Pictures Say A 1,000 Words: Matilda

The Renaissance first opened in 1928. It has seen the Great Depression of 1929, the Great Recession of 2008, and It weathered the storm of becoming an X-rated movie house in 1979 resulting in closure due to public outcry.

The Renaissance Theatre originally open as the Ohio Theatre. — The Renaissance Theatre originally opened as the Ohio Theatre.

The Renaissance (like ALL not-for-profit performing arts organizations) is now facing its greatest challenge in the history of its existence with COVID-19. Over 60% of our operational budget comes from ticket revenue, and with doors closed we are currently at zero. However, all of us here at the Renaissance have hope. We have hope that soon this pandemic will be under control and our doors will once again be open to provide our community first-rate performances. No matter what genre of the performing arts you love, we have it - Broadway, Symphony, Country through Rock, Comedy - we will bring it back to you!!

This blog is the first of many called "Pictures Say A 1,000 Words." We are releasing these twice a week with pictures from this season's performances with hope they will remind you of the wonderful experiences of the past, and hope for more in the near future.

First up is our 2019 summer musical, Roald Dahl's Matilda. We can't thank Jeff Sprang of Jeff Sprang Photography enough for these pictures, and all of the photography from our shows!

Many of the scenes from Matilda revolve around experiences at school. This is a scene with her classmates. These young actors, singers and dancers are tight!

Cleveland native, Corlyn Stauffer played an amazing Matilda! This role is one of the most challenging for a young actor - tons of speaking lines (in a British accent), lots of dancing, and all of the songs required the ability to "belt" (meaning high, loud, long).

Ryan Shreve, Matti-Lynn Chrisman, and Kara Hancock are definitely striking a pose! Matt-Lynn plays Miss Honey who is the one adult who is a bright light to Matilda. — Ryan Shreve, Matti-Lynn Chrisman, and Kara Hancock are definitely striking a pose! Matti-Lynn plays Miss Honey - the one adult who is a bright light to Matilda.

This is perhaps one of my all-time favorite Broadway photos by Jeff Sprang. He captured all of the colors and emotion from Ryan Shreve. — This is perhaps one of my all-time favorite Broadway photos by Jeff Sprang. He captured all of the colors and emotion from Ryan Shreve in this moment.

Here is Stephen Joshua Thompson playing the role of Miss Trunchbull, the Headmistress of Matilda's school. Miss Trunchbull is to look "more like an eccentric and rather bloodthirsty follower of the stag-hounds than the headmistress of a nice school for children." Throughout the years, this part has been equally played by men and women.