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2022-23 Season

Jul 15 thru Jul 31

All Shook Up

July 15 - July 31, 2022

"You gotta follow that dream, wherever that dream may lead..." It’s 1955, and into a square little town in a square little state rides a guitar-playing...

Nov 18 thru Dec 04

Meredith Willson's The Music Man

November 18 - December 04, 2022

" I don't know about you, but I'd like to make today worth remembering..." What do you get when a fast-talking salesman comes to town to...

Feb 10 thru Feb 19

AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' - The FATS WALLER Musical

February 10 - February 19, 2023

"Come in cats, and check your hats, I mean this joint is jumping..." Journey with us to the Golden Age of the Cotton Club for a...

Apr 21 thru May 07

Head Over Heels

April 21 - May 07, 2023

"No matter where you go, here you are..." When Renaissance meets Rock & Roll, the most unforeseeable things can and doth happen! Head Over Heels is...

2021-22 Season

Mar 25 thru Apr 10

Cinderella

March 25 - April 10, 2022

A finer night you know you’ll never see! Cinderella’s story is more than one of magic and a prince and a ball—it’s one of friendship and...

Jun 17 thru Jun 26

The Fantasticks

June 17 - June 26, 2022

Deep in December our hearts should remember, and follow A boy, a girl, two parents, and a wall. The Fantasticks, known for its simplicity and intimate...

Sep 11 thru Sep 19

Rise: The Reconstruction Project

September 11 - September 19, 2021

Today's actions can change tomorrow's future. What do you choose to do today for your tomorrow? Through the lens of the next generation, Rise: The Reconstruction...

Nov 19 thru Dec 05

The Little Mermaid

November 19 - December 05, 2021

Wanderin' free, wish I could be... Part of that world With a little help from her underwater friends, Ariel sets out on a wayward journey to explore...

Feb 18 thru Feb 19

The Web of Anansi

February 18 - February 19, 2022

Through captivating storytelling and scenery, The Web of Anansi will take you on a journey to learn how there's always more to the story than...

2020-21 Season

Oct 10 thru Oct 18

Rise: The Isolation Project

October 10 - October 18, 2020

An original writing and performance project for youth, by youth, exploring the impact of coronavirus and Black Lives Matter in their lives. The program offered...

Dec 18 thru Jan 03

All Roads Lead to Home

December 18 - January 03, 2021

No matter who you ask, the most popular word to describe Near West Theatre is “home.” This year led people down many roads of self-awareness and...

Mar 12 thru Mar 21

Les Misérables School Edition

March 12 - March 21, 2021

Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise. View the trailer on Facebook. Inspired by a fictional Victor Hugo novel surrounding the real-life vortex...

2019-20 Season

Sep 20 thru Oct 06

The Addams Family

September 20 - October 06, 2019

In the kooky, upside-down world of the Addams Family, nothing is ever what is to be expected or adored, nonetheless, this quirky family still has...

Nov 22 thru Dec 15

Big Fish

November 22 - December 15, 2019

Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish tells the story of Edward Bloom, a...

Feb 21 thru Mar 08

The Mystery of Edwin Drood

February 21 - March 08, 2020

Inspired by the great British Music Hall and Melodrama traditions of the Victorian Era, The Mystery of Edwin Drood promises an evening of thrills and...

2018-19 Season

Jul 19 thru Aug 04

Chess

July 19 - August 04, 2019

My land's only borders lie around my heart. Secrets, lies, collusion and betrayal? Love, courage and loyalty? Checkmate! In this highly acclaimed rock musical, the ancient...

May 03 thru May 19

1776

May 03 - May 19, 2019

We the people... Is anybody there? Long before Hamilton, there was 1776! It’s a long, hot summer in Philadelphia, and the Continental Congress is an exhausted...

Feb 15 thru Feb 24

Anyone Can Whistle

February 15 - February 24, 2019

Whenever they cheer, we're incensedWhatever they're for, we're against! Written by Stephen Sondheim, Anyone Can Whistle is an absurdist social satire about insanity and conformity (among...

Nov 16 thru Dec 09

Carnival!

November 16 - December 09, 2018

Love makes the world go 'round! Naïve orphan Lili happens upon a failing carnival troupe in the south of France and meets puppeteer Paul, a former...

Sep 21 thru Sep 30

Newsies

September 21 - September 30, 2018

Seize the day! Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band...

