CLEVELAND CRITICS CIRCLE 2016 THEATER AWARDS

The Cleveland Critics Circle each year honors local theaters, performances, performers and technicians of plays staged by Cleveland area professional theaters during the January 1-December 31 year.

Awards Committee: Bob Abelman, Roy Berko, Kerry Clawson, Mark Horning, Christine Howey, David Ritchey and Andrea Simakis.  Participation in these awards does not preclude individual critics from preparing their own recognitions.

Those recognized for Superior Achievement are listed alphabetically, not by order of achievement.

Best Musical Production: My Fair Lady, Great Lakes Theater

Superior Achievement:

            Billy Elliot, Beck Center

            Blues in the Night, Karamu

            Footloose, Porthouse

            Ruthless!, Beck Center

            The Fantasticks, Great Lakes Theater

            The Little Mermaid, Beck Center

Best Non-Musical Production: An Octoroon, Dobama Theatre

Superior Achievement:

            All the Way, Cleveland Play House

            Annapurna, none-too-fragile

            Landford Wilson’s Take Five, Cesear’s Forum

            Lines in the Dust, Cleveland Public Theatre

            Love’s Labours Lost, Great Lakes Theater

            Mr. Wolff, Cleveland Play House

            Sans Merci, none-too-fragile

            The Beauty Queen of Leenane, none-too-fragile

            The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, Ensemble Theatre

Best Actor – Musical:  Ellis C. Dawson III, In the Heights, Beck Center

Superior Achievement:

Alan O’Reilly, Billy Elliot, Beck Center

            Ari Butler, Little Shop of Horrors, Cleveland Play House

            Colton Ryan, My Fair Lady, Great Lakes Theater

            Devon Turchan, Cabaret, Blank Canvas

            Marcus Martin, Aida, Rubber City Shakespeare

            Matthew Wright, Ruthless!, Beck Center

            Reggie Kelly, Blues in the Night, Karamu

            Tom Ford, My Fair Lady, Great Lakes Theater

Best Actor – Non-Musical: Jeff Grover, Annapurna, none-too-fragile

Superior Achievement:

            Benjamin Gregorio, Pure Shock Value, none-too-fragile

            Geoff Knox, The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, Ensemble Theatre

            Michael Mauldin, Margin of Error, Ensemble Theatre

            Sean Hudock, Sex with Strangers, Cleveland Play House

            Steve Vinovich, All the Way, Cleveland Play House

Best Actress – Musical:  Katherine DeBoer, Billy Elliot, Beck Center

Superior Achievement:

            Colleen Longshaw, Sister Act, Porthouse Theatre

            Jillian Kates, My Fair Lady, Great Lakes Theater

            Lauren Molina, Little Shop of Horrors, Cleveland Play House

            Miah Bickley, Aida, Rubber City Shakespeare

            Natalie Green, The Toxic Avenger, Cain Park

            Susan Hughes, Blues in the Night, Karamu

            Tricia Bestic Cabaret, Blank Canvas

Best Actress – Non-Musical:  Dorothy Silver, The Revisionist, Dobama

Superior Achievement:

            Anjanette Hall, An Octoroon, Dobama Theatre

            Cassandra West, Sans Merci, none-too-fragile

            Derdriu Ring, Annapurna, none-too-fragile

            Derdriu Ring, Beauty Queen of Leenane, none-too-fragile

Heather Anderson Boll, The Mystery of Love and Sex, Cleveland Play

            House

            Holly Holsinger, Frankenstein’s Wake, Cleveland Public Theatre

            Kimberly Sias, Lines in the Dust, Cleveland Public Theatre

            Lara Mielcarek, Marie Antoinette, Dobama Theatre

           

Rising Star Award

            Male:  J. R. Heckman, The Little Mermaid, Beck Center

            Female:  Calista Zajac, Ruthless!, Beck Center

Best Director – Musical: Victoria Bussert, My Fair Lady, Great Lakes Theater

Superior Achievement:

            Terri Kent, Footloose, Porthouse Theatre

            Pierre-Jacques Brault, Finian’s Rainbow, Mercury Theater Company

            Amanda Dehnert, Little Shop of Horrors, Cleveland Play House

            Scott Spence, Billy Elliot, Beck Center

Best Director – Non-Musical: Nathan Motta, An Octoroon, Dobama

Superior Achievement:

            Beth Woods, Lines in the Dust, Cleveland Public Theater

            Celeste Cosentino, The Night That Thoreau Spent in Jail, Ensemble

            Charles Fee, And Then There Were None, Great Lakes Theater

            Dan Kilbane and Caitlin Lewins, 44 Plays for 44 Presidents, Cleveland

                        Public Theatre

            Nathan Motta, Marie Antoinette, Dobama

            Sean Derry and Brian Kenneth Armour, Sans Merci, none-too-fragile

            Sean Derry, Annapurna, none-too-fragile

            Tyne Rafaeli, Love’s Labours Lost, Great Lakes Theater

Best Choreographer: Martín Céspedes, Billy Elliott, Beck Center

Superior Achievement:

            Greg Daniels, My Fair Lady, Great Lakes Theater

            Greg Daniels, In The Heights, Beck Center

            Holly Handman, Mr. Burns, Cleveland Public Theatre

            Martin Céspedes, The Little Mermaid, Beck Center

            Mary Ann Black, Footloose, Porthouse Theatre

Best Musical Direction:   Larry Goodpaster, The Little Mermaid, Beck Center

Superior Achievement:

            Ian Huettel, Wild Party, Blank Canvas

            Joel Mercier, My Fair Lady, Great Lake Theater

            Amanda Dehnert, Little Shop of Horrors, Cleveland Play House

            Jonathan Swoboda, Footloose, Porthouse Theatre

            Larry Goodpaster, Billy Elliot, Beck Center

            Nathan Motta, Love’s Labours Lost, Great Lakes Theater

            Caitlin Lewins, 44 Plays for 44 Presidents, Cleveland Public Theatre

           

Best Scenic Design:   Russell Metheny,  And Then There Were None, Great Lakes

                        Theater

Superior Achievement:

            Douglas Puskas, Lines in the Dust, Cleveland Public Theatre

            Michael Schweikardt, Luna Gale, Cleveland Play House

            Perry Catalano and Fred Sellers, Talley’s Folly, Actors Summit      

            Philip Whitcomb, Little Shop of Horrors, Cleveland Play House

Philip Whitcomb, The Good Peaches, Cleveland Play House/Cleveland

            Orchestra

            Richard H. Morris, Jr., Blues in the Night, Karamu

            Russell Metheny, Twelfth Night, Great Lakes Theater

            Trad A Burns, Into the Woods, Lakeland Civic Theatre

            Wes Calkin, Mr. Burns, Cleveland Play House

           

Best Lighting Design: Kevin Ozan, The Whipping Man, none-too-fragile

Superior Achievement:

            Gina Scherr, Mr. Wolf, Cleveland Play House

            Jeff Herman, The Little Mermaid, Beck Center

            Mary Jo Dondlinger and Cynthia Stillings, A Christmas Carol, Great Lakes Theater

            Richard H. Horris, Jr., Rasheeda Speaking, Karamu

            Rick Martin, And Then There Were None, Great Lakes Theater

            Sean Derry, Annapurna, none-too-fragile

            Wes Calkin, Mr. Burns, Cleveland Public Theatre

Best Projection Design: Adam Zeek, The Little Mermaid, Beck Center

Superior Achievement:

            Adam Zeek, Billy Elliot, Beck Center

            Dan Scully, The Mountaintop, Cleveland Play House

            Dan Scully, All The Way, Cleveland Play House

            Patrick Ciamacco, Silence! The Musical, Blank Canvas

            Steven Vasse-Hansell, The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, Ensemble

            Val Kozlenko, 44 Plays for 44 Presidents, Cleveland Public Theatre

Best Costume Design:   Inda Blatch-Geib, Blues in the Night, Karamu

Superior Achievement:

Andrea Hood, Love’s Labours Lost, Great Lakes Theater

Charlotte M. Yetman, My Fair Lady, Great Lakes Theater

Jen Caprio, Steel Magnolias, Cleveland Play House

Kim Krumm Sorenson, Twelfth Night, Great Lakes Theater

Marty LaConte, The Tempest, Ohio Shakespeare Festival

Suzy Q. Campbell, Lady’s Windermere’s Fan, Mamai Theatre Company

Tesia Dugan Benson, Marie Antoinette, Dobama Theatre

Best Sound Design:   James C. Swonger, The Good Peaches, Cleveland Play

 House/Cleveland Orchestra

Superior Achievement:

            David Gotwald, My Fair Lady, Great Lakes Theater

            Joe Court, And Then There Were None, Great Lakes Theater

            Josh Horvath Little Shop of Horrors, Cleveland Play House

            Nathan Rosemerin, Ring of Fire, Porthouse Theatre

            Richard Ingraham, Marie Antoinette, Dobama Theatre

           

Best Touring Production:   Fun Home, Playhouse Square

Superior Achievement:

            Beautiful, Playhouse Square

            Finding Neverland, Playhouse Square

            Phantom of the Opera, Playhouse Square

            Wrestling Jerusalem, Cleveland Public Theatre           

Special Mention:

David Frazier, the brilliant and beloved stage performer who appeard in more than 150 Cleveland productions—including the iconic Jacques Brel—who died at age 76

Actors Summit, which closed in Akron in August, 2016, after 17 years of producing locally and hiring Northeast Ohio actors

Playwrights Local for producing the year’s “Most Socially Significant Local Play,” Objectively Reasonable, and creating a venue for local playwrights to develop their works

convergence-continuum for its fifth year of hosting the Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts (NEOFMA) Playwright Festival

Raymond Bobgan for 10 years of creative leadership at Cleveland Public Theatre

           

Victoria Bussert on her 30^th anniversary with Great Lakes Theater

Near West Theatre for its commitment to empowering children, teens and adults through transformational arts

New World Performance Laboratory for The Devil’s Milk Trilogy, an exploration of Akron’s rubber industry history.

Baldwin Wallace University for their innovative productions of West Side Story and Perestroika

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL @ PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

Through December 11, 2016

(216) 241-6000

Or www.playhousesquare.org

Mark Horning

For those looking for a little variety in their holiday fare this year Grinch is a sure hit that will engage the entire family. The songs, costuming and comedic acting is pure holiday entertainment that will delight the entire family while sneaking in a nice moral tale to boot. See this show before it leaves town. 

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

Christine Howey

All in all, this is a show that will help your heart grow at least two sizes, maybe even more.

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene

CLYBOURNE PARK by CWRU/CPH MFA ACTING PROGRAM

The Helen Cleveland Play House complex
December 7-17, 2016

216-241-6000 or www.clevelandplayhouse.com

"In order to bring attention to high quality productions at theatre’s that are not on the Cleveland Critics Circle’s approved list, when a member of the Circle sees a community or educational theater production that s/he thinks is of high quality, they have the option of listing that specific production on CCC’s blogsite.  This is a review that falls into that category."

Roy Berko

Clybourne Park is a special evening of theater.  The Pulitzer Prize play is well written and relevant.  The production is well-conceived and acted.  This is an absolute must see production.

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

SISTER ACT @ KARAMU THEATRE

Through December 30, 2016

(216) 795-7070  

Or www.karamuhouse.org

Mark Horning

Any production that can nearly fill the theater in mid-run on a snowy Sunday in Cleveland definitely has something good going for it. Put this show on your Christmas list and get your tickets before they are gone. This is a high energy, high spirited and very entertaining classic.

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

Christine Howey

Director Sheffia Randall Dooley handles the traffic well in this complex production with a large cast. Once the performers settle in and keep the pacing tight, a lot of the jokes will land with more snap. And if the start of the show finds a way to get a charge of adrenaline it will be, well, a godsend.

