CHICAGO@ Connor Palace (Huntington featured Performance)

November 27-Decembere 2, 2018
216-241-6000 or www.playhousesquare.org

Roy Berko

Except for the dancing and the band, the show is tired, lacking the dynamics needed to make it compelling.   Touring is exhausting, but the cast has an obligation to give the paying public a fresh, attention holding production.  This performance, unfortunately, wasn’t compelling! 

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

Mark Horning

With all the gray days of winter clouding our brains it is nice to get out and into a comfortable theater for a raucous evening of hot music, dancing and comedy. While not up to the standards of previously witnessed performances it is good enough as an early winter break and retreat from the holiday pressures.

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

Laura Kennelly

BOTTOM LINE: If you are already a big fan of Chicago then you might enjoy seeing an old friend one more time. If you don’t make this production, check out the excellent 2002 film with  Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere.  Just remember, this is not a lavish production and so don’t go expecting to get one. (This last remark is in memory of an irate customer at intermission who was telling a hapless red coat something to the effect that “It’s not worth the $80 I paid.”)

To see a full review, read Laura Kennelly's review here 

BOOGIEBAN @ none too fragile

November 16-December 8, 2019
nonetoofragile.com  330-962-5547

Bob Abelman

For those in need of theater-as-therapy due to the lasting impact of war on its victims home and away, “Boogieban” will prove to be a welcome and welcoming retreat.  For other theatergoers, the performances will make your trip to Akron worthwhile.

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

Roy Berko

With its must see production of “Boogieban,” none too fragile again proves that it is one of the area’s finest theaters.  This gem of a production house expands to the national scene when this staging moves to Chicago and then to New York with the same cast and production values!  

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

Kerry Clawson

In DC Fidler’s “Boogieban,” a military psychiatrist treats a young, psychologically damaged soldier with understanding and mercy, and in the process, the younger man ends up giving the elder one a priceless gift. The somberly poetic drama, now in its world premiere at None Too Fragile Theatre in Akron, played to a sold-out crowd that included the playwright and military consultant Maj. RJ Casey on opening night Friday.

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

Christine Howey

In Boogiebanby D.C. Fidler, now having its world premiere presentation at None Too Fragile theater in Akron, there is banality present. But while it starts slowly, this two-hander builds inexorably to a climactic scene that is so emotionally wrenching you feel it in your bones.

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

TOURING PRODUCTION OF LES MISERABLES @ PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

Through November 18, 2018

(216) 241-6000

Or www.playhousesquare.org

Bob Abelman

Vive la national tour of ‘Les Misérables’ at Playhouse Square.

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

Roy Berko

LES MIZ, Les Okay!   The touring version is not as compelling as other productions, but still a captivating piece of musical theater.

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

Kerry Clawson

The national tour, now a year into its run and playing at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace, is visually stunning and vocally magnificent. At the helm of this show’s sweeping emotion is Nick Cartell as Jean Valjean, whose singing and acting is both ferocious and heaven-sent. 

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

Mark Horning

If you truly wish to see Broadway at its absolute finest, here is your chance to witness the grandeur of Les Miserables. It is truly a spectacular spectacle where every effort has been employed to wow the crowd. This will be one of the most talked about productions of the season.

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

Christine Howey

This is a magnificent production, featuring dark and foreboding artistic backdrops inspired by Hugo’s paintings, awesome 3-D projections and some notable performances. But there are also a couple egregiously over-played bits that dampen the overall effect.

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

Laura Kennelly

Steam Punk returns in this version of Les Misérables (let’s call it Les Miz) now playing in Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace through November 18. It’s yet another revival of the Cameron Mackintosh 1980s mega-hit: this time one that stresses metaphorical elements. Mist, smoke, fog, black and white shroud the stage.

This effect is said to be based on Victor Hugo’s own sketches, how he envisioned the scene. While it doesn’t work for me (I felt as if I needed to remove the sunglasses I was not wearing), it didn’t seem to bother other Les Miz fans around me one bit.

The complete review may be found here.

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

David Ritchey

“Les Miserables” has been popular with audiences since 1862 when Victor Hugo published the novel. The musical version opened on Broadway in 1987 and went on to receive eight Tony Awards.  Now, the show is playing a three-week residency in Cleveland, Ohio.  This is a large touring company with almost 40 in the cast and about 16 in the orchestra. 

This musical version of the Jean Valjean story contains several different plots, which complement the novel. The stories open wide to include many different plot points and, yet, in the final moments of the play the elements of the plots find unity.

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

Andrea Simakis

Timelss "Les Miz" still enthralls.

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