A comedy about two teachers competing for the hearts and minds of eight bright, young men who are trying to get into Oxford and Cambridge.

Remember the things we loved and hated about school, the young ideals we all shared, and the memorable teachers who inspired us? Go back to school and experience those moments again with The History Boys at the Beck Center for the Arts, March 7 through 30 on the Mackey Main Stage. This six-time Tony Award-winning play blends both comedy and tragedy in the story of eight grammar school boys preparing for college entrance exams and the year that influenced the rest of their lives. Show times are 8:00 pm Fridays and Saturdays and 3:00 pm Sundays. There is no performance on Sunday, March 23. To reserve tickets, contact the Beck Center box office at (216) 521-2540 or online at www.beckcenter.org.

Sarah May directs this funny but touching play, written by Alan Bennett – one of Britain’s most beloved humorists. The winner of six 2006 Tony Awards including Best Play, The History Boys is a moving comedy about two teachers competing for the hearts and minds of eight bright young men who are trying to get into Oxford and Cambridge. The older, somewhat eccentric, Hector wants his students to experience the joy of learning for its own intrinsic value but classroom loyalties are tested when Irwin, a brash young teacher is brought in to show them how to ‘skew’ their knowledge and give their essays more ‘edge.’

The History Boys features Dana Hart* as Hector, Dan Folino* as Irwin, Michael Regnier as the Headmaster, Dede Klein as Mrs. Lintott,; as well as a talented young cast of performers including Eric Fancher, Matthew Thomas, Stuart Hoffman, Adam Day Howard, Max Chernin, Mack Shirilla, Tom Kondilas, and Javar Parker.

Director May says, “When I saw this dazzling play in London, I never dreamed it would be produced in Cleveland, much less, that I would be allowed to direct it. Kudos to Scott Spence and Beck for taking on this amazing piece! It is smart, funny and very theatrical. The script crackles with verbal fireworks! I think audiences are going to love the chemistry between the eight wonderful young actors we have assembled to be Cleveland’s own ‘history boys.’ And we are so fortunate to have some of the busiest and best mature actors in town to play the educators. This show is sure to be an event, filled with music, wit, ideas, and classroom comedy!”

For tickets call the Beck Center box office at (216) 521-2540 or log onto www.beckcenter.org. Ticket prices are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors and $17 for students (22 and under with I.D.). Group discounts are available for parties of 13 or more. Rush tickets for students (22 and under with I.D.) are offered for $10 each on Sunday only, 30 minutes prior to curtain, based on availability. Beck Center for the Arts is located just 10 minutes west of downtown Cleveland at 17801 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood. Free, convenient on-site parking is available.

The Beck Center’s production of The History Boys is sponsored by Cox Communications, WNWV 107.3 The Wave, FreeTimes, WCPN 90.3 ideastream, the Ohio Arts Council, and Lakewoodbuzz.com. Programming at the Beck Center is made possible through the generous support of The Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, The John P. Murphy Foundation, The Kulas Foundation, The Eva L. & Joseph M. Bruening Foundation, The Abington Foundation, and the Thomas H. White Foundation. Beck Center gratefully acknowledges the citizens of Cuyahoga County for their support through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.