Be moved by these 20-plus impressive theater and dance shows. With an original take on “The Hobbit” and the Ohio community theater premiere of Broadway’s smash hit, “Come From Away,” these performances are sure to stun.
On The Cover | 24 Theater & Dance | photo by Erin Gulling
Christopher Coles photo by Mal McCrea
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Life in the Limelight
A FATHER WITNESSES HIS DAUGHTER’S ROLES ONSTAGE.
I’ve always found it a little amusing that theater is deeply woven into my family’s history, yet it never really called to me. Both my parents were Shakespearean actors. That’s how they met — performing in “The Tempest” at Kent State University.
They were comfortable under the stage lights — speaking in verse and bringing classic characters to life. Somehow, that theatrical spark skipped me entirely. I can appreciate a great performance, but I’ve never had the itch to be the one onstage.
My daughter, Xaverie, however, clearly got the gene. She dove into theater at a young age, signing up for her first play back in second grade at St. Sebastian elementary. She was a squirrel in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” and I still remember the way she lit up at being part of the production. From there, she was hooked.
She went on to Miller South School for the Visual & Performing Arts. Since then, she’s been in around five to eight productions a year. I’ve been to most of them in the
Akron area. Over the years, I’ve watched her take on a range of roles — from quirky side characters to leads — each one shaping her craft and bolstering her confidence. There’s something special about seeing your kid find their passion, especially when it’s something you never imagined for yourself.
I’ve never been a sports dad, the kind who sits on the sidelines yelling directions or critiquing plays. When it comes to theater, I’ve never had a clue what advice I could give her. I’ve always been purely an observer — and it’s probably better that way. The last thing she needs is a “stage parent” living vicariously through her, trying to push her into choices that aren’t hers. My role has been simply to watch, enjoy and be proud — and I think we’re both happier for it.
I’ll admit something here: I’ve never been a big fan of musicals. I know a lot of people love them, but I’ve always found it hard to get past the fact that the characters suddenly break into song. My daughter will tell you that she sings throughout the day all the time, but for me, it just doesn’t happen. You could say I’ve always been more of a silent observer than a willing participant in theater.
And now, here we are — the same play that brought my parents together all those years ago, “The Tempest,” is the one Xaverie performed in this August. (Learn about the Twilight Theatre production on pg. 30). When she told me, it caught me off guard. I don’t think much about theater in sentimental terms, but there’s no denying the connection. It made me look at it differently.
Theater isn’t just about what’s happening onstage in the moment. It’s about tradition, the passing down of stories and the way certain works keep finding their place in new generations. I may not have been drawn to the stage myself, but I can see how it’s become part of my family’s history — whether I planned it or not.
After we put together this issue celebrating Akron’s vibrant performing arts scene, I sat in the audience again. But I wasn’t just watching my daughter in “The Tempest.” I was thinking about my parents, about the path from their performance to hers, and about how these stories endure — not just in theater programs or scripts, but in the lives they touch.
I may not be center stage, but in moments like this, I feel like I’m part of the play.
{ book and Nightlight photos and words by Abby Kress, Handel’s photos by Erin Gulling }
together to write “Akron at 200: A Bicentennial History,” a collection of essays celebrating the Rubber City’s significant milestone. Spanning Indigenous history to present day, the book offers fresh insights on well-known topics such as the failed Innerbelt and the 1851 Woman’s Rights Convention, at which Sojourner Truth delivered her famous speech. A chapter on the Akron Sound by award-winning Akron author David Giffels includes a tribute to the legacy of Alan Freed, a radio host and DJ for WAKR Akron starting in the 1940s who popularized the term rock ‘n’ roll. It was also important to the editors to include lesser-known histories, such as those on the roles of women, the Black community and the LGBTQ+ population. Activist Fran Wilson chronicles Akron’s queer history for the first time in print, says David Lieberth, co-editor. The book also shines a rare light on Black composer Julia Perry and Republican presidential nominee Wendell Willkie’s time in Akron. “These are important historic figures that really not much has been written about,” says Lieberth. $50, The University of Akron Press, out Sept. 9, uakron.edu/uapress
seen + heard
NEW SCOOP
Summer is winding down, but we’re still screaming for ice cream. Curb those cravings at the new Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream location, which Northeast Ohio franchisees Danielle and Tyler Hysell opened in Fairlawn in July. “We wanted to build something our kids could grow up around, something we could be proud of and something that genuinely brings people together,” says Danielle via a press release. Enjoy a strawberry cheesecake chunk hurricane or vanilla caramel brownie milkshake. Try the delectable new Knot Your Average Dough flavor: cookie doughflavored ice cream with salted pretzel ripples and cookie dough pieces. 2935 W. Market St., Fairlawn, handelsicecream.com
TWICE AS NICE
Enjoy twice the selection at the Nightlight cinema with its new second screen. Featuring 67 seats, including four wheelchair-accessible ones, the new screen opened in June. Renovations also include an upcoming media library space, as well as an expanded bar, which serves up beer, wine and cocktails. Also munch on popcorn made with coconut oil from the snack bar. The Nightlight is a nonprofit theater, showing several award-winning independent films, documentaries and more. Catch director Hayao Miyazaki’s “Howl’s Moving Castle” Sept. 20 to 24, as well as “The Roses,” “Caught Stealing” and “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.” 30 N. High St., Akron, 330-252-5782, nightlightcinema.com
{ Editor-in-Chief | Kelly Petryszyn | kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com
Applauding the Arts
THEATER AND DANCE CAN TOUCH OUR LIVES.
I went into “Waitress” at E.J. Thomas Hall in 2021 thinking it was simply a musical about a waitress entering a pie contest. I quickly realized it was about far more than that, and the storyline involved pregnancy. I was pregnant at the time. That plot point really ramped up in Act II, when the main character, Jenna, wrote a letter to her baby: I hope someday, somebody wants to hold you for 20 minutes straight, and that’s all they do. I lost it at that first line. With a kicking baby and pregnancy aches, I sat there crying at the prospect of imagining the life of my daughter and her being loved like that. Every scene from then on, I was an emotional wreck — sobbing as I tried to grasp this huge shift in my life. What really got me next was a song titled “Everything Changes.” It closes with: We were both born today, ‘cause everything changed, everything changes. I wept, and I could barely hold it together as I left the theater. After I had my baby, Isabella, I understood the song and why it had affected me so deeply. I resonated with the reckoning that my life started over when I had a kid. Life was no longer just about me, but about us, and that filled my heart so much. It may be the scariest thing to become responsible for the life of another human being, but it’s also the most rewarding. The arts can stir up the deepest of feelings. This issue spotlights fall theater and dance shows that delight and challenge. See shows, including “The Hobbit,” which brings beloved J.R.R. Tolkien characters — including a menacing red dragon — to the stage and the transcendent “Come From Away” musical, filled with energetic dance numbers about islanders taking in airplane passengers stranded in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
“To promote discussion, to open their eyes to concepts and things that are happening, things that happened, things that could happen,” says director Holly Barkdoll, also a co-producing director for the company. “The past doesn’t always stay in the past. Your present and future is informed by the past.”
For my article on the dance project Avimancy, which represents birdsongs through music and dance, National Center for Choreography-Akron executive/artistic director Christy Bolingbroke reflects on the pivotal role of dancers and entertainers. “I love working with artists, because they process the world,” she says. Taking in the arts can help us make sense of everything around us. Aimed at young audiences, Magical Theatre Company is presenting “The Third Wave,” a show about a real-life high school experiment in fascism involving students studying the Holocaust. It’s a bit of a risky choice, but the theater’s leaders view it as a necessary one to educate youth.
Discussion is so important in the arts. In March 2025, I saw “Come From Away,” also at E.J. Thomas Hall as part of the Broadway in Akron series. It promotes a lot of discussion about what you would do in that situation. Rather than being somber, the show is triumphant in its representation of how the islanders seized the chance to take care of thousands of stranded plane passengers. That kind of compassion is rare these days, but it makes us think, What if it isn’t?
“We’re all highly desensitized to tragedy. We’re desensitized to violence. We’re desensitized to people being unkind to each other,” says Weathervane Playhouse director Melanie YC Pepe, who is also the chief executive/ artistic director. “This shows that we are not desensitized to kindness. It’s important to let yourself be touched by kindness and remember how it impacts the world.”
It deepens our connection to the community and to each other when we allow ourselves to be moved by the arts. With over 20 shows in this guide, I hope you can find a few that resonate with you.
