SELFIES AT THE CLOWN MOTEL @ CONVERGENCE CONTINUUM

August 26 through September 17, 2016

(216) 687-0074

Or convergence-continiuum.org

Bob Abelman

Evocative but empty.  This describes the abandoned pair of over-sized, fire engine red clown shoes laying in the middle of the convergence-continuum performance space, as well as the world premiere production of local playwright Christopher Johnston's “Selfies at the Clown Motel” taking place around them.   

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

Roy Berko

Selfies at the Clown Motel is a difficult play to sit through.  It’s lack of focus, purpose, even with several outstanding performances, leaves little to recommend it.

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

Mark Horning

Convergence-Continuum bills itself as theater that opens into unknown territory by breaking down the fourth wall.  With its intimate seating (set in some cases inches from the action) you feel more a part of the play than a bystander.  At the end of this work you may come to realize that we are all Bozos on this bus.

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

Andrea Simakis


What we are left with is a middle-aged male fantasy of the hetero variety (holed up in a motel in the middle of nowhere with a girl who can put her foot behind her ear – right on, brother!), uncomfortably stretched over two acts like skin in a face lift.

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

KINKY BOOTS @ PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

Through August 28, 2016

(216) 241-6000

Or www.playhousesquare.org

Bob Abelman

The other shoe drops as touring ‘Kinky Boots’ triumphantly returns.

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

Roy Berko

KINKY BOOTS is the kind of musical that seeing it once is just not enough. (I’ve seen it three times and look forward to more!)  The music, the story line, the humor, the stage excitement makes this a very, very special theatrical experience.  This touring production of the show is as good as the last one through town and rivals the Broadway show.  This is one staging that deserves a standing ovation, not just the automatic polite Cleveland one, but a real, well-earned one.  Go! 

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

Howard Gollop

In the dog days of summer, as the theater scene starts to make way for the fall, it’s hard to imagine Playhouse Square has any kick left.   But thanks to a great touring company of “Kinky Boots,” returning to the Connor Palace this week, that kick is high and mighty — and mighty sparkly and fabulous as well.
 

Mark Horning

At the end of this return touring production of Kinky Boots the audience leapt to its feet in appreciation.  You will do the same.  Tickets may be scarce for this show in its limited run.

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

David Ritchey

Kinky Boots has romped and stomped back on tour to Cleveland. Second time around may be best – or at least gives us a little time to think about this Tony-winning show.  A good script shows the audience a change in characters.

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

omplete review at WestLife

OBJECTIVELY/REASONABLE @ PLAYWRIGHTS LOCAL

August 18 through September 4, 2016

(216) 302-8850

Or http://playwrightslocal.org/

Bob Abelman

Playwright Local’s ‘Objectively/Reasonable’ hits home hard.

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

Roy Berko

It is the purpose of the Playwrights Local to produce works of North Eastern Ohio writers.  If their future efforts produce anything like this painful to watch but well conceived play, their purpose will be well confirmed.  This is a must see experience for anyone interested in the real world around them, especially if they are not part of the African American community.
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.


Mark Horning

As in all things of our great and varied society it takes a senseless tragedy to bring attention to a much larger problem.  “Objectively/Reasonable” is the window that has opened for all to view the inequity of law enforcement activity in the less advantaged Cleveland neighborhoods.  It is a show that begs to be seen by police officers and citizens alike in order to break the silence and begin a dialog where community and safety officials unite in a common cause.  If not, we are doomed to repeat this tragedy over and over again.

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

Andrea Simakis

The play grapples with the notion of how such a thing could be, as a prosecution expert claimed, "reasonable."  And why Cleveland didn't burn. The sentiments of ordinary Clevelanders echo through the 90-minutes piece, mingling with the observations of figures with more intimate knowledge of the case.

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

THE WOMAN HATER @ MAMAI THEATRE COMPANY

August 18 through September 4, 2016

(440) 394-6353

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

Bob Abelman

Mamaí reanimates the lost lampoon, ‘The Woman-Hater.’

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

Mark Horning

If your taste in theater leans toward more classical and traditional works, this is a play that will delight you to no end.  Although long in execution, the quality of acting nevertheless helps carry it through somewhat. 
    

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

SANS MERCI @ none too fragile

none too fragile
August 5-August 20, 2016

330-962-5547 or www.nonetoofragile.com

Bob Abelman

none too fragile’s ‘Sans Merci’ is a hard to watch, must-see drama. 

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

Roy Berko

none too fragile continues to astound with the high quality of their productions.  They tend to pick meaningful scripts and give them very proficient staging.  Sans Merci insures a roller coaster of emotion and is an absolutely must see!

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

Kerry Clawson

One of the main reasons why theater artists create is to connect with audiences emotionally. Sans Merci does so on such a visceral level, we come away from the show feeling emotionally wiped out.

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

GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS @ BLANK CANVAS THEATRE

August 5 through 20, 2016

(440) 941-0458

Or www.blankcanvastheatre.com

Roy Berko

Glengarry Glen Ross was the first David Mamet play I ever saw.  Fortunately, it was on Broadway where each of the characters was so real that it was easy to react to each as a person, not a character in a play.  Unfortunately, this was not the case in the Blank Canvas production.  Too bad.  The script can be mesmerizing.
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Mark Horning

Taking a break from the offbeat musical that is Blank Canvas’s bread and butter, this show is a dramatic summertime treat that shows what truly engaging theater can do for the imagination.  While the theater is still quite warm it is worth a light discomfort to see a truly exemplary performance.

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

MACBETH @ OHIO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

August 5 through 21, 2016

(330) 673-8761

Or http://ohioshakespeare.com

Roy Berko

Macbeth gets an appealing, audience-friendly production by OSF on the magnificent grounds of Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens.  The evening was enhanced by a delightful Greenshow before the main production. 

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


Kerry Clawson

Bloodthirsty ambition, greed and treason propel Shakespeare’s murderous "Macbeth" in an eerily dramatic production at Ohio Shakespeare Festival.

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

THE LITTLE MERMAID @ MERCURY THEATER COMPANY

August 5 through 20, 2016

(216) 771-5862

Or http://www.mercurysummerstock.com

Bob Abelman

While the Mercury production’s rented eye-candy costuming, imported set pieces, and purchased pre-recorded soundtrack are impressive, they amount to an unsatisfying, disingenuous and non-indigenous entertainment.  

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