Imagine multitudes of intriguing passages and hallways that lead to many worlds of wonder. Envision a live choose-your-own-adventure that takes you onto many stages, and through countless realms of possibility. Visualize a world of darks and lights, colors and delights for all of the senses.
Cleveland Public Theatre delivered all of these things this past weekend on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at their annual PANDEMONIUM celebration, a grand benefit that lets artists and audience members play the night away. The theme: Labyrinth of Desire.
This year’s honoree: Rick Chiricosta, the chairman, president and chief executive officer of Medical Mutual of Ohio. As an advocate for corporate philanthropy, health and wellness, and the arts, Rick is a model for the community.
It took over 400 volunteers to make Pandemonium’s Labyrinth a festive success. With 18 stages and countless events (big and small), the evening was packed full of garish costumes, powerful dances, strategic skits, light comedy, hefty drama, fantastic art, energizing music, thoughtful moments, amazing food, flowing drinks, and was capped off with crowd favorite, aerialist Disa Carneol and her stunning solo silk act.
There was literally so much to see at such an event, that it was hard to catch it all. However, favorites of the evening included these gems:
Stage 3 – The Dead End Door, featured black light Makeup Artistry by Katie Shamory and Performance by Dominique Coppella.
Stage 4 – LABRADOR OF DESIRE, written by Carrie Williams, directed by Cathleen O’Malley, and performed by Joshua Brown, Chris Ross, Hannah Storch, and Carrie Williams. This group of animals knew how to play!
Stage 6 – B-W MUSICAL THEATRE, Baldwin-Wallace Musical Theatre reps Nick Drake, Nadina Hassan, Enrique Miguel, Caroline Didelot, and Matthew Webb belted out the tunes.
Stage 8 – ICARUS’ INCLINE, featured rappelling and wall acrobatics throughout the night.
Stage 9 – CONTINUA, an exploration of an apocalyptic world created and performed by Stephanie Wilbert and Jeremy Gladen.
Stage 12 – PARLOR OF FORKED PATHS, a twisted art installation of creepy inhabitants created by Raymond Bobgan, Faye Hargate and Ensemble.
Stage 15 – WANT, produced by Levity Dance + Physical Theater, this movement piece was full of need and strength. Performed by Anne Howard, Emily Liptow, Akane Little, and Jake WashaBaugh.
Wandering Performers – SEVEN DEADLY SINS, crept out the crowd as they set themselves into the event by taunting patrons. Performed by Courtney Auman, Chelsea Cannon, Katelyn Cornelius, Katie Huskey, Dayni Mahar, India Pierre-Ingram, Margi Zitelli, and Melissa Crum.
The complete lineup of artists included:
Dance Performances by Verb Ballets, Inlet Dance Theatre, Wind and Sand Dance Company, Suga Shack Girls Entertainment, Levity Dance + Physical Theater, Emily Jeffries, and Shanty Circus Jacrobats.
Live Music Performances by Pureplex DJs featuring Neil Chastain & Byron Eulinberg (aka Funk Shway), By Light We Loom, David Loy & the Ramrods, Global Connections, Buck McDaniel – 18/19 Kulas Theatre Composer Fellow, Baldwin Wallace Musical Theatre, Hannah Rae Leach & Ayana Cheston, Beezy Douglas & Deb Zep, The Modern Electric, and more.
Original Theatrical Work by Raymond Bobgan, Faye Hargate, Molly Andrews-Hinders, David Hansen, Carrie Williams, Christine Howey, Mindy Childress Herman & John Busser, Land of Cleve Theatre, Pinch & Squeal’s WIZBANG!, Ohio City Theatre Project, Cleveland Public Theatre’s Student Theatre Enrichment Program (STEP), Sally Groth, Greg Vovos, India Nicole Burton – 18/19 NNPN Producer in Residence, Lauren Joy Fraley – 18/19 Joan Yellen Horvitz Director Fellow, Amy Schwabauer, Elaine Hullihen & Daved Thonnings, and many more.
Additional Performances by Disa Carneol, Cleveland Rock Gym, Mark Zust, Marian Fairman & Sarah Kunchik, Denis Griesmer, Dayni Maher, The Cleveland Museum of Art – Community Arts, RA Washington, Teatro Público de Cleveland, and others.
Visual Art, Installations, & Multimedia by Raymond Bobgan, Faye Hargate, Joan Hargate, Inda Blatch-Geib Designs, and more.
The Celebrity Chef team consisted of:
Astoria Café and Market, Davenport’s Divine Delicacies, Flying Fig, Luxe Kitchen and Lounge, The Root Café, Saigon Food Service and Catering, West Side Market Café, and XYZ the Tavern.
Want to see more? Check out more photos HERE!
Kate Klotzbach 