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'Unforgettable' opens today at Actors' Summit
By Kerry Clawson
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Friday, Jun 19, 2009
It's a common refrain among arts and cultural organizations: Summer programming has been cut back because of the recession's ripple effects. Ohio Shakespeare at Stan Hywet has dropped a show, Moliere's School for Wives, from its summer season because of cuts in Stan Hywet staffing. Even the Northwest Family Recreation Center in Akron has cut back its summer camps, including a dance camp for younger children.
But Actors' Summit in Hudson is swimming against the current by forging ahead with its new summer theater festival, American Mirrors, with four plays in rotating repertory, beginning with previews Friday at both the theater and the nearby Hudson Library and Historical Society.
''I don't think we can cut our way to success,'' said co-artistic director Neil Thackaberry. ''We're just trying to buck the trend and provide reasonably priced entertainment that would have some real interest.''
The festival's title reflects the plays' exploration of American history, tradition and culture. Three of the four pieces are one-man shows.
First up is Unforgettable, a bio-revue of Nat King Cole, previewing at 2 p.m. today and opening tonight at 8. It continues through July 26. The piece is a revision of the popular show Nat King Cole & Friends that Actors' Summit produced in 2006, written by Thackaberry. He says the new script focuses more on Cole's battles concerning the civil-rights movement.
Starring is singer, actor and director Reggie Scott, who is new to the Actors' Summit stage. His career began at Karamu House in Cleveland.
Also opening this weekend is the one-man Mark Twain: Semi-Literate Lecturer, Liar & Loafer, written and performed by Ric Goodwin, also new to Actors' Summit. The Northeast Ohio native has been shaping the Twain play since he attended graduate school decades ago with Thackaberry at Wayne State University in Detroit. The play will preview at 7:30 tonight and open at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Hudson Library's Flood Room.
Actors' Summit is excited to offer 59 performances over six weeks in its inaugural festival. The last week of the festival, on July 23 and 24, audiences will have a chance to see all four shows within two days.
The musical comedy Don't Hug Me, which celebrates Americana in Minnesota, will preview July 3 and open July 4.
Finally, Thackaberry will reprise his role as the legendary defense lawyer in the one-man Clarence Darrow, previewing July 10 and opening July 11.
''Every one of these shows is something the entire family could come to,'' Thackaberry said.
Tickets cost $25 to $28 for adults, with discounts for senior citizens. Full-time students pay $7 for any show.
The festival, which has a $100,000 budget, is co-sponsored by the Hudson Library and supported by grants from the Hudson Community Foundation, Burton D. Morgan Foundation and Laurel Lake Foundation. See http://www.actorssummit.org for a schedule and call 330-342-0800 for reservations.
Choral sendoff
The Summit Choral Society's Children's Touring Choir will perform its entire tour repertoire in a free Bon Voyage concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at Faith Lutheran Church, 2726 W. Market St., Fairlawn.
The 45-member choir will spend 11 days in June and July traveling through Malta and Sicily, performing concerts in cathedrals and schools and at special functions. The repertoire of classical and modern works from European and American composers includes two compositions written for the tour by New England composer Dorn Younger, who will travel with the choir. For information, call 330-434-7464.
It's a deal
You don't have to break the bank to enjoy Shakespearean summer fun with Opera Cleveland's Falstaff: The opera is offering half-price tickets to the Verdi comedy tonight, Sunday and June 27 at the State Theatre at PlayhouseSquare.
Just call 216-241-6000 or see http://www.playhousesquare.com and use the discount code NEOPAL for tickets starting at $12.50.
Mixed media
Project 7, dubbed as a dance media event, will be performed at 7 p.m. today and Saturday at Paul A. Daum Theatre in Kolbe Hall at the University of Akron. The story line, created by Lisa Henderson and Anne Marie Undercoffer, explores the inner conflict of choosing between the righteousness of virtue and the temptation of sin.
The project aims to integrate dance and media to tell a story, using a combination of dance genres, musical selections and narration. Admission is free but tickets are required; call 330-338-2638.
More theater news
• Being Earnest, a modern-day pop musical homage to Oscar Wilde, will have its world premiere at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Alma Theater in Cain Park. Tickets are $8 at the door for the one-night-only performance.
• At 7 p.m. Saturday, the Bang and the Clatter Theatre Company will host the arts event Islands of Insanity with Gorilla Music and La Strada at its Cleveland theater, 224 Euclid Ave.
The one-night collection of new works will include Dave Thomas' short film Peaces as well as a preview scene from the play Mudd Sisters by Christopher Johnson. Radio personalities Jeff Blanchard and Scott Miller will co-host.
The evening will include neon art by Dana Patterson, guest band Madison Crawl, wine and food. Doors open at 7 p.m. and cover charge is $5. Call 330-606-5317 for information.
Arts writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.
It's a common refrain among arts and cultural organizations: Summer programming has been cut back because of the recession's ripple effects. Ohio Shakespeare at Stan Hywet has dropped a show, Moliere's School for Wives, from its summer season because of cuts in Stan Hywet staffing. Even the Northwest Family Recreation Center in Akron has cut back its summer camps, including a dance camp for younger children.
Get the full article here.
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