DONOR APPRECIATION SPOTLIGHT ON YOU
EDUCATION UPDATES STUDENT SHARE, DAZZLE AND MORE!
BROADWAY IN CLEVELAND 2025-26 SEASON LINEUP NEW FOR DONORS OUT AT PLAYHOUSESQUARE, BROADWAY REIMAGINED AND MORE!
A MESSAGE FROM CRAIG
As President and CEO of Playhouse Square, I am delighted to have the opportunity to extend my sincerest gratitude to you during Donor Appreciation Week. Your unwavering commitment and generosity are the cornerstones of our success at Playhouse Square. I want to acknowledge the profound impact you have made through your decision to support us.
Because of you, Playhouse Square has achieved significant milestones. We continue to:
• Preserve and enhance our historic theaters: Your contributions allow us
to maintain these cultural gems for generations to come.
• Expand our educational programs: We are reaching more students, families and community members than ever before, fostering a love of the arts and providing valuable learning experiences.
• Present a diverse array of worldclass performances: From Broadway hits to groundbreaking new works, we are able to bring the best of the performing arts to our community.
• Serve as a Cleveland landmark: Your support allows Playhouse Square to be a destination for travelers and locals alike. Your contributions support our ever-growing district and ensure Cleveland’s economic and cultural success.
Your belief in our mission has sustained and empowered us to grow and innovate. Because of you, Playhouse Square is a place where memories are made, imaginations are ignited and community is celebrated.
The future is indeed bright! We look forward to enjoying the upcoming 2025-26 KeyBank Broadway Series, sharing new and exciting announcements and making memories with all of you at donor events. Thank you for being an essential part of the Playhouse Square family.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Craig Hassall AM
President & CEO
DEVELOPMENT AND GUEST SERVICES STAFF
Jason Bogdany Development Research & Database Manager
216-640-8428
jason.bogdany@playhousesquare.org
Jason Brown Donor Relations Coordinator 216-640-8422
jason.brown@playhousesquare.org
Meg Colwell
Director of Guest Services
216-640-8559
meg.colwell@playhousesquare.org
Steven Deliman
Donor Relations & Special Projects Coordinator
216-640-8426
steven.deliman@playhousesquare.org
Leanne Dewyer
Director of Development
216-640-8411
leanne.dewyer@playhousesquare.org
Anthony DiBacco
Guest Services Manager 216-640-8553
anthony.dibacco@playhousesquare.org
Victoria Gray Development & Education Fund Manager 216-640-8417
victoria.gray@playhousesquare.org
Cheryl Helden Foundations & Major Gifts Manager 216-640-8406
cheryl.helden@playhousesquare.org
Dani Ivancic Donor Relations Coordinator 216-640-8418
dani.ivancic@playhousesquare.org
Meg Kearns Volunteer Administrative Coordinator 216-640-8551 meg.kearns@playhousesquare.org
Sarah Martin Director of Front of House & Food & Beverage Operations 216-640-8535
sarah.martin@playhousesquare.org
Claudia Medlin
Gift Processing & Data Entry Coordinator 216-640-8409
claudia.medlin@playhousesquare.org
Katie Remark Partners Coordinator 216-640-8721
katie.remark@playhousesquare.org
Michelle Ryan Stewart Senior Vice President of Engagement 216-640-8410 michelle.stewart@playhousesquare.org
Katherine Schoen Donor Communications Coordinator 216-640-8664 katherine.schoen@playhousesquare.org
Sarah Stengel Development Manager 216-640-8408 sarah.stengel@playhousesquare.org
Owen Towns Leadership Donor Engagement Coordinator 216-640-8419 owen.towns@playhousesquare.org
David Turner Senior Manager of Donor Relations 216-640-8432 david.turner@playhousesquare.org
Mary Winchester Director of Donor Engagement 216-640-8412 mary.winchester@playhousesquare.org
CURTAINS UP ON THE BULKLEY RESIDENCES
The Bulkley Residences are now open at 1501 Euclid Avenue in the heart of Playhouse Square. The building includes 84 apartments in studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom layouts, along with a shared amenity space. These apartments span four floors of the historic Bulkley Building and add new energy to the neighborhood. Some of the apartments are reserved for cast and crew working on shows at Playhouse Square. This addition strengthens the district’s role as both a cultural and residential hub.
Learn more at livethebulkley.com
PLAYHOUSE SQUARE DISTRICT GOES “BEYOND THE STAGE”
The Playhouse Square District is continuing to elevate experiences for guests as it expands with three new dining establishments – Something Good Social Kitchen, Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop and Encore.
