CPH Announces 2017-18 Season
Posted February 20, 2017 in Press Releases
Cleveland Play House’s 2017-18 Season Exudes Joy with Themes of Unity, Diversity, Inspiration and Hope
CLEVELAND, OH (Feb. 19, 2017) Cleveland Play House’s newly announced 2017-18 Season contains a wide range of work certain to captivate, enlighten, excite and engage Cleveland audiences. Bursting with action, adventure, romance, and suspense, audiences will find joy in unexpected places in each production this season. The season will include a swashbuckling romantic comedy, an urgent revival of an international classic, soul-shaking gospel performances, a political thriller from a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, a Tony Award-winning musical, and an electrifying athletic drama that packs a punch. With characters ranging from rebels and outsiders, to misfits, revolutionaries and geniuses, audiences will be swept up into the stories of one and all, and will be reminded that the most efficient way to resolve conflict whether on the stage or in life, is through collaboration.
CPH Artistic Director Laura Kepley states: “As we began building our 2017-18 Season, we were determined to find plays that would inspire all of us to be the very best version of ourselves. Plays that offer hope and demonstrate courage, bravery, and generosity. Plays that remind us that diversity, pluralism and multiculturalism are some of our societies’ greatest strengths and they must be seen and protected. We will wrestle with the issues facing our country while keeping our eyes, ears, hearts and imaginations open to everyone around the globe. The result is a season full of light, hope and grit with exciting productions that will bring our audiences to the edges of their seats.”
The 2017-18 Season Includes:
Shakespeare in Love
Adapted for the stage by Lee Hall
Based on the screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard
Sept 9-Oct 1, 2017 • Allen Theatre
The Academy Award-winning romantic comedy Shakespeare in Love comes to the stage, complete with swordfights, secret trysts, and backstage drama. Young playwright Will Shakespeare is short on inspiration until he encounters the beguiling Viola, and their star-crossed love inspires a masterpiece. Filled with action-packed adventure, fiery romance and wit, get ready to fall head over heels for CPH Artistic Director Laura Kepley’s lush, lavish, and lusty production that celebrates the power of live theatre.
The Diary of Anne Frank
Written by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett
Adapted by Wendy Kesselman
Oct 21-Nov 12, 2017 • Outcalt Theatre
Staged in CPH’s intimate Outcalt Theatre, this must-see adaptation brings us into the secret annex where thirteen-year-old Anne and seven other Jews evade Nazi deportation. For over two years, all that will stand between them and the concentration camps is their trust in one another and the bravery of those harboring them. Anne’s compelling words come alive and urge us to stand up for one another in the face of intolerance, fear, and hate.
Marie and Rosetta
Written by George Brant
Jan 20-Feb 11, 2018 • Allen Theatre
Get your front row seat to music history in the making. Sister Rosetta Tharpe, “The Godmother of Rock n’ Roll” who influenced performers from Elvis to Hendrix, plucks prim and proper Marie Knight from a rival gospel show, and the two challenge one another on music, life, and The Almighty. This story of letting loose, finding your voice, and freeing your soul is a soaring music-theatre experience chock full of roof-raising performances.
The Invisible Hand
Written by Ayad Akhtar
Feb 17-Mar 11, 2018 • Outcalt Theatre
American investment banker Nick Bright will risk everything to return to his family. Held hostage in Pakistan by Islamic revolutionaries, his last chance for freedom depends on his ability to play the stock market to benefit his captors. This sharp geopolitical thriller from Pulitzer Prize-winner Ayad Akhtar takes us to the treacherous intersection of terrorism and capitalism, where greed and deceit prevail and no one escapes without blood on their hands.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Additional Material by Jay Reiss
April 14-May 6, 2018 • Allen Theatre
Six middle-school misfits are thrown into a cutthroat, high-stakes competition and
P-A-N-D-E-M-O-N-I-U-M takes first place. Welcome to the 25thAnnual Putnam County Spelling Bee, where eccentric adolescents (all played by adults!) get their chance to shine as they vie to prove they are the worthy of a shot at “Nationals”. A touching and irreverent coming-of-age comedy with a high-spirited, improvised spelling bee, this Tony Award-winning musical is a laugh-out-loud winner for all ages.
The Royale
Written by Marco Ramirez
Anchor production of the 2018 New Ground Theatre Festival
May 5-27, 2018 • Outcalt Theatre
It’s 1910, and Negro Heavyweight Champion Jay “The Sport” Jackson is determined to prove he is equal to his white counterpart – in the ring and in life. Challenging his rival to “The Fight of the Century,” Jay knows that even if he wins the bout, the battle for acceptance won’t end. Inspired by groundbreaking sports legend Jack Johnson, The Royale is an electrifying adrenaline rush that packs an unforgettable punch as it takes you inside Jim Crow America, inside the ring, and inside the head of this remarkable fighter.
Special Non-subscription Holiday Engagement!
A Christmas Story
Written by Philip Grecian
Based on the motion picture written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark
Nov 24-Dec 23, 2017 • Allen Theatre
He’s back! One boy. One holiday wish. And a world that seems to be conspiring to make certain it doesn’t come true. 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.
Ticket Information
All CPH performances are in the venues of the Allen Theatre Complex, Playhouse Square, Cleveland. Shows preview at 7:30 p.m. the first Saturday, 6:30 p.m. the first Sunday, 7 p.m. the first Tuesday and 7:30 p.m. the first Wednesday and Thursday, with 2:30 p.m. matinees most Saturdays and Sundays. They open at 7:30 p.m. the first Friday and close on a Sunday. There is one Thursday matinee performance at 1:30 p. m. for each production.
Subscriptions: Subscribers save up to 17%. Full and flexible season packages range from $262-$440. To purchase subscriptions or get more information, call 216-400-7096 or visit clevelandplayhouse.com
Single show tickets: On sale in early August
Prices for single tickets range from $25 to $95 with special discounts available:
$15 rush tickets for currently enrolled students under age 25 with valid student ID
Call 216-241-6000 or visit clevelandplayhouse.com
Contact info:
Mainstageshows contact
Kelly Luecke
Publicist
C. 216-712-6292
CPH contact (Institutional needs, CWRU/MFA and Education shows):
Ed Gilchrist
Director of Marketing
W. 216-400-7020 C: 216-246-7242
egilchrist@clevelandplayhouse.com
Cleveland Play House, recipient of the 2015 Regional Theatre Tony Award® and founded in 1915, is America's first professional regional theatre. Throughout its rich history, CPH has remained dedicated to its mission to inspire, stimulate, and entertain diverse audiences in Northeast Ohio by producing plays and theatre education programs of the highest professional standards. CPH has produced more than 100 world and/or American premieres, and over its long history more than 12 million people have attended over 1,600 productions. Today, Cleveland Play House celebrates the beginning of its second century of service while performing in three state-of-the art venues at Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland.
The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Cleveland Play House with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. We also thank the residents of Cuyahoga County for supporting Cleveland Play House through Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
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