Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s outdoor, summer theatre located on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, will celebrate its 49th season with productions of “9 to 5,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” and “Newsies.”
Directed by Porthouse producing artistic director Terri Kent, “9 to 5” opens June 16 and runs through July 1. A preview performance will take place on June 15. With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, “9 to 5” is based on the hit 1980 movie starring Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. When three female coworkers are pushed to the boiling point, they craft a plan to get even with their sexist, egotistical boss. While their boss is away from his desk, the three women live out their wildest, hilarious fantasy – taking over the company and giving the boss the boot! Performances are June 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, and July 1 at 8 p.m and June 18 and 25 at 2 p.m.
Directed by Porthouse executive producer Eric van Baars, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” opens July 7 and runs through July 22. A preview performance will take place on July 6. Winner of the 1978 Tony Award for Best Musical, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” is a sassy, sultry musical celebration of the legendary jazz great, Fats Waller. Although not quite a biography, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” evokes the humor and energy of an American original whose career ranged from uptown clubs to downtown Tin Pan Alley to Hollywood and concert stages worldwide. With music by Thomas “Fats” Waller, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” was conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horwitz. Performances are July 6, 7, 8, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 at 8pm and July 9 and 16 at 2pm.
Directed by producing artistic director Terri Kent, “Newsies” opens July 28 and runs through August 13. A preview performance will take place on July 27. Adapted from the Disney film of the same name, “Newsies” is the exhilarating tale of newsboy Jack Kelly who dreams of a better life far from selling newspapers on the streets of turn-of-the-century New York City. When publishing giants Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst raise prices and endanger the newsboys’ livelihoods, Jack and his band of newsies find a cause to fight for. Nominated for 8 Tony Awards, “Newsies” has music by Academy Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by Tony Award Winner Harvey Fierstein. Performances are July 27, 28, 29 and Aug. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 at 8pm and July 30 and Aug. 6, 12, and 13 at 2 p.m.
Subscriptions go on sale Nov. 14 by phone at 330-672-3884. Single and group tickets go on sale May 30, 2017. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Porthouse Box Office, located in the Roe Green Center lobby of Kent State’s Center for the Performing Arts, 1325 Theatre Drive, Kent, OH 44242, online at porthousetheatre.com, or by phone at 330-672-3884.
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Media Contact:
Joni Koneval, 330-672-0116, jkoneval@kent.edu