Big Fish @ Cain Park

Through June 30, 2024

                                                                   https://cainpark.com/

(216) 371-3000

 

Roy Berko

The songs are well interpreted, the story made clear, the performances quite good.  There is nice storytelling, nice music and a nice moral. If there is a flaw, it is the writing, not the production.  There are little real highlights, little encompassing action. 

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

Mark Horning

This is a show that seems to aimlessly flows along with little connection to reality. While a cute story of father and son trying to reconcile there is little meat on this bone. Add to this the uncomfortable conditions inside the theater and the extended length of the show it makes for a long sit. Those who love the movie (I am sure there must be a few of you out there) this might be a rare treat. To those people, I urge buy a ticket.

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

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

PORTHOUSE THEATRE (Kent State University)

June 14-29, 2024

www.porthousetheatre.com or 330-929-4416 or 330-672-3884

Roy Berko

The staging, choreography and emotional values of the controversial show are well developed.  No matter your philosophical bent, this production will leave a positive understanding of the value of a well-done theatrical presentation!  Go see!

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

Mark Horning

It is summer and time for a theater picnic at Porthouse. In spite of the heat, the steady breeze in the pavilion kept temps tolerable during the show and what an exciting show it is. Buy tickets, invite your friends and bring a special array of food to enjoy before the show. Porthouse is a summer theater experience not to be missed.

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

Chris Howey

Beg, Borrow or Steal to Get a Ticket to 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at Porthouse Theatre.

The cast, designers, director and the whole team are making miracles down at Blossom.

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

BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL

BACK TO THE FUTURE:  THE MUSICAL

KEY BANK STATE THEATRE

JUNE 11-JULY 7, 2024

216-241-6000 OR ON LINE AT PLAYHOUSEQUARE.ORG

 

Roy Berko

BACK TO THE FUTURE:  THE MUSICAL will delight anyone who loves farcical, outlandish and quirky stories and who has a special liking for special effects.  Don’t expect a deep thought-provoking tale or sublime music.  This isn’t a show for that.  Go!  Sit back and enjoy the overdone hijinks!  Escape from reality!  Laugh, clap and jump up at the end for the required standing ovation

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

Howard Gollop

Just as "Phantom of the Opera" had the falling chandelier and "Miss Saigon" had a flying helicopter, "Back to the Future: The Musical" cashes in an on-stage time-barrier-smashing DeLorean DMC. It flies through time and space right before the audience's eyes as realistically as the plutonium-fueled concoction by the crazed-but-cuddly inventor Doc Brown in the original film and its sequels.

Unsurprisingly, "Back to the Future" was a virtual no-show at this year's increasingly "serious" Tony Awards, having gotten only a single nomination for scenic design (Tim Hatley and Finn Ross), but as for apparent box-office accolades, this production of nonstop theatrical fireworks takes home the Cleveland trophy for the summer theater sensation of 2024.

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

Sheri Gross

The cast of this touring production is top notch, adding its own flavor to these favorite characters and keeping the RPMs at max speed, holding the attention of audience members of all ages for over 2½ hours.

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

Mark Horning

This show has a deep and thought provoking message. Come to the theater to have a good time. Be wowed by the special effects, be dazzled by the dance numbers, cheer for the car and enjoy the music. It is that simple. This is a show to see just for the fun of it. GREAT SCOTT!

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

Chris Howey

The stage version of that uber-popular flick—Back to the Future, the Musical—is now making a tour stop at Playhouse Square, and while the staging effects are spectacular enough to buckle your knees (even while sitting) the rest of the play often falls short on a few scores.

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

Laura Kennelly

Time travel? Yes, please. At least if it’s Back to the Future: The Musical.

This Broadway take on time travel whooshed into the State Theatre at Playhouse Square last week. Starting its national tour in Cleveland, the show is a fun blast from the past.

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

Kate Klotzbach

All in all, BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL is one wild ride and worth the trip. The experience as a whole is satisfyingly exciting, and you'll want to take this one for a spin this summer.

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

Joey Morona

“It’s good, old-fashioned ‘Back to the Future.’”

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

 

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE

CAIN PARK--ALMA THEATRE

MAY 30-JUNE 6, 2024

216-371-3000 OR www.cainpark.com

 Roy Berko

Sometimes it’s fun to just sit in the theatre, smile and admire the talent of the cast.  If that is your kind of entertainment, THE 25^TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE is your thing and will spell “d-e-l-i-g-h-t.”

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

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

Chris Howey

"In this Cain Park version which I saw at a preview performance, the direction by Patrick Ciamacco was energetic and the characters were all sufficiently dweeby as they fought off family issues, physical complications, and in one case a rogue boner to nab the championship."

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

A DOLL'S HOUSE:  PART 2

BECK CENTER

https://www.beckcenter.org/shows/dolls or call 216-521-2540

Roy Berko

Beck’s production, under the focused direction of Don Carrier, is a model of the right play, the right cast and the right presentation.  It is a perfect model of the “thinking person’s play.”  Though filled with ironic humor, it is the drama of the script that makes it work so well.

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

Howard Gollop

It's of tremendous help that the Beck production offers the amazing performances of Anjanette Hall as Nora, David Vegh as her husband Torvald, Tabitha Rather as her daughter Emmy and Nanna Ingvarsson as the housekeeper, Anne Marie. Under the precise direction of Donald Carrier, who moves his characters craftily around Jill Davis' effective stark double-sided parlor setting thrusting into the double-sided audience seating, the result is a nuanced and layered feat of drama magic. It may make the audience want to return to this "Doll's House" much sooner than 15 years.

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

Chris Howey

"A Doll's House, Part 2 is engrossing and thought-provoking, enhanced by four precise and telling performances. And while serious Ibsen devotees may be distressed by the affrontery of playwright Hnath messing with these iconic characters, for the rest of us this play casts an intriguing new light on that "doll's house" Ibsen created."

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

Laura Kennelly

BOTTOM LINE: If you’ve ever wondered what happened after Nora left her home — the house where she felt like a doll in a doll’s house — this play has some answers. Hnath’s Nora reminds me of Barbie in the recent film. And like Barbie, it takes Nora a while to find the answers. But this version, 90 minutes with no intermission, lacks the humor that saved Miz Barbie’s adventure from being yet another lecture about what one should do based on one’s socially-determined role.

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

Dr. Yuko Kurahashi

Carrier’s direction is very “physical” and intellectual, asking the performers to cover the entire stage in each scene.  Fully utilizing the four chairs as each character’s “fort,” Carrier expresses the four people’s emotions and thoughts by changing the spot and angle of each chair as if they have their own lives and memories.

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

Through June 15, 2024

WWW.CVLT,org 

(440) 247-8955

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.

 

Mark Horning

It is always a joy when the right combination of cast and crew are gathered for an uproariously funny comedy. You will need a scorecard to keep up with the various les histoires de coeur (affairs of the heart). The laughs are non-stop from start to finish. Come see this show for a good laugh.

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