Arts & Entertainment

The long-awaited project that will restore the theater of the former Huntington Playhouse – the centerpiece of the historic building – will begin this month with a Groundbreaking Ceremony on Saturday, May 24, at 11 a.m. All are welcome to join BAYarts and Cleveland Metroparks for a celebration of BAYarts' continued growth and cultural offerings to the Westshore communities.

The first phase of the renovation was completed in 2021 and houses the Sally Otto Gallery, the former lobby of the old playhouse, and has been a beautiful venue for classes, music, and community gatherings.

Follow Mortimer Mortimer as he falls in love with the three Fail sisters – Nelly, the youngest, Jenny June, the middlest, and Gerty, the eldest – as they live out their lives above the family clock repair shop near the Chicago River, before their time unexpectedly runs out. Tuneful songs and a whimsical chorus follow this magical, musical farce where, in the end, the power of love is far greater than any individual's successes or failures.

Our production of "Failure: A Love Story" by Philip Dawkins is directed by Ron Newell our cast includes Patrick Carroll, Kierstan Kathleen Conway, Jon Fancher, Beth Gaertner, Assad Khaishgi, Noah Pekari, Eliza Rodriguez, Persis Sosiak and Lou Will.

Myra Renee Hartford, a Lee Burneson Middle School eighth-grader, won first place in an art contest honoring the 80th anniversary uprising of the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. The contest was part of an event sponsored by Kol Israel Foundation and Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

April 19, 1943, was the date of the Jewish uprising in Warsaw, Poland, against the Nazi regime and lasted for 4 weeks. Although it was ultimately unsuccessful, it demonstrated the courage, resilience and heroism of the 400,000 starved, abused and “incarcerated” Jews living in an area of 1.3 square miles with an average of 7.2 people per room.

After some pandemic delays, things are moving forward for the next phase of the former Huntington Playhouse renovations. Here are some FAQ about the project:

1. The building is in bad shape. Why didn't you tear it down and start over?
When Huntington Playhouse went dark at the end of 2015; the community encouraged BAYarts to save it from demolition. At the time BAYarts was in need of more space, so made a commitment to restore it.

2. What is the historical significance of the playhouse?
The original playhouse burned down in 1970 and had to be rebuilt from the ground up, so it lost its historical designation.

3. Will you resurrect community theater?
Not specifically. The former theater will become an accessible, flexible-use space with a stage, classrooms, music lesson rooms: the possibilities are endless!

When Gail Crum talks about the medium she uses to express her artistic talents, her joy for what she creates – collages – is contagious. This talented woman will be giving a Collage Workshop on Sunday, April 30, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Westlake Porter Public Library. 

Crum will begin the workshop by showing how an item, chosen from an array of items that will be available, can prompt an idea and how that idea can be embellished with other items. “Spring Things.” will be the workshop’s theme.

Westlake-Bay Village Rotary is extremely pleased to announce our 2023 Art Festival Featured Artist, The Cleveland Museum of Art Community Arts Center. Each year our festival selects an artist or organization to highlight and serve as a focal point for the day-long event.

The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) Community Arts Center is a 20,000-square-foot space located within the former Astrup Awning factory complex. It increases access to the arts by engaging with diverse new audiences that may not yet be involved with on-site museum programming. The CMA worked in partnership with Clark-Fulton Together, a resident-driven master plan headed by MetroHealth Hospital, the City of Cleveland, Metro West Community Development Organization, and local businesses to develop program content that meets community needs.

Nine retired artists who met through the Tri-C printmaking program are exhibiting their original prints at Westlake Porter Public Library during April.

This is the third time the group has shown their work at the library. During 2022, the group had a month-long print exhibit at the library, then they were invited back to show hand-printed books in the library's showcases.

As of March 1, 2023, the Westlake-Westshore Arts Council’s name has been changed to Westshore Arts Council, WAC, to reflect the width of its membership and influence. Completing its 2023 update, the WAC has also adopted a revised logo.

