No plans for curfew following mass shooting
In the aftermath of the police shooting of Jayland Walker in 2022, the city of Akron implemented a curfew to curb violence.
Sunday’s mass shooting in East Akron left some residents wondering if similar measures would be taken. But the city does not anticipate issuing a curfew following the early-morning incident that left a 27-year-old man dead and over two dozen others wounded.
“We did not discuss enacting a curfew,” Akron Police Chief Brian Harding said in a press conference with Mayor Shammas Malik Wednesday. “We didn’t feel at the time it was needed for this incident.”
What circumstances would lead the city to issue a curfew?
The city charter gives the mayor the authority to enact a curfew only under specific conditions, Akron Director of Communications Stephanie Marsh said in an email.
“The mayor may, in case of riot or insurrection, or when there is clear and present danger of a riot or insurrection, proclaim in writing a state of emergency,” according to chapter 132.03 in Akron’s Code of Ordinances.
Sunday’s shooting occurred after midnight at an outdoor birthday party off Kelly and 8th avenues. As of Friday, no one had been arrested and no suspects had been identified to the public. The situation appears to be a drive-by shooting.
Marsh said a curfew’s purpose is to prevent continued violence. Isolated violence had already occurred at the party, so a curfew would have been “inappropriate,” she said.
“Riots and threats of rioting are often ongoing and typically not limited to an isolated event,” Marsh said. “The event on Saturday night was not an assembly gathered to cause destruction and violence but rather a peaceful birthday party. After the shooting, there was no immediate threat of additional violence in the area.”
When was the last curfew enacted in Akron?
Former Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan had issued a curfew for the downtown area following violent protests due to the death of Jayland Walker, who was killed by police after a car chase June 27, 2022. This was the last time in recent
the musical in 2007.
This season, Kent State senior Madison Shannon is playing Mary Magdalene and graduate Collin Geter is Caiaphas. Otterbein grad Matthew Gittins plays Judas Iscariot and KSU voice professor Tim Culver portrays King Herod.
“It’s a good blend of Kent State undergraduates and recent alumni too,” Kent said.
Kent State senior Dominic Young plays Peter; Equity actor Dante Murray portrays Pontius Pilate; Kent State student Felix Albino, who will graduate this summer, plays Simon Zealotes. Finally, Ohio native and KSU grad Morgan Mills plays Annas and recent KSU graduate Nick Bradley plays an apostle.
Jennifer Korecki is music director and Martin Cespedes is choreographer for “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
Kent, producing artistic director for the Porthouse season, had to wait a bit longer than usual this year to announce getting the rights to both “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Annie” because the tours for those shows were coming through locally.
That’s part of how the season’s “miracle” theme was born.
“Oh my god, it’s a miracle we got the rights for ‘Superstar’ and ‘Annie!’ “she told her colleagues at the time.
‘Nunsense’ is up next
The musical “Nunsense” will preview July 5 and run through July 13. In this riotous musical comedy, the Little Sisters of Hoboken have to raise money to bury nuns who were accidentally poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia (Child of God). The show has been updated with new jokes, additional lyrics, two new arrangements and a new song.
The madcap musical features Sandra Ross as Sister May Regina, Mother Superior; Colleen Longshaw, Sister Mary Hubert, Mistress of Novices; Theresa Hall, Sister Robert Anne; Lara Troyer, Sister Mary Amnesia; and Becca Bailey, Sister Mary Leo.
Eric Van Baars, former director of the KSU School of Theatre and Dance and former executive producer of Porthouse Theatre, will return to Porthouse from Florida to direct and choreograph. Jonathan Swoboda will be music director.
Longshaw will be getting “back in the habit” for “Nunsense” after starring as Deloris in “Sister Act” in 2016. She graduated from KSU’s Theatre and Dance program with a BFA and MFA in acting and has performed in numerous shows at Porthouse Theatre, from “Hairspray” to “Big River.”
Ever-optimist ‘Annie’
Little orphan Annie’s optimism is contagious in the musical by the same name, no matter what obstacles she comes across. In this Tony Award-winning musical, written by Charles Strouse, Thomas Meehan and Martin Charnin, the plucky Annie escapes the cruel Miss Hannigan and enters the wonderful world of 1930s New York City, where her adventures unfold.
Ava Kimble of Doylestown, 11, and Parker Towns, a rising fifth grader from Huron, will share the title role and also alternate in the role of July. Ava is active with Weathervane’s Musical Theatre Company and Rubber City Theatre, both in Akron. Parker has performed with Baldwin Wallace’s musical theater program at the university and Blossom Music Center and has appeared at Great Lakes Theater in “A Christmas Carol.”
The youngest orphan will be third grader Kyra Rodenborn of Moreland Hills School, who will play Molly. Thirdgeneration actor Fiona Thackaberry Stevens of Sagamore Hills will play orphan Tessie. She is a rising seventh grader at Laurel School.
Kent’s dog Bean, a Bichon Frise, is expected to play dog Sandy in the musical. He’s spending his third season at Porthouse Theatre with Kent, where he’s used to attending all rehearsals.
Co-starring in “Annie” will be Murray as Warbucks, KSU professors Courtney Brown and Amy Fritsche as Grace Farrell and Miss Hannigan, Gittins as Rooster and KSU rising senior Mary Savocchia as Lily.
Kent will be directing “Annie” for the first time. The show is music directed by Alexandre Marr and choreographed by Cespedes.
Porthouse details
Opening show: “Jesus Christ Superstar”
When: Preview June 14, opening June 15, running through June 29, 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. June 22, 2 p.m. Sundays, 8 p.m. only June 29
Where: Porthouse Theatre, 3143 O’Neil Road, Cuyahoga Falls
Cost: Preview $30-$35; tickets $34-$48; children young professionals $25-$45
Tickets: Call 330-672-3884 or see www.porhousetheatre.com for single tickets or subscriptions regular $15-$45;