Something Good Social Kitchen, cofounded by Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere creator Ricky Smith, is open in the pavilion on Playhouse Square Plaza with a menu featuring burgers and salads. Nationally recognized Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop
will serve ice cream in the Hanna Building (1422 Euclid Ave.), while Encore will serve experiential cocktails in an intimate, upscale lounge located on the ground floor of The Lumen (1580 Euclid Ave). Stay tuned for official opening dates!
SHUCKED A-MAIZE-S AT
In April, Leadership Donors gathered at Cibreo Privato in the Playhouse Square district for the first-ever Broadway Reimagined with the cast of Shucked.
Guests enjoyed a reception with food and drinks while mingling with the cast. After dinner, donors enjoyed themselves as Shucked stars performed Broadway’s most iconic songs along with their personal favorites, delivering laughs and standout moments.
CORPORATE TOURS AT PLAYHOUSE SQUARE
We are grateful for our corporate donors!
Many organizations throughout northeast Ohio choose to support Playhouse Square with an annual donation to Corporate Donor Circle. By doing so, they increase community recognition, strengthen business relationships, and are kept informed about all that’s going on at Playhouse Square.
Recently, we hosted corporate donors at the Gold Founder level and higher for a reception and tour of Playhouse Square. This is just one of the ways we show our appreciation for their support and advocacy!
SPRING EVENT
Q&A With Baldwin Wallace Alums Turned Broadway Stars Leading Ladies gathered for their spring event in March, enjoying a luncheon in the Allen Theatre with special guests from the company of & Juliet!
Attendees enjoyed the luncheon and Q&A event. Our guests from & Juliet all shared a special connection to Playhouse Square as Baldwin Wallace graduates.
Save the date for the summer event on July 21!
OUT, Playhouse Square’s newest affiliate group for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, held its kickoff celebration in March.
Guests gathered in the KeyBank State Theatre for a reception and remarks from President & CEO Craig Hassall. Many guests then extended their evening to attend & Juliet, part of the KeyBank Broadway Series.
With more than 70 members in attendance, it was a memorable evening filled with energy, connection and celebration!
The next OUT event is on June 16 featuring a Musical Monday Broadway themed evening.
On March 1, Playhouse Square’s young professionals group, Partners, hosted Jump Back Ball 2025: Candy in the Land, presented by Malley’s Chocolates. This event welcomed more than 800 guests and raised a net income of $126,657 to support Playhouse Square’s education programs!
This sweet night wouldn’t have been possible without support from the Jump Back Ball committee, volunteers and sponsors. Thank you for your support!
JBB 2025 FAST FACTS
$31,872 $126,657 130 (surpassing a goal of $100,000!)
OUR REDCOATS ARE SUPER SWEET!
RedCoats gathered in April for Thankapalooza. This year’s theme was “How Sweet It Is.” Nearly 500 RedCoat volunteers attended the event, walking into the KeyBank State Theatre lobby through a clap line of trustees and Playhouse Square staff.
Volunteers enjoyed desserts and a special one-night-only performance of “RedCoats Live,” created and performed by fellow RedCoats. The show included skits, music, singing and dancing and was a huge hit with the crowd.
Here’s to the true stars of the show –our RedCoat volunteers! Thank you!
HAPPY
Partners members and other Cleveland young professionals gathered at Hofbräuhaus Cleveland in May for a happy hour with a cause! The main event of the evening was a raffle to tap the keg on Bok Stage – a Playhouse Square themed maibock. Proceeds from the raffle, as well as $1 of all the Bock Stage sales for the month of May supported Playhouse Square’s not-forprofit mission. Partners Board member, Tom Euerle, who won the raffle, was paraded around the restaurant before tapping the keg.
After the happy hour, YPs attended the evening’s performance of Shucked in the Connor Palace.
HOUR FOR A CAUSE
YOUR GIFT, YOUR IMPACT: CELEBRATING THE HEART OF PLAYHOUSE SQUARE
From our past – restoring and rebuilding our historic theaters, to our present – expanding our programs and district and into an exciting future, our dedicated donors ensure our success. Your generosity, passion for the arts and belief in our mission are at the heart of it all.
Your generosity helps us:
• Bring world-class performances to our community.
• Provide transformative arts education programs for students of all ages.
• Maintain and preserve our historic theaters, architectural gems that stand as a testament to Cleveland’s rich cultural heritage.
• Make the arts accessible to underserved populations, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the joy and inspiration of the performing arts.
• And so much more!
“I grew up coming to Playhouse Square and want others to create memories! My husband and I are RedCoats and love sharing our beautiful theaters with first time visitors and out of towners!”
