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October 21 - November 19, 2017 , Outcalt Theatre

The Diary of Anne Frank

Written by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett
Adapted by Wendy Kesselman

Run time: 2 hours and 15 minutes (including intermission)

Staged in CPH’s intimate Outcalt Theatre, this must-see adaptation brings us into the secret annex where 13-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.

Photos & Videos Download Hi Res Photos

Rick D. Wasserman (Otto Frank). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

The cast of The Diary of Anne Frank. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Peter Hargrave (Third Man), Annie Fox (Anne Frank). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Laura Perrotta (Mrs. Van Daan), Bruce Winant (Mr. Van Daan). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Sarah Cuneo (Margot Frank), Annie Fox (Anne Frank), Rick D. Wasserman (Otto Frank), Lise Bruneau (Edith Frank), Amy Fritsche (Miep Gies), Lee Wilkof (Mr. Dussel), Yaron Lotan (Peter Van Daan), Laura Perrotta (Mrs. Van Daan). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Annie Fox (Anne Frank), Yaron Lotan (Peter Van Daan). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Foreground (Lower Level) from left to right: Bruce Winant (Mr. Van Daan), Lee Wilkof (Mr. Dussel). Background (Upper Level) from left to right: Annie Fox (Anne Frank), Yaron Lotan (Peter Van Daan). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Foreground left to right: Sarah Cuneo (Margot Frank), Annie Fox (Anne Frank). Background: Lee Wilkof (Mr. Dussel). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Foreground: Lise Bruneau (Edith Frank). Background from left to right: Yaron Lotan (Peter Van Daan), Laura Perrotta (Mrs. Van Daan), Bruce Winant (Mr. Van Daan), Rick D. Wasserman (Otto Frank), Lee Wilkof (Mr. Dussel). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Foreground from left to right: Annie Fox (Anne Frank), Lise Bruneau (Edith Frank). Background from left to right: Lee Wilkof (Mr. Dussel), Rick D. Wasserman (Otto Frank). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Lee Wilkof (Mr. Dussel). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Rick D. Wasserman (Otto Frank), Lee Wilkof (Mr. Dussel), Lise Bruneau (Edith Frank). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Rick D. Wasserman (Otto Frank), Laura Perrotta (Mrs. Van Daan). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Bruce Winant (Mr. Van Daan), Rick D. Wasserman (Otto Frank), Tom Woodward (Mr. Kraler). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Amy Fritsche (Miep Gies). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Annie Fox (Anne Frank). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

From left to right: Lise Bruneau (Edith Frank), Sarah Cuneo (Margot Frank), Annie Fox (Anne Frank), Rick D. Wasserman (Otto Frank). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Annie Fox (Anne Frank). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Annie Fox (Anne Frank). Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Artists

Lise Bruneau

Lise Bruneau

(Edith Frank) is pleased to be back in Cleveland! Lise previously appeared at CPH as Madge in Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot, she then returned to Cleveland in The Winter’s Tale and Imaginary Invalid at Great Lakes Theater. On Broadway, she just appeared in The Cherry Orchard with Diane more(Edith Frank) is pleased to be back in Cleveland! Lise previously appeared at CPH as Madge in Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot, she then returned to Cleveland in The Winter’s Tale and Imaginary Invalid at Great Lakes Theater. On Broadway, she just appeared in The Cherry Orchard with Diane Lane, and was in Cincinnati for The Revolutionists just last year. She is currently a denizen of DC, where her performing credits include This and Book Club Play at Round House; Othello at Shakespeare Theatre; Watch on the Rhine and Mother Courage (with Kathleen Turner) for Arena Stage; and Mikveh, (Helen Hayes nomination) Broken Glass, and Brighton Beach Memoirs for Theatre J. She appeared as Jenny in Threepenny Opera at the Clarence Brown and at the Denver Center, won a Henry Award for playing Hesione in Heartbreak House. Directing credits include 4,000 Miles; Savage in Limbo; Hamlet; and for DC's Taffety Punk Theatre Co, the 100% female Riot Grrrls' productions of Tempest, Titus Andronicus, and Julius Caesar; also Inheritance Canyon, Oxygen and Devil in His Own Words among others. She has performed in regional theatres nationwide, as well as many Shakespeare festivals. Lise trained at RADA, and is proud to be a Taffety Punk.