“Come From Away,” Broadway in Akron
Agenda
the essential social digest
Left, bottom middle and middle right photos by Talia Hodge, Top middle, top right and bottom right, photos by Michael McElroy
9/20 Raíces, Ritmos & Recuerdos: Akron Latin Festival 2025
Celebrate Latin and Hispanic cultures with food, retail vendors, piñatas, free crafts and activities, performances by Herencia Norteña, Conjunto Guarachando and Grupo Fuego and more. Downtown Akron Partnership and Proyecto RAICES present this event. Lock 3, 200 S. Main St., Akron. 2-9 p.m. Free. downtownakron.com
Through 9/28 “The Hepburn Style: Katharine and Her Designers”
Browse a showcase of actress
Katharine Hepburn’s style with this immersive exhibit. It includes examples of Hepburn’s personal wardrobe, costumes worn by the actress and items from the Kent State University Museum collection made by designers she admired. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, staff & all on Sundays, otherwise general admission $10. kent.edu/museum
Through 10/12 “Juxtaposed: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future”
View ceramics, paintings and drawings by artists who are connected to the Columbus College of Art & Design, the Cranbrook Academy of Art, Kent State University and The University of Akron. Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. TuesdaySaturday, Sunday 2-5 p.m. Free admission. massillonmuseum.org
Through 10/30 Kids in the Garden
In collaboration with Let’s Grow Akron, Summit Metro Parks presents Kids in the Garden, a series in which kids complete hands-on gardening activities. From sowing seeds to harvesting and cooking fresh produce, this program helps kids understand the origin of their food. Each week includes a game or craft, a garden activity and a snack. Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron. 3:30-4:30 p.m. summitmetroparks.org
Through 8/23/26 “Sparkle: The Style and Jewelry of Aileen Mehle”
Browse the dresses and jewelry of widely syndicated society columnist Aileen Mehle at this exhibit. Designers she wore included Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Tiffany & Co. and more. Kent State University Museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday noon-4 p.m. Free, students, staff & all on Sundays, otherwise general admission $10. kent.edu/museum
9/3 Midday on Main
Order lunch from your favorite local restaurant, then enjoy local music as you eat. Hear multi-instrumentalist Scott Sopata play. Lock 3, 200 S. Main St., Akron. Noon-1:30 p.m. Free. downtownakron.com
9/3 Lock Bottom Blues & Jazz Club
Listen to free jazz and blues at Lock 4 with this musical program. Sept. 3 brings Melrose Eve to the outdoor performance space. Lock 4, 200 S. Main St., Akron. 7-9 p.m. Free. downtownakron.com
9/3-9/27 “kNOw PERKINS, kNOw AKRON”
Without the Perkins family, Akron would not exist. Learn more about the Perkins and their roles in helping found Akron and Summit County with tours of their historical home, the Perkins Stone Mansion. See objects on display, including clothing, hats, industrial items, shoes and more. Perkins Stone Mansion, 465 S. Portage Path, Akron. Tours Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 1, 2 & 3 p.m. Free members, otherwise $15 adults, $10 seniors and military, $5 students 6-18 and free children under 5. summithistory.org
9/4 Cemetery Walk and Nooks & Crannies Tour
Embark on a walking tour of West Lawn Cemetery with archivist Mark Holland, then go on a basement tour of the McKinley National Memorial with director of education Ally Carlson. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton. 10 a.m.-noon. $20 per person, registration required, reservation deadline Aug. 28. mckinleymuseum.org
9/4 Summer Serenades in the Park
Listen to an outdoor concert by the Canton Symphony Orchestra at this musical event. Allow the soothing sounds of nature to combine with beautiful playing. Bring blankets or a chair. Silver Park, 2930 S. Union Ave., Alliance. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Free. starkparks.com
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9/4 Good Garden Talks: Garlic Planting
Learn how to plant garlic for a delicious harvest next season. This program is presented in collaboration with Let’s Grow Akron and Ohio State University Extension. In the event of inclement weather, the program is held indoors. Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron. 6-7:30 p.m. summitmetroparks.org
9/4-9/6 Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival
Listen to jazz, blues and more at this annual celebration of Akron’s musical scene. This year’s artist in residence, Jon Lampley, is conducting a free master class Sept. 5 at 4 p.m. at The University of Akron’s Guzzetta Hall. Don’t miss this open clinic, or a guest performance with Lampley and Theron Brown at Blu Jazz+ at 8 p.m. the same night. Plus, find several more concerts at venues around the city. Akron. rubbercityjazz.org
Join members of the Greater Akron Audubon Society as they embark on a morning hike around the Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens Estate, looking for species of birds. Bring your own
binoculars, as well as a camera or smartphone. Open to those 13 and up. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. 8-10 a.m. $15 adults 18 & up, $10 youth 13-17. Free members. stanhywet.org
9/5 Bird Walk with the Akron Audubon Society
photo
9/5 Senior Safari
Those age 62 and older can enjoy a day at the zoo while connecting with local senior services organizations. Also get discounted admission, an Akron Zoo tote bag, a lunch special, animal encounters, vendor giveaways and activities throughout the day. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. akronzoo.org
9/6-9/7 Art in the Park
Shop the wares of local vendors and artists at Kent’s Art in the Park. Find apparel, jewelry, paintings, ceramics and pottery, glasswork and more at this eclectic gathering of all things artistic. Last year’s event featured over 100 artists. Plus, make sure to grab some food truck fare. Fred Fuller Park, 601 Middlebury Road, Kent. Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. & Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. kentohio.gov
9/6-9/7 Tom Segura: Come Together
Comedy fans will enjoy seeing comedian, actor and writer Tom Segura performing his Come Together tour at the Akron Civic Theatre. Fans know Segura from his Netflix
specials: “Sledgehammer,” “Ball Hog,” “Disgraceful,” “Mostly Stories” and “Completely Normal.” Segura is also a figure on the podcasting circuit, hosting “Your Mom’s House” with his wife, comedian Christina Pazsitzky. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 6 p.m. $56 & up. akroncivic.com
9/7 Concert at Liberty Park: Western Reserve Big Band
Enjoy the music of the Western Reserve Big Band at this concert. The 20-piece ensemble brings out the best of jazz and swing as you enjoy provided popcorn and lemonade. Bring a chair or blanket. Liberty Park, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. 4-5 p.m. Free. summitmetroparks.org
9/11 Akron Artwalk: The Art of Recovery: Supporting the Community Through Healing
Join Summit Artspace in a fully outdoor Artwalk event, supporting those going through recovery. Find a variety of recovery-friendly activities and more. Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St., Akron. 5-9 p.m. summitartspace.org
9/12-9/14 & 9/19-9/21 “I Got Questions”
See an electrifying, one-person outdoor theater performance featuring Josy Jones. This performance follows a woman as she interrogates her close and intimate friend — a tree. As she tries to reconnect with nature — that of the world and herself — she tries to fathom forces such as love, desire, technology and evolution. This performance contains strong language and adult themes. Mustill Store, 57 W. North St., Akron. 8 p.m. Free, suggested donation of $35. thechameleonvillage.com
9/13 Grape Falls and Craft Brews
Sample the products of local brewers and vintners at this outdoor party, which also features music, a silent auction, games and food — and benefits the Riverfront YMCA. Sip beer or wine from Aeonian Brewing Co., HiHo Brewing Co., Bell Tower Brewing Co., Missing Falls Brewery, the Wine Mill, the Winery at Wolf Creek and more. For adults only. Church Square, 230 Stow Ave., Cuyahoga Falls. 6-9 p.m. $70. akronymca.org
9/12 Bark After Dark
Leash up your best friend — after the Akron Zoo closes, you can take your dog for a walk around its grounds! Enjoy vendors, as well as toys and pup cups. Find water bowls throughout the zoo. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron. 6-9 p.m. $25 for dogs, members $5, non-member adults $15, non-member kids 2-14 $10, dog tickets with Akron Zoo bandana $33. akronzoo.org
9/13 TedXAkron Presents: “Shaking the Rules”
Listen to nine Akronites as they present stories of questioning the status quo, redefining boundaries and more. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 2 p.m. $25.05 & up. akroncivic.com
9/18 Akron Roundtable: Charles L. Marohn, Jr.
The founder and president of Strong Towns, Charles Marohn is a civil engineer and land use planner with decades of experience under his belt.
Marohn presents a program about housing as a financial product and as shelter — exploring the tension between these two ideas. Complete with a history of housing policy in the United States, this program asks how change, on a neighborhood or city-wide scale, can begin to fight back against the current state of the market. Quaker Station at The University of Akron, 135 S. Broadway St., Akron. Noon. $30 per seat, includes lunch. akronroundtable.org
9/19 An Evening with David Byrne: Who is the Sky Tour
See the incomparable David Byrne, former frontman of the Talking Heads, as he releases his first album since 2018’s “American Utopia.” This brandnew live show, in support of his newest record, “Who Is the Sky?” features 13 musicians, singers and dancers. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 8 p.m. $171 & up. akroncivic.com
on display October 4-31 reception & awards ceremony Saturday, October 4, 6-9 p.m.
Prizes awarded in Realism & Abstraction
2 First Place prizes: $15,000
2 Second Place prizes: $6000 Honorable Mention prizes: $1200
Artistic Americans
When steel industrialist Joseph G. Butler Jr. founded the Butler Institute of American Art in 1919, he insisted that the museum be free and open to the public.
“Butler … was one of the first serious American art collectors. If you had the money back then, you probably went to Europe and bought a Monet or a Renoir. Butler believed that Americans were just as great, if not greater — that our artists, our painters, are on an equal or better plane than the Europeans,” explains executive director Dr. Louis Zona. “It was really the first museum of American art in the country.”
Today, that decision still holds — the museum charges no entry fee. It is located in Youngstown and positioned centrally between Akron, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
The Butler possesses a wide range of collections, including those showcasing Americana and folk art, sports art, Impressionism, Contemporary art, Western art, African American art, and artwork from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries and more. Its earliest work dates back to 1719.
“It’s our opportunity to preserve the culture. If you walk through the Butler’s galleries, it’s like walking through American art history,” Zona says. “All the great names are there, either pictured in paintings or behind the canvas.”
Artists featured in the Butler’s collections include Barkley Leonnard Hendricks, Thomas Cole, Norman Rockwell, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Winslow Homer. One artist frequently exhibited at the Butler is actress Kim Novak, who attended the Art Institute of Chicago and is known for her roles in movies such as “Vertigo” and “Bell Book and Candle.” See her paintings in the exhibition “Kim Novak: Tribute on the Occasion of Her Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award,” on view through Nov. 23.
“Our primary mission is to collect and preserve American art. But we have other dreams, and that’s the dream of being a central institution where people can see the best of the American culture,” Zona says.
Artworks on display at the Butler are mainly paintings, but there are also sculptural works, prints, ceramics and works of new media — those made of electronic or technical materials.
“We have about 100 works by a famous collector of this kind of art in California, who gave us his entire collection,” says Zona. “It’s holograms and light works and electronic pieces of every type — video works. If it’s a technical piece, it’s in that collection here at the Butler.”
The Butler also highlights the work of local artists. Each year, it holds the “Area Artist Annual Exhibition,” which showcases work from artists living in Ohio’s Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties, as well as Pennsylvania’s Mercer and Lawrence counties. The 2026 show will include all counties within a 75-mile radius to allow additional artists to enter their artwork. The juried show includes paintings in oil and acrylic, works in pastel, prints, drawings, photographs, sculptures, and ceramics.
“When that show goes up on the walls, people are just amazed at the quality of work right here in Youngstown, right in Northeastern Ohio. There are so many wonderful artists,” Zona says.
Programming, such as an annual summer camp at which kids study under local artists, gets guests involved in the museum’s mission.
“Mr. Butler was a visionary,” Zona says. “Above the door of the Butler are Latin words: pro bono publico, for the public good. And I think we’ve lived up to Mr. Butler’s dream.”
