Abdul Salaam El Razzac: (Joseph Barlow) is an alumnus of Karamu House Theatre here in Cleveland and a founding member of Penumbra Theatre in Saint, Paul, Minnesota. Regional appearances include Williamstown Theatre Festival, Los Angeles Theatre Center, American Conservatory Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Guthrie Theater, South Coast Repertory, Penumbra, Trinity Rep., Tiffany Theater, The Nate Holden Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Kansas City Rep, and Arizona Theatre Company. El Razzac portrayed Avery in the national tour of The Piano Lesson. He received the N.A.A.C.P. Image Award and L.A. Drama Critics Award for his performance as Toledo in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, and the Image Award for his role as Spencer in Etta Jenks. Television and film includes Martin, Out All Night, Star Trek: The Next Generation, General Hospital, Pretty Woman, Glory, Malcolm X, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Female Perversion, Becker, Frasier, 8 Mile, Crazy, and Conversations With God, to name a few. El Razzac is also an award-winning theatrical director. less is an alumnus of Karamu House Theatre here in Cleveland and a founding member of Penumbra Theatre in Saint, Paul, Minnesota. Regional appearances include Williamstown Theatre Festival, Los Angeles Theatre Center, American Conservatory Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Guthrie Theater, South Coast Repertory, Penumbra, Trinity Rep., Tiffany Theater,... more

Austene Van: (Mame Wilks) recently directed Hot Chocolate, Gee’s Bend, and Lady Day at Park Square Theatre; A Civil War Christmas at History Theatre; Blues in the Night at Ordway; and Black Nativity at Penumbra Theatre. As an actor her credits include Gem of the Ocean, Blue, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Dinah Was, Blues for an Alabama Sky, and Seven Guitars at Penumbra Theatre; Amen Corner, Gem of the Ocean, Darker Face of the Earth, and A Christmas Carol at Guthrie Theater; To Kill a Mockingbird at Park Square; Once on this Island at Minneapolis Children's Theatre Company; and Singing in the Rain as Lina Lamant at Ordway. Van is a Penumbra Theatre Company member since 1997, and she is associate artistic director of History Theatre in St. Paul, MN. less recently directed Hot Chocolate, Gee’s Bend, and Lady Day at Park Square Theatre; A Civil War Christmas at History Theatre; Blues in the Night at Ordway; and Black Nativity at Penumbra Theatre. As an actor her credits include Gem of the Ocean, Blue, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Dinah Was, Blues for an Alabama Sky,... more

David Alan Anderson: (Roosevelt Hicks) returns to Cleveland Play House where he played Walter Lee Younger in the 2008 production of A Raisin in the Sun. Anderson is a frequent performer at Indiana Repertory Theatre where his many credits include Looking Over the Presidents Shoulder, Searching for Eden, Gem of the Ocean, Blues for an Alabama Sky, Julius Caesar, The Heavens are Hung in Black, Crumbs From the Table of Joy, and many others. He is a member of Penumbra Theatre Company where credits include Seven Guitars, Jitney, King Hedley II, Two Trains Running, and A Raisin in the Sun. Regionally he has appeared in Othello at Great Lakes Theater; Othello and King Lear, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival; Guthrie Theater; Baltimore CENTERSTAGE; Berkshire Theatre Festival; People’s Light & Theatre; Arizona Theatre Company; The Kansas City Rep; Actors Theatre of Louisville; Geva Theatre; and Syracuse Stage, among others. Anderson also directs and teaches. less returns to Cleveland Play House where he played Walter Lee Younger in the 2008 production of A Raisin in the Sun. Anderson is a frequent performer at Indiana Repertory Theatre where his many credits include Looking Over the Presidents Shoulder, Searching for Eden, Gem of the Ocean, Blues for an... more

James Craven: (Harmond Wilks) is a longtime member of Penumbra Theatre Company and has performed nationwide in many other major theatres, as well as on Broadway in The Gospel at Colonus. His favorite roles include Cutler in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Loomis in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Memphis in Two Trains Running, Turnbo in Jitney, Red in Seven Guitars and Al in On the Open Road. Film and television credits include Sneakers, Downtown, The Convincer, Twin Peaks, Jake and the Fatman, Strange as Angels, D:3 The Mighty Ducks, Bill’s Gun Shop and The Young and the Restless. He was recognized for artistic excellence in 2005 by the Spencer Cherashore Fund, 2007 by the McKnight Theatre Artist Fellowship, and in 2011 by the Ten Chimneys Foundation Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship. He is a member of The Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis and the World Wildlife Fund. Craven is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University. less is a longtime member of Penumbra Theatre Company and has performed nationwide in many other major theatres, as well as on Broadway in The Gospel at Colonus. His favorite roles include Cutler in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Loomis in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Memphis in Two Trains Running, Turnbo... more

