BWW Reviews: CARRIE: THE MUSICAL Captivates and Compels Attention at Beck
by Roy Berko - February 09, 2014
From the heavy beating musical sound at the start, through the exciting powerful opening dance, to the exposition presented in the song, 'In,' through the compelling story filled with well designed twists and turns, to the startling conclusion, 'CARRIE: THE MUSICAL,' now on stage at Beck Center, captivates the imagination and compels attention.
by Roy Berko - February 09, 2014
From the heavy beating musical sound at the start, through the exciting powerful opening dance, to the exposition presented in the song, 'In,' through the compelling story filled with well designed twists and turns, to the startling conclusion, 'CARRIE: THE MUSICAL,' now on stage at Beck Center, captivates the imagination and compels attention.
Beck Center for the Arts and Baldwin Wallace University Music Theatre Presents CARRIE, Now thru 3/9
by BWW News Desk - February 07, 2014
Beck Center for the Arts is pleased to again partner with the Baldwin Wallace University Music Theatre program to present the notorious, cult classic, CARRIE the musical, tonight, February 7 through March 9, 2014 on the Mackey Main Stage. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are now on sale.
by BWW News Desk - February 07, 2014
Beck Center for the Arts is pleased to again partner with the Baldwin Wallace University Music Theatre program to present the notorious, cult classic, CARRIE the musical, tonight, February 7 through March 9, 2014 on the Mackey Main Stage. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are now on sale.
Great Lakes Theater to Stage a DEATHTRAP, 2/21-3/16
by BWW News Desk - February 06, 2014
Great Lakes Theater (GLT), Cleveland's Classic Company, commences the second half its 2014-15 season with Ira Levin's murder mystery masterpiece, Deathtrap. The production will be performed in the company's intimate and audience-friendly home at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare, February 21 - March 16, 2014. Charles Fee, GLT's Producing Artistic Director, directs the production.
by BWW News Desk - February 06, 2014
Great Lakes Theater (GLT), Cleveland's Classic Company, commences the second half its 2014-15 season with Ira Levin's murder mystery masterpiece, Deathtrap. The production will be performed in the company's intimate and audience-friendly home at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare, February 21 - March 16, 2014. Charles Fee, GLT's Producing Artistic Director, directs the production.
BWW Reviews: PORGY AND BESS Enthralls at the Palace
by Roy Berko - February 06, 2014
It might surprise many to find that the original 1935 Broadway production of 'PORGY AND BESS' ran only 124 performances. The reasons were many including the all Black cast, some of the overtones of the script were perceived by some to be 'too Negro,' the opera format was considered 'not Broadway,' while some railed that it 'had racial overtones.' Other suppositions were that the heavy dependence of a strong story line was not a familiar format during the era of escapist comedies, follies and vaudeville. Not to be overlooked was the fact that the production lasted four hours, with two intermissions.
by Roy Berko - February 06, 2014
It might surprise many to find that the original 1935 Broadway production of 'PORGY AND BESS' ran only 124 performances. The reasons were many including the all Black cast, some of the overtones of the script were perceived by some to be 'too Negro,' the opera format was considered 'not Broadway,' while some railed that it 'had racial overtones.' Other suppositions were that the heavy dependence of a strong story line was not a familiar format during the era of escapist comedies, follies and vaudeville. Not to be overlooked was the fact that the production lasted four hours, with two intermissions.
2014 NEOMFA Playwrights Festival Begins Today
by BWW News Desk - February 06, 2014
Convergence-continuum presents four new plays by local graduate-student playwrights at the 2014 NEOMFA Playwrights Festival. The Festival features four world-premiere plays: two full-length plays by final-year MFA candidates, and two ten-minute plays by second-year grad students. These plays are part of a three-year intensive program of study under playwright and professor Mike Geither, and are co-produced by convergence-continuum, Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts (NEOMFA) in Creative Writing and Cleveland State University.
by BWW News Desk - February 06, 2014
Convergence-continuum presents four new plays by local graduate-student playwrights at the 2014 NEOMFA Playwrights Festival. The Festival features four world-premiere plays: two full-length plays by final-year MFA candidates, and two ten-minute plays by second-year grad students. These plays are part of a three-year intensive program of study under playwright and professor Mike Geither, and are co-produced by convergence-continuum, Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts (NEOMFA) in Creative Writing and Cleveland State University.
