Cleveland Play House

---------VIDEO 7) 03/067/13----------

The multi-talented Miche Braden is more than just the star of The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith. She's also the music director and she co-wrote some of the music.

Watch this fascinating exploration of the music of Bessie Smith, as Braden sets the stage: "We are getting ready to have a ball with a woman who does not hold anything back. Nothing at all. So you're coming to have some fun. Because Bessie's coming in to have some fun."

---------3) 02/27/13----------

SPONSORED: Step through the theater doors, take your seat and find yourself in a Memphis buffet flat - a den of music, booze and general sin. You are about to serve as part of the audience for the final hours in the life of The Empress of the Blues. That is the setting for The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, a soulful and stunning musical running now through March 10. Tickets are available by calling 216-241-6000 or online at ClevelandPlayhouse.com.

---------VIDEO 6) 12/05/12----------

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland and raised in New Mexico & Colorado, Eric Coble has lived in Cleveland for the past 20 years and considers himself "a local without being a native."

He was asked to adapt Clevelander Les Roberts' short story, A Carol For Cleveland, which is on the boards at the Cleveland Play House through Sun 12/23.

View this exclusive video interview with one of our region's most successful and prolific playwrights, who currently has more than a dozen plays in production throughout the country, including The Velocity of Autumn, opening on Broadway in April 2013. As for A Carol For Cleveland, he says, "I think we've managed to hit the Cleveland vibe we were aiming for. That's one word I keep hearing is 'authentic'." ClevelandPlayHouse.com

---------2) 12/05/12----------

"…You want a Christmas story? I'll give you a Christmas story. One you haven't heard before." With those words, A Carol for Cleveland begins CPH's love-letter to our city. This world premiere is the work of two Cleveland-native writers: playwright Eric Coble and author Les Roberts. Now through December 23. Tickets are available by calling (216) 241-6000 or at ClevelandPlayHouse.com.

---------VIDEO 5) 09/12/12----------

Bob Ari says he has the honor of portraying iconic and uncompromising football coach Vince Lombardi in The Cleveland Play House’s production of “Lombardi.” which runs Fri 9/14 thru 10/7/12.

This professional has been performing since the age of 8, in films, on television and on Broadway. He was most recently seen as Mark Rothko in the Cleveland Play House’s production of “Red.”

Bob was anxious to return to Cleveland. “The Cleveland Play House, in its present formation, is one of the best theatres I’ve ever worked with…” Watch the video here. ClevelandPlayHouse.com

--------- EDITORIAL VIDEO) 08/22/12----------

Cleveland native Mary Bridget Davies is having a fantastic 2012. Listen as Cool Cleveland talks with Mary in her hometown of Lakewood.

Earlier this year, she released her own CD, “Wanna Feel Somethin’” then got the part as the understudy for the Cleveland run of “One Night With Janis Joplin.”

Then the lead dropped out and Mary immediately stepped into the role of Janis Joplin, performing seven shows a week at the Cleveland Play House. Tix are available thru Sun 8/19/12. Watch the interview here.

---------VIDEO 4) 07/25/12----------

Join Cool Cleveland with a sneak peek as the Allen Theatre stage is being built for One Night With Janis Joplin, featuring Cat Stephani as Janis, and creator, writer and director Randy Johnson.

Hear how Randy's passion for Janis Joplin began at age 5 listening to her album Cheap Thrills. And when Randy visited the Rock Hall, what affected him most? Janis' hand-written lyrics. What is Cat thinking about as she prepares each night? "I'm thinking about how lucky I am to scream at the top of my lungs..."

One Night With Janis Joplin at the Cleveland Play House opens Fri 7/27 and runs through Sun 8/19. ClevelandPlayHouse.com

---------VIDEO 3) 04/25/12----------

Cleveland Play House Artistic director Michael Bloom talks about the venerable theatre's incredible success, doubling their single-ticket sales this year, an unheard of feat.

This week they present the second week of their New Ground Theatre Festival, featuring Bust by Lauren Weedman, The Rap Guide To Evolution by Baba Brinkman, and a new play by Michael Bloom himself, The Fagin Effect.

And the sneak peek? Well, actually there's two...
Watch the video here.

---------VIDEO 2) 04/16/12----------

After just about a year, the results are in, and it appears the Cleveland Play House has indeed engaged the community on all levels, attributed to CPH's bold move Downtown, and the efforts of Cory Atkins, their new Artistic Associate for Engagement.

Not only have single ticket sales almost doubled, but now a number of "experimental" new programs have been initiated: Show+, Gen.NOW, LGBT nightOUT! and College Nights @ CPH. Talk about engaging!
Read more and view the video interview here

---------1) 04/18/12----------

SPONSORED: Spark a conversation! Don't miss the CPH Gen.NOW event on Tue 4/24 for Clevelanders in their 20s & 30s. For $20, get a ticket to In the Next Room, or the vibrator play and admission to a pre-show happy hour at Bricco featuring drink specials, free hors d'oeuvres and a gift from Ambiance. Call 216-241-6000 or visit ClevelandPlayHouse.com

---------VIDEO 1) 11/23/11----------

They've cracked the code. The Cleveland Play House, newly relocated to PlayhouseSquare has figured out two things: how to make it possible for theatre fans with small kids to actually spend an afternoon watching a play, while at the same time instilling in the next generation an understanding and passion for theatre. How did they do it? Welcome to Play Date.

Watch the video as CPH's Director of Education and her team show us how they've set up a highly supervised and educational play area where parents can drop off their young kids on Sun 11/27 and Sun 1/15, while they enjoy the theatre uninterrupted and guilt-free. Watch the video here.

---------EDITORIAL) 09/14/11----------

VIDEO/REVIEW: Cleveland Play House Grand Re-Opening at Allen Theatre

At long last the curtains are pulled apart and the public is welcomed into the Allen Theater at Playhouse Square. Usually a renovation effects the outer skin, but this transformation has effected the very heart of the Allen Theater. Built as a cavernous movie house, the interior space has been reconfigured to be a much more intimate experience for theater goers.

As you enter under classic Euclid Avenue marquee, then pass through the long hall of mirrors and into the Reinberger Rotunda, all looks as you would expect. But passing by the bar and into the swanky new lobby, which has moody, blue lighting, you are alerted to a change of atmosphere. Continuing on back and into the new, contemporary theater, the intimacy of the space is comforting. Through metal scrim panels, you can see the original walls of the theater, with all the decorative painting and trim, but the contemporary new space held inside the panels is where your focus is. From the stage you can confront the audience at eye level. The depth of the stage feels like it is just as accommodating the 506 seat house!

Come along with Cool Cleveland correspondent Carol Drummond for a video tour of the unveiling of this exciting space. Compare this finished space with the video tour made in June, while the theater was under construction here.

Find out more about Cleveland Play House's inaugural season in the Allen Theater here.

Carol Drummond has been a professional designer for 25 years. Prior to starting her award-winning graphic design studio 15 years ago, Drummond Design, she graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, worked at a graphic design studio, a video production company, and a consumer products company. She has been an art docent for Mayfield City Schools and currently serves on the COSE Arts Network Advisory Committee. http://www.DrummonDesign.com