Paul Bugallo

Paul Bugallo

(First Man) Paul Bugallo was born in Miami but raised in Seattle where he discovered his passion for the performing arts. He attended Central Washington University where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatrical Performance. Paul has performed in many of Seattle's professional spaces, including the more(First Man) Paul Bugallo was born in Miami but raised in Seattle where he discovered his passion for the performing arts. He attended Central Washington University where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatrical Performance. Paul has performed in many of Seattle's professional spaces, including the Seattle Repertory and Center House Theatres, as well as improvisational theatres such as Unexpected Productions and Jet City Improv. Now residing in the proud city of Cleveland, Paul is absolutely ecstatic about finishing up his final year in the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program. You may have seen him over the last two years in CWRU/CPH’s productions of Macbeth, Clybourne Park and She Stoops to Conquer. Paul most recently appeared as Lord Tilney in CPH's 102nd season opening show Shakespeare in Love and as First Man in The Diary of Anne Frank.

Sarah Cuneo

Sarah Cuneo

(Margot Frank) Sarah Cuneo is a born-and-raised Jersey girl who fell in love with theater at an early age – one of her earliest memories is seeing the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and getting upset when she wasn’t allowed to get up on stage to dance with the Rockettes. more(Margot Frank) Sarah Cuneo is a born-and-raised Jersey girl who fell in love with theater at an early age – one of her earliest memories is seeing the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and getting upset when she wasn’t allowed to get up on stage to dance with the Rockettes. After graduating from Princeton University with a major in Psychology and certificates in Neuroscience and Theater, Sarah decided to hone her technique and pursue her MFA at the Tony-Award winning Cleveland Play House in the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program. While there, Sarah appeared in CPH productions such as The Diary of Anne Frank (Margot) and Shakespeare in Love (Molly, Viola u/s). She also appeared in MFA productions, including She Stoops to Conquer (Kate Hardcastle), Clybourne Park (Bev/Kathy), Macbeth (Witch/Lennox), and Metamorphoses (Alcyone/Various). Though she is enthusiastic about many different acting styles, Sarah particularly loves working on heightened language texts such as Sarah Ruhl, Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, and good old-fashioned farce. Sarah is a die-hard cat lover, sci-fi nerd, and coffee enthusiast. If she's not acting, she's probably reading, playing a board game, or re-watching Parks and Recreation for the hundredth time.

Annie Fox

Annie Fox

(Anne Frank) a recent graduate of NYU Grad Acting, where credits include: The Winters Tale (Clown), Buried Child (Halie), and The Cherry Orchard (Anya). Other credits include Lincoln Center Directors Lab, Theatreworks Silicon Valley, and The Kitchen. more(Anne Frank) a recent graduate of NYU Grad Acting, where credits include: The Winters Tale (Clown), Buried Child (Halie), and The Cherry Orchard (Anya). Other credits include Lincoln Center Directors Lab, Theatreworks Silicon Valley, and The Kitchen.

Amy Fritsche

Amy Fritsche

(Miep Gies) previously appeared at Cleveland Play House in the world premiere of These Mortal Hosts and the reading of Little Row Boat or, Conjecture. She toured nationally with Annie and internationally in the world premiere of Best Intentions in London, England and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Regionally, more(Miep Gies) previously appeared at Cleveland Play House in the world premiere of These Mortal Hosts and the reading of Little Row Boat or, Conjecture. She toured nationally with Annie and internationally in the world premiere of Best Intentions in London, England and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Regionally, she has performed with Phoenix Theater, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, CATCO Theatre, and Odyssey Theater in Los Angeles. Locally at Cleveland Public Theatre, Dobama Theatre, Porthouse Theatre, and Mamai Theatre. Favorite roles include, Arcadia (Hannah Jarvis), Superior Donuts(Officer Randy), As You Like It (Rosalind), A Little Night Music (Countess Charlotte), Annie (Grace Farrell), Chapter Two (Jenny) and Violet (Violet). She received the 2015 Cleveland Critics Circle Theater Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Violet. She is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Kent State University and is a proud member of SAG/AFTRA, AGVA, and AEA.

