tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31143870998961900392024-03-18T22:37:53.785-05:00RoyBerko.infoUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2098125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-69767221465341305102024-03-18T22:37:00.001-05:002024-03-18T22:37:07.121-05:00ORDINARY DAYS--Creative script, inventive staging and impressive performances<strong style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #404040; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQniZICgmxl1z1KZuecgyybr9DPcDejqz1Z77rTIIRQcQMOiFEa6WXNSX1DIXjMZbLhF4ciGGmdJT_BBkz687emOOjon0-7jUWDYBxkNecNasS_NmKZq8BrBQa70wFUpZqoB8oZAwviclmqf0tKDyVS7j8y1yCG_0SjV1iVqbZpNZLFZ38PWfltB-5Z9k/s225/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQniZICgmxl1z1KZuecgyybr9DPcDejqz1Z77rTIIRQcQMOiFEa6WXNSX1DIXjMZbLhF4ciGGmdJT_BBkz687emOOjon0-7jUWDYBxkNecNasS_NmKZq8BrBQa70wFUpZqoB8oZAwviclmqf0tKDyVS7j8y1yCG_0SjV1iVqbZpNZLFZ38PWfltB-5Z9k/s1600/images.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040;"> </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">Adam Gwon, who wrote the music and lyrics for <em style="outline: none !important;">ORDINARY DAYS</em>, which recently finished its run as part of the Playhouse Square/Baldwin Wallace annual collaboration, was in attendance at the brief 3-day run. In fact, he has been a part of the production since an early rehearsal when he visited with the cast and creative team. He also did a talkback after the Saturday evening performance. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Gwon was selected as one of The Dramatist magazine's "50 to Watch" and praised by <em style="outline: none !important;">The New York Times</em>as "a promising newcomer to our talent-hungry musical theater with songs that are funny, urbane, with a sweetness that doesn't cloy." <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">ORDINARY DAYS</em> is a 1 hour 25-minute original musical, that “follows the contemporary and intimate experiences of four young New Yorkers as they navigate the complexities of love, loss, and self-discovery in the bustling city. The characters grapple with personal challenges, relationships, and the pursuit of meaning and love, creating a touching and relatable narrative.”<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The play, much like the new trend in dramatic musicals, doesn’t follow the traditional format of two-act, Golden Age of the American scripts. It is a series of interconnected scenes, in which the characters and plot unfold through songs and no dialogue. Think of it as an opera without the arias, overblown characters or overly dramatic plots. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />In <em style="outline: none !important;">ORDINARY DAYS </em>we meet two young New York couples, Warren and Deb and Jason and Claire. The former become acquainted when Claire, a college student loses her diary, which contains notes for her dissertation. Jason, a free-spirited artist, with a secret to hide, who distributes square pieces of colored-paper adorned with affirmation phrases on the streets of the Big Apple.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />After an exhausting search through the galleries of the New York Museum of Art, the duo finally gets-together to exchange the diary. The meeting is in front of Warren’s favorite painting, a piece of art that Deb doesn’t appreciate. Conflictual attraction takes place. We all know where this storyline is going to go!<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Danny BÓ, he of owl eyes, mobile face and Shirley Temple curls, is delightful as Warren. The diminutive BW senior, who has been seen on-stage at such venues as Great Lakes Theater, Beck Center and The Idaho Shakespeare Center, has a wonderful touch for comedy and farce, and his magnetism lights up the stage. He is definitely Broadway ready and we should see him on NY stages in a short time.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Jaedynn Latter, who portrays Deb, is a charming Southern California BW Musical Arts student, and a perfect match for BÓ. She, too, knows how to play comedy and captivate an audience. She has a fine singing voice, as evidenced in “Calm,” one of the shows highlights. “Beautiful,” a Warren and Deb duo was captivating.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />In contrast to the quirky Warren and Deb, Jason (Dario Alvarez) and Claire (Maggie Solimine) are the tales serious duo. He is in love and carries an engagement ring, just waiting for the opportune moment to pop the question. She has a deep secret that is stopping her from making a complete commitment to Jason or, as it turns out, anyone. Their “Fine” is cute and a score standout. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Both Alvarez and Solimine, as should be expected from students enrolled in one of the finest musical theater programs in the country and being trained by the likes of Victoria Bussert, the multi-Cleveland Critics Circle and BroadwayWorld-Cleveland best director awards winner and the Director of the BW Musical Theatre program, have fine singing voices and performed well. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The Helen’s black box intimate theatre, Matthew Webb’s music (though I would have preferred a small orchestra to soften sound of the harshness of a single piano), and Russ Borski’s scenic, costume and lighting designs, all added to the quality of the production.