INDUSTRIAL VALLEY @ NEW WOLD PERFORMANCE LAB

Through May 28, 2017

(330) 867-3299

Or https://nwplab.com

Kerry Clawson

The artists of New World Performance Lab have created a rich multi­media production that brings audiences into the heart and soul of Akron’s labor movement from 1932-1936.  The original work, "Industrial Valley," devised by NWPL’s company of seven with director James Slowiak, is based on the 1939 book of the same name by Ruth McKenney, who was a Beacon Journal reporter in 1933-34. The vibrant, one-of-a-kind play continues its world premiere this weekend at Balch Street Theatre in Akron.

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

MASSACRE (SING TO YOUR CHILDREN) @ CONVERGENCE CONTINUUM

Through June 10, 2017

(216) 687-0074

Or convergence-continiuum.org

Bob Abelman

It’s impossible not to appreciate con-con’s willingness to take on a show with such a high degree of difficulty and risk.  But you also wish they were better equipped to soar on the take-offs and stick their landings.

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

Roy Berko

“Massacre (Sing to Your Children)” is an abstract play whose meaning will depend on an individual’s views of the world, and their willingness to search for the author’s intent and purpose.  This is a script and production for playgoers who like to probe for ideas with no need for clarity of ideas or outcomes.

Christine Howey
You need to love a theater that will go out on a limb and produce a play with this kind of fierce point of view and risk-taking nature, even if it doesn’t quite hang together.

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

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

INCORRUPTIBLE @ CLAGUE PLAYHOUSE

Through June 4, 2017

(440) 331-0403

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

Photo Courtesy of Clague Playhouse

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.

Bob Abelman (reviewed for the CJN by community theater critic Eric Kish)

Dark Ages Catholicism is not often associated with anything remotely comical.  But thanks to Michael Hollinger’s clever 1996 farce “Incorruptible,” that comedic gap has been bridged and Clague Playhouse’s current production of the show, directed by Tyson Douglas Rand, is something of a blessing.

To see a full review of this show, go to here.

Mark Horning

Billed as a dark comedy (with more emphasis on the former than the latter)…“that will have audiences asking for mercy while rolling in the aisles with laughter” simply did not deliver as promised on opening night. Hopefully as the cast gets a show or two under their belts the comedic timing will sharpen up and the show will become the promised potential laugh riot.

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

THINGS AS THEY ARE @ PLAYWRIGHT"S LOCAL

Through May 28, 2017

(216) 302-8850

Or http://playwrightslocal.org/
Artwork Courtesy of Playwright's Local

Bob Abelman

Despite director Anjanette Hall’s best efforts, it is often hard to distinguish between the playwright’s efforts to use Stevens’ abstract ideas and radiant lyricism as key elements in the storytelling and the creative choices governed by budgetary constraints or simple oversight. 

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

Roy Berko

As a play in process, “Things As They Are” needs to be reexamined with an eye for sharpening and tightening the dialogue and ascertaining whether all the visual and audio stimuli are necessary to tell the tale.  For those who like to see new works, to discuss and add in-put into the development process, Playwrights Local and this play offer that opportunity.
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Christine Howey
Todd and Hall and their team have many ideas at work here, and their dedication to the subject matter is evident throughout. But it would all work better if the extraneous staging effects were trimmed, the audience brought in closer, and the script tightened to concentrate more on Stevens’ works. 

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

David Ritchie

“Things as They Are” brings audiences some wonderful things as they were.  The story moves through Wallace Stevens’ life from the poet as a young man to the mature (dying) Stevens. Jason Markouc (Young Wallace Stevens) and Robert Hawkes (Mature Wallace Stevens) are excellent in their respective roles. The script and Anjanette Hall (Director) permit the audience to watch Stevens grow and mature from a young man to a mature and then old and dying man. The character slowly modulates through life.

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

THESE MORTAL HOSTS @ CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE

Through May 20, 2017

(216) 241-6000

Or www.clevelandplayhouse.com

Photo Courtesy Of Cleveland Play House

Bob Abelman

New Ground’s ‘These Mortal Hosts’ offers a fresh twist on an old tale.

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

Christine Howey

In this 100-minute one-act, three average people have had their bodies annexed by some force that they can’t control. And we’re not talking about a craving for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups here because these unseen forces are pretty serious.

