There are some weeks that make me want to crawl into bed and never come out, and I feel like the last few weeks have been that way. It got to a point by the end of last Thursday where I just couldn’t function. Stringing together a sentence that made sense was nearly impossible.

However, I finally had a chance this weekend to recharge. There are two things that help me find my way back to normal. One — relaxing in bed and reading comic books until 10:30 on a Saturday morning. And two — going to see a show.

Theatre, regardless of whether it’s a comedy, drama, musical or play, does something to lift my brain out of a funk. I think it has to do with the fact that the action is unfolding live, in the same room as me. Unlike a two dimensional movie, all of my senses are engaged at a play. The exercise of such incredible focus allows my brain to clear.

Fortunately, over the weekend, I had the opportunity to take in two great shows which I’ll discuss in two posts this week. Although very different, they each provided me with what I needed.

First up was Social Media Night at Great Lakes Theatre. It’s a fantastic program that GLT’s Audience Engagement Manager Chris Fornadel has created, inviting bloggers and active CLE tweeters to learn more about their shows.

Actors Tom Ford (left, as scheming playwright Sidney Ruhl) and Nick Steen (right, as Clifford Anderson) in Deathtrap (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

The latest meetup was for Deathtrap, Great Lakes Theater’s current production onstage at the Hanna through March 16.

I’ve written time and again of my love for murder mysteries, and Deathtrap is one of the genre’s masterpieces. It’s not just the longest-running comic thriller on Broadway, but was also made into the 1982 film featuring Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve. However, in my 31 years, I still had never seen it.

I count myself lucky that Great Lakes’ production was my first time. Trying to figure out the twists and turns is my favorite part of a mystery, and it’s difficult to recapture that feeling on the second or third viewing/read.

And, boy, does Great Lakes’ Deathtrap have a lot of twists. In fact, with so many shockers, it’s the perfect homage to the classic whodunit.

Ford explains his scheme to actor Tracee Patterson, who plays his wife Myra Bruhl (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

On the surface, the premise is simple: Sidney Bruhl used to be a successful Broadway playwright. However, he can’t come up with his next big hit. In fact, he’s had so many flops, the money is running out.

It’s just his luck that a former student has written a thrilling script with the potential to make lots of money. He has sent it to Sidney, looking for writing advice. Instead, Sidney hatches a plan (which may or may not include murder) to steal the script.  

Before the show, Cleveland mystery writer Les Roberts spoke about Deathtrap, murder mysteries, and his time in Cleveland. It is always a treat to hear Roberts speak and you can read a bit about his journey to Cleveland in my review of his novel Whiskey Island.

His talk was an excellent way to prepare for the show, and his comment of life imitating art (playwright Ira Levin had a series of unsuccessful plays and movies after Deathtrap) was especially interesting. 

Les Roberts talking at Great Lakes Theater’s Deathtrap pre-show

We got to try something new with this production’s Social Media Night: tweeting during the show. By placing us in the Hanna Theatre’s boxes, we could tweet without disrupting other audience members’ experience.

Although it was interesting to livetweet the performance, I will admit to being so engrossed in the show’s details that I didn’t tweet too often.

However, these three tweets captured my thoughts on some of the highlights:

The Great Lakes set designs alone are always worth ticket price. Intricate, beautiful puzzles. #DeathtrapHannaCLE

— Amanda Hicken (@ADHicken) March 2, 2014

I usually don't notice but #DeathtrapHannaCLE scene change music perfect tone and timing

— Amanda Hicken (@ADHicken) March 2, 2014

"Right on the rug. One point for neatness." Whether it's Sweeney or Sidney, Tom Ford's delivery slays me. #DeathtrapHannaCLE

— Amanda Hicken (@ADHicken) March 2, 2014

I couldn’t find a fault with the performance. The cast and crew made excellent use of an intriguing script. And while Tom Ford as Sidney Ruhl was a treat, Tracee Patterson (Sidney’s wife), Nick Steen (Clifford), Lynn Allison (the psychic Helga Ten Dorp), and Aled Davies (Sidney’s lawyer) made up an airtight ensemble around him. It also balances the murderous mayhem with biting oneliners.

I recommend this production for anyone looking for a good laugh, a little murder, and a lot of surprise. Deathtrap runs until March 16. Purchase tickets here and use promo code GLT to receive a discount.

The season concludes with As You Like It (April 9-24) and the HANNApalooza fundraiser (June 14).  Great Lakes Theater returns in the fall with their 2014-2015 season: Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor and The Tempest, as well as Dial “M” for Murder and Les Miserables.

