Mamma Mia @ Connor Palace Theatre

Through February 4, 2024

https://www.playhousesquare.org 

(216) 241-6000   

 

Mark Horning

This is the time of year when we all need a little pick me up and Mamma Mia is just the ticket. For many this may be a repeat but this cast brings a freshness that is irrepressible. Familiar songs that we all have grown to love combined with an engaging story line makes for a great night of musical theater. Take A Chance!

To see a full review of this show, read Mark Horning's Review here.

Chris Howey

But let's make one thing perfectly clear. Don't think if you've seen the movie Mamma Mia! you've seen enough. This lively, sleek production directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Last is a smooth, fast-paced and engineered to get you dancing in your seat.

To see a full review of this show, read Chris Howey's Review here.

At The Wake Of A Dead Drag Queen @ Dobama Theatre

Through February 18, 2024

https://www.dobama.org/ 

(216) 932-3396 

 

Roy Berko 

The show, which gets an acceptable performance, isn't for everyone. However, it should make audience members think and expose the average person to people and a way-of-life beyond their norm experience. It’s worth a go-see!

To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Mark Horning

If you have ever been curious about the behind the scenes world of drag queens, now is your chance to experience up close and personal a slice of their lives. This production delves beyond the surface to give us an in depth portrait of two very complex characters. Paint your lips, swing your hips and come experience a moving story...high heels optional.

To see a full review of this show, read Mark Horning's Review here.

Chris Howey

Preston Crowder’s directing is evocative, compelling, and engaging. Love scenes with small “beats” are well choreographed and accentuated by lights and movement. The scenes are raw, visceral, and graphic, demonstrating the characters’ hunger for love and connections.

To see a full review of this show, read Chris Howey's Review here.

Yuko Kurahashi

Dobama Theatre’s regional premiere of At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen, written by Terry Guest and directed by Preston Crowder, is a powerful and compelling work that makes its audience reflect on the journey of LGBTQ+ people and communities. Set in a gay bar in Albany, Georgia, in multiple times—past, present, and future—Courtney/Anthony Berringers, performed by Jason Eno, tells a story about them, her, him, and others ranging from West African Gods/Goddesses to Trina, Judy Garland, and Whitey Houston. Though Courtney/Anthony’s story is told in the bar, the audience is taken, at the meta-level, to different locations in different moments of the characters’ lives, including their childhood homes and a hospital room.

To see a full review of this show, read Yuko Kurahashi's review page here.

MRS. DOUBTFIRE (KeyBank Broadway Series)

Connor Palace

January 10-28, 2024

216-241-6000 or www.playhouse.org

 

Roy Berko

As the much-reprised song, “I Want to Be There” states, you will want to be there…at the Connor Palace…to join Rob McClure, and the rest of the cast, and enjoy the wonderful, fun-filled Mrs. Doubtfire!  Go! Enjoy!

To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Howard Gollop
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Howard Gollop's review here.

Sheri Gross

Sometimes movies that are turned into musicals fall short; Quite often plot modifications are rejected by audiences who have an affinity for the movie, and sometimes the music can be sub par–or even detrimental to the show itself, begging the question, “Did this really need to be made into a musical?” In the case of “Mrs. Doubtfire” on stage at Playhouse Square, the answer to that question is a resounding “yes,” and this North American Tour is…no doubt…a show you shouldn’t miss.  

To see a full review of this show, read Sheri Gross' review here.

Mark Horning

With a collection of Broadwayish numbers, disco, rock and roll, Flamenco and more you will be solidly entertained by this show. Add to that the variety of dance numbers and it becomes even better. It is a show full of heart with a strong family theme that the entire family will enjoy. HELOOOOOOOO!   

To see a full review of this show, read Mark Horning's Review here.

Chris Howey

The production is funny in fits and starts, featuring a hard-working lead actor, Rob McClure, trying his best to occasionally touch the comedic heights Williams was able to effortlessly scale. But it labors mightily under inevitable comparisons with the film, with McClure ultimately gasping for breath after dealing with many challenges including more than 30 costume/mask/wig changes.

To see a full review of this show, read Chris Howey's Review here.

Laura Kennelly

Who is Mrs. Doubtfire? Well, she’s a nanny, but she’s no Mary Poppins. For that matter, she’s not even a she. What she is, is entertaining and a bit manic (and thereby hangs the tale, as we said in Olden Days).

Bottom Line: It’s a bit of a challenge to believe someone would not recognize Daniel — plastic face bits, wig or no wig. I know it’s a necessary part of theater, but sometimes disbelief is harder to suspend than other times — in this case I kept thinking “Well, no wonder they split; she hardly knew him.” But that’s on the writers, not the actors and they gave it their all. Go for slapstick laughs to brighten up dreary January.

