Musical Theater Project and CPT to Present DECONSTRUCTING KURT WEILL: THE AMERICAN SONGS, 5/2-3

The Musical Theater Project and Cleveland Public Theatre will present "Deconstructing Kurt Weill: The American Songs" on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3, 2014. Both performances will be held at 7pm in the Levin Theatre at Cleveland Public Theatre.

Hosted by TMTP's executive director, Heather Meeker, "Deconstructing Kurt Weill: The American Songs" will feature performances by Cleveland stage veteran Fabio Polanco, singer Christine Fader, guitarist Jake Fader and the instrumental trio No Exit.

No composer wrote edgier, more haunting music for the theater than Kurt Weill, beginning with his trailblazing work in Berlin, "The Threepenny Opera." But when Weill fled Nazi Germany and settled in New York City in the early 1930s, his American musicals such as "Johnny Johnson," "Street Scene" and "Lost in the Stars" proved nearly as provocative, tackling the most serious of social and political issues. The TMTP performances will feature selections from Weill's Broadway output, whose lyricists include Langston Hughes, Maxwell Anderson and Alan Jay Lerner.

Weill was fond of saying, "I write for today. I don't give a damn about posterity." This composer embraced whatever sounds he heard swirling around him-and in New York in the 1930s and 40s, those sounds included jazz, swing, the blues and pure Broadway ballads.

In keeping with Weill's perspective, TMTP has enlisted Cleveland composer-arranger Ty Alan Emerson to reinterpret Weill's music for a contemporary audience. Says Emerson, "I found that whether you're a musical theater fan, opera or jazz musician, glam-rocker or indie-punk all-star, you can make Weill your own."

"Deconstructing Kurt Weill: The American Songs" is presented as part of "The Song Is You!" concert and cabaret season produced each year by The Musical Theater Project at a variety of locations.

Cleveland Public Theatre is located at 6415 Detroit Avenue in the heart of the Gordon Square Arts District. General Admission is $28. Premium stageside cabaret seating is available for $35. Student/senior discount ($3 off) is available with ID. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.cptonline.org or by phone at (216) 631-2727 x 501.

"The Song Is You!" receives additional support from Robert Conrad, Susan Kohn and Mike Kohn, the Cleveland Foundation, the Kulas Foundation, The Nathan L. and Regina Herman Charitable Fund, Cleveland Public Library, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and Ohio Arts Council. Media sponsors include Cleveland.Com, WKHR 91.5 FM and WCLV 104.9 FM.

ABOUT THE MUSICAL THEATER PROJECT-A nonprofit organization founded in 2000, TMTP produces concerts, in-school residency programs, radio programming and recordings that foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of a uniquely American art form. To learn more about TMTP, call 216-529-9411 or visit www.MusicalTheaterProject.org.

ABOUT CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE - Founded in 1981, Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) is a recognized leader for producing and presenting new theatrical work and regional premieres; life-changing educational programs; and for nurturing Northeastern Ohio artists - particularly those whose work is inventive, intelligent and socially-conscious. For more information about CPT's 13-14 season, visit www.cptonline.org or contact Cathleen O'Malley, Director of Audience Engagement & Media Relations at comalley@cptonline.org or (216) 631-2727 x 212.

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