Big Dog Theater Opens at Centrum

Actor-comedian Don Mitri is breathing some fresh air into Coventry's comedy scene with tonight's grand opening of Big Dog Theater. "It's completely different than Pickwick or the Impov," Mitri says. "We'll have sketch comedy, stand-up, musical improv ... We're offering East Siders a little bit of everything." Ensconced inside the neighborhood's historic Centrum Theater, alongside the recently opened restaurant Fracas, Big Dog also doubles as a training ground for young comics. Cleveland comics Jeff Blanchard and Quinn Patterson are on the bill for tonight's opening bash, and the performance will be taped for a future DVD release. A pre-show party at City & East, across the hall from the theater, starts at 7 p.m., Jeff and Quinn take the stage at 8:30, and a meet-and-greet will get under way at Fracas following the show. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door — or go all in for the $35 dinner show package. Visit bigdogtheater.com or call 216-472-3636 for tickets or more information. Big Dog Theater is at 2781 Euclid Heights Blvd. in Cleveland Heights. — Delaney