LIGHT THE LIGHTS, OL' MOSES CLE @ CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE

Through December 18, 2016

(216) 631-2727

Or www.cptonline.org

Bob Abelman
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's blog here.

Roy Berko
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Kerry Clawson
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Kerry Clawson's review here.

Howard Gollop
No review yet.

Mark Horning

For the frequent flyers of Cleveland Public Theatre this show will be nothing out of the ordinary as it is clearly directed to their niche audience. For newbie’s stumbling across the avant-garde threshold they may feel out of place in this brave new surrealistic holiday world. Enter at your own risk.  

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

Christine Howey
This overly earnest and lead-footed show is about as far from a romp as a Trump cabinet nominee is from the bread line. 

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

David Ritchey
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read David's posts at Talkin' Broadway

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

Art Thomas
No review yet.
Click here to read the complete review at WestLife

A CHRISTMAS CAROL @ GREAT LAKES THEATER

Through December 23, 2016

(216) 664-6064

Or www.greatlakestheater.org

Bob Abelman

While “A Christmas Carol” can certainly seem like a stale old chestnut, this 28th anniversary production is a deep, oxygen-rich breath of winter-fresh air. 

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

Roy Berko
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Kerry Clawson

It was hard to hear the child actors, who didn’t project well, but the special effects were as fantastic as ever in this holiday classic, which stars Lynn Robert Berg as a new Ebenezer Scrooge after actor Aled Davies spent nearly a decade in the role.

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

Howard Gollop
No review yet.

Mark Horning
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Mark Horning's blog.

Christine Howey
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene

David Ritchey
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read David's posts at Talkin' Broadway

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

Art Thomas
No review yet.
Click here to read the complete review at WestLife

THE NIGHT THOREAU SPENT IN JAIL @ ENSEMBLE THEATRE

Through December 11, 2016

(216) 321-2930

Or www.ensemble-theatre.com

Bob Abelman

“It’s a marvel to hear the way the words roll out,” says the illiterate Bailey after listening to the philosophical musings of his young Harvard educated cellmate early in “The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail.”  “A marvel” perfectly describes Ensemble Theatre’s eloquent staging of this loquacious, occasionally sanctimonious play originally earmarked for community and collegiate theater productions.  

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

Roy Berko

A well-conceived script gets an excellent production.  It is not an escapist theatrical experience filled with laughs and physical movement, but a presentation which will please many due to its philosophical message.  It’s a must see for anyone interested in good theatre! 

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

Mark Horning

If there was ever a need to see a play, now is the time to see this one. It is a work of truth that will have everyone leaving with a tighter grip of our current state of the country and our place in it. While at time bordering on sensationalism, it manages to rein itself in before the final bow.   

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

Christine Howey
The well-performed and slickly directed work frequently feels like a collection of extended Thoreau quotes has been staged, rather than a play with a coherent dramatic arc. 

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

KISS KISS, BANG BANG @ BLANK CANVAS

Through November 13, 2016

(440) 941-0458

Or www.blankcanvastheatre.com

Mark Horning

Even if you are not a film buff, there are plenty of familiar references that are comfortable for the audience. Get to the theater early to watch the series of movie scenes flashing on the two TV screens and see how many you can guess the names of. It is an evening of romantic escapism much like the films being represented during the show. This is a nice date night play to share with someone you love or simply wish to know better.  

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

WEST SIDE STORY @ Baldwin Wallace University

November 9-22, 2016

John Patrick Theatre, Baldwin Wallace University

For tickets:  440-826-2240 or www.bw.edu/tickets

"In order to bring attention to high quality productions at theatre’s that are not on the Cleveland Critics Circle’s approved list, when a member of the Circle sees a community or educational theater production that s/he thinks is of high quality, they have the option of listing that specific production on CCC’s blogsite.  This is a review that falls into that category."

Roy Berko

BWU’s Music Theater program is nationally recognized for its quality, as evidenced by the number of its graduates who have lit up the Broadway theater scene and touring productions.  WEST SIDE STORY is a difficult show to “get right.”  As should be expected from the quality students and proficient staff, the production was a step above what other colleges could do. Better than Broadway?…no.  But, definitely the incubator where future Broadway stars bud and grow.   Anyone who hasn’t seen this wonderfully conceived musical should attend this production.