I’ll be back later this week with my thoughts on Theater Ninjas’ [sic].

Disclosure: I was invited to attend Deathtrap Social Media Night in exchange for tweeting or blogging about it. My opinions are 100% my own.

Great Lakes Theater’s A Christmas Carol (now through December 22); photo by Roger Mastroianni

It’s time for one of my favorite blog posts of the year — my wrap-up of holiday arts and entertainment coming to Cleveland. From the return of popular classics to new takes on old tales, here are my 10 picks for what to see around Cleveland this December.

Great Lakes Theater’s A Christmas Carol (through December 22)

This December, Great Lakes Theater celebrates a milestone for their annual holiday production — the 25th anniversary of A Christmas Carol! Through December 22, take the family to see their twist on the Charles Dickens classic. It’s Christmas Eve, twenty years after Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol. The Cleaveland family sits down to read the story as it comes alive onstage, seen through the imagination of the family’s youngest child.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary, Cleveland Magazine has put together a special publication about Great Lakes’ A Christmas Carol, and Aled Davies, Great Lakes’ Scrooge, was featured in the New York Times’ A Season of Scrooges graphic.

Cleveland Play House’s A Christmas Story (through December 22)

In honor of the film’s 30th anniversary, the Cleveland Play House is bringing back one of their most popular shows in an all-new production. A Christmas Story is at the Allen Theatre through December 22: “One boy. One holiday wish. And a world that seems to be conspiring to make certain it doesn’t come true.” Don’t forget that pink bunny outfit!

Another Cleveland Play House tradition is also making its return. The CPH Festival of Trees is back with its downtown debut through December 30. Stop by the Allen Theatre Complex to enjoy dozens of professionally decorated holiday trees.

Cleveland Play House’s A Christmas Story (now through December 22)

Other PlayhouseSquare Holiday Highlights (dates vary)

In addition to A Christmas Carol and A Christmas Story, PlayhouseSquare is filled with many other holiday productions and concerts. Cleveland Public Theatre is producing David Sedaris’ The Santaland Diaries on the PlayhouseSquare Second Stage – for mature elves only (now through December 22).

Or enjoy the sounds of the season with music from the North Coast Men’s Chorus: Keeping the Yuletide Gay (Hanna Theatre, December 14-15), Straight No Chaser (Palace Theatre, December 14), and Debbie Gifford and Maria Jacobs with 4Get the Girl (Kennedy’s Theatre, December 14).

Finally, Wicked fans will want to check out A Wicked Wonderland on December 16 at the Hanna Theatre. The cast of Wicked (which is now at the Palace through January 5) will step out of their roles in the musical to perform some of their favorite non-Ozian holiday songs. All proceeds from the event will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland.

Cleveland Cinemas Presents A Christmas Story (December 12 and 14)

Before you see the stage production at Cleveland Play House, enjoy the original A Christmas Story movie with Cleveland Cinemas. The movie will be showing at the Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights (December 12, 7pm) and the Capitol Theatre in Gordon Square Arts District (December 14, 10am).

Cleveland Orchestra’s Holiday Concert (December 13 through 22)

The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus are joined by conductor Robert Porco, the Cleveland Orchestra Children’s and Youth Choruses, Cleveland State University Chorale, and members of the Wooster Chorus for the Cleveland Orchestra’s annual Christmas concerts. Performances run December 13 until December 22 and feature Christmas music, sing-alongs, and a surprise visitor – all in Severance Hall’s festive splendor.

Cleveland Public Theatre’s The Loush Sisters DO The Nutcracker (now through December 21)

CPT’s The Loush Sisters DO The Nutcracker (through December 21)

Back by popular demand, The Loush Sisters return to Cleveland Public Theatre. Fueled by booze, fairies, and “holiday cheer,” the sisters relive their cherished holiday memories, with the help of their family and The Nutcracker. The Loush Sisters DO The Nutcracker runs through December 21 at CPT’s Gordon Square Theatre. Don’t forget about FREE BEER FRIDAY: Stay after the show on any Friday performance to mingle with the cast and crew and enjoy a free drink or two on CPT.

Ohio Dance Theatre’s The Nutcracker (December 20-22)

From battling mice to the Dew Drop Fairy, Ohio Dance Theatre presents a fully staged production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker December 20, 21 and 22 at Elyria’s Stocker Arts Center. This production features a very special guest — New York City Ballet’s Principal Dancer Daniel Ulbricht. An opening night gala will honor Ulbricht whose dancing has been compared to Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Karamu’s Christmas Is Comin’ Uptown (through December 29)

Karamu transplants Dickens to Harlem in their musical update of A Christmas Carol. In Christmas Is Comin’ Uptown, Scrooge is a Harlem slumlord about to foreclose an apartment house, a recreation center and a church when his late partner and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future take him on their rounds. Karamu House’s production, which plays now through December 29, includes a rousing gospel number in a Baptist church.