Peter Hargrave

Peter Hargrave

(Third Man) is a proud graduate of the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program and considers Cleveland his second home. At CPH, he's been lucky enough to be in the world premiere of Tiny Houses, Shakespeare in Love, The Diary of Anne Frank, and The Good more(Third Man) is a proud graduate of the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program and considers Cleveland his second home. At CPH, he's been lucky enough to be in the world premiere of Tiny Houses, Shakespeare in Love, The Diary of Anne Frank, and The Good Peaches (world premiere). TV credits: Law and Order: SVU and Madam Secretary. Off-Broadway: The First Annual Trump Family Special. OtherRegional: Actors Theatre of Louisville, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Gateway Playhouse, Musical Theatre West, and Disney Cruise Line.

Yaron Lotan

Yaron Lotan

(Peter van Daan) is excited to be making his Cleveland Play House debut. Recently, he was seen Off-Broadway in Dead Poets Society, directed by John Doyle. Other regional credits include Wondrous Strange (part of the Humana Festival) and A Christmas Carol at Actors Theatre of Louisville. more(Peter van Daan) is excited to be making his Cleveland Play House debut. Recently, he was seen Off-Broadway in Dead Poets Society, directed by John Doyle. Other regional credits include Wondrous Strange (part of the Humana Festival) and A Christmas Carol at Actors Theatre of Louisville. He received training at Fordham University, The Moscow Art Theatre School, Interlochen Arts Academy, and the Professional Training Company at Actors Theatre of Louisville.

Megan Medley

Megan Medley

(Understudy: Anne Frank, Miep Gies) Megan Medley is so grateful to this class for all that they have shared together in this program and is ready to hit the Big Apple and start the next adventure. Most recently, she tore it up with her classmates as Lady M in more(Understudy: Anne Frank, Miep Gies) Megan Medley is so grateful to this class for all that they have shared together in this program and is ready to hit the Big Apple and start the next adventure. Most recently, she tore it up with her classmates as Lady M in Macbeth. At Cleveland Play House she learned a lot understudying Anne in The Diary of Anne Frank, and had a blast playing in Shakespeare in Love. Since joining the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program she has performed alongside her classmates in She Stoops to Conquer, Clybourne Park, Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses, and the world premiere of The Good Peaches. She had the wondrous opportunity to perform in the world premiere of These Mortal Hosts at the New Ground Theatre Festival. Other credits include Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Giselle (NoExit Performance); and Rapture, Blister, Burn (Theatre on the Square). She would like to thank her love Aurélien Bayo and her family for their love and support and her sweet kitties!

Randy Merrill

Randy Merrill

(Second Man) Randy Merrill hails originally from Tampa, Florida but was raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Most recent credits include the regional premier of Really, Really (Jimmy); Macbeth (Macduff), directed by Taibi Magar; Clybourne Park (Jim/Tom); and She Stoops to Conquer (Charles Marlow). He has also recently appeared in La more(Second Man) Randy Merrill hails originally from Tampa, Florida but was raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Most recent credits include the regional premier of Really, Really (Jimmy); Macbeth (Macduff), directed by Taibi Magar; Clybourne Park (Jim/Tom); and She Stoops to Conquer (Charles Marlow). He has also recently appeared in La Cage Aux Folles (Jean Michele) at The Lake Dillon Theatre Co, and the original cast and International/Asia tour of Barbie Live! The Musical. BFA: Florida State University. GO NOLES!

