Ensemble Theatre opens at Coventry with 'Waiting for Lefty'

An impending labor vote, a depressed economy, unemployment, war, freedom . . . America. No, it’s not October 2011; it’s October 1935. Ensemble Theatre opens its 32nd consecutive season, “Play Your Part!” with American master Clifford Odets’s 1935 call-to-action "Waiting for Lefty."

“'Waiting for Lefty' is truly an Ensemble play in every sense of the word,“ said artistic director Celeste Cosentino. Now in her second year at the helm of the Cleveland Heights-based professional theater, Cosentino was the driving force behind the theatre’s move back to the Heights after eight years in residence at the Cleveland Play House. Ensemble’s new performance space is in the former Coventry School building at 2843 Washington Blvd. “We are excited to be in our new space and are all set to welcome Heights residents back to Ensemble this season.” said Cosentino. "It feels good to be back."

“There is not a person in this crowd in whom I do not find a part of myself,” commented Odets, after the 1935 premiere of "Waiting for Lefty." The plot centers on a group of unionized taxi drivers waiting to hear from their leader, Lefty Costello, about whether or not to vote. The play presents eight vignettes along the way, sketching the socio-economic climate of the Depression era in the struggle of the workers to bring humanity to their workplace, and to keep love and hope alive in difficult times.

“Odets’s words have taken on a prophetic existence,” said Ian Hinz, Ensemble’s director of operations and director of the play. “I remember checking the copyright date to make sure I was reading a play that was written in 1935.”

"Waiting for Lefty" opens Oct. 7 and runs through Oct. 30. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $10 for students. Student rush tickets are $1 for all CH-UH students with a valid ID, and $5 for all other students under 21. Rush tickets are released five minutes prior to curtain, pending availability. Free parking is available in the Washington Blvd. lot adjacent to the theatre building. A reception will follow the opening night performance. Purchase tickets in advance at www.ensemble-theatre.org or call 216-321-2930.