He's in too

By Peter Bellamy

Entertainment Editor

People get themselves involved deeply in new theatrical ventures in the darndest ways.

Not that William A. Allman, director of drama at BaldwinWallace College and Berea Summer Theater isn't already so deeply involved in theater that he will never get out.

Allman recently went to the You-Are-Cabaret Dinner Theater in North Royalton to retrieve a revolving chandelier he had loaned it seven months ago.

The next thing he knew he was a partner in You-Are-Cabaret and involved in building it a new theater and the world premiere. of a play by John Patrick, Pulitzer Prize winning author of "Teahouse of the August Moon” and other hits.

"It was easy,” said Allman. “I just went to see Tom Asad, a partner in You-Are-Cabaret and a former student, to see about his returning the chandelier after seven months.

"We talked about the chandelier and his dinner theater and the next thing I knew I was his partner. In retrospect it all seems quite logical and very exciting.

deep to ever get out

"Dinner theater, about which I know little, now employs more Equity actors than are employed on and off-Broadway. As a drama professor I ought to know something about the economics and operation of dinner theaters, as should my students."

His affiliation with the dinner theater, Allman continued, should not only enhance his knowledge of the theater,; with no. financial risk to the college, but also include a reciprocal relationship between the theater and college.

"The dinner theater will be able to borrow props and costumes from the college and the college will be able to have some of its students gain stage experi-. ence at the theater when roles are not available in college plays.

"You-Are-Cabaret already has a downstairs theater, seating 144 persons, which we have renamed the John Patrick Theater, and which on Nov. 15 will see the world premiere of his comedy ‘A Bad Year For Tomatoes.""

"It's about a TV actress who goes to the country to find solitude in which to write her memoirs only to be inundated by curious neighbors and visitors.

"With the aid of a tape recorder she invents a nonexistent sister, only to be accused of. murder when she can't produce' the sister. It breaks up the cast consistently."

Asad, whose father, Samuel, is a referee in domestic relations for Cuyahoga Common Pleas Court, was graduated from Baldwin-Wallace College in 1967 and holds a master of arts degree in speech from Kent State University.

Allman's youthful partner has also directed plays at Clague Playhouse, Huntington Playhouse, Lakewood Little Theater and at B-W.

He and his wife, Nancy, met while they were both school ···-teachers and co-directing a production of the comedy "Cheaper By the Dozen," at Pleasant Valley High School. The couple has. two sons, Christopher, 3, and Michael, 18 months.

"On Nov. 1 we will open the new Neil Simon Theater, seating 110 persons on the ground floor of You-Are-Cabaret, with Neil Simon's drama, 'The Gingerbread Lady,' starring Ed Fisher, ⚫the top-rated Cleveland radio personality."

Asad, who is the managing director of the Parma Heights Cultural Center, is very high on the acting abiliy of Fisher.

"The play concerns am alcoholic, nymphomaniac, former singing star and Fisher will play the role of the homosexual actor who is devoted and loyal to her," Asad said.

"Fisher has magnificent timing and the tears of despair and frustration he cries are genuine,' he said.

Allman is equally high on “A Bad Year For Tomatoes" and is also happy that Patrick will travel from his home in the Virgin Islands to attend the premiere.

"It's a play which Patrick wrote for Vivian Vance, in which she was unable to star because of other committments," Allman said. "The only reason we didn't do it at B-W was because the college season was already scheduled before it was finished.

Those with sharp memories will recognize the steel spiral staircase used as a prop for the Berea Summer Theater's recording-breaking production of the musical "Follies" as part of the equipment of the new Neil Simon Theater.

Continued on Page 7-F

Ed Fisher

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