Allen Theatre
January 10-February 2, 2014
January 10-February 2, 2014
216-241-6000 or www.clevelandplayhouse.com
Bob Abelman
The guy playing the rabbi was brilliant!
To see a series of behind-the-scene articles, read Bob Abelman's feature pieces here.
Roy Berko
The
opening night audience for YENTL failed to give the standard Cleveland standing
ovation. This might be construed
as an omen that there was a disconnect between the viewers and the
production. It’s too bad. YENTL is
an important script, which tells a fascinating story of a writer, ahead of his
time, who weaves Jewish history with modern issues. I wanted so much to really be swept away by the production.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.
Howard Gollop
It seems Isaac Bashevis Singer’s classic short story “Yentl, the Yeshiva Boy” is destined for the gay sensibility. It’s
not immediately apparent if director Michael Perlman is pushing a bit
of sexual revisionism onto Singer’s innocent tale about a young Jewish
woman in 1880s Poland who must dress and act like a male in order to
study Talmud. Fortunately,
director Perlman is intelligent enough so as not to shortchange the
overriding theme sof Singer’s tale – sexual equality the being true to
one’s self.
The full review is only available to subscribers of the Chronicle-Telegram
Although the play is better than the movie, it remains bloated with extraneous scenes, making the 2 1/2 hour production including intermission, feel a whole lot longer.
Michael Perlman's stodgy direction lacks all traces of subtlety and mystery.
The episodic format grows tiresome.
To see a full review of this show, go to here.
Mark Horning
If you are willing to overlook the imperfections of
dialect, the dramedy tug of war and the nudity (front row patrons beware),
Yentl still makes for a fine evening of entertainment. The strength of the acting helps greatly in
overcoming the weaknesses.
To see a full review of this show, read Mark Horning's blog.Christine Howey
Despite a very long first act and a couple odd staging choices, the piece retains the power to make us question the death grip that attributed gender can impose on many people.
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at Cleveland SceneAndrea Simakis
Though "Yentl" is well-acted and directed with a light comic touch by Michael Perlman, that kind of authenticity is missing from other key sequences in the production. Sure, it's a dramedy, but too many lines are delivered by members of the ensemble with squints and exaggerated accents that recall Jerry's carping parents in "Seinfeld." The script is clever enough – no mugging necessary.
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.
