La Malasangre @ LatinUS Theatre

Through June 7th, 2026

https://www.latinustheater.com/ 

(216) 369-7158

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

So you thought your family was dysfunctional beyond repair? Short of the Manson family this clan will have your family gathering for a group hug in the lobby. It takes exceptional actors to convince you how mean they are and this cast excels in every way. This is a feel good show in the aspect that it will make you feel good about your family no matter how messed up they are.

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

LatinUs Theatre Company (Cleveland, Ohio)’s La Malasangre (1981, premiered 1982), written by Griselda Gambaro and directed by Fabio Polanco, is an unsettling, visceral, disturbing, and poignant work that critiques dictatorship during the Dirty War and authoritarian regimes past, present, and future. The show underscores the intersection of sexism and fascism—the recurring alliance between authoritarian governments and their supporters. Polanco’s direction emphasizes each character’s relationship to violence, dictatorship, and cruelty, as they constantly shift from “supporters” to the victimized. Polanco clarifies, through the actors’ presence, movement, and physical actions, the state of physical and psychological abuse, which is contagious and blurs the boundaries between the victimizer and the victim. 

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.

 

Freak The Mighty @ Cleveland Play House

Through June 21, 2026

https://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/

(216) 241-6000

 

Roy Berko
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Howard Gollop

Like the dynamic duo of an awkward genius teen dwarf atop the shoulders of a goonish 6-foot-plus classmate charging through their bullying high-school classmates, the new (apparently) Broadway-bound musical "Freak the Mighty" charges into the Cleveland Play House Allen Theater stage with music, comedy and pathos to spare.

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 each of our lives there is that one person who made a huge difference in how we turned out. This is a show that emphasizes the positive influences that we all need to be put on the right track. It is a story of inclusion, honesty, acceptance, humor and redemption with side travels into bullying, trauma and grief. It is, in short, a complete musical that you will love.

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
The play is more than a special friendship between two outsiders. It sheds light on the possibility of supporting and respecting one another more, regardless of differences, challenges, and “gaps.” The musical also highlights the miraculous power of reading, imagining, and writing, as well as the important creative process, which people tend to forget. The musical, which “exists” in Maxwell’s memory and its documentation, reiterates the magical power of writing, just as Merlin (this legendary character also writes a lot) does. Barakiva emphasizes this aspect by highlighting scenes between pairs of people from different groups, with detailed attention to visual and auditory elements. The “Our Town” (CPH’s first show in the 2025-26 season)-ish funeral scene conveys a sense of communal mourning. The power of compassion, remembering, and documenting is symbolized in the last tableau, which reminds me of the last scene of Shakespeare in Love, another work (CPH staged it in 2017) that celebrates imagination and creativity. 

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

Joey Morona

With its uplifting story and built-in audience of readers who grew up with Philbrick’s novel — or saw the 1998 movie version “The Mighty” —  Cleveland Play House’s production of “Freak The Mighty” certainly has what it takes to make it to Broadway. 

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

 

The Book Club Play @ Seat of the Pants Productions

Through May 31, 2026

http://www.seatofthepants.org 

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
No review yet.
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

Whether you love or loathe reading, there’s little question as to whether you will enjoy “The Book Club Play,” a show that explores the life-altering capabilities of story and examines the power of community, all while tapping into the absurd humor of everyday interactions and relationships. 

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

Dr. Yuko Kurahashi

What Bohan underscores in this production is a sense of familiarity with book clubs, making the audience an extension of the play’s world. The human drama within this small club explores recurring themes, including rigid definitions of what (great) literature should be, the contrast between high and low cultures, hidden feelings and identity, and “differences” that too often create conflict and misunderstanding.

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.

 

Arsenic and Old Lace @ Weathervane Playhouse

Through May 24, 2026

http://www.weathervaneplayhouse.com 

(330) 836-2626

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

Be in for a huge surprise when you enter this amazing community theater. There you will be awed by a meticulously constructed stage set along with sumptuous costuming as well as one of the most professionally acted comedies ever. The laughs come easy and often as the hapless Mortimer tries to keep his cool in the home he grew up in and never suspected as being a private cemetery. Tickets will be scarce for this one so order early. 

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.

 

Star Machine @ Playhouse Square/Baldwin Wallace University

Through April 26, 2026

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

Laura Kennelly

To call Star Machine “lively” might be the understatement of the season. It’s a musical that cleverly parodies (and just plain has fun with) the “show business is a competition” mentality as seen in America’s Got Talent or The Voice. Yes, it needs a bit of refinement (cutting and tightening episodes), but it’s well on the way to winning the real show biz Star Machine (and Hello Broadway!).

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.