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Gwon, says of Bussert and Baldwin Wallace, “I've always admired Vicky, for being really invested and investing her students in the process of new work...one of the things I love about writing shows is that you're really you…let other people bring their point of view and put their own stamp on it, and that to me is something that's so exciting about theatre is that every production is going to be different, because every team of people is bringing something new to the piece.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />He continues, “The show is built to have that kind of openness to interpretation. It's not meant to be replicated exactly the same way every time. The script is the same, the songs are the same, but the interpretation is always so different, so, I'm particularly excited to see how Vicky's interpretation and my reaction to it will have evolved as we've evolved as people since the show came into our lives.”<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />He also stated, “One of the reasons I find Baldwin Wallace's Music Theater program so exciting is that they are…invested in what's coming down the pike, the new writers, the new musicals, which I think is such a vital part of not only the theatre community that the students are going to enter…but just the lifeblood of theatre as an art form. If we're not introducing audiences and introducing new artists to new work, we're just recycling the same old thing, and that's not how art moves forward.”<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">Capsule judgement: It’s a shame that the show only ran four performances. It is the type of production that develops a cult following and could have run on and on in an open-ended -format. Personally, I was enamored by the script, found the members of the Downtown cast wonderful (the show is double cast, with Anthony Maja, Kenna Wilson, Luke Henson and Jessi Kirtey being the Uptown cast), and not only would I have liked to see that cast, but would have excitedly encouraged everyone to see the show!</em><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />To experience the BW Musical Theatre program students, consider attending:<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Baldwin Wallace Music Theatre –A benefit in memory of Kyle Jean Baptiste<br style="outline: none !important;" />Thursday March 21, 7:30 pm<br style="outline: none !important;" />$20 Tickets <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=cff677814c&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Baldwin Wallace Music Theatre - Junior Class—A Sondheim Celebration!!<br style="outline: none !important;" />Thursday March 28 @ 7:30 pm<br style="outline: none !important;" />$20 Tickets <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=0a74f5739e&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Both of these programs will be @ Market Garden Brewery<br style="outline: none !important;" />1947 W. 25th Street. (In Ohio City immediately north of West Side Market)<br style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=d713f388a3&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">www.marketgardenbrewery.com</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Baldwin Wallace Music Theatre - Senior Showcase (the performances that students did in New Yorkfor casting directors and agents)<br style="outline: none !important;" />Monday April 29@ 7:00 pm<br style="outline: none !important;" />$20 Tickets <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=58f41aabbb&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">HERE</a><br style="outline: none !important;" />@ Beaumont School Theater in Cleveland Heights</span></span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040;"> </span><br /></strong><br /><br /><p><strong style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;"> </strong> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-68135509096180112492024-03-10T17:06:00.003-05:002024-03-10T17:06:47.438-05:00SOMETHING CLEAN is compelling in its Regional Premiere at Dobama! <p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important; width: 350px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" valign="top" width="310"><div id="yiv6961009629templateBodyCopy" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px; outline: none !important;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLV7hMOnuZV52ANp6Z9VdL4rmQzbUP0jlV9OmgMNn-j3numcZ4x7RLaSwcmQQJ8sfvkINPrRNTLIObHbcR9IS8VeYFE4JkE6_bYKronGaE9mEio0n98LNCElAGGntmpRvCYbFhsfEpC6xYUAr9B3VA9pUYh-HTBvA6FTRivZsVkydIRqQvArhpNNA0M0/s1280/Dobama5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLV7hMOnuZV52ANp6Z9VdL4rmQzbUP0jlV9OmgMNn-j3numcZ4x7RLaSwcmQQJ8sfvkINPrRNTLIObHbcR9IS8VeYFE4JkE6_bYKronGaE9mEio0n98LNCElAGGntmpRvCYbFhsfEpC6xYUAr9B3VA9pUYh-HTBvA6FTRivZsVkydIRqQvArhpNNA0M0/s320/Dobama5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: Palatino; margin: 0px; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /><b><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;">Northwestern grad, Selina Fillinger, was the first Judith Barlow Prize winner, an annual student award given to work inspired by a historic female playwright. “In 2019, her play <span style="outline: none !important;">SOMETHING CLEAN</span> received the Laurents/Hatcher Award.” “Her play <span style="outline: none !important;">POTUS: OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE</span>, premiered on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre in 2022, making Fillinger, at 28, one of the youngest playwrights to be produced on Broadway.” She is one of the new bright lights in the world of contemporary playwriting.