Berea Summer Theatre

Call it what you want, this center on the Baldwin-Wallace campus is considered the best in the Cleveland area for summer theater.. The Scene Formerly this theater was dubbed Baldwin-Wallace Summer Theatre for the college by which it is sponsored. But somehow the productions over the past several years lacked zest and attendance fell off. The name Berea Summer Theatre was restored under new artistic director Leonard DiCosimo, a teacher at the Baldwin-Wallace College conservatory. Aware of the importance of offering its audience (mostly local senior citizens and college students) tried-and-true plays, their recent lineup of "Oklahoma," "On Golden Pond" and "Little Shop of Horrors" attracted more interest. DiCosimo, 36, not only changed back the original name but also infused new energy into his quest to draw the community in. If area critics are correct, he succeeded.

Act II
Founded in 1956 as a training ground for Baldwin-Wallace College's drama students, the Kleist Center on campus is considered one of the county's best for summer dramatics. DiCosimo hopes to add perhaps something riskier to attract a younger crowd, and plans to add Equity actors to share the stage with the fine veteran amateur performers. John Michael Tebelak, Joe Garry, David O. Frazier and Ron Newell all cut their teeth at the Berea Summer Theatre before going on to greatness. doubtlessly other promising young actors and playwrights await in the wings.…