Patrick Ciamacco News

Stephen Sondheim, who wrote the music and lyrics for 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,' which is now in production at Blank Canvas, is noted as a brilliant lyricist. Interestingly, that is not the way he sees himself. He is well-trained as a musical composer, having, from a young age, been the prodigy of Oscar Hammerstein II. Yes, the composer of such mega hits as 'Oklahoma,' 'South Pacific' and 'Sound of Music.'

Blank Canvas Theatre is announcing their 7th season in Cleveland! Blank Canvas Theatre is dedicated to inspiring a new love for those new to theatre in the Cleveland community, while providing another quality venue for those who already love the arts. The annual season is diverse, designed to attract many different types of theatre-goers whether you prefer American classics, new works, off-beat musicals, drama, or comedy, you'll find something to enjoy at Blank Canvas Theatre; all at an affordable price! BCT is one of the most inexpensive professional theaters in town. Yet to be announced is our Factory Series. This series of shows focuses on new locally written plays while giving the opportunity for local actors, directors, designers, and writers a chance to collaborate on Cleveland premieres and new works. This year's Factory Series will be announced in the coming weeks.

Greater Cleveland is blessed with a vital theater scene. It the purpose of BROADWAY WORLD.COM-CLEVELAND PROFESSIONAL THEATER TRIBUTES (BWW-CLE Theater Tributes), to recognize theatrical experiences that, in the subjective view of this reviewer, were excellent and deserve recognition.

'Urinetown: The Musical' opened on Broadway in 2001, but its path from lyricist Greg Kotis traveling Europe, encountering a pay toilet, getting an idea for a story, joining with Mark Hollman, writing the lyrics together, Hollman writing the music, previewing the show at the New York's Fringe Festival, and getting it on Broadway, was filled with pitfalls. Mainly, producers were turned off by the title.

On June 20, 1973 I had one of my mind-blowing experiences in a theater.

This is required attendance for anyone interested in experiences of marrying a well-written script with a superb staging. If for no other reason, go to the theater to experience the marvel of Antonio DeJesus.

Blank Canvas Theatre has announced the cast of EQUUS.

Beck Center Youth Theater presents the final production of their 2016-2017 season, Schoolhouse Rock Live!, May 12-21, 2017 in the Mackey Theater. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays, and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are on sale now. A special student matinee performance on Thursday, May 18 is sold out.

'Floyd Collins,' now on stage at Blank Canvas Theatre, isn't your typical musical. There is no dancing, no show-stopper production numbers, no intentional humor, no subplot, no 'I wish for' numbers. It's a tale of simple folks, a story focused on a man with an obsession to spelunker (explore caves), the power of sensationalism in the press, and the role of family and faith.

Blank Canvas Theatre is dedicated to inspiring a new love for those new to theatre in the Cleveland community, while providing another quality venue for those who already love the arts.

Blank Canvas Theatre is dedicated to inspiring a new love for those new to theatre in the Cleveland community, while providing another quality venue for those who already love the arts.

Caffe Cino, which was founded in 1958, is noted as the site that gave birth to off-off Broadway theatre. It was the invention of retired dancer Joe Cino, who offered a place to do inexpensive creative works in New York City and not have to conform to Equity rules. Cino bankrolled the adventure. The shows were staged on a make-shift small platform.

THE WILD PARTY is a musical by Michael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe based on the same poem.

What do you do if you are bored? If you are Richard Hannay, the major character in Patrick Barlow's THE 39 STEPS, now on stage at Blank Canvas, you go to the theater to see 'something mindless and trivial.' If you, personally are bored and looking for something to fill your time, THE 39 STEPS should fill the bill!

Even though the movement may have been slowed down by the recent Ohio election, the march toward legalization of marijuana seems on its way in this country.

In June 23, 1992, if you believed the supermarket tabloid, 'Weekly World News,' you'd have accepted that a 'large-eyed, fanged human child' was found in a southern West Virginia cave.

I consider OUR TOWN, which is now being performed at Blank Canvas, to be one of the greatest plays of the 20th century. It not only won the Pulitzer Prize in 1938, it has become one of the most performed and studied plays in the English language. It, along with Arthur Miller's DEATH OF A SALESMAN, Eugene O'Neil's LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, Tennessee Williams' STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, and William Inge's DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS, continue to be listed as the best written modern American plays by theatre experts.

Beck Center Youth Theater closes its 66th season with Oliver! today, May 15 - 24, 2015 on the Mackey Main Stage.

Beck Center Youth Theater closes its 66th season with Oliver! May 15 - 24, 2015 on the Mackey Main Stage. Featuring 56 Beck Center students, audiences will follow the adventures of the young orphan, Oliver Twist, as he explores the streets of London. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. A special student matinee performance will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 21. Tickets are on sale now.

Beck Center for the Arts presents FOREVER PLAID, written and originally directed and choreographed by Stuart Ross, with musical continuity supervision and arrangements by James Raitt. This production is directed and choreographed by Martin Cespedes with musical direction by Bryan Bird and runs tonight, September 12, through October 12, 2014, 8 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays on the Mackey Main Stage. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!