BWW Reviews: CEREMONIES IN DARK OLD MEN Introduces Black History Month 2014 at Karamu
by Roy Berko - February 05, 2014
Karamu, the nation's oldest African-American theatre, opened its Black History month celebration with 'CEREMONIES IN DARK OLD MEN' by Lonne Elder III. The play and its author are both noted for their strong place in the reflections of Blacks in this country.
by Roy Berko - February 05, 2014
Karamu, the nation's oldest African-American theatre, opened its Black History month celebration with 'CEREMONIES IN DARK OLD MEN' by Lonne Elder III. The play and its author are both noted for their strong place in the reflections of Blacks in this country.
BWW Reviews: An interesting Tale of Truth or Fiction - KNOCK ME KISS at Ensemble
by Roy Berko - February 04, 2014
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement which spanned the period from about 1919 to 1929. It was the literary era when members of the Great African American Migration, Negroes who had moved into the U.S. Northeast and Midwest, asserted themselves in art, poetry, literature and theatre. Participants included James Wendell Johnson, Cleveland's Langston Hughes, and Countee Cullen.
by Roy Berko - February 04, 2014
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement which spanned the period from about 1919 to 1929. It was the literary era when members of the Great African American Migration, Negroes who had moved into the U.S. Northeast and Midwest, asserted themselves in art, poetry, literature and theatre. Participants included James Wendell Johnson, Cleveland's Langston Hughes, and Countee Cullen.
Ethan Bortnick to Perform at PlayhouseSquare, 5/11; Tickets Go on Sale 2/5
by BWW News Desk - February 03, 2014
Ethan Bortnick, the youngest performer ever to headline his own concert tour, brings his captivating new family music special LIVE to audiences around the country this spring on a 30-city concert tour. His Cleveland debut stop will be at PlayhouseSquare's Ohio Theatre, Sunday, May 11 at 3 pm. Tickets go on sale Wed., February 5 at 11 am at the Ticket Office, playhousesquare.org and 216-241-6000. Tickets prices will be $39, $29 & $20.
by BWW News Desk - February 03, 2014
Ethan Bortnick, the youngest performer ever to headline his own concert tour, brings his captivating new family music special LIVE to audiences around the country this spring on a 30-city concert tour. His Cleveland debut stop will be at PlayhouseSquare's Ohio Theatre, Sunday, May 11 at 3 pm. Tickets go on sale Wed., February 5 at 11 am at the Ticket Office, playhousesquare.org and 216-241-6000. Tickets prices will be $39, $29 & $20.
BWW Reviews: 'AIR-WAVES' Completes 'THE ELEMENTS CYCLE,' at Cleveland Public Theatre
by Roy Berko - February 02, 2014
Of the three pieces in the 'ELEMENTS CYCLE,' 'AIR-WAVES' is the most message- clear. The CPT directors have seemingly come to terms with the need to add clarity of purpose to the devised theatre process. Though not as abstract as the two previous offerings, those wanting a traditional story line of clear beginning, middle, and end will still be somewhat frustrated.
by Roy Berko - February 02, 2014
Of the three pieces in the 'ELEMENTS CYCLE,' 'AIR-WAVES' is the most message- clear. The CPT directors have seemingly come to terms with the need to add clarity of purpose to the devised theatre process. Though not as abstract as the two previous offerings, those wanting a traditional story line of clear beginning, middle, and end will still be somewhat frustrated.
BWW Reviews: THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA Glows Brightly at Lakeland
by Roy Berko - February 02, 2014
Lakeland Civic Theatre's THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA is a special night of musical theatre. To appreciate the show, the viewer must put aside any attitude of what a musical should look and sound like and embrace this creatively 'different' approach. I, for one, loved the story, the music and the production, and would declare it a MUST SEE!
by Roy Berko - February 02, 2014
Lakeland Civic Theatre's THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA is a special night of musical theatre. To appreciate the show, the viewer must put aside any attitude of what a musical should look and sound like and embrace this creatively 'different' approach. I, for one, loved the story, the music and the production, and would declare it a MUST SEE!
KNOCK ME A KISS Opens at the Ensemble Theatre Tonight
by BWW News Desk - January 31, 2014
The Ensemble Theatre Presents Knock me A Kiss by Charles Smth, directed by Caroline Jackson Smith.
by BWW News Desk - January 31, 2014
The Ensemble Theatre Presents Knock me A Kiss by Charles Smth, directed by Caroline Jackson Smith.