Dobama Theatre’s The Big Meal (now through January 5)

Dobama Theatre’s The Big Meal (through January 5)

The holidays are a time for gathering around the table with your family. Set at a single restaurant table and spanning over 80 years, Dobama Theatre’s The Big Meal tells the story of five generations through one unending metaphoric meal, starting from a young couple’s first meeting and ending with a visit from their young great-grandchild. Life’s large and small moments are seen over the course of this play about the resilience of families. The production plays through January 5, with pre-show talks on December 6, 7, 15, 20, 21, 26, and 29, as well as January 3 and 4.

Beck Center’s Annie and Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit (dates vary)

The Beck Center for the Arts has not one, but two holiday shows for Cleveland families.  The sun comes out again as Annie returns to their Mackey Main Stage. One of the world’s best-loved musicals and winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Book and Score is onstage now through January 5.

And December 13 through 22, Beck presents Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit: “In the fairy tale criminal justice system, the characters from fairy tales and nursery rhymes are represented by two separate yet equally ridiculous groups: the fairy tale police who investigate fairy tale crime, and the fairy tale district attorneys who prosecute the fairy tale offenders. These are their stories.”

Disclosure: I was invited to attend A Christmas Carol’s Social Media Night, but could not due to a scheduling conflict. I am also a member of PlayhouseSquare’s young professional group. My opinions and the choice of events I’ve included in this list are 100% my own.

There’s only one more chance to see Richard III – this Sunday at 3pm. Here’s my Friday 5 on why you should cancel any Sunday Funday plans you’ve already made and get tickets.

Lynn Robert Berg as Richard III in Great Lakes Theater’s production; all photos by Roger Mastroianni

Lynn Robert Berg’s Richard: When I recapped Great Lakes Theater’s other ongoing show Sweeney Todd, I noted that you need a leading actor who can portray a sympathetic monster. To some extent, the same goes for Richard III.

It’s essential that the actor can capture Richard’s physical and mental deformities. His body twisted by severe scoliosis; his mind twisted by a desire to rule at all costs. However, the actor also needs to play up Richard’s charm and pious guise so that the other characters believably bend to his will.

Lynn Robert Berg, Great Lakes Theater’s Richard III, even manages to charm those of us who know better. With a sly wink to the audience, I found myself momentarily endeared to him. Then, of course, he turned around and ruthlessly ordered two young children murdered.

The Intrigue: Although Richard masterminded his destructive rise to the throne, he didn’t accomplish it on his own. His reign came at the end of England’s long War of the Roses and many of the characters already had a lot of blood on their hands.

I think it makes me a bad person, but I took a little glee in watching them throw each other under the proverbial bus in exchange for land and political security. Tom Ford’s Hastings, M.A. Taylor’s Rivers, and David McCann’s Stanley were enjoyable to watch (for as long as they lasted), but David Anthony Smith really stood out. Smith – who always brings charm to the stage (even as Othello‘s deplorable Iago) – was cast perfectly as Richard’s sneaky, smiling conspirator, the Duke of Buckingham.

Lynn Robert Berg and Laura Welsh Berg as Richard III and Queen Anne

The Women of Richard III: While the men of Richard III were busy plotting, the ladies were stealing the show. Three women in particular – Laurie Birmingham, Sara M. Bruner, and Laura Welsh Berg. Birmingham and Bruner’s Queens Margaret and Elizabeth were no angels; however, their grief over losing their husbands and children tore at my heart and Birmingham’s subsequent call for revenge had me cowering in my seat.

I also found Berg’s arc of hating, falling for and eventually regretting to marry Richard riveting. There is one scene early in the show where her beratement of Richard is so fiery – I almost thought she was going to slit his throat and end the play in Act I. What made that scene even better is the fact that the pair are real-life husband and wife. I can only imagine rehearsing that argument must have been some serious fun.

Repertory Theatre: Richard III is running simultaneously with Sweeney Todd. While Richard is (slightly) less gory, the violence and machinations of the two shows sync very well. It’s also a treat to see Ford go from playing the calculated Sweeney Todd to the bumbling Hastings in Richard III. You can read my review of Sweeney Todd here, which has three performances left (one tonight and two shows on Saturday).

