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Summer stock takes theater into open air
(by Bob Abelman - May 21, 2009)
THEATER, BY BOB ABELMAN
Summer stock takes theater into open air
If you prefer your entertainment within the comfortable confines of a 19th-century barn, in a charming open-air arena or smack in the middle of a scenic park, then you have no doubt been counting the days for the seasonal opening of the area's summer-stock theaters.
Come June 5, 'tis the season. Light-weight entertainment prevails, with classic Neil Simon comedies and popish Stephen Schwartz musicals leading the way.
Rabbit Run Theater in Madison is one of the few remaining old-barn theaters in Ohio. The 1800s structure was turned into theater in 1946, when the horse stalls were removed, one of the hay lofts was lowered to form a stage, and two icehouses were hauled from the lake shore to form the box office and actors' green room. The theater's seating capacity was later increased to 300, a ramped floor was added for viewing comfort, and performance technology was upgraded.
Seeing live theater in this enchanting setting is a memorable experience. From June 5 to 20, Rabbit Run Theater is offering Neil Simon's touching comedy "Broadway Bound," which is the third of his trilogy of autobiographical plays. "She Loves Me," an endearing musical about two feuding shop clerks who are unknowingly conducting a romantic pen-pal exchange with each other, is on stage from July 17 to Aug. 2. Closing the season, from Aug. 14 to 29, is the comedic fairy tale "Educating Rita." The play explores the life-changing meeting of a disillusioned, middle-aged English tutor and a young hairdresser thirsting for knowledge.
One of the area's premier professional summer theaters is set in the scenic Blossom Music Center next to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Cuyahoga Falls. Porthouse Theatre is a 500-seat, open-air pavilion surrounded by rolling hills dotted with umbrella-protected picnic tables.
From June 11 to 27, Porthouse is offering "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." This fast-paced comedy of errors, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, tells the tale of a Roman slave scheming to win his freedom by winning the hand of a beautiful courtesan for his master. Neil Simon's classic comedy "The Odd Couple," about two very good friends who move in together after their marriages break up, takes over from July 2 to 18. The summer schedule ends with "Annie Get Your Gun." Surrounded by memorable songs by Irving Berlin is the tale of Annie Oakley, who joins Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and falls head over heels for the production's headliner. The show runs from July 23 to Aug. 9.
Mercury Summer Stock is a not-for-profit, community-supported theater in Parma. The theater troupe, operating out of the quaint Parma Little Theatre, has the tradition of presenting high-quality, premier or rarely performed works.
From June 12 to 27, Mercury will be staging the Rogers and Hammerstein musical "Cinderella," which was originally made for TV in the 1950s. The play depicts the fairy-tale transformation of a young woman forced into a life of servitude. The pop musical "Godspell," which offers a series of parables based on the Gospel of St. Matthew set to the music and lyrics of Stephen Schwartz, runs from July 11 to 25. The musical "Me and My Girl," about a cockney bloke who finds out he is the rightful Earl of Hereford and tries to fit in, runs from Aug. 7 to 22. All three shows are directed by Mercury artistic director-founder Pierre-Jacques Brault.
Surrounded by 22 acres of jogging paths and tennis courts in Cleveland Heights is Cain Park's Alma Theater. The theater will be offering "Pippin" from July 31 to Aug. 23. Stephen Schwartz's charming musical, which enjoyed a long run on Broadway, tells the story of Charlemagne's son and his efforts to find his true calling. The show is directed by the coveted Victoria Bussert.
The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival is dedicated to providing free, outdoor theater in various locations throughout the area. From June 19 to Aug. 2, the troupe is offering two Shakespeare plays in repertory, the tragi-history "Antony and Cleopatra" and the comedy "The Winter's Tale." Locations include Lincoln Park in Tremont, Brunswick Community Rec Center, Penitentiary Glen in Kirtland, Shaker Heights Colonnade, Lorain Community College and the Wade Oval in University Circle.
It's time to get out the sun block and go see some summer stock.
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