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />In his well-written program notes Dobama’s Artistic Director Nathan Motta states, in regard to female and male rape, that the spotlight is usually placed on the victim or perpetuator. But, “what are the ripple effects on the families of both the survivor and perpetrator? What warning signs or behavior did those close to the offender miss? While it might be natural to worry about an act of violence happening to someone you love, how often do we consider the thought of someone we’re close to committing such an appalling act?”<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />At the start of <span style="outline: none !important;">SOMETHING CLEAN</span>, now on stage at Dobama, we find Charlotte (Derdriu Ring) and Doug (Robert Ellis) center stage in a pin-spot light. They stand emotionless. Doug reaches tentatively to hold Charlotte’s hand. She pulls away. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />As we find out through a number of quick-enfolding scenes, the respectable lives of Charlotte and Doug have been in free-fall due to the emotional fallout caused by their college-age son’s imprisonment for a sex crime. It appears, from the reaction of their friends and the community, that this will forever taint them.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />To add to the angst, a recent trial and conviction of a black young man resulted in a prison sentence much longer than that assigned to their white son, is causing public outcry.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />As the play speeds through scenes of Charlotte and Doug’s strained bedroom routines, Doug’s long absences to be “at work,” her volunteering at an inner-city sexual assault counseling center, where she is reluctant to reveal her name and qualifications other than that she is “really good at tackling stains … any stains,” to her developing into a mother figure for gay employee Joey, to his revealing that he was a survivor of assault by a neighbor beginning when he was 9 years old, to her finally telling Joey who she is, to her attempts to clean the dumpster, near the fraternity house, where her son’s crime occurred, we are taken on a speeding train heading for either a possible safe arrival at the station of resolve or a resounding crash destined to destroy the lives or two people.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Fillinger has etched clear characters, in a focused plot, interspersed with dark ideas and even darker comic dialogue. She well deserves the awards the script has garnered.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Sindelar’s directing is laser-sharp. The pace, the character development, the humor and the angst, is clearly developed.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Derdriu Ring, the four-time award winner for best local actress from The Cleveland Critics Circle and BroadwayWorld-Cleveland, gives another superb performance as Charlotte, a woman struggling to make sense of her own grief and culpability. She doesn’t portray the role, she is Charlotte. Her pain, is our pain. Her angst is our angst. Bravo!<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Robert Ellis matches Ring as Doug, a suffering father trying to both confront his role in his son’s fall and his failure to be emotionally present when his wife needs him. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Isaiah Betts makes his Dobama premier in fine fashion as Joey. He has a nice touch for both drama and comedy, and displays solid acting chops. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />It is always difficult to design a set in Dobama’s long narrow stage space. Naoko Skala has succeeded in fitting three unique settings into the space. Jeremy Paul’s lighting and Angie Hayes’ sound designs helps the rapid-fire scenes in perspective. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">Capsule judgment: </span><span style="outline: none !important;">Combine the fine writing by Selina Fillinger, with the focused directing of Shannon Sindelar, add in the excellent technical aspects of the Dobama staff, and three finely-etched realistic portrayals, and the result is a superb evening of must-see theatre.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">SOMETHING CLEAN</span> runs through March 30, 2024 at Dobama on Lee road in Cleveland Heights. For tickets: call 216.932.3396 or go to <a class="removed-link" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: underline;" target="_blank">https://www.dobama.org/</a></span></b></span></span></p></div></td><td style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" width="20"><b><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></b></td></tr><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td colspan="3" style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" valign="bottom" width="350"><b><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-82833278751672068882024-02-22T17:45:00.003-05:002024-02-22T17:45:43.312-05:00 People who enjoy musicals may love FUNNY GIRL at Connor Palace!