Test Flight Week 4: Tales of a Fat Man

Written by Tyree J. Franklin
Directed by: Roy Tyrone James II

March 28, 2024 - March 30, 2024

7:00pm, Thu/Fri/Sat, James Levin Theatre.

EVERY TICKET is “Choose What You Pay” and will be offered online, over the phone, and at the Box Office. (Advanced online e-ticket purchases are recommended to avoid long lines at the box office window the day of the show.)

Tickets

As you can guess, the play follows the journey of a larger man's past, present, and future of navigating this world in the body he's had since childhood. It's a sort of coming-of-age retelling of the good, bad, & ugly tendencies of society. There's also a new age Greek style chorus that accompanies and sometimes antagonizes the 'Fat Man' on his journey to Self-love. 

COVID-CONSCIOUS THURSDAYS: Masks are required for these performances. Click here for more info.

The James Levin Theatre is ADA-compliant featuring a patron elevator and an all-gender, wheelchair-accessible restroom.

The Creative Production Team Includes:

Co-Producer: Tyree J. Franklin
Co-Producer: Kadijah Wingo

ENHANCE YOUR EXPERIENCE

Closing Night – Ticket includes free admission to the post-show Test Flight closing party with appetizers and beverages!

Free Bev Friday – Every Friday night at CPT is Free Bev Friday. Free beer, wine, ready to drink cocktails and soft drinks are served after the performance for about an hour. Join the staff and artists of CPT, talk about the show, and have a drink on us. And remember, hot beverages like coffee and tea are always complimentary at CPT performances. (Please note: While liquor used in mixed drinks will not be complimentary, the mixer will be discounted from your total.)

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT & CO-PRODUCER

Tyree J. Franklin (He/Him) is a Cleveland based stage manager and Artist with his BFA in Stage Management from Wright State University. His recent stage management credits include BKLYN at Nearwest Theatre, The Bubbly Black Girl who Sheds her Chameleon Skin (Karamu House) The Liar, Everybody, and Passage (Cleveland Playhouse), Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity (Karamu House). Tyree is a new playwright. His play Tales of a fat man was recently produced at Cleveland Public Theatre’s 2023 Pandemonium. He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support!

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Roy T. James II is an Ohio native and studied theatre at the Cleveland School of the Arts where he performed in shows such as The Colored Museum, Cyrano de Bergerac, and Hamlet. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University. He began working as a Karamu House teaching artist in 2019 and performed as the narrator for Karamu’s 2022 production of Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity. He is currently a third-year medical student at the Northeast Ohio Medical University and is excited to be making his directorial debut.

ABOUT THE Co-PRODUCER

Kadijah Wingo is a multidisciplinary artist with an ever-evolving passion to build community in art. She studied acting at Ohio University’s SoFA. She was recently seen in: can I touch it? at Cleveland Public Theatre, Convergence-continuums’ Inserection: Holding History as Mutha, Imposters Theatre’s It’s A Match improv team, & The Seagull at Cleveland Play House. When Kadijah isn’t acting, she’s bringing laughter to her city with Snowflake Comedy Club & Theee Circus Productions. A writer at heart and actor by trade, always in loving pursuit of new opportunities to grow.

ABOUT TEST FLIGHT

Test Flight is a multi-week series that showcases new work on its way to full production. This popular event provides local and national artists with the keys to the theatre and opportunity to co-produce original works-in-progress. The series encourages risk-taking and entrepreneurial spirit towards creating. New Play Development.

Recent successes include Our Lady of Common Sorrows (fall 2023), Alter by Tania Benites (produced in early 2024). Each of these were developed in Test Flight 2023.