For nearly four decades, the WWAC successfully promoted and inspired all areas of art with programs, shows, and much more. While the group formed in Westlake, people interested in promoting easy access to art came from many surrounding areas to participate. And participation from these communities has increased over the years.

On March 10 the BAYarts Annual Juried Exhibition opened. This exhibition features regional artists in all disciplines. Artists were invited to submit online, and the work was reviewed by judges selected by Artistic Director Karen Petkovic.

The judges this year were Adrian Eisenhower and Chad Cochran. Eisenhower, primarily a painter, focuses his work on landscape and the human figure working out of the Walton Avenue Atelier located in Cleveland’s Hildebrandt Building on Walton Avenue. Cochran, a photographer, describes himself as a late bloomer; he didn’t own a camera until he was 40 and started with landscape. Now, 10 years later after being asked to take a photograph of a musician, he travels back and forth between Cleveland and Nashville.

Three talented voices from Oberlin Conservatory will present an FYI: Opera program on Tuesday, March 28, at 7 p.m. at Westlake Porter Public Library in the library’s Porter Room. This programming by the Westshore Arts Council continues a three-decade free vocal gift to the community. 

Oberlin Opera Theater Director Jonathon Field said selections from the operas "Candide" and "Elixir of Love" will be performed. 

Morgan Wolfe, a soprano, from Suffern, New York, studying in her fourth year at Oberlin, will sing a solo aria, "Glitter and be Gay" from "Candide" and a duet, "Oh Happy We Duet," also from "Candide." From "Elixir of Love," she will sing the aria "Prendi."

The Music Settlement returns to West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church on Sunday, March 26, at 3 p.m. for another collaborative concert series led by Chris Jenkins. The concert is free and open to the public. It will be held in the church Sanctuary, located at 20401 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River.

While Northeast Ohio's rich legacy of African-American classical music performance and composition is not nationally well-known, during the late 19th and 20th century, it was a hub of activity and training for young Black musicians. During this period, musical training was available to them at only a select number of schools, such as Oberlin Conservatory, the Cleveland Institute of Music, New England Conservatory, and Howard University.

Four extraordinary guitarists from right here in our community will perform in Wizards of Acoustic Guitar at Unity Spiritual Center, 23855 Detroit Road, Westlake, on Friday, March 10, at 7:00 p.m.

The magnificently talented musicians are: Jesse Smith, 2021 International Finger Style Champion; Pete Cavano, regular guest guitarist at The Chet Atkins Appreciation Society; Brian Henke, International Finger Style Champion Finalist; and newcomer Scott Schlegel, Classical guitarist and University of Akron graduate. Together, they will inspire and entertain you with their incredible talent.

The historical drama "Ada & the Engine" by Lauren Gunderson continues Clague Playhouse's 95th season.  

As the British Industrial Revolution dawns, young Ada Byron Lovelace (daughter of the flamboyant and notorious Lord Byron) sees the boundless creative potential in the “analytic engines” of her friend and soul mate Charles Babbage, inventor of the first mechanical computer. Ada envisions a whole new world where art and information converge – a world she might not live to see. A music-laced story of love, friendship, and the edgiest dreams of the future. Jane Austen meets Steve Jobs in this poignant pre-tech romance heralding the computer age.

Two Baldwin Wallace University Music Theatre seniors will perform at Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. In keeping with its over-35-year history, the Westlake-Westshore Arts Council sponsors this concert of talented, trained performers, free to the community.

The talented BW students, who will perform highlights from their senior recitals, are Lauren Senden and Noah Wohlsen.

Senden loved singing from an early age and began publicly singing in her church and in local theatre productions. Her passion for both music theatre and opera drew Senden to BW. A Minnesota native, Senden lists some of her favorite roles as, Ariel in "The Little Mermaid," Maria in "The Sound of Music" and Baker’s Wife in "Into the Woods." She took part in the Lotte Lenya competition in New York and received honors from the Young Arts Foundation for both singing and acting. Senden plans to move to New York following her BW graduation in May.

