Thu 1/12 @ 7PM
Shaker Heights’ native Peter Lawson Jones was widely known in Northeast Ohio for his career in politics, running on the ticket for Ohio lieutenant governor in 1994, serving in the state legislature, and as a Cuyahoga County Commissioner from 2002-2010, a job he lost when a county charter issue in 2009 abolished the county commission.
But that was OK; the Harvard-educated lawyer already had another career in his back pocket and it wasn’t in law. Instead he dedicated himself full time to another interest he’d previously pursued intermittently: theater. His resume rapidly grew to include playwriting, directing, and numerous acting roles, on stage, on TV and in films.
His latest is the Tom Hanks-starring A Man Called Otto. The plot concerns a crabby old man living in Pittsburgh who is at odds with most of his neighbors until a friendly new family moves in who melt his gruff exterior. Yeah, corny stuff but there’s a cat in it. Jones plays a supporting role.
The film had limited release in December, and has its wide release on January 13. But on January 12, Jones is hosting a gala red carpet advance screening as a benefit for the Charles & Margaret Jones Scholarship Fund at College Now Greater Cleveland, which he established in honor of his parents.
The event, taking place at Cinemark Valley View, kicks off with a VIP reception at 6pm, followed by a program at 7pm, the screening at 7:15 and a Q&A with Jones following the film at 9:15. WKYC news anchor Russ Mitchell emcees the program, which includes a silent auction.
For tickets, both VIP and general admission, go to collegenowgc/a-man-called-otto/.