See the middle section Here
To see a full review of this show, read Laura's posts at Cool Cleveland.

Kate Klotzbach
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Kate's posts here.

Dr. Yuko Kurahashi
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Yuko's posts here.

Joey Morona

“Mrs. Doubtfire” isn’t the perfect musical. It might even be offensive to some. But with a universal message about the nature of the modern family, the show is well-intentioned, big-hearted and funny... really funny. Of that, there is little doubt.

To see a full review of this show, read Joey's posts here.

 

CLEVELAND CRITICS CIRCLE 2023 THEATER AWARDS

CLEVELAND CRITICS CIRCLE 2023 THEATER AWARDS

 

For more than 50 years, the CLEVELAND CRITICS CIRCLE (CCC) has provided support and recognition for professional theaters in our community and for the talented individuals who create and stage their productions. CCC members include local theater critics who write for print and/or online publisher(s); or who have established a distinct, credible, and consistent online presence (blog, etc.) for their reviews. 

 

On the CCC website, www.clevelandtheaterreviews.com, visitors will find capsule reviews of professional productions in the 216/440/330 area, with links to the reviewers’ full articles.

 

In addition, each year CCC honors outstanding local productions as well as select performers, directors, designers, and playwrights. (Note: The organization does not separate award recipients by gender identities.)

 

Eligible plays include those staged by Cleveland-area professional theaters during the 2023 calendar year. 

 

Members of the CCC who voted for the 2023 Awards are:  Sheri Gross (Cleveland Jewish News, The Lorain Journal, The News Herald), Mark Horning (WIX, Chagrin Valley Times, The Solon Times), Howard Golub (The Chronicle Telegram), Christine Howey (Cleveland Scene) and Roy Berko (Broadwayworld.com, CoolCleveland.com, theatrecriticism.com, www.royberko.info).  Additional nominators:  Laura Kennelly (CoolCleveland.com) and Kerry Clawson (Akron Beacon Journal)

 

(Duplicate winners and honorable mentions are listed in alphabetical order, not by order of excellence.)

 

BEST MUSICAL PRODUCTION

NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, GREAT LAKES THEATER

            Honorable Mention

            BLACK NATIVITY, KARMAU HOUSE THEATRE

            CABARET, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

                        FUN HOME, CAIN PARK

            ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, BECK CENTER           

            

BEST NON-MUSICAL PRODUCTION 

            LITTLE WOMEN, DOBAMA THEATRE

                        Honorable Mention

                        DOUBT: A PARABLE, BECK CENTER

                        MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN, CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE

                                    SKYLIGHT, NONE TOO FRAGILE THEATRE

                        THE ISLAND, ENSEMBLE THEATRE

                                   TRUE WEST, NONE TOO FRAGILE THEATRE

 

BEST PERFORMERS–MUSICAL

ALEX SYIEK, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, GREAT

         LAKES THEATER

            ISRAELJAH REIGN, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, BECK CENTER

JESSIE KIRTLEY, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, GREAT 

LAKES THEATER

JODI DOMINICK, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, GREAT

LAKES THEATER

            KRIS LYONS, PIPPIN, BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY

            MICHAEL SNYDER, ROCKY, BLANK CANVAS THEATER

            SCOTT ESPOSITO, FUN HOME, CAIN PARK

                        Honorable Mention

                            MADISON SHANNON, CABARET, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

                            CARLYN DEMANELIS, ROCKY, BLANK CANVAS THEATER

            

BEST PERFORMERS – NON-MUSICAL

CHRISTOPHER BOHAN, DOUBT: A PARABLE, BECK CENTER

DERDRIU RING, FAITH HEALER, NONE TOO FRAGILE THEATRE

KATIE SIMÓN, LUNGS, ENSEMBLE THEATRE

MARIAH BURKS, LITTLE WOMEN, DOBAMA THEATRE

NNAMDI OKPALA, THE ISLAND, ENSEMBLE THEATRE

ROB GRANT, LUNGS, ENSEMBLE THEATRE

ROBERT WILLIAMS, THE ISLAND, ENSEMBLE THEATRE

            Honorable Mention

    NATALIE GREEN, TRUE WEST, NONE TOO FRAGILE THEATRE

    RACHEL LEE KOLIS, TRUE WEST, NONE TOO FRAGILE THEATRE

    RON NEWELL, A FUGITIVE’S LESSON, CESEAR’S FORUM

    TRACEE PATTERSON, THE OTHER PLACE, DOBAMA THEATER

 

RISING STAR

            JULIANA SHUMAKER, FUN HOME, CAIN PARK

                        

BEST DIRECTOR – MUSICAL

            VICTORIA BUSSERT, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812,

                 GREAT LAKES THEATER

                        Honorable Mention

                              JOANNA MAY CULLINAN, FUN HOME, CAIN PARK

                              TERRI KENT, CABARET, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

            

