The theater season began with a stumble for several local companies, including one literal case.
Cesear's Forum has "suspended" its production of Edward Albee's Marriage Play due to a) an actor being fickle, b) an actor being so impoverished that he has to work for the highest bidder, c) "contractual vicissitude" or d) all of the above? The answer, of course, is all of the above. As Artistic Director Greg Cesear reports, the company was rehearsing Albee's two-person script for a production slated to open October 10 when one of the actors took a more lucrative job at a larger theater in Northeast Ohio. He says he's sympathetic to the actor's need to make money but adds that the theater will lose money as a result. Also, there are specific challenges to make this show go on because Albee's contract requires both casting approval and a specific amount of rehearsal time. Cesear says the production hasn't been rescheduled yet, but it's expected to run in early spring.
Ensemble Theatre opened Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf last weekend, a week later than scheduled, because actor Robert Hawkes, who plays George, fell down his front steps and tore tendons in his leg. He can walk with a brace, though, postponing surgery until after the show closes. Remaining performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday in the Studio One Theatre at the Cleveland Play House, 8500 Euclid Ave. Call 216.321.2930.
Bang and the Clatter has suspended performances in its Akron venue while co-directors Sean Derry and Sean McConaha look for a new performance space. The company's Cleveland production of Martin McDonagh's The Lieutenant of Inishmore - which opened two weeks late because, says Derry, an actor "was not able to continue" - continues at A Shot Rings Out Theatre, 224 Euclid Ave., through October 19. Call 330.606.5317.
A call to artists rings out from Cleveland State University for its free, annual, un-juried, uncensored People's Art Show, October 24-December 4 at the CSU Art Gallery, 2307 Chester Ave. To enter, drop off one or two pieces between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., October 10 or 11, fill out the forms and make a small donation, if you can. Opening reception will be 5 to 8 p.m. October 24. Call 216.687.2103 or go to csuohio.edu/artgallery.
- Michael Gill
