Monday, January 7, 2013
Find out event information here
Despite last month's announcement, the show goes on for Big Dog Theater. Operating as an improv troupe, Big Dog will perform this Friday at Shaker LaunchHouse on Lee Road as part of the Shaker Arts Council's AHa! program series. The event begins at 7 p.m. and also features a musical performance by area vocalist, Jeannie. Big Dog is scheduled to take the stage around 8 p.m. The LaunchHouse performance is in line with the pledge to book private shows that Big Dog owner Don Mitri made as part of his closing announcement in December. Tickets cost $30, and $25 for SHAC members. The cost includes hors d'oeuvres and beverages. For more information, call 216-916-9360.
41.462861
-81.564956
3558 Lee Rd, Shaker Heights, OH
/articles/big-dog-improv-group-to-perform-at-shaker-launchhouse
/locations/8539324
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The theater will close at the end of this month. What kind of business do you think should replace it?
Cleveland Heights Patch readers had a variety of reactions upon learning last week that Big Dog Theater owner Don Mitri plans to close after less than two years of operation. Some readers considered it another disappointing loss for the Coventry business district, while others said they had no clue that Big Dog had even opened at the former Centrum Theater in February 2011. "With a name like Big Dog, I assumed it was still a sports bar," reader Jim Raden wrote on our Facebook page. "Who knew that it had become a theater again? "Had they chosen another name, they would have heightened awareness that it was actually a theater. With that, I'm sad to see them go." Mayor Ed Kelley said the city would work with property owner Coventry Holdings …
Thursday, December 6, 2012
The mayor believes cutbacks in entertainment spending led to the closing
Cleveland Heights Mayor Ed Kelley lamented the news that Big Dog Theater will close at the end of the month, attributing it to patrons who needed to cut their spending. "We're certainly sad to lose them," Kelley said in a phone interview. "They're part of the fabric of the Coventry commercial area. "The competition for entertainment dollars is so fierce." Big Dog owner Don Mitri wrote an email to his subscribers Wednesday morning announcing the closure. He said the theater will close after two more shows later this month. The 260-seat theater opened in February 2011. "This decision was not easy to make, but it was one that had to be made and it is time to say goodbye," Mitri wrote. The owner said the theater will continue to offer classes…
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Owner Don Mitri writes that "it's time to say goodbye."
Editor's note: Don Mitri, owner of Big Dog Theater, sent the following email this morning to subscribers. The theater is closing after less than two years of operation. Check back with Cleveland Heights Patch later for more on this story. After much deliberating and thought Big Dog Theater will close its doors at the end of December. This decision was not easy to make but it was one that had to be made and it is time to say goodbye. I am one of the luckiest people to have been able to start this theater and I have enjoyed every single minute of this amazing ride! Big Dog Theater will continue to offer classes/workshops as well as providing corporate education and outreach programs. Booking private and public shows will continue. Thank…
Friday, June 22, 2012
The comedian recently became a partner at the theater with owner Don Mitri and will record his new DVD "Live Persuasion" at the historic Centrum Theater.
Comedian Jeff Blanchard doesn’t use a script for his stand-up performances. So he’s not sure why he’d do things differently this Saturday when his show at Big Dog Theater will be recorded to create his new DVD, “Live Persuasion.” His only plan is to scan the audience, monitor how they respond to his jokes and start a conversation. “When I get out on stage, I see where the crowd is. I feel them out and see where their head is at. I have no idea what is going to be on this DVD,” Blanchard said. “People say you shouldn’t talk to the audience, but why not? They’re there. I never understood the comics who got up and did their act regardless of who the audience was.” Blanchard, who lives in Chagrin Falls, recently became a partner at Big Dog …
41.507975
-81.580573
Big Dog Theater
2781 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights, OH
/articles/comedian-jeff-blanchard-recording-dvd-at-big-dog-theater-saturday
1886973
/locations/7304561
The comedian will record his new DVD and CD at the Centrum Theater.
Comedian Jeff Blanchard Recording DVD at Big Dog Theater Saturday Check back every Friday for Cheap Date: one weekend event or activity that won't break the bank. Clevelanders may know local comedian Jeff Blanchard from his stints on "The Scott & Jeff Show" on WNCX 98.5 or as "The Cleveland Guy" on Channel 19. But on Saturday, folks can see Blanchard perform stand-up live at Big Dog Theater in Coventry Village for just 10 bucks. The Chagrin Falls resident will record his new DVD "Live Persuasion" in the historic Centrum Theater, so the audience may be captured on camera as well. Blanchard said he didn't want to film the show in a club — he fell in love with the vintage space at Big Dog. And he recently became a partner in the theater with …
41.507975
-81.580573
Big Dog Theater
2781 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights, OH
/articles/cheap-date-jeff-blanchard-at-big-dog
1886973
/locations/7301602
Friday, May 11, 2012
Comedians who are quick on their feet will perform at Big Dog Theater Friday.
