🎭 Curtains closed: iconic venue shuts down

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Who needs Broadway when the previews are right here in Playhouse Square? 🌟🎭

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It’s been a mainstay of Cleveland cultural life for more than a century.

The Cleveland Orchestra once called it home. The hulking, 220,000-square-foot complex hosted silent movies in the 1920s and still owns the Wurlitzer Theater Pipe Organ that would play along to them.

But now the future of the Cleveland Masonic Temple is in doubt.

TempleLive — which purchased the building in 2017 and embarked on an $18 million restoration – has canceled concerts and is in danger of ceasing operations.

“They let the staff go and none of these shows are going to happen,” said a local concert promoter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “It’s just a matter of time before they get moved or canceled.”

In a social media post, TempleLive announced the cancelation of its sold out Saturday show, “Jeezy Presents….TM: 101 Live”: “Unfortunately, the Venue is experiencing certain issues that will not be resolved in time to host the concert.”

Meanwhile, the Sept. 15 Sparks and Sept. 16 Waxahatchee concerts have been moved to the Agora and the Roxy, respectively.

Tickets for Cage the Elephant and Los Lobos with X are still listed as available via Ticketmaster. But it’s only a matter of time before those are moved or canceled, according to two promoters.

The theaters had fallen in disrepair and the area had a date with the wrecking ball in the 1970s. It never came, thanks to the hard work of civic activists.

Playhouse Square is the nation’s second-largest performing arts center – and Cleveland’s greatest preservation story.

It kicks off its new season Saturday with "The Notebook". The musical, based on Nicholas Sparks’ best-selling novel that inspired the iconic 2004 film of the same name, will launch its national tour in Connor Palace. It runs through Sept. 27.

Playhouse Square will also host the national launch of another musical, “Hell’s Kitchen,” by Alicia Keys, on Oct. 10.

The season includes "Stereophonic," "Suffs," "Water for Elephants" and "The Great Gatsby."

It ends in April with “The Outsiders” – adapted from S.E. Hinton’s seminal novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic film. Co-produced by Playhouse Square, it received a 2024 Tony Award for Best Musical.

With more than 40,000 season ticket holders annually, Playhouse Square is the country’s premier market for touring Broadway. 

Not bad for an arts district that was once destined to be reduced to a parking lot. Info.

Cleveland is a treasure trove of old buildings, ghost signs and abandoned places.

Photo Cleveland, a new arts collective, will make its debut with an exhibition that documents them.

“Ghost Cities: Documenting Decay” features works by 50 photographers and filmmakers that explores urban abandonment – 6 p.m. Saturday at the Brownhoist. Info.

Summer is racing toward the finish line. But the action doesn’t stop this weekend…

MIX at CMA: '90s Homecoming: The monthly CMA bash celebrates the ‘90s – so bring your Doc Martens, flannel and Riot Grrrl power. 6 tonight. Info.

I’m From Cleveland Arts & Music Festival: The DIY phenomenon goes live with bands and performers at Jacob’s Pavilion. Austin Millz and Tropidelic headline. Saturday. Info.

Studio A Rama: Since 1981, WRUW 91.1 FM's has hosted local and regional bands. An all-day hang and it’s free. Saturday. Info.

Browns vs. Bengals: The season kicks off against the down-state rivals at Huntington Bank Field. 1 p.m. Sunday. Check out our preview and guide to football bars here.

Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony: The multimedia  symphonic experience featuring Dolly on screen, leading audiences through her songs, life, and stories with the Cleveland Orchestra providing musical back-up. Sunday. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

It’s a Bavarian takeover – one that rolls out barrels of German cheer and endless steins of beer. There are three Oktoberfests hitting Cleveland this weekend:

German Central: Parma was founded by German immigrants and Die Deutsche Zentrale has been the cultural hub since 1924. The annual bash celebrates German pride with songs, food and beer. Friday and Saturday. Info.

Cleveland Oktoberfest: Bavarian bash with those beloved Wiener Dog Races, and enough food, bands and entertainers to keep even King Ludwig entertained. Friday-Saturday. Info.

Hofbrauhaus Cleveland: The downtown bier hall kicks off eight Fridays of Bavarian parties today. Info.

“The Best Location in the Nation” slogan was coined by The Illuminating Company in the 1940s to attract new industries to Cleveland. This 1959 billboard, outside of Cleveland Hopkins Airport, greeted visitors to the city.

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78 °F 🌡️ 60 °F | 🌦️ | 55% | 💨 SW 18 mph (≈ 16 knots)

70 °F 🌡️ 56 °F | 🌤️ | 1% | 💨 W 12 mph (≈ 10 knots)

66 °F 🌡️ 56 °F | ⛅ | 4% | 💨 W 13 mph (≈ 11 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Home vs. Bengals, 1:00pm September 07 (Sunday)

Away vs. Rays, 7:35pm Friday

Away vs. Rays, 7:05pm Saturday

Away vs. Rays, 12:10pm Sunday

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