Tickets available online at bit.ly/ClaguePlayhouseTickets
Red Barn Youth Theater
The Red Barn Youth Theater gets patriotic
with a double feature!
Show dates:
Friday, July 10 & Saturday, July 11, at 7:00 PM
Sunday, July 12, at 2:00 PM
Buy Tickets HERE
Thirteen Colonies Game Show
Directed by Richard Lynch
Everyone loves a good game show-and this one comes with a patriotic twist! In The Thirteen Colonies Game Show, each colony takes the stage to argue why it played the biggest role in America’s founding. Packed with humor, personality, and plenty of surprises, this Red Barn Youth Theater production will have you laughing,
learning, and maybe even debating the winner yourself. Approx. 15 minutes
We the People
Directed by Greg Dziama
What does America mean to us-right now? In We the People, a group of townspeople sets out to create a patriotic play, using the Preamble to the Constitution as their guide. What follows is a series of funny, moving, and deeply relatable scenes that connect the ideals of our founding to everyday life today. This play is a heartfelt celebration of the past, present, and future of America. Approx. 45 minutes
Remembering Ron Newell
It is with a very heavy heart and a deep sense of personal loss that I must share with you the passing of our beloved friend Ron Newell.
We shall eulogize and speak long and fervently – for this was truly a remarkable man.
We shall tell and hear countless stories – for he was a character.
And we will cry. And laugh.
There will be time.
But for now, let each of us take this moment, in quiet, to reflect on the beauty of this unique and amazing and giving human.
Ron had recently completed a radiation regimen for prostate cancer, undergone the removal of an abdominal mass, and learned of the return of the lymphoma that he had previously fought off since 1994. But he clearly recognized his humanity and its inherent mortality.
He had called for his friend, Rev. Lou Will, who reported that he had left Ron feeling peaceful, resolved, and ready to face what Ron expected to be his next Act.
Ron had been visited today by a few close friends. And was surrounded by the love of his beloved Mimi, his adopted family, and his forever set construction partner Charlie Moran.
He took his last bow at 9:15 PM, November 7, 2025.
Mimi has asked the Playhouse, to which he had devoted so much, to host a “light and happy” gathering in his honor. As mixed as the emotions will be, as somber as the event will sound, still – where he is he will no doubt hear the thunder of the standing ovation at the end.
You know that the playbill for his final production at Clague Playhouse included his oft-spoken:
When asked about the future Ron replied, “When it gets here, I’ll deal with it!”
He did.
With class.
And now, I am convinced he fully expects that we will all do the same.
“Deal with it.”
Somehow.
For we will – somehow – remember that, at the end of each set construction day, he would say
“We’re in good shape.”
Let us be.
Respectfully, Peter Toomey, President
Ron Remembered in West Life
Beloved artist Ron Newell dies
By SAMANTHA ANN ILLIUS
The Northeast Ohio arts community is mourning the loss of Ron Newell, a steadfast contributor of regional theater whose creativity, kindness and unwavering dedication shaped the local theater community. Newell died Nov. 7 at age 95, surrounded by his wife, Mimi, close friends and longtime colleagues.
Newell, who had recently undergone treatment for prostate cancer and a recurrence of lymphoma, spent his final day visited by loved ones and by Rev. Lou Will.
Will said Newell was, “Peaceful, resolved and ready to face what he expected to be his next act.”
A veteran of the Korean War and a lifelong theater artist, Newell was revered as an actor, director, scenic designer and set builder. He worked continuously until just days before his death, completing work on the set of an upcoming production. His influence touched nearly every corner of the Cleveland theater scene, with significant contributions to Clague Playhouse, Dobama Theatre, Ensemble Theatre, Beck Center, Cesear’s Forum and others.
Dobama Theatre in a Facebook post remembered Newell as “an extraordinarily gifted theatre artisan … kind, intelligent and extremely hard working” and called him a legend whose impact “beautifully supported and articulated” each production.
Colleagues online publicly recalled his humility, collaborative spirit and ability to elevate even the smallest of stages.
At Clague Playhouse — his longtime Westlake artistic home — Newell was beloved not only for his craft but for his warmth.
“He was truly a remarkable man,” said Clague Playhouse’s Board President Peter Toomey. “We shall tell and hear countless stories — for he was a character. And we will cry. And laugh.”
Newell often brushed off questions about the future by saying, “When it gets here, I’ll deal with it.” His friends said he lived — and left — with that same grace.
Mimi Newell has requested a light and happy celebration of his life at Clague Playhouse in January. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Contact this reporter at sillius@westlifenews.com or 440-871-5797.