Check back every Friday for Cheap Date: one weekend event or activity that won't break the bank. You don't have to pay a lot for laughs at Big Dog Theater. Big Dog's nine-person, in-house improv comedy troupe, Thunderlips and the Submissives, will deliver jokes and establish funny situations without rehearsal tonight for just 8 bucks. Watch how the improv group slowly builds on each moment and story and performs comedy quick on their feet. Where: 2781 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights When: 9 to 10:30 p.m. Friday Price: $8 cash only. Tickets can be bought at the door the day of the show and reserved online or by phone at 216-472-3636. Website: http://bigdogtheater.com/index.html
41.507975
-81.580573
Big Dog Theater
2781 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights, OH
/articles/cheap-date-improv-comedy
1886973
/locations/6991419
Police said people fighting scattered when they arrived.
Cleveland Heights Police said there were about 100 people involved in a disturbance on Coventry Road outside of City & East just after 2 a.m. Wednesday. When officers arrived, a group of people fighting scattered, but it took police 30 minutes to clear the area, as people coming out of the hookah bar still wanted to party. Police Chief Jeffrey Robertson said every available Cleveland Heights unit was there to get the large crowd moving. Police also reported that someone broke a window at Big Dog Theater. Police did not arrest anyone, as those involved in the fight fled. This article has been clarified to indicate that 100 people were involved in a disturbance on Coventry Road. Some people were fighting, according to police, but fled when …
41.5191
-81.55299
Cleveland Heights Police Department
40 Severance Cir, Cleveland Heights, OH
/articles/100-people-involved-in-fight-on-coventry
1088810
/locations/7012181
41.50795
-81.58065
City & East
2781 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland, OH
/articles/100-people-involved-in-fight-on-coventry
1345345
/locations/7012182
41.507975
-81.580573
Big Dog Theater
2781 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights, OH
/articles/100-people-involved-in-fight-on-coventry
1886973
/locations/7012183
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The event will feature a panel that includes Joyce Brabner, Pekar's wife, and several people who worked on the graphic novel.
This article was originally published April 12. Before acclaimed American Splendor comic book creator Harvey Pekar died in 2010, the Cleveland Heights resident was writing a graphic novel about Cleveland. That book, Harvey Pekar's Cleveland, was shipped to Mac's Backs — Books on Coventry in April. And the bookstore and Big Dog Theater are joining forces to celebrate. A book release party is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Big Dog Theater, which is in the former Centrum Theater on Coventry. The free event will feature an informal panel of Joyce Brabner, Pekar's widow, Joseph Remnant, who illustrated Harvey Pekar's Cleveland, Josh Frankel, president of Zip Comics, which is co-publishing the book with Top Shelf Productions, and Jeff Newelt, editor …
41.507975
-81.580573
Big Dog Theater
2781 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights, OH
/articles/celebration-for-release-of-harvey-pekar-s-cleveland-set-for-may-1
1886973
/locations/6911800
41.510007
-81.579992
Mac's Backs: Books On Coventry
1820 Coventry Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH
/articles/celebration-for-release-of-harvey-pekar-s-cleveland-set-for-may-1
1088740
/locations/6911801
Friday, April 13, 2012
The play envisions Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts as teenagers.
Check back every Friday for Cheap Date: one weekend event or activity that won't break the bank. We followed Charlie Brown and his buddies through their younger years and great pumpkin adventures, but one play showing now at Big Dog Theater captures them in high school. Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead envisions Charlie, Lucy, Peppermint Patty and Linus as pimple-faced and pubescent teens navigating their way through highschool — teachers (wa-wa-wa-wa-wa), homophobia, underage drinking, drug use, bullying — good grief! And readers can likely guess what happens to Snoopy from the title. The depiction of Charles M. Schultz's characters as high-schoolers has received mixed reviews in diffferet playhouses across the country, …
41.507975
-81.580573
Big Dog Theater
2781 Euclid Heights Blvd, Cleveland Heights, OH
/articles/dog-sees-god-at-big-dog-theater-cheap-date
1886973
/locations/6795588
Garry Kanter
2:49 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
I agree with just about every word you wrote. The city needs one of more comprehensive, well thought out programs to deal with the commercial/retail vacancies. Instead, the mayor and council give those Meadowbrook-Lee guys $5 MILLION in discounted and unappraised land and tax abatements to exacerbate the problems you describe. Things gotta change in November, 2013, or things will *never* change … more ›