WELL @ ENSEMBLE THEATRE

Through October 22, 2017

(216) 321-2930

Or www.ensemble-theatre.com

Bob Abelman

Ensemble offers infectiously endearing ‘Well.’

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

Roy Berko

“Well” is one of those special scripts and performances that showcases the message of what theater is all about.  It’s a must see experience.

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

Mark Horning

Can humans really escape their childhood influences through flight, therapy and adult relationships when a single trip home negates all and reduces them back to their painful pre-teens? This and many other questions form the body of Lisa Kron’s theatrical exploration WELL. While teetering on the edge of conventional theater it manages to explore issues we all deal with in our present and past lives.

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

Christine Howey

It seems that interesting is the very best word to describe this superbly performed, intriguingly constructed piece of theater. 

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

THE THREE MUSKETEERS @ OHIO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

Through October 8, 2017

(330) 673-8761

Or http://ohioshakespeare.com

Kerry Clawson

"The Three Musketeers: An Adventure, with Music" is swashbuckling entertainment that keeps kids of all ages on the edge of their seats. The world premiere play at Ohio Shakespeare Festival at Greystone Hall is company member Joe Pine’s stage adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel. The story, set in 17th century France, is full of intrigue and action, following the exploits of the elite Musketeer guard and their new friend, d’Artagnan.

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

Mark Horning

Although a familiar tale with nearly a half dozen movie versions, this rendition is quite faithful to the original novel. The music is a wonderful addition that helps move the story along. Most important, the various sword fighting scenes are wonderfully believable and expertly choreographed. Bring the entire family and fill the seats for this delight.

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

LIFE X 3 @ CESEAR'S FORUM

Through October 28, 2017

(330) 405-3045

http://www.cesearsforum.com/

Bob Abelman

Cesear’s Forum stages ‘Life x 3,’ offers schadenfreude on steroids.

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

Christine Howey

There are aspirations to the metaphysical in Reza’s script, but the repeated renditions don’t provide the necessary snap of realization that is required to bring the audience along. Instead, by the end, it feels as if we’ve been stumbling through several rough drafts of a piece that isn’t quite finished.

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

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKCOO's NEST @ BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Through October 8, 2017

(216) 521-2540

Or http://www.beckcenter.org

Bob Abelman

Dale Wasserman’s 1963 stage adaptation of Ken Kesey's 1962 novel “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is a celebration of a counterculture anarchy and rebelliousness that no longer exists in this country. But under William Roudebush’s astute direction and with an ensemble of superb performers, the Beck Center for the Arts’ production has mined and delivers all the many human moments this play has to offer.

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

Mark Horning

Using every inch of the large Mackey Theater stage, this larger than life drama is must see theater for all. No matter how many times you have seen the play or the movie you will witness with fresh eyes this unfolding drama of a battle of the wills.

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

Christine Howey

In all, this Cuckoo’s Nest captures many of the aspects of Kesey’s book and Wasserman’s adaptation. But it doesn’t soar quite high enough to momentarily liberate us all from the cages in which we find ourselves.

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 

The Beck Center production of Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest combines a stage full of brilliant actors to produce a moving drama that does exactly what good theatre should do: inspire empathy and reflection. William Roudebush has taken Dale Wasserman’s stage adaptation of Kesey’s novel and turned it into an immersive, fast-paced recreation of Kesey’s novelistic early 1960s rant against ruthless and controlling social mechanisms (in this case the deadly combo created by courts and asylums).

To read the full review go to Laura's blog at Art Still Matters

To see a full review of this show, read Laura's posts at Cool Cleveland.

SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE @ CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE

Through October 1, 2017

(216) 241-6000

Or www.clevelandplayhouse.com

Bob Abelman

CPH’s ‘Shakespeare in Love’ finds its muse, and then some.

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

Roy Berko

A combination of farce, comedy, drama, tragedy and historification, “Shakespeare in Love” delights.  It makes for a joyful start to CPH’s 2017-2018 season.  And, yes, there is a dog!

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

Kerry Clawson

The romantic comedy 'Shakespeare in Love' is so full of love and joy, seeing its most passionate moments play out on the Cleveland Play House stage brings tears to the eyes.
The play, running at the Allen Theatre, stars the highly charismatic Charlie Thurston as penniless young Will Shakespeare opposite the luminous Marina Shay as Viola de Lesseps, the wealthy, literate beauty who becomes his muse. 

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

Howard Gollop

There's a creative input of no less than three scribes, too many and too underdeveloped characters, all-too-brief moments of inspired dialogue that seem to come out of nowhere, jarring shifts in tone -- and slogging alternate narratives that lose steam long before a charming theater-festival-style epilogue makes the bewildered audience wish even more there had been a deserving play preceding it.

Mark Horning

From the opening salvo of the gang of actors taking over the theatre to the heartfelt finish where Shakespeare delivers an ending soliloquy this show has it all. Much like well done live Shakespearean performances it is a lively mix of comedy, romance, tragedy, pathos and lighting quick insults. This is great viewing for the entire family whether a fan of the Bard or not. 

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

Christine Howey

The handsome set and costumes designed by Lex Liang, the seamless choreography by David Shimotakahara and the lush sound by designer and composer Jane Shaw serve to make the entire production feel far more substantive than the script allows it to be.

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

Well! What a dazzling season opener for the Cleveland Play House’s 2017-2018 season! Director Laura Kepley’s Shakespeare in Love is a delicious messy mélange: part love story, part musical comedy, part wordplay (with a little sword play thrown in for good measure), part shaggy dog story (including the dog), and overall, ambitious fun.