9/19 Date at the Lake
Invite your date out for a night of artsy fun. Kids can be dropped off downstairs for a kids’ nature painting program for those ages 5-13. Registration required, begins Sept. 11. Summit Lake Nature Center, 411 Ira Ave., Akron. 6-7:30 p.m. Free, registration required. summitmetroparks.org
9/20 Words into Action
Bring the whole family to engage with artists and community organizations at this event, which blends artistic expression with literary education to create a special educational experience for youth and their families. Emmanuel Christian Academy, 350 S. Portage Path, Akron. Noon-3 p.m. Free, registration required. abaguild.org
9/21 Guided Forest Therapy
Take part in a guided walk through Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens’ grounds with certified Forest Therapy Guide Amanda Essinger for Guided Forest Therapy. The theme of this program is “Welcoming Fall.” For those 18 and up only. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $50 per person, $35 per person for members. stanhywet.org
photo provided by Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Don Drumm
Studios & Gallery
Eco-Printing
Adults can learn how to print with natural materials, creating fall-inspired patterns on fabric and paper, in this workshop. Wear clothes that can get messy and be prepared to get outside. Fee covers supplies and Liberty Park, 9999 Liberty Road, Twinsburg. 10 a.m.-noon. $5. summitmetroparks.org
Timeless Connections: Artifacts
Fan of “Night at the Museum?” Enjoy a real-life local version with this event! This one night only, exclusive event transforms the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum into a world of discovery, mystery and fascination. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, Canton. 6-8 p.m. $60 per person, reservation deadline Sept. 18. mckinleymuseum.org
Twilight Zone Film Fest 2025
Step into “The Twilight Zone” with this themed film festival. See four episodes of the classic television show on the big screen. Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave. N, Canton. Doors at 6:30 p.m., showtime 7:30 p.m. $10 per person. cantonpalacetheatre.org
9/27 Ranger for a Day
Take your kids to experience what it’s like to be a ranger for a day at Sippo Lake Park. They can visit multiple ranger stations, try on a ballistic vest,
photo provided by Stark Parks
climb into a ranger cruiser and try their hand at the shooting range. Plus, don’t miss taking adorable photos with ranger K-9 Maverick! Sippo Lake Park, behind the Exploration Gateway, 5712 12 St. NW, Canton. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. starkparks.com
9/27 Monarch Open House
Learn about the migration patterns of the beautiful monarch butterfly in this program — as well as its cultural significance — with hands-on activities, a Day of the Dead display and more. F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. summitmetroparks.org
9/28 Yoga Hike: Brandywine Falls
Get active with an art and yoga hike at Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. In partnership with the Akron Art Museum and Conservancy for CVNP, this program spotlights the work of photographer Robert Glenn Ketchum, known for his landscape photography that highlights conservation. Bring an outdoor yoga mat. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Brandywine Falls. 9-11 a.m. $15. akronartmuseum.org
9/30 An Evening with B.J. Novak
You might recognize B.J. Novak for his time on the hit sitcom “The Office” — but this actor, writer and comedian is also the author of “One More Thing” and “The Book with No Pictures.”
Hear him discuss his authorship at this event, part of the Speaking of Books
Author Series. Canton Palace Theatre, 60 Market Ave. N, Canton. Doors 5:45 p.m., event 6:30-7:30 p.m. Gold ticket $75, silver ticket $25, general admission free. cantonplacetheatre.org
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Be moved by these 20-plus impressive theater and dance shows. With an original take on “the Hobbit” and the ohio community theater premiere of broadway’s smash hit, “Come From Away,” these performances are sure to stun.
by Kelly Petryszyn and Cameron Gorman
Mythical
Quest
The dragon Smaug’s eyes are a master class in upcycling. For Ohio Shakespeare Festival’s “The Hobbit” production from Oct. 2 to 26*, resident costume and specialty props designer Marty LaConte layered red bicycle reflectors, starburst-imprinted bottoms of plastic bottles and parts of a clear plastic bulb ornament to create 3D eyes. She finished off the pupils with black Sharpie and acrylic paint and added red Sharpie for bloodshot effects. LaConte wired the eyes for dramatic illumination with red and white lights. It took over two months to plan Smaug’s design and one month just to build his head.
“The pictures she sent me of Smaug reminds me a ton of Tolkien art,” says Tess Burgler, the associate artistic director of the theater company and the director of “The Hobbit.” “It’s very iconic.”
Writer Patricia Gray’s theatrical adaptation of author J.R.R. Tolkien’s seminal novel follows hobbit Bilbo Baggins, 13 dwarves and the wizard Gandalf as they embark on a perilous journey to the Lonely Mountain to reclaim their treasure from Smaug — encountering trolls and goblins along the way. Uniquely, Ohio Shakespeare Festival’s iteration features original English-Irish folk music by the Rude Sea ensemble, adding instrumentation to Tolkien’s lyrics from the book.
“[There’s] lots of action, stunt stage combat, lots of theatrical, imaginative staging, wonderful visuals,” Burgler says of the production, featuring a 22-person cast.
For costumes, LaConte envisions the goblins as resembling Neanderthals, trolls in raggedy, bulky clothing, the hobbits in 18th-century English attire and the dwarves in rugged Viking furs and leathers. She also made two versions of Gandalf’s staff out of
grape vines, branches, pine cones and moss — and wired one with blue light to portray his magical powers.
Large and commanding, Smaug is a puppet operated by two people. To craft Smaug’s head, LaConte mostly used lightweight EVA foam and foam clay for his features — including his 85 teeth, which she painted white and coated with shiny white nail polish. She formed stiff paper covered in foam clay into his larger horns and carved his smaller horns out of expandable foam. LaConte scored a $1 reused bike and used the cables and braking mechanism to make his lower jaw move, along with door hinges and springs. She added pistachio shells for scales and covered the head in black Plasti Dip rubber coating, then painted it shades of red and added gold.
LaConte plans to use lightweight PEX plumbing piping to frame the wings and drape them in fabric. To make the wings move, she aims to use a crutch attached to a spring on both sides, so that puppeteers can move them and display an approximately 16-foot wingspan.
“I’m going to have a wing that protrudes up, so that this dragon can be a very menacing, threatening creature,” LaConte says.
Smaug and other mystical creatures are sure to amaze in the production, which pays homage to the beloved Tolkien book and “Hobbit” movies.
“The magic of being immersed in it ... and seeing it in a new way and seeing things that’s only lived in your imagination or on the silver screen right in front of you — I think that would be super satisfying,” Burgler says.
“It’s thrilling to me to see them come to life onstage,” adds LaConte.
“Smaug has gold paint accents so that when the lighting hits it — it’s really going to shine.” //KP Greystone, 103 S. High St., Sixth floor, Akron, ohioshakespearefestival.com
*Held on select dates
Marty LaConte photos by Mal McCrea
New
When Rose Gabriele received an email about the new Makeshift Theater, opening in Northeast Ohio — and its search for directors — she thought it would be fun to submit her idea for a two-person play, “Love Letters.” Jane Bond, the theater’s founder, gave her the green light. Makeshift presented “Love Letters” in 2024 and 2025. It was the first show that Gabriele directed.
Founded in 2023 and now based out of the Coach House theater space on the Akron Woman’s City Club estate, Makeshift provides a place where actors, directors and artists can experiment and grow.
“If you have a monologue that you’d like to try out … if you have a one-person show that you’d like to try, you can contact Jane, and maybe you can do it at Makeshift,” says Gabriele, who has also worked as an actress. “It’s very hard to find a theater like that. And I just love that vision.”
Makeshift aims to put on performances that support, heal and entertain audiences of all types. It has offered a pilot therapeutic theater program, a senior matinee series and arts incubator services.
The pilot therapeutic theater program — put on in 2024 in conjunction with Oriana House, the Turning Point program at the Summit County Court of Common Pleas and Boston’s Second Act — gave those coming out of addiction and dealing with trauma a space to work through their emotions. A steering committee is deciding whether the program will move forward.
“They don’t do well with group therapy — but acting, being in a role, being in a theater production — it just speaks to them. And they bloom,” says Bond, a retired Summit County Court of Common Pleas judge. “We saw that the first time around. We had some people who’d never been onstage in their life, but they just took to it.”
Starting in October on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., the theater’s senior matinee series presents
Frontiers
Jane Bond and Rose Gabriele photos by Erin Gulling
rehearsed readings. Similar in style to radio plays, these readings utilize the imaginations of audience members to fill in for sets and costuming. Last year, Makeshift and the Silver Lining Players presented a reading of “War of the Worlds.”
“Very simple, no elaborate sets, just rehearsed actors, good actors, a good script. ... We wanted to make this accessible to theater lovers who were seniors,” says Bond. “Once people discovered it, they started coming back over and over.”
Makeshift’s role as an incubator for the theater arts lends playwrights and emerging artists, as well as directors like Gabriele, the support to try new things and broaden their horizons.
“We are going to be providing opportunities for people who want to expand their skills, who are first timers, who are newbies,” Bond explains. “We want to be the place where people get started.”
Gabriele is directing a workshop reading for Makeshift Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. — “Demise” was written by Bond. It follows a nine-person, optionally allfemale cast of characters — including wealthy, headstrong matriarch Rose McCarthy — as they navigate life and an unexpected event.
“I like the fact that it’s so many women because there’s a lot of interaction in the show that I find ... interesting,” Gabriele says. “It unfolds in a way that’s both funny and full of intrigue.”
The choice to put on “Demise” as a staged reading allows for a simpler, character- and script-focused presentation. A talkback with audience members incorporates their feedback into the creative process.
“I truly feel that this show is made for Makeshift,” says Gabriele. “I’m just thrilled to be able to do it.” //CG 732 W. Exchange St., Akron, makeshiftakron.org
Center Stage
Akron-based actor and director Michele McNeal knows precisely what draws her to the works of Shakespeare: the bard’s eternal ability to evoke genuine emotion.
“Two years ago, the inaugural production for Twilight Theatre was ‘Romeo & Juliet.’ And two other actresses that I’ve worked with and I were all involved in the production,” she recalls. “I can remember standing backstage with them and listening to an audience that was not a big Shakespeare audience … laughing through the first half of the play, then being shocked — audibly shocked, saying, Oh no, and Oh my — when Mercutio was killed.”
