Demonstrate Your Civic Pride

It’s that time again. The Parma Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 2020 Pride Awards. The awards will be presented Saturday, March 14 at a planned Roaring 20’s gala at Stillwater Place on the grounds of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland.

The Pride Award was instituted in 1980 to honor individuals who have made a substantial contribution to the Parma area. Throughout the years, the awards have been bestowed in three categories: individuals, businesses and organizations who have made a lasting impression and contribution to the Parma area.

The Parma Area Chamber of Commerce serves the communities of Parma, Parma Heights and Seven Hills.

For more information, visit the Chamber website, parmaareachamber.org, or call 440.886.1700.

Nominations for the Pride Awards are requested by no later than January 6.

A NEW SEASON AT THE CASSIDY THEATRE – The Cassidy Theatre has announced the line-up of shows for the 2020 season at our local gem and community theatre, and it is indeed impressive.

Here’s a rundown of each show:

February 7-23

Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The 39 Steps’

A comedy by Patrick Barlow, this production mixes a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel and adds a dash of Monty Python-esque humor.  It’s a fast-paced whodunit which has won two Emmys and Drama Desk Awards.

April 10-26

Beehive: The 60’s Musical

Created by Larry Gallagher, Beehive celebrates the powerful female voices of the 1960’s with such timeless hits as “My Boyfriend’s Back,” “Be My Baby,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” Told from the perspective of six young women who come of age in this decade of dramatic change, Beehive takes us from their first Beehive Dance to the challenges we faced as a nation.

June 12-26

Monty Python’s Spamalot

This musical with book and lyrics by Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez, the production is  based on the classic British comedy 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'. Join King Arthur, his Knights of the Round Table, the Lady of the Lake, and more off-color crazy characters on a mad-cap medieval adventure in search of the legendary relic itself. Including infamous renditions of scenes like 'The Black Knight' and 'The Swallow and the Coconut', and zany musical numbers including 'Camelot' and 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.'

August 14-30

Harvey

A comedic drama by Mary Chase, Harvey is the story of a perfect gentleman, Elwood P. Dowd, and his best friend, Harvey -- a 'pooka', who is a six-foot tall, invisible rabbit. When Elwood begins introducing Harvey around town, his embarrassed sister, Veta Louise, and her daughter, Myrtle Mae, determine to commit Elwood to a sanitarium. A story of loving your family and acceptance, this classic comedic drama was made into the film of the same name, starring Jimmy Stewart.

October 9-26

The Wizard of Oz

After a Kansas tornado flings her and her dog Toto to the merry old Land of Oz, Dorothy Gale finds herself embroiled in a conflict between the Wicked Witch of the West and the Wizard, becoming caught in middle as she dons the legendary Ruby Slippers. In her quest to find a way home in Emerald City, she meets the Scarecrow, Tin-Man, and Cowardly Lion – all of whom have their own reasons for seeking the Wizard, and all of whom help Dorothy avoid the Wicked Witch along the way. Based on L. Frank Baum's classic book and the MGM Film of the same name, 'The Wizard of Oz' is a family classic for all ages – because you're never to old dream. Book is by John Kane, Music by Harold Arlen and Herbert Stothart, Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg.​

 December 4-20

Harry Connick, Jr.’s ‘The Happy Elf’

Book by Lauren Gunderson and Andrew Fishman

Music and Lyrics by Harry Connick, Jr.

​Eubie is an elf – but not just any elf, the happiest Elf at the North Pole.

Eubie longs to be a part of Santa's Sleigh Team, but instead has been tasked with maintaining and checking the Naughty-and-Nice lists. This Christmas, though, he's found something strange – a whole town of people, where every single person has made the 'Naughty' list. With a bit of Christmas magic, Eubie sets out to bring cheer to the town of Bluesville – but can he turn a whole town of naughties into nice in just one day? Based on the children's book of the same name, with a musical score by the renowned and award-winning Harry Connick, Jr., 'The Happy Elf' feels reminiscent of the classic 'Rankin & Bass' Christmas specials of old.

For more information, call the Cassidy Theatre Box Office at 440.842.4600 or visit Cassidytheatre.com.

FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC EXAMINATION – The entry-level examination for Firefighter/Paramedic in the city of Parma Heights will take place at 9 a.m. January 25.

For additional information visit the city website or call 440.884.9600.

OPEN SWIM – The swimming pool at Valley Forge High School, 9999 Independence Boulevard, Parma Heights, is open for open swimming from 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays.

COMFORT SOUPS – The Parma Heights branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, 6206 Pearl Road, will present a cooking program on “Comfort Soups” from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, January 9. The program has a waiting list which you can join at cuyahogalibrary.org. Warm away the winter blues where step-by-step instructions will be shared on how to make comforting soups to keep you warm all winter long.

Want to see your Parma Heights information featured here?  E-mail column items to Rick Haase at rick.haase@sbcglobal.net.