Cleveland Play House Announces 2013-14 Season

Artistic Director Michael Bloom announces the lineup for the 98th consecutive season of Cleveland Play House, the third in its new state-of-the-Art Theatres at PlayhouseSquare in downtown Cleveland. Two world premieres and great American music highlight the eclectic and contemporary 2013-14 Season. "Nowhere else will patrons get such a wide variety of entertainment and at such a high level of quality," reflects Bloom.

One of the two world premieres stars tap dance legend Maurice Hines. When Bloom first heard about the new work, Tappin' Thru Life, he recalls saying, "We have got to have this." Written by and starring the Tony Award nominee (Sophisticated Ladies) Maurice Hines, it's backed by a sizzling nine-piece orchestra. The second world premiere production is Informed Consent, by Deborah Zoe Laufer, that Bloom describes as "an exciting and relevant play for a community where science and health are so important," to be produced in the Second Stage. A ripped-from-the-headlines story about an ambitious geneticist trying to solve the riddle of a disease in a Native American tribe, the play is the anchor production for the New Ground Theatre Festival in May of 2014. Cleveland is the birthplace of rock and roll, and a musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Woody Guthrie, an early influence of countless singer-songwriters, kicks off the season in Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie. The history of American musical performance is at the center of Breath and Imagination, in which award-winning playwright Daniel Beaty brings the story of the first great African-American classical singer Roland Hayes to the stage in a "moving musical tribute." In January Bloom directs Yentl, a funny and moving fable based on Isaac Bashevis Singer's classic short story. Bloom believes that with its independent female lead, Yentl is a great play for contemporary audiences. Two other acclaimed plays complete the season lineup. Venus in Fur, to be produced in the Second Stage, "is a sexy, electrifying comedy," says Bloom. "And the Tony Award winner Clybourne Park is one of the most important and entertaining American plays of the 21st century." For the holidays, in an off-subscription event and in honor of the 30th anniversary of the beloved film, Bloom is bringing back A Christmas Story, "one of the most popular shows in our history, and it gets a sparkling new production."

Subscriptions for all seven (7) plays are available now at prices ranging from $105 (for currently enrolled students under age 25 with valid ID) to $373, with extra discounts for Educators. Additional pricing will be available for a number of flexible partial season packages. To purchase subscriptions or receive more information, call 216-400-7096 or go to www.clevelandplayhouse.com. Group tickets (10 or more) are available now at savings up to 50% for orders received before April 30th. Tickets for individual performances will range from $15 (for currently enrolled students under age 25 with valid ID) to $72 and will go on sale July 28.

Cleveland Play House 2013-2014
SUBSCRIPTION MAINSTAGE SEASON

Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie
September 13 - October 6, 2013 ~ Allen Theatre
Devised by David M. Lutken with Nick Corley and
Darcie Deaville, Helen J. Russell and Andy Teirstein
Directed by Nick Corley
Musical Direction by David M. Lutken
Acclaimed in England and throughout the U.S., Woody Sez is a joyous, toe-tapping, and moving theatrical event that uses Woody Guthrie's words and over 25 of his legendary songs to transport the audience into Woody's fascinating life. Four versatile actor/musicians play 15 instruments and bring to life the many people who are the fabric of Woody Guthrie's amazing story. Woody gave voice to the beauty and struggles of the common man and Woody Sez gives the same to the spirit of the man himself.

Venus in Fur
November 1-24, 2013 ~ Second Stage Theatre
Written by David Ives
Directed by Laura Kepley

With a crash of thunder, an arresting actress, Vanda, arrives hours late to audition for playwright Thomas as the lead in his adaptation of an infamous 19th century novel "Venus in Fur." But the traditional power dynamic of an audition shifts as Thomas Learns that it's impossible to play with fire and not get singed. Blurring the line between fantasy and reality, this electrifying and seductive comedy was the sexy hit of the Broadway season and was lauded by The New York Times as "seriously smart and very funny...a suspense-packed study of the erotics of power."

Yentl
January 10-February 2, 2014 ~ Allen Theatre
A play based on Isaac Bashevis Singer's short story, "Yentl The Yeshiva Boy"
Adapted for the stage by Leah Napolin and Isaac Bashevis Singer
Directed by Michael Bloom

At the turn of the 20th century a young woman defies the laws of her people to fulfill her dream of studying the Torah. Disguised as a young man named Anshel, she becomes a brilliant student, a model for other scholars - and the most wanted groom in town. A coming-of-age story about fulfilling one's potential, Yentl is a startlingly modern love story and a magical comedy that will win your heart.

Breath and Imagination
February 14-March 9, 2014 ~ Allen Theatre
Written by Daniel Beaty
Directed by TBD

Before the inspiring voices of Marian Anderson and Paul Robeson, there was a tenor named Roland Hayes. Born the son of a slave, he was destined to become the first great African-American classical vocalist. This tale of faith, hope, and family traces a remarkable journey from rural Georgia to Carnegie Hall and Buckingham Palace. Breath and Imagination is a stirring musical tribute to a remarkable American artist.

Clybourne Park
March 21-April 13, 2014 ~ Allen Theatre
Written by Bruce Norris
Directed by Mark Cuddy

At the end of the classic play, A Raisin in the Sun, the Younger family purchases a home in an all-white Chicago suburb. That incident is the seed for this "ferociously smart" and "pulverizingly funny" satire. Set in 1959, Act One introduces us to a nervous group of neighbors trying to talk their friends out of selling their home to a black family. Fast forward to the same house fifty years later when sparks fly as a white family attempts to move into the now predominantly African-American neighborhood. The Washington Post described Clybourne Park as "one of the feistiest, funniest evenings in years."

Informed Consent
WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION
Anchor production of New Ground Theatre Festival
April 18-May 11, 2014 ~ Second Stage
Written by Deborah Zoe Laufer
Directed by Sean Daniels
Co-produced with Geva Theatre

With genomic breakthroughs happening at breakneck speed, we can learn more about what our futures may hold than ever before. But how much should we know? And who gets to decide? Inspired by a recent court case, Informed Consent takes us into the personal and national debate about science versus belief, and whether our DNA is our destiny.

Tappin' Thru Life
WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION
May 30-June 22, 2014 ~ Allen Theatre
Written by and starring Maurice Hines
Directed by Jeff Calhoun
Co-produced with Arena Stage and ALLIANCE THEATRE

America's greatest living tap dance legend, Maurice Hines, backed by a sizzling nine-piece orchestra, stars in this explosive world premiere. A celebration of Mr. Hines's showbiz forerunners, including Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, and Nat King Cole, this feel-good show will have you tappin' through the night. At a recent concert version of Tappin', The New York Times described Hines as "an effusively good-natured dancer...who twitches with an uncontrollable urge to swoop and tap. You might say he is driven by a compulsion to swing."

Special Non-subscription Holiday Engagement!
A Christmas Story
November 29-December 22, 2013 ~ Allen Theatre
Written by Phil Grecian
Based on the motion picture written by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark
Directed by John McCluggage

In honor of the 30th anniversary of the beloved film, we bring back one of the most popular shows in Cleveland Play House history in a sparkling new production. The holiday dreams of 9 year-old Ralphie Parker come to life again and you won't want to miss Little Orphan Annie's decoder pin, the 'deranged' bunny suit, the leg lamp, and, of course, the magic of Higbee's Department Store. The perfect holiday treat for the entire family.

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