At the conclusion of the play, in which the two lovers die, McNeal remembers the audience becoming devastated.
“[I remember] turning to Elizabeth Allard, who was playing Juliet, and saying, You know what? This is why I do Shakespeare,” she says. “The language in these plays and bringing that to life in a way that makes it pertinent and accessible and emotionally important to people
who are new to it is just — it’s so delightful.”
After studying at what would become the Ohio Ballet’s Dance Institute under Heinz Poll during her formative years, as well as performing in theater in middle school and in high school, she played her first Shakespearean role at age 16 for Akron City Summer Theater — Adriana in “The Comedy of Errors.” McNeal attended The University of Akron, where she participated in theater, including Shakespeare on the Terrace. Since graduation, she has been working in community theater.
From a witch in “Macbeth” for Rubber City Shakespeare Company to Beatrice in “Much Ado About Nothing” for Shakespeare on the Terrace, McNeal has slipped into the roles of many of the characters in Shakespeare’s oeuvre during her career — even those traditionally portrayed by men.
“You delve the depths of your own soul to try and see where they’re coming from,” she says.
In her 2017 turn as a female version of King Lear in “Lear” for Rubber City
Shakespeare Company, McNeal was praised by the West Side Leader for having “a voice to match the storm.”
“That was really hard, but really cathartic, really intense and very moving for me as an actor,” says McNeal. “When I got to perform it in front of people, I could hear, sense and see how it moved them as well.”
Now, McNeal is fresh off of her performance through Aug. 31* as Prospero — the overthrown ruler of Milan turned sorcerer living in exile on an island — in Twilight Theatre’s “The Tempest.” The play follows Prospero and her daughter, Miranda, played by Jane Plishka, as Prospero attempts to exact revenge and reclaim her rightful title through the use of magic.
“Prospero doesn’t make as bad decisions as Lear but also has to face the results or the repercussions of their own choices,” McNeal says. “So, it’s really fun, but it’s really cathartic also, especially if you get to rage. Doing that onstage can be very cathartic for your own sense of trials or tribulations in your real life.”
McNeal’s next project with Twilight is
Jane Plishka, Michele McNeal and Joe Soriano photos by Erin Gulling
being the stage manager for staged readings of the works of Edgar Allan Poe in October. Catch them on Oct. 18 at Modern Methods Brewing Co. in Warren and Oct. 25 at Last Exit Books & Coffeehouse in Kent.
Theater, McNeal says, allows actors to share an enhanced connection with audiences.
“There is an energetic interchange with the audience,” she says. “The backwash of emotion from that is like an electric charge.
… They send that energy back to you in recognition of what you’re doing, and it’s just amazing.” //CG thetwilighttheatre.com
Giving Direction
In college, Lisa Ortenzi saw a production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by Shakespeare & Company at the author Edith Wharton’s mansion in Lenox, Massachusetts.
“It was so magical, and it included the audience in a way that I had not seen in theater before,” she recalls.
“That was one of those influential performances in my life that led me on the path that I’m on right now.”
That performance stuck with Ortenzi. After she graduated from college, she had the opportunity to work for Shakespeare & Company — where she directed a production in a high school Shakespeare festival and discovered a love for directing.
Uplifting the voices of those who are unheard is important to her.
“One of the things I really like being able to do is feature women,” says the director of educational programming at Great Lakes Theater. “One of the things that I think has been missing from theater for so long — and we’re really just starting to see emerge — is more voices of women … from all over the nation and beyond.”
Currently, Ortenzi is directing a production of “Anton in Show Business,” which is onstage at Western Reserve Playhouse Sept. 5 to 20*. Featuring an all-female cast, the show follows three actresses as they prepare to put on a production of Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters.” It explores the world of show business, the process of putting on a play in the early 2000s and the struggles of female actors in the world of theater through satire.
Lisa Ortenzi photos by Erin Gulling
“It’ll be interesting trying to find the balance of the comedy and the satire with the pathos,” Ortenzi says. “There are some actual farcical moments in this play that are just plain silly, but yet, there’s also an empathy toward what some of these characters are going through and their search to find out who they are in this world.”
“Anton” was chosen for the season by producer August Scarpelli.
“We started to look at things that weren’t necessarily individual stories, but more centered on stories that were a group of people going through something,” he says. “I always thought
… that it was such a beautiful and simple way to voice these things that are difficult for us to talk about in the industry, to talk about in this art world, especially the nonprofit art world.”
One of the aspects that draws Ortenzi to “Anton” is its simple production. She wants to highlight what the actors are saying.
“The focus is really on who these characters are — What is their journey through the play? What did they discover about themselves, and how does that make us feel as audience members watching that?” she says. After all, Ortenzi says, there is no
theater without an audience.
“That audience can see themselves onstage,” she says. “And sometimes they can’t talk about an issue or something that they feel about themselves, but when they see it reflected on the stage, they have a chance to say, Yes, I’ve experienced that too. I feel those things. … Maybe I can take a chance and try something in my own life to make me feel better, to make me feel heard, to experience life in a different way.” //CG 3326 Everett Road, Richfield, 330-620-7314, thewrp.org
In Line
In 1981, Holly Barkdoll
saw the TV film, “The Wave” — and the true story it’s based on has stuck with her since. When a student asks young high school teacher Ron Jones how people could deny the Holocaust, he gives his students an experiment in experiencing fascism. It becomes the “Wave” — a movement that spirals out of control, spreading fear and chaos throughout the school and beyond.
“I wanted to do this our entire 33 years at Magical, but it’s a bit of a risk because it’s not a well-known title,” says Barkdoll, the co-producing director of Magical Theatre and director of the play. “It’s such a powerful play that we just said, You know what? I’m gonna do it. The time is now.”
A company aimed at staging shows for young audiences, Magical Theatre is taking on the play Oct. 10 to 19*, with both public performances and student matinees. Using a script written by Jones and Joseph Robinette, Magical’s production prompts young people to contemplate their roles in society.
“It allows them to understand that they, as individuals, also do have a voice, power and responsibility,” says resident costume designer Inda Blatch-Geib.
“There’s so much going on now, and it’s how easily people can be swept up into fascism, how easily they can latch on to a charismatic leader, how easily they can do things they never thought
they would do because they feel they belong,” Barkdoll says.
Taking place in 1967 in Palo Alto, California, the production features costumes, sets and props that illustrate the groovy era — and will likely tighten up as the Wave spreads.
“He’s got Beatles posters … and the desks are not in formation. It’s very casual,” Barkdoll says. “Then the first thing to happen is the desks get put in very straight, clean rows. … The rock posters, those are gone. … The handmade Wave posters go up.”
The play is set over just five days, illustrating the Wave’s quick expansion beyond the classroom led by Jones — played by actor Gabriel Reed.
“He made membership cards for his class. Then the kids from the other classes wanted to join the Wave,” Barkdoll says. “Kids from another school across town were coming. It started on a Monday. On that Friday, when they had a big assembly, there were 200 kids that became members of the Wave.”
The show features around six adult actors and 17 youth actors, who are around ages 14 to 23. The tough material poses a challenge for the young actors.
“It’s going to be really fun and difficult to rehearse, to get that emotion out of the kids, because it’s asking them to dig deep and to go to dark places,” Barkdoll says.
The young actors make the material more relatable for young audiences.
Classes attending the play receive vocabulary words, discussion questions and other educational materials surrounding the Holocaust and the Wave. A Q&A follows each performance.
“Everybody will have a powerful reaction,” says Blatch-Geib. “The ability to discuss this will pop up. It’s going to be one that stays with people and informs people. … But also, I think it’s one where it’s hard to walk away without thinking, What would I do? What can I do?” //KP
565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, 330-848-3708, magicaltheatre.org
Director Holly Barkdoll and Actor Gabriel Reed, photos by Mal McCrea
Better Together
Weathervane Playhouse director Melanie YC Pepe dove so deep into “Come From Away” research that she became Facebook friends with real-life Gander, Newfoundland, residents Diane Davis and Beulah Cooper — people who inspired Beulah Davis, a composite character in the award-winning musical. Pepe got connected by Weathervane ensemble cast member River Collands, whose godmother is Diane Davis.
The musical follows the true story of when 38 planes — carrying thousands of international passengers — were grounded in Gander in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The people of Gander took them in. The writers of the show did around 1,000 interviews in Gander to mold characters and dialogue.
“The more you learn about it, the more it becomes important because it’s real people,” says Kevin Lambes, who is the choreographer for the show and the executive director of Weathervane.
“When the worst moments hit us, we need to remember there’s still a lot of kindness and goodness in the world,” says Pepe, who is also the chief executive/artistic director of Weathervane. “That’s really what the story is about.”
Running from Sept. 11 to Oct. 12*, Weathervane’s production marks the show’s Ohio community theater premiere. With no intermission, the fast-paced 1-hour, 40-minute production mimics the frantic nature of the harrowing time period for its 20 cast members.
“That’s something we are going to lean into — just driving through the story, energy and purpose,” Pepe says.
The first of the whopping 37 musical numbers and underscore sections is “Welcome to the Rock.”
“What’s really fun about the opening is it really underscores the energy and the resilience of the people who are on this island before anybody else shows up,” Pepe says.
Lambes’ choreography reflects that the characters represent real people.
Left by Melanie YC Pepe, right by Richard Morris Jr.
“It really has to lean into natural sort of movement,” says Lambes. “You have to use a vocabulary that talks to what people do in their everyday life.”
The musical moves so rapidly that there are minimal set pieces. Instead, chairs create settings. There are so many chair movements that Pepe and Lambes lettered all 20-some chairs and have blocking for each.
“The chair represents locations in Gander. They represent planes. They represent buses. They pretty much rarely leave the stage,” Pepe says. “How we set the chairs helps the audience understand where we are and what we’re doing.”
It’s all set to jubilant, traditional Newfoundland folk rock, played by musicians onstage with unconventional instruments like an accordion and fiddle.