Terry Bellamy: (Sterling Johnson) is an actor, director, playwright, educator and script surgeon. He is a founding member of Penumbra Theatre and received the William Griffen Award for Outstanding Contribution to Penumbra, as well as two Drama Critics’ Circle Awards for his accomplishments as an actor. Regional theatre credits include Guthrie Theater, Baltimore CENTERSTAGE, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Goodman Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Hudson Guild Theatre Company in New York, and The National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, NC. In the Minneapolis area Bellamy has performed at Children's Theatre Company, Park Square Theatre, Mixed Blood, Illusion Theater, 10,000 Things, The Playwrights’ Center Playlabs, Chimera Theatre Company, and History Theatre. He has taught Advanced Acting at Children’s Theatre Company, Black Drama at Penumbra, and has held acting workshops around the country. He was just granted a Many Voices Fellowship from The Playwrights’ Center. He is proud to reprise the role of Sterling in August Wilson's Radio Golf! less is an actor, director, playwright, educator and script surgeon. He is a founding member of Penumbra Theatre and received the William Griffen Award for Outstanding Contribution to Penumbra, as well as two Drama Critics’ Circle Awards for his accomplishments as an actor. Regional theatre credits include Guthrie Theater, Baltimore CENTERSTAGE,... more

Radio Golf Neighborhood Journal : August Wilson’s Radio Golf asks the questions, “Can you build the future without bulldozing the past?” Our area is in a time of transition right now, too, and we wanted to know how our audiences’ neighborhoods have changed. A 4’x8’ version of this map of Cuyahoga County is in the Allen Lobby, and people are placing a pin where they live—green for positive change, red for negative—then sharing their stories in our Neighborhood Journal. We’ll be posting selected Journal entries online throughout the run of Radio Golf, so check back to see how your experiences compare. Radio Golf Neighborhood Journal Entries   “We have become less rural, which is nice.  Also we got a Best Buy and Cost-co.” ~ Strongsville   “Foreclosures are becoming too commonplace.  People are losing their homes at an alarming rate.  Jobs are disappearing in this area and businesses are quick to leave; most recently Macy’s in Parma town Mall.  Such a shame.” ~ Parma   “I think you can build the future without bulldozing the past.  When we were getting a new community park they tore the whole park down but kept some of the old stuff that was in the park. So we could remember it.” ~ Orange   “I grew up in Glenville neighborhood (E. 105th) as it became an A-list American neighborhood.  It had professional people who were great role models and mentors.  I feel proud that my segregated, inner-city public education has literally taken me around the globe and back. (And I was not in the military!)  The gentrification of the area around the Wade Park area and cultural gardens is good. I know live in University Circle.” ~ Sandra T. “Yes, you can build the future while incorporating and treasuring the past. The future is upon us. Let us not be trampled. Tread lightly. The Allen Theatre is an example of past preservation and moving forward!” ~Kari B. “Rural when I moved in 40 years ago. Now there is a lot more building and traffic.” ~ Chardon “Wooded areas were destroyed for condo developments, offices, and other projects. Some of which were never built. There are more shopping centers with lots of vacant stores. Too much traffic on the roads is also a problem. Traffic lights have been installed that work for the disadvantage of the residents. Only one Elementary School in the city (used to be there). Some other changes are illegal overnight parking on the streets and trash left on tree lawns for extended periods of time. ETC. ETC. ETC.” ~ Mayfield Heights – Since 1971 “We love to support our local businesses and value the history of the community.” ~ Cleveland Heights “We live on the Shaker – Cleveland border. We hear the gunshots and see the riff-raff from Cleveland making trouble. We and our neighborhood have been burglarized numerous times over the past 15 years. And yet it is a re-affirming and good thing to see the young families come in and set down roots in the face of all the potential troubles.” ~ Shaker Heights “The culture, history and educational facilities of Downtown Cleveland have kept us in Northern Ohio despite many opportunities for warmer climates/ newer venues like Atlanta … etc. We cherish all Cleveland offers – unavailable in other cities! Our Theaters, our Museums, our History, and our Orchestra lead the pack! Lucky Us! Support the Arts or LOSE them.” ~ Brecksville “It has the advantages of a College town and all the facilities for comfortable living, including being close to Cleveland. Improvements such as the overpass bridges are welcome!” ~ Berea “New restaurants & businesses like Mitchell’s are moving to Ohio City. But shootings and robberies are still happening. But I’m hopeful.” ~ C. from Ohio City “We live in Cleveland Heights. The Recession has closed some businesses but new ones have sprouted. Our children had a great school experience and have grown to be great adults. We love to walk to the grocery and restaurants and swim in the summer in the community pool.” ~ Cleveland Heights “Good & Bad changes – areas of retail are picking up, but on the other hand, schools are closing and crime is up. I don’t feel as safe as I think I could be. But turn around and walk down another block – it’s all growing! My husband wants to move, but I’m ok and proud still to live in my city.” “My childhood home in Elyria was demolished and replaced by a 4-lane highway. That’s Progress.” ~ Elyria “Having lived in my city for over 40 years, changes there (and everywhere) have been considerable - Fewer children outside after school, or walking to school, new windows and siding, decks and patios. People living in our neighborhood are a diverse group, somewhat more so than 40 years ago, but still civic-minded and civil.” “I’ve lived in Slavic Village which is having positive change on my side of Broadway, but negative change (empty, bulldozed homes) closer to Newburg Heights. Not enough people know the history of the rich neighborhood.” ~ Slavic Village “I’ve seen school levies fail recently and I wonder what impact that will have on the crime rate and civic pride in my neighborhood.” “Lots of negative but some positive – Slavic Village in Cleveland is almost nothing like it was 60 years ago, but many positive, constructive things are happening. I would love to be alive long enough to see it turned around like Tremont, which still has problems but is a thriving, vibrant, creative neighborhood. (I put a red and green pin in the map)” ~ Slavic Village “Brecksville has slow careful growth that strives to emphasize its large green open spaces (metropark, national park) and keep out large retail spaces such as Wal-Mart, Costco, Lowe’s, etc.” ~ Brecksville less August Wilson’s Radio Golf asks the questions, “Can you build the future without bulldozing the past?” Our area is in a time of transition right now, too, and we wanted to know how our audiences’ neighborhoods have changed. A 4’x8’ version of this map of Cuyahoga County is... more