CAROL SILVI
“Playhouse Square supports education and promotes what truly brings us joy and inspires others to do more. I believe we have a duty to protect something so precious. The theater arts are like an ephemeral shooting star, and I want as many people as possible to enjoy this gift of the arts.”
TRICIA BESTIC-NISWANDER
DONOR CIRCLE
SPOTLIGHT ON DONOR IMPACT
Your support translates directly into meaningful results. Here are just a few of the ways your gift makes a difference:
World Class Performances: From Broadway shows to productions like Velveteen and Sankofa, written and performed by Cleveland talent, your support helps us offer a diverse range of theatrical experiences.
Students Reached: This year, more than 2,100 students had the opportunity to participate in the Dazzle Awards program and more than 1,000 students have participated in our Disney Musicals in Schools program to date. Each year we impact thousands
of students and families through School Matinee Performances, Family Theater Day and so much more.
Community Outreach: Thanks to your support, Playhouse Square is now reaching more communities than ever with the Dance for Parkinson’s program.
District Expansion: Just this year, the Playhouse Square District expanded its footprint with the purchase of the Greyhound Bus Station and added even more attractions including new dining establishments, bars and cafes!
Accessibility Services: Playhouse Square strives to offer barrier-free
access to performances and events, offering recently upgraded assisted listening devices, accessible seating, sensory-friendly programming and more.
With thousands of existing donors and nearly 1,000 new annual donors this year alone, Playhouse Square will continue enriching lives, creating opportunities and strengthening our community – all thanks to you!
“We give to Playhouse Square because we want to support the arts and cultural community. We are so lucky to have one of the largest theater districts in the country. Our theaters are gorgeous, unlike any we’ve been to. Our contributions help maintain the historic nature of the theaters, emerging artists and educational programs.”
NANCY AND ROB ZIMMERMAN
THE NOTEBOOK
September 6 – 27, 2025
Based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, THE NOTEBOOK tells the story of Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. “Full of butterfly-inducing highs and beautiful songs” (Entertainment Weekly), THE NOTEBOOK is a deeply moving portrait of the enduring power of love.
Chris Jones of The Chicago Tribune says THE NOTEBOOK is “absolutely gorgeous, not to be missed,” and The New York Daily News calls it “a love story for the ages.”
THE NOTEBOOK is directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, RENT) and Schele Williams (The Wiz, Aida), and features music and lyrics by multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, book by Bekah Brunstetter (NBC’s “This Is Us”), and choreography by Katie Spelman.
HELL’S KITCHEN
October 10 – November 1, 2025
Ali is a 17-year-old girl full of fire –searching for freedom, passion, and her place in the world.
How she finds them is a New York City coming-of-age story you’ve never felt before – HELL’S KITCHEN, a new musical from 16-time Grammy® Award winner Alicia Keys, whose new songs and greatest hits about growing up in NY inspire a story made for Broadway.
Rebellious and stifled by an overprotective single mother, Ali is lost until she meets her mentor: a neighbor who opens her heart and mind to the power of the piano. Set to the rhythm of the 90s, HELL’S KITCHEN is a love story between a mother and daughter. It’s about finding yourself, your purpose, and the community that lifts you. Come remember where dreams begin.
Hailed as a New York Times Critic’s Pick that is, “thrilling from beginning to end–a rare must-see! “HELL’S KITCHEN is directed by four-time Tony
Award nominee Michael Greif, with choreography by four-time Tony Award nominee Camille A. Brown, a book by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz, and the music of Alicia Keys.
STEREOPHONIC
January 6 – 25, 2026
The most Tony Award-winning Show of the year. The most Tony Awardnominated Play of all time. Stereophonic mines the agony and the ecstasy of creation as it zooms in on a music studio in 1976. Here, an up-and-coming rock band recording a new album finds itself suddenly on the cusp of superstardom. The ensuing pressures could spark their breakup – or their breakthrough. Written by David Adjmi, directed by Daniel Aukin, and featuring original music by Arcade Fire’ ‘s Will Butler, Stereophonic invites the audience to immerse themselves – with fly-on-the-wall intimacy – in the powder keg process of a band on the brink of blowing up.
STEREOPHONIC, which features original songs by Academy Award® nominee and Grammy Award® winner Will Butler,
formerly of Arcade Fire, dominated the “Best Theater of 2023” lists, with top rankings in The New York Times, New York Magazine, The Washington Post, Time Out New York, Town & Country, TheaterMania, Theaterly, and The Spectator. In April 2024, Stereophonic became the most Tony-nominated play in history receiving 13 Award nominations. It then became the most Tony Awardwinning show of the 2024 season, winning 5 Tony Awards including Best Play, Direction (Daniel Aukin), Scenic Design (David Zinn) and Sound Design (Ryan Rumery).
