THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

Beck Center---Senney Theater

September 23-October 16, 2022

beckcenter.org

Roy Berko

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME is a brilliantly written play. TheBeck production catches most of the script’s effectiveness, but stumbles on some technical and directing decisions.  Even with those issues, this is a production well-worth seeing. 

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

Howard Gollop

It's further brilliantly enhanced by Andrew McDaniels lighting and resonates with Angie Hayes evocative sound design, capturing a nightmare of contemporary London urban life. The Beck production erupts into a myriad of pulsating lights, graphics, sudden doors and swirls of words and letters that may begin to convey to the audience how an autistic boy experiences his world.

To see a full review of this show, read Howard Gollop's review here.

Chris Howey

This is a mystery play that poses questions far beyond "who done it?" And that makes it a must-see for those who enjoy being challenged while also being masterfully entertained.

To see a full review of this show, read Chris Howey's Review here.

Kate Klotzbach

The cast does well with keeping the audience engaged with compelling staging and a beautiful presentation... Overall it is an interesting night out.

To see a full review of this show, read Kate's posts here.

CLYBOURNE PARK @ Ensemble Theatre

CLYBOURNE PARK

Ensemble Theatre @ Notre Dame College's Performing Arts Center

September 23-October 9, 2022

216-321-2930 or www.ensembletheatrecle.org 

Roy Berko

Clybourne Park is a unique evening of theater.  The Pulitzer Prize play is well written and relevant.  The production is basically well-conceived by director Celeste Consentino.  This is a go see production.

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

Howard Gollop
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Howard Gollop's review here.

Sheri Gross
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Sheri Gross' review here.

Mark Horning
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Mark Horning's Review here.

Chris Howey

The lack of timeliness doesn't take any of the glow off this production, which is gripping and entertaining throughout. It would be rude to call out each actor individually for their performances since they all blend with such brilliant timing and nuance as they craft indelible individual characters. This is an Ensemble that is a joy to behold.

To see a full review of this show, read Chris Howey's Review here.

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

Kate Klotzbach
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Kate's posts here.

AMERICAN MARIACHI @ Cleveland Play House

AMERICAN MARIACHI

Allen Theatre

September 17-October 9, 2022

www.clevelandplayhouse.com or 216-400-7000

Roy Berko

AMERICAN MARIACHI allows audiences to experience a telenovela, a Hispanic storytelling technique, and be exposed to mariachi music, while sharing a tale of universal angst.  The CPH production is well staged and performed.  This is a fine evening of theatre.

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

The production could easily sink into a tepid mix of Telenovela (Mexican soap opera) and Hallmark movie, but under the direction by Henry Godinez, the production value (with Linda Buchanan's sets coming directly from last year's Chicago mounting) and cast (with some actor/musicians recreating the same roles from productions in Chicago, Montgomery, Ala., and Dallas) -- not to mention the infectious and joyful sounds of a top Mariachi band, both male and female, and original Mariachi music by Cynthia Reifler Flores -- raise the proceedings to sheer theatrical delight.

To see a full review of this show, read Howard Gollop's review here.

Sheri Gross
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Sheri Gross' review here.

Chris Howey

"A sweet but overly simplistic look at what happens when five young Chicano women in the 1970s decide to start their own Mariachi band. The music is lively throughout and the performers give it their all. But a pedestrian and predictable book by José Cruz González doesn't provide the actors enough runway to lift this work to another level."

To see a full review of this show, read Chris Howey's Review here.

Laura Kennelly

"Director Henry Godinez places original musical arrangements by Cynthia Reifler Flores (who also serves as music director) front and center in this play by José Cruz González about the power of music (what else?) to unify and heal. In this case, the music is Mexican mariachi as played by a small, but striking ensemble that appears and disappears as the story continues....

Author González brings multiple plot points before us in the hour and a half plus production. There’s a lot of music, plus information about and evidence of music’s power to unite, to cheer, to heal, and to comfort. All valid ideas, each deserving of its own show. Blending them all together, however, weakens the overall effect — whipsawed as we are from feeling deeply touched by the daughter’s efforts to use music as therapy to soothe her mother’s dementia and then excited to see the entrepreneurship Lucha and Boli display as they decide to organize their own band. and then to our delight at their success as even her father sees how good her ensemble has become."

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

Kate Klotzbach
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Kate's posts here.

Joey Morona
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Joey's posts here.

 

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS @ Great Lakes Theater

September 16-October 9, 2022

216-241-6000 or www.greatlakestheater.org

 Roy Berko

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is the kind of show that many love to hate while others love it.  The topics of abuse and drug use, which are not in the wheelhouse of musicals, sometimes turn people off, as does the phy-sci-centered plot.  The GLT production is as good as you are going to get.  It solidly hits all the comic and horror notes.  It’s a must see for the script’s fans!