Character storylines include a romance, a breakup, a pilot guiding her flight and a mother searching for news about her son in New York City. Pepe is focused on intermittently slowing down the pace to create intimate moments for characters.
“The story arcs are beautifully written and intricate,” Pepe says. ‘You just have to make sure they don’t miss them. … You can do that with lighting. You can do that with blocking. You can do that working with the actors in the way they share the material.”
Lambes and Pepe hope to honor the people of Gander and how they showed the world a model of what to do when adversity strikes.
“It’s moving because it’s kind, because it’s hopeful, because it shows the best of what we can be,” she says. //KP 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron, 330-836-2626, weathervaneplayhouse.com
photos by Mal McCrea; Top right: Actresses Danielle Gruhler and Shaneen Harris, bottom right: Director Melanie YC Pepe
Callof theWild
Monika Bowman and Christopher Coles were glamping at Valley Overlook in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park when they heard a distinct birdsong early in the morning in June 2024.
“It has a really nice, beautiful call,” says Coles, a jazz saxophonist and professor of practice for The University of Akron’s Jazz Studies program. “It can sing multiple pitches at one time. I was fascinated by it.”
A birder and multidisciplinary artist, Bowman identified the brown bird with a speckled chest as the wood thrush, which has a harmonic, ethereal call.
The encounter prompted the couple to create Avimancy, a performative project inspired by birdsongs and movements in collaboration with musicians and dancers. The National Center for Choreography-Akron connected them with percussive dancers, who use foot and body movements as a source of rhythmic sound. Awarded an Arts Now grant this summer, the project is beginning with the couple identifying diverse birds to feature.
“We’re on the cusp of the Mississippi Flyway and the Atlantic Flyway. Over 400 bird species come through Ohio every year,” says Bowman, who has previously done poetry and performance art. “Not every place in the U.S. or world is so rich in the diversity of species.”
Coles is transcribing birdsongs, including that of the wood thrush, into music he can play.
“I’m taking what the birds would do, and I’m making it work on the saxophone,” he says.
He is collaborating with Northeast Ohio percussive musicians Patrick Graney and Jamey Haddad and visiting dancers Ashwini Ramaswamy— a Minneapolis-based Bharatanatyam choreographer who explores embodied poetry — and New York City-based Soles of Duende, a female trio of a Kathak, a flamenco and a tap dancer.
“In Southeast Asian forms like Kathak and Bharatanatyam, there are many layers of sound and movement. Sometimes they wear bells around their ankles, so when they are
Monika Bowman, Christopher Coles and dancer Dominic Moore-Dunson,
photos by Mal McCrea
dancing, the foot fall makes one sound, and the bells contribute another sound,” says Christy Bolingbroke, the executive/ artistic director of NCCAkron. “Then there may also be a vocal component or carnatic singing as well.”
The birds can also inspire choreography.
“They do a lot of creative displays when they’re mating or trying to protect them or their young,” Bowman says. “There’s all sorts of different movements that birds provide as a cool blueprint for a neat, new dance experience, mimicking nature.”
Jam sessions between the dancers and musicians are being planned to
help them workshop and build toward a larger piece. They are tentatively scheduled for November — hopefully outdoors — when Soles of Duende arrive, and for February, when Ramaswamy visits. In April, Avimancy is set to be a part of a nature-themed Dancing Conversation, which is a free event that fosters discussion between artists surrounding dance and other topics.
“Artists process the world that we live in,” Bolingbroke says. “This is an ongoing dialogue.”
Bowman hopes the project inspires more people to invest in the conservation of birds.
“Birds pollinate. Birds make beautiful
music. They mix nutrients. They spread nutrients,” Bowman says. “They are really important to everything.”
In Avimancy, artists display ways in which they connect with nature on a deeper level, so all of us can do the same.
“Nature has always been a way for me to reckon with different things going on in our world,” Bowman says.
“People are starting to realize how important it is to get back out there into nature so that we can save ourselves.” //KP nccakron.org
TUESDAY MUSICAL
Superstar soprano Renée Fleming, jazz and classical saxophonist Branford Marsalis, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and more are featured in Tuesday Musical’s 2025-26 Akron Concert Series.
The season’s concerts are at EJ Thomas Hall. Five are on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. Christmas with Cantus, a family-friendly start to the holiday season, is the Sunday afternoon of Thanksgiving weekend.
A highlight happens April 21 when Renée Fleming brings her legendary voice to Akron with Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene, performing music that explores humanity’s relationship with Mother Nature — all set against a backdrop of a stunning film from the National Geographic Society.
Contact tuesdaymusical.org or 330-761-3460 for tickets, starting at $19.
Coming Soon
GET YOUR TICKETS TO THESE ENGAGING LOCAL FALL SHOWS.
words and illustrations by Cameron Gorman
THEATER
UNITE CABARET
“Broadway in Akron” Sept. 12-14 & 19-21, “Fright Night at Unite Cabaret” Oct. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26 & 31, Nov. 1 & 2
Take a seat at a table in Unite Cabaret, a new downtown performance venue, and prepare for a night of dazzling Broadway hits. From classic theater ballads to modern favorites, travel through the genre. In October, indulge in a thrilling night featuring Broadway’s most haunting numbers. Don’t forget to wear your own Halloween costume to this fright-filled extravaganza. 1 W. Exchange St., Suite 201, Akron, unitecabaret.com
MEDINA COUNTY SHOWBIZ COMPANY
“Singin’ In the Rain,” Sept. 12-21*
An adaptation of what’s been called “the greatest movie musical of all time,” “Singin’ in the Rain” is the story of silent movie stars Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont, who have been represented as romantically entangled in the press. Behind the screen, however, things aren’t as flashy: Lina can’t accept that their relationship isn’t real and is dealing with a far bigger problem in the advent of talking movies — her voice is highly unpleasant. When actress Kathy Selden crashes into his life, Don realizes he might be in love — and that Kathy’s voice, dubbed over Lina’s, might save their careers. This musical is a classic tale of show business and romance. 144 N. Broadway St., Medina, 330-722-5776, medinashowbiz.org
PLAYER’S GUILD THEATRE
“Legally Blonde the Musical,” Sept. 12-28*
Fans of “Legally Blonde” will love this musical take on the hit movie — a pinkhued extravaganza of determination and self-confidence. Elle Woods enrolls in Harvard Law, trying to win back her seemingly perfect boyfriend, Warner. While there, she discovers she has more potential than anyone could have imagined — even herself. 6000 Frank Ave. NW, North Canton, 330-244-3224, playersguildtheatre.com
KENT STATE SCHOOL OF THEATRE AND DANCE
“Kentucky,” Sept. 25-Oct. 1*
Hiro lives in New York City, estranged from her family members, who live in Kentucky. She’s making it on her own — but when she hears that her little sister is getting married at 22, she decides to return to her hometown to try to stop the wedding. Witness a story of family, identity, religion and love. Center for the Performing Arts, 1325 Theatre Drive, Kent, 330-672-2082, kent.edu/theatredance
PLAYHOUSE SQUARE’S BROADWAY IN AKRON
“The Book of Mormon,” Sept. 30 & Oct. 1
The winner of nine Tony Awards, this musical is a laugh-out-loud satire of missionary work. When two Mormon elders are sent to a village in Uganda with the mission of converting its populace, they quickly find themselves in over their heads. Though its content has been seen as controversial, the production has consistently proven to be one of Broadway’s most popular shows and has been running since 2011. Written in part by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, of “South Park” fame, this edgy musical will leave you laughing, cringing and pondering the meaning of faith. E.J. Thomas Hall, 198 Hill St., Akron, 330-972-7570, playhousesquare.org
MILLENNIAL THEATRE PROJECT
“Young Frankenstein,” Oct. 10-26*
A musical take on a classic Mel Brooks film, “Young Frankenstein” is an electrifying comedy sure to get audiences laughing. The show follows Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, a scientist who reluctantly takes on the mantle of his grandfather as he attempts to bring a monster to life. Joined by Igor, the grandson of his grandfather’s sidekick, as well as a yodeling lab assistant, he embarks on a journey of mad science, romance and blunders galore that’s complete with a showstopping tap dance number. Knight Stage at Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron, 330-535-3179, facebook.com/ millennialtheatreproject
NORTH CANTON PLAYHOUSE
“Beetlejuice Jr.,” Oct. 17-26*
One of Broadway’s most popular hits comes to the North Canton Playhouse in junior form! A tamer version of the wildly irreverent comedy, this musical is based off of the 1988 Tim Burton classic movie. When Lydia Deetz, a teenager grieving the loss of her mother, moves into a house haunted by a dead couple and Beetlejuice — a ghost with the most — she quickly learns that being dead comes with its own set of rules. Featuring high-energy numbers like “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing” and “Say My Name,” this musical is a romp through the graveyard. 525 Seventh St. NE, North Canton, 330-494-1613, northcantonplayhouse.com
With music by Barbara Anselmi and lyrics by Brian Hargrove, this musical plunges viewers into a wedding between two wildly different families. The bride and the groom are of different faiths, their mothers are both energetic and opinionated, and the bride’s ex-boyfriend crashes the wedding! Featuring a large cast of actors of all ages, this musical is a crowd-pleasing farce. 41 S. Oviatt St., Hudson, 330-655-8522, hudsonplayers.com
RUBBER CITY THEATRE
“Rope,” Oct. 23-26*
Movie lovers will recognize the cinematic adaptation of this play from famed master of horror Alfred Hitchcock. Wyndham Brandon convinces his friend, Charles, to murder a fellow classmate in this psychological thriller. They conceal the body in a chest, inviting several people — including the dead man’s father — to a party, where they place the chest in plain view. Slowly, the walls close in on Charles and Wyndham. Experience dread, tension and thrills in this production that’s put on in collaboration with The University of Akron. The University of Akron, Kolbe Hall, 328 E. Buchtel Ave., Akron, 330-972-7895, rubbercitytheatre.com