The Discount: Save $10 off Richard III and Sweeney Todd tickets by using promo code “PR6.” It’s good for any A Level ticket. Even without the discount, you can get a great value on the $15 Historic Box seats and $20 Lounge and Bar Seats. Visit www.greatlakestheater.org or call 216.241.6000 to purchase.

Everyone is playing at something in Richard III and that’s one thing I love about it and many of Shakespeare’s other tragedies.

I am partial to Shakespeare’s tragedies over his comedies. I love the drama, the scheming, the destruction. Especially when Great Lakes Theater does it. They find a way to make Shakespeare’s most wicked characters entertaining to watch. Don’t be surprised or ashamed if you find yourself rooting for Richard during the show. The only thing you’ll feel sorry about is if you miss your chance to see it.

Disclosure: Poise in Parma received two tickets to see the show and I joined her at the performance. However, the opinions shared here are 100% my own.

“Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd. / His skin was pale and his eye was odd. / He shaved the faces of gentlemen / Who never thereafter were heard of again. / He trod a path that few have trod. / Did Sweeney Todd. / The demon barber of Fleet Street.”

Tom Ford in Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street disposing of one of his victims. All photos in this post by Roger Mastroianni, courtesy of Great Lakes Theater

In Stephen Sondheim’s macabre musical Sweeney Todd, you need an actor capable of capturing a man broken by injustice and tragedy, reshaped into a monster obsessed only with avenging his family.

Great Lakes Theater’s Sweeney Todd, running through Nov. 2 at PlayhouseSquare’s Hanna Theatre, has found that in actor Tom Ford.

An 8-season veteran of Great Lakes Theater, Ford brings a manic frenzy to Todd. With a theatricality similar to classic horror films, he’s a convincing madman bent on punishing the lecherous judge who wronged him, even if that means hurting others along the way.

In “The Barber and His Wife” and “My Friends,” Ford’s commanding voice digs into the character’s agonizing grief and isolation. However, he’s equally capable of switching on the charm and hilarity in songs like “A Little Priest.” 

Sara M. Bruner and Ford as the macabre misfits Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd

He’s very well-matched with Sara M. Bruner‘s Mrs. Lovett, the amorous and, uh, “creative” pie shop owner who takes Todd in. Together, their barber-and-pie-shop plan serves up a well-fed (and ultimately too-closely-shaven) clientele, while giving them both what they want until the tragic climax.

It’s hard to not be eclipsed by the role of Sweeney Todd, especially Ford’s performance; however, Bruner holds her own incredibly well. Her Mrs. Lovett is racy, wild, and even tender.  

Together, they were magnetic. I was on the edge of my seat – either in suspense or laughter – when they shared a scene.

Bruner’s saucy Lovett serving up “the worst pies in London”

A little bit steampunk, a little bit a lot Expressionist Horror film, the costumes, set and overall vibe of the production are a fun (and seasonally appropriate) take on Sweeney Todd. As director Victoria Bussert commented during the pre-show Director’s Talk, there’s lots of leather in this show.

Todd’s floor-length black leather, strapped jacket in the first act, and then his red leather tails coat in the second are fantastic; while Judge Turpin and Beadle’s stunningly lavish costumes establish the characters’ excess and corruption immediately. 

M. A. Taylor as The Beadle and Darren Matthias as Judge Turpin

My love of Stephen Sondheim is well-entrenched. Assassins was the first show I worked on my freshman year at La Salle, where I was introduced to theatre. His scores are haunting and complex. They can also be incredibly challenging, not just for the actors, but for audiences.

Sweeney’s songs feature a lot of overlapping lyrics. On the one hand, this speaks to the chaos of London and Todd’s breakdown, but it can also prove difficult to understand at times. This was my fourth Sweeney and there are new things I pick up on each time.

Mic problems in the first act made it difficult to hear some of the songs. However, as it was the show’s preview performance that we saw, wrinkles are to be expected and worked out before opening night. Most of it was resolved by the second act, which helped performances such as Chris Cowan’s Tobias stand out later on. His “Not While I’m Around” surprised – and destroyed – me, in a good way.

Chris Cowan’s Tobias shows his adoration for Mrs. Lovett

Sweeney Todd runs through Nov. 2 in repertory with Shakespeare’s Richard III. As with Great Lakes’ other rep pairings, many of the actors perform in both. In this case, all but one actor are shared between the productions, which gives an audience member who sees both shows the chance to fully appreciate Great Lakes’ impressive talent.

If possible, enhance your experience with a Salon Thursday or Saturday matinee pre-show discussion. The performance we attended included a Director’s Night talk with director Victoria Bussert and Producing Artistic Director Charles Fee, which gave a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the production process. Visit greatlakestheater.org/calendar for performance days and times.

