FOOTLOOSE @ PORTHOUSE THEATRE

July 28 through August 14, 2016

(330) 929-4416 or (330) 672-3884

Or http://www.porthousetheatre.com

Roy Berko

Artistic Director Terri Kent knows her Porthouse audience, and her show selection, casting, choice of support staff and directing all lead to a very happy full-house exiting the theatre on opening night of Footloose.   And, what delights will next season bring?

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

Kerry Clawson

Almost Paradise is a duet made in heaven between Lindsay Simon and Paul Schwensen. They not only sing this iconic number so beautifully they make you swoon, they also make a great-looking couple once Ariel finally lets her walls come down.

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

Mark Horning

This Porthouse Theatre production of “Footloose” is everything that outdoor summer theater is about.  A mixed aged cast putting together an exciting exhibition of song, dance and acting that makes for a delightful evening under the stars.

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

ASSASSINS @ NEAR WEST THEATRE

July 15 through 31, 2016

(216) 961-6391

http://www.nearwesttheatre.org/pages/tickets

WORTH NOTING: 

In order to bring attention to local productions of merit at theaters that are not on the Cleveland Critics Circle’s approved list, members of the Circle who attend a community or educational theater production that is perceived as of high quality will have the option of listing that production on the CCC blogsite.  This review falls into that category.

Roy Berko

Near West Theatre’s Assassins is an impressive production.  The cast shows maturity well beyond their years and well develops  the concept, “Everybody’s got the right to be happy,” even if the person is delusional.  Congrats to Bob Navis, Jr., the cast and crew for weaving a fine evening of theatre.  This is a production well worth seeing!

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

LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN @ MAMAI THEATRE COMPANY

July 14 through 31, 2016

(440) 394-6353

Or https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=mtco

Bob Abelman

Mamaí’s delightful ‘Lady Windermere's Fan’ offers girls gone Wilde 

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

FINIAN'S RAINBOW @ MERCURY THEATER COMPANY

July 8 through 23, 2016

(216) 771-5862

Or http://www.mercurysummerstock.com

Bob Abelman

Mercury Theater finds gold at the end of ‘Finian’s Rainbow.’

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

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL @ THE BECK CENTER

July 8 through August 14, 2016

(216) 521-2540

Or http://www.beckcenter.org

Bob Abelman

Beck’s ‘Billy Elliot’ lands the grand jeté but falls short of expectations. 

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

Roy Berko

 As evidenced by the many bursts of applause following dance numbers and vocal solos, in spite of some questionable conceptual and execution aspects, audiences should appreciate the production.  Praise to Martin Céspedes for his choreographic concepts.

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

Howard Gollup

One, of course, is the young man in the title role — Seth Judice, a singing, dancing pre-teen powerhouse who grasps his character in dialogue, song and dance.
The other is Martin Cespedes, a frequent choreographer at Beck Center and other local professional stages. Known for his ability to squeeze every bit of Broadway pizzazz out of any show and its cast, he has ascended ably into the majestic realm of interpretive ballet.

Mark Horning

At times brilliant, at times not so, the show fortunately balances out slightly more on the plus than minus.  Some of the technical problems are solvable while those disconnects with the audience may take some additional work to overcome.

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

Art Thomas

The choreography and direction of this production have some intriguing departures from the touring production in Cleveland  a few years ago. The dynamic cast fill the Beck Center Stage with the emotional power of miners on strike and a child dancer who overcomes odds to feed his passion. The loud production also pulls off intimate moments thanks to the skilled leads.  

Click here to read the complete review at WestLife

RING OF FIRE @ PORTHOUSE THEATRE

July 7 through 23, 2016

(330) 929-4416 or (330) 672-3884

Or http://www.porthousetheatre.com

Bob Abelman

Porthouse’s ‘Ring of Fire’ is greater than the sum of its parts.

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

Roy Berko

If you like jukebox musicals that concentrate on a series of songs, rather than developing a clear story line, are a Johnny Cash fan, want to see and hear a wonderful cast sing and play musical instruments at a high level of proficiency, and want to be in a theatre set within the lovely grounds of Blossom Center, Ring of Fire should be on your must see list!  
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Kerry Clawson

In 'Ring of Fire,' five top-notch musicians invoke the spirit of brooding, rebellious country music legend Johnny Cash in broad strokes, using 30 of the tunes he sang as the medium.
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To see a full review of this show, read Kerry Clawson's review here.


Mark Horning

A picnic dinner on a grassy knoll followed by a great collection of Johnny Cash standards well performed through a great sound system makes for a wonderful evening of entertainment at Porthouse Theatre.  Fans as well as casual listeners of “The Man In Black” will all love this performance.  

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

HARBOR @ CONVERGENCE-CONTINUUM

July 8 through 30, 2016

(216) 687-0074

Or convergence-continiuum.org

Roy Berko

Billed as an “uproarious and moving comedy,” though the cast tries hard, this play basically misses out on both concepts.  It’s not all the director’s fault.  The script doesn’t hold up its part of the bargain, either.  Too bad…the concept is very thought provoking.

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