Biography of the Life in the Arts of Charles J. Abraham Jr. April 1,1958 - August 31, 2005

Chuck Abraham was a pillar in professional and community theatre ever since he was a young man. Chuck's mother Florence was a professional actor and singer, and undoubtedly inspired Chuck to carry on with the same passion. Chuck would attend rehearsals and shows with his mother and before long the directors of the musical shows (which was sometimes his mother) would recognize the zany, energetic, and extremely talented acting and singing skills he possessed.

Through many shows growing up at the Cleveland Playhouse and around local community and semi-professional theatres, Chuck fine-tuned his abilities to command presence on stage. Good, bad, or indifferent, the audience members always remembered the characters that Chuck played. He was a true scene stealer because of his outrageous comedic timing and physical humor, and also of his rich baritone-tenor voice. 

Chuck's mother managed, directed, and produced all of her own shows within the community in and around the greater Cleveland area, and thus was born the production troupe known as SILHOUETTE PRODUCTIONS. This was the start of Chuck's personal legacy which he later carried on following his mother's passing. Chuck's mother passed away while he was still a young man, leaving behind questions about the future of the family and their place in the theatre. The passion persevered, and through strong faith and family love, Chuck continued his mother's vision in the community arts by maintaining their family theatre group, Silhouette Productions.

Silhouette Productions became a vehicle for Abraham to solicit families of all types, genres, races, and creeds to become involved in the community performing arts. Chuck insisted on not discriminating against anyone based on their outward appearance, their level of talent, or the like. This is truly the trademark of Silhouette, and one that separates it from others in the community who can only attempt to mimic the standards set by Abraham and his family. Abraham insisted on giving all children a chance in the theatre by involving the parents and siblings, whenever possible, to share in the experience. This family-friendly environment spawned show after successful show of casts in excess of 85 people.

Mr. Abraham was versatile enough to call several locations home for Silhouette Productions. Not only did he write, produce, manage, and direct his very own shows, plays, and musical murder mysteries, he also took them on the road to local community arts organizations to perform on a regular basis. Local businesses also took note of Silhouette's following, having asked Chuck and his group of friends to perform at benefits, fund raisers, and corporate events of the entertainment of all.

The Wickliffe Civic Center (WICC) became a home for Chuck to produce Broadway shows locally, being only a mile away from his own home. WICC boasted many shows under Chuck's direction. Although the budgets were always scarce and it took awhile for attendance to justify expenses, Chuck always unselfishly found a way to make it happen. Abraham would regularly dip into his own personal finances to fund production expenses such as construction materials, lighting, sound, and even associate directors payroll expenses. He did this time after time to keep theater going in the small city that he loved, and to keep alive his vision for Silhouette. Aside from his own monetary investments, Abraham also built most of his own scenery with the help of his closest friends and family. Hours upon endless hours were spent before and after rehearsals (and on Saturdays) with public relations, marketing shows, making phone calls, planning and organizing the business of Silhouette

After numerous shows at WICCI and over ten years of active involvement, eventually the Centre succumbed to modern economy problems. Sadly, the center was knocked down and thus ended the Wickliffe home of Silhouette. The city of Euclid, where Chuck had grown up and spent his childhood had become the next home for Silhouette. The Shore Junior High School, located on the corner of East 222nd and Babbitt, eventually became a civic center much in the way that WICCI did. The very hallways where Chuck's childhood memories endured once again came to life with the return of Abraham.  

The Shore Cultural Center, as it is known, boasts a large historic theatre which holds over 1200 people. It is both cavernous and impressive, and Abaraham saw an opportunity to have a true theatre setting to perform his shows. Chuck continued this passion at his new home for six years directing and producing musicals with his closest family and friends. He truly loved it at Shore, and eventually it became the place where his final moments were spent.

Abraham suffered a fatal heart attack in the front office of the Shore Cultural Centre just moments before a scheduled rehearsal for Peter Pan, a show which he was very excited about. The news sent shockwaves through the community and his expansive network of friends and family.  

Much confusion and dismay was left behind following the untimely and unfortunate passing of Abraham. The show he was working on was scheduled to go up only a week after his death. The surviving family and closest friends of Abraham rallied together in support and love for Chuck to finish his work that he was so excited to present. The show went off without a hitch, and Peter Pan flew through the air just as Chuck would have hoped.

Chuck's sister, Charlotte Abraham Mirabile is the Artistic Director and cousin Lawrence DiDonato is the Production Director for Silhouette Productions. They worked side by side with Chuck, investing time, sweat, and tears throughout the years with him. Chuck instilled in them the belief that having fun in the community is what it is all about. That was truly what Chuck Abraham was all about - if he was not having fun in the community performing arts, he would not have done it at all. That is something we all learned from Chuck, among so many other things.

Chuck will be greatly missed in the upcoming years. His smile, energy, and internal motivation to actively pursue the next challenge in the theatre became the motivation for his survivors to continue his legacy. Shore Cultural Centre is still the current home for Silhouette, and shows are currently being produced on an annual and semi-annual basis. Chuck would have been proud of the continuation of family, faith, tradition, and above all laughter.

The 2013 November Production "Guys and Dolls" is dedicated to the memory of Charles J Abraham Jr.

Please attend a performance at Shore Cultural Centre.

Respectfully,

Silhouette Productions