HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES @ Actors' Summit

November 26-December 21, 2014

330-374-7568 or go to www.actorssummit.org

Bob Abelman

Director Neil Thackaberry finds all the laughs loitering in the script, of which there are many, and his talented troupe – Stuart Hoffman (as Holmes and others), Frank Jackman (as Watson) and Jim Fippin (as Sir Henry Baskerville and others) – deliver them with comedic conviction.  But “Hound” is silly and unsatisfying.

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

Roy Berko

You have to go to Actors’ Summit to see “The Hounds of the Baskervilles” in the right state of mind.  Understand that this is not a “real” Sherlock Holmes mystery tale.  Be prepared to laugh, accept the outlandish, and groan at the ridiculousness.

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

Mark Horning

With gas prices hitting an all time low, a trip to Akron to see this show is a real bargain.  If you are looking for an absolutely silly program that is loaded with laughs, make the trip.  There are only two performances left so hurry.

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


Kerry Clawson

Three actors are working on overdrive at Actors’ Summit as they portray 14 characters in "Hound of the Baskervilles," a spoof of the Arthur Conan Doyle novel adapted by British authors Steven Canny and John Nicholson.

For audience members who are not well versed in Doyle’s original 1902 Sherlock Holmes story, the first act is bound to be confusing. ... While the play as a whole doesn't reach full-blown slapstick treatment, it does amuse.

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

TERMINUS @ covergence-continuum

The Liminis, 2438 Scranton Road, Cleveland
November 21-December 20, 2014
216-687-0074 or convergence-continuum.org

Bob Abelman

Contemporary Irish playwright Mark O’Rowe wrote “Terminus” in his spare time.  And it shows.

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

Roy Berko

Though compelling, “Terminus” is definitely not a play for everyone.  The language is rough, the vivid descriptions often unnerving, and the closeness of the actors to the audience can be off-putting.  On the other hand, the performances, the experience of listening to the impressive poetic writing, and the opportunity to experience intense emotional involvement, may stir the right audience to attend.

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

Christine Howey

Even with occasional wrinkles, O'Rowe's wordplay and intersecting monologues rivet the attention in a way few other plays ever attempt to do.

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

Art Thomas

"Terminus" is a challenging play to watch and NOT for those who want a "mindless night of entertaining theater." It is a glimpse into the minds of three hard core Dubliners where violence, psychotic behavior, and dealings with multiple demons is the subject matter. The extended monologues link the stories but the poetry rich writing was not captured by two of the three cast on opening night. 

To see a full review of this show read Art Thomas' review at Westlifenews.com  here

  

TOPDOG-UNDERDOG @ none too fragile theatre

November 14-29, 2014

 330-671-4563 or http://www.nonetoofragile.com

Roy Berko

“Topdog/Underdog" is one of those well directed, acted and written plays that should be seen by anyone interested in the plight of the Black man in America.  On the other hand, with nearly one in three 20-29 year-old African American males under some form of criminal justice supervision, whether imprisoned, in  jail, or on parole or probation, it is frustrating to realize that the situation may be hopeless and there appears to be no way to solve the problems.  Sad, so sad.

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


Kerry Clawson
 
In Suzan-Lori Parks’ comedic drama TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, brothers Lincoln and Booth are prisoners of both their troubled past and posturing present.  The 2002 Pulitzer Prize-winning two-man play creates a microcosmic world of tension at None Too Fragile Theater in Akron as African-American brothers Lincoln and Booth slug it out. It’s rich in both metaphor and foreshadowing as the playwright shows the brothers grappling with their distrust of each other, their desire for supremacy, their poverty, their darker natures and the pain of their past."

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

Christine Howey

Together, Grant and Armour spin a web of iron that leaves neither any escape.   

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

THE GREAT GATSBY @ Ensemble Theatre

November 14-December 14, 2014
www.ensemble-theatre.com or 216-321-2930

Bob Abelman

Sometimes doing too much with an American masterpiece rather than letting it speak for itself screws up the works. Ensemble Theatre's "The Great Gatsby," under Ian Hinz's misguided direction, offers a case study. 

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

Roy Berko

“The Great Gatsby” is the illuminating tale of the Jazz Age, a time of the pursuit of money for the pursuit of money, with no moral base.  Neither the play version itself, nor the Ensemble production, is a perfect rendition of Fitzgerald’s classic book, but both do develop the basic  story and give an illusion of the America that was.  It’s worth a viewing.

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

Mark Horning

First the book, then the first movie (1974), followed by the second movie (2013) which more closely followed the book, and finally the play which is the closest of all to the original manuscript, The Great Gatsby has had a storied history.  This production is worthy of the decades of accolades which has been showered on what many consider “The Great American Novel”.  For diehard fans as well as casual readers of Fitzgerald’s works this is a worthy interpretation. 
  

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

Christine Howey

In the critical role of Gatsby, handsome Kyle Carthens comes off more like a bashful and deferential sophomore at a college mixer. 

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

Andrea Simakis

Like an expensive bottle of champagne you've been waiting to open, "The Great Gatsby" is full of delicious, bubbling promise.  But, like that cava after the cork is popped, once the action begins, everything falls surprisingly flat.

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

DISNEY NEWSIES @ Connor Palace/Playhouse Square

Disney Newsies

Connor Palace/Plahouse Square

Nov. 4-16, 2014

www.playhousesquare.org

Bob Abelman

The Disney-produced Broadway musical is a performing arts paradox – it collectively raises casual theater audiences’ entertainment expectations while lowering their standards.  Disney productions like "Newsies" are eye-catching, toe-tapping and crowd-pleasing, but they are hardly thought-provoking.  Admittedly, it feels good to leave your brain at the stage door and enjoy a good paradox upon occasion. 

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

Kerry Clawson

Stop the presses! Newsies, whose North American tour just landed in Cleveland, is a high-spirited musical full of old-style charm, thanks to a bunch of wonderfully charismatic young men who bring the story’s scrappy underdogs to life.

To see a full review of this show, read Kerry Clawson's review at http://www.ohio.com/entertainment/kerry-clawson.

Howard Gollop

“Newsies” is a paint-by-the-numbers Broadway blast of big broad brush strokes. 
Whereas other shows may try for subtlety and nuance, “Newsies” remains in a constant flux of musical anthems, backflips and youthful male bravura — made-to-order for swooning pre-teen girls in the audience. 
Well, what else would one expect from Disney on Broadway?

Mark Horning

This is the show that is pure fun theatrical escapism.  For nearly two and a half hours you can root for the good guys, boo the baddies and in the end go home feeling satisfied that everything has a happy ending…in other words, typical Disney.  This is a great show to take the family for a night of entertainment if you can get a ticket to it.

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

Andrea Simakis

Make no mistake:  This is a broad, elecgric song-and-dance exgravaganza.  It is not, despite the presence of gifted book writer Harvey Fierstein, a piece of subtle storytelliong.  It shouldn't work, but it does.

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

Art Thomas

The much-awaited production of  this show is even more spectacular because Cleveland is the first stop on its national tour. There's more energy in this show that even the promo videos can show. The sad news is that by this time few if any tickets will be available for the two week run. 
 
Click here to read the complete review at WestLife