ONSTAGE THIS WEEK:
Being Earnest: A Pop Musical Play: A play under construction by Deborah Magid, Being Earnest asks what the protaganist of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest would be like if he lived today. It's part of Dobama's new Playwright's Gym program, which allows local playwrights to workshop plays without the pressure of a public performance. Set for 7 p.m on August 9, the show will include critical scenes presented for public reaction and comment, at 2340 Lee Rd. in Cleveland Heights. Tickets are $5 at the door. Call 216-932-6838 or visit dobama.org.
Hairspray: Standout performances and multiple showstoppers make this Beck Center production worthy of its standing ovation. (Christine Howey) Through August 14 at 17801 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood. Tickets are $10 to $28, available at 216-521-2540 or online at beckcenter.org.
Imagine Home: Young performers from Cleveland Public Theatre's Student Theatre Enrichment Program explore issues of identity, family, and sense of self-worth in a production inspired by Henrik Ibsen's classic Peer Gynt. Free performances at various city parks through August 7; visit cptonline.org or call 216-631-2727.
Love's Labours Lost: Under the direction of Cleveland Shakespeare Festival's Celeste Cosentino, Shakespeare's classic romantic comedy has been radically abridged and gender reversed. Performed in repertory with Othello, through August 7. Free at various venues. See cleveshakes.org.
Othello: The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival does a respectable job with the bard's iconic tragedy, featuring some strong work in the leads. (Howey) Performed in repertory with Love's Labours Lost.Free, in various venues through August 6. For more information, go to cleveshakes.org.
The Tragedy of King Richard III: Ohio Shakespeare Festival presents this gem with artistic director Terry Burgler in the title role. Through August 14. Tickets are $15 to $30 at 330-673-8761 or online at ohioshakespeare.com.
