BEYOND THE HORIZON @ Ensemble Theater

April 25-May 18, 2014

www.ensemble-theatre.com or 216-321-2930

Bob Abelman

This production is worth seeing based on the merits of a young O’Neill’s not-yet evolved, not-often heard but still gorgeous prose and the quality of the actors speaking it.

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

Roy Berko

“Beyond The Horizon” is a Eugene O’Neill classic which gets few stagings.  The Ensemble production, in general, allows us to experience the beautiful writing of a master playwright. Ensemble is to be praised for continuing in its task to help keep the classics alive by producing this and other epic plays.

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


Christine Howey

Three characters in Eugene O’Neill’s Beyond the Horizon see their wishes come true, only to fall into regret and sadness. This play, O’Neill’s first Pulitzer Prize winner, shows its age with frequently clunky dialogue. But there is heat and passion at work here.

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

AMERICAN IDIOT @ PHSQ/Palace Theatre

April 25-27, 2014
216-241-6000 or www.playhousesquare.org

Roy Berko

“Green Day’s American Idiot” is a loud, brash musical which attempts to tell the tale of modern day America.   In spite of a well-performed and musically proficient  performance, the thin script and redundant musical sounds resulted in a quickly to be forgotten theatrical experience.

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

Mark Horning

“Green Day's American Idiot” is the type of happening that all young people need to experience at some point in their fresh life (and perhaps some of their parents as well).  It is fast paced, raucous and wonderfully entertaining with a moral message snuck in as well.  If your head is in the right place, I guarantee that you will have the “Time of Your Life”. 

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

Kerry Clawson

There was a lot of raging but not much storytelling going on in the third national tour of "American Idiot," which landed for a five-performance run last weekend at Playhouse Square.

 The 90-minute, intermissionless show came across as a glorified concert rather than a book musical with a cohesive story. It was never clear just what the jaded, directionless, suburban young people in this tale are so angry about.

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

INFORMED CONSENT @ Cleveland Play House

April 23-May 18 2014

216-241-6000 or www.clevelandplayhouse.com

Bob Abelman

Playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer and director Sean Daniels squeeze all the simultaneously disclosed science, personal crisis and philosophical debate into a beautifully woven, cleverly conceived and highly entertaining tapestry of storytelling. 

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

Roy Berko

“Informed Consent” is a play for all theater-goers.  There is intellectual interest, mystery content, and humor, all rolled into one well-written script, which gets a superb staging!  This is a must see production!


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

Kerry Clawson
In the world premiere of "Informed Consent," the fact that genetic anthropologist Jillian violates the trust of the Havasupai tribe is more heartbreaking than her personal reason for doing so: She’s in a race against time to find a cure for early-onset Alzheimer’s. ...
This play presents a disconnect when it comes to Jillian’s family relationships, which don’t feel genuine: I never really bought into Jillian’s personal turmoil as she lives in fear of discovering her daughter, too, may have the Alzheimer’s gene.

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

Mark Horning

“Informed Consent” delves far deeper than the story of an overzealous scientist taking unauthorized advantage of a delicate spiritual situation.  It is a microcosm of the treatment of all native peoples at the hands of well meaning but misguided scholars who cannot see beyond the edge of their research.  See this play in order to learn and think.

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

Andrea Simakis

The seed of "Informed Consent," Deborah Zoe Laufer's drama about the promise and pitfalls of genetics research – thorny legal and moral issues that were unimaginable only a few years ago – was appropriately born using the most new-century of tools: Facebook.

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

Art Thomas

This play asks a loaded question: If humans are genetically 99% identical, what is it that defines us uniquely? There's lots of material for provocative discussion in the scrip, but there also are some clunky theatrical devices that struggle to unite the play's buckshot approach

Click here to read the complete review at WestLife

KIN @ Dobama

April 25-May 25, 2014

216-932-3396 or dobama.org

Bob Abelman

If the characters in Eugene O’Neill’s “Beyond the Horizon,” currently on stage at Ensemble Theatre and reviewed in this paper, happened to meet the characters in Bathsheba Doran’s “Kin,” currently on stage at Dobama Theatre, they would have a good laugh. 

