MARY POPPINS@MERCURY SUMMER THEATRE

August 7 through 22, 2015

http://www.mercurysummerstock.com 

or 216-771-5862

Bob Abelman

The film "Mary Poppins" boasts of Academy Award-winning music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, a story bolstered by Academy Award-winning Disney animation and film editing, and cast members who have cement footprints embedded in the walkway of Hollywood Blvd.  In order to bring the film to life on stage, Walt Disney Theatrical spent $18 million on elaborate special effects developed by Las Vegas illusionists and Disney theme park specialists.  Local theaters attempting to stage “Mary Poppins” acquire the score and script but, with their limited budgets, are left to fend for themselves when it comes to finding their own form of magic. Which the Mercury Theatre Company does in its current production.  

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's CJN article here.

CAMELOT@MERCURY THEATRE COMPANY

July 10 to 25, 2015

http://www.mercurysummerstock.com 

or 216-771-5862

Bob Abelman

This production is a labor of love that respects the original work but hopes that a dramatic simplification in its staging will strip away the thick and cloudy veneer that has built up over generations of veneration. It does, but missing and sorely missed is the elegance that once defined the brief shining moment that was known as "Camelot.” 

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's CJN article here.

Christine Howey

The Mercury troupe under the direction of Pierre-Jacques Brault manages to wrestle it to a draw while finding bits and pieces of the magic that has enthralled many audience members for decades.

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan

SHREK
MercurySummerStock
June 4-29, 2013 

 http://www.mercurysummerstock.com or call 216-771-5862

Bob Abelman

Under Pierre-Jacques Brault fun-infused direction, the uninhibited and gifted ensemble takes us on such a thoroughly enjoyable amusement park ride that the playbill should warn us to stay seated and keep all limbs inside the vehicle. 

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's News-Herald article here.

Roy Berko

SHREK is a creative script.  The Mercury Summer Stock production will delight many.  This is a community theatre production, and, a fairly acceptable one. 

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

Christine Howey

Patrick Ciamacco is totally wonderful, mastering the Shrek voice we’ve come to expect and singing his songs with professional pizzazz and feeling. And when he and Fiona embrace at the end, it’s enough to make ordinary humans green with envy.

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan


Kory


Mercury Summer Stock has always had champagne taste on a beer budget, that is one of the things that makes each season better than the last. Mercury Summer Stock’s Shrek The Musical is an A+.

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

 
ALL SHOOK UP
Mercury SummerStock
August 3-18
http://www.mercurysummerstock.com or 216-771-5862

Bob Abelman

Promoted as a cleverly camouflaged rendition of Shakespeare's comedy “Twelfth Night,” with its employment of star-crossed lovers, mistaken sexual identify and such, Joe DiPietro’s jukebox musical “All Shook Up” is mostly a high-energy mash-up of Elvis Presley  tunes and production numbers that rock the room. Mercury Summer Stock's rendition is nothing short of a blue suede smash-hit.

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's News-Herald blog here.


Roy Berko

If you like Elvis’s songs, are in the mood for escapist theatre wrapped in a nearly non-existent plot, and want to see lots of high school and college kids have a good time performing, ALL SHOOK UP! could be your thing.

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


Christine Howey
The production itself is thoroughly engaging, thanks to detailed direction and choreography by Pierre-Jacques Brault and more than a few winning performances. 
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene


Marjorie Preston
"All Shook Up" is a high-energy, grooving good time, especially for fans of 1950s music...the power of a great ensemble really comes through ...when the group stands together in the name of love and just belts it out... "All Shook Up" is good fun -- toe-tapping music and a talented cast.
To see a full review of this show, check out Marjorie Preston's brand-new blog, Brava!

Kory
If you want a toe tapping night of Elvis music performed by a talented young cast, don’t miss All Shook Up in it’s closing weekend at Notre Dame College in South Euclid.

To see a full review of this show, link to http://new102.com/korysreviews

CATS
MERCURY SUMMER STOCK
JUNE 15-30, 2012
216-771-5862 or www.mercurysummerstock.com

Bob Abelman

“Cats” devotees justify their fervor by mentioning the show’s seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and its impressive literary and musical pedigree.  Detractors simply call attention to the fact that… this is a play about cats.  They both have a point, yet there are aspects of the Mercury Summer Stock production about which groupees and grousers can agree.

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's News-Herald article here.

Roy Berko

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CATS was not all that could have been hoped for as an opening show in Mercury’s new venue, but, considering the difficulty of the show, and the developing abilities of the cast, Brault and company can be commended for a “nice try.”

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


Christine Howey

Mocked for being unsophisticated, plot-less claptrap aimed at pre-teen girls, theater rubes and burnt-out Asian businessmen, one can tend to forget that the show has undeniable strong points. And although this production by Mercury Summer Stock is raw in parts and lacking in vocal depth, the staging is nicely detailed and at times even captivating. 

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan

Kory

Despite a glitchy opening weekend, Mercury Summer Stock's CATS shows promise in South Euclid!

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

Marjorie Preston

With just a hint of a plot and very little dialogue, “Cats” is told through an eclectic variety of songs, and also incorporates fantastical costumes and stylized dancing – a head tilt here, an ear scratch there. However, the musical never settles on a character for very long, and is more a series of introductions to the all-cat cast, which can lead it to feel bland despite the quality of the work on stage. The strength of “Cats” lies in its high-caliber dance talent, though those looking for a more traditional linear plot line or conflict will find it lacking.

To see a full review of this show, read Marjorie's blog here or visit Cleveland.com here.