RESPECT: A Musical Journey which just opened last week at Playhouse Square's Hanna Theatre, chronicles through popular music the evolution of women throughout the 20th century. Tunes range from the needy As Long As He Needs Me to the independent I Am Woman.

The piece was written by Vanderbilt professor Dorothy Marcic, based on her book RESPECT: Women and Popular Music, which analyzed all top-40 female song lyrics since 1900. The stage production RESPECT debuted as a one-woman show in 1999 and has played in a dozen United States' cities as well as five other countries.

In Cleveland, theatergoers will see familiar faces, with actresses Tricia Bestic (a regular at Actor's Summit in Hudson), Melissa Barber (former musical director for Playhouse Square's Tony n' Tina's Wedding), Paula Kline-Messner (formerly in Playhouse Square's Menopause the Musical and also seen at Actors' Summit), Tina Stump (also of Menopause) and Sheffia Randall Dooley (another Cleveland regular). They portray a variety of 20th-century female icons, including Coco Chanel, Betty Boop, Rosa Parks and famous black journalist Ida B. Wells.

The show will run through Nov. 4 at 2067 E. 14th St., Cleveland. Partial proceeds from ticket and merchandise sales will support the Respect Project, which aids programs for women and children.

Firestone High School graduate Blake Ginther will make his Broadway debut as student revolutionary Feuilly in the revival of Les Miserables, which will begin previews Oct. 24 and open Nov. 9 at the Broadhurst Theatre. The 1999 Firestone graduate, who graduated from the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music in 2003, formerly studied with Susan Wallin at West Side Vocal Academy in Akron.

Ginther, who will start rehearsing the epic Les Miz on Monday, was most recently seen in the ensemble of Mamma Mia!, at E.J. Thomas Hall last year. He's is the son of Dr. William and Sharyl Ginther of Akron.

Magical Theatre Company will be selling everything from Rumpelstiltskin's spinning wheel to collapsible castle towers at its on-stage sale Sept. 24, which will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Costumes, props, set pieces, vintage clothing and more will be available from various shows. Call 330-848-3708 for more information.

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis, April 6-May 6, 2007. Judas' trial in downtown Purgatory attempts to put his betrayal in perspective.

Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead by Eric Bogosian, May 18-June 17, 2007. The one-man show delivers searing social commentary and reveals disturbing connections between us and those we try not to see.

A Narrow Bridge by Cliff Hershman, June 29-July 29, 2007. An unrelenting X-ray into an American family fragmented by drugs, business pressures and sexuality.

A Day of Absence by Douglas Turner Ward, Aug. 10-Sept. 9, 2007. A world premiere satire about an imaginary southern town where all the African-Americans have suddenly disappeared.

The theater also is introducing a Theatre Training Institute, with courses beginning this month. Co-founder Sean Derry will teach ``The Craft'' from 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 24-Nov. 12. Co-founder Sean McConaha also will teach ``Improvisational Theatre'' 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 24-Nov. 12.

In addition, a Critic's Circle led by Derry and McConaha will critique Bang and the Clatter productions and discuss potential plays, meeting 10 to 11:30 a.m. bi-monthly Oct. 21 through Dec. 1, 2007. Cost is $130, which includes passes to 10 shows as well as scripts.

Playhouse Square will offer more than 22,000 Smart Seats for just $10 each to a variety of 2006-2007 performances in an effort to welcome new theatergoers as well as encourage more sampling among current patrons. Smart Seats tickets will go on sale at noon Friday. See www.playhousesquare.org/smartseats to check for ticket availability, and call 216-241-6000 or see www.playhousesquare.org to purchase.

Also this week, Playhouse Square will offer its seventh annual Theater District Discovery Tour from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, beginning and ending at Star Plaza at Euclid Avenue and East 14th Street. The event, showcasing the Idea Center, will include a tech tent, scavenger hunt, food and music. Cost is $25. Buy tickets online at www.playhousesquare.org .

Finally, Playhouse Square's Theater Explorers Boot Camp will be held for kids ages 9-13 from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 22 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23, allowing youths to explore theater skills ranging from character development to movement and voice. Cost is $125 for the two-day session. Call 216-771-4444 Ext. 3338 or see www.playhousesquare.org/arts-education to enroll.

This is cache, read story here