RASHEEDA SPEAKING @ KARAMU THEATER

Through November 24, 2019

(216) 795-7070

Or www.karamuhouse.org

Mark Horning

If you have ever had the nagging feeling that someone is after your job, you are probably right and this play proves it in a masterful manner. It is theatrical dynamite in an easy to understand small package. Workers of the World Unite...and see this play.

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

PENELOPIAS @ ENSEMBLE THEATRE

Through November 10, 2019

 (216) 321-2930

Or www.ensemble-theatre.com

Roy Berko

“The Penelopiad” is a well-directed and performed play which exposes the audience to the lost art of Greek theater production while telling a contemporary tale of women caught in a man’s world.  It will be of interest to true theater-goers who appreciate quality theatrics.

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

Mark Horning

Without a doubt, this is one of the finest productions to hit Cleveland in quite some time. Although the Greek names remain intact, the contemporary writing style makes this epic work easy to follow. You will find yourself swept along for a wild ride. If you are serious about theater you should seriously consider seeing this wonderful show.

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

WAKEY WAKEY @ DOBAMA THEATRE

Through November 10, 2019

(216) 932-3396

Or dobama.org

Roy Berko

Will Eno’s “Wakey, Wakey” is a heartfelt look at the end of life which invites the audience to be psychologically present while the emotional tale masterfully plays itself out.  Justifiably, there is no curtain call.  Who applauds a eulogy?

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

Mark Horning

This powerfully concentrated work is bound to elicit a cornucopia of reactions from each show’s collection of audience members. Some will understand while others will leave with “WTF?” on their lips and still others will think that they have gone through a drug free acid trip. No matter what the response, everyone who sees this show will be changed in some way. This is the distilled essence of good theater.

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

HOMOS, OR EVERYONE IN AMERICA @ CONVERGENCE CONTINUUM

Through November 9, 2019

(216) 687-0074

Or convergence-continiuum.org

Roy Berko

“Homos, or Everyone in America” gets a good production at con-con.  While some of the stereotypes could have been pulled back by the author, there is enough empathy developed to hold the audience’s attention.

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

Howard Gollop

Rarely does a local company master the nuanced intimacy of an astoundingly compelling drama like “Homos, Or  Everyone in America.” Rarely does a local company master the nuanced intimacy of a theater such as The Luminous, home to one of the best companies in Northeast Ohio — convergence-continuum. Do not miss this in its final weekend.

PIPELINE @ CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE

Through November 3, 2019

(216) 241-6000

Or www.clevelandplayhouse.com

Roy Berko

“Pipeline” is a powerful and intelligent new play which lays a smorgasbord of issues facing black young men, African American families, and the societal responsibility of working toward confronting the long smoldering problems concerning the education of people of color and the consequences of the system as now conceived.  The CPH production is well-worth seeing.  Expect to participate in a long conversation about the play on the ride home.

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

Mark Horning

This intermission free ninety minutes flies by as we are witnesses to the turmoil brought on by spousal betrayal and the resulting problems in its wake with a story ripped right off the headlines that brings us face to face with a growing problem in our society.

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


Laura Kennelly

Despite a good effort by the talented Cleveland Play House team, it’s not enough to smooth over distracting dramatic elements inherent in the play itself. Pipeline tries to cover too many important social topics — public and private education, divorce, single parents, social reform — all at once. It takes a village to make a mess? I don’t think that’s what the playwright had in mind, but that seems to be what she shows us. Morisseau, a MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant awardee for 2018, offers 90 minutes of pain about marriage, schools, responsibility and assumptions.

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

Andrea Simakis

“Pipeline” is Morisseau’s argument that we can all do better: Parents. Teachers. Students. Administrators. Government. The Village. Her best idea? Ask him what he needs — then really listen to what he says.

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

RASTUS AND HATTIE @ CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE

Through October 26, 2019

(216) 631-2727

Or www.cptonline.org

Mark Horning

If we truly are the culmination of past generational experiences, will erasing these deeply rooted horrors help us or hinder us? If given the choice would you allow yourself to be genetically altered in order to assure that future generations would be baggage free? These questions and more are to be up for consideration. See this show for the “think factor.”

