Call-Back with Geoffrey Short: RETIREMENT COMMUNITY RESIDENT AND COMPOSER SEES DREAM PRODUCTION REALIZED ON CASSIDY STAGE TO BENEFIT CANCER SOCIETY

Friday, November 28, 2008

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY RESIDENT AND COMPOSER SEES DREAM PRODUCTION REALIZED ON CASSIDY STAGE TO BENEFIT CANCER SOCIETY

Parma Heights, Ohio – Communicare’s Greenbrier Senior Living Community will produce an original holiday musical on the Cox Stage at the Cassidy Theatre. The Joy of Christmas, written and composed by Greenbrier resident, Richard Valentine, 89, will have one performance only at 7:30 p.m. Sunday Dec. 7 at Cassidy Theatre, 6200 Pearl Rd. Parma Hts. Tickets are on sale now for a $5 donation and can be purchased at Greenbrier Retirement Center, 6457 Pearl Rd. in Parma Heights between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.

Valentine, a retired music teacher, who taught music in schools in Sandusky, Elyria, Avon Lake and others, began writing the book, music and lyrics to The Joy of Christmas 5 years ago. The musical is based on inspiration he had some years earlier while watching an awe-inspiring sunrise in Arizona. In 2007, Valentine moved to Greenbrier Retirement Community. He often entertains fellow residents by playing the piano and eventually he mentioned to an administrator that he had written an original Christmas musical. Greenbrier sponsors the Cassidy Theatre’s outreach performing group “Cassidy On-Tour”. Now the two organizations have partnered to bring Valentine’s composition to the stage this holiday season.

The Joy of Christmas tells the story of a young boy and his world-weary parents who are not in the holiday spirit. Despite their reluctance, the boy convinces them to attend a holiday church service where the family is reminded of the joy, peace and love the holidays really can bring. Valentine wanted the production to benefit the American Cancer Society in honor of his late wife who lost her battle with the disease. Now, the composer himself battles cancer as well.

The Joy of Christmas is sponsored by Communicare’s Greenbrier Senior Living Community and the Cassidy Theatre.

FOR INFORMATION: Terie Novak, tnovak@chs-corp.com, (440) 888-0400

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ABOUT GEOFF

Geoff produces and hosts the video series "CALL-BACK", focused on local community theatre.

Geoff is also the producer of STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theatre Program. "STAGES"is a documentary series that follows the stories of the students and teachers of the acclaimed Baldwin-Wallace College Music Theatre Program led by Victoria Bussert. STAGES gives viewers unprecedented access to this exclusive program that draws the very best talent from around the country to this small private college in Berea, Ohio (just southwest of Cleveland). Graduates of this program often go on to careers on Broadway. Learn more about Baldwin-Wallace College at www.bw.edu. See other theater video documentary series from Geoff Short at www.youtube.com/CallBackCleveland.

STAGES: Stories from the BW Music Theater Program

Geoff has spent his career in television, radio, print and online advertising, sales and marketing. He has been responsible for the local advertising, branding and promotions for some of the biggest companies in the country including Wal-Mart, The Cleveland Clinic and McDonald's.

Geoff has also spent a lifetime in the performing arts. He is a singer, actor, director and songwriter who has performed in musical theater, pop groups and other performing groups since he was 10 years old. He has written music for radio and television as well as the stage and his jingles and parodies have been heard frequently on Cleveland airwaves.

In 2013, Geoff Directed Jesus Christ Superstar at Brecksville Theatre on the Square. In 2010 Geoff directed Gypsy at Brecksville Theater on the Square. In the 2009 season Geoff Directed the musical City of Angels at Brecksville Theater on the Square and Oklahoma! at Huntington Playhouse. In 2008 Geoff directed the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical revue Some Enchanted Evening at Huntington Playhouse in Bay Village, Ohio and Assassins with the Berea Grindstone Players at the Cassidy Theatre in Parma Heights, Ohio. Geoff also directed the musicals Violet and Dreamgirls both in 2007 and at the Cassidy Theatre. He has appeared in many area musical theater productions most recently in the musical revue The World Goes Round at Brecksville Theater on the Square. Other productions include Five Guys Named Moe (Big Moe, Beck Center) and Cassidy Theatre productions including Godspell, Carousel (Billy Bigelow), Ain't Misbehavin' ("Ken), Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker, Jr.), Cats (Old Deuteronomy) and as The Voice of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. Geoff also appeared in the 2007 Cleveland Playhouse Club cabaret Motown! and in 2006 developed his own musical cabaret act for Playhouse Square’s Cleveland Cabaret Project.

Geoff is proud to have served for two years as the Board President of Cassidy Theatre, Inc. and also served on the board of the Cooperative Alliance of Medina Entertainment Organizations.

Geoff has been the co-host of the weekly on-air television segment Cheap Date at seen on WKYC TV3’s Good Company program and is also currently one of the lead singers for the band The Avenue.