Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio – Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s outdoor summer theatre located on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, invites you to its season of tradition, beginning on June 13, 2025. In its 57th season, Porthouse Theatre will present “Fiddler on the Roof,” “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “School of Rock” in the summer of 2025.
“Fiddler on the Roof” opens June 13 and runs through June 28. The preview performance will take place on June 13. Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story follows Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing antisemitism of Czarist Russia. Rich in historical and ethnic detail, the musical’s universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.
“Fiddler on the Roof” is based on Sholem Aleichem’s stories shared with the special permission of Arnold Perl, with book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and is produced on the New York Stage by Harold Prince. The original New York Stage production was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. Porthouse Theatre’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” will be directed by Porthouse Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director Terri Kent, with music direction by Jennifer Korecki and choreographed by Martín Céspedes.
“You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” opens July 4 and runs through July 12. A preview performance will take place on July 4. With charm, wit and heart, “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” explores life through the eyes of Charlie Brown and his friends in the Peanuts gang. This collection of songs and vignettes will please audiences of all ages.
“You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” is based on the comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schulz with book, music and lyrics by Clark Gesner, additional dialogue by Michael Mayer and additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. Porthouse Theatre’s production of “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” will be directed and choreographed by Amy Fritsche, with musical direction by Jonathan Swoboda.
The 2025 Porthouse season will close with “School of Rock,” running July 18 through Aug. 3. A preview performance will take place on July 18. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “School of Rock – The Musical” is based on the hit movie. The story follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn an extra bit of cash by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There, he turns a class of straight-A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. But can he get them to the Battle of the Bands without their parents and the school’s headmistress finding out?
“School of Rock” is based on the Paramount movie by Mike White, with book by Julian Fellowes, lyrics by Glenn Slater and new music by Lloyd Webber. Porthouse Theatre’s production of “School of Rock” is directed by Kent, with music direction by Korecki and choreographed by Céspedes.
"Porthouse Theatre subscribers can renew subscriptions through April 11, 2025. Renewals must be purchased over the phone, via mail or in person at the Porthouse Theatre Box Office. New subscriptions, single and group tickets will be on sale beginning April 14, 2025. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Porthouse Theatre Box Office, online at www.kent.edu/porthouse/tickets or by phone at 330-672-3884. The box office is located in the Roe Green Center lobby of the Center for the Performing Arts at 1325 Theatre Drive, in Kent, Ohio. The box office is open from 12-5 p.m. on Monday-Friday.
For more information about Kent State’s Porthouse Theatre, visit www.kent.edu/porthouse.
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Media Contact: Jen Crabtree, 330-672-0116, jcrabt13@kent.edu