Props! Spring 2021

April 2021

Bringing you behind-the-curtain news and showing you how your donation makes a difference at Playhouse Square!

playhousesquare.org/support

THIS IS JUST THE START! Read inside for exciting details about the return of the KeyBank Broadway Series and more!

A VIDEO MESSAGE FROM MICHELLE

Michelle Ryan Stewart Senior Vice President of Advancement

Click here to view our health and safety guidelines DONOR RELATIONS STAFF Michelle Ryan Stewart Senior Vice President of Advancement 216-640-8410 michelle.stewart@playhousesquare.org

Sarah Stengel Partners Development Manager 216-640-8408 sarah.stengel@playhousesquare.org

Jason Bogdany Development Database Coordinator 216-640-8428 jason.bogdany@playhousesquare.org

Leanne Dewyer Assistant Director of Development 216-640-8411 leanne.dewyer@playhousesquare.org

Karen Bridegum Donor Services Coordinator 216-640-8419 karen.bridegum@playhousesquare.org

Meg Colwell Gift Processing & Data Entry Coordinator 216-640-8409 meg.colwell@playhousesquare.org

Mary Winchester Senior Manager of Development 216-640-8412 mary.winchester@playhousesquare.org

David Turner Donor Circle & Box Holder Relations Coordinator 216-640-8418 david.turner@playhousesquare.org

Claire Gliozzi Donor Relations Assistant 216-640-8413 claire.gliozzi@playhousesquare.org

Cheryl Helden Foundations & Major Gifts Manager 216-640-8406 cheryl.helden@playhousesquare.org Carrie Lombardo Development Manager 216-640-8417 carrie.lombardo@playhousesquare.org

Victoria Gray Donor Relations & Special Programs Coordinator 216-640-8422 victoria.gray@playhousesquare.org Annie Weiss Development Coordinator 216-640-8407 annie.weiss@playhousesquare.org

Steven Deliman Donor Relations & Special Projects Assistant 216-640-8426 steven.deliman@playhousesquare.org Katie Lang Donor Communications & Education Fund Coordinator 216-640-8664 katie.lang@playhousesquare.org

Click here to view the 2020 Community Report 2 019 - 2 0 2 0

REPORT TO

THE

COMMUNITY

SAFE

NOVEMBER 2-21, 2021 THE PROM is a new musical comedy about big Broadway stars on a mission to change the world and the love they discover that unites them all. Everyone’s invited to the joyous Broadway hit that New York Magazine hails as “smart and big-hearted” while The New York Times declares it “makes you believe in musical comedy again!”

THE MUSICAL

Big New Musical. Big. Huge.

APRIL 26-MAY 15, 2022 All rise for Academy Award® winner Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork.

The New York Times Critic’s Pick To Kill a Mockingbird is “the most successful American play in Broadway history.”

(60 Minutes). New York Magazine calls it ”a real phenomenon. Majestic and incandescent, it’s filled with breath and nuance and soul.” With direction

by Tony Award® winner Bartlett Sher, To Kill a Mockingbird — “the greatest novel of all time” (Chicago Tribune) — has quickly become “one of the greatest plays in history” (NPR).

MARCH 8-27, 2022 One of Hollywood’s most beloved stories of all time, Pretty Woman: The Musical is brought to life by a powerhouse creative team representing the best of music, Hollywood, and Broadway. It will lift your spirits and light up your heart. Get ready to experience this dazzling theatrical take on a love story for the ages.

JULY 12-31, 2022 Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is the electrifying,

new smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Nominated for 12 Tony Awards, Ain’t Too Proud tells the thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal, as the group’s personal and political conflicts threatened to tear them apart during a decade of civil unrest in America.

AUG. 11-SEPT. 11, 2022 FROZEN is an unforgettable, magical adventure, which Newsday calls, “A serious megahit with amazing special effects, eye-popping costumes, and incredible performances.” It’s a theatrical experience like no other, so let yourself go.

It features the songs you know and love from the original film plus an expanded score with a dozen new musical numbers.

Already a season ticket holder and have more questions? Visit our frequently asked questions page for more information or contact your Donor Relations Representative.

For season tickets call 216-640-8800 or call your Donor Relations Representative.

Tickets for individual shows will go on sale at a later date and will be communicated in advance.

If you already renewed your season tickets in 2020, your seats are ready for your return in the Fall 2021.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION Playhouse Square’s streaming education performances are reaching over 90,000 students throughout Northeast Ohio!

2020-2021 Streaming Performances for Schools Air Play Grimmz Fairy Tales Shadow Play The Snail and the Whale Rhapsody in Black Black Violin Five Days with Step Afrika!

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom Jabari Dreams of Freedom Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical This year has certainly been challenging for teachers, students, and families.

Playhouse Square holds fast to the knowledge that learning through the arts can provide fundamental growth in students of all ages. That is why we are committed to providing virtual resources and opportunities to help teachers and families facilitate learning and connection through the performing arts. Here are a few examples of what a difference this made in the lives of our young audiences.

“

“I can’t thank you enough for making this concert a virtual experience for my kids! What a wonderful treat for them when there aren’t a lot of fun things going on right now! Also, please pass on our thanks to the fund that provided the ukuleles for them too! That was a tremendous act of kindness and generosity and I cannot overstate how excited my kids were to receive them and how much fun they have had with them already!!!”

– Jazzy Ash participant “Thank you so much for offering the online version of the Children’s theatre shows. It is helping to create some normalcy to our family. We have been so disappointed with all the things in life that are cancelled due to world health conditions and here you are providing a beacon of light by offering the performances to us in safety of our home!! Thank you so much! It means so much that you have done that.

We have enjoyed watching both Airplay and Grimmz fairy tales. Coolest thing about watching at home is we can go back and watch favorite parts within our time window for viewing.”

– Christie Rowan and Family

Playhouse Square teaching artist Ananias Dixon records a workshop for Grimmz Fairy Tales.

“

“I just had to email someone directly to say thank you for the opportunity for my students to see this play online. We had a field trip scheduled and all were really bummed we couldn’t go due to these unprecedented times. I have watched the pre and postvideo activities and part of the play. I CANNOT wait to share this with my students. So to all of you at Playhouse Square, thank you! thank you! thank you!”

– Nancy Kautzman, Intervention Specialist at George G. Dodge Intermediate

DISNEY’S NEWSIES: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP GOES NATIONAL! Following a successful pilot of the NEWSIES virtual field trip with Playhouse Square and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Disney invited other performing arts centers around the country to share the program with partner school districts, one of those being Akron Public Schools.

The virtual field trip includes a prerecorded streaming performance of DISNEY’S NEWSIES: THE MUSICAL, a study guide, a dance tutorial and a talkback with Disney Vice President of

Domestic and Regional Engagements Jack Eldon and Director of Production Operations Mimi Intagliata, moderated

by Playhouse Square Assistant Director of Community Engagement & Education Sheffia Dooley.

Locally, the NEWSIES field trip has reached 3,996 students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and 1,240 students in Akron Public Schools, with a total of 62 participating schools.

2021 DAZZLE AWARDS STREAMING LIVE JUNE 1 Playhouse Square makes it possible to celebrate the accomplishments of nearly 2,000 Northeast Ohio High School students during the annual Dazzle Awards presented by Pat & John Chapman. The event showcases the hard work and dedication of high school musical theater programs and honors their excellence.

as well as three Broadway Speakers Bureau panel discussions. This year’s Audition Workshop series was led by the wonderfully talented Nicole & Eugene Sumlin and two eligible students from all 29 participating high schools had the opportunity to receive audition coaching and educational feedback in preparation for the Best Actor/Actress auditions.

Though we were not able to host Dazzle events and classes in person this past year, the program has continued online. Students were invited to participate in a series of 12 Master Classes led by Broadway professionals focused in different theater skills,

Two students from all 29 participating high schools will perform during the virtual ceremony, directed and choreographed by Broadway’s Rommy Sandu with music direction by Joel Mercier. Additionally, the 14 students nominated for Best Actor or Best

Actress will perform in two medleys. We will announce the Best Actor and Best Actress winners and those two students will go on to compete virtually in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (The Jimmy Awards), presented

by The Broadway League!

The Dazzle Awards will be streamed live on June 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Click here to purchase your virtual access.

Broadway’s Malik Akil, actor, drama instructor, and Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music graduate, led Dazzle students in a series of three Vocal Master Classes via Zoom. Students performed a 16-bar ballad or 32-bar up-tempo cut from a published musical and received educational feedback and notes on their performance.

The Dazzle Challenge helps raise funds to support the Dazzle Awards program and the year-long arts education opportunities for participating regional high schools. The goal is to raise $25,000, which will be matched by long-time Trustee John Chapman and his wife Pat, who are committed to helping to provide inspiring and engaging opportunities through the arts.

Support the Dazzle Challenge at playhousesquare.org/dazzlechallenge

PARTNERS CELEBRATED 30TH JUMP BACK BALL VIRTUALLY 1st Jump Back Ball

Every February since 1991, Partners have been celebrating and raising funds for Playhouse Square’s education fund. This year was no different. On February 27, in celebration of their 30th year, Partners hosted Jump Back Together: A Virtual Cabaret to Benefit Playhouse Square’s Education Programs. Over 300 ticket buyers enjoyed performances by six talented actors who have performed on Broadway or in National Tours. The event was presented by the Esther & Hyman Rapport Philanthropic Trust.

And, in true Partners and Jump Back Ball fashion, this virtual benefit exceeded expectations and raised a net income of more than $53,000! All proceeds will support Playhouse Square’s education programs.

1st Jump Back Ball

Celebr

ating their

30th year, Partners

PARTY APART TO

hosts

JUMP BACK

FEBRUARY 27, 2021

20th Jump Back Ball

A Virtual Cabaret to Benefit Playhouse Square’s Education Programs

Thank you to our Sponsors PRESENTING:

THE ESTHER & HYMAN RAPPORT PHILANTHROPIC TRUST 25th Jump Back Ball

PRODUCERS:

DIRECTORS:

Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff • First National Bank Geauga Mechanical • Ohio CAT • Safeguard Properties 26th Jump Back Ball CAST MEMBERS:

Avient Corporation • Cohen & Company Nicholas Guglielmo • Stout MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS:

Labatt USA • Medical Mutual Penske Cleveland Automotive • Tito’s Handmade Vodka

30th Jump Back Ball

PRODUCTION SPONSOR:

DESIGN SPONSOR:

Think Media Studios

type+design

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE DISTRICT UPDATE

As we spring into warmer weather, we invite you to enjoy the Playhouse Square District. The Crowne Plaza Cleveland has remained open and welcomed a new member to their staff, Executive Chef & Director of Food and Beverage, Chef Bernie. He is a delightful addition and truly brings something special to the

table (pun intended). The Ghost Light Restaurant & Lounge at the Crowne Plaza is open and serving daily specials.

This beautiful weather means patios will be open! We hope to see you enjoying Spring and Summer under the glow of the GE Chandelier at Parnell’s

Irish Pub, Republic Food + Drink and Yours Truly. Hofbrauhaus Cleveland’s patio will be opening soon so you can enjoy a nice, crisp bier during the warm evenings to come.

All district establishments are following all health and safety guidelines.

Click here for a list of Playhouse Square District locations currently open for business.

THE LUMEN The Lumen is now open and leasing!

This past Fall, we opened our highrise apartment tower providing a convenient housing option in the heart of Playhouse Square with exceptional service, breathtaking views, and amenities including spaces to workout, work from home, and relax.

Currently, 179 units have been leased and we are offering a referral program for our Season Ticket Holders and Donors: share The Lumen with your friends and receive a $500 gift card if someone you refer becomes a resident (applicant must provide your name and contact information).

Corporate housing is also available at The Lumen! We have partnered with Airbnb to offer one- and two-bedroom, short-term, turnkey corporate stays.

