Edward Albee, author of 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf,' now in production at Beck Center for the Arts, is one of the best known Theatre of the Absurd American writers. This form of theatre, which was at its apex shortly following World War II, is based, in part on philosophical existentialism, whi... (more...)
Great Lakes Theater has found a perfect combination of scripts to start its 57th season. The fun, escapist juke box musical, 'Mamma Mia!,' had the audience excitedly on its feet for the extended curtain call. 'Pride and Prejudice,' the epic story of class-stratification and misunderstanding feelings... (more...)
August Wilson is considered one of the most prolific sources for documenting the twentieth century African-American experience. His ten-play cycle, basically set in Pittsburgh's Hill district, started with 'Gem of the Ocean,' representing the 1900s and ended with 'Radio Golf,' shining the spotlight ... (more...)
'Mamma Mia!,' now on stage at Great Lakes Theatre, as has been the case on Broadway and in its many local tour stops, is a thoroughly entertaining theatrical experience. The audience was on its feet for the extended curtain call, dancing, clapping, and singing.... (more...)
Cesar's Forum, which might be thought of as the little theater company 'that could and can,' is at it again. The organization, which is a financial and one-man adventurehas won both Cleveland Critics Circle and Broadway World Theatre Tribute recognitions for past performances.... (more...)
Like much of the works of Stephen Sondheim, from the start, 'Little Night Music' proves to be a different type of musical. Rather than a traditional overture, one-by-one, a quintet of singers, who will act like a Greek chorus throughout the production commenting on varying situations, introducing th... (more...)
Charlotte Bronte's book, 'Jane Eyre,' is a gothic melodrama which centers on strong-minded Jane's cruel treatment by her sadistic cousin and aunt, being shipped off to jail-like boarding school, departing to become a nanny for the ward of the wealthy but psychologically tortured Edward Fairfax with ... (more...)
CTE is a 'neurodegenerative disease found in people with multiple head injuries.' It often occurs in athletes involved in boxing, football, wrestling, ice hockey, rugby and soccer, all activities that include the participants being hit in the head, often resulting in concussions.... (more...)
What does Steven Dietz, the author of 'Bloomsday,' which is now on stage at none-too-fragile, have in common with Tennessee Williams and Edward Albee? Yes, they are all American playwrights, but, believe it or not, they are all tied for number eight on the list of the Top Ten Most Produced Playwrigh... (more...)
This past season, NBC aired 'Rise.' The television show spotlighted a high school in a conservative working class neighborhood. The school's new drama teacher, portrayed by Josh Rado, decided rather than staging a traditional, escapist musical, that the students and community would grow from doing '... (more...)
The Shaw Festival, located in Niagara-on-the Lake, is often like being in downtown Cleveland on game day. Lots of 216/440 residents migrate North for a day, days or a week to visit 'the most beautiful little city in Canada,' as Niagara-on-the Lake is often called. They purchase peaches, cherries, an... (more...)
Before the opening night performance a representative of Actors' Equity presented the theatre with a proclamation in honor of their 50thanniversary which included praise for not only Porthouse and Kent State University, but for Terri Kent, who has been leading the endeavor for 18 successful years. T... (more...)
The story goes that while on vacation from performing in his hit Broadway show 'In the Heights,' Lin-Manuel Miranda read a copy of the biography, 'Alexander Hamilton' by Ron Chernow.... (more...)
On April 15, 2009, 'Next to Normal' opened on Broadway. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize, the Tony for Best Musical and to become part of a small group of musicals including 'Rent,' 'Spring Awakening,' 'Dear Evan Hansen,' 'Come From Away,' 'The Band's Visit' and 'Hamilton' which would change the... (more...)
In September of 2015, when Tony F. Sias was appointed as President and CEO of Karamu, the country's oldest African-American theatre, the organization was at its lowest point. In financial trouble, having slipped in the quality of its arts programs and seemingly rudderless, the future looked bleak.... (more...)
The 1950s was a period of racial stress in much of the south. Lynchings, school segregation, separate lunch counters and drinking fountains, blacks to the back of the bus, laws against black and white mixing. Even separate black and white radio stations was the custom, as were black and white musica... (more...)
BWW Review: Superb WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? @ Beck Center
BWW Review: Less than clever CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL raw @ Blank Canvas
BWW Review: Beautifully Crafted “Pride and Prejudice” at Great Lakes Theater
BWW Review: Finely Built FENCES at Karamu
BWW Review: GLT's MAMMA MIA! Leaves Audience Singing & Dancing in the Aisles
BWW Review: Captivating, topical must see “Freak Storm” at none too fragile
BWW Review: Quality performances make PLATH AND ORION interesting evening at Cesear's Forum
BWW Review: “The Woman in Black” less than it could be at the Cleveland Play House
BWW Review: God admits he's imperfect in hysterically funny “An Act of God” at Beck
BWW Review: Well-performed, But Uninspired A LITTLE NIGHT Music At Lakeland Civic Theatre
BWW Review: Must see ALABAMA'S STORY is Compelling at Ensemble
BWW Review: Dobama's 'Sunset Baby' exposes the underbelly of the great sacrifice of survival
BWW Review: Music, staging, performances makes reimagined “Jane Eyre” special
BWW Review: Playwrights Local and Dobama Present DOWN BY CONTACT
BWW Review: Surreal “Bloomsday” gets impressive production at none-too-fragile
BWW Review: Topically Important SPRING AWAKENING Impressively Staged at Near West Theatre
BWW Review: Clevelanders Invade Canada for the Shaw Festival 2018
BWW Review: AUDRA MCDONALD delights and captivates Blossom audience
BWW Review: History Changing OKLAHOMA Charmingly Ends Porthouse's 50th season
BWW Review: Creative HAMILTON is a Master Class In Contemporary Musical Theater
BWW Review: Beck's “Gypsy” not everything it should or could be
BWW Review: Pulitzer Prize and Tony-Winning Musical NEXT TO NORMAL, Compelling at Porthouse
BWW Review: Hyper-realistic must see “On the Grill” compels at Dobama
BWW Review: Homecoming, Renovations and LETTERS FROM ZORA at Karamu
BWW Review: Hockadoo! MEMPHIS Enjoyably Rocks Cain Park With Its Music And Poignant Message