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

Howard Gollop

Of course, nothing wilts so fast as the bloom of trendiness -- and this production might easily have been a tedious go-round of milking an old cash cow -- but Victoria Bussert, one of Cleveland's foremost directors of musical comedy, makes sure this "Shop of Horrors" still has the merchandise that sells.

To see a full review of this show, read Howard Gollop's review here.

Sheri Gross

Don’t let the lip-smacking, blood-sucking, man-eating plant in the window stop you from getting a front row seat to Great Lakes Theater’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Hanna Theatre in downtown Cleveland.

To see a full review of this show, read Sheri Gross' review here.

Chris Howey

"If you love some good tunes and a couple outstanding performances, Little Shop awaits your arrival with open jaws."

To see a full review of this show, read Chris Howey's Review here.

Laura Kennelly

One of the best musicals yet in the Hanna. The cast, largely made of BW music theatre students past and present conveyed a fresh take on this classic light-hearted horror musical (is there such a genre? If not, there should be). Of course, there’s a moral: beware of feckless scientific exploration and moral rationalizations. But who cares in the face of such delightful exuberance? (Don’t know about you, but exotic potted plants in my house don’t do all that well anyway.)

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

Kate Klotzbach

Every character is just a little over-the-top and completely enjoyable. The pacing is quick and invigorating. The plant is crazy cool. The choreography is fun. To round it out – the set, lights, costumes, and sound all lead into a Skid Row that is full of heart with vibrant possibilities in this carnivorous musical comedy.

To see a full review of this show, read Kate's posts here.

Joey Morona

Binding everything together is a message that we could use a reminder of from time to time, whether you call it being careful what you wish for, the high price of fame, or, simply, don’t f--- with the universe. “Little Shop of Horrors” might have a more twisted plot to go along with a higher body count than your typical feel-good musical, but, powered by terrific performances, the production is also full of heart, humor and, ahem, a killer soundtrack.

To see a full review of this show, read Joey's posts here.

 

ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS @ BLANK CANVAS

September 9-24, 2022

http://www.blankcanvastheatre.com/ 

Howard Gollop

No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Howard Gollop's review here.

Sheri Gross

Whether you are an actor, a former actor, or an enthusiastic theater goer, every so often a show comes along that makes you want to jump out of your seat and run onto the stage to be a part of the hilarity. This is the case for Blank Canvas Theatre’s current production of “One Man, Two Guvnors,” by Richard Bean. 

To see a full review of this show, read Sheri Gross' review here.

Chris Howey

Loaded with intentionally one-dimensional characters, silly slapstick schtick, audience participation, some agile improvisation, lively band music, and a plot that joyously swerves through hairpin turns, it's a show that wants desperately to be loved.

To see a full review of this show, read Chris Howey's Review here.

BUYER & CELLAR

BUYER & CELLAR 

BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

September 9-October 9, 2022

216-521-2540 or beckcenter.org

Roy Berko

BUYER AND CELLAR is a show that will delight gay audiences who will be able to laugh at themselves, as well as appreciate their perceived hero-worship of the world of divas, but should be a fun experience for the uninitiated into all things gay.  Scott Esposito gives a finely tuned performance in this well-conceived play. So, “bubalah,” If you want to escape from the world of covid and political stress, go see B&C, you may get “verklempt.” 

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

Howard Gollop

Local actor Scott Esposito is so narratively vivid -- assuming the roles of the narrator's boyfriend, Barbra Streisand herself, her secretary and even handsome hubby James Brolin and other incidental figures -- the audience remains mesmerized, usually in hilarity. The only thing raining on this parade is audience laughter and applause.

To see a full review of this show, read Howard Gollop's review here.

Sheri Gross

What if you were offered a job to be the manager of a faux mini-mall in the basement of a huge star’s home, keep every last “tchotchke” (knick-knack) neat and tidy, and wait to see if the one customer, the star herself, ever comes down to shop? It sounds like a “meshuggeneh'' (crazy) idea. But in “Buyer and Cellar” by Johnathan Tolins at the Beck Center, this peculiar premise evolves into an hour and a half of sheer fun, with a dose of perspective and insight that we can all use once in a while.

To see a full review of this show, read Sheri Gross' review here.

Chris Howey

Despite the wincingly forced pun of the title, this 90-minute piece has plenty of laughs and some startling depth. In short, it doesn't rain on her parade.

To see a full review of this show, read Chris Howey's Review here.

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

Kate Klotzbach

The most amazing part of this play is that it’s 90 minutes (no intermission) of Esposito playing every character, embodying every single one with ease. Juggling hundreds of lines without a break, Esposito is an engaging storyteller who moves in and out of each character like a breeze. It’s not necessary to be a Barbra fanatic to enjoy this romp in the private cellar, and it helps if you’re humored by all of the excesses of a wealthy and flamboyant lifestyle. Bring your dreams of glamour to the Beck Center for BUYER AND CELLAR. 

To see a full review of this show, read Kate's posts here.