Chris Richards News

In today's fast paced, electronically dependent world it's harder than ever to connect with nature on a daily basis.

It is the purpose of THE CLEVELAND CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS to recognize outstanding Cleveland area productions, performers, directors and designers who contributed to the professional theatre scene during the 2013 season. For a listing of the theatres considered for 'Best of' and 'Superior Achievement' awards, go to: clevelandtheaterreviews.com

Greater Cleveland is blessed with a vital theatre scene. It is the purpose of the TIMES THEATRE TRIBUTES to recognize theatrical experiences that, in the view of this reviewer, were excellent and deserve recognition.

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!

Players' Shakespeare: Onstage is proud to present William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice which will open July 18th and run through August 4th. Dominic Cuskern(Inherit the Wind, A Perfect Ganesh), Broadway veteran and long-standing member of the Pearl Theatre Resident Acting Company, stars as Shylock. Returning to Gallery, David Patrick Ford (Macbeth, Othello) will play Antonio opposite Cuskern. Gallery President and admired Director Mark Harborth (Noises Off, Chess, Othello, Dreamgirls) will again direct. Bringing the play to life under Harborth's direction are Lighting Designer Scott A. Calley, Sound Designer Jacob Subotnick, Costume Designer/Asst. Director Sidney Fortner, Stage Manager Becky J. Doster and Producer Frankie Dailey. The cast will include Erin Beirnard as Portia, Hunter Hoffman as Bassanio, Louis Lavoie as Launcelot, as well as J.B. Alexander, Kevin Blackwelder, Colin Dweir, Cara Farlow, Jonathan Green, Luke Hofmaier, Mark Kinch, Zack Krajnyak, Chris Richards, Louise Stewart.

Performances will take place at 7:30 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as 3:00 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $18 for Adults, $14 for senior citizens and children 12 and under. The Gallery Players will also host a 'Pay What You Can' night on Monday, July 22nd at 7:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased 24/7 online at www.galleryplayers.com or by calling OvationTix at 212-352-3101 (phone hours 9-9 weekdays, 10-6 weekends).

Cleveland Play House, with license from the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact, will produce a one-night-only staged reading of '8,' a play chronicling the historic trial in the federal constitutional challenge to California's Proposition 8, written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and AFER Founding Board Member Dustin Lance Black.

Season 2 of MOUNTAIN MEN, premiering tonight, June 9 at 9pm ET on HISTORY, follows the real-life challenges of living off the land, far from civilization, where it takes survival skills and sheer cunning just to stay fed, clothed…and alive.

Season 2 of MOUNTAIN MEN, premiering Sunday, June 9 at 9pm ET on HISTORY, follows the real-life challenges of living off the land, far from civilization, where it takes survival skills and sheer cunning just to stay fed, clothed…and alive.

The Unsigned Only Music Competition today announced its judging panel for the 2013 competition, which is now accepting entries. The panel of judges consists of the top echelon of recording artists and music journalists, representing the ten categories of popular music covered by the competition.

This fall, Travel Channel is the ultimate destination to satisfy your need for thrills and chills. The network kicks off the season with a collection of all-new programming sure to spook and entertain you, while showcasing a multitude of captivating destinations all over the world.

A new 8-part series, MOUNTAIN MEN, follows Eustace and others who have chosen the wilderness life as they race against time to obtain the food and supplies they'll need to make it through the brutal winter months ahead. MOUNTAIN MEN premieres tonight, May 31 at 10pm ET on HISTORY.

A new 8-part series, MOUNTAIN MEN, follows Eustace and others who have chosen the wilderness life as they race against time to obtain the food and supplies they'll need to make it through the brutal winter months ahead. MOUNTAIN MEN premieres Thursday, May 31 at 10pm ET on HISTORY.

THE PEARL THEATRE COMPANY (J.R. Sullivan, Artistic Director) announces the casting for Bernard Shaw's playful satire, THE PHILANDERER.

THE PEARL THEATRE COMPANY (J.R. Sullivan, Artistic Director) announces the casting for Bernard Shaw's playful satire, THE PHILANDERER.

Travel Channel celebrates 'Weekends to Die For' throughout October beginning with the new original mini-series, 'Making Monsters' premiering on Sunday, October 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Travel Channel celebrates 'Weekends to Die For' throughout October beginning with the new original mini-series, 'Making Monsters' premiering on Sunday, October 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

The Producers plays the Mackey Main Stage now through August 22, 2010.