AURORA COMMUNITY THEATRE
“School of Rock,” Oct. 24-Nov. 15*
Based on the hit 2003 movie starring Jack Black, “School of Rock” follows the story of Dewey Finn, a failed rocker who lies his way into a position as a substitute teacher at a distinguished prep school. Once there, he whips his students into shape — turning them into mini rock stars. A love story waits in the wings — Dewey falls hard for the school’s headmistress, and helps her to unlock her inner wild child. This musical features 14 songs by musical theater master Andrew Lloyd Webber, alongside all the original songs from the beloved film. 115 E. Pioneer Trail, Aurora, 330-562-1818, auroracommunitytheatre.com
Directed by Marc C. Howard, this play incorporates myriad elements of intrigue: a cell phone that won’t stop ringing, a dead man and loose ends. Written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl, this reflective play confronts ideas about morality, technology
and connection. It’s a journey through grief, memory and mourning. 9076 Church St., Suites 2 & 3, Twinsburg, 330-888-3211, twinmasks.org
DYNAMICS COMMUNITY THEATER
“A Seussified Christmas Carol,” early December
The whole family will appreciate a Seussified version of the classic “A Christmas Carol.” Enjoy a rhyming, zany take on the story of Scrooge, a miserly man who learns to open his heart through the power of three Christmas ghosts. It’s sure to be a hit for those looking for an all-ages holiday adventure. 140 N. Munroe Road, Tallmadge, 234-738-3281, dynamicstheater.org
DANCE
BALLET THEATRE OF OHIO
“Nutcracker,” Nov. 29-Dec. 7*
Bring the family to a magical ballet full of holiday spirit with “Nutcracker.” Clara receives the gift of a nutcracker one Christmas, and through it discovers a world
MAGICAL THEATRE COMPANY
Growing Imaginations
Sept 26: Tuscany on Tusc
Oct 10 – 19: The Third Wave
Oct 24 – 30: Ghosts of the Magic City
Dec 5 – 21: Annie
Jan 30 – Feb 7: Murder on the Orient Express
May 1 – 9: Dragons Love Tacos
On Tour: Squirrelock Holmes, Mother Goose, KidScripts
Magical Theatre Company
565 W Tuscarawas Ave, Barberton, OH 330-848-3708
magicaltheatre.org
of living toys, sweets, dancers from around the world and more. This ballet is a great introduction to the world of theater — it’s a favorite for young fans and longtime ballet admirers alike. 265 N. Main St., Munroe Falls, 330-688-6065, ballettheatreohio.org
BALLET EXCEL OHIO
“Aladdin,” March 14 & 15, 2026
Hop on a magic carpet ride and soar through the sky with Aladdin and his princess in this new ballet version of the classic story. Aladdin is a roustabout who dreams of success — and finds a magical lamp and a genie who can grant wishes. Spectacularly choreographed by acclaimed artist Erich Yetter, this full-length ballet takes audiences on a sweeping ride through magical landscapes and romantic visions for the company’s 50th season.Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron, 330-822-4296, balletexcelohio.org
APOLLO’S FIRE
Named for the ancient god of music and the sun, Grammy Award-winning ensemble Apollo’s Fire has won international praise from London’s The Sunday Times for its “dazzling” and “incandescent” performances. Founded by harpsichordist and conductor Jeannette Sorrell, the period band brings to life music of the past for present audiences with passion. Apollo’s Fire’s 31st season in Akron includes Mozart’s magnificent Requiem and a musical tribute to the Middle East, alongside works by Purcell, Bach, Vivaldi and more.
Apollo’s Fire
3091 Mayfield Road, Suite 217, Cleveland Heights, OH 216-320-0012
apollosfire.org
Carney. Untitled [Photograph of Alfred McMoore],
{ by Cameron Gorman, photos by Erin Gulling }
Comfort Food
MARY YODER’S AMISH KITCHEN SERVES UP AMISH COOKING IN A HOMEY ATMOSPHERE.
As soon as customers enter Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen, they’re greeted by a bakery case packed with homemade sweets. Raisin-filled cookies, peach pies, cream-filled doughnuts and more await those who travel to Middlefield to get a taste of a simpler way of life.
“It’s 2025, and they’re still driving horse and buggy, don’t have air conditioning and don’t have the Internet in their house,” says Josh Miller, whose family owns Mary Yoder’s. “Amish food represents a part of their life too.
… It’s more of just a rich, simple flavor that’s … very straight to the point kind of food, without adding a lot of flair and spices to it. It represents a culture of simplicity.” Set in the picturesque heart of Amish Country in Geauga County, Mary Yoder’s is surrounded by fields and farms — it’s not uncommon to see a horse and buggy passing by the kitchen. Visitors can partake in the buffet or order a variety of Amish breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes, including Amish-style roast beef, broasted or baked chicken, noodles over mashed
potatoes and more. Lots of butter and starches go into its hearty foods.
“You can buy mashed potatoes anywhere, but … our restaurant’s mashed potatoes is done just a little bit different. There’s no shortcuts, we use real potatoes,” says Dan Miller, Josh’s father. “It’s more of a comfort food.”
One of the most popular meals at the kitchen is a Manhattan — a sandwich with pork or beef, cut in half and finished with mashed potatoes. The whole dish is then covered with gravy.
“That’s probably one of the biggest ones that is … a cultural thing,” Dan says. “They still do process their own hogs and make their own bacon and cure their own stuff. So, meat and potatoes is a big thing in the Amish culture, because they could raise it all.”
Many of the recipes used at Mary Yoder’s come from the real-life Mary Yoder — an Amish woman who was the mother of one of the kitchen’s original founders. Guests can purchase a book of her recipes in the attached gift shop, which also features jams and jellies, stuffed animals, signs and devotional books.
“A big amount of our staff is all Amish, and so I think that’s part of the draw, too, is coming to a place and getting to talk to Amish people,” Josh says.
In the large, quilt-lined dining room, there’s an atmosphere of homey authenticity. Expansive tables offer
OHIO STAR THEATER
Through November 4, 2025 OhioStarTheater.com
Looking for wholesome entertainment in the heart of Amish Country? Check out Ohio Star Theater’s first all-original production, “The Road to Damascus: A Musical Journey Through the Book of Acts.”
Presented through Nov. 4, this powerful new show focuses on the Apostle Paul, formerly known as Saul, whose journey from a zealous persecutor of Christians to a devoted follower of Christ offers a powerful narrative of redemption, faith and inner boldness.
“We’ve heard about these characters from church and Sunday school all of our lives, but it’s a wholly different experience to see these people embodied in front of you and really getting to see the humanness of these characters,” says Tammie McKenzie, Ohio Star Theater artistic director. “We feel more connected to the Bible because we see ourselves in these people.”
From stunning set designs and costumes to live animals and captivating lighting, every aspect of the production was carefully crafted to transport audiences back to biblical times.
For tickets, visit ohiostartheater.com or call the box office at 855-344-7547. It is located on the Dutch Valley Campus, where you can also dine, shop and stay.
OHIO STAR THEATER
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ample space for families and groups — Mary Yoder’s has even hosted a few small weddings.
“Food represents so much more than just eating something. It represents community. It’s where you think about how you meet with your friends, how you meet with your family, how you connect with people,” Josh says.
“You grew up eating fresh peach pie out of grandma’s oven, and then 30 years later, hey, you can still get that. It’s a part of drawing back to, Hey, here’s where I came from. This is part of my culture.”
14743 N. State St., Middlefield, 440-632-1939, maryyodersamishkitchen.com
On the outskirts of Strasburg sits 63 Corks — a passion project melding together a love for food, local ingredients and heritage through exciting seasonal dishes.
63 Corks is grounded in a farm-to-table approach, with a focus on locally sourced seasonal ingredients.
“We develop partnerships with local farmers that bring the highest quality ingredients to our guests,” explains chef and owner Nate Kelly.
The menu draws from Kelly’s southern and Italian heritage — with an Ohio Appalachian twist. Signature dishes like Wagyu beef cheeks and handmade pastas are testaments to Kelly’s creative and technical execution. His dish presentations have a wow factor.
“It must look as stunning as it tastes,” Kelly says.
The restaurant brings an element of fine dining while maintaining a welcoming feeling. With a promising future on the horizon, Kelly hopes to continue building enthusiasm, becoming the region’s go-to spot for locally sourced, elevated dining.
From the elevated dishes to the stellar service, 63 Corks is a must-visit in Northeast Ohio.
Located in Middlefield since 1956, Rothenbühler Cheesemakers continues to carry on a family cheesemaking tradition as a third-generation business. The founder, Hans Rothenbuhler, grew up in Switzerland and was the son of a Master Cheesemaker. The cheese-making process at Rothenbühler is now modern, with highly automated facilities to provide safe and quality products. Varieties include Lacey Swiss, a mild-flavored Swiss with nutty undertones, Reserve sharp Swiss, which has been aged to perfection, and Chica Mia, which is ideal for Mexicanstyle dishes. Products are also lactose- and glutenfree, low on sodium and contain zero trans fat. All are halal certified, made from 100 percent pasteurized Grade A milk and kosher ingredients and an ethically produced milk supply, which includes rBST-free milk. Stop by the Cheese Chalet to shop for cheeses, meats,
G.A.R. HORIZONS
Founded in 2009, G.A.R. Horizons provides the Chardon area with farm-to-table meats. Owners Catherine and Steve Wolcott raise chickens, pigs and cattle naturally with access to the outdoors. They also grow their own grains and grind their own feed. Catherine won the Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals Outstanding Young Farmer competition in 2024 — and the business continues to grow, with a new larger area for its chickens in 2025. Enjoy some of its meat packages like the Beef Bundle ($370), which comes with 20-pound ground, 2-pound stew, two beef roasts (up to 8 pounds), five rib steak, five T-bone or strip, 1 sirloin and 1-pound filet cuts. Or try a monthly bundle ($100), which includes a mix of pork, beef and chicken. September’s bundle is rib themed. Opened in 2018, its market, Horizons Local Goods, offers meats, eggs, spices, pierogies, baked goods and more. 13623 Grand Army of the Republic Highway, Chardon, 440-488-7170, garhorizons.com
9pm
{ by Cameron Gorman, photos by Vaneeda Sibounheuang }
On Track
TAKE IN TRAINS, HISTORY AND MECHANICAL WONDER AT THE ORRVILLE RAILROAD HERITAGE SOCIETY.