Laura Perrotta

Laura Perrotta

(Mrs. van Daan) is a native New Yorker who has called Cleveland home for the last 21 years. She has appeared on television, Off-Broadway, toured nationally, and worked regionally. She’s appeared at Cleveland Play House as Mrs. van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank, and as Miss Shields more(Mrs. van Daan) is a native New Yorker who has called Cleveland home for the last 21 years. She has appeared on television, Off-Broadway, toured nationally, and worked regionally. She’s appeared at Cleveland Play House as Mrs. van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank, and as Miss Shields in A Christmas Story. Last Fall she was Emma Arkadina in Stupid F---ing Bird at Dobama Theater, and in the Spring had the great pleasure to open in KINDERTRANSPORT as Evelyn at Ensemble Theater before the world shut down. She looks forward to returning to the theater soon both onstage and off. laura-perrotta.com

Rick D. Wasserman

Rick D. Wasserman

(Otto Frank) is grateful to collaborate with Cleveland Play House again having last portrayed Otto in The Diary of Anne Frank. He has recently performed in regional productions of Arsenic and Old Lace, Talley’s Folly, and Private Lives. Rick made his Broadway debut in Disney’s The Lion King and more(Otto Frank) is grateful to collaborate with Cleveland Play House again having last portrayed Otto in The Diary of Anne Frank. He has recently performed in regional productions of Arsenic and Old Lace, Talley’s Folly, and Private Lives. Rick made his Broadway debut in Disney’s The Lion King and was nominated for a Barrymore Award for his role as Irving Berlin in The Tin Pan Alley Rag. Favorite television appearances include The District, House MD, 24, Law & Order, and Without A Trace. Rick is perhaps best known as the 14-year signature voice of AMC Network and for voicing Thor and Hulk for Marvel Animation. He can also be heard on popular video game series such as Halo, Call of Duty, Diablo, Starcraft, and Batman Arkham. Rick lives in LA with his darling wife, two boys, and newly adopted pup, Pebbles.

Lee Wilkof

Lee Wilkof

(Mr. Dussel) has appeared in a number of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows including Kiss Me Kate (Tony nomination); The Iceman Cometh (The Goodman Theatre, BAM); The Odd Couple, She Loves Me, Sweet Charity (directed by Bob Fosse), and The Present Tense (Obie Award). He originated the roles of Seymour more(Mr. Dussel) has appeared in a number of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows including Kiss Me Kate (Tony nomination); The Iceman Cometh (The Goodman Theatre, BAM); The Odd Couple, She Loves Me, Sweet Charity (directed by Bob Fosse), and The Present Tense (Obie Award). He originated the roles of Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors and Sam Byck in Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins (Drama Desk nomination). He played the Wizard in the first workshop and national tour of Wicked, and various other theatre credits include Yale Rep, Williamstown Theatre Festival. He has over 100 TV and film credits including High Maintenance, The West Wing, Alpha House, Law and Order, Ally McBeal (SAG Award), School of Rock, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, This Boy’s Life, and The Grey Zone. Lee directed the feature film No Pay, Nudity (starring Gabriel Byrne and Nathan Lane), which was released in 2016.

Bruce Winant

Bruce Winant

(Mr. van Daan) CPH debut. Broadway: An American in Paris (M. Baurel), La Cage Aux Folles (Dindon), Ragtime (Tatah), The Phantom of the Opera (Firmin), Chicago (Amos), Fiddler on the Roof (Mordcha), Miss Saigon, My Favorite Year, as well as 3 companies of Les Miserables (Thenardier/Javert). Favorite more(Mr. van Daan) CPH debut. Broadway: An American in Paris (M. Baurel), La Cage Aux Folles (Dindon), Ragtime (Tatah), The Phantom of the Opera (Firmin), Chicago (Amos), Fiddler on the Roof (Mordcha), Miss Saigon, My Favorite Year, as well as 3 companies of Les Miserables (Thenardier/Javert). Favorite regional roles: Jacques in As You Like It, Feste in Twelfth Night, Oberon in Midsummer Nights Dream, Argante in Scapin, Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd. TV appearances: Law and Order (original and SVU), Blue Bloods, The Detour, Deadbeat, Person of Interest, Boardwalk Empire, The West Wing, Star Trek: TNG and others. Bruce will be heard as the voice of Beckett in the upcoming Netflix animated feature, The Guardian Brothers. Love to Kristin, Arden and Jayce. brucewinant.com. Dedicated to my family and those who suffered, fought and perished during that dark time in history.

