Mean Girls @ Playhouse Square

Through November 3, 2024

www.playhousesquare.org

(216) 241-6000

 

Roy Berko

MEAN GIRLS is filled with music, characters and Tina Fey satire that will appeal to younger audiences.  This production is not the quality expected of a professional tour.  Too bad, it really has the potential to be a really fun show! 

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

Howard Gollop

Still, it's hard to quibble with the jubilance of Casey Nicholaw's direction and choreography (adapted by Casey Hushion and John MacInnis, respectively, for this tour), who turns cafeteria lunch trays into the main feature of a Busby Berkeley-style extravaganza. Likewise, it would be hard to fault the performances by Natalie Shaw as the protagonist who transitions into one of the popular girls (aka "The Plastics") and Joshua Morrisey and Alexys Morera as the two singing, tap-dancing outsider friends who first befriend her, show her the ropes and then narrate the show in befitting mock-teen omniscience. 

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

Laura Kennelly

We last saw those bad girls in 2019. Did you miss them?

Well, good news for you then. The musical version of Mean Girls is back for a brief run at Playhouse Square’s State Theatre (through November 10)......Bottom Line: There are funny moments, the cast is good, but the story seems dated. Yes, we know growing up is hard, but get over it. (I feel like a mean girl now, but there’s something about this show that brings out the snark. If you’ve already seen it when it was in Cleveland in 2019, you don’t need to see it again.)

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

What The Constitution Means To Me @ Cleveland Play House

Through November 3, 2024 

www.clevelandplayhouse.com 

(216) 400-7096     

 

Howard Gollop

Linsay Firman directs with nuance and subtlety. She clearly takes her cue from the playwright herself as the audience becomes engrossingly challenged in a subject that unfortunately has long become too polarized in most any other venue than a sure-footed theater company such as Cleveland Play House.

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

At first blush this show appears to be rather pedestrian but the quality of writing, acting and stage setting make it an intriguing production to view. Sometimes we go to the theater to be educated and this is such a time. Buy a ticket.

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

Chris Howey

 In 90 minutes of engrossing theater, director Linsay Firman guides us through Schreck's family history as well as the glories of the U.S. Constitution. It also delves into the many dark holes which that revered document has left in its path.

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

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.

 

POTUS

DOBAMA

October 4-November 3, 2024

boxoffice@dobama.org or 216-932-3396

Roy Berko

The night I saw the production a number of John Carroll students were in attendance as a class assignment.  They howled, laughed, shouted and applauded as their reality played out on the stage.  These young people got it!  This is the world which the present older generation has left them.  Oh, woe is me!   This is absolutely must-see theatre! 

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

Sheri Gross

Sitting in the audience of Selina Fillinger’s raucous political farce “POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” on stage at Dobama Theatre in Cleveland Heights, is like being strapped into a roller coaster that has no brakes. It’s sharp, fast, and just when you think it’s peaked in outrageousness, it throws in another upside down loop. Fans of thrill rides will be tickled pink, but for those who prefer to stick closer to the ground, this ride might be a bit too daring.

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

Mark Horning

If you like to laugh and do not mind a barrage of naughty words and are paying attention to the current political climate (which is stormy at best) then you will love this show. It’s a fast moving romp of behind the scenes of the most powerful office in the world and what people have to deal with on a daily basis. Buy a ticket.

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

Chris Howey

When it comes to theatrical farce, we all draw our own lines. How ridiculous is too ridiculous? When does absurdity become overdone and become tiresome? And what is the point where vulgarity tips into juvenile indulgence?

You will have a chance to answer all those questions and more in the excellent Dobama Theatre production of Selina Fillinger's POTUS or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. This all-female creation (playwright, director, and entire cast) goes over the top in so many ways you may develop acrophobia by the final curtain.

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

Dr. Yuko Kurahashi

Selina Fillinger’s POTUS, or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Sever Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, produced at Dobama Theatre (Nathan Motta, Artistic Director) under the direction of Carrie Williams, is exuberant, fast-paced, outrageous, and poignant.  Incorporating several past US Presidents’ traits, decisions, and scandals, POTUS peels off all the façade and “decorum” of the White House despite their staff’s attempt to keep the “walls of the appearance” intact.  Consisting of a series of short vignettes, the work evokes the feelings of a TV sitcom, introducing different locations—within the White House—and underscoring comedic and physical interactions among the characters.
To see a full review of this show, read Yuko's posts here.

 

Cabaret The Musical @ Weathervane Playhouse

Through October 20, 2024

www.weathervaneplayhouse.com

(330) 836-2626

 

Mark Horning

Do not (like I did) put off making the short trip to Akron to visit Weathervane Playhouse. This show features a superb cast, great orchestra, ingenious stage set and superb lighting and sound. Forget the movie and see how the original darker story plays out. Buy a ticket!

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

THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL A BEAUTIFUL NOISE

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE

October 8-27, 2024

216-241-6000 or www.playhousesquare.org

 

Roy Berko

This is not a great musical.  It won’t ever be compared to GYPSY, WEST SIDE STORY or even, RAGTIME but for Neil Diamond fanatics, or for those who love his music, it will more than be a pleasing experience.  The music is fine, the dancing is dynamic and the concert-level staging is enveloping.  It’s worth a sit-through.

