LIVE BODIES FOR SALE @ PLAYWRIGHTS LOCAL

Through December 15, 2019

(216) 302-8850

Or http://playwrightslocal.org/

Roy Berko

“LIVE BODIES FOR SALE” is a powerful and compelling exposition that grabs and holds attention, not only because of the stories told, but also because of the well-conceived performances.  This is an absolutely must-see experience which shows the power of theater to teach and persuade.

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

Mark Horning

You will not enjoy Live Bodies For Sale but this is a show that should be seen by parents and teens alike. Sometimes theater should be less about entertainment and stronger on teaching vastly needed life lessons. This is one of those shows. Have the courage to see this with your son and daughter. 

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

Andrea Simakis

In writing “Live Bodies for Sale,” playwright Christopher Johnston pulled out his reporter’s notebook and interviewed survivors of the inhumane crime of human trafficking. He didn’t speak to women in far-flung countries but to those right here in Cleveland.  Their stories, told in a series of arresting monologues peppered throughout the loosely structured work, are the reason to make the trek to Waterloo Arts District to see the world-premiere Playwrights Local production.

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

DOWN BY CONTACT @ PLAYWRIGHTS LOCAL

Through September 2, 2018

(216) 302-8850

http://playwrightslocal.org/

Bob Abelman

X’s and O’s don’t add up in Playwright Local’s ‘Down by Contact.’

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's blog here or go to www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/bob_abelman/

Roy Berko


“Down By Contact” exposes the audience to an important present-day issue:  the effects of head trauma on athletes. It also vividly shows the effects of CTE and how the National Football League tried to avoid responsibility for a lack of protection of the players.  The script itself needs some refining and further development.   

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

Mark Horning

What happens when the roar of the crowd fades away and the effects of countless injuries begin to physically and mentally manifest themselves in our sports heroes? Playwrights Local and Dobama Theatre’s production gives you a realistic look into life after the gridiron. Well worth the drive to see this one.

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

Christine Howey

Because the play never delves deeply enough into Carson’s terror of his mind leaving him, and due to a concluding eulogy by Tommy and Kelsey that is unnecessarily garbled, the end result is not an emotional touchdown. It’s more of a three-and-out.

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at Cleveland Scene

PANTHER DANCER @ PLAYWRIGHTS LOCAL

Through May 26, 2018

(216) 302-8850

Or http://playwrightslocal.org/

Bob Abelman

Not broad enough to be a farce, not risqué enough to be remarkable and occasionally mean for the sake of a laugh, “The Panther Dancer” can’t seem to rise above the sketch comedy mindset that drives it.

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's blog here or  www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/bob_abelman/

Roy Berko

“The Panther Dancer,” is a well-researched, in-depth telling of the life of Michael Jackson, but needs a strong dose of cutting. Director Jimmie Woody does a nice job of creative staging.

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

Christine Howey

Director Woody employs his substantial skills in staging the piece so that those flaws don’t drag everything down. And he’s partially successful, thanks to some yeoman work by the cast. 

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

THINGS AS THEY ARE @ PLAYWRIGHT"S LOCAL

Through May 28, 2017

(216) 302-8850

Or http://playwrightslocal.org/
Artwork Courtesy of Playwright's Local

Bob Abelman

Despite director Anjanette Hall’s best efforts, it is often hard to distinguish between the playwright’s efforts to use Stevens’ abstract ideas and radiant lyricism as key elements in the storytelling and the creative choices governed by budgetary constraints or simple oversight. 

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

Roy Berko

As a play in process, “Things As They Are” needs to be reexamined with an eye for sharpening and tightening the dialogue and ascertaining whether all the visual and audio stimuli are necessary to tell the tale.  For those who like to see new works, to discuss and add in-put into the development process, Playwrights Local and this play offer that opportunity.
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Christine Howey
Todd and Hall and their team have many ideas at work here, and their dedication to the subject matter is evident throughout. But it would all work better if the extraneous staging effects were trimmed, the audience brought in closer, and the script tightened to concentrate more on Stevens’ works. 

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene

David Ritchie

“Things as They Are” brings audiences some wonderful things as they were.  The story moves through Wallace Stevens’ life from the poet as a young man to the mature (dying) Stevens. Jason Markouc (Young Wallace Stevens) and Robert Hawkes (Mature Wallace Stevens) are excellent in their respective roles. The script and Anjanette Hall (Director) permit the audience to watch Stevens grow and mature from a young man to a mature and then old and dying man. The character slowly modulates through life.

To see a full review of this show, read David's posts at Talkin' Broadway

THIS IS NOT ABOUT MY DEAD DOG@ PLAYWRIGHTS LOCAL

Through January 28, 2017

(216) 302-8850

Or http://playwrightslocal.org/

Bob Abelman

We’ve all had moments like those revealed by Amy Schwabauer and see ourselves in her embarrassment and angst.  But few of us are brave enough to put it on stage before an audience, bold or brilliant enough to perform it ourselves, and brazen enough to consider it theater.

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

Roy Berko

The largely mid-twenties female sold-out audience responded well to the tales of self-loathing.  Some even shed tears at the end.  The stories obviously hit a chord with them.  Some adjustments in the script could expand the appeal to a wider audience and provide a better theatrical experience.

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

Christine Howey

If you’re going to write a one-woman play that is largely about drinking and vomiting, it helps if you’re an engaging and at times electric actor. Thankfully, that’s what writer-performer Amy Schwabauer has going for her.

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

OBJECTIVELY/REASONABLE @ PLAYWRIGHTS LOCAL

August 18 through September 4, 2016

(216) 302-8850

Or http://playwrightslocal.org/

Bob Abelman

Playwright Local’s ‘Objectively/Reasonable’ hits home hard.

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

Roy Berko

It is the purpose of the Playwrights Local to produce works of North Eastern Ohio writers.  If their future efforts produce anything like this painful to watch but well conceived play, their purpose will be well confirmed.  This is a must see experience for anyone interested in the real world around them, especially if they are not part of the African American community.
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.


Mark Horning

As in all things of our great and varied society it takes a senseless tragedy to bring attention to a much larger problem.  “Objectively/Reasonable” is the window that has opened for all to view the inequity of law enforcement activity in the less advantaged Cleveland neighborhoods.  It is a show that begs to be seen by police officers and citizens alike in order to break the silence and begin a dialog where community and safety officials unite in a common cause.  If not, we are doomed to repeat this tragedy over and over again.

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

Andrea Simakis

The play grapples with the notion of how such a thing could be, as a prosecution expert claimed, "reasonable."  And why Cleveland didn't burn. The sentiments of ordinary Clevelanders echo through the 90-minutes piece, mingling with the observations of figures with more intimate knowledge of the case.

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

TO THE ORCHARD @ PLAYWRIGHTS LOCAL 4181

Through June 12, 2016

(216) 302-8850

Or http://playwrightslocal.org/

Bob Abelman

Engaging ‘To the Orchard’ pits tradition against desire in its world-premiere production.

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

Roy Berko

Playwrights Local 4181 should be lauded for filling a void in the Cleveland theatre world.  Their goal of producing locally written and developed scripts is admirable.  Their initial production, To the Orchard, was a valiant try.  Though the final outcome left much to be desired, every new undertaking has to have a place from which to grow.  The organization has laid its foundation and it should be encouraged to showcase what hopefully will be a successful and fruitful future.

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