R.C. Conner drives a small speeder — also known as a motor car — that carries passengers through the Orrville Railroad Heritage Society’s rail yard. Traditionally used up until the 1960s to transport workers on the track to job sites, they now take members of the public on rides.
“This may be something that’s being enjoyed by generations long after I’m gone,” says Conner, a retired 30-year railroad worker and heritage society volunteer, clad in a pair of worn bib overalls. “This is potentially … a legacy.”
The heritage society was first formed in 1978, as the Orrville Railroad Heritage Committee, by a group of railroad enthusiasts to save the downtown Orrville Union Depot from being demolished and to preserve Ohio’s heritage of railroads. They were once an important method of transportation for residents in the area, as well as an economic keystone for Orrville.
Today, the heritage society restores trains, puts on events such as pumpkin hayrides Oct. 11 and 25 and invites the public to learn more about locomotives. Its rail yard includes five speeders, as well as locomotive 471 — pulling four cars, including a caboose. The rail yard has access to the Norfolk Southern rail line, on which some trains operate. Norfolk Southern and the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway support the heritage society. Inside a refurbished caboose, guests can browse railroad-related merchandise at a gift shop.
“It’s hard work, but it’s a good time,” says volunteer Mike Tremmel, who restored the gift shop caboose. “For me, it’s
part of my history. My grandfather grew up outside of Altoona. Thirteen boys and girls. … A lot of them went to work for the Pennsylvania railroad in Altoona. ... It was something my dad kind of passed on to me.”
One of the heritage society’s most popular events is throttle time, in which guests can control a train or speeder car. Through Oct. 25, feel the thrill of being in command of a 2,000-horsepower vehicle.
“The customer buys the whole train for an hour, and they get to drive it. I teach them, and within that hour I have them on the throttle, running up and down the main line,” says Conner. “People come from out of state.”
On Sept. 27, visit the rail yard for a horn blast and open house. Guests can bring their own train horns and have them blown on the 471 train,
traveling the heritage society main line between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Also enjoy a historian talk and guided walking tours of the rail yard, where you can spot a 385,000-pound wreck crane, a locomotive used during World War II, a restored speeder once used at the Ravenna arsenal to tow helium balloons for artillery testing and more. Another popular event is Riding with Santa, which takes kids on a train ride
to a winter wonderland as they meet Saint Nick on select dates Nov. 29 to Dec. 20.
“It’s dark, and all of a sudden, here comes this … massive thing,” chief financial officer Kathy Green said in July 2025 of the decked-out Santa train. “It is breathtaking when you see it come down the track.”
2174 S. Crown Hill Road, Orrville, 330-683-2426, orrvillerailroad.com
{ by Abby Kress and Claire Duber }
GATHER AROUND
ENJOY THESE GRANDSTAND EVENTS AT THE WAYNE COUNTY FAIR SEPT. 6 TO 11.
TRUCK AND TRACTOR PULLS
Come down to the grandstand on the opening date, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. or Sept. 8 at noon to witness tractor pulls — during this event, powerful machines, such as stock tractors and hot farm tractors, compete to pull a weighted sled the farthest. On Sept. 6, enjoy watching truck, tractor, mini modified and semi pulls for a ticketed Ohio State Tractor Pullers Association event. For free on Sept. 8, watch a local tractor pull with only Wayne County residents participating.
MUTTON BUSTING
Before graduating to rodeo events like bronco riding, kids ages 5 to 10 ride on the backs of sheep for competitive mutton busting. The goal is to try and stay on the back of the sheep as long as they can — these efforts result in friendly competition between spirited hopefuls. If your kids want to get involved with the rodeo, this is the event for them — held before the rodeo at 6 p.m. Sept. 10.
RODEO
Take in the High Steel Rodeo Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. to see bull riding, bronco riding and steer wrestling, in which opponents wrestle a steer to the ground using only their bodies. Other events include tie-down roping, breakaway roping, team roping and barrel racing, which features a rider — on a sprinting horse — weaving around barrels in a pattern.
DEMOLITION DERBY
Cheer as drivers ram into one another for the Smash It Demolition Derby at 7 p.m. Sept. 11, the closing night. The last vehicle operating is the victor. Classes include Frank the Tank, stock full, stock mini and stock minivan / mini truck and SUV.
CORN MAZES & CRAFT BEERS
JAFB
Ramseyer Farms
Lehman’s is the Heart of Amish Country
As the leaves begin their vibrant transformation across Ohio’s Amish Country, there’s no better time to plan a scenic fall getaway — and no better stop than Lehman’s in Kidron. Nestled in the rolling hills and golden foliage of Wayne County, Lehman’s is more than a store — it’s a destination.
Founded in 1955 to serve the local Amish community, Lehman’s has grown into a beloved landmark where tradition meets innovation. Whether you’re a history buff, a homesteader or simply a curious traveler, you can find something to love among the aisles of hand-crafted goods, vintage appliances and locally made treats. This fall, immerse yourself in the season with old-fashioned soda, cozy wood stoves and the scent of fresh-baked goods. Wander through the store’s museum-like displays, explore the best kitchenware store around and discover tools and treasures that harken back to simpler times. After a leaf-peeping drive through the colorful countryside, stop in and try fresh fudge, pick up unique gifts and learn about sustainable living. Whether you’re visiting for the colors, the culture or the craftsmanship, Lehman’s offers an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss it this fall.
Restaurants
VISIT AKRONLIFE.COM TO VIEW MORE AREA RESTAURANTS & EVENTS.
B Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner Patio
Alcohol available Takeout available Valet parking Wheelchair Accessible
$ average entrees less than $6 $$ average entrees between $6-$10
$$$ average entrees between $11-$16
$$$$ average entrees are $17 or higher
Information subject to change. Please call ahead to verify location, hours and events.
Akron Family Restaurant
250 W. Market St., Akron, 330-376-0600
$$ B L D
Aladdin’s Eatery
782 W. Market St., Akron, 330-535-0110; 1991 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-928-4640; 44 Park Lane, Hudson, 330-656-0560; 3895 Medina Road, Fairlawn, 330-665-3102
$$$ L D
Al’s Corner Restaurant
155 Second St. NW, Barberton, 330-475-7978
$$ L
Alexander Pierce Restaurant
797 E. Market St., Akron, 330-529-2003
$$$ D
Arcadia Grill
85 years. 321 Court Ave. NW, Canton, 234-214-8940
$$ B L D
Arnie’s West Branch Steak House
5343 state Route 14, Ravenna, 330-297-1717
$$$ D
Barley House
222 S. Main St., Akron, 330-374-0925
$$ L D
Basil Asian Bistro
585 Market Ave. N, Canton, 330-452-3888; 145 W. Liberty St., Wooster, 330-601-0885
$$$ L D
The Battleground
425 Cherry St., Kent, 330-548-9019
$$$ B L D
Beau’s Grille
3180 W. Market St., Akron, 330-867-5218
$$$$ B L D
Beau’s on the River Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls, 1989 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, 330-920-7530
$$$ B L D
Belgrade Gardens
401 E. State St., Barberton, 330-745-0113
$$$ L D
Bellacino’s Pizza & Grinders
3657 Fishcreek Road, Stow, 330-678-3000
$$ L D
Bender’s Tavern
137 Court Ave. SW, Canton, 330-453-8424
$$$$ L D
Bianca’s Ristorante Italiano
4284 Beverly Hills Drive, Brunswick, 330-225-0927
$$$ L D
Big Eu’es BBQ 1730 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, 234-706-6700
$$ L D
Big Eye Japanese Cuisine & Sushi Bar 2965 W. Market St., Fairlawn, Suite L, 330-836-4433
$$$ L D
The Bistro at Gervasi Vineyard 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, 330-497-1000
$$$ L D
The Bistro of Green 3459 Massillon Road, Uniontown, 330-896-1434
$$$$ D
Bistro on Main
1313 W. Main St., Kent, 330-673-9900
$$$ L D
Block 7 Bar & Grill 524 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, 330-745-7677
$$ L D
Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern 8960 Wilcox Drive, Twinsburg, 330-486-2583
$$$$ L D
The Blue Door Cafe & Bakery 1970 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-926-9774
$$$ B L D (Thurs-Sun only)
Berlin Farmstead 4757 Township Road 366, Berlin, 330-893-4600
$$ B L D
Bob’s Hamburg
1351 East Ave., Akron; Inside Ray’s Pub, 801. W. Market St., Akron; 330-253-2627
Golden Dragon 1634 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-929-1109
$$ L D
Green Diamond Grille & Pub 125 Second St. NW, Barberton, 330-745-1900
$$$ L D
Grinders Above & Beyond
1671 N. Main St., North Canton, 330-497-4800; 3114 Whipple Ave., Canton, 330-477-5411; 1212 W. Maple St., Hartville, 330-587-4280; 1820 W. State St., Alliance, 330-821-6665; 404 E. Lincolnway, Minerva, 330-868-7824; 500 W. Main St., Louisville, 330-875-9700
$$ L D
Guiseppe’s Pizza 14 E. Caston Road, Akron, 330-644-8842; 5642 Wales Ave. NW, Massillon, 234-258-4800
$$ L D
H2 Huth & Harris Wine Merchants
221 S. Court St., Medina, 330-805-3212; 427 Tuscarawas St. E, Canton: 330-815-4959
$$$$ L D
Hamad’s on Main
1826 E. Market St., Akron, 330-733-8381
$$ B L
Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery
1015 Edison St. NW, Hartville, 330-877-9353
$$$ L D
Slice of Life
CRUST & COCKTAILS OFFERS A HIP, REFRESHED SPACE WITH QUALITY EATS.
With a crisp white brick and dark gray siding exterior, a welcoming patio with cornhole, a wine barrel picnic table and five black mesh tables with white statement chairs, Crust & Cocktails is a breath of fresh air for Merriman Valley’s Liberty Commons development. Once known for barhopping, Liberty Commons is undergoing a revitalization to become a live-work-play destination. Crust & Cocktails recently debuted its transformed restaurant — which is in the former Shots bar building.
“We stepped in, took over the location, cleaned it up and flipped it into something we think the area needs,” says Lee Turano, operations director, culinary director and
managing partner. “A wine, cocktail bar — a hot trend now — we think we can do it well.”
Opened in June 2025, the spot has a hip aesthetic, with greenery and flowers overflowing from wooden planters on the ceiling. Planked wood accent walls and an art piece of a pizza slice — made from colorful moss and bark — also decorate the interior.
“It’s got that floral look to it. This kind of big trend now is leafy greens everywhere and plant life,” he says. “We put our own flair on it.”
The menu, which rotates seasonally, features burrata bruschetta, heirloom tomato caprese salad, specialty pizzas and cannoli chips with rotating dips, such as a chocolate chip, Oreo and caramel combination.
{ by Kelly Petryszyn, photos by Vaneeda Sibounheuang }
Appetizers include a charcuterie board ($19) with gourmet cheeses, prosciutto, pickled veggies and more, as well as a ricotta crostini ($9) featuring lemon vanilla bean truffle whipped ricotta over toasted bread with tomatoes and a balsamic drizzle.
“The lemon cuts through the thickness of the ricotta. You’ve got a little bit of charred tomatoes, which gives you that little bit of sweetness as well. The balsamic gives you a little bit of sweetness with a little bit of bitter,” he says. “A hint of truffle really brings it home and pulls it all together.”
For its pizzas, a company makes dough from Crust & Cocktails’ recipe, and the restaurant makes its own marinara. Each pie is cooked in a top-notch double-stack pizza oven.
“We double cook our pizzas,” Turano says. “We run it through twice to make sure we get the dough consistency. We want to make sure we get the crispness, the char on the cheese, the caramelization.”
Build your own pizza or choose from around six creations, including a truffle wild mushroom variety, and a ham and eggs offering — with a garlic butter sauce, prosciutto and a cage-free egg cracked over top of it ($17). The pepperoni pizza ($17) features a hot honey drizzle.
“The hot honey gives you that sweetness and a little bit of heat on the back end that really opens it up,” Turano says.
A unique offering is the roasted pear pizza ($17) with a creamy white wine base, fresh strawberries, goat cheese, arugula, pistachios and prosciutto.
“The arugula gives you that pepper flavor. The white wine sauce that we use is a little more wholesome,” he says. “The pistachios give you a little bit of body. You want different textures when you eat.”
Made with house syrups, cocktails include a tequila habanero martini, a strawberry white Russian and a Thai basil gimlet. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, many are served with dry ice for a wow factor. Several cocktails feature espresso, including a peanut butter espresso old-fashioned — Turano hired a barista with plans to make it in-house. Wines include global proprietary offerings, like Rambam moscato from Italy, as well as national selections such as Sailor’s Grave cabernet from Napa Valley, California.
Come for brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and enjoy light bites like avocado toast and French toast. Bring the whole family — there is a pinball game and shuffleboard, so you can hang out.
“It’s built European-esque to have people sit, relax, drink, take it slow,”
Lee Turano
Turano says. “We want to be your hidden gem, your local pizza spot but also a place you’re going to come to for the day, night, somewhere you’re going to bring your kids. … We want to be endeared to the neighborhood, to the area, part of the revitalization of the valley.”
Rockne’s Pub 7 Merriman Road, Akron, 330-762-7555; 1203 Bailey Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-922-3663; 2914 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-836-7662; 1450 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-0904; 155 Lincoln Way W, Massillon, 330-833-8800; 5000 Portage St., North Canton, 330-244-4212; 9406 state Route 14, Streetsboro, 330-422-8010
$$ L D
Rose Garden Restaurant 2033 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 234-706-6630
$$ L D
Rosewood Grill
36 E. Streetsboro St., Hudson, 330-656-2100
$$$$ L (Fri/Sat only) D
Russo’s
4895 State Road, Peninsula, 330-923-2665
$$$$ D
Saffron Patch in the Valley 1238 Weathervane Lane, Akron, 330-836-7777
$$$ L D
Sakura
3900 Medina Road, Akron, 330-670-0288
$$$ L D
Samantha’s on Portage 4954 Portage St. NW, North Canton, 330-499-9700
$$ B L D
Sammie’s Bar and Grill 498 South Ave., Tallmadge, 234-678-8334
$$ L D
Samosky’s Homestyle Pizzeria 6738 Center Road, Valley City, 330-483-2000
$$$ L D
Sam Sylk’s Chicken & Fish 1400 S. Arlington Road, Akron, 234-571-0802
$$$ L D
Sarah’s Vineyard 1204 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-929-8057
$$ L D
Sérénité Restaurant & Culinary Institute
538 W. Liberty St., Medina, 330-952-2611
$$$$ L D
Shawarma Bros. 1808 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls, 234-334-3996
$$ L D
Sisters Century House
123 S. Canal St. S, Canal Fulton, 330-854-9914
$$ B L
Skyway Drive-In Restaurant
2781 W. Market St., Fairlawn, 330-836-2806; 951 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Green, 330-896-9350
$ L D
Social at the Stone House 824 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, 330-809-0461
$$$$ L D
Spennato’s Italian Ristorante 10446 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-468-8688
$$$ L D
Stricklands Frozen Custard
1809 Triplett Blvd., Akron; 2629 Bailey Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-929-8498; 3465 S. Arlington Road, Green, 330-899-9477; 9070 state Route 14, Streetsboro, 330-626-2750
$
Swensons Drive-In
658 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Akron, 330-928-8515; 40 S. Hawkins Ave., Akron, 330-864-8416; 4466 Kent Road, Stow, 330-678-7775; 40 Brookmont Road, Montrose, 330-665-1858;5815 Wales Ave., Massillon, 330-833-5454; 1558 N. Main St., North Canton, 330-499-9494
$ L D
Table Six Kitchen & Bar
6113 Whipple Ave NW, North Canton, 330-305-1666
$$$ L D
Taco Tontos
123 Franklin Ave., Kent, 330-677-0223
$$ L D
Taggart’s Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant
1401 Fulton Road NW, Canton, 330-452-6844
$ L D
Tail Gators Sports Pub & Grille
469 College St., Wadsworth, 330-334-5151
$$ L D
Taste of Bangkok
514 E. Exchange St., Akron, 330-252-2270
$$ L D
3 Palms Pizzeria
60 Village Way, Hudson, 330-342-4545
$$$ L D
Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.
529 Grant Street, Akron,330-252-2739
$$ L D
Thyme2
113 W. Smith Road, Medina, 330-764-4114
$$$$ L D
Tim’s Pizzeria and Pub 2823 Bailey Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 330-928-1530
$$$ D
Timber Lodge
2809 Pearl Road, Medina, 330-725-6288
$$$$ D
Tip Top Restaurant & Catering
3428 Darrow Road, Stow, 330-688-3171
$$ B L D
Tito’s Mexican Grill
25 Ghent Road, Fairlawn, 330-835-9801
$$$ L D
Tokyo Hibachi and Sushi 1132 N. Court St., Medina, 330-952-2818
$$$$ L D
Tomaso’s Italian Villa
3271 Barber Road, Norton, 330-745-6063
$$ L D
Tomato Grill
106 First St., Hudson, 330-342-3771
$$$$ L D
Tong-Tong
1646 Norton Road, Stow, 330-655-2550
$$ L D
Totally Cooked To-Go
388 S. Main St., Akron, 330-294-1102
$$ B L D
Town Tavern
3900 Medina Road Unit J, Akron, 330-666-1191; 1840 Town Park Blvd., Uniontown, 330-896-4433
$$$ B L D
Trecaso’s Mary Coyle
780 W. Market St., Akron, 330-253-1511
$$ L D
Twiisted Burgers & Sushi
985 Boardman Alley, Medina, 330-661-0606
$$$ D
Twisted Citrus 1649 N. Main St., North Canton, 330-305-9680
$$ B L
The Twisted Olive
5430 Massillon Road, Green, 330-899-0550
$$$ L D
Vaccaro’s Trattoria
1000 Ghent Road, Akron, 330-666-6158
$$$ L D
Valley Cafe
1212 Weathervane Lane, Akron, 330-8650101; 101 High St., Wadsworth, 330-331-7555
3634 Center Road, Brunswick, 330-220-9944; 5710 Fulton Drive NW, Canton, 330-497-1133; 79 Springside Drive, Copley, 330-644-1780; 5111 E. Aurora Road, Macedonia, 330-467-6200; 2175 E. Maple St., North Canton, 330-470-6460; 1615 Main St., Peninsula, 330-467-1002
$$ L D
Wise Guys Lounge & Grill
1008 N. Main St., Akron, 330-922-3006
$$$$ L D
Wolf Creek Tavern
3044 Wadsworth Road, Norton, 234-571-4531
$$$$ L D
Yours Truly
36 S. Main St., Hudson, 330-656-2900; 3725 Medina Road, Medina, 330-722-5800
$$ B L D
Please send any changes or corrections to kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com.
SIGNATURE SHORT RIBS
Kent’s riverfront restaurant, the River Merchant, features a chef-inspired menu, elevated beverage program, curated retail wine market and beautiful views of the Cuyahoga River. The Szechuan short rib is a comforting entree to enjoy while the autumn air turns brisk and the seasons change. The River Merchant is the place to visit with friends and family, celebrate achievements and explore culinary twists on your favorite dishes during date night.
With a 1,686-seat auditorium, Goodyear Hall was the largest stage and theater in Akron —and one of the largest in Ohio — when it was completed in 1920. It was opened by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. as part of its 5.5 million square-foot, 400-plus-acre Akron campus. Featuring a gym, classrooms and offices alongside the hall, the complex was meant as an industrial, educational and recreational destination for Goodyear employees. Over the years, the hall hosted productions, including “The Chocolate Soldier” — its cast is pictured there in 1950. The hall was a part of the recent $500 million East End redevelopment project, which included a Goodyear headquarters building, offices, apartments, retail space and a hotel. The complex was reimagined as the Goodyear Hall Gymnasium sports event center and the 1,450-plus-seat Goodyear Theater — which reopened in 2016 with sold-out concerts by Smashing Pumpkins and Gavin DeGraw. Now, the century-plus-old venue features concerts by “American Idol” finalist Ruben Studdard Oct. 17 and Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett Nov. 4.
by Claire Duber, photo by Summit Memory/Akron Summit County Public Library }