2017-18 Season

Jul 27 thru Aug 12

Spring Awakening

July 27 - August 12, 2018

An angsty rock musical adaptation of the seminal play about the trials and tribulations of growing up. In 1890’s Germany, grown-ups hold all the cards –...

Feb 16 thru Feb 25

Aida

February 16 - February 25, 2018

Every story, new or ancient, all are tales of love at heart. Winner of four Tony Awards including Best Original Score, Elton John’s Aida tells of...

Nov 17 thru Dec 07

Beauty and the Beast

November 17 - December 07, 2017

On that glorious mornWhen we're finally rebornAnd we're all of us, human again! Talking candlesticks, an enchanted rose, and dancing tableware?! Bookish Belle has never even...

Sep 22 thru Oct 01

Xanadu

September 22 - October 01, 2017

You have to believe you are magic! Outrageous '80s flair sparkles under the mirror ball in Xanadu, a laugh-out-loud musical based on the cult-classic film starring...

May 04 thru May 20

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

May 04 - May 20, 2020

In 15th century Paris, Notre Dame Cathedral stands in the heart of the city, a fortress of self-proclaimed righteousness and moral authority. Its citizens move...

2016-17 Season

Jul 21 thru Aug 06

Carrie the Musical

July 21 - August 06, 2017

A classic morality tale: what goes around, comes around... redemption is not guaranteed! Who could guess that a Stephen King novel could, would or should become...

Feb 10 thru Feb 19

The Wiz

February 10 - February 19, 2017

A beloved Broadway gem, The Wiz infuses L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" with a dazzling mix of rock, gospel, and soul music....

Nov 18 thru Dec 11

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

November 18 - December 11, 2016

Before Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, and Phantom of the Opera, there was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, still one of the...

Sep 16 thru Sep 25

Urinetown The Musical

September 16 - September 25, 2016

In the wake of a catastrophic drought, mega-corporation Urine Good Company has passed laws forbidding private restrooms and requiring payment for the usage of public...

May 05 thru May 21

Mary Poppins

May 05 - May 21, 2017

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!! At last! This imaginative convergence of the classic film musical and the sophisticated children's books by P. L. Travers comes to the Near West...

2015-16 Season

Jul 15 thru Jul 31

Assassins

July 15 - July 31, 2016

“We’re the other national anthem, folks, the ones that can’t get in to the ball park.There’s Another National Anthem, folks, for those who never win…...

May 06 thru May 22

Show Boat

May 06 - May 22, 2016

Based on Edna Ferber’s best selling novel of the same name, the musical follows the lives of the performers, stagehands, and dock workers on the...

Feb 12 thru Feb 21

Godspell

February 12 - February 21, 2016

“Out of the ruins and rubble, out of the smoke, out of our night of struggle, can we see a ray of hope?”– from “Beautiful...

Nov 20 thru Dec 13

Scrooge! The Musical

November 20 - December 13, 2015

It's 1860, and the stingy and cranky Ebenezer Scrooge HATES Christmas. Scrooge loathes people, wishes for the decrease of the surplus of the poor population,...

Sep 18 thru Sep 27

The Snow Queen

September 18 - September 27, 2015

Be spirited away by this new musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's fantastical coming-of-age adventure, which inspired the hit Disney movie Frozen. Join Gerda on...

2014-15 Season

Jul 24 thru Aug 09

Hair

July 24 - August 09, 2015

A cast of 16 to 26-year-olds will “Let the Sun Shine” in the rock-pop classic, set amidst the joys and struggles of the 1960s. Experience...

Apr 24 thru May 17

Shrek the Musical

April 24 - May 17, 2015

Let your freak flag fly! A family fun fairy tale! Don’t miss Near West Theatre’s first main-stage show in its new performance facility.

Jun 13 thru Jun 29

Move On!

June 13 - June 29, 2014

A heartfelt musical celebration of NWT’s past 3 ½ decades: solo songs, scenes and production numbers expressing our artistic and community building legacy of 36...

Nov 21 thru Dec 07

Jesus Christ Superstar

November 21 - December 07, 2014

Jesus Christ Superstar, the king of rock operas, was created at the end of the turbulent 60s with a social and political rebel at its...

2013 Season

Nov 15 thru Dec 08

A Christmas Story

November 15 - December 08, 2014

The saga of a little boy whose happiness depends on getting a Red Ryder carbine-action BB gun under the tree, is coming to town, our...

Jul 19 thru Aug 04

Side Show

July 19 - August 04, 2013

Based on the true story of conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton, who became stars during the Great Depression of the 1930s, Side Show is...

