Roy Berko - Page 37

One of the major questions musicologists have asked for years is why the brilliant Ludwig van Beethoven devoted four years of his life to writing 33 variations of what is considered to be a very mediocre waltz by Anton Diabelli.

RICHARD is a finely crafted production and is a perfect compliment to SWEENEY TODD as the partners of the ' maniacs gone wrong' duet that comprises Great Lakes Theatre's fall 2013-2014 season. Go see both!

The recent release of a list of the 100 greatest musicals of all times has brought about much controversy in the theatre community. Though there has been conflict created by the plays on the list, there was no controversy over who was the best composer. Stephen Sondheim was the only writer/lyricist/composer who had five selections in the top sixteen. GYPSY placed number one, SWEENEY TODD 3rd, WEST SIDE STORY 8th, COMPANY 15th and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE was 16th.

Matthew Bourne's SLEEPING BEAUTY: Gothic fairy tale, is a ballet not only for the ballet aficionado, but for the person who knows nothing about the dance form, but wants to see a well told tale, marvelously performed, as one will probably never see it again. As a male acquaintance, who only went because he had subscriber's tickets said to me the day after the performance, 'I never thought that I'd go to a ballet, but would say that it was one of the best things I've ever seen on stage.' Yes, this is an absolute MUST-SEE!

A new era has begun at the Cleveland Play House! Laura Kepley was recently appointed to be the ninth Artistic Director in the 98-year history of CPH. Who is Kepley and what can the community expect from the organization's former Associate Artistic Director?

ANIMALS OUT OF PAPER is an often amusing, thought provoking play about what happens when the lives of mismatched people collide in complicated ways that highlight hurt and the challenges of individuals who don't know who they are or how to be in the world. The Ensemble production doesn't quite reach the quality of the play's writing, but does hold attention and leaves the audience thinking.

Farce is light comedy which contains exaggerated, extravagant and improbable situations. It often contains slapstick incidents and lots of people ducking in and out of slamming doors. Though farce was supposedly started in the 13th century, the modern tone for this format, which is highlighted by the works of the likes of The Three Stooges, The Marx Brothers, The Keystone Cops, Lucille Ball, Tim Conway and Carol Burnett, was etched by Moliere, a Frenchman, and is best represented by his TARTUFFE.

Nathan Motta, in his first full season as Artistic Director of Dobama, not only selected a dynamic script to start his reign, but has conceived a production that is not only thought provoking, but well conceived.

If you are a fan of old-fashioned, escapist musicals with pleasant music, performed by a talented cast, you'll love SHE LOVES ME.

If your definition of a musical is an orchestra in the pit, dancing, and a plot in which the songs perfectly fit into the story line, WOODY SEZ: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF WOODY GUTHRIE isn't for you. If, however, you get off on learning about a real person, and sharing his music and philosophy, presented by an engaging note-perfect cast, this is the show for you. CPH has opened its 98th season with a sure audience pleaser!

Tonight, August 23 and Saturday, August 24, WINSOR! A FEISTY CABARET, will be produced by The Musical Theatre Project and performed at the Studio Theater in the Beck Center for the Arts. The cabaret, with the performers seated on stools, will star Scott Plate and be directed by Victoria Bussert. The topic of the cabaret will be Winsor French.

Dance has long been perceived as an art entertainment for the wealthy, educated and performance trained. Terms such as 'fifth position,' 'adagio,' 'camber,' 'shag,' and 'pirouette' are foreign to most people. Dance styles such as hip hop, Tango, jazz, Samba, and Broadway may be terms that have been heard, but not known as a specific type of dance. This combination has made attending dance programs a 'no go' activity for many.

What happens when The Cleveland Orchestra, considered to be one of the world's great ensemble of musical performers, couples with the Joffrey Ballet, hailed as 'America's Ballet Company of Firsts?' After their well-received five sold-out performance of THE NUTCRACER last winter at PlayhouseSquare, and their past linking at Blossom, the very large opening night audience was filled with high expectations.

On Friday, August 23 and Saturday, August 24, WINSOR! A FEISTY CABARET, will be produced by The Musical Theatre Project and performed at the Studio Theater in the Beck Center for the Arts. The cabaret, with the performers seated on stools, will star Scott Plate and be directed by Victoria Bussert. The topic of the cabaret will be Winsor French.

Verb Ballets' SUMMER SERIES was, with the exception of the opening number, a pleasant, if not compelling evening of dance.

The Shaw Festival is one of the two major Canadian theatre celebrations, the other being The Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario. Both are professional high quality venues.

Sean Derry and Alanna Romansky, co-directors of none too fragile theater, have a knack for picking scripts that insight and excite. They reach for creating dissonance in the minds of the audience. In their short existence, the theatre has taken on the Israeli-Palestine conflict, racial hatred, and now unionism and big business. No wonder the venue bills itself as 'Akron and Northeast Ohio's home for kick-a** theater!.'

Nothing but admirable praise can be heaped on Eric van Baars and his Porthouse cast of FIDDLER. This absolutely must see production is everything one would want in the creation of the tribute to a way of life destroyed, but lived! L'Chaim!

Clyde Simon, the Artistic Director of convergence-continuum, never steers clear of in-your-face, lurid language-laced scripts. He has used this formula to consistently fill his theatre with cult patrons who are drawn to Simon's tastes. SELF DEFENSE OR DEATH OF SOME SALESMEN is a typical con-con offering.