Disclosure: I was invited to attend the Social Media Night performance of Sweeney Todd in exchange for sharing my opinion about it on Twitter and other social media. I chose to blog about it and my opinions are 100% my own. 

Attendees at Great Lakes Theater’s Social Media Night: @FrankZupan, @TLColson, @KaseyCrabtree, @MaryLeeS, @KTOinCLE, @HungryinCLE, @WearingMascara, @BalletinCleve, @RCoristin05, @ADHicken (me!) and @SOS_jr

Between our anniversary and Jump Back Ball, Scott and I decided to make a mini Cleveland vacation out of last weekend. So we extended our stay at the PlayhouseSquare Wyndham to include both Friday and Saturday nights.

While Scott’s ideal vacation plan was to take a night off to relax in the hotel, mine was an evening out at the theatre for Great Lakes Theater’s Social Media Night.

I’ve been a longtime fan of Great Lakes Theater since I started blogging 3 years ago. (You’ll find links to a few of my favorite GLT experiences at the end of this post.) But it had been about a year or so since I’d been back.

Great Lakes Theater’s Blithe Spirit: Actor Eric Damon Smith (as Charles) attempts in vain to introduce his current wife, Maggie Kettering (right, as Ruth), to the ghost of his deceased first wife, Shanara Gabrielle (left, as Elvira).

Last Friday’s performance of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit was the perfect reunion.

Written in the 1940s during the height of the London blitz, Blithe Spirit is a glittering, witty escapist comedy about – of all things – death.

When novelist Charles Condomine (modeled very much after Coward’s larger-than-life personality) hosts a seance, things get a little strange.

Charles suddenly finds himself face to face with his deceased wife Elvira. A spirited woman in life, she’s even more so in death – much to the chagrin of his current wife Ruth.

Actor Jodi Dominick proves there are no small roles with her deceptively hilarious portrayal of Edith, the Condomine’s maid in Great Lakes Theater’s Blithe Spirit

Both the script and the actors’ performances radiated with British charm and banter.

The humorous high-brow manners of Ruth, Charles and their cocktail party guests are at their funniest when contrasted against the riotous medium Madame Arcati or the sparkling Elvira. I loved seeing how a proper facade would crumble quickly in their presence.

In particular, Laurie Birmingham’s unrestrained portrayal of the eccentric, hula-dancing Arcati steals your attention whenever she’s on stage.

Laurie Birmingham (center) steals the scene with her bombastic, madcap portrayal of Madame Arcati in Great Lakes Theater’s Blithe Spirit

A trip to Great Lakes Theater always promises more than just a show. With pre- and post-show programming like Salon Thursdays and Nightcap Saturdays, there is always a good reason to get to the beautiful Hanna Theatre ninety minutes early. And after the curtain closes, you can stick around to grab a drink at the bar inside the theatre.

Given the characters’ penchant for well-mannered gatherings, Blithe Spirit’s Social Media Night featured two ingredients for a successful cocktail party: proper etiquette and a proper cocktail.

Coward loved his martinis. In Woody Allen’s Manhattan, one of the characters jokes “I feel like we’re in a Noel Coward play. Someone should be making martinis.”

So before Blithe Spirit, we were treated to a martini demonstration and tasting. A fan of both gin and olives, the dirty martini I got was a nice treat.

Noel Coward loved his martinis, so it was fitting to have a martini demo and tasting at Great Lakes Theater’s Blithe Spirit Social Media Night

This was followed by a presentation from Cleveland School of Etiquette‘s Colleen Harding on how to navigate a modern cocktail party.

My favorite tips from the evening included why you should avoid stemless wine glasses (the body heat from your hand will raise the temperature of your white wine) and always use your left-hand to carry your drink (a wet right hand makes for a bad handshake).

Coward was once asked how he expected to be remembered. His response: “By my charm.” I think the audience for Blithe Spirit will think the same of Great Lakes Theater.

The spirited Colleen Harding from Cleveland School of Etiquette

Blithe Spirit runs until March 10. You can save $10 on most tickets by using discount code NEO. Purchase Blithe Spirit tickets here.

In conjunction with their Spring shows, Great Lakes Theater is currently also hosting its free outreach tour. An imagined prequel to Much Ado About Nothing, David Hansen’s Double Heart envisions the early courtship of Shakespeare’s Beatrice and Benedict.

The free annual outreach tour is playing at different Cleveland locations now through March 6. After enjoying last year’s Poirot outreach tour, I’d definitely recommend catching it. Plus, who doesn’t love free theatre?

