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Clague Playhouse - 84 years of Live Theater |
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Archives/Photos |
History of Clague PlayhouseThe Clague Playhouse had its origin in a small community theater group begun by the Bay Village Women's Club in 1928. The group was known as the Bay Village Players, and performed in any place they could - barns, church basements, school gyms or auditoriums, or any other space they could find. In the summer of 1967, it was learned that the former Clague home in Westlake’s Clague Park might be made available for rent, along with the nearby barn. The Bay Village Players and the newly formed Westlake Historical Society met with Mayor Roman and a compromise lease arrangement was made. Under the terms of the two leases, the Players, having been re-named the Clague Playhouse, and the Westlake Historical Society would have joint use of the Clague House. On November 30, 1967, the Playhouse performed Sunday in New York to a packed “barn” of dignitaries, inaugurating the new 85-seat intimate theater. After many successful seasons, of five plays each season, the Playhouse suffered a serious setback in 1986. Water damage caused the barn to be closed for major renovations. After playing in local schools, churches, etc. for five years, the sweat and hard work to renovate and restore the theater was accomplished for the opening of the 64th season on October 4, 1991 with the Cleveland-area premiere of a new musical, Closer Than Ever. On May 18, 1996, Mayor Clough, the Board of Directors, and members of Clague Playhouse gathered for the ground breaking ceremony for the 20’ by 70’ addition. The addition, dedicated on October 20, 1996 now houses our props, costumes, scene shop and a multi-purpose/dressing room. Recent renovations include a custom designed Box Office and lobby area due to generous donations from Vera Mang’s family, Patricia McRoberts and George & Joanne Theis. Throughout its history, Clague Playhouse has been truly a community theater. We are a non-profit organization served by countless hours of volunteer help. The membership of the Playhouse is made up of individuals from all walks of life. This varied membership elects a Board of Directors, who see to the overall operations of the theater. As we begin our 83rd season, we are reminded “Because of you, our tradition continues…” |
1371 Clague Road Westlake, Ohio 44145 440-331-0403 |
From our 2011-2012 Season... |
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photos by James Ely |
Review:Local playwright penned Clague Playhouse character studyBy Art Thomas Published Set. 28, 2011 in WEST LIFE Comfy Clague Playhouse is supporting local playwright Margo Haas in a production of her character study “Texaco Star." This is not a gesture of charity, however. Haas is a writer who knows her craft. Further, the play is a tight work of great merit. There's little plot or movement of events in "Texaco Star." Instead, it is a study of five characters, more if you consider the people who are talked about but don't ap pear on stage. This production is a near perfect blending of a talented playwright with performers who are exactly right for their roles. Liz and Phil are on their way from the deep Midwest to Liz's grandmother's funeral in Ohio when their car breaks down. It’s in the middle of nowhere Illinois where the Texaco service station is staffed by a 16 year old. Act I is mostly laughs as college professor Phil gets in a pair of coveralls to help attendant Zach while wife Liz tries to lure someone to make a five hour drive to pick them up. Circumstances contrive to have her estranged sister Elana make that trip. The sisters haven't spoken in a decade. Haas has the ability to create characters who are realis tic to the audience; no small feat. Even better, she has an ear for dialogue and gives each character a unique voice. Liz, for example, appears to be an affable, neighborly type, but underneath, her frustrations, fears and conflicts surface while she retains complete believability. Tore MacNair is simply wonderful in the role. Similarly Robert Branch as husband Phil goes for laughs as the buffoon early on, and becomes a voice of reason and stability later on. Charles Hargrave as service station Zach is blessed being able to "play young." Few sixteen year olds could understand and even fewer could communicate the con flicted Zach, but Hargrave, a recent college graduate, is believable as a master of the mechanic's craft, and equally so in the character's awkward romantic relationship. Zach's girlfriend Vanessa is played by a zestful Debbie Lenarz. The character has an exaggerated dialect, which sometimes distracts, but Vanessa too reveals layers in the almost melodramatic second act. The first act ends with Liz's severe sister Elana arriving after a five-hour drive. In makeup and costume, Erin Bunting is a cold, icy apparent villainess. But, in Haas's second act it is Elana who reaches out to smooth over past relationships. "Texaco Star" starts with humor as we get familiar with the characters. The second act is a well-constructed series of tension moments followed by some comic re lease. By the last scene, be assured that a lot of issues have been resolved. The audience even becomes familiar with characters who never appear ... Liz and Elana's fa ther, for instance. I don't have high expectations for local, or new play wrights. How wonderful to have a perfectly delightful evening at the theater when the writing is skilled and clever, performed by a first rate cast. Of course, director Ron Newell gets some of the kudos as well. All of the ac tion takes place on one of the best sets I've seen in thirty five years of attending Clague Playhouse. Every element on stage not only contributes to a believable, realistic gas station, they also all have relevance to the play and are not just "window dressing." Clague was gutsy to present an unknown play as their first production of the season. Audiences will be pleased far beyond their expectations at this "Texaco Star." It runs weekends through Oct. 9. |
Texaco Starby Margo Haas Directed by Ron Newell September 16 - October 9, 2011 Opening our season is a story by Westlake resident, Margo Haas, of unexpected friendship between a young mechanic and a couple stranded in a weathered gas station in St. Elmo, Illinois. It is an intimate tale of human connection and coming to terms with life's choices. Cast PHIL - Robert Branch ELANA - Erin Bunting ZACH - Charles Hargrave VANESSA - Debbie Lenarz LIZ - Tori MacNair |
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Debbie Lenarz as Vanessa and Charles Hargrave as Zach |
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Tori MacNair as Liz and Robert Branch as Phil |
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Erin Bunting as Elana, Robert Branch as Phil and Tori MacNair as Liz |
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Tori MacNair as Liz, Erin Bunting as Elana and Charles Hargrave as Zach |