THE HAIRY APE @ ENSEMBLE THEATER

Through December 10, 2017

(216) 321-2930

Or www.ensemble-theatre.com

Bob Abelman

Ensemble Theatre’s ‘The Hairy Ape’ powerful but not poetic.

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

Roy Berko

Ensemble is to be praised for continuing to present classic theater to its audience.  Whether “The Hairy Ape” was the best of the O’Neill play to select is questionable.  For anyone who likes to be exposed to works by noted writers, and those who like to probe into the intellectual nature of the arts, the play may be of interest. 
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Andrea Simakis


"The Hairy Ape," the playwright's brutal, expressionist meditation on the gulf between the haves and the have-nots (a timely little drama, what with the tax-cut kerfuffle), is a nimbler beast, clocking in at just under 90 minutes.

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

CHRISTMAS AT THE WILEY DINER @ CLAGUE PLAYHOUSE

Through December 10, 2017

(440) 331-0403

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

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
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

While Christmas tales abound this time of year, "Christmas at the Wiley Diner" is a gentle notch above the rest. It is a story of friendship, tradition, home and hearth that is told in a non-jarring way. This is a wonderful play to share with the entire family.

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

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

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.

WICKED @ PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

Through December 3, 2017

(216) 241-6000

Or www.playhousesquare.org

Bob Abelman

There’s no place like home.  And the touring production of “Wicked” has apparently found one in Cleveland. 

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

Roy Berko

Put on your tiara, bring your wand, and join the masses who will enjoy “Wicked.”  Whether it is your introduction to this delightful and well-performed musical, or your umpteenth time, you will absolutely enjoy this must see production.

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

Mark Horning

With great acting, wondrous singing, delightful costuming and set design this show moves much faster than its two and a half hour plus run time. You will find your eyes continuously scanning the stage as action takes place in all corners of the frame. This is a perfect example of what great Broadway can be and will probably be a sellout for its entire run. Buy your ticket right now!

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

Howard Gollup

Continuing a month-long run on Playhouse Square, the 14-year-old “Wicked” has maintained all of its visual and vocal power in re-creating a unique vision of a bizarre, magical world — thanks to ornate, mechanical sets by Eugene Lee, impossibly intricate costumes by Susan Hilferty (an inspiring hybrid of Victorian and 1940s fashion) and lighting by Kenneth Posner. It’s unlike anything MGM had Dorothy sing and dance through in “The Wizard of Oz.”

Laura Kennelly

Magic still sparkles in Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of OZ. This brilliant production once again has returned to Playhouse Square (possibly for the fifth time), but then consider, this Tony-Award winner has been on Broadway since 2003 (and it’s still playing there). The time-tested winning concoction, created by Stephen Schwartz (music and lyrics), Winnie Holzman (book), and Joe Mantello (director) enchants, amuses, and entertains. The touring version, thanks to its all-round excellent cast, good small orchestra plus adept mechanics, offers Cleveland a dashing Broadway-quality production.

To see a full review read Laura Kennelly's review here or at CoolCleveland.com

Andrea Simakis

The national tour of "Wicked" is modern-day Broadway perfection, from the set to the songs and the cast.

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

THE LAKE EFFECT @ KARAMU THEATRE

Through November 26, 2017

(216) 795-7070  

Or www.karamuhouse.org

Bob Abelman

Karamu’s ‘The Lake Effect’ more bluster than blizzard.

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

Roy Berko

“The Lake Effect,” written by Cleveland Heights’ award winning playwright Rajiv Joseph, is a thought-provoking script which uses Cleveland area references to develop its theme.  It gets a creditable production at Karamu.

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

Mark Horning

While a bit of the acting is heavily weighted and relies more on loud demonstratives, the core of the writing still makes for an intriguing evening of entertainment. Sometimes it takes a perfect stranger to be the holder of deep family secrets. 

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

Andrea Simakis

Our eagerness to solve the mystery is dampened by the wooden, self-conscious performances of Suleiman and El Dabh, who never relax into their parts. (The cramped stage, erected in Karamu's Concert Hall, a less than ideal venue for fully staged works while the Jelliffe Theatre is refurbished, doesn't help.) They could take a lesson from Little, a natural always at ease in whatever skin he's in.  In one scene, he stands alone in a pool of light, gazing into a whirl of falling snow, seeking a bit of otherworldly advice, and it's then that we realize the full, poignant potential of Joseph's piece - and the limitations of this Ohio premiere.

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

THE ART OF LONGING @ CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE

Through November 2, 2017

(216) 631-2727

Or www.cptonline.org

Mark Horning

While one must admire Cleveland Public Theatre’s mission of bringing forth finished works of local playwrights writing about local subjects, this work falls so far off from reality as to be disturbing to the casual viewer and possibly even veteran attendees. Sometimes too much is just that.

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

Christine Howey

There is a theatrical syncopation that is bubbling under the surface of this play, tied together here and there with bits of songs by Nina Simone and other ancillary music. 

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

Andrea Simakis

Despite some opacity, Langford and director Jimmie Woody have conjured an exciting, bracing piece of theater - a mesmerizing visit to a starlit place that accommodates the sweetest dreams and the darkest nightmares - to create one of the most challenging and original plays of the season.

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