ON THE GRILL @ Dobama

June 21-July 8, 2018
216-932-3396 or http://dobama.org

Roy Berko

“On the Grill” takes the audience on an emotional roller coaster. It is a superb script which gets a superb performance.  This eye-opening delving into Israel, its joys, fears and projections into the future of the Jewish homeland, is an evening of theatre not to be missed.  It can only be hoped that the show will be presented in other venues, including a New York production.  This is theater at its finest! 

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

Christine Howey

This translation by Michael Ezrachi is less successful in exploring some of the trenchant issues it brings up, including the intergenerational conflicts among this family and the particular devastation of post-traumatic stress disorder.

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

Everything about her [Dorothy Silver] exquisitely realized performance provides us with a connection to a people and a place the play struggles to create for much of its 100-minute run.  Silver takes us inside that world in moments. What a gift she is to this production--and to Cleveland theater.

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

LETTERS FROM ZORA and Karamu Homecoming

June 14-24, 2018

216-795-7077

Roy Berko

Karamu enters mid-2018 with a bright future.  Considering that only a few years ago it was rumored that the nationally important African American institution was on death’s doorstep, this is an amazing success story.  Their recent Homecoming celebration is a welcome sign that there is much to come from “the joyful gathering place.” 

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

MEMPHIS THE MUSICAL @ CAIN PARK

Through July 10, 2018

(216) 371-3000

Or www.cainpark.com

Roy Berko

“Memphis,” Cain Park style, is a total delight.  It’s a must see for anyone who likes well sung and preformed rock music, is interested in a well-conceived juke box musical and wants to relax in the Alma Theatre’s “in nature” setting.  HOCKADOO!

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

Christine Howey

Yes, eventually the familiarity of the story wears thin, particularly in the final moment of reconciliation between Huey and Felicia. But never mind, the performances are king in this show, and those are spectacular.

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

I love it when shows remind us that the “Olden Days” were lively--even way back in the 1950s. Memphis (The Musical), winner of four 2010 Tony Awards (including Best Musical) rocked (well, of course) the packed Alma Theatre last Friday at Cain Park. (It probably didn’t hurt the summer celebration mood that it was also Wine Tasting Night there, but I digress ….). Bottom Line: Music can be a wonderful and powerful meeting place. This Cain Park show tunefully celebrates this idea.

To see a full review of this show, read Laura Kennelly's blog at artstillmatters.com

To see a full review of this show, read Laura Kennelly's review at CoolCleveland.com

ANYTHING GOES @ PORTHOUSE THEATRE

Through June 30, 2018

(330) 672-3884

Or http://www.porthousetheatre.com

Bob Abelman

Porthouse’s ‘Anything Goes’ is déjà vu all over again.

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's blog here: www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/bob_abelman/

Roy Berko
 
“Anything Goes” is a perfect summertime escapist farcical musical that will please audiences.  Sandra Emerick delights. She is supported by an enthusiastic cast of Equity actors and college students who are enmeshed in outright escapist fun, dynamic songs and creative choreography.
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Kerry Clawson

It’s all aboard the SS Fun as Porthouse Theatre kicks off its milestone 50th anniversary season with the comical shipboard romp "Anything Goes."  Leading this Cole Porter classic are Sandra Emerick and Christopher Seiler with their peppy, nutty and thoroughly entertaining characterizations as Reno Sweeney — the brassy lounge singer with a heart of gold — and Moonface Martin, a gangster in preacher’s disguise.

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

Mark Horning

Sometimes you go to the theater simply to have a good time. You will find yourself tapping your feet and humming along with well known standards as the Porthouse Theatre production of “Anything Goes” dances on a summer breeze.

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

Christine Howey

The result is a show that isn’t perfect but has enough spark and wit to make for a pleasant June diversion.

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

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH @ BLANK CANVAS THEATRE

Through June 23, 2018

(440) 941-0458

Or www.blankcanvastheatre.com

Mark Horning

Boys will be girls and girls will be boys in this crazy mixed up search of a human trying to find their “other self” as Hansel/Hedwick travels the seamy world of dive bars and forlorn coffee shops. Hard driving rock and roll combined with a tantalizing story line makes this an exciting evening of raw theater.

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

Christine Howey

While Devon Turchan who plays Hedwig is supremely talented and director Alison Garrigan is a master of staging various kinds of theatricals, this production never finds its groove. 