May 03 thru May 19

Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris

May 03 - May 19, 2013

Archwood’s Chris Byrom is part of a diverse community cast of 34 in Near West Theatre’s production of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and...

Jul 25 thru Jul 28

KLAMOR: Startin' Somethin'

July 25 - July 28, 2013

This is a show devised by youth, with the help of their young-adult instructors, about lousy situations in life — and starting something to make...

2012 Season

Nov 16 thru Dec 02

Children of Eden

November 16 - December 02, 2012

Fifty-one ordinary people of varied ages and races populate the cast of this professionally produced community theater production. Intense, heartfelt, humorous, tragic and ultimately hopeful,...

Jul 20 thru Aug 15

Hairspray

July 20 - August 15, 2012

This beloved musical, based on earlier movie versions of the same story, revolves around “pleasantly plump” teenager Tracy Turnbald and is set in racially segregated...

May 04 thru May 20

Ragtime

May 04 - May 20, 2012

Set in 1906, Ragtime interweaves the fictional stories of a wealthy family from a New York City suburb, an African American family from Harlem and...

2011 Season

Nov 18 thru Dec 04

Oliver!

November 18 - December 04, 2011

“There are so many connections between Oliver! and today’s world,” says NWT Artistic Director Bob Navis Jr., who doubles as director and musical director of...

Jul 22 thru Aug 07

Miss Saigon

July 22 - August 07, 2011

Based on Giacomo Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, Miss Saigon tells the intriguing and heartbreaking story of a young Vietnamese bar girl, Kim (Mariah Victoria Burks),...

May 06 thru May 22

Into The Woods

May 06 - May 22, 2011

In Into the Woods, James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim masterfully weave together the famous fairy tales we know and love as the Baker and his...

2010 Season

Nov 19 thru Dec 05

Willy Wonka

November 19 - December 05, 2010

Prepare to have all your preconceived notions about the world-famous candyman and his mysterious factory turned upside-down as a diverse cast of children, teens &...

Jul 23 thru Aug 08

Rent, School Edition

July 23 - August 08, 2010

A cast of 37 students, ranging in age from 14 to 19, bring a fresh perspective to the iconic rock musical that celebrates life and...

May 07 thru May 23

Secret Garden

May 07 - May 23, 2010

The Secret Garden tells the story of Mary Lennox, an 11-year old girl who, after being orphaned in India, returns to Yorkshire to live with...

2009 Season

Nov 20 thru Dec 06

The Wiz

November 20 - December 06, 2009

The Wiz takes Frank Baum’s classic, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and gives it a modern spin. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman and the Lion...

Jul 17 thru Aug 02

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, School Edition

July 17 - August 02, 2009

After many successful runs on Broadway and a hit movie adaptation, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has become a household name. Near...

May 01 thru May 17

Once On This Island

May 01 - May 17, 2009

Nominated for 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical during its run original on Broadway, Once On This Island sings and dances the story of Ti...

2008 Season

Nov 21 thru Dec 07

Finian's Rainbow

November 21 - December 07, 2008

A musical that wrestles with timely topics and timeless struggles. In this enchanting production created by Burton Lane, E. Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy, the...

Jul 18 thru Aug 03

West Side Story

July 18 - August 03, 2008

The action-packed retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet brought to new life by musical theatre geniuses Bernstein, Sondheim, Robbins and Laurents. Join the Sharks and...

Jun 12 thru Jun 15

Seussical, Jr.

June 12 - June 15, 2008

Watch your favorite classic characters come to life as we journey into the fantastical, magical, musical land of Dr. Seuss. An array of classic Seussican...

May 09 thru May 18

Tommy

May 09 - May 18, 2020

Pete Townshend’s tale of a young boy’s journey from pain to triumph is the most electrifying evening of rock and roll ever to play in...

2007 Season

Nov 16 thru Dec 03

Beauty and the Beast

November 16 - December 03, 2007

Join us for our Intergenerational Production of Disney’s Beauty & The Beast featuring a unique cast of 53 children, teens and adults including Cleveland’s own...

Jul 20 thru Aug 05

Cats

July 20 - August 05, 2007

Our theatre will take a ninth-life leap to celebrate our 30th Annual Summer Youth Theatre program in the all-teen reinvention of Cats—featuring a unique cast...

Jun 15 thru Jun 17

Annie, Jr.