Great Lakes Theater’s free touring production of Double Heart by Cleveland playwright David Hansen now-3/6

Great Lakes’ mainstage season concludes later this Spring with Much Ado About Nothing (March 29-April 14) and Guys and Dolls (May 1-June 30).

Want to read more about Great Lakes Theater? Check out these posts:

• The Art of Engagement: Great Lakes Theater
• John Lithgow, Teller of Tales
• No Offending Shadows: Midsummer Night’s Dream and Bat Boy
• Othello: Great Lakes Theater Returns with a Vengeance
• An Ideal Husband: An Ideal Complement to Othello
• Two Gentlemen of Verona and Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

Disclosure: I was invited to attend Social Media Night and blog about my experience in exchange for a complimentary ticket to the show.  Opinions expressed here are my own. All production photos by Roger Mastroianni, provided by Great Lakes Theater.

Providing a nice complement to Cleveland Play House’s contemporary plays, GLT most often focuses on classic theatre – having its roots in Shakespeare when John Lithgow’s father helped found it 50 years ago.

After taking a slight break last week from the series, I’m happy to return with Part 3 of the Art of Engagement by focusing on Great Lakes Theater’s audience engagement programs.

What initially endeared me to Great Lakes was their emphasis on enhancing the typical theatre-going experience by making it more accessible and social.

The Hanna Theater after Great Lakes Theater's renovations

At GLT, access to its artists and production process starts as soon as you arrive at the theatre – even before the curtain rises.  After helming the renovation of a completely reimagined Hanna Theatre in 2008, Great Lakes Theater instituted an “Arrive Early, Stay Late” program.

Before every performance, the Hanna opens its doors ninety minutes early allowing guests to observe the complete pre-show preparation process of GLT’s actors and technical staff.

Elements traditionally hidden from audiences such as stage combat rehearsals, dance calls, prop/scenic pre-sets, technical cue rehearsals and actor warm-ups are conducted in full view of patrons, offering GLT audiences an unprecedented glimpse into the theatrical process.

And because theatre has always been a social experience, the Hanna stays open after the show so guests can hang out at the in-theatre bar, meet other audience members and discuss the show.

Audiences of GLT's spring productions Romeo & Juliet (pictured), The Mousetrap and Sondheim on Sondheim will have a variety of Experience Enhancement programs to enjoy and enrich their time at the Hanna.

Throughout each production, Great Lakes Theater also offers an Experience Enhancement Series, with a variety of pre and post show programming that highlights the Hanna’s unique amenities and continues GLT’s mission of providing extraordinary access to Great Lakes artists:

• Salon Thursdays feature an engaging pre-show discussion/presentation beginning one hour before curtain with a Great Lakes Theater artist.
• Happy Hour Fridays afford audience members the opportunity to gather and socialize at the Hanna’s bar and lounge immediately after work with an assortment of small bites and beverages.
• Nightcap Night Saturdays are designed to encourage audience members to stay after the evening performance and enjoy entertainment hand-selected by the director of programming for Cleveland’s landmark Nighttown.
• Ice Cream Social Sundays offer guests the opportunity to enjoy a London theatre tradition for half-price.  Food and drinks are sold and allowed inside of the Hanna for every performance, but on Sundays, ice cream is discounted.
• Director’s Nights feature lively pre-show discussions with GLT’s Producing Artistic Director, Charles Fee, and the director of each production before preview performances.
• Playnotes Pre-Show Discussions provide patrons with illuminating introductions to the content and history of each play in GLT’s season presented by a guest scholar before Saturday matinee performances.

In addition to these offerings, GLT will be bringing back its Classics & Conversations Series during its runs of The Mousetrap and Romeo and Juliet this Spring.

On Friday, March 23, “Cleveland’s favorite [mystery] writer” Les Roberts will present a pre-show conversation called “Mysteries Solved” before that evening’s performance of Agatha Christie’s iconic murder mystery.

And on Friday, April 27, prior to R&J, their pre-show discussion “What’s Love Got To do With It?” explores the science behind “attraction.”

Behind many of these programs is Great Lakes Theater’s Audience Engagement Manager Chris Fornadel. Fornadel is responsible not just for coordinating pre- and post-show special events, but also arranging behind-the-scenes tours and working with visitors to create unique experiences based on their requests. He can be contacted here.

Exclusive access to each production's artistic process can be found on GLT's website, blog and social media channels. Pictured here: their Fall production of The Taming of the Shrew.

What happens inside the walls of the Hanna is only half of Great Lakes Theater’s audience enrichment programs.