Tom Woodward

Tom Woodward

(Mr. Kraler) makes his Cleveland Play House debut with The Diary of Anne Frank. Regional credits include The Beauty Queen of Leenane (none too fragile theater), Eddie! (Theatre in the Circle), Three Sisters (Mamai Theatre Company), Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde and Machinal (Kansas City Repertory more(Mr. Kraler) makes his Cleveland Play House debut with The Diary of Anne Frank. Regional credits include The Beauty Queen of Leenane (none too fragile theater), Eddie! (Theatre in the Circle), Three Sisters (Mamai Theatre Company), Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde and Machinal (Kansas City Repertory Theatre), The Tempest (Heart of America Shakespeare Festival), Unexpected Tenderness (Lee Strasberg Institute in Hollywood), Iphigenia 2.0 (Cleveland Public Theater), and several productions with Cleveland's Dobama Theatre including Middletown, The Norwegians, The Seafarer, and A Bright New Boise, the latter bringing him a Best Actor nomination from the Cleveland Critics Circle. TV/Film: Cora Unashamed, Sunset Beach, and General Hospital.

Francis Goodrich Albert Hackett

(Authors) The husband-and-wife team of Albert Maurice Hackett (born in New York City on February 16, 1900) and Frances Goodrich (born in Belleville, New Jersey on December 21, 1890) began their joint career as Broadway playwrights in the 1920s. The success of their comedy Up Pops the Devil brought more(Authors) The husband-and-wife team of Albert Maurice Hackett (born in New York City on February 16, 1900) and Frances Goodrich (born in Belleville, New Jersey on December 21, 1890) began their joint career as Broadway playwrights in the 1920s. The success of their comedy Up Pops the Devil brought them to Hollywood to work on the 1931 screen version. They went on to write some of the most popular films of the 1930s and 1940s, including Easter Parade (for which they won the Writers Guild of America Award); The Thin Man and its sequel, After the Thin Man; Father of the Bride; Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (all of which were nominated for Academy Awards for screenwriting); In the Good Old Summertime, The Long, Long Trailer and It’s a Wonderful Life (co-written with Frank Capra and Jo Swerling). The Diary of Anne Frank won them the 1956 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Tony Award for Best Play, and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle and Writers Guild of America awards. Goodrich died on January 29, 1984 and Hackett on March 16, 1995.

Mary Louise Geiger

(Lighting Designer) Cleveland: How I Learned to Drive, The Crucible (Cleveland Play House); The Mousetrap, Arsenic and Old Lace (Great Lakes Theater). Broadway: The Constant Wife (Roundabout Theatre Company and American Airlines Theatre). Recent NYC: The Liar (CSC); Nat Turner in Jerusalem, Forever (NYTW); The New York Idea (Atlantic more(Lighting Designer) Cleveland: How I Learned to Drive, The Crucible (Cleveland Play House); The Mousetrap, Arsenic and Old Lace (Great Lakes Theater). Broadway: The Constant Wife (Roundabout Theatre Company and American Airlines Theatre). Recent NYC: The Liar (CSC); Nat Turner in Jerusalem, Forever (NYTW); The New York Idea (Atlantic Theatre Company); Kindness, Blue Door, The Busy World is Hushed (Playwrights Horizons); Mabou Mines’ Dollhouse, Red Beads (Mabou Mines). Regional Theatre: Chimerica (Studio Theatre); The Sound of Music (5th Avenue Theatre); Native Gardens (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), Trouble in Mind (Guthrie Theatre), ACT Theatre (Seattle), Huntington Theatre, Seattle Rep, Portland Center Stage, Virginia Stage Company, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Mark Taper Forum, Pioneer Theatre. Upcoming: X/Julius Ceaser (Acting Company Tour). Training: Yale School of Drama Faculty; NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Thom Jones