June 15 - June 17, 2007

May 04 thru May 20

Urinetown The Musical

May 04 - May 20, 2007

2006 Season

Nov 17 thru Dec 03

The Music Man

November 17 - December 03, 2006

Jul 21 thru Aug 06

Merrily We Roll Along

July 21 - August 06, 2006

Jun 16 thru Jun 18

Aladdin, Jr.

June 16 - June 18, 2006

May 05 thru May 21

Chess The Rock Musical

May 05 - May 21, 2006

2005 Season

Nov 18 thru Dec 04

Godspell

November 18 - December 04, 2005

Jul 22 thru Aug 07

Oklahoma!

July 22 - August 07, 2005

Jun 17 thru Jun 19

Honk! Jr.

June 17 - June 19, 2005

May 06 thru May 22

Sweet Charity

May 06 - May 22, 2005

2004 Season

Nov 19 thru Dec 05

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

November 19 - December 05, 2004

Jul 29 thru Aug 08

Anyone Can Whistle

July 29 - August 08, 2004

Jun 18 thru Jun 20

The Hobbit

June 18 - June 20, 2004

May 23 thru May 07

Candide

May 23 - May 07, 2020

Oct 03 thru Oct 05

Hercules vs. Godzilla

October 03 - October 05, 2003

2003 Season

Nov 22 thru Dec 08

The King and I

November 22 - December 08, 2002

Jul 18 thru Aug 03

Jesus Christ Superstar

July 18 - August 03, 2003

Jun 27 thru Jun 29

Snoopy!!!

June 27 - June 29, 2003

May 02 thru May 18

Zorba

May 02 - May 18, 2003

2002 Season

Nov 22 thru Dec 08

Scrooge!

November 22 - December 08, 2002

Oct 04 thru Oct 06

America: Through The Looking Glass

October 04 - October 06, 2002

Jul 25 thru Aug 04

The Baker's Wife

July 25 - August 04, 2002

Jun 28 thru Jun 30

The Truth About Cinderella

June 28 - June 30, 2002

May 03 thru May 19

Evita

May 03 - May 19, 2002

2001 Season

Nov 16 thru Dec 02

Annie

November 16 - December 02, 2001

Oct 05 thru Oct 07

Free to Be... You and Me

October 05 - October 07, 2001

Jul 20 thru Aug 05

Brigadoon

July 20 - August 05, 2001

Jun 29 thru Jul 01

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

June 29 - July 01, 2001

Apr 27 thru May 13

Pippin

April 27 - May 13, 2001

2000 Season

Nov 17 thru Dec 03

My Fair Lady

November 17 - December 03, 2000

Jul 21 thru Aug 06

Carnival!

July 21 - August 06, 2000

May 12 thru May 21

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

May 12 - May 21, 2000

Apr 07 thru Apr 15

The Me Nobody Knows

April 07 - April 15, 2000

1999 Season

Nov 18 thru Dec 05

Children of Eden

November 18 - December 05, 1999

Jul 30 thru Aug 08

Seasons of Love

July 30 - August 08, 1999

May 07 thru May 23

Bye, Bye Birdie

May 07 - May 23, 1999

1998 Season

Nov 19 thru Dec 06

Oliver!

November 19 - December 06, 1998

A funhouse of adventure and mystery, a world where an orphan discovers himself in the midst of beggars, theives, funeral directors, rich benefactors, flower sellers...

Jul 24 thru Aug 10

Carousel

July 24 - August 10, 1998

May 22 thru May 31

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

May 22 - May 31, 1998

May 01 thru May 10

Dear World

May 01 - May 10, 1998

1997 Season

Nov 20 thru Dec 07

Finian's Rainbow

November 20 - December 07, 1997

Jul 25 thru Aug 10

Into The Woods

July 25 - August 10, 1997

May 23 thru Jun 01

The Little Prince

May 23 - June 01, 1997

May 02 thru May 11

The Life in a Day

May 02 - May 11, 1997

1996 Season

Nov 21 thru Dec 07

Helly, Dolly!