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

Howard Gollop

Were Diamond's divorces, contract deputes, emotional repression and reconciliations of guilt LESS compelling than the life of fellow Brooklynite '60s pop superstar Carole King, the subject of the much better jukebox musical "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical?"

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

In spite of all the pitfalls (more than usual for an opening night) this show is well worth seeing. Whether you are a Diamond fan or not you will find an entertaining story coupled with extremely well produced musical numbers. So Good...So Good...So Good!

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

Chris Howey

With almost 30 of his songs performed in part or fully, the ABN company under the direction musical direction of Sonny Paladino does indeed create some lovely noises. But the book by Anthony McCarten is a lumbering affair as the entire story is told from the perspective of Neil's later-in-life psychotherapy sessions.

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

Laura Kennelly

Yes, another Jukebox musical, this time one based on Neil Diamond’s life (loosely) and the music (front and center).

The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace features over two dozen fully staged songs by Diamond, the Grammy award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame star who has sold at least 120 million albums and appeared in concerts all over the world.

Probably not too surprisingly, his personal story seems a bit sadder, but that always seems to be the case — maybe it’s easier to see him as a man in love with performing. 

To see a full review of this show go here or 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

If anyone was born to play Neil Diamond, it’s Nick Fradiani.

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

 

POTUS (OR BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE

Dobama

October 4-27, 2024

www.dobama.org OR 216 -932-3396

 

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

Chris Howey

This all-female creation (playwright, director, and entire cast) goes over the top in so many ways you may develop acrophobia by the final curtain. Until then, you will be immersed in creative vulgarity and dagger-like wit wielded by the entire 7-person cast. As for the script, it includes massive doses of the f-word, the b-word, the c-word and any other nasty word with an alphabet letter in front of it. 

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

Selina Fillinger’s POTUS, or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Sever Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, produced at Dobama Theatre (Nathan Motta, Artistic Director) under the direction of Carrie Williams, is exuberant, fast-paced, outrageous, and poignant.  Incorporating several past US Presidents’ traits, decisions, and scandals, POTUS peels off all the façade and “decorum” of the White House despite their staff’s attempt to keep the “walls of the appearance” intact.  Consisting of a series of short vignettes, the work evokes the feelings of a TV sitcom, introducing different locations—within the White House—and underscoring comedic and physical interactions among the characters.

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 Midsummer Night's Dream @ Great Lakes Theater

Through October 27, 2024

www.greatlakestheater.org

(216) 241-6000

 

Roy Berko

GLT’S A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM will delight those who enjoy unbridled farce and mod language, while Shakespeare purists will rue the day they saw this “reimagined,” Bard-light edition.  Me?  I started out on the side of the purist’s and ended up an advocate of the modernists.  Go…see…enjoy (maybe!)

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

Howard Gollop

Of course it's hard to say where occasional innocent modern vernacular clarity becomes dramaturgy desecration. Apparently the former is the intent of a new nation-wide enterprise called Play on Shakespeare, which produces Bard-lite entries in live theater and podcast form. The result of the latter in Great Lakes collaboration may be due to the careless abandon of Sara Bruner, tagged to become Great Lakes Theater's new artistic director. Under her direction, there doesn't seem to be any stroke too broad, mugging too sustained or character-audience interaction too intrusive that would compel her to take a breath and ask her cast, "You think this is a bit much?"

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

Mark Horning

This is truly not your parent’s (or for that matter your grandparent’s) Shakespeare. This is a madcap comic farce of the highest degree that will have you rolling in the aisles. Pay close attention to all the little “modern” references and nuances. Well worth the ticket...go see this work.

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

Chris Howey

There is plenty of laughter generated in this new Dream. Genuine, hearty belly laughs. But they aren't laughing at the gentle (and sometimes not-so-gentle) wit of Shakespeare and his verbal constructions which, while daunting at times, can also please the mind and soul. They're laughing at actors beating each other with colorful pool noodles as they climb and romp on the jungle gym set and adopt various funny character voices, some borrowed from SNL, to squeeze just one more easy cackle from the patrons.

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

Laura Kennelly

Director Sara Bruner and her excellent accomplices (cast and crew all) wove soap opera (love/hate relationships) with comic farce (adventures in the woods) to create a refreshing romp into a world that never was.

Great Lakes chose a new take on Shakespeare’s classic, this one translated by Jeff Whitty (who wrote Avenue Q). Whitty’s version neither mangles the original nor turns it into a word circus. The result? Raucous laughs.

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

Dr.Yuko Kurahashi

Directed by Great Lakes Theater’s new artistic director, Sara Bruner, the production uses the modern translation/adaptation done by Jeff Whitty in partnership with Play on Shakespeare, adapting Shakespeare’s work so that the audience can better understand the language “with so many bubbles” and the characters’ confusing relationships.

To see a full review of this, go to Yuko's Playshakespeare site here