poor little Lulu

Oh, Cleveland Public Theatre: You had us at “vintage circus of comic debauchery.” That’s the tantalizing hook being tossed around in regard to poor little Lulu, a “cautionary tale” of greed, lust, and assorted sexual hijinx making its world premier this week at the Gordon Square theater. Lulu is the newest creation from freelance director and playwright Matthew Earnest, who was last in town with Wanderlust: A History of Walking. That play made it’s world premiere at CPT in 2010. At the time, our venerable house critic Christine Howey had good things to say, including this: “Earnest’s thrilling theatrical chops should make you kick up your heels in glee.” Produced in association with Earnest’s new company, The Lunar Stratagem, poor little Lulu debuts Thursday, March 8, and runs through Saturday, March 24, in the James Levin Theatre, 6415 Detroit Ave. Performances are 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays. Tickets are $10 to $25 at 216-631-2727, at cptonline.org, or at the box office. And don’t forget: Friday is free beer night — your post-performance chance to mingle with the cast and enjoy a brew or two on the house!