Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune

Blank Canvas
August 23-September 7, 2013

440-941-0458 or www.blankcanvastheatre.com

Bob Abelman

“Frankie and Johnny” is an unfiltered portrait of the ordinary lives of two average, middle-aged people.  It uses incidental music to facilitate the dynamic tension between the characters (a wonderful Kimberly Eskut and Doug Kusak) and to serve as a subtle soundtrack to the storytelling.  Sadly, the music is underutilized in this production and the devil is in the details.

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


Mark Horning

“Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” is an adult comedy/drama that all married couples should experience.  It is a frank and honest look at the female/male relationship conundrum.  See it and discuss it as a couple and it may help open up your relationship to even farther possibilities.  See it with the one you love.

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

Christine Howey

This two-hander features plenty of McNally's famous wit and benefits from two strong performances and smooth, sensitive direction by Marc Moritz. But there is one huge disconnect that makes the entire play markedly less successful than it might have been.

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

Kory

Frankie and Johnny on the Clair de Lune isn’t mind-blowing, earth-shattering theatre, but it is well acted, and mildly entertaining.

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

TIME STANDS STILL

DOBAMA
September 6-October 6, 2013

216-932-3396 or dobama.org

Bob Abelman

“Time Stands Still” addresses the inhumanity and atrocities of war, but it never becomes the kind of play that preaches its politics.  Instead, it serves to reveal what 1980s songstress Pat Benatar told us long ago: that love is a battlefield.  Wonderful acting merges with always interesting writing and flawless direction.

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's News-Herald article here: http://www.news-herald.com/arts-and-entertainment/20130909/theater-review-love-is-a-battlefield-in-dobama-theaters-powerful-time-stands-still#.Ui4w0PTIx8k.facebook


Roy Berko

TIMES STANDS STILL is a thought-provoking, well-directed and acted drama, with comic interludes, that mesmerizes and challenges the viewer to think beyond the story and look into their own beliefs, attitudes and life choices. Dial the phone or get on the internet and purchase one of the few remaining tickets for this show! This is an absolutely must see production!
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.


Fran Heller

The beauty of "Time Stands Still" lies in its naturalistic dialogue and believable characters whose complex and contradictory natures fully plumb what it means to be human.
Nathan Motta's sensitive direction and a quartet of superb actors bring the well-written play and rich characterizations to pulsating life.
 
To see a full review of this show, read Fran Heller's review at the Cleveland Jewish News

Mark Horning

“Time Stands Still” is a well executed drama with a nice balance of humor.  It is one of those rare works that at intermission you want to stick around to see how the story ends.  In spite of its title it is a work that moves along well.

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


Christine Howey

In this exquisitely rendered production, directed by Nathan Motta, we see what drives these adrenaline-junkie shutterbugs, how their job ignites moral quandaries, and the toll their passion can take on personal lives.

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

Kory

Time Stands Still will play on every human emotion you possess, and maybe show you a different side of the turmoil that haunts our world. This show is a MUST-SEE!
To see a full review of this show, read Kory's blog here.


Andrea Simakis

With his excellent, four-person cast, director Nathan Motta has assembled a sturdy foundation upon which to balance this smart, demanding drama. His actors constantly explore the complex layers of their characters... It's a first rate production... that's nearly perfect.

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

BASED ON A TOTALLY TRUE STORY

convergence-continuum
August 23--September 14

convergence-continiuum.org or 216-687-0074

Bob Abelman

Playwright Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, who is also a graphic novelist, employs comic book structure, comic book conventions and comic book vernacular to drive his quirky comedy.  Director Cory Molner and his designers provide highly complementary window dressing.  All this is clever stuff, but the absence of an engaging storyline and fully fleshed out characters threatens this production’s integrity.  Fortunately Zak Hudak saves the day like the superhero his character Ethan helps create. 

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


Mark Horning

“Based on a Totally True Story” falls into that genre of “theater light”.  There are no universal truths unveiled, no earth shattering revelations, and no life changing philosophy to take home and use for the rest of your life.  It is simply what it is…a light comedy to make us laugh and distract us from life’s woes for awhile.  Well worth the price of the ticket.

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


Christine Howey

The title appears to be accurate. Trouble is, as a true story it’s not  particularly interesting, insightful or surprising.  The play is also saddled with structural difficulties (lots of phone conversations, lots of narration and exposition delivered direct to the audience) that director Cory Molner can’t fully overcome.

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

Kory 

Based on a Totally True Story is a comedy with tons of heart that explores life, love, success, and how the choices we make affect others. It’s simply produced, well-acted and will leave you with a lot to think about.
To see a full review of this show, read Kory's blog here.

Andrea Simakis

Uh-huh. Wish I could’ve pushed the “erase” button on this one. Totally. 


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

Art Thomas

Zac Hudak's comic book writer Ethan is the spine of this play where the structure, set, and multiple plot lines resemble panels of a comic book. The interlocking metaphors form a slick and entertaining production that moves from comic to semi-tender through the evening.

 Click here to read Art Thomas' complete review at WestLife

SPANK FIFTY SHADES OF PARODY @ Hanna Theatre

Hanna Theatre

August 8-18, 2013

216-241-6000 or www.playhousesquare.org

Mark Horning

“SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody” is one of those guilty little pleasures (like cupcakes) that help add a little spice to our lives.  It is naughty, irreverent and really, really funny.  See this with your significant other for a great evening of laughs.

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

Christine Howey

Spank! isn't so much a play as it is an excuse for the audience to giggle when E.B Janet, the fictionalized writer of the tome, writhes and vibrates as she taps out her steamy scenes.

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


Andrea Simakis

The spare traveling show first hit town in January, and it was so well-received, it came back for sloppy seconds.  A good time was had by all, especially the woman who was escorted from the building by a lawman following a trip she made across the lobby on all fours.  (No word on whether she was barking.)

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

CYMBELINE @ Ohio Shakespeare Festival

August 1-18, 2013

http://ohioshakespeare.com or 330-673-8761

  


Bob Abelman

This is not one of Shakespeare’s better plays.  It is, in fact, one of his final, most convoluted and least produced plays. It contains so many incongruous subplots that involve so many incompatible characters seemingly ripped from the pages of Shakespeare’s other comedies, tragedies and historical dramas that it is difficult to classify.  Yet, it is worth seeing because this Ohio Shakespeare Festival production, under Terry Burgler’s superb direction, is a good one. 

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

Kerry Clawson


The cast of Ohio Shakespeare Festival’s Cymbeline takes the adage “the show must go on,’’ very seriously, ensuring even through the rains Friday night that they brought their show to completion... director/actor Terry Burgler broke character just before the story’s three battle scenes to explain that the cast could not risk using real weapons on a stage slick from rain.

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


Christine Howey

Cymbeline is a rarely produced work, probably because of the large cast and the storyline that thrashes about in the weeds of random subplots even more than a lot of Will's complicated treasures. Then, there are the forced coincidences and death-defying last minute expositions. Ah, well, Hamlet it ain't.

Undaunted, the Ohio Shakespeare Festival takes it all on with their usual boisterous glee, and they mostly come up a winner. The talented actors bring out the music of the language (and there is plenty of that), while director Terry Burgler directs traffic and clarifies scenes with his usual craftsman's touch.

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