The Cleveland Stage Podcast

This episode we explore the art of playwriting, self-producing, and his new play “The Right Room” opening at Convergence Continuum this weekend with playwright and all around good guy David Hansen.

We chop it up a bit about closing the Ferryman, showing love to the actors and artists involved, and the genius of putting babies in theaters. Goose poop too.

We also discuss The Copley High School “She Kills Monsters” controversy.

Then we wrap it up with what’s playing on the theatrical stages around town

CSP - 003 Hansen.m4a

For the newest episode of CSP, Tyler welcomes his newest co-host, Becca Moseley. Becca has made the big time after years of toiling as a mere guest of the Pod.

Tyler and Becca, who is beside herself just thinking about how lucky she is, speak with Shahrazad Theatre co-founders Kyle Huff and August Scarpelli to discuss their upcoming adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic “Around the World in 80 Days” which will run at Ensemble Theatre November 30 - December 16.

The group discuss adapting classic works, what they learned from previous adaptations, and whether or not Becca is more excited now than she was when Kyle asked her to marry him.

For tickets or more info, visit http://www.ensembletheatrecle.org/.

Our Sponsors:

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http://discountmi.com/

@EnsembleCLE and @ClevelandStage on Twitter

0303 "Around the World in 80 Days" w/ Shahrazad Theatre Tyler Whidden & Becca Moseley Download

Tyler and Ian welcome Heights Libraries Director Nancy Levin to the theater. They discuss the play "Alabama Story" running September 7 - September 30, and the role libraries can play within their communities. They also discuss the banning of books and the root causes of the banning of several popular books (The Light in the Attic was banned by some!).

Heights Libraries do more than just loan books: they provide meeting spaces for community organizations, assist in passport applications, organize food drives, and help bring awareness to social causes and so much more.

You can visit Heights Libraries online at https://heightslibrary.org/ or follow them on Twitter (@HeightsLibrary), Instagram (@HeightsLibraries) or on Facebook.

"Alabama Story" by Kenneth Jones and directed by Tyler Whidden runs September 7 - September 30 at Ensemble Theatre in Cleveland Heights.

For tickets or more info, visit http://www.ensembletheatrecle.org/.

Our Sponsors:

http://fogg.com/

http://discountmi.com/

@EnsembleCLE and @ClevelandStage on Twitter

CSP 0302: Libraries with Nancy Levin Ensemble Theatre

It's the Season Premier of CSP as Tyler and Ian talk with actor Craig Joseph who is portraying children's book illustrator Garth Williams in Ensemble's upcoming production of "Alabama Story" by Kenneth Jones, which is making its Ohio premier. Tyler is directing the first show of Ensemble's 39th season about the true story of a children's book that caused a stir in 1959 Montgomery, Alabama. Craig discusses working on the play, as well as the play's own theatrical elements and themes, and why censorship can do long term damage to a society.

"Alabama Story" by Kenneth Jones and directed by Tyler Whidden runs September 7 - September 30 at Ensemble Theatre in Cleveland Heights.

For tickets or more info, visit http://www.ensembletheatrecle.org/.

Our Sponsors:

http://fogg.com/

http://discountmi.com/

@EnsembleCLE and @ClevelandStage on Twitter

This week, Tyler and Ian say goodbye to Lily, who was Ensemble's intern the past few weeks. They discuss the prospects for a young student venturing into higher education theater, and whether or not the Broadway production of Aladdin is worth it.

Tyler and Ian then get into some of the plays that will be part of Ensemble's upcoming season, "The Future is Bright," including Kenneth Jones' Alabama Story, Eugene O'Neill's Moon for the Misbegotten, Lorraine Hansberry's Raisin in the Sun, and the new play from Cleveland playwright David Hansen, The Way I Danced With You, as part of the Annual Colombi New Plays Festival.

Join Ensemble at their End-of-the-Year Celebration on June 2nd. For more info, visit http://www.ensembletheatrecle.org/.

Our Sponsors:

http://fogg.com/

http://discountmi.com/

@EnsembleCLE and @ClevelandStage on Twitter

CSP 0210 Intern Lily, 18-19 Preview Ensemble Theatre

This week Tyler goes it alone and visits with our friends and production sponsors at the CRWU AIDS Clinical Trials Unit in Cleveland to speak with Brooke Willis (Community Educator), Bob Bucklew Jr. (Outreach Coordinator), and Ann Conrad (Nurse Practitioner). The group discuss the advancements in HIV/AIDS testing & treatment and how the community can help bring awareness to the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS. All this with Ensemble's production of "Angels in America: Perestroika" running April 27 - May 20.

Both parts of Ensemble Theatre's 'Angels in America' and surrounding programs are supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

You can reach the Clinical Trials Unit via: info@case.edu / 216-844-4444 / https://clevelandhiv.org/

You can also find them on Facebook and follow them on the Twitter at @CLEHIVTrials.

Our sponsors:
http://www.cacgrants.org/

http://fogg.com/

http://discountmi.com/

CSP 0209 Clinical Trials Unit Ensemble Theatre

In this episode, Tyler and Ian finish up the #AmericanPlaysBracket Challenge wherein their 64-play bracket gets down to the final two. You can vote by following @EnsembleCLE on Twitter. August Scarpelli also joins the show to discuss Angels in America: Perestroika opening at Ensemble April 27, the trials Tony Kushner went through writing the play, Tyler misquotes George C. Wolfe (it was actually Oscar Eustis who said it), the guys do a shot every time Celeste says "oligarchy", and boy kicks a soccer ball against the door. Also this week, the Cleveland Stage Cleveland Round-up (music) of plays in the area including CPT, Play House, Western Reserve Playhouse, and more.

Our Sponsors:

Fogg.com

DiscountMI.com

@EnsembleCLE and @ClevelandStage on Twitter

CSP Brackets Final Ensemble Theatre

Tyler & Ian discuss the Sweet 16 round of their #AmericanPlaysBracket Challenge and whether or not Ian would actually ever vote for "Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" They also discuss other things that ended up on the cutting room floor.

You can vote on Twitter by following @EnsembleCLE and @ClevelandStage

Our sponsors:

Fogg.com

DiscountMI.com

CSP 0207 Sweet 16 Ensemble Theatre

Tyler and Ian invite Celeste, Ensemble Executive Artistic Director, to discuss the 2nd Round of their #AmericanPlaysBracket Challenge in celebration of #MarchMadness. The plays are now down to 32 and the random seeding has brought about some unfortunate matchups. They discuss the great plays, plays that didn't make it out of Round One, and everyone's hate for "August: Osage County."
You can vote on Twitter by following @EnsembleCLE and @ClevelandStage

Our sponsors:

Fogg.com

DiscountMI.com

CSP 0206 #AmericanPlaysBrackets 2nd Round Ensemble Theatre

Tyler and Ian talk about their 64-play American Play Bracket Challenge wherein followers can vote for their favorite American plays. Including plays by some of the greats like August Wilson, Tennessee Williams, Eugene O'Neill, Suzan-Lori Parks, and one of Tyler's plays for reasons we can't fathom. Surely some plays didn't make the cut, and others maybe should not have made the cut (no offense, Tyler), but it's a bracket of plays so stop taking life so seriously. Follow @EnsembleCLE and @ClevelandStage to cast your vote!

Tyler and Ian talk with stage designer Walter Boswell about his experience designing for new plays and classic plays, including working on Ensemble Theatre's upcoming #newplay Mama / Moon as part of the 7th Annual Colombi New Plays Festival running March 9 - March 25. Ensemble Technical Director August Scarpelli also returns to provide insight into the tech side of working on new plays and also acting in them as he plays Harry Nilsson in the play. The group also discuss what's really important when writing stage design for plays and give advice for playwrights.

Mama / Moon opens March 9 and is part of the Annual Colombi New Plays Festival with readings of new plays by area writers as part of the month-long series of events.

For more information, visit www.EnsembleTheatreCLE.org.

@ClevelandStage and @EnsembleCLE

It's a new season for The Cleveland Stage Podcast and Tyler & Ian bring on Becca Moseley to discuss the new year and "Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches" which just opened at Ensemble Theatre and is running through January 28. "Part Two: Perestroika" running April 27 - May 20.

The gang also welcome new 2018 Media Sponsor Fogg Properties who can be visited at Fogg.com as well as CSP co-sponsor Discount Home Improvement in Grand Rapids & Muskegon. You can find DHI at DiscountMI.com.

You can find CSP on Facebook & Twitter at @ClevelandStage, and Ensemble on Twitter @EnsembleCLE.

Our sponsors:

Fogg.com

DiscountMI.com

Cleveland Stage Podcast #0201: Season 2 Premier / "Angels in America, Pt. 1" Ensemble Theatre / Tyler Whidden & Ian Hinz Download

This week on CSP, Tyler and Ian talk with Ensemble Artistic Director Celeste Cosentino who is directing Karamu's co-production of Rajiv Joseph's The Lake Effect playing through November 26 at Karamu. Tickets are available by calling Karamu or visiting KaramuHouse.org. Tyler and Ian also discuss some of the plays going on in Cleveland, while Tyler sings a few of his favorite Broadway songs.
www.KaramuHouse.org
@EnsembleTheater on Twitter
www.EnsembleTheatreCLE.org

In this episode, Tyler and Ian discuss the Theatre Ninjas' show "Who We Used to Be," the Cleveland premier of Rajiv Joseph's "The Lake Effect" at Karamu, and Ian's upcoming production of Eugene O'Neill's "The Hairy Ape."

The Cleveland Stage Podcast #10: Lake Effect, The Hairy Ape, Who We Used To Be Tyler and Ian

This week on CSP, Tyler and Ian discuss some great plays going on in Cleveland theaters including Dobama, Cleveland Public Theatre, French Creek, Chagrin Valley Little Theater, Beck Center, Blank Canvas, Theatre Ninjas, et all. They also discuss the jump writers are making from theater to television and the effect Netflix is having on how we get our ntertainment.

The Cleveland Stage Podcast #9: Late October Cleveland Stage Round-up, Netflix and the writing biz. Tyler and Ian