THE ARTS Cleveland Play House and the Community America’s first professional regional theatre partners with local organizations. by Erica Beimesche 48 <strong>ULTIMATE</strong> / MARCH-APRIL 2017
IF YOU ASK ARTISTIC DIRECTOR LAURA KEPLEY what Cleveland Play House (CPH) is all about, she’ll tell you that the theatre exists “to tell stories that matter; to nurture artists at every stage of their career; to create thrilling, bold, and necessary new work; and develop innovative education programs.” In short, to create art that reflects stories in our community and around the world, and in doing so strengthen the bonds that unite us. Each season, CPH stages seven to nine productions in three state-of-the-art venues at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland. And a lot goes in to making that happen. Behind the Scenes First, the artistic team reads and discusses hundreds of plays. After much consideration the season takes shape. Then, director and designers from around the country are chosen for each show, and soon they’re hard at work, collaborating as they imagine and outline the world of the play. As designs are finalized, the director and a casting agency cast the show. Before long, actors are in the rehearsal room learning lines, moving through blocking, and exploring each moment in the script. Meanwhile, carpenters, painters, prop masters, and costume artisans build the set, props, and costumes. Electricians hang the lights. Audio engineers program sound boards and rig microphones and speakers. As the artists craft world-class theatre productions, all energy is focused on meeting that one critical deadline: opening night. And that’s just the mainstage season. Other offerings include New Ground Theatre Festival, generously sponsored by Honorary Producer Roe Green, which showcases new theatrical works (from large-scale productions, to solo performances, to play readings) every spring. CPH has grown immensely—in size, scope, and impact—since its formation in 1915. What began as a living-room puppet theatre has evolved into America’s first professional regional theatre, and, in 2015, it received the coveted Regional Theatre Tony Award.® Over the years, it has hosted and helped launch the careers of many well-known actors, including Joel Grey (the original Emcee in Cabaret), Paul Newman (Academy Award winner for Eddie Felson in The Color of Money), and Alan Alda (Captain Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H). BELOW: A scene from the recent CPH production of Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, a madcap comedic adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles. Photo by Roger Mastroianni. 2017-18 SEASON SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Sept 9 – Oct 1, 2017 THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK Oct 21 – Nov 12, 2017 A CHRISTMAS STORY Nov 24 – Dec 23, 2017 MARIE AND ROSETTA Jan 20 – Feb 11, 2018 THE INVISIBLE HAND Feb 17 – Mar 11, 2018 THE 25 TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE Apr 14 – May 6, 2018 THE ROYALE May 5 – 27, 2018 Nisi Sturgis and Evan Alexander Smith in Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. Credit: Roger Mastroianni. SUBSCRIPTIONS AND GROUP TICKETS ON SALE NOW! 216.400.7096 clevelandplayhouse.com MARCH-APRIL 2017 / <strong>ULTIMATE</strong> 49
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