A CHRISTMAS CAROL @ GREAT LAKES THEATER

Through December 22, 2019

(216) 241-6000

Or www.greatlakestheater.org

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

This long standing Cleveland Christmas tradition still sells out simply because it is so superbly done. It is the touchstone that a lot of families use to kick off the holiday celebrations. Come see it again and bring the entire family for a night of superb holiday theater.

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


Laura Kennelly
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Laura's posts at Cool Cleveland.

Andrea Simakis
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.

EVERY BRILLIANT THING @ CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE

Until December 22, 2019

(216) 241-6000

Or www.clevelandplayhouse.com

Roy Berko

“EVERY BRILLIANT THING” is a brilliant and absolutely must-see production.  Mental illness and its impact on a family, mortality and existential despondency are central themes. These are heavy subjects but, ironically, the approach is almost frolicsome and totally mesmerizing.

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.

Mark Horning

Mental health issues seem to peak especially during the holiday season thus the timeliness of this show is apt as we are bombarded with holly jolly Christmas cheer whether we want it or not. It is a show of hope that gently reminds us of every brilliant thing that gives us reason to live.  

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


Laura Kennelly
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Laura's posts at Cool Cleveland.

Andrea Simakis
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.

TOURING PRODUCTION OF WHITE CHRISTMAS @ PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

Through December 1, 2019

(216) 241-6000

Or www.playhousesquare.org

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

"White Christmas" is back with nonstop candy-colored backdrops befitting both a Cinemascope movie and a Currier and Ives Christmas card; decorated trees rolling in from the wings; tons of bubbly snow falling from the stage and auditorium; scene-stealing bits from Elyria's own Cliff Bemis; and abundant evergreen tunes by the great Irving Berlin.

Mark Horning

This show is a perfect early Christmas gift for the entire family as nothing has been spared in this lush production filled with nostalgia and great show tunes. With a short run of only four remaining performances you need to order tickers NOW! This is the ultimate feel good show of the season.

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


Laura Kennelly
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Laura's posts at Cool Cleveland.

Andrea Simakis
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.

LIVE BODIES FOR SALE @ PLAYWRIGHTS LOCAL

Through December 15, 2019

(216) 302-8850

Or http://playwrightslocal.org/

Roy Berko

“LIVE BODIES FOR SALE” is a powerful and compelling exposition that grabs and holds attention, not only because of the stories told, but also because of the well-conceived performances.  This is an absolutely must-see experience which shows the power of theater to teach and persuade.

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

Mark Horning

You will not enjoy Live Bodies For Sale but this is a show that should be seen by parents and teens alike. Sometimes theater should be less about entertainment and stronger on teaching vastly needed life lessons. This is one of those shows. Have the courage to see this with your son and daughter. 

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

Andrea Simakis

In writing “Live Bodies for Sale,” playwright Christopher Johnston pulled out his reporter’s notebook and interviewed survivors of the inhumane crime of human trafficking. He didn’t speak to women in far-flung countries but to those right here in Cleveland.  Their stories, told in a series of arresting monologues peppered throughout the loosely structured work, are the reason to make the trek to Waterloo Arts District to see the world-premiere Playwrights Local production.

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

THE LOUSCH SISTERS LOVE DICK'NS @ CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE

Through December 21, 2019

(216) 631-2727

Or www.cptonline.org

Mark Horning

If you are in need of a silly irreverent look at the dark force of the holidays, this show (fortified with a goodly amount of hooch) should fill the bill. Most of the CPT regulars will get the joke while newcomers may shy away.

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

TOURING PRODUCTION OF THE BANDS VISIT @ PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

Through November 24, 2019

(216) 241-6000

Or www.playhousesquare.org

Roy Berko

“The Band’s Visit” is a slice of life, character-centered show, woven together with spoken and sung words and music, that is filled with caring humanism.  

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

Kerry Clawson

The elegantly written and performed work stays true to a comment original filmmaker Eran Kolirin made about the movie as it was being adapted for the stage: What if there were an orchestra for all the little things in life? In a story with simple conversations, where not much happens, the music treats every moment as important.

That makes the quote both at the beginning and end of the show quite the understatement: “Once, not long ago, a group of musicians came to Israel from Egypt. You probably didn’t hear about it. It wasn’t very important.”

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

Howard Gollop

Considering "The Band's Visit" is basically about a relatively irrelevant burg in Israel, of all places, where nothing ever happens, one may wonder if it could possibly be the kind of Broadway musical that won a Tony Award for best musical in 2018. Yes it is.

Through interwoven vignettes of deceptive insignificance, the cast compels the audience to savor the complexities and simplicities of human life. What the Broadway incarnation of "The Band's Visit" may lack the original film's cinematic verisimilitude, it more than compensates with a richly hued soul-revealling score. David Yazbek's songs evoke longing, waiting (actually the name of a song), epic romance and intimate small-town life.

Mark Horning

Every so often a show comes along bringing its own special magic to the stage. This is such a show. Lasting only 100 minutes with no intermission it is probably the best theater time you can experience. Bring someone you love to share in the magic.

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

Laura Kennelly

BOTTOM LINE: Tonic for the mind and soul. Watching it is like watching a tale from the Thousand and One Nights come to life. Moonlight, romance, music, and longing combine to weave a subtle musical magic in only 90 minutes.

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

Andrea Simakis

‘The Band’s Visit’ at Playhouse Square is a joyous musical celebration of life’s big questions at the scale of the human heart.

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