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Season's lineup features three classic comedies. Affordable prices offer another reason to smile
By Kerry Clawson
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Thursday, Jun 11, 2009
As economic woes have made waves through Northeast Ohio in the last year, Porthouse Theatre has listened to audiences' wishes by offering three classic comedies for its upcoming summer lineup.
''OK, its been a tough year — we need to laugh,'' said artistic director Terri Kent, who helms the outdoor professional summer theater, an extension of Kent State University, on the grounds of Blossom Music Center.
Her escapist summer antidote will begin with the musical comedy of errors A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, which opens tonight and runs through June 27. She's mixed in another big dose of humor with the classic Neil Simon comedy The Odd Couple July 2-18, followed by the latest revival version of Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun, which closes the season July 23-Aug. 9.
The economic downturn that has shuttered arts organizations across the country hasn't hurt Porthouse's operations, according to Managing Director Rebecca Gates. The theater already has surpassed its subscription number from last year, going from 2,467 to more than 2,650 to date this year.
As arts organizations face increased competition for dwindling grant and foundation dollars, Porthouse nearly doubled its 2008 grant support, said Producing Director Cynthia Stillings.
Whoever heard of a recession-proof theater, and what's Porthouse's secret for growth during such uncertain times? Kent says that now, more than ever, the theater offers value to its customers. Porthouse has kept its ticket costs down over the years because it's partially subsidized by KSU.
Summer subscriptions for three professional shows start at $54. A Saturday night, three-show subscription costs $63.
''People call and they think we're quoting them the price for one show, and it's for all three,'' Kent said.
She said the theater consistently sells at 85 percent capacity, which she calls remarkable for a nonprofit theater.
This year, everything from paper to costumes costs more, but the increased subscriptions have supported those hikes, Kent said.
The theater has raised its subscriptions up to $9, depending on the package.
Background on shows
In choosing this theatrical season, Kent is realizing her longtime dream of directing the big, classic musical Annie Get Your Gun.
The director said that the story's wilderness setting is perfect for the heavily wooded Porthouse. The 1999 Peter Stone revival, which starred Bernadette Peters on Broadway, is conceived as a play within a play, framed by roustabouts setting up a big-top tent for Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. The musical also has been updated with the goal of portraying more sensitivity toward the Native American element of its story line.
Porthouse stars will include KSU graduate Kaye Cummings as Annie Oakley and Fabio Polanco of Cleveland Heights as Frank Butler.
Kent calls Forum both a good musical comedy and a teaching tool whose structure follows the conventions of classic Roman comedy, with hilariously overblown stock characters. Cleveland actor Nick Koesters will star as slave Pseudolus.
Kent's husband, Rohn Thomas, will direct the season's nonmusical — The Odd Couple, starring KSU assistant professor Eric van Baars as Felix and John Woodson of Myrtle Beach, S.C., as Oscar.
The Odd Couple is performed often, but Kent insists that doing Neil Simon isn't easy: ''So much of it [comedy] is in the timing. But there has to be a real honesty to it, which requires really skilled actors.''
Social responsibility
Kent has developed a strong tradition of charitable giving, outreach and education for musical theater students in her nine-year tenure. That includes the Community Partnership Program, in which Porthouse partners with another nonprofit. Projects have included actors doing workshops and crafts at Camp CHOPS for kids with cancer in Bath Township last year to this year's partnership with Project GRAD Akron at Buchtel High School, where the goal is to increase graduate literacy.
In addition to giving the organizations hands-on help, a percentage of concessions and souvenir sales each summer is donated to the nonprofit.
''I think that it is vital for all students to understand that as artists they have a voice and they have a social commitment,'' Kent said.
Students from throughout the country make up the bulk of the staff at Porthouse, with 75 working as actors, designers, technicians, stage managers, costume stitchers, carpenters, box office staff and facilities and
concessions workers. The theater runs a student adoption program to supplement their seasonal scholarships and stipends. This year's goal is for donors to adopt all 75 students at $300 each.
Focus on education
Education is a vital part of Porthouse's growth. Each season, the theater gives 12 members of the Young Professional Company the chance to act alongside seasoned Equity actors.
New this year, Porthouse Academy will provide 20 high school graduates with three weeks of classes in acting, singing and dance taught by Kent and other KSU instructors. The students will take classes for college credit and attend master classes taught by Porthouse's Equity actors.
Academy students will work at Annie Get Your Gun rehearsals to learn the show as understudies. Finally, all 20 are invited to audition for KSU's musical theater program.
Picnic pleasure
Many Porthouse guests picnic on the beautiful grounds before taking in a show in the open-air amphitheater. This year, those who park on the lawn will have the comfort of a new lighted pathway down the long grassy slope to the box office.
It's part of a grounds development plan that eventually will include another party pavilion as well as a new parking area. (Opening-night guests are invited to a celebration in the pavilion with the cast after the show.)
The shows alone are just part of the Porthouse experience, Kent said: ''I think people see it as not just coming to a show, but an event.''
Theater writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or at kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.
As economic woes have made waves through Northeast Ohio in the last year, Porthouse Theatre has listened to audiences' wishes by offering three classic comedies for its upcoming summer lineup.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Akron, OH
Posted 05:35 PM, 06/11/2009
The article is very good. It got my interest right away. The answer to why this place is taking off is very easy: The Carousel closed. We need interesting things to do. Now, how do we contact this place to purchase tickets?? finish the article, please!
Akron, OH
Posted 07:43 AM, 06/12/2009
lynnd99 -- you are online. Google Porthouse.
