Water For Elephants @ Playhouse Square

Through March 29, 2026

https://www.playhousesquare.org/

(216) 241-6000

Roy Berko
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Howard Gollop

What really distinguishes this musical is the way it incorporates Cirque du Soleil caliber artistry and design. Although the production is non-Equity, which usually involves a less experienced cast (occasionally evident here) and trimmed production standards, this production seems to have retained all the original Broadway luster, if not extravagance. Takeshi Kata’s sets, David I. Reynoso’s costumes and Bradley King’s lighting evoke Dust Bowl Americana, magically switching on carnival grandiosity when needed. It's ably helmed by Ryan Emons, adapting Jessica Stone's direction for the original Broadway production. 

To see a full review of this show, read Howard Gollop's review here.

Sheri Gross
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Sheri Gross' review here.

Mark Horning

What can be more fun than going to the circus (except for those who suffer from coulrophobia). This show has it all. Great acting, great singing, great dancing, great puppet work and great “tricks” combine to thoroughly entertain. Be sure to grab plenty of sweets from the “candy butchers” (concession stand personnel) at the “joint” (concession stand) to put you in the circus mood. This show truly is FUN FOR ALL!

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

Laura Kennelly

What would it be like to run away and join a circus? Water for Elephants, the latest national Broadway series musical currently at Cleveland’s Connor Palace Theatre, gives one answer.

To see a full review of this show go here or 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.

Gwendolyn Kochur

Were I to evaluate each of those elements–the quiet story, the emotion-centric music and the high-flying acrobatics–individually, I could see myself agreeing with those critics who found “Water for Elephants” wanting. Yet, when evaluating the pieces that make up the whole–as a whole–there is no denying that these elements coalesce into a dazzling production.

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

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

Joey Morona

Ultimately, you might find yourself asking whether “Water for Elephants” is a circus disguised as a musical or the other way around. But if you leave the theater entertained, what difference does it make?

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

 

Haunted @ Cleveland Public Theatre

Through March 22, 2026

https://www.cptonline.org/

216.631.2727 ext. 501

 

Roy Berko
No review yet.
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
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Sheri Gross' review here.

Mark Horning

An intriguing concept of combining near modern pop cultural with ancient traditions makes this a show worth seeing in spite of its overly long length. Comedy, native wisdom, spirits, white misconceptions and spooky going ons combine for an entertaining hodge podge that will have you thinking.

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

Laura Kennelly
No review yet.
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.

Gwendolyn Kochur

Cleveland Public Theatre’s production of “Haunted” has made the main purpose of their production very clear, and that is to promote and educate about the Land Back Movement.

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

Dr. Yuko Kurahashi

The tempo of staging could be a bit tighter/faster to better illuminate the themes and points; sometimes, physical theatre elements (a lot of movement) became repetitive, though that may be intentional, as the multiple prospective buyers of the house (in the play) evoke the aura of absurdism seen in such a work as Ionesco’s The Lesson. This work is a valuable “entry” point to not only learn about but appreciate and respect a rich history of Native activism, which the audience can see and collaborate with. In this geographical context, this work encourages CPT and its supporters/audience members to explore to foster liaisons with the Lake Erie Native American Council, which has been fighting against the erasure and exclusion in histories at multiple levels for Indigenous people who live in places (like Ohio) where no tribes have been officially recognized.  

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

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

 

Two Trains Running @ Beck Center For The Arts

Through March 29, 2026

https://.www.beckcenter.org/theater

(216) 521-2540

 

Roy Berko
No review yet.
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
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Sheri Gross' review here.

Mark Horning
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Mark Horning's Review here.

Laura Kennelly
No review yet.
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.

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

Dr. Yuko Kurahashi

Beck Center for the Arts (Scott Spence, Artistic Director) is presenting August Wilson’s Two Trains Running, directed by Jimmie Woody. Set in Memphis Lee’s (Darryl Tatum) coffee shop in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1969, Memphis’s regulars come and go, sharing their experiences, thoughts, feelings, concerns, and frustrations. The counterpoints to the regulars are Lee himself, the “owner and master” of this fort and oasis, and his left-hand person, the only cook/server, Risa (Thailand Hodge). Melding visual and auditory details, humor, and laughter in Wilson’s poetic and musical text, Woody brings the audience to one of the most conflicted periods and locales in US history in 2026. 

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

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

 

Rachmaninoff and the Tsar @ Cleveland Play House

Through March 15, 2026

http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com

(216) 241-6000

 

Roy Berko
No review yet.
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
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Sheri Gross' review here.

Mark Horning

If there is only one show that you intend to see at Playhouse Square this season, this is the one. It simply has everything one longs for in a great performance. It is as complete an evening of theater as one could hope for.

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

Laura Kennelly
No review yet.
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.

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

Dr. Yuko Kurahashi
What makes this work unique and special is the participation of another actor, Jonathan Silvestri, as the character of Tsar, who listens to Rachmaninoff’s resentment, complaints, and yearning for what he once perceived as the head of Mother Russia. In this work, the Tsar lovingly and nostalgically reminisces about his family, including his youngest daughter, Anastasia. while sharing a gruesome story about their deaths (without any trials), as they were led to believe the Bolshevik officer’s lie: they were about to be transferred to another location from Yekaterinburg, a city about 1,100 miles east of Moscow. The video of the Romanovs—the Tsar, his wife, Alexandria, their four daughters, and the only son, Alexei—is projected on the back wall screen, creating a historic-cinematic effect. Later, in the Q&A session, the audience is delighted to learn that the actors in the Romanov video include Silvestri and his family, who reside in Florence, Italy.

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

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

 

The Choir of Man @ Playhouse Square

Through March 8, 2026

https://www.playhousesquare.org/

(216) 241-6000

 

Roy Berko
No review yet.
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
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Sheri Gross' review here.

Mark Horning

Revisiting this show after so many years made me realize how great this production is. For a very short ninety minutes you are invited to escape to a place where everyone really does know your name. Subtle side themes remind us how through loss, addiction, family problems, work problems and coping with life in general a gentle word from a real friend can make all the difference in the world. This is where every raised glass tells a story. Slainte.

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

Laura Kennelly
No review yet.
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.

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

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

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