SESAME STREET LIVE to Return to PlayhouseSquare with CAN'T STOP SINGING!, 3/20-23
by BWW News Desk - January 28, 2014
Join the chorus for this toe tapping, finger snapping musical event! All you need is a song when Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Murray and all of your favorite Sesame Street friends bring the magic of music to life on stages big and small - and right into the audience! The all-new Sesame Street Live 'Can't Stop Singing' is at PlayhouseSquare's State Theatre from Thursday, March 20 through Sunday, March 23. Tickets for all 8 performances are on sale now.
by BWW News Desk - January 28, 2014
Join the chorus for this toe tapping, finger snapping musical event! All you need is a song when Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Murray and all of your favorite Sesame Street friends bring the magic of music to life on stages big and small - and right into the audience! The all-new Sesame Street Live 'Can't Stop Singing' is at PlayhouseSquare's State Theatre from Thursday, March 20 through Sunday, March 23. Tickets for all 8 performances are on sale now.
BWW Interviews: LYNDA A. LAVIN, Professional Stage Manager Extraordinaire
by Roy Berko - January 27, 2014
When most young theatre geeks think of what they want to do in the world of entertainment, they picture themselves on stage before adoring fans. Not Lynda Lavin. The Mayfield High School class of '71 grad, who attended Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland State, decided while working as a high school student at Musicarnival, the legendary Cleveland tent theatre, that being a stage manager was her ticket to a life in the theatre.
by Roy Berko - January 27, 2014
When most young theatre geeks think of what they want to do in the world of entertainment, they picture themselves on stage before adoring fans. Not Lynda Lavin. The Mayfield High School class of '71 grad, who attended Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland State, decided while working as a high school student at Musicarnival, the legendary Cleveland tent theatre, that being a stage manager was her ticket to a life in the theatre.
BWW Reviews: Thought-Provoking THE ALIENS at Dobama
by Roy Berko - January 27, 2014
Annie Baker, the 33-year old multi award winning author of THE ALIENS, now in production at Dobama, is considered by many theatre and literary critics to be one of the freshest and most talented dramatists of this decade. Baker, whose style mirrors that of Anton Chekov, one of the leaders of 20th century modernism, writes realistic characters who emerge in lines that lend themselves to subtle and thoughtful presentation.
by Roy Berko - January 27, 2014
Annie Baker, the 33-year old multi award winning author of THE ALIENS, now in production at Dobama, is considered by many theatre and literary critics to be one of the freshest and most talented dramatists of this decade. Baker, whose style mirrors that of Anton Chekov, one of the leaders of 20th century modernism, writes realistic characters who emerge in lines that lend themselves to subtle and thoughtful presentation.
Cleveland Play House to Present BREATH AND IMAGINATION, 2/14-3/9
by BWW News Desk - January 24, 2014
This week our nation remembered and paid homage to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his efforts during the American Civil Rights Movement. Cleveland Play House's next production, Breath and Imagination, will bring to light the story of a lesser known trailblazer in the cause for equality: Roland Hayes. Born the son of former slaves, Roland Hayes made a name for himself as the first world-renowned African-American classical vocalist. Raised during the Jim Crow era, Hayes overcame many obstacles to achieve his dreams of becoming a professional singer and his ultimate dream of opening an integrated music school in the South. Breath and Imagination beautifully weaves together the life of Roland Hayes through classic spirituals, beautiful arias and original songs. Written by acclaimed playwright Daniel Beaty, directed by May Adrales, and starring Cleveland native Elijah Rock in the role of Roland Hayes, Breath and Imagination will run from Feb. 14 - March 9 in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare.
by BWW News Desk - January 24, 2014
This week our nation remembered and paid homage to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his efforts during the American Civil Rights Movement. Cleveland Play House's next production, Breath and Imagination, will bring to light the story of a lesser known trailblazer in the cause for equality: Roland Hayes. Born the son of former slaves, Roland Hayes made a name for himself as the first world-renowned African-American classical vocalist. Raised during the Jim Crow era, Hayes overcame many obstacles to achieve his dreams of becoming a professional singer and his ultimate dream of opening an integrated music school in the South. Breath and Imagination beautifully weaves together the life of Roland Hayes through classic spirituals, beautiful arias and original songs. Written by acclaimed playwright Daniel Beaty, directed by May Adrales, and starring Cleveland native Elijah Rock in the role of Roland Hayes, Breath and Imagination will run from Feb. 14 - March 9 in the Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare.
