"OR,"@DOBAMA THEATRE

September 4 through October 4, 2015

216-932-3396 

Or dobama.org

Bob Abelman

For a play whose title is so ambiguous, its plot points and production couldn’t be more ambitious.

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

Roy Berko

OR, is an amusing and revealing historification take on the Western world’s first recognized woman playwright, and her supposed relationships with Charles II, the King of England, and Nell Gwynn, one of the most famous actresses of her time.  The Dobama production is long on farce and fine acting!  It makes for a entertaining evening of theatre.  

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

Mark Horning

If your choice is to stay at home and binge watch the newest drivel from TV Land OR to see a really great production, you are strongly advised to pick the latter OR regret your choice.  The show is fresh and funny and puts real people in historic situations that show that not much has changed in 345 years Or so.  Trust that your time will not be wasted in this evening of madcap farce and hisdromedy that promises to be one of the hits of the season.  Do not miss this show OR you will be sORry.

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

Christine Howey

While this may not be entirely satisfying for some scholars, the show is loaded with rich wordplay, some biographical elements, and modern language suffused with a Restoration comedy flavor.

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

IN A FOREST, DARK AND DEEP@NONE TOO FRAGILE

August 28 through September 12, 2015

 http://www.nonetoofragile.com

or 330-671-4563 

Bob Abelman

If the sensation of walking into the Green Room of The Jerry Springer Show on "Dysfunctional Siblings Week" was what none too fragile was going for, then its production of Neil LaBute’s “In A Forest, Dark and Deep” is a huge success.

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

Roy Berko

Sean Derry and Leighann Niles Delorenzo light up the none too fragile stage in this battle of deception, lies, and false values.  Though overly long, Neil LaBute’s IN A FOREST, DARK AND DEEP still makes for an interesting evening of theater.

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


Kerry Clawson

"In a Forest, Dark and Deep" is a chilling, suspenseful tale that, little by little, peels back the truth about the darkest, ugliest side of one character’s nature.

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


Christine Howey

Even though In a Forest isn’t one of LaBute’s best, it deals with actual issues and isn’t just another collection of dysfunctional people who show up in the same place. And for that we can be truly grateful.

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

David Ritchey

The two performers are superior.  They work hard for 100 minutes of fighting and battling for truth to be revealed. However, they are swimming upstream in a script that is not ready for the stage.

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

FARRAGUT NORTH@ENSEMBLE THEATRE

August 27 through September 6, 2015

www.ensemble-theatre.com 

or 216-321-2930

Bob Abelman

With a candidate debate in Cleveland’s rear view mirror and a party convention on the horizon, the timing for a play about the power behind the power of modern-day politics is perfect.  But in its production of Beau Willimon’s “Farragut North,” Ensemble Theatre is stuck in political spin cycle. 

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

Roy Berko

FARRAGUT NORTH is a well written script that gives the electorate an often uncomfortable view of the reality of those who plan and plot election campaigns.  Willimon’s writing gets a good production at Ensemble that is well worth seeing.

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


Mark Horning

This taut and fast pace political thriller is one of those works that reveals what one has suspected all along that politics is a dirty game.  With that said, it makes for an intriguing evening of theater that demands that you return from intermission to see how the different fates play out.

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

MARY POPPINS@MERCURY SUMMER THEATRE

August 7 through 22, 2015

http://www.mercurysummerstock.com 

or 216-771-5862

Bob Abelman

The film "Mary Poppins" boasts of Academy Award-winning music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, a story bolstered by Academy Award-winning Disney animation and film editing, and cast members who have cement footprints embedded in the walkway of Hollywood Blvd.  In order to bring the film to life on stage, Walt Disney Theatrical spent $18 million on elaborate special effects developed by Las Vegas illusionists and Disney theme park specialists.  Local theaters attempting to stage “Mary Poppins” acquire the score and script but, with their limited budgets, are left to fend for themselves when it comes to finding their own form of magic. Which the Mercury Theatre Company does in its current production.  

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

TEAR IT OFF@CONVERGENCE-CONTINUUM

August 14 through September 5, 2015

convergence-continiuum.org 

or 216-687-0074

Bob Abelman

A play within a play -- where a story being told closely parallels the lives of the characters themselves -- is a literary device nearly as old as literature itself.   Shakespeare used it in “Hamlet,” but while the Bard's intention is to provoke Hamlet's murderous uncle so as to “catch the conscience of the king," Mike Geither has significantly less lofty reasons in mind in “Tear It Off.”  He’s going for laughs.  And getting them.

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

Roy Berko

TEAR IT OFF is no great theatrical script, but the premise and the way it is developed makes for a fun evening of theatre, resulting in a get-away from the “real world,” where goings-on are a little less formulaic. 

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

Mark Horning

Sometimes one should go to the theatre just for a light laugh and Tear It Off certainly fills the bill.  You will find yourself in a continuous state of chuckles as this romantic farce is revealed.

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

OUR TOWN@BLANK CANVAS

August 14 to 29, 2015

440-941-0458 

or www.blankcanvastheatre.com

Bob Abelman

Blank Canvas Theatre’s staging of ‘Our Town’ is a bit too much of a blank canvas.  It embraces a less-is-more approach to an already simple work that renders it less poignant than it ought to be.

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

Roy Berko

If you haven’t seen the classic OUR TOWN before, or have seen it, but need a good shot of appreciation for life, go see the Blank Canvas production.  Director Patrick Ciamacco sets it out before you, plain and simple, doing nothing to get in the way of Wilder’s intent and purpose.  Nice job! 
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Mark Horning

True theater allows room for the audience to use their imagination without spelling out each and every detail.  Blank Canvas manages to bring the basic spirit of Wilder’s masterpiece to life without a lot of histrionics that would otherwise get in the way of the message.  This is a work that you go to study rather than see and well worth the effort.

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

Andrea Simakis

If Thornton Wilder were still kicking up his heels on our hot little third rock from the sun, i'm thinking he's appreicate the purity of the Blank Canvas Theatre production of "Our Town."

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