Curtain Up

PlayhouseSquare 

Through Dec. 23: The Cleveland Play House presents the world premiere of “A Carol for Cleveland,” a modern take on the Dickens’ classic that’s based on a short story by Cleveland author Les Roberts.

Through Dec. 23: Christmas, Bah Humbug!? Not when Great Lakes Theater stages “A Christmas Carol,” Dickens’ tale of one man’s ultimate redemption.

PlayhouseSquare is located at 1501 Euclid Ave., in downtown Cleveland 44115. For information about and tickets to any of these shows, visit playhousesquare.org or call 216/241-6000.

Jan. 17–March 9: “Big Box” gives local artists the opportunity to create and produce new works. Over eight weeks, 10 world premiere workshop showings of theater, dance, opera and genre-defying performances will be presented.

March 21–April 6: In 2011, performer Tannis Kowalchuk suffered a stroke. The story of one woman’s journey into her own mind and its recovery, “struck,” is a moving tale of what it means to discover your sense of self and what it means to be human.

Dedicated to presenting eclectic works by established and emerging playwrights, Cleveland Public Theatre is located at 6415 Detroit Ave., Cleveland 44102. Cleveland. For more information, visit cptonline.org or call 216/631-2727.

Dec. 7–Jan. 6: After suffering a major loss while on a cross-country bike trip, 21-year-old Leo seeks solace from his 91-year-old grandmother. During “4,000 Miles,” two outsiders find their way in today’s world.

Feb. 22–March 17: A luckless Lebanese-American family, distant relatives of poet Kahlil Gibran, live in a rundown section of Pennsylvania. Can young Joseph, one of the “Sons of the Prophet,” keep his family from falling apart as his health fails?

Premiering stellar contemporary plays, Dobama Theatre builds new audiences for the arts while provoking an examination of our contemporary world. The theater is located at 2340 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights 44118. Visit dobama.org or call 216/932-3396 to learn more.


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Karamu House

Dec. 7–30: “Black Nativity” is a contemporary retelling of the birth of Christ through gospel music, spoken word, dance and songs.

Feb. 1–24: “A Star Ain’t Nothin’ But a Hole in Heaven,” is the tale of a young African-American girl living in rural Louisiana during the civil-rights era. She faces the difficult decision of either taking care of her family or going to college in Ohio to pursue her dream of becoming an artist.

Karamu, a Swahili word meaning “Place of Enjoyment in the Center of the Community,” presents works by African-American artists. The theater is located at 2355 E. 89th St., Cleveland 44106. For more information, log on to karamuhouse.org or call 216/795-7070.

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Beck Center for the Arts

December 7–Jan. 16: The sun will come out “Tomorrow,” and any day “Annie” takes center stage. The touching story of a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find her parents is a delight for audiences of all ages.

March 1–April 21: An emotional powerhouse of a musical, “Next to Normal” takes a compelling look through the façade of a suburban family dealing with the traumatic effects of mental illness.

Beck Center’s professional theater season offers an eclectic mix of dramas and family favorites. The theater is located at 17801 Detroit Ave., in Lakewood 44107. Visit beckcenter.org or call 216/521-2540 for more information.