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwehKq_8819kS9MSl0EupHv80ITzD5Mm5iac1J4-k7qMJGy6hwXZnqadS9iuTAmXFNZP4XMKP-SihsL9EJfS2hKg6jXgIPCJRwzLuZxtkyzTDI4laAIl7GZJ0jla5zwk6pu3eRA4BEZxD2EUu066WjZHQcWHFzFgAvHudwGAMXSNcw9GddSaw_dhjCVM/s299/download-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="299" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwehKq_8819kS9MSl0EupHv80ITzD5Mm5iac1J4-k7qMJGy6hwXZnqadS9iuTAmXFNZP4XMKP-SihsL9EJfS2hKg6jXgIPCJRwzLuZxtkyzTDI4laAIl7GZJ0jla5zwk6pu3eRA4BEZxD2EUu066WjZHQcWHFzFgAvHudwGAMXSNcw9GddSaw_dhjCVM/s1600/download-8.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><br /><p></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important; width: 350px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" valign="top" width="310"><div id="yiv9461383779templateBodyCopy" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; outline: none !important;"><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: none !important;"><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 15px; outline: none !important;"> </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #800180; font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><b><span style="color: white;">Fania Borch was one of early 20<sup style="outline: none !important;">th</sup> century vaudeville’s greatest stars. Fania?? Oh, Fanny Brice, as she was known on the Ziegfeld Follies circuit, and is the nominal subject of <em style="outline: none !important;">FUNNY GIRL</em>, now on stage at the Connor Palace as part of the Key Bank Broadway Series. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Brice was born on the Lower East Side of New York in 1891. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Her tale of stardom and a life of both fame and sorrow, started when, in 1908, she dropped out of school to work in a burlesque revue. She made her mark by singing Irving Berlin’s “Sadie Salome, Go Home,” with a put-on Yiddish accent, (she didn’t speak Yiddish) while performing a parody of the veil dance from Richard Strauss’ opera <em style="outline: none !important;">SALOME</em>.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Several years later, because of her comedic skills, and having “chutzpah” (Yiddish for audacity) to stand up to him, she was made a headliner-act by Flo Ziegfeld in his <em style="outline: none !important;">FOLLIES</em>.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Brice is noted for her “goofy elasticity” and “spoofing the grand pretensions of the middle-class arts—ballet, the Barrymore acting style, ragtime and even herself.”<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Brice, whose farce skills were the forerunner for the likes of Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett, was also noted for her emotional vocal delivery of her theme song, “My Man” and her delightful “Second Hand Rose” and “Sam, You Made the Pants Too Long.” (None of these are in the score of <em style="outline: none !important;">FUNNY GIRL</em>.) These songs, are also credited to Barbra Streisand, who played the role of Fanny in the original Broadway and then movie version or of the show.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">FUNNY GIRL</em> introduces not only Fanny’s rise to fame, but her love affair and later marriage and life with Nicky Arnstein, a ne’er do well gambler and con-man, who served time in both Sing Sing and Leavenworth jails. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Don’t go to see the touring production expecting to see imitations of Streisand or Leah Michelle (who starred in the 2022 revival of <em style="outline: none !important;">FUNNY GIRL</em>). Katherina McCrimmon who is portraying Fanny, has her own version of the role. She acts, performs and sings the role with her own persona. No heavy accent, no attempt at broad exaggerated farce, and no imitation of the Brice vocal sounds. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Maybe it’s McCrimmon’s non-New York background, but it is Brice, without Brice.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The interpretation makes for a serious feeling to the show.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Fanny’s mother and her card playing neighbors, are delightfully portrayed by Barbara Tirrell, Eileen T’Kaye and Cindy Change. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Stephen Mark Lukas, who is matinee idol handsome, with a cut gym body that, when he appeared in an open bathrobe, got whistles and cat-calls, is properly conniving as Nick Arnstein. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Izaiah Montaque Harris, he of talented tap-dancing feet, is compelling as Eddie Ryan, Fanny’s friend and neighbor.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The touring show has a small chorus which becomes obvious in the Follies scenes where few dancers portray being many. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The sets are mainly drops.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The small orchestra often sounds electronic, but plays the music well.