SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio - The Hathaway Brown Theatre Institute (HBTI) will present "Rent: The School Edition," a Tony- and Pulitzer-Prize winning rock musical, from July 3 through 12. Other Institute musicals this summer will include Little Women, July 17-26, and Oklahoma!, July 31 - Aug. 9
Fred Sternfeld, an HBTI co-founder, is Rent's director, along with Mario Clopton, musical director, choreographer Bebe Weinberg Katz, and set designer Ron Newell.
Lydia Chanenka is handling properties, Jackie Guerra, costumes, Scott Chapman, lights, and Carlton Guc, sound design.
The cast includes Adam Hass-Hill as Roger, Matt Gittins as Mark, Leah Saltzer as Maureen, Isabel Billinghurst as Joanne, Rachel Hoy as Mimi, Grant Michael Guyton as Tom Collins, Michael Swain-Smith as Benjamin Coffin III, Cycle Ezekiel Black as Angel Dumon Schunard, and Hannah Kulawiak as Alexi Darling.
Also performing are Seth Bryte, Sweta Datta, Halle Dray, Danielle Duke, Jenna Freireich, Natalie Fischer, Ashley Foster, Sydney Keller, Sophie Longo, Ona Martini, Jessica Miller, Jack Philbin, Hannah Schmidt, Mary Sikorovsky, Carson Strnisa, Karson Taylor, Ryan Vincent, Morgan Faith Williams, and Ally Yellets.
The show is based on Puccini's La Boheme but set in modern-day New York City.
Performances will be July 3, 7:30 p.m., July 5, 2 p.m., July 9, 7:30 p.m., July 10, 7:30 p.m., July 11, 7:30 p.m. and July 12, 2 p.m. They will be held in The Ahuja Auditorium at Hathaway Brown School, 19600 North Park Blvd.
Ticket prices range from $11 to $15 and may be purchased online at www.hb.edu/HBTI_tickets, or by calling 216-932-4214 ext. 7270, or at the door (if available) the day of the performance.
This is the Institute's third year.
Family Connections seeks nominees for annual Carolyn Grossman Award:
The award honors an individual who exhibits an "extraordinary commitment to parents and children" and is named in the memory of Grossman, a well-known kindergarten teacher who co-founded Heights Parent Center in 1975.
Nominees should demonstrate "resourcefulness in supporting parents and children;" "empower parents to build on their strengths and develop their capacity to nurture their children;" and "respond to the changing priorities and needs of families and children."
The deadline for nominations is July 17. They can be faxed to Family Connections at 216-283-3580, emailed to jfederman@familyconnections1.org or mailed to 19824 Sussex Road, Shaker Heights, OH 44122.
Forms can be downloaded at www.FamilyConnections1.org
The Award will be presented at the organization's annual benefit in September.
Shaker Arts Council to present "Party Under the Stars:"
The Council's 2014-15 Aha! (At Home with the Arts) series will present vocalist Brent Kirby on July 24 at the Shaker Historical Society, 16740 South Park Blvd. Kirby will sing selections from his new album, "Patience Worth," as well as compositions he wrote for the Jack Fords and Hey Mavis bands.
In 2013, Brent Kirby was voted "Best Singer" and also "Best Male Vocalist" by Scene Magazine; in 2012, he was voted "Best Musician."
Weather permitting the performance will take place outdoors. In case it rains it will be moved indoors.
Light refreshments will be available beginning at 7 p.m. The performance begins at 7:45.
A ticket costs $30. For reservations and more information call Shaker Arts Council at 216-916-9360. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.shakerartscouncil.org
Former Hathaway Brown administrator writes book about Florence:
Nancy West, who spent more than 20 years at the school, has written "All' Anno Prossimo: An American Woman's Twelve-Year Love Affair with Florence." It's a collection of her insights and musings about the Italian city where she spent 12 consecutive annual sojourns.
The 286-page book, published by Cedar Forge Press, is now being sold at Appletree, Fireside, and Loganberry bookstores. It is available in paperback and in an e-book format at Amazon.com.
Send news, information and tips about Shaker Heights people and events to george@gabecker.com