Paul Batterson

What did our critic think of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at Ohio Theatre?

What did our critic think of JACKSON BROWNE at Palace Theater?

What did our critic think of LAST SUMMER ON EARTH at Kemba Live! Amphitheater?

Actor Justin Mark doesn’t remember reading TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD when he was in high school. Now he’s living in an English teacher’s twisted, TWILIGHT ZONEish fantasy, as he performed in the Harper Lee classic over 500 times in the last two years.

What did our critic think of REVIEW: THE WILD PARTY at Garden Theater?

What did our critic think of REVIEW: PRINCESS BRIDE at Palace Theater? The throng of attendees turned the showing into part rock concert, part Episcopal Church “call and response” worship service. Every joke received a burst of laughter and applause like the crowd was seeing the movie for the first time. Yet every memorable line was recited in time with the actors on the screen.

THE PRINCESS BRIDE won no Oscars, was a moderate box office success ($30.8 million on a $16 million production budget), and had only a few established TV stars (Billy Crystal, Peter Falk, and Andre the Giant) when it was released, However, it is listed as 50th in Bravo's '100 Funniest Movies' and 88th on the American Film Institute's list of the 100th greatest film love stories.

What did our critic think of REVIEW: A YANKEE GOES HOME at At Abbey Theater Of Dublin? When he first learned the Abbey Theater of Dublin was interested in doing the world premiere of A YANKEE GOES HOME, Irish American playwright Sean Cooney was thrilled to be doing a production in his homeland. Then Cooney learned the Abbey Theater was located off Emerald Parkway in Dublin, Ohio, not in the Capital City of the Emerald Isle.

What did our critic think of CAPA SEASON at Ohio And Palace Theatres? Be it their birthday, anniversary, Halloween, or the Fourth of July, everyone has a special day to which they look forward.

What did our critic think of REVIEW: INTO THE WOODS at Short North Stage? There are two adages most people know about the theatre: 'Break a leg' and 'The show must go on.' Short North Stage experienced both as it prepared for its 19-show run of INTO THE WOODS.

What did our critic think of HITS! THE MUSICAL at Southern Theatre?

When HITS! THE MUSICAL was gearing up to embark on a 48-city tour of the United States, a reality TV crew was brought on board to document the journey. The thought of 29 young adults between the ages of 10 to 22 traveling as an army across the United States seems to be ready made for a sudsy docudrama.

After reciting the 'The Witch's Entrance' for 19 shows in Short North Stage's production of INTO THE WOODS, Diana DeGarmo may never look at a salad the same way again.

What did our critic think of SLAVE PLAY at Short North Stage? People always ask critics two questions: “did you like it?” and “is it worth seeing?” When it comes time to discuss SLAVE PLAY, these two questions are going to be tough to answer. Did I like it? From a theatrical rubric, it checks off the boxes of fantastic acting and wonderful direction, and powerful message. However, is it enjoyable? At times yes … and sometimes it felt like a punch to the stomach.  

What did our critic think of SIX: THE MUSICAL at Ohio Theatre?

What did our critic think of THE PRICE OF POWER at Abbey Theater Of Dublin? As the director of THE PRICE OF POWER, Abbey Theater of Dublin director Joe Bishara is up against an interesting challenge. How does one present a show about John F. Kennedy, one of the most famous faces in the history of American politics?

What did our critic think of THE PRICE OF POWER at Abbey Theater?

I will proudly admit it. I don't like Christmas shows. I once videotaped HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS and purposely stopped taping right about the time the Grinch was about to dump the presents off the edge of Mount Crumpet. I empathize with Miles Finch and Mr. Potter more than I do with Buddy the Elf and George Bailey.

Most Christmas shows seem to follow a simple pattern: Someone doesn't have that festive spirit meets someone who does, a miracle happens, and the bah humbuger sees the joy in the holidays.