Hits in Hanna Theater's future
By Peter Bellamy, Entertainment Editor
W
ith four smash hits definitely scheduled and the strong possibility of at least four more for its fall and winter season, the future for the Hanna would seem to be bright for it and its loyal subscribers.
The Hanna, Cleveland's last bastion for Broadway's touring stage attractions, will open its 53d season on Sept. 11 with the musical "Two Gentleman of Verona," which won the Tony Award and the New York Critics' Circle Award as the best musical.
In addition, "Two Gentlemen of Verona" won a Tony Award for John Guare and Mel Shapiro for the best stage book, as well it might. The two writers took one of Shakespeare's lesser comedies and made it into a hit almost 400 years after it was written.
The musical is filled with color, action, spectacular scenery, youth and the topical satire so dear to Shakespeare. Even those square adults who are not too fond of rock r. roll music have found the show a joy.
Another production on the Hanna agenda is Neil Simon's latest hit, "The Sunshine Boys," with the original Broadway company starring Jack Albertson and Sam Levene. It is a hilarious stage version of the rollicking life of Smith and Dale, who starred in vaudeville for 50 years.
Albertson won a Tony Award for his performance in The Subject Was Roses on Broadway and an
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Academy Award as best supporting actor in the film version of the drama in 1968. He also has won several Emmy Awards for his TV performances.
A third production definitely booked for the Hanna season is "That Championship Season," a gripping drama which won the New York Critics Circle Award as the best play of 1972 and the Pulitzer Prize in 1973.
It is the story of the reunion of a championship high school basketball team and of the shallow lives its members have led.
Brian Bedford, who made such a hit at the Hanna in "The School For Wives" in 1971, will also be seen at the theater this coming season in the starring role in the London and New York hit "Butley.”
It's an in-depth dramatic study of a brilliant, selfdestructive homosexual college lecturer and should strike a responsive chord in anybody who has ever spent any time at a large university.
Other attractions for which the Hanna is now negotiating include:
Neil Simon's long-running comedy-drama hit. "Prisoner of Second Avenue," starring Shelley Berman.
David Merrick's long-running musical hit. "Sugar," based on the hit movie, "Some Like It Hot.
Harold Prince's "A Little Night Music," which recently swept the Tony Awards.
"Gone With The Wind." the musical version of
the Civil War epic, which recently ended a highly successful London run and is being imported to the United States to make a limited tour prior to opening on Broadway.
The explosive drama "The River Niger," one of the few gut dramas on Broadway aside from "That Championship Season." Presented by the New York Negro Ensemble and written by playwright Joseph Walker, it has trenchant characterization and beauty of thought.
6 RMS RIV VU." playwright Bob Randall's bittersweet comedy about adultery in an empty apartment on New York City's Riverside Drive.
Jean Kerr's latest comedy, "Finishing Touches." which deals with amorous hanky panky in the suburbs.
"In addition," said Milton Krantz, manager of the Hanna, "the theater will present 'Oh, Coward,' a compilation of Noel Coward's musical hits, done in a new and modern fashion to bring vignettes and great musical moments together in one attraction.
"We are also negotiating for a new Rex Harrison play now in England and will hopefully present it when it starts its American tour.
The Hanna Theater-Guild subscriptions are now open to the public, and Krantz reports that there are choice seat locations still available. Information on how to become a subscriber may be obtained by writing or calling Laura Tait, subscription secretary. The number is 241-2238 or 621-5000.