The Stereophonic creative team includes David Zinn (scenic designer), Enver Chakartash (costume designer), Jiyoun Chang (lighting designer), Ryan Rumery (sound designer), Justin Craig (music director), and Gigi Buffington (voice, text, and dialect coach). Casting is by Alaine Alldaffer and Taylor Williams, CSA
Stereophonic is produced by Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Seaview, Sonia Friedman Productions, Linden Productions, Ashley Melone & Nick Mills. The New York premiere was produced in 2023 by Playwrights Horizons.
SUFFS
February 3 – 22, 2026
Direct from Broadway, comes the acclaimed Tony Award-winning musical Suffs about the brilliant, passionate, and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. From the singular mind of history-making artist Shaina Taub, this “thrilling, inspiring and dazzlingly entertaining” (Variety) new musical boldly explores the triumphs and failures of a struggle for equality that’s far from over. Winner of the Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Musical.
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
March 10 – 29, 2026
“Many wonders await audiences in this gorgeously imaginative Broadway musical.” – The New York Times
The critically acclaimed bestselling novel comes to “thrilling, dazzling” life (Time Out New York) in a unique, spectacle-filled new musical! Hailed as a Critic’s Pick, The New York Times calls it “stunning, emotional, heart-filled and gorgeously imaginative.”
After losing what matters most, a young man jumps a moving train unsure of where the road will take him and finds a new home with the remarkable crew of a traveling circus, and a life – and love – beyond his wildest dreams. Seen through the eyes of his older self, his adventure becomes a poignant reminder that if you choose the ride, life can begin again at any age.
Tony Award-nominated director Jessica Stone’s “huge, heart-filling” production (The New York Times) features a book by three-time Tony nominee Rick Elice adapted from Sara Gruen’s novel and a soaring score by the acclaimed Pig Pen Theatre Co.
So, step right up to the “spellbinding entertainment” (Variety) at WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, “the best new musical on Broadway” (TheaterMania).
THE OUTSIDERS
April 29 – May 17, 2026
The winner of the 2024 Tony Award® for Best Musical is THE OUTSIDERS.
Adapted from S.E. HINTON’s seminal novel and FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA’s iconic film, this thrilling new musical features a book by ADAM RAPP with JUSTIN LEVINE, music and lyrics by JAMESTOWN REVIVAL (Jonathan Clay & Zach Chance) and JUSTIN LEVINE, music supervision, orchestration, and arrangements by JUSTIN LEVINE, choreography by RICK KUPERMAN & JEFF KUPERMAN, and direction by Tony Award® winner DANYA TAYMOR Entertainment Weekly says, “It has the power to inspire an entire generation.”
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967, Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their Greaser family of ‘outsiders’ battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs. THE OUTSIDERS navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the Greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them. With a dynamic original score, THE OUTSIDERS is a story of friendship, family, belonging…and the realization that there is still “lots of good in the world.”
THE GREAT GATSBY
June 9 – 28, 2026
THE PARTY’S ROARING IN CLEVELAND!
THE GREAT GATSBY is a “Broadway extravaganza that explodes with life and energy”(Entertainment Weekly). Based on the classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the Tony Award®-winning new musical is an unforgettable journey of love, wealth and tragedy that brings the Roaring Twenties to life on stage.
Directed by Marc Bruni (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), this story of extravagance and longing features choreography by Dominique Kelley (So You Think You Can Dance), a book by Kait Kerrigan (The Mad Ones) and a jazz- and pop-influenced original score by Jason Howland (Little Women) and Nathan Tysen (Paradise Square).
THE 2025-26 CHILDREN’S THEATER SERIES
This year’s lineup blasts off with a musical journey through space with The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System, celebrates culture and family in Sugar Skull: A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure, and
reimagines favorite fairy tales with heart in Billy Goats Gruff & Other Tales. We’ll wrap up the season with a modern twist on a classic fable in The Adventure of Tortoise & the Hare: The Next Gen.
The 2025-26 Children’s Theater Series includes sensory-friendly performances of Billy Goats Gruff & Other Tales, presented by Denise G. and Norman E. Wells.