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The sound system is, as is often the case at the Connor Palace, adequate. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The show is directed by Michael Mayer, with choreography by Ellenore Scott and tap choreography by Ayodele Casel.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />CAPSULE JUDGMENT: <em style="outline: none !important;">FUNNY GIRL is a throwback to the traditional musical. From the sprightly overture, to the sequential story line, to an I want song (“Who are You Now!), that sets the show’s storyline in action, to the big score which is nicely woven into the storyline, to several hit songs (“People” and Don’t Rain on My Parade”), it is meant to entertain audiences and, in spite of what some will think is a misinterpretation of the role of Fanny, entertain it does. </em><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">FUNNY GIRL</em>, an offering of the Key Bank Broadway Series runs at the Connor Palace through March 10, 2024. For tickets call 216-241-6000 or go to <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=214b1b763a&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">www.playhousesquare.org</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Next up: Huntington Feature Performance of <em style="outline: none !important;">ANNIE</em>, March 19-22, 2024.</span></b></span></p></div></td><td style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" width="20"><b><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></b></td></tr><tr style="outline: none !important;"></tr></tbody></table><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-27668485170032883242024-02-20T09:22:00.005-05:002024-02-20T09:22:43.932-05:00ALTER—impressive new play gets strong production at Cleveland Public Theatre<p> <strong style="color: #404040; font-family: Palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><span style="color: red; outline: none !important;"> </span></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong style="color: #404040; font-family: Palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAJnEMyMx2aOIUvQlfqZRGDK-YokQrD3sf_b0EIwk0TtF1HZRsaU2axVTtBwJGaNAu7btvqERNRwczvo4TeYFmNr81tyNFIKIV3kI5GwnZOmPww2dpAO1ueaeQgPZ2aaKaFgZTuhXTeXW8qWTtTfcycP0cbmx4l7oHybpteokhDnuIG5eWpUNfpbY28w/s1080/alter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAJnEMyMx2aOIUvQlfqZRGDK-YokQrD3sf_b0EIwk0TtF1HZRsaU2axVTtBwJGaNAu7btvqERNRwczvo4TeYFmNr81tyNFIKIV3kI5GwnZOmPww2dpAO1ueaeQgPZ2aaKaFgZTuhXTeXW8qWTtTfcycP0cbmx4l7oHybpteokhDnuIG5eWpUNfpbY28w/s320/alter.jpg" width="320" /></a></strong></div><strong style="color: #404040; font-family: Palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><br /></strong><p></p><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040;"> </span><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><br style="outline: none !important;" />Developing an original new play script is a daunting task. The writer must have an idea, topic, or belief that they want to present in dramatic form. The script gets written, usually rewritten and then rewritten a number of times. Table readings or workshops allow the writer to “hear” the effect of the language choice and whether the intent of the script is achieved. Ideally, this “tryout” process continues until the writer is satisfied that they have achieved their intent.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">ALTER</em>, which is now in production at Cleveland Public Theatre has had extensive vetting. It’s journey to its present state started in 2017, when as author Tania Benites relates in her program notes, that she “started to explore playwriting in a workshop offered by Teatro Püblico de Cleveland. “ <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />In 2018 the manuscript had a staged reading. An excerpt was performed in 2019 and in 2023 the play, as a whole, was presented as part of <em style="outline: none !important;">Test Flight</em>. This led, as Benites states, “allowed me to deepen my understanding of my own story and prepare for this main stage production. “<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />All that work was worth the effort! <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The play examines what happens when our wishes for what we want to be takes form as we work to achieve our supposed goals. Sometimes, as Benites shares with us, what we wish for alters us so much that we lose who we are and it is replaced by a “new” person. The end result may not be what we had envisioned.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />As the author also states, “While I believe self-improvement is important and good, the self-help world can often become toxic and encourage the myth that you must always be optimizing and leveling up to be successful, no matter what.”<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The official description calls <em style="outline: none !important;">ALTER</em> a workplace dramedy, but the playwright sees it as more of a dark comedy with thriller and horror elements.<br style="outline: none !important;" />For the viewer this can be both a cautionary tale and a lesson in the adage “be careful what you wish for.”