Before you even visit the theatre, you can experience a lot about a production on the GLT website. GreatLakesTheater.org offers comprehensive background info about each of its productions, including video features, audio clips, cast and production team bios and behind the scenes access to the creative process. Although the information for their Spring Shows will be up soon, you can check out previous productions online such as The Taming of the Shrew.

GLT’s social media channels also offer a number of ways to connect directly with their productions.  On their blog, you can find backstage photos and insight directly from the actors and production crew (sometimes even written by the artists themselves). Audience members can likewise access exclusive information and share their input on Facebook, @GLTFCleveland and their Youtube channel.

Great Lakes Theater is even coming to a Northeast Ohio neighborhood near you with a special audience engagement opportunity:  FREE THEATER!

Every season, GLT presents a free touring production that visits nearly two dozen neighborhood venues throughout northeast Ohio to kick off their annual series of Surround outreach programming. This season, in conjunction with The Mousetrap, the Outreach Tour features a world premiere adaptation by David Hansen of Agatha Christie’s Mysterious Affair at Styles.

Feb. 4 - March 7, catch a free performance of GLT's Outreach Tour Production - The Mysterious Affair at Styles.

The twists and turns of Detective Hercule Poirot’s very first mystery will premiere Feb. 14 and tour until March 7.  The production will reach audiences from Cleveland Heights to Akron, Cuyahoga Falls and Oberlin.   These performances are all open to the public (arrive early since you can’t reserve tickets) and they’re FREE (I can’t emphasize enough how awesome that is)!

It’s a great example of how audience engagement doesn’t need to take place inside of the theatre and emphasizes GLT’s goal for audience accessibility.

If you haven’t experienced Great Lakes Theater yet, this Spring is an excellent time to start. Dates, times and locations for the Outreach Tour can be found here. And check out The Mousetrap, Romeo and Juliet, and Sondheim on Sondheim‘s performance calendars for the full selection of Experience Enhancement programming.

***

Want to learn about other Cleveland theatres’ audience engagement offerings? Next week is part 4 and the conclusion – a look at Cleveland Public Theatre. In the meantime, read parts 1 and 2 below:

• Part 1: Cleveland Play House
• Part 2: Near West Theatre

Great Lakes Theater's 1980s-infused production of The Taming of the Shrew is just one reason to be excited about this Fall's lineup of Cleveland theatre

In another life long long ago (err, 6 years ago) and far far away (Philly), I used to work in theatre.  Specifically, marketing, sales and a little bit of backstage production work (random factoid #352: I worked backstage on this show for almost 2 years when it was in Philadelphia). 

So when Fall rolls around, I get excited not just because of the changing leaves or the promise of pumpkin pie, but because it marks the beginning of a new season for most theatres.

That’s no different in Cleveland as many of our local theatre companies start to kick things off the next few weeks. My personal favorites? Cleveland Play House (who’s celebrating a new home), Great Lakes Theatre (who’s celebrating a new name and their 50th anniversary), and Cleveland Public Theatre (who I need to see more of this year).

However, the city is a hotbed of performing arts so check out this Cleveland Theatre Company Guide for 2011 which has dozens of listings. From PlayhouseSquare’s Broadway Series (on sale Friday, Sept. 9), to The Beck Center for the Arts, Dobama and convergence-continuum, there are a lot of  options beyond what I’m highlighting below.

Last year's Conni's Avant Garde Restaurant returns to Cleveland Public Theatre this December as part of a season featuring 7 world premieres

Cleveland Public Theatre

CPT — a cornerstone in Gordon Square’s plan for economic revitalization through the arts — has always produced challenging and innovative works in Cleveland. And their 2011-2012 season is no different of course. This year they have 7 world premieres — five by Northeast Ohio artists.

They promote a unique and new approach to creating productions called “devised theatre” – where the structure of the play and what the actors say comes not from a pre-written script but the rehearsal process. 6 of CPT’s shows this season were created using this unconventional method.

The Pandemonium '11: Amuse Me fundraiser on Sept. 10 starts off CPT's season this Saturday - tickets are still available and include entertainment, food and drink

I’m really happy to see that one of these 6 is the return of Conni’s Avant Garde Restaurant. Scott and I saw this during last year’s sold-out run at CPT.  If you’re curious about this show filled with crazy cabaret, improv comedy, death and a mighty tasty five-course meal, you can read my full review here . It runs Dec. 1-18 at Cleveland Public Theatre.

If you don’t want to wait for that, check the link above for all of their other productions, including this Saturday’s Pandemonium ’11.