Clague Playhouse will be holding a special fundraising event, "The Frank & Dean and Then Some Show," on Wednesday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m.

The show captures the fun, the comedy and the music of the original Rat Pack. Damion Fontaine (Frank) and Scott Brotherton (Dean) have been entertaining together for 18 years using a mixture of song and comedy to create a "Vegas Style" format that is fun and crowd interactive. 

From Frank's "Fly Me to the Moon" to Dino's "That's Amoré," they also celebrate the music of Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin, Michael Bublé, Elvis, The Blues Brothers, Neil Diamond and more!

BAYarts is pleased to announce a new collaboration with the Dwyer Senior Center in Bay Village. BAYarts is now offering a free monthly art class to area seniors.

On Jan. 18, BAYarts kicked off the program with a guided painting project, facilitated by Education Director Linda Goik. Acrylic sunflower paintings brightened an otherwise dark winter day as crafters enjoyed fun and fellowship in the Sally Otto Gallery of the former Huntington Playhouse.

The next class is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 1-3 p.m. at BAYarts. Get ready for spring with a colorful brooch/lapel pin created with felt! Participants can create two pins, one to share and one to keep.

The Aesthetics and Permanent Collection Committe of West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church (20401 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River) is proud to host a very special exhibit of work by emerging and professional artists from West Shore, other Northeast Ohio and Pennsylvania UU Churches. The media includes drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, mixed media, fiber art and more.

The show is open to all who enjoy art or have an interest in experiencing a Sunday morning at a church that they have not attended. West Shore's services start at 10:15 a.m. You are welcome to attend the service and then view the show in the Fireside Room or just stop in to enjoy the art from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. The exhibit runs through April 22, 2023. 

Clague Playhouse presents the romantic comedy "Fireflies" by Matthew Barber, from the novel "Eleanor and Abel" by Annette Sanford, to continue their 95th season.

Retired schoolteacher Eleanor Bannister lives a quiet life alone in tiny Groverdell, Texas, set in her routines and secure in her position as the town’s most respected woman – until a hole in her roof draws the attention of Abel Brown, a smooth-talking drifter intent on renovating Eleanor’s house, and possibly her life. Can the unexpected sparks of late-life romance be trusted, or is there truth in the gossip that Abel isn’t all that he seems to be? Either way, the whole town's talking.

Directed by Fred Sternfeld, our cast features Molly Cornwell as Grace Bodell, Jeremy Jenkins as Eugene Claymire, Joseph Kerata as Abel Brown, and Anne McEvoy as Eleanor Bannister.

The Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation for Brain Health’s Center for Artful Living, located at 26633 Detroit Road in Westlake, will host an exhibit of artist Jim Carney's work through Jan. 31, 2023, on Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Carney, a Cleveland native, was an attorney and then was involved in Cleveland real estate. He studied briefly at the now closed Cooper School of Art and attended classes on and off at the Cleveland Institute of Art until the early 1990s, when he set aside his brushes for about 25 years.

Red Barn Youth Theater will present "Christmas Shorts" by Lucy Williams on Friday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. at Clague Playhouse.

There’s something for everyone in this holiday delight! You’ll find everything here, from kids writing letters to Santa, to the big guy getting ready for Christmas himself, to a bunch of elves who accidentally rip Santa’s gift bag at the last minute. (Don’t worry, Mrs. Claus can fix it!) There’s a sports segment featuring the 845th annual Reindeer Games and a holiday quiz show featuring Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the Ghost of Christmas Future. A soap opera, "As the North Pole Turns," a news segment from the North Pole News, and some Christmas-themed commercials round out this fun seasonal comedy.

West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church’s Adult Choir will sing in the holiday season during a worship service devoted to the beloved masterpiece “Gloria” by Antonio Vivaldi. This B. Neil Davis Artist Series will also feature the Amethyst String Quartet. The concert will be held on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 10:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary. This musical worship service is free and open to the public.