<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The story, which is told in English with Spanish supertitles, centers on customer service representative Maria, who, using a self-help book entitled <em style="outline: none !important;">Hypnosis for Self Confidence</em>, follows the dictates of the book in her attempt to succeed in the corporate world, as well as in her personal and family relationships. She becomes wildly successful in her job, but destroys the life of a co-worker, sends a dating relationship into a tail-spin, stumbles in her role as daughter and, eventually, eliminates her sense of self.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Director Kari Barclay keeps the actions moving along so smoothly that the 90-minute production, with no intermission, speeds right by. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The scenes are well staged, the character development clear, and the humor and tensions well honed.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Andrea de la Fuenta doesn’t act Maria, she understands the motivations of the character and develops them. She is Maria. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />She is nicely balanced by Rajah Morales, M/Figure, Maria’s “alter” self.<br style="outline: none !important;" />The rest of cast, Alisha Caraballo, Mónica A. Cerpa Zúñiga, Sylka Edmonson, Lionel Morales, David L. Munnell give excellent supporting performances.<br style="outline: none !important;" />Benjamin Gantose’s set and light designs work well.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">Capsule judgment: It is always interesting to see a new script in its first full production. With ALTER, the viewer not only gets to see the birth, but also experience a fine staging values. Congrats to Tania Benites for developing a meaningful play and to Cleveland Public Theatre for giving the audience a fine experience. </em><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">ALTER</em> is playing at Cleveland Public Theatre’s James Levin Theatre, 6415 Detroit Ave., February 8-24. Tickets are choose-what-you-pay with a suggested price of $1 to $80. Visit <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=1b292a4dbe&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">cptonline.org</a> for more information and to purchase.</span></strong></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-61440979160016807222024-02-17T16:00:00.003-05:002024-02-17T16:23:25.569-05:00MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZi2PHjmaw0l3BmAOKaA14j4CJcW1CnH5LHnFFW8hUy4aBx3Ql9H9OqHTlpSVtTyAX1Rdn4XiqMdVUymPF0oCI8ZNsTlygZSqVEwHZ1DwbSvxIVFwO_LzQ8E5nYThURT1SVyGV0sRHTYnC_EkTXUwTEgxF6sq33ldkKoJ8rsUJfBYVnomifGshzc_8_Q/s1535/thumbnail-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZi2PHjmaw0l3BmAOKaA14j4CJcW1CnH5LHnFFW8hUy4aBx3Ql9H9OqHTlpSVtTyAX1Rdn4XiqMdVUymPF0oCI8ZNsTlygZSqVEwHZ1DwbSvxIVFwO_LzQ8E5nYThURT1SVyGV0sRHTYnC_EkTXUwTEgxF6sq33ldkKoJ8rsUJfBYVnomifGshzc_8_Q/s320/thumbnail-2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important; width: 350px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" valign="top" width="310"><div id="yiv3899594192templateBodyCopy" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px; outline: none !important;"><p style="font-family: Palatino; margin: 0px; outline: none !important;"><span style="outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: large;">Bertolt Brecht was one of the most influential writers and theatrical theorist in the history of Western theatre. His major concept, which he identified as Epic Theatre, was based on the theory, as he stated, “that a play should not cause the spectator to identify emotionally with the characters or action before him or her, but should instead provoke rational self-reflection and a critical view of the action on the stage.” <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />This Epic Theatre concept is the basis for understanding, appreciating and gaining from his play <em style="outline: none !important;">MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN</em>, now on stage at Ensemble Theatre. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />This concept is further understood by realizing that Brecht also believed that, “Art is not a mirror to hold up to reality, rather a hammer to shape it.” That a writer needs to not only reflect what is happening in the society, but also to take a stand as to what to do about it.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN</em> was written by Brecht, but has been translated and reinterpreted by modern playwright Tony Kushner, noted for such influential and prize-winning <em style="outline: none !important;">ANGELS IN AMERICA</em> which is built on the Epic concept.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />In this writings and Brecht’s other writings, such as <em style="outline: none !important;">THE THREEPENNY OPERA</em> (1928) and <em style="outline: none !important;">THE LIFE OF GALILEO</em> (1943), he set forth to criticize the flaws of capitalism, rant against the futility and ridiculousness of war, and propose courses of action to change our flawed world.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN</em> was Brecht’s reaction to the rise of Hitler.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />His social and political views forced him to flee Germany during the Nazi years, go to and from various European countries, and eventually come and then leave the United States, when he found himself under surveillance by the FBI.