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

Roy Berko

KIN is one of those special scripts that happily gets a superb production at Dobama.  It’s a play for everyone, whether the viewer is looking for thoughtful moments, humorous interludes, or fine acting.  KIN is a must see evening of theater.

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

Mark Horning

“Kin” does in 90 minutes what it takes couples a minimum of 25 years together (any less does not count) to realize.  That it takes an army of friends, relations…and yes strangers to help them find each other and stay together.  For the long married couple it will make them ponder their rich history and for the newly introduced twosome show what they have to look forward to. 

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

Christine Howey

Every romance needs a lot of good fortune as the two amorous participants try to surmount their own family demons and construct a viable relationship. And that is the magical journey that is so precisely (yet obliquely) depicted in "Kin" by Bathsheba Doran, now at Dobama Theatre.

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

THE DROWNING GIRLS @ Cleveland Public Theatre

April 17-May 3, 2014
216-631-2727 or go to www.cptonline.org

Bob Abelman

‘The Drowning Girls’ delivers enthralling, ethereal, short-form theater.  Director Melissa Therese Crum embraces and embellishes all that is haunting in this story and places great faith in her three actors to do the waiflike storytelling that is required.  They do so remarkably well.

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

Roy Berko

“The Drowning Girls” is an intriguing script which gets a fine staging at Cleveland Public Theatre.  Be warned:  reading the program notes before the play may take some of the excitement out of experiencing the production. 
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Mark Horning

 “The Drowning Girls” is the type of touchstone work that we need to see from time to time to measure just how far civilized society has advanced. Has much changed since 1912? What rights do women in our society have concerning being single or being married? What is there that needs to be done to improve the situation? Are women truly protected against spousal abuse? Come see this play, but be prepared to think afterwards.

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

Christine Howey

Although the three waterlogged actors in The Drowning Girls often seem to revel in the H2O all around them, this is no "aqua musical" of the kind the Hollywood mermaid Ms. Williams made famous in the 1950s. No, this regional premiere at Cleveland Public Theatre is, instead, a thoroughly compelling dramatization of a scandalous serial-murder spree that took place in England's bathtubs a century ago.

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

Andrea Simakis
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.

A KILLING GAME @ Cleveland Public Theatre

April 10-26, 2014 216-631-2727 or go to www.cptonline.org

Bob Abelman

"A Killing Game" is communal Cranium -- a living board game played by a handful of hesitant audience members, a smattering of extraverts picking up the slack, some inner-children set free and running wild and – during my evening of engagement – a few uninhibited inebriants keeping things interesting.  For immersive theater like this, random acts of art are as likely to rise as moments of inanity.  It is good fun for those willing to have it.

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


Mark Horning

The best part about this show is the fact that you, the audience, are able to actively participate in all the fun.   You will find yourself caught up in the maelstrom of action that carries you along for a delightful evening of solid entertainment.  See this show and more importantly, be a part of the show!        

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

Christine Howey

The seven performers give it their best and there are certainly some smiles to be had. Plus, if you're the type of person who just loves jumping up to play charades during cocktails, or if you're a hyperactive 12-year-old, this play will definitely light your fire. For others, it may feel like you've been locked on a cruise ship with a gaggle of overly-caffeinated activity directors.

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

AS YOU LIKE IT @ Great Lakes Theatre

April 4-19, 2014

216-664-6064 or www.greatlakestheater.org

Bob Abelman

It is testimony to the quality of Shakespeare’s writing that, 415 years after its premiere, “As You Like It” still holds up as a delightful romantic comedy and beguiling piece of social commentary.

And it is testimony to the integrity of Great Lakes Theater that, 52 years after its inception, it is still conjuring up new, effective and entertaining ways to re-imagine Shakespeare’s work.

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

Roy Berko 

Great Lakes Theater’s “As You Like It,” though it doesn’t fully develop director Edward Morgan’s philosophical objectives, is delightful.  The many students who will attend should go away with a very positive concept of the Shakespearean comedy at its best.

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

Mark Horning

What better way to end another exceptional season with Great Lakes Theater then the production of William Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”.  This is an excellent introduction for those novices out there who think Shakespeare too “high brow” or hard to understand as well as the veteran theater patrons looking for something wonderful.  This is a fast moving, comedic delight that brings Shakespeare to life.  Don’t miss this one.

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

Christine Howey

Their production of As You Like It, directed with wit and snap by Edward Morgan, is a simply glorious romp that lands in C-town at the perfect moment. You needn’t wait until May 2^nd for the world’s largest outdoor chandelier to light up down the street—this play will dazzle PlayhouseSquare for the next two weeks. And you’re a bigger fool than Touchstone if you don’t samples its many delights.

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

GIDION'S KNOT @ none too fragile theater

April 4-17, 2014

none to fragile theater

Roy Berko
 
If it is the purpose of theatre to have a life-awakening experience and to get the audience so emotionally involved that they forget they are in a theatre, then none too fragile’s GIDION’S KNOT fully fulfills that goal!   This is theatre at its finest and is an absolute MUST see.  Please avail yourself of the wonder of this  fine theatrical offering!  Bravo!
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.


Christine Howey

 In less than 80 minutes, Gidion’s Knot provides a snarl of feelings generated by the animal protectiveness of parents and the subversive yet unavoidable influence institutions have on our lives. In short, it leaves you plenty to talk about for the rest of the evening.

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

FLASHDANCE THE MUSICAL @ The Palace Theatre

April 1-13, 2014

216-241-6000 or www.playhousesquare.org

Bob Abelman

It was announced on NPR’s “All Things Considered” last week that a remake of the 1941 classic film “Citizen Kane” is premiering in Toronto.  Starring in the movie is Keanu Reeves as Charles Foster Kane.  This story, of course, aired on April 1. 

Watching “Flashdance: The Musical,” currently on stage at PlayhouseSquare, is like April Fool’s Day all over again.  A musical based on a dated, music-video-inspired film about a female welder/exotic dancer who wants to be a ballerina?  Really?  A show that never actually played on Broadway being a part of the Keybank Broadway Series?   April Fools!  Right?

 “Flashdance: The Musical” is all glitz and no guts.   Its only saving grace is a hard-working cast and the fact that that Keanu Reeves is not among them.

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

Roy Berko

“Flashdance The Musical” is one of those musicals that delights audiences, while not being a well-written show.  It has strong music, great choreography and Corey Mach, local kid makeing good.  That ought be more than enough to please the Cleveland faithful.

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

Howard Gollop

It's been 30 years after Hollywood unveiled the rags-to-high-heels-and-rags saga about a would-be prima ballerina who's been molded out of the steel mills of Pittsburgh. By golly, that leg-warmer-clad heroine is still the "Solid-Gold" maniac to be reckoned with today. 

It turns out "Flashdance" is no flash in the pan.

Mark Horning

“Flashdance” is one of those shows that we wait the entire season to come around.  It is a superb evening of musical escapism that is the hallmark of great Broadway type shows even though it is not a true “Broadway Production”.  In spite of the fact that it is a bit farfetched and weak as far as story line, it is the superb cast that pulls off the exceptional magic.   I fear that tickets may be scarce for this production.  If you have not already ordered your tickets I suggest you do so without fail.

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

Christine Howey
This is a production that seeks to pummel the audience into submission with deafening music, cornea-searing laser lights, 80s pop music and dance steps of every description. What is missing is any emotional clarity or honesty.

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

Andrea Simakis

"Flashdance" is a classic yarn with a timeless theme. At its core, the piece is really all about following your dream, obstacles be damned. 
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.

Art Thomas

It's a movie from the 1980's that has been enhanced and expanded to fit perfectly with the hip sensibilities of today's younger theatergoers. The cast are best in the first act's ensemble dance numbers, but the new songs lack variety to this older pair of ears.  

Click here to read the complete review at WestLife