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BWW Review: BROOKLYN, THE MUSICAL at Porthouse/Kent Stateby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(07/14/2021) - BROOKLYN, THE MUSICAL, now being staged at Porthouse Theatre, on the grounds of Blossom Center, premiered on Broadway in October, 2004 and ran for 284 performances. Though the run wasn't long, and many of the reviews found the script 'trite and non-realistic,' it did accumulate a solid cult following.
Student Blog: My Vocal Journey Through Testosterone and 6 Things Theatre Needs to do for Trans Voicesby Student Blogger: Dan Eggers - Cleveland
(07/01/2021) - What are you willing to sacrifice for happiness? For me, it was my voice. As a performer, my voice was one of the biggest obstacles in my coming out.
BWW Review: DIRECTOR'S CHOICE: VERB BALLET at Breen Center For The Artsby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(06/29/2021) - Friday, June 26, after a Covid-induced period of Zoom-only dance recitals, Cleveland's 'classical ballet with a dash of American modern dance' company, joined the world of the living with a performance of three pleasing pieces, at the Breen Center.
BWW Review: QUILTERS proves to be a pleasant way to bring back live theater to Porthouseby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(06/19/2021) - The weather forecast was for storms, possibly a tornado. The actress scheduled to play the lead role wasn't going to perform. Cars stood at odd angels blocking spaces in the parking lot. But, in reality, none of this mattered. Opening night for Quilters, the first show after a year of theatrical darkness, went off like a charm.
BWW Review: THE CHOIR OF MAN at Mimi Ohioby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(06/18/2021) - Walking into the Mimi Ohio theatre for The Choir of Men was almost a surreal experience. After receiving my tickets, based on the self-imposed over year-long Covid lockup, my mind was bouncing. Do I wear a mask? How close will others be in the auditorium? Do I greet people by shaking hands, hugging, or by keeping social distance?
BWW Review: ORDINARY DAYS at CASSIDY THEATREby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(04/08/2021) - In these days of angst, many theaters have attempted to stream various types of entertainment. The formats have been mostly musical reviews, with a few scripted musicals being attempted.
BWW Review: CALL ME ELIZABETH at Youngstown Playhouseby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(03/29/2021) - Call Me Elizabeth, which was recently streamed by Youngstown Playhouse, is a solo performance piece about the early life of Elizabeth Taylor. It was written by Kayla Boye and is set in May 1961.
BWW Review: BECK CENTER BROADWAY ALUMS IN CONCERT at Beck Center For The Arts/on-lineby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(03/06/2021) - Beck's stream is a total must see!
BWW Review: GOING SOLO at Verb Balletsby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(02/28/2021) - VERB BALLETS BRIGHTENS THE PANDEMIC WITH AN IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY OF 'GOING SOLO'
BWW Review: ROY BERKO: HERE AND THERE IN CLEVELAND ENTERTAINMENT at Cleveland Areaby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(02/24/2021) - Beck Center has a sterling reputation of cultivating talented performers who go on to success in hit Broadway shows and associated tours. Some of the theatre's alums will perform in a virtual engagement which runs March 5 to March 28, 2021, as part of Beck Center for the Arts' 87th Professional Theater Season.
BWW Review: CLEVELAND THEATRE IN THE PANDEMICby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(12/15/2020) - With pop, gospel, and reimagined classics, The First Noel tells the story of a family that must confront the grief of the past in order to reunite and celebrate the joy of the present. Join Tony Award winner Jason Michael Webb and CWRU/CPH MFA alum Lelund Durond Thompson for a special behind-the-scenes look of their musical The First Noel. This holiday concert will feature performances of select songs and exclusive interviews with the creative team. A moving and uplifting gift for the entire family!
BWW Review: BERKO: HERE AND THERE...CLEVELAND ENTERTAINMENT IN THE PANDEMIC at Cleveland Areaby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(12/06/2020) - Colton Ryan, CLE Playreading Group, Cleveland Play House, Near West Theatre, and more!
BWW Review: LOUSH SISTERS at Cleveland Public Theatreby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(12/05/2020) - Separated by a pane of plastic to protect themselves from spreading Covid, the Loush sisters referred to their sexual antics and skills, referred to the political and social world around them, sang with vitality, and tried to take their viewers on an escape from reality. Part of it worked, part didn’t, but the duo can’t be accused of holding back.
BWW Review: BUILDING BRIDGES TOGETHER at Verb Ballt And BlueWater Chamber Orchestraby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(11/24/2020) - In this pandemic era, where the best we can hope for are performances in Brady family-like shadow boxes, it is exciting to find arts companies going beyond the norm to bring about entertainment while still following the Covid protocols.
BWW Review: SPRING AWAKENING at Baldwin Wallace Musical Theater Programby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(11/22/2020) - In 2012, when Baldwin Wallace's number one nationally ranked musical theater program, in conjunction with Beck Center for the Arts, produced SPRING AWAKENING, my capsule judgement read: 'SPRING AWAKENING is an emotionally stirring, relevant, and well-staged production.'
BWW Review: FULLY COMMITTED at Beck Center (Virtual)by Roy Berko - Cleveland
(11/14/2020) - Becky Mode, the co-creator of Fully Committed, the one-person play which was selected by Time Magazine as one of the top plays of 2000, is a producer, actor and playwright. The play's co-creator, Mark Setlock, is a native Clevelander and graduate of Kent State, who won the 2000 Outer Critics Circle Award for his solo performance in the off-Broadway production of their script.