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER @ DOBAMA THEATRE

Through December 30, 2016

(216) 932-3396

Or dobama.org

Mark Horning

If the holidays have you at wits end and you need a break from it all, this show is the perfect tonic. It is a show that everyone in the family will love no matter what their age or degree of sophistication. Only a little over a week of performances are left so get your tickets now.

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

Christine Howey

While inventive stagecraft firmly in place, thanks to director Melissa Therese Crum (who steps in for Nathan Motta, who directed last year), the story is still stubbornly obtuse. 

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene

Andrea Simakis

If you missed "Peter and the Starcatcher" the first time around, hitch a ride on its comet's til this winter."

To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.

THE KNIFE IS MONEY, THE FORK IS LOVE @ CONVERGENCE-CONTINUUM

Through December 17, 2016

(216) 687-0074

Or convergence-continiuum.org

Bob Abelman

Hardboiled guys lurking in dark places being betrayed by predatory women while spouting edgy one-liners.  These and a catchy title are just a few of the standard noir mystery thriller tropes employed by local playwright Jonathan Wilhelm in his wonderful world premiere production of “The Knife is Money, The Fork is Love.”

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's blog here.

Roy Berko

Consider making a contribution to “Save the liminis” and keep congruence-continuum, the off-off-Euclid theatre, which produces “way out scripts” that other local theaters don’t stage, in business.  As for The Knife Is Money, The Fork is Love, it’s a work in progress that has some fine fun segments in a creative noire model of theater and makes for fun viewing.
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 blog.

Christine Howey

Local playwright Jonathan Wilhelm is a man possessing a fecund and prolific mind, and he unloads many interesting ideas and promising digressions in the course of this often-stimulating play. However...

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene

CABARET @ BLANK CANVAS

Through December 17, 2016

(440) 941-0458

Or www.blankcanvastheatre.com

Bob Abelman

Blank Canvas delivers an entertaining but off-balanced ‘Cabaret.’

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's blog here.

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

Kerry Clawson
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Kerry Clawson's review here.

Howard Gollop
No review yet.

Mark Horning

While an unusual choice for the holiday season, Cabaret none the less is the perfect choice for what has been an angry and highly contested political season that will take years to resolve if at all. The show illustrates the delicate balance of democracy and the effects that occur to everyday people when leaders are elected by what they say not by their political experience. It is a warning that all of America needs to heed.

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

Christine Howey

Cabaret is now receiving a raucously entertaining and profoundly powerful performance at Blank Canvas Theater.

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene

David Ritchey
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read David's posts at Talkin' Broadway

Andrea Simakis
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.

Art Thomas
No review yet.
Click here to read the complete review at WestLife

DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID @ THE BECK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Through December 31. 2016

(216) 521-2540

Or http://www.beckcenter.org

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

Roy Berko

The Little Mermaid is a total delight and absolutely a  must see for anyone who likes well-performed and conceived fantasy musicals.   What a wonderful evening of theatre for audiences of all ages.

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

Howard Gollop
No review yet.

Mark Horning

If you are looking for a break from the candy cane infused holiday fare but still want to see something suitable for a young family this is the show to see. The lavish set, costumes and video projections create a magical undersea world that when combined with the excellent voice and choreography makes for a wonderful evening of solid entertainment.

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

Christine Howey
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene

Andrea Simakis
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.

LIGHT THE LIGHTS, OL' MOSES CLE @ CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE

Through December 18, 2016

(216) 631-2727

Or www.cptonline.org

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

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

Kerry Clawson
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Kerry Clawson's review here.

Howard Gollop
No review yet.

Mark Horning

For the frequent flyers of Cleveland Public Theatre this show will be nothing out of the ordinary as it is clearly directed to their niche audience. For newbie’s stumbling across the avant-garde threshold they may feel out of place in this brave new surrealistic holiday world. Enter at your own risk.  

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

Christine Howey
This overly earnest and lead-footed show is about as far from a romp as a Trump cabinet nominee is from the bread line. 

