Karamu's Motown Christmas @ Playhouse Square

Through December 14, 2025

https://www.playhousesquare.org

(216-241-6000

 

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

If you are looking for a truly hip and exciting holiday show this is a must see. Being housed in the intimate Hanna Theatre brings everyone close to the action on stage. This show takes us back to a simpler time of the 50s when a few dollar ticket could have you see million dollar acts performing in your small town. Don’t “Shop Around” but instead experience the “Heatwave” of live performing at its best.

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

Laura Kennelly
Now at Playhouse Square’s Hanna Theater, the Karamu House’s A Motown Christmas radiates holiday spirit and plenty of joy. No story, just song after song, flashing soul, talent, and (yes!) glittery costumes galore. Part of what makes this holiday show, created and adapted by Nate Jacobs and directed by Karamu CEO Tony F. Sias, is—of course—the music. It’s a review of Motown’s greatest hits (you know, some of the ones some of us grew up with) by now-legendary artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Jackson 5 and more. Many are officially “Christmas songs,” such as “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Others bring back memories, such as “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.” Trust me here, unless you’ve had a very sheltered youth, you’ll recognize (and enjoy) this song-packed fest. Twenty-seven hits before intermission; eighteen afterwards. Good vibes flew all over the place. (Honestly, if the numbers had stopped after the first 27, it would have been plenty, but everybody cheerfully streamed back to their seats after intermission for second helpings of the music feast.)
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.

Gwendolyn Kochur
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Gwendolyn'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.

 

The Wickhams: Christmas At Pemberley @ Clague Playhouse

Through December 14, 2025

http://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.  These review(s) fall 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

If you are among the many who had the pleasure of seeing last year’s “Miss Bennet” you will find the same intriguing characters and situations with this year’s offering. It is a superbly acted period piece that gives us a glimpse of holiday life in the early 1900s England. This is a beautiful gem of a play that truly enhances the holiday 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.

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

Gwendolyn Kochur
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Gwendolyn'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.

 

Shrek @ Chagrin Valley Little Theatre

Through December 14, 2025

http://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.  These review(s) fall into that category.

 

Roy Berko

CAPSULE JUDGMENT:  SHREK THE MUSICAL is a green-tastic script, with a strong score. It’s moral is to accept others for who they are, rather than judging them by their appearance.  It teaches self-acceptance, finding your own true self, and the importance of friendship and love that embraces your quirks and imperfections.  Be aware that this is a stage show and children who have seen the movie may be expecting more gimmicks than will appear on stage.
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Mark Horning

If you are looking for a fun holiday show to take the family without the word “Carol” or “Story” in the title this is a safe bet. The extremely talented cast will have you laughing at the jokes and nodding at the message that all creatures have value. It is time well spent seeing live theater as a family unit and it is what happy memories are built from.

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

Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat @ Weathervane Playhouse

Through December 21, 2025

http://www.weathervaneplayhouse.com 

(330) 836-1301

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.  These review(s) fall into that category.

      

Mark Horning

Once again Weathervane Playhouse has risen to the challenge and staged a very complex musical production that is pleasing to all the senses. With a wink and a nod the cast lets us in on the fun of this family friendly show with a message. Come be dazzled.

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

SIX @ Playhouse Square

Emma Elizabeth Smith as Catherine of Aragon in The North American Tour Boleyn Company of SIX. Photo by Joan Marcus.

Six

Playhouse Square

November 11-16, 2025

Visit playhousesquare.org or call (216) 241-6000 

 

Howard Gollop

Returning to Playhouse Square for a brief run, the Broadway/London West End sensation "Six" still stirs up quite a sensation, remaining as fresh as ever … This show still makes the perfect statement about female power well after the days of public hangings -- and just before the days of pronoun propriety.

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

Gwendolyn Kochur

“Six” attempts to give the queens back their autonomy with a musical that doesn’t just tell the oft-unknown stories of the monarchs in flashy, pop music numbers, but also cheekily addresses the patriarchal system that allowed their suffering in the first place. 

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

Much Ado About Nothing @ Playhouse Square

Through November 15, 2025

http://www.clevelandplayhouse.com 

(216) 241-6000

Dr. Yuko Kurahashi

Directing the Case Western University/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program’s Much Ado About Nothing, Terri McMahon selects clarity and simplicity by cutting many characters. One example would be the cutting of several characters—Ursula, Balthasar, Verges, and Antonio—giving other characters (close to them) more weight and importance. Because of the elimination of Ursula, the character of Margaret becomes more critical. Because of Verges's cut, the audience’s full attention is on Dogberry. The elimination of Balthasar and Antonio gives Leonata more space to shine independently. 

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

 

Proof @ Ensemble Theatre

Through November 16, 2025

https://www.ensembletheatrecle.org/ 

(216) 321-2930

 

Mark Horning

This production is a perfect example of pure theater with real people dealing with real circumstances in a real environment. Theater and math geeks will totally relate and the rest of us will be totally entertained as we escape the world for a few short couple of hours. Well worth the walk from the JCU parking lot (there is also a cart available). Do the math.

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

The Christine Jorgensen Show @ Cleveland Play House

Through November 16, 2025

https://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/

(216) 241-6000

 

Howard Gollop

Scott Ahearn more than ably doubles as the production's musical director, and he infuses as much energy and style to the musical numbers as he does to his performance as the struggling vocal, dance and personality coach for the titular character.

No, Christine Jorgensen is not Liza Minnelli, but she was and is a fascinating personality, and so is this show reflecting her unique showbiz journey.

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

Gwendolyn Kochur

While it still provides sufficient representation of the challenges faced by a transgender woman in the 1950s, “The Christine Jorgensen Show” is a heartfelt, funny and blissfully light production that spotlights joy over strife.

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

Dr. Yuko Kurahashi

The Christine Jorgensen Show, written by Donald Steven Olson and directed by Michael Barakiva, is not a bio-drama for hungry and curious spectators, but a drama that explores the making of one entertainer who uses hidden talent for her advantage during the difficult years of tabloid exposure after her gender confirmation surgery in December 1952.

The show starts in 1963, 10 years after her debut as a night-club performer, with Jorgensen (Augustine Lorrie) speaking to the audience as either a memory-play character or a speaker at one of the national lecture tours she gave in the 1960s.

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

 

The End Of Black Experience @ Cleveland Public Theatre

Through November 8, 2025

https://www.cptonline.org/

(216) 631.2727 ext. 501

      

Dr. Yuko Kurahashi
Written and performed by Chris Webb, directed by Jimmie Woody, and staged at Cleveland Public Theater’s James Levin Theatre, The End of Black Excellence explores what it means by “achieving excellence” for Webb, a Black man who has been aware of enormous pressure to fit into a specific frame of success and fame set by “America.”  Indeed, he has been successful since his teens, when he attended the Black Theatre Festival (NC) as a cast member in a production directed by Jimmie Woody. One of the nostalgic and memorable markers from this early stage of his “excellent” trajectory includes a picture taken with celebrities, including Janet Hubert Whitten, famous for her role as “Viv” in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

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