According to David Blazer, Director of Music, “The Gloria in its entirety is a joyful hymn of praise and worship divided into 12 relatively brief movements, ranging from festive brilliance to profound sadness. Weaved throughout the work are movements to feature some of our soloists from the choir.”

BAYarts will kick off 2023 with a lot to celebrate! Founded in 1948, BAYarts plans to stick around for a whole lot longer thanks to strong community support of three great projects happening now.

Phase 2 of the restoration of the former playhouse is underway with the piece de resistance! The auditorium's long overdue makeover, transforming it into a 2,000-square-foot education/event/performance center, opening in the fall.

The Irene Lawrence Fuller House (aka the house that floated on a barge to its current location in 1984) is 130 years old! As the heart and soul of BAYarts, the beloved "Fuller House" has been the home to hundreds of events, concerts, exhibitions, weddings and more and is in need of some TLC. Plans include exterior painting, lighting and other building repair. All of these projects are made possible by the generosity of the BAYarts community, local businesses and foundations.

David Jansheski’s large-scale, wood block and silk-screen prints are featured through November in a special exhibit at the Center for Artful Living, 26633 Detroit Road in Westlake, at the Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation for Brain Health.

Jansheski (1954-2014), who studied and lived in Cleveland as well as in Minneapolis, Chicago and Santa Fe, completed artist residencies in New Zealand, the Philippines, and Scotland. His work demonstrates his keen interest in themes from architecture and nature to abstract forms and colors. He once said, “I pursued the gift that God gave me to the best of my ability” when listing his most significant accomplishment.

"Paper and Printed Landscapes," an exhibition by artist Carmen Romine, reflects the natural pigments and textures found in nature. The exhibit, on view now through Nov. 4 in BAYarts' Sullivan Family Gallery in the Fuller House reflects the warm fall colors now surrounding us in the park.

Growing up in rural Medina, Romine finds inspiration from natural surroundings such as simple shapes of soil lines in a field, water currents, and the natural pigments in wildflowers. She creates abstract landscapes from paper and botanical materials by using a variety of fiber art methods. The compositions range from atmospheric prints to sculptural pieces that become accumulative, rhythmic, drifting and ultimately dream-like.

Music was in the air on Oct. 10 at Westlake Porter Public Library as the Westlake-Westshore Arts Council (W-WAC) presented FYI Opera. Jonathon Field, director of Oberlin Opera Theater, provided commentary and historical text to the performance. Performers Clara Dahmer, soprano; Chris Leimgruber, tenor; and Alan Rendzak, baritone; were accompanied by Music Director and pianist, Kyung-Eun Na.

After each singer performed an aria, the performance ended with a trio from Rossini’s "L’Occasione fa il Ladro," one of his early one-act farces. The talent and professionalism of these students is outstanding. The W-WAC is delighted to partner with Oberlin College to bring this performance to the Westshore communities.

Clague Playhouse continues their 95th season with the holiday comedy, “One Christmas Eve at Evergreen Mall” by Lynne Halliday, James Hindman, Arlene Hutton, and Craig Pospisil.

The play follows eight intertwined stories in a Midwestern mall on the last day of shopping before the holiday. A diverse cast of characters – from a lovesick mall Santa to an overeager mall cop, from a pair of brainy misfit teenagers to a pair of battling actors in a production of “A Christmas Carol,” from a petulant college freshman to a pair of newlyweds – navigate first meetings, second chances, and last-minute choices. Our cast features Karen Flannery, Mike Frye, Beth Gaertner, Don Knepper, Jonathan McCleery, Mary Manos Mitchem, Minor Stokes and Noah Underhill and are directed by Robert Gibb.

During the early summer months of the Covid pandemic, community members sought refuge in the beautiful gardens at BAYarts. The gardens provided a welcome relief for weary residents seeking solace in nature and also the opportunity to safely reconnect with others.

