Homeless Men In Transition To Perform Original Play In Lakewood, November 11 At Lakewood Congregational

Cleveland Public Theatre and Y-Haven present Reaching Back, the 2016 CPT/Y-Haven Theatre Project, an original theater piece created and performed by the residents of Y-Haven, a branch of the Greater Cleveland YMCA. The group will perform the piece at a free show in Lakewood on Friday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m. at Lakewood Congregational Church, 1375 W. Clifton Blvd.

A nineteen-year partnership between CPT and Y-Haven, the project introduces theatre arts to homeless men recovering from substance abuse and mental health challenges. As they work with CPT artists to create an original performance based on their personal experiences, participants develop skills and capacities that support their sobriety and transition to employment, permanent housing and independent living.

Lakewood Congregational Church has hosted one of the performances for several years. The church is sponsoring the free performance in partnership with two other Lakewood organizations, St. Peter Episcopal Church and Nature’s Bin/Cornucopia Inc. Freewill donations will be accepted in support of the CPT/Y-Haven Theatre Project.

This year’s play, "Reaching Back," was developed under the guidance of CPT Education Manager Adam Seeholzer and CPT Teaching Artist Leonard Goff, with set, props and costumes designed by Inda Blatch-Geib. Y-Haven artists include Michael Bair, Albert Carpenter, Grant Gober, James Grimes, Brian Hardin-Rogers, Chris Hearn, Antoine Latham, James Pierce, Paul Ray, Gary Smith, Fred Tucker, Arthur Weeams and Chris Zimmer. 

"Reaching Back"

Life has been great for Lavelle King and his family. Younger brother Nick, an actor, is headed to college on a full scholarship. Cousin Reggie is keeping strong in auto sales, and retired Uncle Al is content spending time reading in his chair or catching up with friends at the barbershop. Lavelle has held his job for five strong years, is up for a promotion, and is ready to truly leave behind his challenging past—including multiple run-ins with the law and broken trust among friends and family.

Encouraged by the words of his Uncle Al, Lavelle sets out to shine and is determined to drive his career to new heights. As Lavelle navigates the hurdles of his new and righteous path, a contact from the past re-emerges on the scene, set to capitalize on Lavelle’s downfall. "Reaching Back" is a powerful original story that explores the risks and rewards of leaving the past behind, and the wisdom to be earned by moving forward.

A consistent audience favorite, the CPT/Y-Haven Theatre Project offers candid insight into important issues of our society and gives real hope for growth and change. Audiences are deeply moved by the poignant stories presented in this powerful collaboration.

Besides the performance at Lakewood Congregational Church, other performances between Nov. 3 and Nov. 12 include:

FREE PERFORMANCES AT CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE

Thursday, Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m. 
Friday, Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 7, 3:00 p.m.

Cleveland Public Theatre’s Gordon Square Theatre, 6415 Detroit Ave. Cleveland. Suggested donation of $5 accepted to help support the project

SPECIAL BENEFIT PERFORMANCE

Saturday, Nov. 6, 6:30 p.m.

Cleveland Public Theatre’s Gordon Square Theatre, 6415 Detroit Ave. Cleveland

Tickets for this benefit performance are $75 and include a buffet dinner and silent auction. To purchase tickets for the benefit performance, call 216.431.2018 ext 3441 Karen Wukela or visit http://www.clevelandymca.org/y-haven.html

FREE TOUR PERFORMANCES IN THE COMMUNITY

Thursday, Nov. 10, 7 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 3445 Warrensville Center Rd.Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122. Free, donations accepted.

Saturday, Nov. 12, Time TBD, Lakeview Terrace Community Center, 1290 W. 25th Cleveland, OH 44113. Free, donations accepted.

The Y-Haven Theatre Project is generously supported by Ohio Arts Council, Puffin Foundation West Ltd., Ridgecliff Foundation and Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation.

Cleveland Public Theatre receives funding from The City of Cleveland, The Cleveland Foundation, Community Shares, Consolidated Solutions, The George Gund Foundation, Jakprints, KeyBank, The David and Inez Myers Foundation, The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, National New Play Network, The Nord Family Foundation, William J. and Dorothy K. O’Neill Foundation, Deborah and Ron Ratner and The Shubert Foundation.  

Cleveland Public Theatre gratefully acknowledges the citizens of Cuyahoga County for their support through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.

For more information on Cleveland Public Theatre and the programming offered through the CPT Education Department, please call 216.631.2727 x 219 or visit www.cptonline.org.

Robin Suttell is a member of Lakewood Congregational Church and is a 21+ year Lakewood resident.