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene

David Ritchey
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read David's posts at Talkin' Broadway

Andrea Simakis
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.

Art Thomas
No review yet.
Click here to read the complete review at WestLife

A CHRISTMAS CAROL @ GREAT LAKES THEATER

Through December 23, 2016

(216) 664-6064

Or www.greatlakestheater.org

Bob Abelman

While “A Christmas Carol” can certainly seem like a stale old chestnut, this 28th anniversary production is a deep, oxygen-rich breath of winter-fresh air. 

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's blog here.

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

Kerry Clawson

It was hard to hear the child actors, who didn’t project well, but the special effects were as fantastic as ever in this holiday classic, which stars Lynn Robert Berg as a new Ebenezer Scrooge after actor Aled Davies spent nearly a decade in the role.

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

Howard Gollop
No review yet.

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

Christine Howey
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene

David Ritchey
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read David's posts at Talkin' Broadway

Andrea Simakis
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.

Art Thomas
No review yet.
Click here to read the complete review at WestLife

THE NIGHT THOREAU SPENT IN JAIL @ ENSEMBLE THEATRE

Through December 11, 2016

(216) 321-2930

Or www.ensemble-theatre.com

Bob Abelman

“It’s a marvel to hear the way the words roll out,” says the illiterate Bailey after listening to the philosophical musings of his young Harvard educated cellmate early in “The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail.”  “A marvel” perfectly describes Ensemble Theatre’s eloquent staging of this loquacious, occasionally sanctimonious play originally earmarked for community and collegiate theater productions.  

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's CJN review here.

Roy Berko

A well-conceived script gets an excellent production.  It is not an escapist theatrical experience filled with laughs and physical movement, but a presentation which will please many due to its philosophical message.  It’s a must see for anyone interested in good theatre! 

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

Mark Horning

If there was ever a need to see a play, now is the time to see this one. It is a work of truth that will have everyone leaving with a tighter grip of our current state of the country and our place in it. While at time bordering on sensationalism, it manages to rein itself in before the final bow.   

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

Christine Howey
The well-performed and slickly directed work frequently feels like a collection of extended Thoreau quotes has been staged, rather than a play with a coherent dramatic arc. 

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene

KISS KISS, BANG BANG @ BLANK CANVAS

Through November 13, 2016

(440) 941-0458

Or www.blankcanvastheatre.com

Mark Horning

Even if you are not a film buff, there are plenty of familiar references that are comfortable for the audience. Get to the theater early to watch the series of movie scenes flashing on the two TV screens and see how many you can guess the names of. It is an evening of romantic escapism much like the films being represented during the show. This is a nice date night play to share with someone you love or simply wish to know better.  

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

WEST SIDE STORY @ Baldwin Wallace University

November 9-22, 2016

John Patrick Theatre, Baldwin Wallace University

For tickets:  440-826-2240 or www.bw.edu/tickets

"In order to bring attention to high quality productions at theatre’s that are not on the Cleveland Critics Circle’s approved list, when a member of the Circle sees a community or educational theater production that s/he thinks is of high quality, they have the option of listing that specific production on CCC’s blogsite.  This is a review that falls into that category."

Roy Berko

BWU’s Music Theater program is nationally recognized for its quality, as evidenced by the number of its graduates who have lit up the Broadway theater scene and touring productions.  WEST SIDE STORY is a difficult show to “get right.”  As should be expected from the quality students and proficient staff, the production was a step above what other colleges could do. Better than Broadway?…no.  But, definitely the incubator where future Broadway stars bud and grow.   Anyone who hasn’t seen this wonderfully conceived musical should attend this production.

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

Andrea Simakis
No review yet.
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.

RASHEEDA SPEAKING @ KARAMU THEATRE

November 4 through 20, 2016

(216) 795-7070  

Or www.karamuhouse.org

Roy Berko

The play has lots of laughs and some intriguing situations, but RASHEEDA SPEAKING proves that fine acting and good directing cannot always cover up for a rudderless script.  
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.

