Lakewoodite Tom Einhouse Helps Light Playhouse Square

[Jim O'Bryan]

One of the real movers in Cleveland Playhouse Square is lifelong Lakewood resident, and
current Lakewood Board of Education member Tom Einhouse. Husband to the Beck Center's
CEO and President Cindy Einhouse. Which must make them the first family of theater in
this region.


Tom Einhouse, 5th from the left or the right shows off the new chandelier.

Tom's day job is Vice President of Playhouse Square Real Estate Services, and as such has
overseen, and helped bring back the lights on Playhouse returning it to its glory as the
largest live theater area between New York and Chicago.

So here is the sneak peak of the installation, and the lighting for focusing purposes.


Coming into Playhouse Square from the east, our "Great White Way."


Even not lit you can see the massive chandelier in the background.


The are aligning the crystals and lights based on shadows and hot spots on the ground.


Sponsored by GE, I thought it would have been brighter. JOKE this lights are only for
aiming, and word was it will not be on, until the switch is thrown.













Good work Tom Einhouse, Playhouse Square Real Estate Services, GE, and everyone
involved when it gets lit tomorrow night May 2.

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[Jim O'Bryan]

From 2.5 blocks away












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[Gary Rice]

The Playhouse Square area was envisioned many years ago by several people as being the primary jewel in Cleveland's comeback. Though many could not see it at the time, there were early visionaries, without whom, this wonderful event last night would not have happened.

One of those visionaries, and arguably, the one who started it all, was Lakewood's own Weldon Carpenter.

When Cleveland Schools Superintendent, the late Ray Shephardson, saw Weldon Carpenter on "The Mike Douglas Show" talking about the Ohio theater, he contacted Weldon and persuaded him to come to Cleveland. For awhile, Weldon actually lived among the ruins of the Playhouse Square theaters, helping Shephardson to sell memberships to the Playhouse Square Association, and helping to get the whole theater restoration ball rolling again.

As the theaters began to open, Carpenter was there, bringing his connections as a former "Chef to the Stars" to assist any way he could to raise awareness for what is now the centerpiece magnet and nationwide symbol of urban success.

Longtime Lakewoodite, our own Weldon Carpenter is perhaps the last living direct connection to saving Playhouse Square, and in truth and by extension, saving Downtown Cleveland, as well.

Weldon told me last night that the interviews have started. He has to be feeling pretty good right about now.

Congratulations Weldon. You made a HUGE difference for all of us!