Porthouse Theatre has 3 musicals on calendar
Porthouse Theatre is preparing for a three-show season of miracles this summer, with that theme shining through in the musicals “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Nunsense” and “Annie” on the grounds of Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls.
It’s almost time to pack a picnic, grab a refreshing bottle of wine and head out to the amphitheater nestled Cuyahoga Valley National Park, where musicals are produced each summer by Kent State University, drawing professional and student talent.
The 1971 rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice, which previews June 14 and runs June 15 through 29 at the open-air theater, follows the last week of Jesus Christ’s life, focusing on the struggles among Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, his followers and the Roman Empire.
Enrique Miguel, a Cleveland native and 2020 graduate of Baldwin Wallace University’s musical theater program, will play Jesus. Now based in New York, the singer-actor played dancer Tulsa in “Gypsy” at Beck Center in 2018 and is making his Porthouse debut.
The Equity actor told director Terri Kent he was interested in trying out to be an apostle but when she met him, she asked him to sing for Jesus.
“He just had the right spirit, the right essence about it him, so it was kind of a a good accidental thing,” Kent said of the leading man.
“We’re having a ball with this one,” she said of the “Jesus Christ Superstar” team during a rehearsal break May 30.
The ensemble had begun work over the weekend and the full cast arrived Tuesday for music rehearsal. By the second day of staging May 30, she expected to get through most of the first act.
Porthouse Theatre last produced
memory a curfew was enacted in the city, Marsh said. Curfews after Walker’s death were enacted for days at a time around July 4 and lasted from either 9 or 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. There were exceptions for law enforcement, medical and fire personnel; people traveling for work and to hospitals; and people finding safety within the restricted boundaries.
Does Akron have a curfew for juveniles?
The city does have daily curfews already in place for children younger than 18, Marsh said.
As included in chapter 139.06 of the Code of Ordinances, children are not allowed on city streets or sidewalks from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless they are with a parent or guardian or have permission from their parent. Children are allowed to travel during those hours to or from somewhere for a specific reason with consent of their parents or guardian.
Will other safety measures be taken to curb violence?
Before Sunday’s shooting occurred, Akron police came to the party to disperse the large crowd of about 200 people because some had moved into the street. Witnesses said people cleared the street, and the party continued. Gunfire erupted two hours later. “You should be able to throw a party in this community and feel safe,” Harding said in the initial press conference about the shooting Sunday. “Everyone should have the ability to get together with loved ones, friends and family and be safe.”
The department has started adding patrols in certain areas of the city and is continuing to work with partners to ensure community wellbeing, Harding said Wednesday.
Malik said they will focus on having adequate police staffing and communicating with residents so the city remains aware of upcoming activities.
“We understand the concerns about safety,” Malik said. “We’ve been talking about the birthday party this occurred at and thinking how across the rest of the summer, there are going to be many festivals events in which there are large gatherings and how we want to make sure we work with neighborhood leaders to make sure we are providing safety as much as we possibly can.”