Mark Horning

This play is a complex examination of the still lingering silent (and at times not so silent) prejudices that still haunt our nation. While not attempting to solve the issue it gives voice to the situation which in turn may open up dialog between various elements of our society…topical, socially relevant and well worth seeing.

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

Christine Howey

There’s a sharp, funny and often startling script laying inside Rasheeda Speaking, but its voice is dimmed by the playwright’s tendency to overstate things that have already been said.

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene

ANNAPURNA @ NONE TOO FRAGILE

November 4 through 19, 2016

(330) 671-4563

Or http://www.nonetoofragile.com

Bob Abelman

Sharr White’s fractured, one-act treatment of Homer’s 8^th century BCE poem “The Odyssey” is getting a beautifully performed but anemically designed production at none too fragile.

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's CJN article here.

Roy Berko

ANNAPURNA is the tale of two highly damaged people, caught in an impossible climb to the top of an impregnable mountain, confronting their damaged lives.

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

Kerry Clawson

Outstanding Equity actors Jeffrey Grover and Derdriu Ring unpack all the emotional baggage that these two badly damaged people possess. They vividly portray the resentment and recriminations that have built up for so long, making the tragedy of this couple feel very real yet at the same time bringing into shocking focus the power of forgiveness.

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

Mark Horning

For those looking for a really adult night out look no further than this performance.  From the opening scene with male nudity to the profanity and frank discussion of spousal abuse and death this is no Disney production suitable for the entire family. It is abrupt, sharp, concise and in parts extremely funny. This show is for people who don’t mind a bit of shock value with their theater.

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

Christine Howey
Despite two fine performances and apart from the promising opening, this production as directed by Sean Derry lacks the necessary sizzle, sausage-wise and otherwise.

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene

Andrea Simakis

Ring and Grover, two the area's best actors, are superb, able to navigate the humor and pathos of their characters with the skill of seasoned climbers.

To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.

FINDING NEVERLAND @ PLAYHOUSE SQUARE

Through November 20, 2016

(216) 241-6000

Or www.playhousesquare.org

Bob Abelman

It may help resuscitate fairies, but no amount of clapping can reconcile what the musical “Finding Neverland” is and the kind of musical it wants to be. More Lost Boy than Pan, the show crows but doesn’t fly.

For more of this review, go to www.clevelandjewishnews.com/columnists/. 

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's blog here.

Roy Berko

The touring production of FINDING NEVERLAND is a technically impressive and nicely conceived, if somewhat stilted production.  It clearly lays the prequel story of Peter Pan with a strong score and clear story. 

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

Kerry Clawson 

The most beautiful thing about the musical "Finding Neverland" is that every detail of both its story and stage production is created in the service of celebrating the imagination. ...
The national tour of the musical, now playing at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace, features winsome romantic leads and fabulous video projections that sweep audiences up.

To see a full review of this show, read Kerry Clawson's review here

Howard Gollop

When Barrie goes on an outing one day and comes across a lovely widow and her pack of cheerfully rambunctious boys who become his muses (and no one questions they might be anything more), the location doesn’t seem so much like Kensington Gardens as “Sesame Street.”
Although scenic designer Scott Pask manages fetching etchings of trees, flowers and buildings, and the cast members look period-perfect in their Victorian costumes by Suttirat Anne Larlarb, everyone smiles too broadly, carries too many balloons, skips too maniacally (thanks to Mia Michaels’ strident choreography) and sings too many indistinguishable pop songs by Gary Barlow and Elliot Kennedy.

Mark Horning

This is a show that the entire family will appreciate.  With over the top big Broadway numbers, delightful singing and dancing, a good moral theme and a general fun feel that makes time fly by faster than Peter Pan and Tinkerbelle.  This is a great way to share musical theater with your children.  Get your tickets quickly.

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

Christine Howey

As for the show, it's produced to the hilt. But it is so much less than it might have been, with a bit more boldness on the part of the creators.

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's blog Rave and Pan
To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene