Leave the kids at home and brace yourself for uninhibited holiday shenanigans as Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) brings together a collage of new works this season with “Light The Lights, Ol’ Moses Cle (A Wild Holiday Romp).” Running November 25 – December 18 in the historic Gordon Square Theatre, this original whirlwind of fabulous theatrical fruitcake promises “A Norse Goddess, Gertrude Stein, Naughty Angels, Moses Cleaveland and… Moses?”
The Evening
“The show has 13 cast members and is an immersive experience with table seating,” says cast member Holly Holsinger.
The Cleveland-related montage of festivity features 10-15 minute scenes that takes place in the round, enveloping the audience in a 360° experience that encourages imbibing and promotes participation (if you want)!
“Yes, drinking is encouraged and there are participatory opportunities. For instance, we’ve created this Cleveland line dance that the cast performs that they teach at intermission, and the audience can participate if they’d like,” explains Holsinger. And that’s just one of the little nuggets of possibility.
Not into joining in? It’s not a problem! There is fresh soup from Suzy’s for purchase, a wait staff for drink purchasing during the show, and a non-formal party atmosphere with “a ton of video on the walls, lots of music, lots of lights” and lots of adult humor.
Holsinger describes her piece as “naughty and wacky, and acted out with Barbies… but goes serious. It’s a one-woman telling of the Steadfast Tin Soldier, but with Barbies and a twist.”
She notes that not many people realize that The Steadfast Tin Solder is a Hans Christian Andersen tale.
“It’s been one of my favorite stories always, so I’m surprised when people don’t know of it. My piece also has a modern dance section, which Lynn Deering (of Cleveland State University Theatre and Dance Department) helped me choreograph. It lasts maybe eight seconds,” she says laughing.
There’s a mix of hilarity and seriousness, absurdity and beauty, along with a holiday hostess and a story through-line to string together the 2-hour and 45-min evening (this includes a 15-minute intermission). Holsinger notes that “it’s one of those full-evening activities!”
Soup?
Cleveland Public Theatre does not want to be uncelebratory or boring in its concessions. Straight from a CPT email bulletin:
“…there will be soup. We’re scaling up our concessions game to offer belly-warming Suzy’s Soups at the CPT bar, as well as a locally-sourced specialty cocktail… The Ol’ Moses Mule, concocted with spiced rum and spiked with hand-crafted ginger beer from our friends and neighbors, Old City Libations. And, as always, we’ll be ready to satisfy your sweet tooth with a fresh selection of homemade chocolates and delectables from Sweet Moses Soda Fountain & Treat Shop.”
Sounds like a magical mix of awesome AND delicious wizardry!
The Magical Elves
The cast includes Molly Andrews-Hinders, Dionne Atchison, JamekaTerri, Ryan Edlinger, Faye Hargate, Holly Holsinger, Caitlin Lewins, Brandon McSwain, Sarah Moore, Adam Seeholzer, Chris Walker, Andy Weyenberg and Tecia Wilson.
The creative production team is Raymond Bobgan & Beth Wood (Co-Directors/Lead Creators); Jakyung Seo (Lighting Designer); T. Paul Lowry (Scenic & Video Designer); Inda Blatch-Geib (Costume Designer); Kate Bindus (Stage Manager); and Elizabeth Cammett (Assistant Stage Manager & Script Supervisor).
The creators include Molly Andrews-Hinders, Raymond Bobgan, John Busser, Eric Coble, Blanca Iris Garcia Salva, Holly Holsinger, Renee Schilling and Beth Wood.
Ticket & Show Information
“Light the Lights, Ol’ Moses CLE (A Wild Holiday Romp)” is onstage November 25th – December 18th. November 25, 26, 27 and December 1 are previews. Press opening is Friday, December 2. Performances are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at 7:30pm in CPT’s historic Gordon Square Theatre, located at 6415 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102.
Tickets are $20 – $40. Students/Seniors receive $3 off (Friday/Saturday/Sunday). Thursdays and all previews are $20. Guests will enjoy stageside cabaret seating and table service during all performances. Purchase a table (seats 8) and receive two complimentary bottles of wine.
PURCHASE TICKETS at www.cptonline.org or call the CPT Box Office at (216) 631-2727 x 501. (Reserve early! CPT never charges any ticket fees, ever.) Every Friday is Free Beer Friday at CPT. Mingle with the artists after the show and discuss the performance in a lively, social atmosphere – your drinks are on CPT.
Update 11/26/16 10:31am – inclusion of a section for the Creators was inserted.
Kate Klotzbach 