honors Sondheim has received are:

Eight Tony Awards
Seven Drama Desk Awards
Six Olivier Awards
Eight Grammy Awards
One Academy Award
A Pulitzer Prize
KennedyCenterLifetime Achievement Award
American National Medal of the Arts

Also interesting to note that this is the first time Sondheim on Sondheim is being performed outside of New York City. This has allowed for a unique partnership between PlayhouseSquare and Great Lakes Theater, because the show is being produced in collaboration.

Interested in learning more about Stephen Sondheim? Visit sondheim.com or check out our Broadway Buzz Newsletter here.

Sondheim on Sondheim opens Wednesday at PlayhouseSquare and runs through July 8. For more information on the show, click here.

–Carly

This week’s theater news…

playhousesquare — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:15:29 +0000

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying to end Broadway run.

Theater news for the week of May 5 – May 11

Happening on Broadway …

Once, Nice Work If You Can Get It, announce national tours

Once, which recently earned 11 Tony nominations and Nice Work If You Can Get It, which recently earned 10 Tony nominations, have both announced they are set for national tours in 2013. Dates and cities for the national tours have yet to be announced.

Charlie Chaplin Musical, Chaplin, set to open on Broadway

Chaplin, the new musical depicting the life of silent film star Charlie Chaplin, will begin performances August 21 at the Barrymore Theatre with opening night set for September 10. The musical will be directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle (Finian’s Rainbow) and features music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis and a book by Curtis and Tony winner Thomas Meehan (The Producers). No casting has been announced at this time.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Leap of Faith to end Broadway run

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Leap of Faith have both announced they will end their Broadway run. How to Succeed in Business will end its Broadway run May 20, after 30 preview and 473 regular performances and Leap of Faith will end its Broadway run on May 13 after 24 preview and 20 regular performances.

Upcoming Events at PlayhouseSquare

In the Next Room ( or the vibrator play ) – presented by Cleveland Play House
Come Fly Away – part of the KeyBank Broadway Series
Bust – presented by Cleveland Play House
Pink Martini with Storm Large
The Rap Guide to Evolution – presented by Cleveland Play House
Under the Streetlamp
Elegy for a Lady/Three Women
70’s Soul Jam
The Fagin Effect – presented by Cleveland Play House
Jim Gaffigan
NEA Jazz Master Concert, Jimmy Heath
The Singing Angels
Come Fly Away Careers in the Performing Arts Distance Learning
Girl’s Night: The Musical
Come Fly Away Dance Master Class
Ladies of Last Chance – presented by KeyBank
Sondheim on Sondheim
Bartending for Buses – presented by PlayhouseSquare Partners
Trailer Park Boys Live
Yanni

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This week’s theater news…

playhousesquare — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:00:56 +0000

Once leads the 2012 Tony Award nominees with 11 nominations.

Theater news for the week of April 28 – May 4

Happening on Broadway …

2012 Tony nominees announced

The 2012 Tony Award nominees were announced on May 1. Once garnered the most nominations (11); Porgy and Bess, Nice Work If You Can Get It and Peter and the Starcatcher also received numerous nominations. You can see a full list of nominees here.

Scarlett Johansson set to return to Broadway

Scarlett Johansson is in talks to return to Broadway in fall 2012 as Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. “I’m close to making a deal on it,” Johansson said. “I can not wait absolutely to get to it. I’m exhilarated, I’m terrified, but I think in a good way.” Johansson earned a Tony Award for her Broadway debut performance in A View From the Bridge.

Hugh Jackman and Bernadette Peters to receive special Tony Awards

Hugh Jackman and Bernadette Peters will receive special Tony Awards at the 2012 Tony Awards. Jackman is being honored with the Special Award for his contributions to the Broadway community, both as a performer and a humanitarian. Peters is set to receive the Isabelle Stevenson Award for her work with her animal charity Broadway Barks.

Upcoming Events at PlayhouseSquare

In the Next Room ( or the vibrator play ) – presented by Cleveland Play House
Every Good Boy Deserves Favor –presented by Cleveland Play House and the Cleveland Orchestra
Baobab – part of our International Children’s Festival
Emilio and the Enchanted Cow – part of our International Children’s Festival
World Of Rhythm – part of our International Children’s Festival
Zorro– part of our International Children’s Festival
Squirm Burpee – part of our International Children’s Festival
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Roe Green New Play Reading – presented by Cleveland Play House
Dorothy Silver New Play Reading – presented by Cleveland Play House
Come Fly Away – part of the KeyBank Broadway Series
Bust – presented by Cleveland Play House
Pink Martini with Storm Large
The Rap Guide to Evolution – presented by Cleveland Play House
Under the Streetlamp
Elegy for a Lady/Three Women
70’s Soul Jam

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

This week’s theater news…

playhousesquare — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:50:05 +0000

Annie opens on Broadway Fall 2012.

