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Near West Theatre

6702 Detroit Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44012

Upcoming Shows

Annie

Annie

Nov 20 – Dec 6, 2026

Annie is the story of a young girl whose unwavering optimism begins to transform the lives of everyone around her. Set in 1930s New York City, Annie moves from the walls of an orphanage into the home of Oliver Warbucks, bringing light, hope, and possibility to everyone she...

Honk!

Honk!

Feb 12 – Feb 28, 2027

When Ugly the duckling finds himself feeling out of place, he sets off on a journey of self-discovery filled with adventure, friendship, and a few unexpected challenges.

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum

Apr 16 – May 2, 2027

Inspired by the farces of ancient Rome, this fast-paced musical follows a clever servant determined to win their freedom by helping their young master find love, no matter how many disguises, mix-ups, and misadventures it takes to get there.

Review: BRIGADOON at Porthouse/Kent State University

Review: BRIGADOON at Porthouse/Kent State University

by Roy Berko · August 11, 2026

In order to create authentic dances for Pothouse’s BRIGADOON, if social media pictures can be trusted, during rehearsals Martin Céspedes, the shows choreographer, wore a kilt.  The results are the captivating visual movements that light up the stage.…

Review: MEAN GIRLS at BECK CENTER

Review: MEAN GIRLS at BECK CENTER

by Roy Berko · July 28, 2026

Tina Fay’s MEAN GIRLS, with the right level of farce can be a delightful experience.   Beck’s staging, inspite of a talented cast, was pleasant.  It could have been great with the right concept.  Go?, Of course! Most audience members, as displayed by the standing ovation at the end of the…

Review: SIDE SHOW IN CONCERT at Porthouse Theatre

Review: SIDE SHOW IN CONCERT at Porthouse Theatre

by Roy Berko · July 17, 2026

Another exposure as Cleveland Heights’s Cain Park outstanding production directed by Victoria Bussert the present Director of Oberlin College’s Musical Theater program, which featured Gregg Violand, who will be featured, later this season, in Porthouse’s BRIGADOON.…

Review: GREASE at PORTHOUSE/Kent State University

Review: GREASE at PORTHOUSE/Kent State University

by Roy Berko · June 24, 2026

GREASE, Porthouse-style, is a nostalgic reminder of the era of mid-1900’s and left those of a certain-age satisfied and maybe those of the Information Age/Digital Age asking “what was the attitude, grease and angst” all about.  …

Review: MEAN GIRLS at Akron Civic Theater

Review: MEAN GIRLS at Akron Civic Theater

by Patti Kullman · June 19, 2026

Young performers overcame weather and sound issues to bring the vibrant, musical retelling of the 2004 film Mean Girls to the vintage, nostalgic Akron Civic Theater.…

Review: A BEAUTIFUL NOISE NATIONAL TOUR at Stranahan Theatre

Review: A BEAUTIFUL NOISE NATIONAL TOUR at Stranahan Theatre

by Julie Zatko · June 17, 2026

The national tour of A Beautiful Noise rocks into town this week, bringing enough sequins to light up all of Toledo. As the final engagement of Broadway in Toledo’s 2025–2026 season, this musical offers a closer look at the life of Neil Diamond while delivering a thoroughly entertaining evening …

Review: THE WIZ at Stranahan Theatre

Review: THE WIZ at Stranahan Theatre

by Julie Zatko · May 27, 2026

Dorthy Gale arrives at Stranahan Theater by tornado (and tour bus!) as Broadway in Toledo brings the National Tour of The Wiz to town this week. I had a delightful night easing on down the road with familiar characters reimagined in a creative and moving way. The production is top-quality, featuring…

Past Shows

25 total · showing 21–25

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Feb 21 – Mar 8, 2020

Inspired by the great British Music Hall and Melodrama traditions of the Victorian Era, The Mystery of Edwin Drood promises an evening of thrills and chills, hilarity and hijinks, and a surprising ending.Based on the final, unfinished work of Charles Dickens, this unsolved...

Auditions for Parade!

Auditions for Parade!

Jan 31 – Feb 1, 2020

6:00PM-9:00PM Near West Theatre holds group auditions in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. No preparation or preregistration is required. Actors of all experience levels are led through multiple improvisational exercises providing every participant equal opportunity to create...

Big Fish

Big Fish

Nov 22 – Dec 15, 2019

Sensory Friendly Production on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 7:30PM. Pay What You Can Thursday! Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 7:30PM. Edward Bloom has lived a full and magical life, populated by witches, giants, and mermaids, marked by true love that stops time in its tracks...

Chess

Chess

Jul 19 – Aug 4, 2019

Chess July 19-August 4, 2019 Summer Teen & Young Adult Show | Cast ages 16-25 ________________________________________ Music by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson | Lyrics by Tim Rice Based on an idea by Tim Rice | Book by Richard Nelson ________________________________________...

Carnival!

Carnival!

Nov 16 – Dec 9, 2018

This show features our Intergenerational Cast, ages 7 & up Music and Lyrics by Bob Merrill Book by Michael Stewart Based on Material by Helen Deutsch Directed by Bob Navis Jr Naïve orphan Lili happens upon a failing carnival troupe in the south of France and meets puppeteer...

BroadwayWorld TV


Disney's Frozen in Cleveland Disney's Frozen
Renaissance Theatre (11/21-11/29)
Dracula: A Horror Story in Cleveland Dracula: A Horror Story
Renaissance Theatre (10/02-10/18)
Golden Girls The Laughs Continue in Cleveland Golden Girls The Laughs Continue
Canton Palace Theatre (10/01-10/01) VIDEOS
The Comedy of Errors in Cleveland The Comedy of Errors
Great Lakes Theater (2/05-2/21)
Urinetown  in Cleveland Urinetown
Beck Center for the Arts (4/30-5/09)
Les Misérables in Cleveland Les Misérables
Great Lakes Theater (3/12-4/04)
Dr. Seuss'' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical in Cleveland Dr. Seuss'' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Palace Theatre Columbus (12/08-12/13)
How to Dance in Ohio  in Cleveland How to Dance in Ohio
Beck Center for the Arts (12/04-1/03)
Si te Mueres, Te mato ( If you die, I'll Kill you) in Cleveland Si te Mueres, Te mato ( If you die, I'll Kill you)
LatinUs Theater Company (5/21-6/06)
The Importance of Being Earnest in Cleveland The Importance of Being Earnest
Great Lakes Theater (4/23-5/09)