BEST DIRECTOR – NON-MUSICAL

            MELISSA CRUM, LITTLE WOMEN, DOBAMA THEATER

                        Honorable Mention

        DONALD CARRIER, DOUBT: A PARABLE, BECK CENTER

        JEANNINE GASKIN, TROUBLE IN MIND, SEAT OF PANTS ENSEMBLE

        SARAH MAY, THE ISLAND, ENSEMBLE THEATRE

                                SEAN DERRY, SKYLIGHT, NONE TOO FRAGILE THEATRE  

 

BEST CHOREOGRAPHER 

JACLYN MILLER, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, GREAT                     LAKES THEATER

Honorable Mention

        LAUREN TIDMORE, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR 

    DREAMCOAT, BECK CENTER

                    MARTIN CESPEDES, CABARET, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

                    MONICA OLEJKO, FUN HOME, CAIN PARK

                    SARAH CLARE, LEAP OF FAITH, BLANK CANVAS THEATER

 

BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION  

MATTHEW WEBB, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812,                             GREAT LAKES THEATER

Honorable Mention

            BRADLEY WYNER, RENT, CAIN PARK

            DAVID M. THOMAS, BLACK NAIVITY,

KARAMU HOUSE THEATRE/CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE

            LARRY GOODPASTER, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, BECK CENTER

 

BEST SCENIC DESIGN

JEFF HERMANN, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812,                             GREAT LAKES THEATER

Honorable Mention

    LEX LIANG, MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN, CLEVELAND PLAY

         HOUSE

    SEAN DERRY, SKYLIGHT, NONE TOO FRAGILE THEATRE  

 

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN 

JAKYUNG C. SEO, MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN, CLEVELAND PLAY

     HOUSE

                        Honorable Mention

                            RUSS BORSKI, GHOST, BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY/BECK

                                 CENTER     

    TRAD A BURNS, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF                     1812, GREAT LAKES THEATER

 

BEST PROJECTION DESIGN

            JEREMY PAUL, THE OTHER PLACE, DOBAMA THEATER

                        Honorable Mention

        BRITTANY MERENDA, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR 

    DREAMCOAT, BECK CENTER

                                KASUMO, GHOST, BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY/BECK

                                     CENTER 

 

BEST COSTUME DESIGN

            INDA BLATCH-GEIB, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, BECK CENTER

                      Honorable Mention

    INDA BLATCH GEIB, BLACK NATIVITY, KARAMU HOUSE THEATRE 

THEATER/CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE

    MEIKA VAN PLOEG, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, GREAT LAKES THEATER

                MICHELLE HUNT SOUZA, CABARET, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

    TESIA DUGAN BENSON, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET               OF 1812, GREAT LAKES THEATER

 

BEST SOUND DESIGN

            ANGIE HAYES, FUN HOME, CAIN PARK

                        Honorable Mention

RICHARD INGRAHAM, BLACK NATIVITY, KARAMU HOUSE 

THEATER/CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE

                        SHARATH PATEL, MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN, CLEVELAND 

PLAY HOUSE

TOM MARDIKES & STAN KOZAK, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, GREAT 

            LAKES THEATER

 

BEST TOURING PRODUCTION  

            DEAR EVAN HANSEN, PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

 

BEST NEW PLAY BY A LOCAL PLAYWRIGHT

A LIGHT IN THE NIGHT:  A HANUKKAH PLAY, LES AND ELANA HUNTER,                    TAILSPINNERS CHILDREN’S THEATRE

 

BEST CHORUS IN A MUSICAL 

            NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, GREAT LAKES THEATER

                    Honorable Mention

                            RENT, CAIN PARK

                            ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, BECK CENTER

      JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, BECK

               CENTER

            

BEST WORLD PREMIERE IN THE CLEVELAND AREA

   A LIGHT IN THE NIGHT:  A HANUKKAH PLAY, LES AND ELANA HUNTER, 

                TAILSPINNERS CHILDREN’S THEATRE

 

SPECIAL MENTION

 

PATRICK CIAMACCO FOR HIS CREATIVITY IN PRESENTING HIGH-QUALITY THEATRE ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET AT BLANK CANVAS THEATER

 

GINA VERNACI FOR HER MANY YEARS OF INSPIRED SERVICE WITH PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

 

ENSEMBLE THEATRE’S WORKSHOP READING OF A COMMISSIONED PLAY, THE PROSPECT OF EQUALITY BY RACHEL ZAKE

 

AND, A REMINDER FROM THE PAST...

REUBEN AND DOROTHY SILVER FOR THEIR 21 YEARS OF STELLAR INVOLVEMENT WITH KARAMU HOUSE THEATRE