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

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

RASHEEDA SPEAKING @ KARAMU THEATRE

November 4 through 20, 2016

(216) 795-7070  

Or www.karamuhouse.org

Roy Berko

The play has lots of laughs and some intriguing situations, but RASHEEDA SPEAKING proves that fine acting and good directing cannot always cover up for a rudderless script.  
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Mark Horning

This play is a complex examination of the still lingering silent (and at times not so silent) prejudices that still haunt our nation. While not attempting to solve the issue it gives voice to the situation which in turn may open up dialog between various elements of our society…topical, socially relevant and well worth seeing.

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

Christine Howey

There’s a sharp, funny and often startling script laying inside Rasheeda Speaking, but its voice is dimmed by the playwright’s tendency to overstate things that have already been said.

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

ANNAPURNA @ NONE TOO FRAGILE

November 4 through 19, 2016

(330) 671-4563

Or http://www.nonetoofragile.com

Bob Abelman

Sharr White’s fractured, one-act treatment of Homer’s 8^th century BCE poem “The Odyssey” is getting a beautifully performed but anemically designed production at none too fragile.

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

Roy Berko

ANNAPURNA is the tale of two highly damaged people, caught in an impossible climb to the top of an impregnable mountain, confronting their damaged lives.

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

Kerry Clawson

Outstanding Equity actors Jeffrey Grover and Derdriu Ring unpack all the emotional baggage that these two badly damaged people possess. They vividly portray the resentment and recriminations that have built up for so long, making the tragedy of this couple feel very real yet at the same time bringing into shocking focus the power of forgiveness.

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

Mark Horning

For those looking for a really adult night out look no further than this performance.  From the opening scene with male nudity to the profanity and frank discussion of spousal abuse and death this is no Disney production suitable for the entire family. It is abrupt, sharp, concise and in parts extremely funny. This show is for people who don’t mind a bit of shock value with their theater.

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

Christine Howey
Despite two fine performances and apart from the promising opening, this production as directed by Sean Derry lacks the necessary sizzle, sausage-wise and otherwise.

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

Andrea Simakis

Ring and Grover, two the area's best actors, are superb, able to navigate the humor and pathos of their characters with the skill of seasoned climbers.

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

FINDING NEVERLAND @ PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

Through November 20, 2016

(216) 241-6000

Or www.playhousesquare.org

Bob Abelman

It may help resuscitate fairies, but no amount of clapping can reconcile what the musical “Finding Neverland” is and the kind of musical it wants to be. More Lost Boy than Pan, the show crows but doesn’t fly.

For more of this review, go to www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/. 

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

Roy Berko

The touring production of FINDING NEVERLAND is a technically impressive and nicely conceived, if somewhat stilted production.  It clearly lays the prequel story of Peter Pan with a strong score and clear story. 

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

Kerry Clawson 

The most beautiful thing about the musical "Finding Neverland" is that every detail of both its story and stage production is created in the service of celebrating the imagination. ...
The national tour of the musical, now playing at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace, features winsome romantic leads and fabulous video projections that sweep audiences up.

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

Howard Gollop

When Barrie goes on an outing one day and comes across a lovely widow and her pack of cheerfully rambunctious boys who become his muses (and no one questions they might be anything more), the location doesn’t seem so much like Kensington Gardens as “Sesame Street.”
Although scenic designer Scott Pask manages fetching etchings of trees, flowers and buildings, and the cast members look period-perfect in their Victorian costumes by Suttirat Anne Larlarb, everyone smiles too broadly, carries too many balloons, skips too maniacally (thanks to Mia Michaels’ strident choreography) and sings too many indistinguishable pop songs by Gary Barlow and Elliot Kennedy.

Mark Horning

This is a show that the entire family will appreciate.  With over the top big Broadway numbers, delightful singing and dancing, a good moral theme and a general fun feel that makes time fly by faster than Peter Pan and Tinkerbelle.  This is a great way to share musical theater with your children.  Get your tickets quickly.

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

Christine Howey

As for the show, it's produced to the hilt. But it is so much less than it might have been, with a bit more boldness on the part of the creators.

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