Miche Braden and Chaz Hodges to Star in MARIE AND ROSETTA at Cleveland Play House

Cleveland Play House (CPH) has announced the triumphant return of Miche Braden to CPH, where she will star as Sister Rosetta Tharpe alongside CPH newcomer Chaz Hodges as Marie Knight in the Atlantic Theater production of Marie and Rosetta.

Written by George Brant, and directed by Neil Pepe, Marie and Rosetta runs January 20 through February 11, 2018 in the Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square. Marie and Rosetta is a co-production with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.

"I am thrilled to be working with Miche Braden and Chaz Hodges," says Marie and Rosetta Director Neil Pepe. "They are both outstanding actors and I have been a great fan of their work for some time. Some may remember Miche's terrific performance as Bessie Smith in (the CPH Production of) The Devil's Music, and Chaz has been doing wonderful work on the west coast and had originally played the role of Marie in two developmental workshops. I couldn't be more excited to see them bring Marie and Rosetta to life in Cleveland."

Miche Braden returns to Cleveland Play House after a successful run as Bessie Smith in 2013's production of The Devil's Music: The Life and Times of Bessie Smith. The Plain Dealer stated, "Braden commands the stage every moment and thoroughly enjoys the ride." Star 102 Radio noted, "Not only was she vocally perfect, but her acting and stage presence are commanding from the second she takes the stage." Braden will portray rock legend Sister Rosetta Tharpe, who is nicknamed "The Godmother of Rock-and-Roll" and influenced the careers of artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Little Richard.

Making her CPH debut is Chaz Hodges, who has appeared in such productions as In the Red and Brown Water, A Lie of the Mind, Little Children Dream of God, all at La Jolla Playhouse, and received her MFA from the University of California San Diego. Chaz will take on the role of Marie Knight, the talented singer who toured with Sister Rosetta Tharpe. in the 1940s and helped pioneer ideas of what rock music could be, melding gospel and secular music together to form a hand-clapping, hip-shaking sound no one had ever heard before.

Additional casting for Marie and Rosetta will be released in December.

CPH will hold a "Rock Like Rosetta!" Cover Song Contest now through January 5, 2018. Open to all, participants are encouraged to showcase their talents by choosing one of five iconic Sister Rosetta Tharpe songs and submitting a video cover song for a chance to perform at the Opening Night cast party of the show on January 26, 2018. All entries will receive a discount code for tickets to a performance of their choice (based on availability). Select covers will be featured on the CPH Social Media channels, and the Top 3 covers will get tickets to a performance of Marie and Rosetta. All bands or performers entering the contest grant permission to CPH to use the band's performance submission on its social media networks and for promotional purposes. No ticket purchases are necessary to win, and full rules and details can be found online at goo.gl/iJ1vJx. Entries will be accepted through January 5, and all contestants will be notified about the results on or before January 19, 2018.

Marie and Rosetta will take place in the Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square from January 20-February 11, 2018. Tickets range from $25-$110 each, $15 rush tickets for currently enrolled students under age 25 with valid student ID, and Young Professional discounts available with YP-CPH Membership. To order single tickets, call 216-241-6000 or visit clevelandplayhouse.com. Groups of 10+ save up to 50% off single ticket prices; call 216-400-7027.

Subscriptions: Subscribers save up to 17%. Full and flexible season packages range from $262 - $440. To purchase subscriptions visit clevelandplayhouse.com.

Cleveland Play House, founded in 1915 and recipient of the 2015 Regional Theatre Tony Award, 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. Learn more at www.clevelandplayhouse.com.

To post a comment, you must register and login.