CLEVELAND: Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) has announced its fall season, titled “Alive On Line.” The virtual offerings will include intimate showings in repertory with brief post-show discussions.
“Like flowers growing up through cracks in the sidewalk, water rushing through the Cuyahoga River, or dreams that come to us at night, art will find the way,” said artistic director Raymond Bobgan in a statement.
The season will begin with Frankenstein’s Wake (Oct. 30-31, Nov. 8, 14, 20), created by Holly Holsinger and Bobgan. This twisted adaptation of the novel by Mary Shelley was first performed Off-Broadway in 1997 by Cleveland’s Theatre Labyrinth. Bobgan will direct.
Next up will be …Or Does it Explode? (Nov. 6, 7, 12, 13, 19, 21), written and directed by John Dayo-Aliya. Using poetry and dance, the theatrical piece explores what it means to be a young Black male in the 21st century. The cast will include Austin Sasser, Benjamin Black, De Andre Hairston-Karim, and Dar’Jon Bentley.
Following will be The Loush Sisters Pay Per View (Buffer This) (Nov. 27-28, Dec. 2, 3, 10, 11, 17, 19), by Liz Conway, Michael Seevers Jr., and Beth Wood. The comedy follows two sisters, Holly and Jolly, as they spread holiday cheer with rowdy shenanigans. Conway and Wood will star, and Wood will also direct.
The season will continue with “CPT with the Kennedy Center” (Dec. 7), a special Zoom performance in collaboration with the performing arts center in Washington, D.C.
The programming will also include Dia de Muertos 2020 (Oct. 31, Nov. 1), featuring in-person and virtual presentations and activities in partnership with Día de Muertos Ohio.
Events will also include “A Celebration of Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi مسرح كليفلاند العربي”(Nov. 4, Dec. 16), which will include the premiere of a mini-documentary and a discussion about the founding of this ensemble.
Next on the events calendar will be Teatro Público de Cleveland’s Grandes Monologos (Nov. 10-11), an evening of monologues by local playwrights and from previous TPC productions.
Following will be Wintertide at Gordon Square (Dec. 12), presented by Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization in collaboration with CPT. The free, virtual, all-ages event will partner local businesses with neighborhood arts organizations for a holiday festival.
Also on the docket is a virtual performance from CPT’s Student Theatre Enrichment Program (STEP) (Dec. 18-19), which will feature a post-show conversation. Nicole Burton will direct the 2020 STEP ensemble show.
Founded in 1981, Cleveland Public Theatre has as its mission to raise consciousness and nurture compassion through theatrical performances and education programs.