Beck Center Teen Theater to Stage THE CHILDREN'S HOUR, 2/21-3/2
by BWW News Desk - January 23, 2014
Beck Center Teen Theater presents The Children's Hour in the Studio Theater February 21 - March 2, 2014. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. A special student matinee performance is 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 27. Seating in the intimate Studio Theater is limited and tickets are on sale now. Due to the sensitive subject matter of The Children's Hour, Beck Center has established a PG-13 rating for this piece.
by BWW News Desk - January 23, 2014
Beck Center Teen Theater presents The Children's Hour in the Studio Theater February 21 - March 2, 2014. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. A special student matinee performance is 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 27. Seating in the intimate Studio Theater is limited and tickets are on sale now. Due to the sensitive subject matter of The Children's Hour, Beck Center has established a PG-13 rating for this piece.
KNOCK ME A KISS Opens at the Ensemble Theatre 1/31
by BWW News Desk - January 23, 2014
The Ensemble Theatre Presents Knock me A Kiss by Charles Smth, directed by Caroline Jackson Smith.
by BWW News Desk - January 23, 2014
The Ensemble Theatre Presents Knock me A Kiss by Charles Smth, directed by Caroline Jackson Smith.
2014 NEOMFA Playwrights Festival Begins This February, 2/6-15
by BWW News Desk - January 23, 2014
Convergence-continuum presents four new plays by local graduate-student playwrights at the 2014 NEOMFA Playwrights Festival. The Festival features four world-premiere plays: two full-length plays by final-year MFA candidates, and two ten-minute plays by second-year grad students. These plays are part of a three-year intensive program of study under playwright and professor Mike Geither, and are co-produced by convergence-continuum, Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts (NEOMFA) in Creative Writing and Cleveland State University.
by BWW News Desk - January 23, 2014
Convergence-continuum presents four new plays by local graduate-student playwrights at the 2014 NEOMFA Playwrights Festival. The Festival features four world-premiere plays: two full-length plays by final-year MFA candidates, and two ten-minute plays by second-year grad students. These plays are part of a three-year intensive program of study under playwright and professor Mike Geither, and are co-produced by convergence-continuum, Northeast Ohio Master of Fine Arts (NEOMFA) in Creative Writing and Cleveland State University.
BWW Reviews: Fine Script and Acting Bring PHOTOGRAPH 51 into Focus at Actors' Summit
by Roy Berko - January 21, 2014
PHOTOGRAPH 51 is a bio-drama based on the life of Rosalind Franklin, a British biophysicist and crystallographer. Many think she should have been a Noble prize-recipient, but her standoffish personality, perfectionism, and some seemingly unethical actions by others, as well as the possibility of gender discrimination against her, got in the way.
by Roy Berko - January 21, 2014
PHOTOGRAPH 51 is a bio-drama based on the life of Rosalind Franklin, a British biophysicist and crystallographer. Many think she should have been a Noble prize-recipient, but her standoffish personality, perfectionism, and some seemingly unethical actions by others, as well as the possibility of gender discrimination against her, got in the way.
Single Tickets for JERSEY BOYS on Sale Today at PlayhouseSquare
by BWW News Desk - January 17, 2014
Tickets will go on sale today, January 17 at 11 a.m. for the return engagement of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, playing at PlayhouseSquare's State Theatre May 6-18, 2014. Jersey Boys is part of the KeyBank Broadway Series at PlayhouseSquare.
by BWW News Desk - January 17, 2014
Tickets will go on sale today, January 17 at 11 a.m. for the return engagement of the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, playing at PlayhouseSquare's State Theatre May 6-18, 2014. Jersey Boys is part of the KeyBank Broadway Series at PlayhouseSquare.
BWW Reviews: MENOPAUSE, THE MUSICAL Heats Up the Hanna
by Roy Berko - January 16, 2014
'MENOPAUSE, THE MUSICAL' is a delightful portrayal of the 'Change, Change, Change' that women of a certain age go through, that consists of 'Hot Flashes,' as they realize that 'I'm No Babe,' and requires a 'New Attitude.' Do you have to be a 'mature' women to appreciate the goings on? No, but from observing the opening night audience, it helps! (Don't forget to bring a fan if you are in the 'change' age group.
by Roy Berko - January 16, 2014
'MENOPAUSE, THE MUSICAL' is a delightful portrayal of the 'Change, Change, Change' that women of a certain age go through, that consists of 'Hot Flashes,' as they realize that 'I'm No Babe,' and requires a 'New Attitude.' Do you have to be a 'mature' women to appreciate the goings on? No, but from observing the opening night audience, it helps! (Don't forget to bring a fan if you are in the 'change' age group.
