Help shape a play with Page to Stage
Time to Weigh In on Fat Camp
How's this for a deal? For as little as ten bucks, you can see a Broadway-bound musical and then tell the actors, producers, and assorted creative types exactly what you think — and they will thank you for it! That's the ticket at the Hanna Theatre now through July 24, as the cast and crew of the pop-rock Fat Camp — now in the final stages of production — actively seek audience input. The show is the inaugural production for Playhouse Square's new Page to Stage initiative, which provides local audiences with an inside look into the creation of professional theater. "It's a unique experience," promises Gina Vernaci, Playhouse Square's VP of Theatricals. "Seated in a working environment — near the tech tables, right where the directors, producers, and tech crew are watching and taking notes — you'll get to see things that audiences just don't get to see." Afterward, your feedback will be invited via comment cards and online surveys; on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays you'll have a chance to mingle with the cast and crew as well. If that's not tempting enough, there's this: Drinks at the Hanna's bar will be half price! For a complete list of show times and ticket prices, visit playhousesquare.org/pagetostage. Find them at 2067 East 14th St. — Elaine T. Cicora
Hairspray: The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical continues through August 14 at the Beck Center's Mackey Stage, 17801 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood. Tickets are $10 to $28 at 216-521-2540 or online at beckcenter.org.
Jersey Boys: The crowd-pleasing Broadway musical continues through July 17 at the State Theatre, 1519 Euclid Ave. on Playhouse Square. Tickets are $35 to $130; call 216-241-6000 or visit playhousesquare.org.
Love's Labours Lost: See full review, this issue. Performed by the Ohio Shakespeare Festival at Akron's Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 North Portage Path, through July 23. Tickets are $15 to $30. For reservations and info, visit ohioshakespeare.com.
Love's Labours Lost: You're not seeing double: The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival is also performing this romantic comedy. But under the direction of Celeste Cosentino, the classic has been radically abridged and gender reversed. Through August 7. Free at various venues. See cleveshakes.org.
Othello: In repertoire with Love's Labor's Lost, Shakespeare's tragedy is performed by the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival through August 6. Free, in various venues across Northeast Ohio. For more information, go to cleveshakes.org.
The Miracle at Naples: American playwright David Grimm's bawdy sex romp gets its Midwest debut from the always edgy Convergence-Continuum. Through July 23 at the Liminis Theater, 2438 Scranton Rd. Tickets: $15 general admission. For reservations and additional information, call 216-687-0074 or visit convergence-continuum.org.
Sunshine Boys: Neil Simon's comedy continues at Porthouse Theatre on the grounds of Blossom Music Center (at 1145 Steels Corners Rd. in Cuyahoga Falls) through July 23. Tickets are $19 to $33, and are available by calling 330-672-3884 or online at porthousetheatre.com.