(Voice, Speech and Text Coach) is the head of Voice and Speech for Brown University/Trinity Repertory Company's Master of Fine Arts in Acting and Directing and has coached voice, dialects, and text extensively in theatre, film, and television. Theatres where he has coached include: The Public Theater, Shakespeare more(Voice, Speech and Text Coach) is the head of Voice and Speech for Brown University/Trinity Repertory Company's Master of Fine Arts in Acting and Directing and has coached voice, dialects, and text extensively in theatre, film, and television. Theatres where he has coached include: The Public Theater, Shakespeare in the Park, Noel Coward Theatre (London’s West End), Yale Repertory Company, Dallas Theater Center, McCarter Theatre, Cleveland Play House, The Huntington Theatre, Trinity Repertory Company, Hartford Stage, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Syracuse Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse, Long Wharf Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Hangar Theatre. For Film and Television, he has voice, dialect and text coached numerous actors, including: Nicole Kidman, Ben Mendelsohn, Sissy Spacek, Alan Rickman, Vanessa Redgrave, Robin Williams, Emma Watson, Andra Day, Miles Teller, Jennifer Hudson, Bill Skarsgard, Lashana Lynch, Lakeith Stanfield, Aaron Eckhart, Katey Segal, Ciaran Hinds, David Oyelowo, Amy Adams, Lily Rabe, Mel Gibson, Olivia Cooke, Tye Sheridan, Simon Peg, Mark Rylance, Sherie Rene Scott, Sienna Miller, Brendan Gleeson, Melissa Leo, Emily Van Camp, Blythe Danner, Logan Lerman, Linda Emond, Ryan Reynolds, and others, as well as for directors Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorcese, Lee Daniels, Ridley Scott, Ben Younger, and others.

Laura Kepley

Laura Kepley

(Director) (she/her) became Artistic Director of Cleveland Play House in 2013, and has directed numerous CPH mainstage productions, including The Crucible; Sweat; The Diary of Anne Frank; In the Next Room, or the vibrator play; Into the Breeches!; Every Brilliant Thing; and the world premieres of Tiny Houses, The more(Director) (she/her) became Artistic Director of Cleveland Play House in 2013, and has directed numerous CPH mainstage productions, including The Crucible; Sweat; The Diary of Anne Frank; In the Next Room, or the vibrator play; Into the Breeches!; Every Brilliant Thing; and the world premieres of Tiny Houses, The Good Peaches, Fairfield, and A Carol for Cleveland. She joined CPH in 2010, having arrived from Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island, where she was Resident Director and Artistic Associate for four seasons and Interim Director of the Brown/Trinity Rep M.F.A. in Directing Program for one. She has also at Playhouse Square clevelandplayhouse.com 25 directed for The Alliance Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Chautauqua Theater Company, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Syracuse Stage, Trinity Rep, and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, among others. A native Ohioan, Laura received her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and her Master of Fine Arts from Brown University/Trinity Rep. She is a Drama League Fellow, a recipient of the 2009– 2011 National Endowment for the Arts/Theatre Communications Group Career Development Program for Directors, and a member of Leadership Cleveland’s Class of 2021. Locally, she has been recognized with multiple Outstanding Director commendations from The Cleveland Critics Circle, a Cuyahoga Community College Smart Business Smart Women Award, and a Crain’s Cleveland Woman of Note designation.

Wendy Kesselman

(Adapter) Besides her Tony-nominated adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank, Wendy Kesselman’s plays include The Executioner’s Daughter; The Notebook; The Foggy Foggy Dew; The Last Bridge; I Love You, I Love You Not; Maggie Magalita; Merry-Go-Round; The Shell Collection; My Sister in This House, A Re-imagined Version (Deaf more(Adapter) Besides her Tony-nominated adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank, Wendy Kesselman’s plays include The Executioner’s Daughter; The Notebook; The Foggy Foggy Dew; The Last Bridge; I Love You, I Love You Not; Maggie Magalita; Merry-Go-Round; The Shell Collection; My Sister in This House, A Re-imagined Version (Deaf West Theatre); and The Graduation of Grace and Spit. She also wrote the book, music and lyrics for The Juniper Tree, A Tragic Household Tale; A Tale of Two Cities; Becca and The Black Monk: A Chamber Musical, which will have its CD release in fall 2015. Among other honors, she has received the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize; the AT&T Onstage Award; The New England Major Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in the American Theatre; the first annual Playbill Award; the Roger L. Stevens Award; the Jane Chambers Playwriting Award,; the Lecomte du Noüy Annual Award; Meet the Composer Grants; Guggenheim, McKnight and National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships; and a Writers Guild of America Award for her screen adaptation of John Knowles’s A Separate Peace. Her other screenplays include Sister My Sister (adapted from My Sister in This House) and I Love You, I Love You Not.

