Souvenir @ Clague Playhouse

Through June 9, 2024

www.clagueplayhouse.org 

(440) 331-0403

WORTH NOTING: 

In order to bring attention to local productions of merit at theaters that are not on the Cleveland Critics Circle’s approved Equity Theater list, members of the Circle who attend a community or educational theater production that is perceived as of high quality will have the option of listing that production on the CCC blogsite.  This review falls into that category.

 

Roy Berko
No review yet.
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

This little gem of a show is one that should not be missed. It is less about musical prowess and more about one’s love of music no matter what the consequences. The two actors work extremely well together and give a flawless performance. SEE THIS SHOW!

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

Chris Howey
No review yet.
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.

Dr. Yuko Kurahashi
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Yuko's posts here.

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

 

A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE

A BEHANDING IN SPOKANE

BLANK CANVAS

May 24-June 8, 2024

http://www.blankcanvastheatre.com/a-behanding-in-spokane/

 Mark Horning

In spite of the grim subject matter of the show there are moments of absolute hilarity as the story takes one wild twist after another leading to a surprise ending that none will be able to guess. If you are a fan of the macabre you will love this show.

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

Chris Howey

"This production at Blank Canvas Theatre brings out the cringe-inducing features of this script while managing to create a couple characters who, if you look past their scuzzy personas, are worth encountering."

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

LAST SHIP TO PROXIMA CANTAURI

convergence-continuum

May 24-June 15, 2024

https://convergence-continuum.thundertix.com 

Mark Horning

It’s a far off flight of fancy that with a little tightening up could be a really great show. As it stands it is still worth the price of a ticket for its telling of the immigration issue that we are currently going through world wide. Check out this show.

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

Chris Howey

"This is an ambitious sci-fi piece and it has some amusing moments. But the combination of heavy-handed lecturing, a fondness for repetition, and an Act Two that includes dialog spoken in Chinese and Spanish (translated to English on a screen) slows the pace of the show to a spacewalk." 

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

THE PROSPECT OF EQUALITY

THE PROSPECT OF HUMANITY

ENSEMBLE THEATRE

MAY 24-JUNE 9, 2024

216-321-2930 OR WWW.ENSEMBLETHEATRECLE.ORG

Roy Berko

Though the script could use a little more dramatic tension, and possibly some additional humor, and the staging would be aided by eliminating the excessive movement of furniture to create different settings, the general quality of the writing and the acting excellence makes for an evening of highly satisfying theatre and added appreciation and admiration for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a woman who optimizes the phrase, “A life well lived!”  See this!

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

"It is easy to understand why Zake would fall in playwright-love with this woman and do everything in her power to convey how extraordinary a person she was. Unfortunately, the result in this case is a less-than-compelling piece of theater."

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.

Dr. Yuko Kurahashi

So many things have gone backward in the past 8 years, destroying many laws that RBG spearheaded to change and introduce. Two RBGs in this play are confident that generations to follow will pick up the mission and jobs they could not finish. But what if there are strong waves to destroy what they have completed—already many works RBG and other people have fought to build were destroyed.  Zake’s play gives us the energy and hope needed to stay positive in the next five months.

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

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

 

In The Heights @ Cleveland Play House

Through June 9, 2024

https://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/

(216) 400-7096

 

Howard Gollop

Every so often, a regional theater in Northeast Ohio pulls out all the stops for a big Broadway experience that's beyond the norm for even national tours. Cleveland Play House's return to the 16-year-old Broadway sensation "In the Heights," which launched the career of Lin-Manuel Miranda, who went on to create "Hamilton," achieves that bonanza status.

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

Mark Horning

Temps are heating up in this melting pot we call Cleveland and what better way to celebrate summer than to see this show. As the characters of the show would tell you...¡Que calor!

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

Chris Howey

This Cleveland Play House production soars above any small quibbles one might have.

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

Dr. Yuko Kurahashi

So, what the audience might perceive from a production of In the Heights in 2024 differs from that of the original production which won the team many Tony awards. I attended the Broadway production, and I remember that I left the theatre with so much hopes and dreams.

This time, I could not “celebrate” with the cast and other audience members during the finale when Usnsnavi celebrates his decision to maintain his bodega with a new graffiti on the shutter with “pacienciea y fe” (patience and faith)—to commemorate the song sung by the neighborhood’s grandmother figure.

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

Joey Morona

"In the Heights" might be the most unexpected show the regional theater has put on in years. “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda’s debut — CPH’s first main-stage musical since 2021 — is an elaborate and electrifying extravaganza with the look, feel and talent typically associated with the national touring Broadway productions next door at Playhouse Square.

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

 

Company @ Playhouse Square

Through May 19, 2024

www.playhousesquare.org

(216) 241-6000

 

Roy Berko

The “new” gender-bender, reconceptualized COMPANY, nicely displays how a script can grow and become relevant, once again, in the hands of the right writing and production crew.  It makes for a feeling of “Being Alive” while you are “Side by Side by Side” with other joyous theater-goers.

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

Howard Gollop

Does one of Stephen Sondheim's most celebrated musicals, which helped launch a new generation of shows to Broadway in 1970, really need to be reinvented more than a half-century later? True, even the late Sondheim himself gave his blessing to this new incarnation to "Company," continuing at the Connor Palace on Playhouse Square. Perhaps Sondheim, who died before the revival's Broadway opening, gave his stamp of approval prematurely.

Although the new touring production of the multi-Tony-Award-winning revival radiates in a brilliant, deceptively streamlined doll-house production design  by Bunny Christie (incisively lit by Neil Austin), low-key but inventive choreography by Liam Steel, resonating orchestrations by David Cullen and workmanlike direction by Marianne Elliott (with just enough tricks up her sleeve), the intended generational reinvention comes across as more confused than inspiring -- or even reviving.

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

For fans of Stephan Sondheim you will love the modernization of this over 50 year old classic. It is fresh and relevant for these modern times. Even those who are not a fan of the man will be quite entertained by the show.

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

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

Laura Kennelly

Company, recently awarded a Tony as Best Musical Revival (2022), deserves its award and then some.

Now at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace Theatre, this splendid, re-conceived production directed by Marianne Elliott, shows focus on more than simply changing the lead from Bobby (male) to Bobbie (female). While Company’s gender identities have been rearranged to match the fluid vibe now popular, this Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and George Furth (book) classic retains its original witty charm.

To see a full review of this show go here, 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.

Dr. Yuko Kurahashi
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Yuko's posts here.

Joey Morona

Fun but perhaps not the most famous work by the Broadway legend who also composed songs for “West Side Story,” “Into the Woods” and “Sweeney Todd.” Still, Coleman says, “Company” is an excellent representation of Sondheim’s career as a whole.

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