Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s outdoor, summer theatre located on the grounds of Blossom Music Center, invites you to LOL all summer long as it presents its 55th season during the summer of 2023 with "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "The Marvelous Wonderettes" and "The Prom."
This season we welcome our newest Porthouse Theatre executive producer, Tony Hardin. Hardin also serves as the director of the School of Theatre and Dance at Kent State University. Prior to joining Kent State, he served as an associate professor and chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Kentucky.
Growing up loving the arts, Hardin pursued a career in scenic, lighting and projection design. We are thrilled that Hardin is making his Porthouse debut as scenic designer by designing not just one or two, but all three shows this season!
“I am thrilled to join the rich heritage of Porthouse Theatre. Porthouse Theatre has a national reputation of excellence and I have been sending students to work here for many years,” said executive producer Tony Hardin. “They always speak highly of the people they meet and work with here; on stage, backstage and in the audience. I look forward to seeing and hearing our audiences experience this incredibly funny, yet touching, season of musical comedies.”
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" opens June 9 and runs through June 24. A preview performance will take place on June 9. Broadway’s greatest farce: light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent; one of the funniest musicals ever written. With book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" takes comedy back to its roots, combining 2000-year-old comedies of Roman playwright, Plautus, with the infectious energy of classic vaudeville. It is a nonstop laughfest. As the opening song announces “something for everyone, a comedy tonight!”
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" is directed by Porthouse producing artistic director Terri Kent, music directed by Jennifer Korecki, and choreographed by Martín Céspedes. Costume design is by Victoria Mearini, lighting design is by Jakyung Seo, scenic design is by executive producer Tony Hardin, and sound design is by Bethy Winters. The technical director is Adam Craft and the props manager is Frankie Teuber. Tom Humes is the production stage manager.
"The Marvelous Wonderettes" opens June 30 and runs through July 15. A preview performance will take place on June 30. It was written and created by Roger Bean, with musical arrangements by Brian William Baker, orchestrations by Michael Borth, and vocal arrangements by Bean and Baker. "The Marvelous Wonderettes" is a smash Off-Broadway hit that takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom, where we meet Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy and Suzy — four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! As we learn about their lives and loves, the girls serenade us with classic ’50s hits including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover” and “Stupid Cupid.” In Act II, the Wonderettes reunite to take the stage and perform at their 10-year reunion. Featuring over 30 classic ’50s and ’60s hits, "The Marvelous Wonderettes" will keep you smiling in this trip down memory lane!
"The Marvelous Wonderettes" is directed and choreographed by Amy Fritsche with music direction by Jonathan Swoboda. Costume design is by Abbie Hagen, lighting design is by Margaret Peebles, scenic design is by executive producer Tony Hardin, technical direction is by Jonathon Taylor, and sound design is by Bethy Winters. The stage manager is Samantha Pamfilie, the production stage manager is Tom Humesand the props manager is Frankie Teuber.
Our 2023 Porthouse season will close with "The Prom" running July 21 through August 6. A preview performance will take place on July 21. With music by Matthew Sklar, book by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin, and lyrics by Beguelin, "The Prom" is a winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical. Broadway Direct describes this musical as: “…featuring uproarious laughs and show-stopping dance numbers. This new musical is about inspiring people to accept their differences, being the star you were always meant to be, and that immortal truth: There’s no business like getting in other people’s business.” Former Porthouse executive director Eric van Baars will return this summer to play the role of Barry.
"The Prom" is directed by Porthouse producing artistic director Terri Kent, music directed by Alexandre Marr,and choreographed by Martín Céspedes. Costume design is by Molly Walz, lighting design is by Jaemin Park, scenic design by executive producer Tony Hardin, and sound design is by Bethy Winters. The technical director is Jonathon Taylor and the props manager is Frankie Teuber. Tom Humes is the production stage manager.
Subscriptions are on sale now via phone at 330-672-3884 or online at www.porthousetheatre.com.
Single and group tickets go on sale May 22, 2023. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Porthouse Box Office, online at www.porthousetheatre.com, or by phone at 330-672-3884. The Porthouse box office is located in the Roe Green lobby of the Center for the Performing Arts at 1325 Theatre Drive, Kent, OH 44242. The box office hours are Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.