David Kay Mickelsen

(Costume Designer) returns for his 23rd production at Cleveland Play House, having recently designed costumes for The Diary of Anne Frank; All the Way; A Christmas Story; Bell, Book and Candle; and In the Next Room, or the vibrator play. He has designed more than 400 productions at regional more(Costume Designer) returns for his 23rd production at Cleveland Play House, having recently designed costumes for The Diary of Anne Frank; All the Way; A Christmas Story; Bell, Book and Candle; and In the Next Room, or the vibrator play. He has designed more than 400 productions at regional theatres across the country including Guthrie Theater, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Arizona Theatre Company, Geffen Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis; Seattle, Tennessee, Missouri, San Diego, and New Mexico Repertory Theatres, Sundance Theatre Festival; Oregon, Utah, Colorado, and Illinois Shakespeare Festivals. Originally from Canby, Oregon; David now makes his home in Long Beach, California. David is the Vice Chairman of The Western Region of United Scenic Artists 829.

Catherine Moore

(Fight Director) recent fight direction includes Disgraced for the Pittsburgh Public Theatre and The Night Alive for The City Theatre. Along with other productions for The City Theatre, she has served as Fight Director at The Pittsburgh Opera, and Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre. An Associate Teaching Professor more(Fight Director) recent fight direction includes Disgraced for the Pittsburgh Public Theatre and The Night Alive for The City Theatre. Along with other productions for The City Theatre, she has served as Fight Director at The Pittsburgh Opera, and Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre. An Associate Teaching Professor of Movement at the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama since 2000, she has staged violence for over 50 productions.

Robert Mark Morgan

(Scenic Designer) designed Into the Breeches!, Sweat, The Diary of Anne Frank, All the Way, A Christmas Story, The Whipping Man, The Glass Menagerie, Emma, and Bill W. and Dr. Bob for Cleveland Play House. Other credits include Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof, Les Misérables, West Side more(Scenic Designer) designed Into the Breeches!, Sweat, The Diary of Anne Frank, All the Way, A Christmas Story, The Whipping Man, The Glass Menagerie, Emma, and Bill W. and Dr. Bob for Cleveland Play House. Other credits include Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof, Les Misérables, West Side Story, Billy Elliot, and Seussical The Musical (The Muny in St. Louis); exhibit designer for Avatar the Exhibition (Experience Music Project in Seattle); Fallen Angels (Asolo Repertory Theatre); Joshua's Boots (Opera Theatre of St. Louis and Amarillo Opera); The Rainmaker, A Moon for the Misbegotten (2007 Prague Design Quadrennial); The Dazzle (A.C.T. San Francisco); The Giver, The Diary of Anne Frank, Jesus Hates Me, and House of the Spirits (Denver Center for the Performing Arts); Saint Joan, Jekyll & Hyde, Ordinary Nation, Rabbit Hole, Fall of Heaven, and 4000 Miles (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis); The Subject Tonight is Love (Alliance Theatre Company); Just Stopped by to See the Man and The Whipping Man (The Old Globe); and numerous Utah Shakespeare Festival productions in the 2012/13 season. Robert is a Teaching Professor at Washington University in St. Louis and Director of the Beyond Boundaries Program in interdisciplinary education. morgansetdesign.com