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

SALVAGE @ NONE TOO FRAGILE

Through May 20, 2017

(330) 671-4563

Or http://www.nonetoofragile.com

Roy Berko

“Salvage,” continues none-too-fragile’s history of outstanding theatrical presentations as it takes George Brant’s well-crafted script from page to stage, with clarity and vividness.  This is a must see experience!  Believe me, Clevelanders, it’s worth the drive!

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

Kerry Clawson

"Salvage" is a three-woman character study that reveals moments of sheer desperation in a family basement.  In this drama by award-winning Cleveland Heights playwright George Brant, mother Roberta (DeDe Klein) and daughter Kelly (Kelly Strand) are going through dead son/brother Danny’s belongings. At None Too Fragile in Akron, "Salvage" has a sense of urgency from the start as we hear a storm brewing outside and the women rush to sort through Danny’s prized possessions before an expected flood.

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

Andrea Simakis

There are lots of reasons to recommend "Savage"--It's an engrossing well-acted show; The play features an all female cast; It is written by George Brant.

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

MARY POPPINS @ NEAR WEST THEATRE

Through May 21, 2017

(216) 961-6391

Or http://www.nearwesttheatre.org/pages/tickets
Photo courtesy of Near West Theatre

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.

Mark Horning

By definition, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious simply means fantastic, wonderful and extraordinarily good. The same can be said of the Near West Theatre production of Mary Poppins. The show has it all…huge dance numbers…tender moments…wonderful singing…laugh out loud moments…and most important, a flying Mary Poppins. This is sure to be a sellout throughout its run as it is the best theater value in town. No spoonful of sugar is needed for this show. It is sweet enough on its own.

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

FOREVER PLAID @ GREAT LAKES THEATER

Through May 21, 2017

(216) 241-6000

Or www.greatlakestheater.org

Bob Abelman

Currently on the Great Lakes Theater stage under Victoria Bussert’s direction is the corny and contrived “Forever Plaid,” sans the brand equity that typically accompanies productions by Cleveland’s classic company and without the ingenuity typical of its top-tier director.   

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

Roy Berko

“Forever Plaid “is an escapist evening of theater, which is a pleasant trip back to yesterday, when clean-scrubbed boy singers waxed beautifully about the angst of young love, trips of fantasy and the mini-stresses of life.  If you like that kind of thing, this is a show for you.

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

Mark Horning

Forever Plaid is a delightful nostalgic night out where those who remember “Sunday Nights at 7” can relive some wonderful memories. The vocal harmonies are spot on and the continuous patter a delight. This is a feel good musical that everyone will enjoy.

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

Christine Howey

If you love those close-harmony boy singing groups crooning “Shangri-la” and reliving the Eisenhower era, fire up your Rascal and head on down to East 14^th Street. 

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

Laura Kennelly


Great Lakes Theater signs off the current season with Forever Plaid, a Stuart Ross and James Raitt musical directed by Victoria Bussert. It’s a sweetly nostalgic look at 1950s pop music and early ’60s quartets (Four Freshman, etc.) through the eyes of the Plaids, four young men who were on their way (maybe) to fame and fortune in 1963. Alas, they died when their car collided with a bus full of Catholic school girls...But wait! Here they are, each bearing a lit candle down the stairs as they enter the Hanna Theatre with a stage waiting in readiness for them (each mic covered with a tiny white shroud), an audience looking at them, expecting a show. Is it heaven or hell or purgatory or merely a waiting station before the next stage?

To see a full review of this show, read Laura's posts at Cool Cleveland.
To see a full review of this show you may also read Laura Kennelly's blog 

THE NORTH POOL @ Ensemble

The North Pool
April 28-May 21, 2017
tickets:  www.ensembletheatreCLE.org or 216-321-2930

Bob Abelman

While the small confines of the vice principal’s office makes for an intense evening of theater, it can also be argued that playwright Rajiv Joseph has set his sights so small as to keep this interesting play from becoming particularly intriguing.

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

Roy Berko

While the production is well-conceived and holds attention, “The North Pool” is somewhat unsatisfying as a thoughtful piece of play crafting.  The script leaves us wanting more, a clearer message to carry from the theatre.

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

Mark Horning

Set in real time, The North Pool shows in detail what could be considered a life changing segment in two men’s lives. It also shows how faulty data can lead to snap judgments that could lead to negative consequences much later on in people’s lives. This show is well drawn and well acted.

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