Summer Stages: 2016 Summer Theater Offerings in Cleveland

Roy Berko

(Cleveland Critics Circle, American Theatre Critics Association)

BECK CENTER

216-521-2540 or http://www.beckcenter.org

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL, July 8-August 14-Based on the 2000 Academy Award nominated film and the 2009 winner of 10 Tony Awards, it's the story of a young boy in a depressed mining town in England, who discovers his extraordinary gift for ballet, and gets admitted to the prestigious Royal Ballet School.

CAIN PARK

216-371-3000 or http://www.cainpark.com

THE TOXIC AVENGER, June 2-26-(Alma Theater)-Thursdays-Saturday @ 7, Sundays @ 2-A charming but toxic love story, with an environmental twist, which won the Award for Best Off-Broadway musical, about New Jersey's first superhero (a seven-foot mutant freak with superhuman strength and a heart as big as Newark.

CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE
216-631-2727 or go on line to www.cptonline.org

LINES IN THE DUST, June 2-18, 7 PM--Thu/Fri/Sat/Mon in the refurbished James Levin Theatre, is a new work centering on a mother who is determined to find a way for her teenage daughter to escape their impoverished inner city school and get the education she deserves.

CLEVELAND SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

Free admission.

KING RICHARD THE SECOND-presented at numerous settings, the adapted Shakespeare classic opens on June 17 at Peace Park, Coventry Park Neighborhood, Cleveland Heights. For additional times and places go to http://www.cleveshakes.com

THE TEMPEST, an adapted version of the Shakespeare comedy, opens Friday July 22 at Peace Park and runs through August 7 at various locations. For additional times and places go to http://www.cleveshakes.com

convergence continuum

convergence-continiuum.org or 216-687-0074

Thursday-Saturday @ 8

HARBOR, July 8-30, the story of two newlyweds, Kevin and Ted, living in tranquil affluent domesticity, until Kent's vagabond, pothead sister and her 15-year-old daughter show up.

OHIO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens (outdoor performances)

714 N. Portage Path, Akron

THE TEMPEST, Shakespeare's magical comedy about a wizard and his daughter exiled onto an enchanted desert island filled with air spirits and mutant monsters.

July 1-17, for performance information go to: http://www.ohioshakespearefestival.com/

MACBETH, considered one of Shakespeare's best tragedies, it tells the fictional story of a Scottish lord who might be king but the price he must pay is dreadful. Filled with witches and war.

August 5-21, for performance information go to: http://www.ohioshakespearefestival.com/

PLAYHOUSESQUARE
216-241-6000 or go to http://www.playhousesquare.org

See the website for specific dates and times

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, June 15-July 10, the return of the longest running Broadway musical in a new production featuring reconceived special effects, scenery and lighting designs, but the same marvelous story and musical score.

KINKY BOOTS, August 23-28, winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, it's the inspirational story of a struggling shoe factory owner, who, with the help of the fabulous Lola, changes the world of shoes and lives of many. Music by Cyndi Lauper.

PORTHOUSE

http://www.porthousetheatre.com or 330-929-4416 or 330-672-3884

SISTER ACT, June 16-July 2-When nightclub singer Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she ends up in protective custody, posing as a nun! What follows is a musical delight!

RING OF FIRE, July 7-23-The music legend Johnny Cash comes to life in this Jukebox musical that weaves a story of some of America's best know songs.

FOOTLOOSE, July 28-August 14-Based on the hit movie with Kevin Bacon, finds high school student Ren moving from Chicago to a rural town. That place will never be the same!

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