BWW Review: ...OR DOES IS EXPLODE? at Cleveland Public Theatreby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(11/10/2020) - In this age of Black Lives Matter movement and other civil rights unrest, a performance piece such as, ...OR DOES IT EXPLODE?, is both relevant and fulfills the obligation of the arts to produce works that reflect that era from which is comes.
BWW Review: BERKO: CLEVELAND ENTERTAINMENT IN THE PANDEMIC at Cleveland Area Venuesby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(10/24/2020) -
BWW Review: ROY BERKO HERE AND THERE: DOBAMA, THE MUSICAL THEATRE PROJECT, MILLENIUM THEATRE PROJECT, GREAT LAKES THEATER, CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA ALL SET TO PERFORMby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(09/25/2020) - Nathan Motta, the Artistic Director of Cleveland's Dobama Theater states, 'Needless to say, the 20/21 season is going to look different. However, while the Dobama stage will be dark, there are many opportunities for extraordinary engagement. First, we will be collaborating with Resident Filmmaker Brian Devers and Endeavors Productions to create high-quality, filmed theatre performances that will reach a broad online audience. Second, we are leaning in to our mission of producing important new scripts through the commission and development of three world premiere plays. Finally, Dobama staff and artists will use this time of suspended in-person productions for expanded engagement with members, supporters, and the larger community through masterclasses, Q&As, happy hours, and more.'
BWW Review: HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE—CVLT STREAMS VISITING MR. GREEN, EXAMINE PSYCHOLOGY, MUSICAL STYLE AND CREATIVITY OF HAMILTON, PROJECT SING OUT!, and moreby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(08/04/2020) - On Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26, CVLT will be streaming the archival video of Visiting Mr. Green for a pay-as-you-can admission. For details and advance reservation, visit https://cvlt.org/events/visiting-mr-green
Berko: THE ARTS--HERE AND THERE—U OF AKRON RIFFS THEATRE STAFF, APPOLLO'S FIRE PERFORMS, RADIO OF LAKEby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(08/04/2020) - According to Cleveland Critics Circle and Akron AKRON [Ohio]BEACON JOURNALEntertainment writer, Kerry Clawson, 'At the end of last school year, the University of Akron theater program had two full-time faculty members and three staff members. Now it has none.'
BWW Review: News about 1776, CPH/DOBAMA ARTISTIC DIRECTORS, OHIO SHAKS, FALSETTOS, BOYS IN THE BAND & MASCULINITY MAX and JOSH GROBANby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(06/24/2020) - Artistic Director Laura Kepley chats with Nathan Motta, Artistic Director of Dobama Theatre about music, artistic leadership, and the extraordinary theatre that is made in and for Cleveland.
BWW Review: Solon High grad produced a virtual concert, CWRU recognized for stellar theatre department, pride plays to be performed, Bard at the Gate and The Madness of Gby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(06/16/2020) -
BWW Review: Relevant PLAYGROUND FESTIVAL OF NEW WORKS places spotlight on Black Americansby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(06/09/2020) - The PLAYGROUND FESTIVAL OF NEW WORKS is a leading showcase of new plays and new playwrights. This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival marks its 25th anniversary, by presenting its offerings on-line. The resulting fest is a 25-event covering 5-weeks, all live-streamed via Zoom, and largely free of charge.
BWW Review: NEWS ABOUT BECK CENTER, TONY AWARDS, HOLIDAY INN, PLAYS BY AND ABOUT THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNIT at Cleveland And National Venuesby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(05/26/2020) - In celebration of Pride, Playbill and Pride Plays will present four live streamed readings of plays by and about the LGBTQIA+ community every Friday in June in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
BWW Review: CLEVELANDER COREY COTT IN 'BANDSTAND,' CLE AREA NEWS AND OTHER ENTERTAINMENT INFO at Cleveland And National Venuesby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(05/24/2020) -
BWW Review: CLEVELAND OPERA FOR ALL, GREASE SING-ALONG, CPH ON-LINE CLASSES, BROADWAY and more…by Roy Berko - Cleveland
(05/19/2020) - A sing-along version of the 1978 blockbuster Grease, based on the 1971 Broadway musical, will be broadcast on CBS next month as part of the network's Sunday Night Movies lineup. Grease Sing-A-Long will air June 7 at 8:30 PM ET.
BWW Review: SEE THE NANCE, ACT ONE, HAMILTON, ALLEGIANCE, AND PRIDE SPECTACULAR CONCERT, BUT NOT SHOWS at Cleveland And National Venuesby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(05/16/2020) -
BWW Review: CLEVELAND AREA ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS 5/10/2020 at Playhouse Square And Othersby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(05/13/2020) - No one knows for sure, but according to Playhouse CEO and President Gina Gernaci, present plans call for FROZEN to open on August 15, 2020, three weeks later than originally planned. This will be followed on September 22 by HAMILTON.
BWW Review: CLEVELAND AREA ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS 5/13/2020 at Playhouse Square And Othersby Roy Berko - Cleveland
(05/13/2020) - Late last year Dobama invited a dozen or so people to do a series of interviews meant to focus a spotlight on the theatre's 60th anniversary. As an original member of the Dobama community I was one of those honored to be asked to participate. Here is my interview:
Photo Flash: Teatro Público de Cleveland & Cleveland Public Theatre's MARISOLby Chloe Rabinowitz - Cleveland
(03/11/2020) - Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) and Teatro Público de Cleveland (TPC) present Marisol, by José Rivera, translated by Aurora Lauzardo and Waldemar Burgos, and directed by Julia Rosa Sosa. The play will be performed in Spanish with English subtitles and will run March 5 – 21 in CPT's historic Gordon Square Theatre.
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