Maryann Morris

(Stage Manager) is a Cleveland native who also proudly Stage Manages. Recent mainstage works include Every Brilliant Thing, Pipeline, CPH’s Borderlight reading of Our Dad is in Atlantis, Native Gardens, An Iliad, The Royale, The Diary of Anne Frank, ASM’ed The Good Peaches, hand-over SM’ed A Christmas Story and more(Stage Manager) is a Cleveland native who also proudly Stage Manages. Recent mainstage works include Every Brilliant Thing, Pipeline, CPH’s Borderlight reading of Our Dad is in Atlantis, Native Gardens, An Iliad, The Royale, The Diary of Anne Frank, ASM’ed The Good Peaches, hand-over SM’ed A Christmas Story and Sweat, and ASM’ed How I Learned to Drive, as well as Stage Managing several CPH New Ground Theatre works such as Grand Concourse and Fairfield. Other current and recent collaborations include Letters from Zora featuring Vanessa Bell Calloway at Karamu House, Havana Hop with Paige Hernandez, Eric Schmiedl’s stage adaptation of the graphic novel Incognegro by Mat Johnson, My Mother Has 4 Noses with Jonatha Brooke, The Dazzle Awards at Playhouse Square, and May 4th Voices presented by The Maltz Museum of Jewish History and Kent State University's Democracy Symposium.

Elissa Myers Casting, Paul Fouquet, CSA

(Casting) credits include Poisoner’s Handbook, Becoming Helen Keller, and Mystery of Matter, PBS. Other PBS projects include The Abolitionists, Dolley Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John and Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin (Emmy Award), Liberty (Peabody Award), God in America, People vs. Leo Frank, Louisa May Alcott, Great Performances (Artios Award in more(Casting) credits include Poisoner’s Handbook, Becoming Helen Keller, and Mystery of Matter, PBS. Other PBS projects include The Abolitionists, Dolley Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John and Abigail Adams, Benjamin Franklin (Emmy Award), Liberty (Peabody Award), God in America, People vs. Leo Frank, Louisa May Alcott, Great Performances (Artios Award in Outstanding Achievement in Casting), and Murder Of A President for American Experience. Feature films include Hank and Asha (Audience Award at Slamdance 2013) and The Union. Theatre credits include seven Broadway shows, including Tony nominated Having Our Say, as well as 26 Off-Broadway shows. Regional theatre casting in the past two years includes Denver Center, Geva Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Magic Theatre, Arena Stage, Alley Theatre, George Street Playhouse, and Arizona Theatre Company. The office has so far received 16 nominations and has won three Artios Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Casting.

Daniel Perelstein

(Sound Designer & Composer) is a freelance sound designer, composer, and musical director in Philadelphia. A newcomer to Cleveland Play House, he is pleased to return after designing The Diary of Anne Frank earlier this season. Recent designs and/or original music at Roundabout Theatre Company, Primary Stages, McCarter Theatre, more(Sound Designer & Composer) is a freelance sound designer, composer, and musical director in Philadelphia. A newcomer to Cleveland Play House, he is pleased to return after designing The Diary of Anne Frank earlier this season. Recent designs and/or original music at Roundabout Theatre Company, Primary Stages, McCarter Theatre, Opera Philadelphia, Geva Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Wilma Theater, Arden Theatre, People’s Light, and others. Daniel is an Associate Artist at the Wilma Theater, and he teaches Sound Design to undergraduates at Washington College in Maryland. He has received Barrymore Awards for Don Juan… at the Wilma Theater and Knives in Hens at Theatre Exile; as well as sixteen Barrymore Award nominations in three categories. Daniel received an Independence Foundation Fellowship in 2013. He is a graduate of Swarthmore College, where he earned a B.S. in Engineering, and a B.A. in Music.

Meet CPH Managing Director Rachel Fink

Meet CPH Managing Director Rachel Fink

MEET RACHEL FINK, CPH’S NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR! By Craig Joseph, Literary Director What are you looking forward to as you return to Cleveland...

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Our Theatres

Allen Theatre

Allen Theatre

Helen Theatre

Helen Theatre

Outcalt Theatre

Outcalt Theatre

The Allen, Helen and Outcalt theatres are located at Playhouse Square
1407 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44115

Administrative Offices and Education Center
1901 E. 13th Street, Suite 200 Cleveland, OH 44114 (216) 400-7000

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7401 Detour Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44103

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