A ‘Call’ to conversation about important issues, locally and globally
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS — How far would you go to have a baby, assuming you’ve tried everything and nothing’s worked? If you’re determined to do a charitable act, how far would you step outside your comfort zone to impact people you thought you’d never meet? Is it worth it? Should the...
CPH’s intense ‘The Crucible’ severely tests our own humanity
It’s unlikely that you know someone who was tried, convicted and hung for being a witch or conspiring with the devil. The chances are much greater that you’re familiar with a recent rumor running rampant and resulting in devastating consequences for the victim or victims. Maybe the victim–or perpetrator–was you...
Touring production of ‘Bullets Over Broadway’ hits the mark, if musical itself doesn’t always
Touring production of ‘Bullets over Broadway’ hits the mark, if musical itself doesn’t always With all the school and other shootings that have taken lives and changed families’ forever, loaded guns are hardly a laughing matter. If you’re one of those people who easily feels guilty, you may feel the...
Beck Center’s ‘Mothers and Sons’ is poignant, powerful theater
An evolving concept of family and lingering hurt well after the heart of the AIDS crisis Beck Center’s ‘Mothers and Sons’ is poignant, powerful theater If you haven’t already accepted the fact the definition of “family” has changed with the legalization of gay marriage, Terrence McNally’s taut, unapologetic and riveting...
Great Lakes ‘King Lear’ proves Bard tragedy hasn’t — and will never– age
CLEVELAND — It’s one of the most touching and heartbreaking scenes in Great Lakes Theatre’s brilliantly-executed, modern day-set production of Shakespeare’s masterpiece “King Lear,” on stage through Nov. 1. A once vibrant, loving ruler is slowly wheeled on stage on a hospital bed, his hair as white as death, his...
Great Lakes Theatre’s ‘The Secret Garden’ blossoms
CLEVELAND – Methods of natural healing have interested people since the beginning of mankind. And knowledge about the power of the human mind is older than Freud (May 6, 1856- September 23, 1939). Both topics are as alive and well in 2015 as the English lad Colin Craven turns out...
Ensemble’s ‘Death of a Salesman’ is riveting theater
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS — Attention must be paid, accolades must be heaped upon and applause must be showered on a splendid Ensemble Theatre cast deftly performing “Death of a Salesman,” Arthur Miller’s expertly-structured, Pulitzer-Prize winning tragedy of a common man whose value in the work world is running out. The production...
Dobama’s ‘Or,’ about first female playwright is witty, lush, playful
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS – It’s rare to come across a sex farce that brims with intelligence and eloquence while being relevant. To find such a play – one full of gorgeous, poetic, smart language, unbridled joy, celebration and succulent sexuality — one need look no further than Dobama Theatre, where the...
Ensemble’s ‘Farragut North’ deftly captures competitive spirit within politicial circles
Taxes? The economy? Immigration? Education? Social Security? The environment? Those issues and others important to Americans have almost no place in the biting satire “Farragut North,” now playing through Sunday, Sept. 6 on Ensemble Theatre’s extremely intimate Playground auditorium. I believe I counted a single line or perhaps two at...
Mercury’s ‘Poppins’ ferociously entertaining
SOUTH EUCLID – She’s sure making good use of “Umbrella Airline’s” frequent flyer program here and to the west. She’s swooped from the skies to land at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood for their annual holiday show late last year. She came in for another landing at Norwalk...