The Outsiders @ Playhouse Square

Through May 17, 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

“The Outsiders" is indeed worth it, thanks to the immeasurable talents of director Danya Taymor (niece to "Lion King" director and Oberlin grad Julie Taymor), plus the continuous narrative choreography of Rick and Jeff Kuperman and a show-stopping scenic design by Tatiana Kahvegian, culminating in a thunderstorm fight scene and an abandoned church set ablaze, brilliantly conceived by special effects designers Jeremy Chernick and Lillis Meeh.

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

Everything about this show is gritty and intense (there is even gravel on the stage). The acting, music, dance, costuming and stage set all meld into a mosaic of grimness that speaks truth of that time and city. The rumble scene unfolds with a fury that makes it the most piercing sequence ever performed live on stage complete with a full blown rain storm and stop action. This is theater at its best and most exciting.

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

Laura Kennelly

It’s a winning music- and dance-centric show, as musicals should be, with a stage full of young talent. Never mind the old “teens-are-out-of-control” storyline. Nothing new under the sun anyway, right? Recommended as the best musical so far, of this season’s KeyBank Broadway Series.

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

This is a show that makes your eyes pop and your heart swell.

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

 

Sanctuary City @ Dobama Theatre

Through May 17, 2026

https://www.dobama.org/

(216) 932-3396

 

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

While at times playful and humorous, the play never strays far from its serious side of the heartbreak of immigration and the stress it causes. Here are people who for all intensive matters are “citizens” who love America and work hard to stay here but by a quirk of fate are hunted. Some audience members may be put off by the out of rhythm syntax exhibited early on. Hang in there...it gets better.

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

Dobama Theatre’s last show of its 2025-2026 mainstage season, the Cleveland premiere of Sanctuary City by Martyna Majok, directed by Nathan Motta, featuring three performers— Lloyd Wayne Taylor, Diwe Augustin-Glave, and Jacob Gonzalez— is an extremely timely, moving, educational, and compelling work that speak volumes about the cycle of systematic exclusion and unwelcoming “acts/Acts” that the United States has developed over many decades and then exacerbated in the 21^st century in particular.

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

Joey Morona

“'Sanctuary City'” is as heartbreaking as it is essential. It is the story of two DREAMers whose hope and humanity become impossible to ignore."

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

 

Into The Breeches @ Ohio Shakespeare Festival

Through November 17, 2026

https://www.ohioshakespearefestival.com/ 

(330) 374-7574

 

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

1942 was an extremely charged time in our history. Young families were torn apart with no assurance that the men would return in one piece. No modern theater work comes close to recreating that time of doubt. Many older audience members will recall what their parents went through. Ohio Shakespeare Festival manages to recreate the vibe that was that faraway time. Get there early to enjoy the music from that era.

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
The strength of this production under Cates’s direction is the performers’ grasp of Shakespeare’s works. Recitations embedded in Brant’s script are delivered with musical and poetic precision, and a group of performers excels at embodying their Shakespearean characters from the 15th century and their 1940s counterparts. Sarah Pine, as Maggie, portrays her character with clarity and commitment. With impeccable enunciation (no one uses a microphone), Pine conveys her character’s thoughtfulness and kindness on one hand and tenacity and determination on the other. Opposite Pine’s Maggie is Holly Humes, as Celeste, a diva-actor who clings to the young roles for which she was once celebrated.

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.

 

Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson @ Great Lakes Theater

Through May 10, 2026

https://www.greatlakestheater.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

The Great Lakes production, stylishly designed by Jeff Herrmann, with busy contemporary costumes by Yvonne Miranda, is at least attractive to behold -- as long as the chaos of everything else can subside for a moment or two.

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

This is a show that will not be to everyone’s taste. Families with young children should think twice as well as senior citizens who are easily offended. It is a show that tries too hard to be too many things...madcap comedy...serious crime drama...feminist manifesto...period piece. If you like a challenge, give it a go and see if you agree.

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

Laura Kennelly

Playwright Kate Hamill has modernized the classic Sherlock Holmes detective meme and kept the classic Arthur Conon Doyle mystery elements that tickle our fancy. Life’s all still a chase for golden rings, revenge, murder and dominance.

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

"If you can get past what you think these iconic characters should be, then your attendance, my dear, is elementary."

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

 

The Sound of Music" @ Playhouse Square

Through April 26, 2026

https://www.playhousesquare.org/events 

(216) 241-6000

 

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

Howard Gollop

There's not much a theater company can do to either ruin or elevate one of the most popular and familiar musicals in history, especially in the wake of the iconic 1965 film adaptation. But the current tour of "The Sound of Music" surprisingly succeeds at the latter, breathing fresh life into what could have been a stale encounter.

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 you ever wondered how the movie plays on a live stage (it started out as a highly successful Broadway show), here is your chance to witness a truly remarkable performance. All of the songs are there and then some. There is equal parts of love, laughter, chaos and danger that has the time fly by. It truly will become your favorite show.

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.

 

Tartuffe @ Cleveland Playhouse

Through April 5, 2026

http//www.clevelandplayhouse.com

(216) 241-6000

Howard Gollop

The production concept energizes the entire production to a certain point, but at times the still classically honed dialogue of Renjit Bolt's skillful adaptation -- maintaining smart rhyming couplets -- becomes a bit jarring.

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

Historically, comic farces of this type date back to ancient Greek and Roman times. (Moliére’s version poked fun at France’s Louis XIV who suppressed it). The Ranjit Bolt translation sets the show as an unlikely 80s sitcom that somehow works well. The action flies by at a breakneck pace as characters race each other up the tall staircase steps (replacing the slamming doors a la Ken Ludwig). If you are a fan of loud comic farce, this is your show to love.

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

Laura Kennelly

CPH offers a lively engaging production of an old old story. It’s not all that hard to relate to characters imagined by Molière. (All we have to do is look at the news.) A bit of laughter goes a long way and sometimes, as the trite saying goes, it’s the best medicine.

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

An entertaining, engaging reimagining that feels both classic and contemporary at the same time.

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

 

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical @ Chagrin Valley Little Theatre

Through April 19, 2026

http://www.CVLT.org

(440) 247-8955

WORTH NOTING: 

In order to bring attention to local productions of merit at theaters that are not on the Cleveland Critics Circle’s approved Equity Theater list, members of the Circle who attend a community or educational theater production that is perceived as of high quality will have the option of listing that production on the CCC blogsite.  These review(s) fall into that category.

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

For a small non-equity community theater this show poses a lot of problems to produce but with careful selection of the various actors and a lot of hard work and practice they pull it off stupendously. This is one of the better productions of this work that you will find.

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.

 

Into The Heart Of One Star @ Cleveland Public Theatre

Through April 11, 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

This show attempts to juxtapose two seemingly unrelated events bringing them to separate but related conclusions. Reading up on your Greek mythology will help you understand part of the show. The ninety minute without intermission is “trippy” to say the least as it is filled with strange concepts that will test your imagination. 

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.

 

I Wanna F*** Like Romeo and Juliet @ Convergence Continuum

Through April 18, 2026

https://www.convergence-continuum.org/

(216) 687-0074

 

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

While not a bad production by any means, I simply found my mind wondering and my eyes checking my watch during the performance. While a believable premise, the show simply failed to engage me. I have no problems with the subject matter...just the presentation. Buy a ticket and see if you agree.     

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.