To see a full review of this show, read Laura's posts at Cool Cleveland.

Andrea Simakis

In terms of my heart, I'm in deep like with this show, a feeling puncturated by flutters of lust.  But you know what they say--you never forget you first.

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

SIMPLY SIMONE @ KARAMU

   Through October 8, 2017

   216-795-7077 

Or karamuhouse.org

Bob Abelman

The audience wasn’t applauding the spirit of Nina Simone, the incandescent soul singer and Black Power icon, who was one of the most influential, provocative and least understood artists of the twentieth century.  The audience wasn’t applauding this production of this show either, for there is little in the way of staging to facilitate the storytelling.  No, the audience was applauding the performers. 

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

Roy Berko

If you like the sounds and music of Nina Simone, enjoy well played, sung and performed jazz, gospel, blues, folk, R&B, and pop music, and want to know more about the Diva of Jazz, Karamu’s “Simply Simone” should be your entertainment destination.

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

Christine Howey

Most of what made Nina Simone so different and wonderful is simply missing from Simply Simone.

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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

BOOK OF MORMON @ PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

Through September 17, 2017

(216) 241-6000

Or www.playhousesquare.org

Bob Abelman

Parker, Stone and Lopez are men on a mission but, unlike the characters in their play, it is clearly not a mission from God.  They are purposefully pushing the acceptable boundaries of musical theater and having a great time doing it. 

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

Roy Berko

If you haven’t seen “The Book of Mormon,” or need a new shot of irreverent satire which skewers anyone and everyone, this is an absolute go see production. If you are a language prude, religious fanatic, or aren’t in the mood for ridiculous delight, stay away.  It’s everything a modern musical that is meant for pure entertainment, with a sip of philosophy, should be!

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

Howard Gollop

"The Book of Mormon” may no longer be the “it” show, thanks to the hip-hop “Hamilton” now ruling Broadway and the national touring scene (coming to Playhouse Square next summer). But “Mormon” hasn’t lost its edge, thanks in part to a remarkable new tour that opened Tuesday at Playhouse Square’s KeyBank State Theatre. The energy is palpable on both sides of the stage.

Mark Horning

  

Even after six years of tours, Book of Mormon still has sold-out venues wherever it lands and once again is filling the State Theatre at Playhouse Square with some audience members who are viewing it for the third time. Whether you are a first timer or a seasoned viewer you are guaranteed an evening of absolute hilarity. The musical comedy offers a mixture of broad farce comedy with just enough facts to keep it glued together. Go to this show with an open mind and a penchant for comedy.

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

Christine Howey

In short, this show is a hoot and a half, and it is performed with superb professionalism by this touring company. Something that is not always true when a show visits for just a short time. So go, laugh, smile. You deserve it.

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

LAST OF THE BOYS @ NONE TOO FRAGILE

Through September 30, 2017

(330) 671-4563

Or http://www.nonetoofragile.com

Roy Berko

War is hell and, as highlighted in “Last of the Boys,” its aftermath is often worse.  Kudos to Sean Derry and his cast for creating a compelling evening of theater.  This is must see theater for anyone interested in fine acting and a more real than life picture of the outcomes of combative and emotional wars on human beings.

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

Kerry Clawson

 Prolific playwright Steven Dietz is a colorful writer who strikingly juxtaposes moments of grief and culpability with pointedly dark humor in "Last of the Boys." This heavy, haunted play is quite different material from his "Becky’s New Car," which was a romp in comparison at Actors’ Summit in 2011...

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

Mark Horning

Even after all this time, the Vietnam War still stirs the emotions of those who lived through that revolutionary era. It was a time of active political revolt against an unpopular government. No matter what side you found yourself on, establishment or hippy, it defined an entire generation that carries those scars even to this day. This show is excellent viewing as well as a great way to begin a healing dialog between current fractured generations.

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

Christine Howey

For those of us who lived through the Vietnam War as adults, there are ghosts aplenty.  And as the current documentary series on PBS shows, the interest in that doomed and lethal excursion never seems to wane. The feelings of loss and guilt, along with the excesses of governmental hubris, are real. This play touches some of those points, but undercuts its theme with too many conflicting elements.

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

The Viet Nam War shook this country, Viet Nam and most of the world.  Soldiers died and lives were destroyed.  The war didn’t end but goes on in memories.  Some of those memories are evoked by Steven Dietz (B. 1958) in his play “The Last of the Boys.”

To see a full review of this show, read David's posts at Westside Leader

BROWNSVILLE SONG @ DOBAMA THEATRE

Through September 24, 2017

(216) 932-3396

Or dobama.org

Bob Abelman

Despite a story that balances precariously on the tenterhook of tragic loss, director Jimmie Woody keeps his talented performers and their textured performances from sinking into and getting lost in that emotion. The heartbreak is obvious, omnipresent and all-encompassing, but by bearing the pain and moving forward, the survivors’ resilience and the harsh reality of the street are made even more poignant in this powerful play.

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

Roy Berko

Dobama, Cleveland’s fine off-Broadway professional theatre, opens its 2017-2018 season with a mesmerizing production of Kimber Lee’s “must see” script.  Generally well-directed, often superlatively acted, this is drama at its finest!  The opening night standing ovation was well-deserved.

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

Christine Howey

Director Jimmie Woody clearly has a deep affection for this material, and he has done the play proud by casting Jabri Little as Tray and Logan Dior Williams as Devine. 

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

Andrea Simakis

Though "Brownsville Song" is tinged with sorrow, it does not wallow.  Instead, everything about it, from its animated backdrop to its propulsive sound desigg, is aimed at celebrating the life of the boy who was.  

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