No need to head to Broadway to see a great performance! Ohio is home to one of the largest playhouse districts in the nation!
Class Discussion Questions:
1) What are the benefits of having a large theater district in your city?
2) Create a tourism poster for Playhouse Square.
Read the Script:
You might think you need to flock to the bright lights of Broadway for some world class entertainment. But, did you know the largest preforming arts center in the country outside of New York is located right here in Ohio? And I actually happen to be standing in it.
Right outside is Cleveland's Playhouse Square, a theater district that consists of 9 lavish theaters that hosts the top shows straight of the stages of Broadway. Over one million guests laugh, cry and cheer at over a thousand performances every year. And this is exactly what Cleveland real estate developer Joseph Laronge envisioned when he came up with the idea for Playhouse Square way back at the turn of the century.
Laronge partnered with New York city business magnet Marcus Loew. And construction of the swanky theaters began in the 1920's. The beautiful theaters themselves were designed to captivate audiences and were created by famous architects like Thomas W. Lamb. For over 40 years Joesph Laronge's vision was a success. Ohioans flocked to these theaters to see classic theater, vaudeville acts and eventually movies. But then came the rise of Television and population loss in the city of Cleveland and suddenly theater attendance was dwindling.
By 1969 almost all of these theaters had permanently closed their doors. Although outcry began almost immediately, it took over 20 years and some serious determination on the part of supporters to renovate and reopen these shuttered theaters. But today, Playhouse Square is bigger and better than ever. The district has added new theaters, eateries and hotels. But probably the most memorable addition is the worlds largest outdoor chandelier which hovers over the heart of Playhouse Square on Euclid Avenue.
While many of the old theater palaces of the past have been demolished in other cities, Cleveland's determination to preserve these treasures paid off. I doubt even Joseph Laronge expected his vision would endure nearly 100 years later.
Instructional Links
Website: Playhouse Square
http://www.playhousesquare.org/
Video: YouTube, WEWS NewsChannel 5, My Ohio: Lighting Giant Chandelier in Cleveland's Playhouse Square
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25MinC6VLuI
Video: PBS LearningMedia, Career Connections, Senior Vice President of Theatre Operations
Website Article: Ohio and Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor, Playhouse Square History