The Musical Theater Project

07/25/2026

A heartfelt thank you to the Cleveland Chamber Choir.

We were honored to welcome the extraordinary artists of the Cleveland Chamber Choir back to the TMTP stage this past June 14th for Walk On: The Power of Carousel, following their wonderful collaboration with us on Brigadoon in 2024.

Their remarkable talent, tireless preparation and generous spirit brought tremendous beauty and emotional depth to the performance. Every voice reflected the skill, care and hard work of an ensemble devoted not only to musical excellence but to making choral music accessible and welcoming to all.

To Artistic Director Gregory Ristow, Executive Director Kira McGirr and every member of the Choir who shared their gifts with us: thank you for being such exceptional collaborators and for helping make Walk On an unforgettable afternoon.

We are deeply grateful—and already looking forward to the next time we can make music together.

07/22/2026

Who we are, what we do and why we do it.

For 27 years, The Musical Theater Project has served as a living museum—preserving and honoring the 20th-century American musical on stage and screen through songs, stories and social history.

Through live performances, school programs, national radio broadcasts, online discussions and recordings, we invite audiences to discover the art form’s past and form personal connections with the music and stories that continue to shape our culture.

We believe history should be explored with honesty and care. Rather than erase difficult chapters, TMTP provides the context needed to understand the social forces behind the works we celebrate and the world in which they were created.

At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to inclusion and the belief that musical theater can bring people closer together through greater understanding, joy, hope and love.

In an increasingly polarized world, that work matters more than ever.

07/20/2026

This hour belongs to the leading men.

On July 25, Footlight Parade presents “The Testosterone Brigade,” a celebration of some of musical theater and popular music’s most commanding male voices.

With only three token women and even tenors in short supply, Frank Sinatra, Yul Brynner, Elvis Presley, Lin-Manuel Miranda and 14 other larger-than-life performers strut their stuff in an hour filled with confidence, charisma and unmistakable musical presence.

Tune in for the voices, personalities and performances that know exactly how to take center stage.

07/17/2026

Coming soon: TMTP’s 2026–27 The Song Is You! season! SAVE THE DATES
A new season of music, stories and discovery is taking shape—and we can’t wait to share it with you.

🎶 Rendezvous: The Annual All-Request Cabaret
Hosted by Bill Rudman and Nancy Maier
Friday, October 2, 2026
Chagrin Valley Hunt Club

🎄 A Christmas Cabaret
December 11th at Stocker Arts Center at Lorain Community College and December 12th at First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland
Additional details coming soon

🎤 Legendary Black Singers—Great Broadway Songs
Hosted by Dee Perry
Sunday, February 21, 2027
First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland

🌙 Blues in the Night: Music by Harold Arlen
Co-produced with Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and hosted by Bill Rudman and Paul Ferguson
Saturday, April 24, 2027
Maltz Performing Arts Center

🎭 Rodgers & Hammerstein Rediscovered
Hosted by Ted Chapin, Nancy Maier and Bill Rudman
Saturday, June 12, 2027
Playhouse Square, Hanna Theatre

Some artists, dates and venues are still to be announced, but there is already so much to look forward to. Mark your calendars and join us for another season celebrating the songs, artists and stories that make musical theater unforgettable.

For tickets and information, call 216-860-1518 ext. 701 or visit MusicalTheaterProject.org.

07/15/2026

Sometimes imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery.

This Saturday, July 18, Footlight Parade presents “Good Imitations,” an hour celebrating songwriters who earned high marks by brilliantly borrowing the sound and spirit of another musical style.

From operetta and rock ‘n’ roll to torch songs and ragtime, these gifted “copycats” knew how to capture the familiar qualities of a genre while creating something fresh, theatrical and entirely their own.

Tune in and see whether you can recognize the styles being imitated.

07/13/2026

What happens when the words of Johnny Mercer meet 11 unforgettable voices? You get a remarkable celebration of the Great American Songbook.

Mostly Mercer brings together 16 classic songs performed by stars including Rosemary Clooney, Eydie Gormé, Anita O’Day, Kaye Ballard and Nancy LaMott.

From “I’m Old Fashioned” and “Blues in the Night” to “Hooray for Hollywood,” “How Little We Know” and many more, this terrific recital celebrates the wit, warmth and enduring brilliance of one of America’s greatest lyricists.

Discover—or rediscover—the magic of Johnny Mercer through a remarkable collection of voices and songs.

07/12/2026

We're looking forward to this afternoon's performance and seeing our friends at American Musical Productions!

Final matinee of The Desert Song at 3 pm today at Firestone Theatre, Firestone CLC in Akron. FREE tickets available at the door.

07/11/2026

Are you up with the sun—or just getting started when the stars come out?

Tonight Footlight Parade presents “Morning People/Night People,” a musical meeting of two very different kinds of people who have been known to drive each other a little crazy.

Whether you greet the day with a cheerful song or believe mornings should begin sometime after noon, this program gives both sides equal time. Tune in for songs that capture the habits, rhythms and good-natured disagreements of early risers and devoted night owls.

Which side are you on?

STREAM ON PRX (footlight parade) https://exchange.prx.org/series/38215-footlight-parade-sounds-of-the-american-musical

Or join us Saturday evenings at 6:00 p.m. on Footlight Parade’s home station, WCLV in Cleveland.

07/09/2026

A very special thank you to those who made June 14th possible.

Walk On: The Power of Carousel brought music, storytelling and reflection to the stage at The Cleveland Museum of Art. We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported our benefit luncheon and helped The Musical Theater Project continue preserving and sharing the songs, stories and social history of the American musical.

Platinum Sponsors
Amsdell Companies and Richard Pogue

Gold Sponsors
Nancy McCann and Fred and Betsy Stueber

Silver Sponsors
Anonymous, Mebby Brown, Harry and Mary Ann Carlson, John G. Johnson Construction Company, Pamela Isquick, Alec and Tam Pendleton, Michael and Barbara Peterman, Premier Lifestyle, John and Margie Wheeler and Barbara Vitcosky

Patrons
Pat Brownell, Rich and Robbin Garcia, Ann Gillespie, Marion Hill, Tom Hoadley and Cindy Lombardo, Janet Krainer, Eudice Morse and Barbara Schubert

Your generosity helped bring this meaningful docu-concert to life. Thank you for believing in TMTP’s mission and for helping us keep the music alive.

07/07/2026

Thank you for walking on with us.

To everyone who joined us June 14th for Walk On: The Power of Carousel at The Cleveland Museum of Art, we are so grateful.

It was an extraordinary afternoon of music, storytelling and reflection as we explored the enduring power of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel. Your warmth, enthusiasm and presence made the experience all the more meaningful.

Thank you for supporting The Musical Theater Project and for helping us preserve, celebrate and share the songs and stories that continue to move us.