Theater news for the week of April 21 – April 27

Happening on Broadway …

Leap of Faith leaps onto Broadway

The musical adaptation of Leap of Faith opened last night at Broadway’s St. James Theatre. Starring Raúl Esparza, Jessica Phillins and Kendra Kassebaum and directed by Tony nominee Christopher Ashley, the show features music by Alan Menken and choreography by Sergio Trujillo. Based on the 1992, Leap of Faith centers around con artist Jonas Nightingale (Esparza) and what happens when his traveling ministry breaks down in a smallKansas town.

2012 Drama League Nominations Announced

Nominations for the 78^th annual Drama League Awards have been announced. Nominations include categories such as Distinguished Revival of a Play, Distinguished Production of a Musical, and Distinguished Performer Award. Alan Menken and Rosie O’Donnell will be awarded the Drama League’s 2012 Distinguished Contributions and Achievement in Theatre honors. Check out a full list of nominees here.

Revival of Annie headed for Broadway
Annie is headed to back to Broadway in the fall and is set to be directed by three-time Tony winner James Lapine, with choreography by Tony Award winner Andy Blakenbuehler. The original production of Annie opened April 21, 1977 at the Alvin Theatre and went on to win seven Drama Desk Awards, the Grammy for Best Cast Show Album and seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best score. Eleven-year-old Lilla Crawford was announced this morning as playing the title role-she has previously played Debbie in the closing cast of Billy Elliot on Broadway.

Upcoming Events at PlayhouseSquare

Flanagan’s Wake –presented by the Frankie Kong Players
In the Next Room ( or the vibrator play ) – presented by Cleveland Play House
The American Dream/The Death of Bessie Smith – presented by CSU Dept. of Theater/Dance
Romeo and Juliet – presented by Great Lakes Theater
Elegy for a Lady/Three Women
Slam U Finals Competition
David Sanborn/Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue – presented by Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland
Jim Norton
Diana Krall – presented by Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland
Diggy Simmons
Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend
Colm Toibin – presented by Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation
PlayhouseSquare Partners Mini-Golf Par-Tee
Every Good Boy Deserves Favor –presented by Cleveland Play House and the Cleveland Orchestra
Baobab – part of our International Children’s Festival
Emilio and the Enchanted Cow – part of our International Children’s Festival
World Of Rhythm – part of our International Children’s Festival
Zorro– part of our International Children’s Festival
Squirm Burpee – part of our International Children’s Festival
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

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Art Walk inspired by children

playhousesquare — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:24:49 +0000

Imagine walking into work one morning and the office building directly across from where you work was suddenly covered in a huge black and white photo of children’s faces.

You’d notice it, right?

That’s exactly the effect our Community Engagement & Education Department was going for in designing the 2012 Art Walk for this year’s PNC International Children’s Festival presented by Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital.

The 2012 Art Walk was largely inspired by an artist who goes by the moniker JR. JR, a Parisian photographer who started his work as a young man simply wanting to put his mark on the streets, began his craft as a graffiti artist. Now 29, JR’s work has taken stage in many cities and countries across the world, including Paris, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, Kenya, Switzerland, China and Italy.

JR's piece: Women Are Heroes in Kibera Slum - Kenya. January 2009

Since his start in Paris, JR has become famous for doing large graffiti style photography installations in public spaces. His main focus has been to bring art to people by bringing it to the street saying, “In the street, we reach people who never go to museums.” You can see some of his art installations on his website here.

Using JR’s style of art as inspiration, this year we decided to shift the focus off of the artwork that children have created, and focus on the children themselves. To make the biggest impact possible, we took over the Hanna Building by putting up a 20’ x 140’ banner, featuring images of children.

Several artists worked on the Art Walk project, including Toni Starinsky, Eric Mull, and Gabriel Gonzalez. Toni, who is Chairman of Visual Arts and Director of Video and The Photographic Arts at The Cleveland School of the Arts and Gabriel, a recipient of the Scholastics Art and Writing National Gold Award, worked with student photographers from the STAMP organization (Students Teaching and Mentoring Photography).

STAMP, a program based out of The Cleveland School of the Arts, photographed children who had attended Children’s Theater Series shows. Their work can be seen on several flags in Star Plaza and surrounding area.

Eric Mull, a panoramic photographer and graduate of Bowling Green State University in Visual Communications Technology and author of The American Skyscraper, worked to create the banner hanging from the Hanna Building.

So why feature children’s faces, instead of children’s art?

According to Glynis Brault, Education Program Coordinator at PlayhouseSquare, the theme of the International Children’s Festival “celebrating the world we share” really inspired the Art Walk. “Every year thousands of children come to PlayhouseSquare to attend our Children’s Theater Series shows” said Brault. “These children come from different schools, live in different cities, and have different backgrounds, but when they come to PlayhouseSquare they are brought together and share in the same experience of watching live theater. With that in mind we thought it would be fitting to take pictures of children who attended the Children’s Theater Series

this year and those would be the faces we displayed for the Art Walk.”

