A New Book From Cleveland Landmarks Press.
A Front Row Theatre Memoir
As the Stage Turned
By Jeannie Emser Schultz
About.
Sammy Davis, Jr. opened it. Luther Vandross closed it. During the 19 years in between, a who’s who of the world’s top entertainers and speakers performed on the novel revolving stage of the Front Row Theatre, from Liberace to Alice Cooper, Jay Leno to Jerry Seinfeld, Marlene Dietrich to Dolly Parton, Presidents Ford and Carter and culinary grand dame Julia Child. Many were unknown opening acts, like Whitney Houston. Another, the legendary Roy Orbison, would unknowingly perform the final concert of his life there.
Cleveland Landmarks Press’ newest release, As the Stage Turned: A Front Row Theatre Memoir, captures the dynamic energy that sprung from one of the most unique entertainment venues in the country – a theater-in-the-round located in the sleepy suburb of Highland Heights, just outside of Cleveland.
Jeannie Emser Schultz, the venue’s longtime former director of marketing and publicity, has written a memoir capturing the star power and draw of the Front Row. It’s an homage to seemingly everything related to show business and the cultural significance of that famed theater that drew the biggest and brightest stars of its day.
Emser Schultz’s narrative takes readers on a detailed and behind-the-scenes firsthand journey of the almost 20-year history of what was considered one of America’s most significant entertainment venues. Now, in addition to learning about all the backstage business, you can revisit your own fond memories of a lost Cleveland classic.
Contact us here to learn more about the book and Jeannie, to get copies for you or your business, and to schedule an event or interview with Jeannie.
Reviews.
Jeannie Emser Shultz.
Jeannie Emser Schultz’s career began as a Cleveland Plain Dealer feature writer and Sunday columnist (under the byline Jeannie Simons). Her work
took her to Los Angeles annually for performer article interviews, leading to her hire as a Beverly Hills entertainment publicist. Jeannie’s client roster would include Frank Sinatra, Bob Newhart, Debbie Reynolds, “The Joey Bishop Late Night Talk Show, “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” plus various films and national syndicated TV shows.
Following a two-year move to Kodiak, Alaska to work as a NCIS case writer, Jeannie returned to Cleveland to accept the position of Dir. of Marketing & Publicity for rock promoter Belkin Productions (now Live Nation). Opening of the new theatre-in-the-round, the Front Row Theatre, began her 19-year tenure as its Marketing/Publicity Director. The Front Row’s ’93 closing and business move to Playhouse Square continued Jeannie’s publicity/marketing duties for performers and speakers at the
largest performing arts complex outside New York City.
As The Stage Turned: A Front Row Theatre Memoir is Jeannie’s second book; she is also the author of Playhouse Square: An Entertaining History. Recently retired from Playhouse Square, she is presently a feature writer for several local Cleveland publications. Born in Toledo, OH, Jearned her BA in Communications from Ohio University with continuing studies at UCLA. She resides in the Cleveland suburb of Bratenahl, OH with her husband, marketing executive Tim Schultz.
