Award-Winning ‘House of Blue Leaves’ Slated to Open at Beck Center

The winner of the 1971 Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play and the Obie Award for Best American Play is taking center stage at Beck Center for the Arts.

John Guare’s award-winning play “The House of Blue Leaves” is slated run from March 22 through April 21. 

The performance tells the story of Artie, who lives in Queens with his schizophrenic wife, Bananas — to the chagrin of his mistress, Bunny. He’s a zookeeper by day, and an aspiring songwriter by night, performing at seedy lounges.

When an old school friend arrives in town from the bright lights of Hollywood, Artie plans his escape.

The show runs at on the Mackey Main Stage at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. There is no performance on Sunday, March 31. 

Tickets are now on sale.

“The House of Blue Leaves” is directed by Russ Borski, and features Equity actors Robert Ellis as Artie and Juliette Regnier as his mentally ill wife, Bananas.

“I am thrilled to direct this zany farce,” said Borski in a news release. “(It) explores the dark side of the American dream, the humiliation of our dreams, and examines our collective obsession with celebrity and how we pin our hopes on lives distant from our own.”

Tickets for “The House of Blue Leaves” are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors (65 and older), $12 for students and $10 for children (12 and under).

Preview Night on Thursday, March 21 is $10 with general admission seating.

For more information about the show or tickets — including flex passes or group discounts — visit the Beck Center website or call 216-521-2540, ext. 10. 

Opening night patrons may also enjoy gallery exhibits, free musical entertainment by Lounge Kitty, complimentary appetizers and happy hour drinks as Beck Center hosts “Marquee Friday” in Daniels Lounge from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 22. 

Marquee Fridays, scheduled on opening nights throughout the theater season, are open to the public as part of Beck Center’s community engagement initiative.