Pandemonium is CPT’s annual fundraiser and features a ridiculously long list of performance groups and plays that will all be packed into their campus on Sept. 10 (fittingly, with so many options for entertainment, this year’s theme is “Amuse Me”).  Over 35 Cleveland restaurants will be in attendance as well, and all food, drink, entertainment and valet parking is included in the tax-deductible ticket.

Cleveland Play House

Bertolt Brecht’s The Life of Galileo kicks off Cleveland Play House’s inaugural season in PlayhouseSquare’s Allen Theatre (here’s the full 2011-2012 lineup). Completely renovated and transformed, the tiny glimpse I’ve seen of their new home looks amazing! 

To celebrate this landmark season for them, Cleveland Play House has a number of upcoming events. While many of these are open to the general public, some of them are targeted to specific audiences like Young Professionals, families and the LGBT community to provide a different backdrop for social and networking opportunities. 

Check the list below for their full roundup (including a new Play Date series for caregivers and their children).

Cleveland Play House celebrates their inaugural season in PlayhouseSquare's Allen Theatre with Brecht's The Life of Galileo, Sept. 16-Oct. 9

• CPH Open House – 4:30pm – 8:00pm, Monday, September 12, 2011 – Join Cleveland Play House for tours, giveaways and more to celebrate their new home at PlayhouseSquare.
• CPH Season Opening Party – Sunday, September 18, 2011 – A gala pre-theatre cocktail reception and a special 7:30pm performance of The Life of Galileo.
• Galileo Play Date – Sunday, September 18, 2011 – A new program for parents, grandparents, caregivers and their children. While grown-ups are watching the show, children are in a play date designed by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
• nightOUT! LGBT Series– Thursday, September 22, 2011 – A new program that gives a chance for the LGBT community and friends to mix and mingle with a rotating series of happy hours, after parties and more.
• Gen.NOWSeries – Tuesday, September 27, 2011 – A new program that encourages the next generation of young Clevelanders to engage with each other, downtown hotspots and CPH’s newest show.
• College Night @ CPH Series – Tuesday, October 4, 2011 – A new program where college students from all universities mingle, enjoy free snacks and soda, then see a show.
• Pre-show conversation – Arrive to your performance 45 minutes early for a lively discussion with a member of the cast or creative team (this takes place at every show).
• Post-show discussions – Sunday, September 25; Tuesday, September 27; Sunday, October 2; Sunday, October 9 – Join actors from the cast for these post-show discussions moderated by a member of the artistic staff.
• Student Matinees – 10:30am on Friday, September 23 and Wednesday, October 5, 2011. For details, call (216) 795-7000, ext. 149.

Great Lakes Theater

Great Lakes Theater was originally founded in 1962 as the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival. Over the years the name was changed to Great Lakes Theater Festival as they moved beyond producing just the works of Shakespeare. 

With their 50th anniversary season just getting started and because they no longer present plays in a festival-style format, they’ve streamlined it to Great Lakes Theater. Of course, regardless of the name change, Great Lakes Theater is still my favorite place to see Shakespeare and other classics performed in Cleveland.

Great Lakes Theater is also celebrating their huge anniversary with a packed season of 6 productions (up 1 from previous years). Things start with their fall repertory of Cabaret and The Taming of the Shrew running together from Sept. 23 until Sept. 30.

The Taming of the Shrew runs in rotating repertory with Cabaret to kick off Great Lakes Theater’s 50th anniversary season, Sept. 23-Oct. 30

As I’ve written many times before, attending a show at Great Lakes Theater is about more than the production, it’s also about the experience of the Hanna Theatre.  Before CPH moved into PlayhouseSquare’s transformed Allen Theatre, the Hanna Theatre complex was renovated for Great Lakes Theater to similarly create a more dynamic, engaging experience for theatregoers.

With a variety of seating options (my favorite is the couches) and a bar inside the theatre that’s open 90 minutes before and after the show (if you’re lucky, you’ll get to watch a combat rehearsal!), a night out at a show takes on a different meaning at Great Lakes Theater. 

In fact, seeing what Great Lakes Theater has done and continues to do at the Hanna is one of the reasons I’m so excited for Cleveland Play House’s move. Now I’ll have two very unique theatre experiences to check out at PlayhouseSquare!    

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I hope with that short rundown I have you just as excited for Fall Theatre in Cleveland as I am. Of course, if you’re still hungry for more, browse through Examiner.com’s Cleveland Theatre Company Guide for links to the many, many other options for theatre in Cleveland.

What shows are you most looking forward to?

Photo Credits:

• Great Lakes Theater photos (by TRG Reality)
• Cleveland Public Theatre photos 
• Cleveland Play House photo