November 21 - December 07, 1996

Jul 11 thru Jul 14

Alice in Wonderland

July 11 - July 14, 1996

Jul 26 thru Aug 10

South Pacific

July 26 - August 10, 1996

May 02 thru May 19

Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope

May 02 - May 19, 1996

1995 Season

Nov 30 thru Dec 17

The Wiz

November 30 - December 17, 1995

Jul 20 thru Aug 06

A Midsummer Night's Dream

July 20 - August 06, 1995

May 19 thru Jun 14

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

May 19 - June 14, 1995

Apr 27 thru Apr 30

Our Town

April 27 - April 30, 1995

1994 Season

Dec 01 thru Dec 18

The Sound of Music

December 01 - December 18, 1994

Jul 21 thru Aug 07

The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd

July 21 - August 07, 1994

Jun 02 thru Jun 12

Godspell

June 02 - June 12, 1994

1993 Season

Nov 04 thru Nov 14

How to Eat Like a Child (And Other Lessons in Not Being a Grown-Up)

November 04 - November 14, 1993

Jul 22 thru Aug 08

Guys & Dolls

July 22 - August 08, 1993

Apr 22 thru May 16

Camelot

April 22 - May 16, 1993

1992 Season

Nov 09 thru Dec 03

The Music Man

November 09 - December 03, 1992

Jul 24 thru Aug 09

Man of La Mancha

July 24 - August 09, 1992

Apr 24 thru May 10

Crimes of the Heart

April 24 - May 10, 1992

1991 Season

Nov 29 thru Dec 15

Jesus Christ Superstar

November 29 - December 15, 1991

Jul 19 thru Aug 04

Pippin

July 19 - August 04, 1991

1990 Season

Nov 30 thru Dec 16

Museum

November 30 - December 16, 1990

Apr 19 thru Apr 21

Breaking Through

April 19 - April 21, 1990

A play that shatters the myths about mental illness. Based on the actual stories of mental health consumers, family members, and mental health professionals. Authors' Note:...

Jul 19 thru Aug 05

West Side Story

July 19 - August 05, 1990

1989 Season

Nov 27 thru Dec 13

The King and I

November 27 - December 13, 1989

Jul 20 thru Aug 06

Fame

July 20 - August 06, 1989

1988 Season

Aug 12 thru Aug 20

When We Only Have Love

August 12 - August 20, 1988

A note from our founder, Stephanie: “When We Only Have Love” was a medley of the best of the best songs from our past shows...

Feb 27 thru Feb 29

Under the Golden Arches

February 27 - February 29, 1988

Director's Note: "Under the Golden Arches" has already fulfilled one of its goals before the curtain rises. It was my intent in piecing monologues, scenes,...

1987 Season

Mar 28 thru Mar 29

Harvesting My Dreams

March 28 - March 29, 1987

Authors' Note: "You sow… Your reap…" You harvest this simple string of works spoken by one of the women of "Harvesting My Dreams," became the...

Dec 03 thru Dec 13

Fiddler on the Roof

December 03 - December 13, 1987

Aug 08 thru Aug 16

Godspell

August 08 - August 16, 1987

1986 Season

Dec 05 thru Dec 14

A Christmas Carol

December 05 - December 14, 1986

Aug 01 thru Aug 10

Where Do I Go?

August 01 - August 10, 1986

Feb 21 thru Mar 02

Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris

February 21 - March 02, 1986

1985 Season

Nov 01 thru Nov 09

The Hot L Baltimore

November 01 - November 09, 1985

Aug 02 thru Aug 11

The Cat That Walked Alone

August 02 - August 11, 1985

Feb 15 thru Feb 25

Philemon

February 15 - February 25, 1985

1984 Season

Nov 15 thru Nov 19

1984

November 15 - November 19, 1984

Aug 03 thru Aug 12

Peace Child

August 03 - August 12, 1984

Feb 24 thru Mar 04

Working

February 24 - March 04, 1984

Our first musical with adults!

1983 Season

Dec 01 thru Dec 11

Peoples of Cleveland: Building Community

December 01 - December 11, 1983

Author’s Note: “The Peoples of Cleveland” script is primarily based on oral histories which were collected be the Cleveland Ethnographic Museum. Interviews were collected from...

Aug 12 thru Aug 14

Cotton Patch Gospel

August 12 - August 14, 1983

Mar 25 thru Mar 27

Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon

March 25 - March 27, 1983

1982 Season

Aug 12 thru Aug 14

The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd

August 12 - August 14, 1982

1981 Season

Dec 31 thru Dec 31

The Wiz

December 31 - December 31, 1969

1980 Season

Aug 08 thru Aug 10

Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope

August 08 - August 10, 1980

1979 Season

Aug 10 thru Aug 12

The Me Nobody Knows

August 10 - August 12, 1979

1978 Season

Aug 10 thru Aug 12

Godspell

August 10 - August 12, 1978

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