However, the notion of healing gardens is not new to BAYarts. Visitors have historically described the grounds as inspiring and magical, with people regularly enjoying the gardens on their lunch break or taking a moment to read, write, draw or paint on campus.

In 2018, when the Cleveland Metroparks announced a 3-year Transition Plan to bring all of their buildings and public areas into ADA compliance, BAYarts was required to comply with renovations to the buildings they lease from the parks. As they began to research accommodations to the historic buildings, the seed was planted to bring a new level of accessibility to the BAYarts gardens as well.

"En plein air" is a French expression meaning “in the open air” and refers to the act of painting outdoors with the artist’s subject in full view. Plein air artists capture the spirit and essence of a landscape or subject by incorporating natural light, color, and movement into their works.

Several years ago, BAYarts hosted the Ohio Watercolor Society Plein Air event which was such a success; they decided to create their own annual event based on the apt tagline "Artistic by Nature."

"Where better to paint outdoors in the fall than in the areas around Huntington Reservation and the Lake Erie shore?" said BAYarts Artistic Director (and a painter herself), Karen Petkovic.

Clague Playhouse's Red Barn Youth Theater will be holding auditions on Monday, Oct. 3, and Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 4-6 p.m. for their holiday production of "Christmas Shorts" by Lucy Williams. The show will be directed by Dr. Greg Dziama.

There’s something for everyone in this one-act holiday delight! You’ll find everything here, from kids writing letters to Santa, to the big guy getting ready for Christmas himself, to a bunch of elves who accidentally rip Santa’s gift bag at the last minute. (Don’t worry, Mrs. Claus can fix it!)

On Oct. 10, FYI: Opera, a premier program sponsored by the Westlake-Westshore Arts Council since 1990, returns after a COVID driven absence of more than two years. Oberlin Opera Theater presents the October program at Westlake Porter Public Library at 7:30 p.m. These programs are offered free to the public by the WWAC.

Jonathan Field, Director of Oberlin Opera Theater, will introduce the music performed by three Oberlin voice students: Clara Dahmer, soprano; Chris Leimgruber, tenor; Alan Rendzak, baritone. Oberlin Music Director Kyung-Eun Na will accompany the singers on the piano. These gifted students will perform arias and a trio from "L’Occasione fa il Ladro," one of Rossini’s early one-act farces, which will also be part of Oberlin’s November opera presentation.

The nearly three decade history of WWAC’s FYI: Opera program reflects an interesting period of opera history in the Cleveland area. In 1990, two WWAC members, Jane Mueller and Jean Povinelli initiated FYI: Opera.

Join us for a fun evening at Clague Playhouse with three local comedians!

Our emcee for the night, Rodney Bengston, is the most polite comedian you will ever run across! When he first started playing clubs, he would produce a note from his mom showing that he could stay out late to perform.

“Other comedians will talk about how edgy they are,” Rodney said. “I am anything but edgy. I am the comic who was Born to Behave.”

Award-winning comedian and actress Kathie Dice is our opening act. Kathie finds humor in the rational – and irrational – parts of everyday life. Interjecting humor into every aspect of life, from the mundane to the traumatic has become a specialty for Kathie.

The Westlake-Westshore Arts Council invites one and all to enjoy "Sunday in the Park" on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m., at Westlake Porter Library. Christopher Ellicott and Karen Ellicott blend their voices and their instruments, guitar and clarinet, giving life to the ageless music of dance and folk songs.

The Ellicotts, who have performed for over 20 years, are "Sunday in the Park." The name was chosen by these graduates of Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory when they married. The name choice was prompted by their first public concerts, usually held on Sunday, and sponsored by Cleveland Metroparks.

Clague Playhouse presents the musical suspense thriller "Flames" by Stephen Dolginoff to open their 95th season.

One year ago, Edmond died in a horrible fire. He took with him the dreams of his fiancée, Meredith, the trust of his best friend, Eric, and the answers to the burning questions that still linger about his death and the terrible crime he committed. But on a stormy night at the cemetery where he rests, the secrets from his past will finally refuse to stay buried; and those he left behind will finally refuse to stay silent.