BWW Reviews: YENTL Disappoints at Cleveland Play House
by Roy Berko - January 16, 2014
The opening night audience for YENTL failed to give the standard Cleveland standing ovation. This might be construed as an omen that there was a disconnect between the viewers and the production. It's too bad. YENTL is an important script, which tells a fascinating story of a writer, ahead of his time, who weaves Jewish history with modern issues. I wanted so much to really be swept away by the production. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
by Roy Berko - January 16, 2014
The opening night audience for YENTL failed to give the standard Cleveland standing ovation. This might be construed as an omen that there was a disconnect between the viewers and the production. It's too bad. YENTL is an important script, which tells a fascinating story of a writer, ahead of his time, who weaves Jewish history with modern issues. I wanted so much to really be swept away by the production. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Returns to PlayhouseSquare, Now thru 2/2
by BWW News Desk - January 14, 2014
The international hit show Menopause The Musical has identified Cleveland as a 'hot' national market and will play PlayhouseSquare's Hanna Theatre for 24 performances from today, January 14 through February 2, 2014.
by BWW News Desk - January 14, 2014
The international hit show Menopause The Musical has identified Cleveland as a 'hot' national market and will play PlayhouseSquare's Hanna Theatre for 24 performances from today, January 14 through February 2, 2014.
BWW Reviews: A Life in Transition at Cleveland Public Theatre
by Roy Berko - January 13, 2014
What is it like to live much of your life perceiving that you have been born in the wrong body and then going through the process to correct this mistake of birth? That's the major issue exposed by Christine Howey in her one-woman, self-acted and self-written play, EXACT CHANGE, now on stage at Cleveland Public Theatre.
by Roy Berko - January 13, 2014
What is it like to live much of your life perceiving that you have been born in the wrong body and then going through the process to correct this mistake of birth? That's the major issue exposed by Christine Howey in her one-woman, self-acted and self-written play, EXACT CHANGE, now on stage at Cleveland Public Theatre.
Great Lakes Theater to Tour SEVEN AGES Begin. 2/11
by BWW News Desk - January 10, 2014
Great Lakes Theater (GLT) will launch the world premiere of SEVEN AGES, a free touring production scheduled to visit twenty-two neighborhood venues throughout northeast Ohio, to kick off the company's 2014 series of Surround outreach programming. The one-act play is comprised of seven tales written by seven northeast Ohio playwrights (Nina Domingue, Mike Geither, David Hansen, Christine Howey, Anne McEvoy, Michael Oatman and Toni K. Thayer) and features a touring company of four actors directed by Lisa Ortenzi. The tour commences on February 11th, continues through March 5th and is designed to support Great Lakes Theater's upcoming mainstage production of As You Like It at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which opens in April. All performances of the touring production are free and open to the public, with the exception of performances at area schools, which are private.
by BWW News Desk - January 10, 2014
Great Lakes Theater (GLT) will launch the world premiere of SEVEN AGES, a free touring production scheduled to visit twenty-two neighborhood venues throughout northeast Ohio, to kick off the company's 2014 series of Surround outreach programming. The one-act play is comprised of seven tales written by seven northeast Ohio playwrights (Nina Domingue, Mike Geither, David Hansen, Christine Howey, Anne McEvoy, Michael Oatman and Toni K. Thayer) and features a touring company of four actors directed by Lisa Ortenzi. The tour commences on February 11th, continues through March 5th and is designed to support Great Lakes Theater's upcoming mainstage production of As You Like It at the Hanna Theatre, PlayhouseSquare which opens in April. All performances of the touring production are free and open to the public, with the exception of performances at area schools, which are private.
Videos
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Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Near West Theatre (4/17 - 5/3) | |
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The House of Blue Leaves
Western Reserve Playhouse (1/16 - 1/31) | |
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Arsenic & Old Lace
Weathervane Playhouse, Akron (4/30 - 5/24) | |
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Elijah: Prophet of Fire
Ohio Star Theater (5/15 - 11/5) | |
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I''m a Soulman - A Tribute to The Blues Brothers
Théâtre Capitole (6/6 - 6/6) | |
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Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change’®
Playhouse Square (1/6 - 1/11) | |
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SHREK
Weathervane Playhouse, Akron (3/5 - 3/29) | |
| VIEW SHOWS ADD A SHOW | ||
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