Learn more at thelumencleveland.com/ corporatehousing

To learn more about The Lumen, visit thelumencleveland.com or call 216-284-8779

PLAYHOUSE SQUARE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST TRUSTEES! Bill Cosgrove President & CEO Union Home Mortgage

CHAIRS EMERITUS Oliver C. Henkel, Jr. John F. Lewis† Julien L. McCall Forrest D. Hayes† Glenn R. Brown Jon H. Outcalt Henry F. Eaton† K.K. Sullivan Thomas W. Adler Thomas C. Stevens David S. Goodman James Ratner OFFICERS CHAIR Amy G. Brady* PRESIDENT & CEO Gina Vernaci* VICE CHAIR, ADVANCEMENT Rick Buoncore*

Andrea Hogben Executive VP, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer Medical Mutual of Ohio

Kevin Stein President & CEO TransDigm

VICE CHAIR, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Paul J. Dolan*

Scott Chaikin*

VICE CHAIR, NOMINATING & GOVERNANCE Brent D. Ballard*

Christopher M. Connor*

VICE CHAIR, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT Neil C. Weinberger*

Uleto Fuentes

VICE CHAIR, SALES & MARKETING Sara Ellen Stashower*

James Graham

VICE CHAIR, STRATEGIC PLANNING Kurt C. Treu*

Amy C. Held

SECRETARY/TREASURER Mark Ross*

A.J. Hyland

BOARD MEMBERS

Alex Johnson, Ph.D.

Terry Adelman

Louis G. Joseph

Thomas W. Adler*

VICE CHAIR, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & EDUCATION Margaret M. Judd*

Himanshu Amin

VICE CHAIR, FINANCE Heather Lennox*

Gina Beredo

Warren E. Anderson*

Paul H. Carleton

John G. Chapman, Sr.*

Bill Cosgrove

David S. Goodman*

Lawrence H. Hatch

Andrea Hogben

David Jacobs*

Edward J. Largent James Merlino Heath Monesmith Jon H. Outcalt* James R. Pender

Rajiv K. Prasad

Dominic A. Visconsi

James A. Ratner*

Daniel P. Walsh

Monte Repasky

Denise G. Wells

Sean Richardson

Debra A. Wert

Harlan Sands

Jeffrey J. Wild

Luci Schey

Darrell A. Young

William R. Seelbach David B. Sewell Daniel I. Simon, MD Doug Spiker

TRUSTEE FOR LIFE Dr. Glenn R. Brown, Ph.D. Oliver C. Henkel, Jr. William B. Lawrence Julien L. McCall Rena J. Olshansky Victor J. Scaravilli

NATIONAL TRUSTEE

Lawrence J. Wilker

Thomas C. Stevens

James B. Wolf, Jr.

Mort Weisberg

Kevin Stein

PARTNERS CO-CHAIRS

K.K. Sullivan*

Adam Fishman

Leila L. Vespoli

Kim Merik

*Executive Committee As of March 8, 2021

†Deceased

Julien McCall

Julien McCall, Board of Trustees member and past Chair (July 1985 - June 1988), celebrated 100 years on April 1, 2021.

Julien’s time as Chair helped transition Playhouse Square from project status to operating enterprise, while helping to garner support from the business community. His continued support over the past 40 years has been priceless. Happy Birthday Julien!

UPCOMING EVENTS Dave Koz presents Cruisin’ on a Sunday Afternoon

April 18, 2021 Join your host Dave Koz as he welcomes very special guests Keiko Matsui, Eric Darius, Vincent Ingala, Adam Hawley, Chris Walker and legendary radio host Pat Prescott for an afternoon of fun, amazing live music, cruise memories and surprises. We’ll “See The World Together Through Music” from the comfort and safety of our own sofas.

15 T H A N N U A L

uare Golf Outing q S e s u o h y a l P Hosted by

Presented by

Playhouse Square Golf Outing

June 7, 2021 Registration is now open for the 15th Annual Playhouse Square Golf Outing!

Enjoy 18 holes of golf, on-course games and challenges, and more. All proceeds benefit our growing virtual arts education programs.

Click here to register or contact Annie Weiss at 216-640-8407 or annie.weiss@ playhousesquare.org with any questions.

The Choir of Man Presented by Penske Cleveland

June 11-July 11, 2021 It’s a party. It’s a concert. It’s a pint-filled good time set in a working pub that combines hair-raising harmonies, high-energy dance, and live percussion with foot-stomping choreography. The multi-talented cast of nine handsome blokes sings everything – pub tunes, folk, Broadway, classic rock – all to roof-raising heights. It’s the best singing, dancing, stomping, pub crawl of a concert you’ll ever attend! CHEERS!

BUY NOW!

3 shows $10 pass for all shows April 30-May 2