The Season of August: For some, August Wilson is African-American Theater.  His plays are the ones most likely to appear in anthologies as representative of the works of African-American drama. His prolific career as a playwright is highlighted by the signature achievement of having written ten dramas - his Pittsburgh Cycle - wherein each play takes place in a different decade of the twentieth century.  Wilson's plays portray the African-American experience as a conglomeration of history, poetry and everyday life.  Cleveland Play House is proud to join 4 other NE Ohio area theatres who are all producing works by August Wilson this year.For more information, click the related files link to view our flyer.  less For some, August Wilson is African-American Theater.  His plays are the ones most likely to appear in anthologies as representative of the works of African-American drama. His prolific career as a playwright is highlighted by the signature achievement of having written ten dramas - his Pittsburgh Cycle - wherein each... more

Play Guide - Radio Golf: Click on the related files link below to view the Play Guide! The CPH Play Guide is a new feature this season which gives you a deeper look at the people, themes and ideas behind the play. We hope you’re making the Guide a part of your play-going and that it’s enriching your CPH experience!Though Radio Golf takes place in 1997 Pittsburgh, it’s no exaggeration to say it could be set in 2012 Cleveland, so relevant is its central question: “Can you build the future without bulldozing the past?”Learn how Pittsburgh’s Hill District—the setting for Radio Golf—parallels Cleveland’s own Hough—CPH’s neighborhood for 96 years.Find out how a “400 year biography” translates into 100 years of stories for the stage.Take a look at the ups and downs of African American experience in radio broadcasting.And though Wilson’s lead character is running to be the first black mayor of Pittsburgh in the play, you can relive Cleveland history by reading about our own Carl B. Stokes.If you enjoy these Play Guides, be sure to join us 45 minutes before every performance for a free, fun and informal pre-show conversation!Here’s hoping your Radio Golf experience is a hole-in-one!Click on the related files link below to view the Play Guide! less Click on the related files link below to view the Play Guide! The CPH Play Guide is a new feature this season which gives you a deeper look at the people, themes and... more

August Wilson in Spring Semester: As Artistic Associate for Engagement, I'm always looking for ways to connect the work we produce with the community we serve--after all, we choose the plays in our season because we believe they have something to say to our region. That's especially true of our next show, Radio Golf, by legendary playwright August Wilson. This play asks "Can you build the future without bulldozing the past," and couldn't be more relevant to Cleveland. Wilson astutely weaves issues of race and gender, economic and educational privilege, and civic duty into a play filled with characters we can relate to and care about. Since this play is so full of big, juicy questions, we're partnering with civic, business and education leaders throughout the community to bring the themes and ideas directly to the community. First, we've programmed five special post-show panel discussions featuring local experts from areas of politics, education, urban studies and development, African American history and culture, and Community Development. These will take place after Tuesday evening performances on 2/21 and 2/28, and after all Saturday matinee performances. We're also working with the Commission on Economic Inclusion to bring a unique program called "The Business of Change," featuring cast members from the play and facilitated discussion, to Employee Resource Groups at major area businesses like Key Bank.Finally, we're very excited to be working with our Power of Three partner, Cleveland State University, for a series called "August (Wilson) in Spring (Semester). In conjunction with CSU's Black Studies Program and the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center, CPH is proud to present several round table discussions with NEOhio directors from an unprecedented 5 five area theatres who are producing August Wilson works this spring, as well as with Cleveland area playwrights and scholars who can connect us with Wilson's work in ways we never realized. Check out CSU's flier for more on these events, and we'll see you there! less As Artistic Associate for Engagement, I'm always looking for ways to connect the work we produce with the community we serve--after all, we choose the plays in our season because we believe they have something to say to our region. That's especially true of our next show, Radio Golf, by... more