Come downtown and check out the Art Walk for yourself! The Art Walk, which wraps around the Hanna Building, will be up now through the International Children’s Festival, May 4-5. In addition to many shows, there are several free activities to take part in at the festival, including workshops, children’s films, crafts and of course, the Art Walk. Hope to see you there!

This week’s theater news…

playhousesquare — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:07:54 +0000

Matilda scored seven wins at London’s Olivier Awards

Theater news for the week of April 7 – April 13

Happening on Broadway …

Corbin Bleu stars as Jesus in Godspell

Corbin Bleu returned to Broadway as Jesus in Godspell on April 17. Bleu, who made his Broadway debut as Usnavi in In The Heights is best known for his role as Chad Danforth in the High School Musical film series. Bleu will take over the role from original star Hunter Parrish.

Matilda earns seven wins at Olivier Awards

Matilda scored big at the 2012 Olivier Awards, taking home seven trophies, including Best New Musical. The number set a new record for most awards won by a single production in the award ceremony’s history. Ten year-old Eleanor Worthington-Cox, who plays the title role, took home Best Actress in a Musical, becoming the youngest actress to ever receive the award.

War Horse celebrates first year on Broadway

The Tony-winning production of War Horse celebrated its first anniversary at Lincoln Center Theater’s Vivian Beaumont Theater on April 14. War Horse has also been made into a major motion picture film (directed by Steven Spielberg) and is launching a national tour hitting PlayhouseSquare April 9 -21, 2013.

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Celebrating 90 years of PlayhouseSquare

playhousesquare — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:38:53 +0000

We’re celebrating our 90^th birthday all year long here at PlayhouseSquare—but more than anything, we’re excited to share our celebration with you!

Joining us in our celebration is The Cleveland Public Library. From now through August, the library will feature an exhibit honoring the 90^th anniversary of PlayhouseSquare. The exhibit features the history of our theaters, from its opening in 1921 through the present.

I had the opportunity to visit the display and was truly impressed at how many historical items were featured. The second floor, which is devoted to the display, contains several large lighted display boxes. Each display box is themed around a different time period-starting with “Curtains Rise on Five New Cleveland Theaters: 1920-1930s” to “The Performing Arts—Catalyst for Partnership: 1990s-2000s” and all the years in between.

Some of the items on display include:

–1921 Ohio Theatre Program
–1921AllenTheatre Inaugural Program
–1922 Palace Theatre Opening Night Program
–1973 menu from Jacques Brel is Alive Well and Living in Paris

Some of my favorite items from the display include:

–Crystal beads and ornaments from the Palace Theatre chandelier
–Ballet shoes, props and show memorabilia from shows such as The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked
–Photos, scrapbooks, playbills and newspaper clippings

If you’re interested in learning more about PlayhouseSquare, or want to take a step back in time to see what the theaters were like in the past, this is definitely an excellent place to start.

For more information about the display, visit cpl.org

–Carly

This week’s theater news…

playhousesquare — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:30:51 +0000

The Lion King becomes highest-grossing show on Broadway.

Theater news for the week of April 7 – April 13

Happening on Broadway …

Kristin Chenoweth and Jim Parsons to announce 2012 Tony Award nominations

Tony-Award winner Kristin Chenoweth and Emmy-winner Jim Parsons will co-host the announcement of the 2012 Tony Award nominations on Tuesday, May 1. The event will be broadcast live starting at 8:30 am by NY 1 from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

Lion King now highest-grossing Broadway show

Disney’s Tony-winning musical The Lion King recently surpassed Broadway’s longest-running show, Phantom of the Opera, as Broadway’s all-time highest grossing show. The Lion King has also recently become the sixth longest-running musical on Broadway. Based on the Disney film, The Lion King first opened on Broadway on November 13, 1997. The show is now in its 15^th year and has produced over 19 different productions around the world.

Liberace Musical eyes possible Broadway run
All That Glitters, a bio-musical based on the life of pianist and vocalist Wladziu Valentino Liberace, is set to workshop at the Baryshnikov Arts Center May 8-11, with hopes to open on Broadway in the near future. All That Glitters, directed, composed and choreographed by Alexander DeJong will also feature costumes by Bob Mackie and additional music by Tom Nelson.

Upcoming Events at PlayhouseSquare

Flanagan’s Wake –presented by the Frankie Kong Players
The Addams Family – part of the KeyBank Broadway Series
Banff Mountain Film Festival
In the Next Room ( or the vibrator play ) – presented by Cleveland Play House
Ron White
The American Dream/The Death of Bessie Smith – presented by CSU Dept. of Theater/Dance
The Addams Family Master Dance Class
Anne Lamott – presented by Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation
Romeo and Juliet – presented by Great Lakes Theater
Elegy for a Lady/Three Women
William Shatner
The Addams Family Careers in the Peforming Arts Distance Learning Program

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