Cleveland Public Theatre Launches 2015-16 Season with WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT Tonight
By: BWW News Desk Oct. 08, 2015
When playwright Nassim Soleimanpour was barred from leaving his native Iran due to his status as a conscientious objector* to military service, he transformed his isolation into a theatrical work that could cross boundaries freely -- with no director, no set and a different actor performing each night -- to explore themes of authority, obedience and social conditioning. WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT bridges a connection between playwright, actor and audience in a uniquely "live" theatrical experiment that is laced with humor, intimate revelation and a "menagerie of allegorical animals" (BBC News) that give the play its title.
CPT's production will feature 16 Cleveland notables -- each of whom will be handed the script in an envelope just moments before walking onstage, receiving no prior information about the production except to bring a water bottle and prepare an impersonation of an ostrich. CPT will provide a light reception and post-show discussion following each performance.
WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT has been called "stunning...thought-provoking and morally unsettling" (FringeReview) and "an absurdist adventure which sits on the boundary of comedy and drama" (The Guardian). The play has been translated into 15 different languages and performed over 200 times across the world since it premiered in 2011.
WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT has no director and features a different actor each night, as indicated in full cast list below. Stage Manager is Mandalyn Stevens. Additional production support provided by CPT staff. (list subject to change)
SCHEDULE:
Jeremy Paul (Tonight, October 8) - Artistic Director, Theater Ninjas
Hon. Joe Cimperman (Friday, October 9) - Ward 3 Councilman, City of Cleveland
Darius Stubbs (Saturday, October 10) - Actor/Poet/Teaching Artist (Y-Haven Theatre Project)
Lilly Corona (Sunday, October 11) - Radio Announcer; Teatro Publico de Cleveland ensemble member
James Levin (Monday, October 12) - Founder, Cleveland Public Theatre; Community Activist & Festival Director
Stephanie Morrison Hrbek (Wednesday, October 14) - Executive Director, Near West Theatre
Peter Lawson Jones* (Thursday, October 15) - Actor; former Cuyahoga County Commissioner
RA Washington (Friday, October 16) - Owner/Founder, Guide to Kulchur; Writer & Musician
Bill Rudman (Saturday, October 17) - Actor; Founder, The Musical Theatre Project
Dana Hart* (Sunday, October 18) - Actor/Director
Derdriu Ring* (Monday, October 19) - Actor; Co-founder & Artistic Associate, Mamai Theatre Company
Mike Polk, Jr. (Wednesday, October 21) - Standup Comedian; TV Personality
Margaret Ford Taylor (Thursday, October 22) - Playwright/Director/Actress
Dr. Michael Mauldin* (Friday, October 23) - Actor/Director; Associate Professor and Founding Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance, Cleveland State University
Wild Card #1 (Saturday, October 24) - TBA
Anne McEvoy (Sunday, October 25) - Actor/Playwright
The Cleveland Public Theatre is located at 6415 Detroit Ave., Cleveland OH 44102 in the heart of the Gordon Square Arts District neighborhood. WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT runs Thursday, October 8 through Sunday, October 25. Performances are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday @ 7:00pm at Cleveland Public Theatre's Parish Hall venue, on the east end of CPT's campus. All performances will be followed by a light reception and post-show discussion.
Tickets are $20 - $25; repeat performances are just $10. Student and Seniors receive $3 off tickets on the weekends. Available for purchase at www.cptonline.org or by phone at (216) 631-2727 ext 501. Group discounts are available for 10+. Call to inquire.
**Due to the intimate nature of the performance, there is NO LATE SEATING.**
*Actor appears courtesy of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers.
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