Thursday, March 29, 2012

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST


THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
ACTOR'S SUMMIT
March 29-April 22

Tickets: 330-374-7568 or actorssummit.org/tickets.htm

Kerry Clawson
Satisfyingly sophisticated silliness reigns in Actors’ Summit’s production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. All of the primary characters speak utter nonsense in this play, and that’s what makes it so charmingly funny. As Wilde pokes fun at the inanely superficial upper class at every turn, director Neil Thackaberry’s core cast of five main characters amply illuminates how preposterously bored the rich are with too much time on their hands.
To see a full review of this show, read Kerry Clawson's review here.

Fran Heller
Actors' Summit's pedestrian production under Neil Thackaberry's stewardship is an ambitious undertaking that falls short. "Earnest" depends on impeccable acting and linguistic skills. In lesser hands it can be tedious and slow moving.
To see a full review of this show, read Fran Heller's review at the Cleveland Jewish News

Friday, March 23, 2012


THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN
THE BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS
March 23-April 29

216-521-2540 or www.beckcenter.org

Bob Abelman

Local playwright Eric Coble’s “The Velocity of Autumn” is an intriguing one-act, two-person coming-of-old age play that is enjoying its regional premiere at the Beck Center for the Arts. But it is not always so enjoyable.

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

Roy Berko

Seeing THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN is one of those special evenings in the theatre. Dorothy Silver is enthralling, David Hansen is right on target, and Eric Coble’s poignant yet humorous script allows for a much needed look at the plight of the aging in this sometimes heartless culture. This production is an absolutely must, must, must see!

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

Fran Heller

What does it feel like to grow old? It's a question Cleveland playwright Eric Coble explores with sensitivity, compassion, wisdom and a touch of the absurd in "The Velocity of Autumn," a lovely play about aging parents and adult children, life and death, and how to preserve human dignity and independence in the face of debilitating old age.
To see a full review of this show, read Fran Heller's review at the Cleveland Jewish News

Christine Howey

A brilliantly titled play with one outstanding performance by Dorothy Silver and some sprightly byplay. Even with some playwriting overreach, it's an opportunity to see Silver at her octogenarian best.
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at Cleveland Scene


Art Thomas

Eric Coble's script has a buckshot approach with a dozen developed story threads to link an aged mother to her previously estranged son. There's too many vectors here, but at least some will connect with the audience. The two strong performances are compelling, especially when a discussion of art brings the characters together.

Click here to read the complete review at WestLife

KORY

Beck Center for the Arts on Detroit Road in Lakewood presents the regional premiere of The Velocity Of Autumn by Cleveland Playwright Eric Coble. Velocity is a fly-on-the-wall look into a conversation between an old woman who is losing her grip on her own life and her son who is still trying to discover his place in the world.


Tuesday, March 20, 2012


THE HYACINTH MACAW
convergence-continuum

March 16-April 7
tickets: 216-687-0074 or go to http://convergence-continuum.org

Roy Berko

Mac Wellman's THE HYACINTH MACAW is not theatre for everyone. If you like abstract doubletalk and want to sit and pretend you are an intellectual who understands what the author is trying to say, this will be your thing.

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


Christine Howey

Weirdly entertaining and sometimes frustrating, Mac Wellman's word bomb features a furious tempo and deliberate obfuscation in an attempt to reveal the intricate nonsense that often comprises our existence.

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



OF MICE AND MEN - Blank Canvas
1305 West 78th Street, Suite 211, ClevelandMarch 16-April 1, 2012
www.blankcanvasthetre.com


Roy Berko

Blank Canvas’s OF MICE AND MEN is a compelling piece of theatre. This is an absolutely must see production filled with fine acting and focused staging.

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

Kory

Most of us had to read John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice And Men” in high school. The tragic story of George and Lennie, two migrant farm hands in depression era California. Lennie is “not bright” and is strong as an ox. George is Lennie’s caretaker and tries, unsuccessfully, to keep Lennie out of trouble. As the story unfolds, trouble is what they find.

Read more: http://wdok.radio.com/2012/03/19/theatre-review-of-mice-and-men-at-blank-canvas-theatre/#ixzz1sJVeEj4f

Sunday, March 18, 2012


RED
Cleveland Play House
March 16-April 8
(216) 241 6000 www.clevelandplayhouse.com
Bob Abelman



As this brilliantly written and superbly performed play documents and more than amply exhibits during its 90 minutes of uninterrupted dialogue, Mark Rothko was a wordy fellow for a visual artist. And damn definitive for an abstract expressionist. "Red"is a thoughtful, thought-provoking play and the CPH has created a worthy rendition of it.

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

Roy Berko


Cleveland Play House's must see RED is special—great acting, a fine script, thought provoking dialogue, educational—everything theatre should be!

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

Fran Heller

The one-act biodrama...is cerebral and sensual, funny and serious and a thoroughly engrossing evening of theater. The play revels in language as rich as the hues on the canvas. The verbal riff on "red" and "black" as colors and as similes is breathtaking to anyone who luxuriates in the written word.

To see a full review of this show, read Fran Heller's review at the Cleveland Jewish News

Christine Howey


Red, a journey through painter Mark Rothko's fevered mind, offers blazing flurries of conversation, reflection and argument that will keep your head spinning long after the curtain call.

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

Art Thomas

Red is about more than art. Its subjects touch on ego, destructive self-absorption, and the experience of extreme upscale dining. It will provoke conversation and tell you about an artist, but more about yourself.


To see a full review of this show, read Art Thomas' review in Westlife here.

Kory

The play centers around artist Mark Rothko (Bob Ari) who is struggling to paint a commission for the Four Seasons in New York City. He hires a young assistant named Ken (Randy Harrison) and a dialogue begins that eventually calls into question everything Rothko believes about art.