From Tony winner to tour launches: Playhouse Square's new season
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Playhouse Square kicks off its new season this weekend, marking a full-circle moment for the theater district.
Why it matters: The season features two national tour launches and "The Outsiders," the show that earned Playhouse its first-ever Tony Award last year.
Driving the news: "The Notebook" musical kicks off its national run at Connor Palace on Saturday. Shows run through Sept. 27.
- That's followed by the national launch of "Hell's Kitchen," the musical created by Grammy winner Alicia Keys, which will occupy KeyBank State Theatre Oct. 10 through Nov. 1.
State of play: Playhouse's season, which stretches through next June, also features "Stereophonic," "Suffs," "Water for Elephants" and "The Great Gatsby."
- Things are headlined in April by "The Outsiders," a musical produced by Araca Group, a production company founded by Cleveland-born brothers Matthew and Michael Rego.
- Playhouse co-produced and raised money for the show's 2024 Broadway production, which won Tony Awards for Best Musical and three other categories.
The big picture: Playhouse Square's success over the past few years has also included stunning new theater marquees and new restaurants.
- Playhouse's ability to land high-profile shows like "The Notebook" and "Hell's Kitchen" was aided by the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, which now includes incentives for Broadway theatrical productions.
What's next: The Playhouse Square Foundation purchased Cleveland's historic Greyhound Bus terminal on Chester Avenue last year with plans to expand the district.
What they're saying: "Growing is in our DNA," David Greene, Playhouse's senior vice president of programming, tells Axios.
- "We're always looking for the next thing, whether it's adding theaters, eateries and bars, apartment buildings, or upgrading the marquees. You have to keep reinventing yourself to stay relevant and exciting."