Founded in 1978, the Cleveland Photo Fest seeks to promote worldwide Unity Through Photography, with the intent of involving and exhibiting photographers worldwide. The last time BAYarts hosted Cleveland Photo Fest, the international photo exchange featured artists from India.

This year, the juried exchange is with Australia. Centering on the classic theme of Mirrors and Windows, each photograph is either a window through which you see the world, or a reflection of yourself and your own perspective of the world.

Clague Playhouse is excited to announce the following plays for the 95th season: the musical suspense thriller "Flames" by Stephen Dolginoff that runs Sept. 16-Oct. 9; the holiday comedy "One Christmas Eve at Evergreen Mall" by Lynne Halliday, James Hindman, Arlene Hutton and Craig Pospisil that runs Nov. 11-Dec. 11; the romantic comedy "Fireflies" by Matthew Barber, from the novel "Eleanor and Abel" by Annette Sanford, that runs Jan. 20-Feb. 12; the historical dramedy "Ada & the Engine" by Lauren Gunderson that runs March 17-April 8; and the musical comedy "Failure: A Love Story" by Philip Dawkins that runs May 12-June 4.

Seating capacity will be based on current State of Ohio guidelines. Face masks and/or coverings are recommended but not required for those who are fully vaccinated.

Works of art and artists demonstrating their techniques take center stage for four weeks as the Community of Fine Arts (COFA) returns for the first time since 2019. The Westlake-Westshore Arts Council presents its 21st edition of COFA, a juried art show, on display now through Aug. 27 at Westlake Porter Public Library. 

The exhibit includes 68 pieces of art from 30 artists, amateur/semi-professional and professional, judged by professional artists. The awards ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the library’s Porter Room, is open to the public.

The annual Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Art Festival on July 30 grew  to over 50 artists with original works displaying paintings, unique jewelry and “one of a kind” creative crafted pieces. 

The festival had live music performers, a beer and wine garden, balloons for kids, food trucks all day and plenty of free parking.

“One of the interesting things about this Festival is each artist pays their way in, but each artist also gifts to Rotary a piece of their art to be raffled off. All the proceeds go to nonprofits that Westlake-Bay Village Rotary supports,” said Rotarian Joe Kraft.

There’s nothing like BAYarts in the summer with free events for all ages (and friendly dogs) including the Thursday Market and Sunday Concerts.

Thursday Market continues to shine as one of the west side’s favorite markets with dozens of food and art vendors, local food trucks, Chatty’s Pizzeria and live music on the gazebo. Add to that a new twist, especially for families and younger kids, Third Thursdays behind the gazebo invites parents to socialize with a beer or wine while kids enjoy meeting friends for crafts and games under their watchful eyes. 

The Westlake Bay Village Rotary is again hosting their annual Art Festival on Saturday, July 30, in the green space on the campus of the Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road. 

The Art Festival will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m. by celebrity guest Tim Richards from Cleveland radio station Star 102.1. The Rotary members and Porter Public Library Friends are excited that Richards, a Mentor native, is making a special trek to Westlake, the star city of his morning co-host Jen Toohey, to open the 2022 Festival.   

The Red Barn Youth Theater at Clague Playhouse returns to the stage this month with two one-act plays: "Snow White Lite" and "High-Rise High Jinks" on July 22-24.

“Snow White Lite” by Jacob Dorn is an easy, breezy adaptation of the classic fairy tale. The FIVE dwarves don’t need help with cooking or cleaning, so they hand Snow White a plunger and put her to work. When the wicked Queen, disguised in Groucho glasses, tries to finish her off, a quick response from Prince Heimlich saves her, and the day! Featured in our cast are Chloe Alvis, Harper Brown, Penelope Chancellia Chin-Albert, Eden Garcia, Jake Hunter, Kendall Maggie Hunter, Kennedy Minear, Rebecca Newton, Cece Pisanelli. The play is directed by Richard Lynch.