Cleveland Play House Announces Free WOODY SEZ 'Hootenannies'

House invites all local musicians and music lovers alike to join in their FREE jam sessions, otherwise known as "hootenannies," following the Sept. 22nd, Sept. 29th and Oct. 6th Sunday matinee performances of Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie. This incredible production about the celebrated musician and iconic leader of the American Folk Movement, Woody Guthrie, will take Cleveland Play House's stage from Sept. 13 - Oct. 6 in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare. The production is in the folk tradition: unamplified, authentic and incorporating over twenty acoustic instruments.

Definition: A hootenanny is an informal get-together where folk musicians join in an unstructured and free flowing jam session, with no boundaries between audience and performer.

Cleveland Play House ticket holders and the general public alike are invited and encouraged to bring along their instruments to join in these exciting hootenannies, which will be led by the cast of Woody Sez following select Sunday matinee performances. These family-friendly hootenannies are FREE of charge and will run from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. in the Allen Theatre lobby. Participants are encouraged to bring flyers about their own band, gig or musical get-together to display at CPH's Community Table. "Instrument check" will be set-up at Coat Check for those also attending the show. All three hootenannies are part of InsideCPH, the series that takes the public behind-the-scenes and offers a sneak peak inside the creative process at Cleveland Play House.

CPH Associate Producer, Corey Atkins explains "All of our InsideCPH programs and activities are designed to bring CPH out to the community and vice versa. Our 'hoots' are a perfect example. We're thrilled to be able to open the Allen to our region's great folk and roots music community, and to introduce our audiences to the local musicians who show up. The entire cast of Woody Sez is really excited to get to engage and jam in this unique way, as well." Atkins continues, "A hootenanny is a great embodiment of Woody Guthrie's life's work, and of our InsideCPH engagement initiative's goals, too. Both aim to break down the walls between performer and audience, and bring people of all stripes together in a way that fosters community and conversation about our world-not to mention both are a lot of fun!"

One notable artist who will be breaking down the walls between performer and audience is Tony-nominated actress for Once and CWRU/CPH MFA acting alum, Elizabeth A. Davis, who will be participating in the initial hootenanny on Sunday, Sept. 22nd. An accomplished violinist, Davis will be jamming right alongside all those in attendance.

As an added bonus, Davis will join Woody Sez lead and co-creator David M. Lutken as a part of InsideCPH's Behind-the-Scenes: "Playing" Your Part event on Monday, Sept. 23rd from 7 - 8:30 p.m., which explores why the actor-singer-musician may be the theatre world's new "triple threat." This interactive event will be hosted by CPH's Interim Artistic Director, Laura Kepley.

Admission to all post-show hootenannies is FREE of charge. Hootenannies will take place Sept. 22nd, Sept. 29th and Oct. 6th in the Allen Theatre lobby, 1407 Euclid Ave, from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Admission to InsideCPH's "Playing" Your Part is FREE of charge, but reservations are required in advance. RSVP to InsideCPH@clevelandplayhouse.com.

Tickets to Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie range in price from $45-$72 each. Students under the age of 24 with a valid ID will be offered a special $15 ticket price. Under 35? Just $25 any seat, any time sponsored by Scene Magazine. The production will run from Sept. 13th - Oct. 6th in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare. To order single tickets please call 216-241-6000 or visit www.clevelandplayhouse.com. Groups of 10+ save up to 40% off single ticket prices; call 216-400-7027 or email cwheeler@clevelandplayhouse.com.