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

HERSHEY FELDER AS IRVING BERLIN @ CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE

Through June 24, 2018

(216) 241-6000

Or www.clevelandplayhouse.com

Mark Horning

It is an evening of musical enchantment that all members of the family should witness. Wonderful stories of a master composer and lyricist are expertly told with tenderness and warmth. An evening such as this will leave you much more the wiser and pleasantly fulfilled.

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

Christine Howey

The potentially interesting moments go by in a flash, and the result is a profile of Berlin that is a mile wide and an inch deep. That said, Felder is a talented and determined performer and he creates a tuneful, diverting show. 

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

Fun time for summer evening.  It’s either a history lesson or a stroll down memory lane or both. Personally, it was a pleasure to remember (and even sing along--well, he invited us to at one point) the songs that first made a music theatre junkie out of me. And, by the way, June 24 at 6:30 p.m. there will be an extra show: One of Felder’s Great American Songbook/Sing-along performances where the audience joins in all the time.

To see a full review of this show, read Laura Kennelly's blog at artstillmatters.com

To see a full review of this show, read Laura Kennelly's review at CoolCleveland.com

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL @ PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

Through June 17, 2018

(216) 241-6000

Or www.playhousesquare.org

Bob Abelman

As good if not better than the 2016 rendition, “Beautiful” lives up to its name.

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's blog here: www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/bob_abelman/

Mark Horning

Just as we play the same record album over and over, Beautiful is the kind of show you will want to see time and time again, especially with this stellar cast. True emotion comes flooding off the stage in waves and it is guaranteed to “put a smile on your face.”

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

SOHO CINDERS @ MERCURY THEATRE COMPANY

Through June 23, 2018

(216) 771-5862

www.mercurytheatrecompany.org

Bob Abelman

In Mercury Theatre’s “Soho Cinders,” a show that received its world premiere in London’s off-West End in 2012 and has rarely been seen elsewhere since, the Cinderella story has been significantly re-envisioned.  Its infrequent stagings are no doubt due to the nature of its reincarnation as a decidedly naughty modern musical rather than the quality of the work itself, which is arguably some of Stiles and Drewe’s best.

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's blog here or go to www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/bob_abelman/

Christine Howey

Even though the overall pace of the show seems a bit lethargic, and the British colloquialisms and accents are incomprehensible at times, the music shines forth. That makes Soho Cinders a must-see for those who relish new musicals that are willing to take chances.

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

DISNEY'S MY SON PINOCCHIO @ MERCURY THEATRE COMPANY

Through June 24, 2018

(216) 771-5862

www.mercurytheatrecompany..org

Bob Abelman

Director Pierre-Jacques Brault is at his best when he finds the essence of a story and simplifies the storytelling to reveal it.  Which is exactly what he does with Mercury Theatre’s current production of “Disney’s My Son Pinocchio.”

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

Christine Howey

Everybody is playing this story pretty straight. And as they say, all lessons and no jokes make this Pinocchio a dull boy.

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

BENT @ BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Through July 1, 2018

(216) 521-2540

Or http://www.beckcenter.org

Bob Abelman

This production’s understated quality, while occasionally troublesome, most certainly sets its focus squarely on the inward drama of its key characters without ever losing touch with the brutality of their situation and a lesson that still needs to be taught. 

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's blog here: www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/bob_abelman/

Mark Horning

Yes…the Nazis were brutal people. We are very much aware of that, but nowhere is this better portrayed than in the Blitzkrieg production of BENT. This is truly edge of your seat drama with a number of heart stopping events that will take your breath away. This is NOT theater for the faint of heart.

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

Christine Howey

With a couple small exceptions, this production under the direction of Matthew Wright hits exactly the right tone, sliding from a Noel Coward-ish amusing beginning to outright horror. 

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

Laura Kennelly

What would you do to survive? Bent, a 1979 drama by Martin Sherman, ruminates on this question and others in this Beck Center production. The title does not mean it’s a satire of Rent (as I had hoped), but that it touches on social norms and what is considered “straight” and what is considered “bent.”

The tight confines of the Studio Theatre make it hard to avoid the story’s harsh truths. And that is clearly what director Matthew Wright intends.

To see a full review of this show, read Laura Kennelly's review at CoolCleveland.com

Andrea Simakis

Despite [Andew] Gorrell's transfixing turn, 'Bent" buckles under the heaviness of its own subject matter, as though weighted with rocks.

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