SHOWCASING CLEVELAND TALENT IN SANKOFA: AN EPIC ADVENTURE
Sankofa: An Epic Adventure is written by local award-winning playwright Lisa Lanford and developed by Playhouse Square’s Education Department in collaboration with Karamu House and The Cleveland Public Library. Directed by Playhouse Square’s Education Content Production Coordinator, Ananias Dixon, the production will premiere in February 2026 and
features a dynamic team of Clevelandbased theater professionals who will bring this swift-moving, time-traveling tale to life through live music, dance and a whole lot of history.
SANKOFA is an Akan term from Ghana that means “to go back and get it.” When a magical Sankofa statue breaks, five teens suddenly
find themselves within key moments of Black history starting in Africa with Mansa Musa and ending in the 1970s’ Bronx with the birth of Hip Hop. Together, they must work to find missing pieces of the broken statue and return to 2026. Along the way, they witness and become a part of history, learning its value and connection to their own lives.
DONOR CIRCLE
Welcome and thank you to our new Donor Circle members from January 13 – May 14, 2025
Best Actor
Anthony Fritzgerald, Saint Ignatius High School, ‘Donkey’ in Shrek The Musical
Best Actress
Mira Cahalane, Hudson High School, ‘Hermes’ in Hadestown: Teen Edition
Best Musical (Tier 1 –Budget less than $14,000) Lakewood High School, Les Misérables (School Edition)
Best Musical (Tier 2 –Budget $14,000 or more) Hudson High School, Hadestown: Teen Edition
To see all of the winners of the 2025 Dazzle Awards, visit: playhousesquare.org/ dazzlewinners
Excitement and energy abounded as more than 200 students from 38 Northeast Ohio high schools showcased their talents at Playhouse Square’s annual Dazzle Awards presented by Pat and John Chapman and supported by PNC on May 17.
The ceremony amazed audiences with its opening number directed by Broadway Director/Choreographer Connor Gallagher. Six schools nominated for Best Musical showcased songs from their productions, and the Best Actor and Actress nominees wowed the crowd with their medleys! In honor of the Dazzle Awards 10th anniversary, Dazzle alumni surprised the audience with a return to the Playhouse Square stage for a special performance.
Technical Apprentices worked with the production team to create a smooth show, while Musical Apprentices performed alongside professional musicians during the ceremony. The excitement was captured by the Dazzle Awards Student Reporters who worked the “PNC Red Carpet” before the show, as well as backstage at the Dazzle Awards social station.
The winners of the Best Musical categories, Lakewood High School and Hudson High School, each received a $1,000 award for use toward their next high school musical productions. Best Actor and Actress Awards recipients, Anthony Fritzgerald (Junior) and Mira Cahalane (Junior) will represent Northeast Ohio at The Jimmy Awards on June 23!
DISNEY MUSICALS IN SCHOOLS PRESENTED
This year, the Disney Musicals in Schools program, presented by Dee and Jimmy Haslam, celebrated its 10th anniversary! Over the past decade, 31 elementary schools in Northeast Ohio particpated in the program, with more than 1,000 student participants.
FIRST YEAR PARTICIPANTS
★ Clara E. Westropp School of the Arts (Cleveland): Disney 101 Dalmatians KIDS
★ Constellation Schools: Westside Community School of the Arts (Cleveland): Disney Frozen KIDS
★ Lomond Elementary (Shaker Heights): Disney The Lion King KIDS
★ Marion Sterling School (Cleveland): Disney Aladdin KIDS
BY DEE AND JIMMY
HASLAM
This March, students from four first year participating schools lit up the Mimio Ohio Theatre stage for the Student Share for an audience of 800! Each school performed numbers from four Disney KIDS Musicals in a heartwarming celebration of the program and its impact.
JR. REDCOATS TAKE CENTER STAGE
This year, Playhouse Square’s Director of Front of House & Food & Beverage Operations, Sarah Martin, created a new role for students in the Student Share program. Sarah’s son’s school, Lomond Elementary, was participating in the program and she saw a chance to introduce student ushers for those who wanted to contribute beyond acting.
“Theater is much more than the actors on stage, so I thought this would be a great opportunity to expand the idea of theater. This was a great opportunity to teach interpersonal communication,
leadership, teamwork and decisionmaking skills,” said Sarah.
Sarah’s parents, head ushers at Playhouse Square, led the Jr. RedCoat training at the KeyBank State Theatre. During the performance in the Mimi Ohio, Jr. RedCoats paired with head ushers. Eighth graders seated guests, while younger students greeted, gave directions and handed out programs.
The students took pride in their red vests and service. They enjoyed recognition from presenters on stage
and asked when they could return. Thanks to Sarah Martin and her family, more students participated than ever before.