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

Andrea Simakis

In the simplest terms, it’s one of the best plays about race I can remember, and one of the funniest too. It’s also wrenching and heartbreaking, a bracingly original look at America’s original sin of slavery through the lens of history, science fiction and satire, a mashup of genres that shouldn’t work but does.

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

THE TOURING PRODUCTION OF SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL @ THE CONNOR PALACE

Through October 27, 2019

(216) 241-6000

Or www.playhousesquare.org

Howard Gollop

The book, credited to no less than three playwrights -- Colman Domingo, Robert Cary and Des McAnuff -- plays like a movie trailer for a full-fledged biography that never gets released. In layered flashbacks, scenes are truncated to the point of merely being hinted at, amounting to little more than introductions to Summer's songs. 

Mark Horning

For those of us who came of age during the time of multi tiered dance clubs, disco music and garish dress this show is a delightful blast from the past (emphasis on the blast). You will find yourself dancing to the beat in your seats. Its party time!

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


Laura Kennelly

BOTTOM LINE: It’s light as a feather (despite lip service to women’s rights and equal pay) compared to biographical musicals such as Funny Girl or Gypsy that make us care about their subject. However those who really enjoyed Jersey Boys or Motown may find themselves loving it and dancing. (BTW: There’s a party next door to the theater after every show.)

To see a full review of this show, go to see artstillmatters.com or read Laura's posts at Cool Cleveland.

Andrea Simakis

In the end, “Summer” is a lot like that mirrored disco ball: cold and dazzling, with a Styrofoam core.

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

THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING @ THE BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Through November 3, 2019

(216) 521-2540

Or http://www.beckcenter.org

Roy Berko

Unfortunately, the staging and performance quality of “The Member of the Wedding” was not what it should have been. 

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


Mark Horning

This is one of those “onion” plays that when the various layers are peeled away they reveal a fascinating slice of history. While primarily concerning a young woman’s awakening it also hints at the first stirrings of the civil rights movement. Well worth the investment of time to see this fascinating show.

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


Laura Kennelly

Carson McCullers’ The Member of the Wedding, now at the Beck Center, builds slowly, scene by scene, to give a true and tender glimpse of lives intersecting in a small southern town. Director Eric Schmiedl and an excellent cast make everything they do to bring us into their world seem simple and easy (it is not) as we slip into August 1945 and a welcome post-war era.

To read the full review go to CoolCleveland.com or Laura's blog at artstillmatters.com.

JULIUS CAESAR @ GREAT LAKES THEATER

Through November 3, 2019

(216) 241-6000

Or www.greatlakestheater.org

Roy Berko

The production is riveting.  Fast paced, lines clearly stated, actions exciting, and acting well-textured.  This is Shakespeare staging and performance at its finest.  It’s a must see for anyone who enjoys good theater.  Kudos to Sara Bruner and her fine cast and technical staff!  

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

Howard Gollop

After all, the concept of cross-dressing -- females playing males and vice versa -- is as old as Shakespeare itself. So when cross-gender casting is done well, as in this case, the work looks as new and fresh as ever.

Mark Horning

You have not really experienced live theater until you have witnessed one of Shakespeare’s greatest works done exceptionally well by a most professional of theater groups. Have no fear of being able to decipher the Middle English tongue. This production is done in the most easily understood manner. This is great theater and should not be missed.

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


Laura Kennelly

Sarah Bruner, director of Julius Caesar now at Great Lakes Theater, brings grim reality (and a bit of modernity) to Shakespeare’s classic tale about politics, changing rulers, and trusting sycophants.

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

Andrea Simakis

In Bruner’s “Julius Caesar,” a woman in power is normalized; it’s factual, not freakish. That’s as much a tribute to Bruner’s direction as it is to Healey’s majestic performance. Her voice is commanding. She strides with purpose. She fills space with her presence, at ease with being the sun around which everything revolves.

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