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Many of his beliefs were handed down from his devout Protestant grandmother and mother, who not only taught him the ways of the Bible, but that of the "dangerous image of the self-denying woman." This tenant is a recuring theme in his drama, especially in <em style="outline: none !important;">MOTHER COURAGE.</em><br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN</em>, which many theatrical scholars believe is Brecht’s greatest work, centers on personal survival, the role of motherhood, the evils of profiteering, the cruelty and futility of war, religious hypocrisy, and the dangers of capitalism.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The plot centers on Mother Courage who follows the troops during the thirty years war, selling goods and services, often putting her livelihood above the needs and wants of her three children, all of whom become the casualties of war and profiteering.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The Ensemble production is creatively co-directed by Rebecca Moseley & Ian Wolfgang Hinz. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The duo chose to stage the play in a runway configuration, in which the audience is on both sides of the stage, forcing attenders to not only see the action of the actors, but the reactions others viewers. This carries out Brecht’s concept of insuring that audience members be aware that they are watching a play, and that they have an obligation to use the information that is being shared with them to go back into the world and take action.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The cast of local performers, who are on-stage for the entire performance, often sitting within the audience or perched on various parts of the set, are headed by Laura Rauh, as Mother Courage. She gives a mesmerizing performance. She controls the stage with her emotional involvement in creating a self-denying strong woman who knows what must be done to survive, and does it.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Strong performances are also given by Dan Zalevsky, as the The Chaplain and Leah Paige Smith as Yvette, a prostitute who, like Mother Courage, also knows how to survive.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />As her children, Kierstan Kathleen Conway is convincingly pathetic as Katrin, the disfigured daughter, Michael J. Montanus well-develops the role of mentally challenged Swiss Cheese, and Santino Montanez (Eilif) who is effectively strong as the son who goes off to war.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Others in the well-honed cast are Joseph Milan, Kyle Huff, Emily Terry, Arianna Starkman, Kelly Dunn, Mattie Blick, Jabri Little, & Kennan Carosielli. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Katie Wells and Rebecca Moseley’s costumes, Ian Hinz’s lighting and Rebeca Moseley’s props and sound all add positively to the production.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">Capsule judgment: Theatre lovers, rejoice! At 2 hours and 30 minutes MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN is a long sit, but a well-worth investment of time when realizing that you are seeing one of the epics of Western culture’s theatrical cannon which is getting an impressive staging.</em><br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The show runs February 9-25, 2024 at Notre Dame College’s Performing Arts Center, 4545 College Road, South Euclid. There is lots of free parking next to the building. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />For tickets go to <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=00a170b363&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.ensembletheatrecle.org/mother-courage</a> for more information!<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Content Advisory: This production contains strong language and themes.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Next up at Ensemble: The world premiere of <em style="outline: none !important;">THE PROSPECT OF EQUALITY</em> by Rachel Zake. Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s story!</span></strong></span></p></div></td><td style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" width="20"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></td></tr><tr style="outline: none !important;"></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-65856906830978489632024-02-13T08:37:00.004-05:002024-02-13T08:37:33.439-05:00Baldwin Wallace students shine brightly in RIDE THE CYCLONE at Beck Center <p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important; width: 350px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" valign="top" width="310"><div id="yiv2360828386templateBodyCopy" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; outline: none !important;"><p style="margin: 0px; outline: none !important;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzApGniPMdH6JktvX07bn23ZFcOxxLYQR-kqpTpTEUNmnKDFembD3Ax41xcj0GRZEyqzmEw-_x5Of7CGSoR_m4gqg2hv0zecz5dKXlXYdbLg3HHHG0qQW90oWLO8uRJ4ZEOUQiXO5bVf6-qvAi9oTYME_niMkssjAg3v3QNAD48X87F9iMRx3EW-SpOcE/s1080/cyclone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1080" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzApGniPMdH6JktvX07bn23ZFcOxxLYQR-kqpTpTEUNmnKDFembD3Ax41xcj0GRZEyqzmEw-_x5Of7CGSoR_m4gqg2hv0zecz5dKXlXYdbLg3HHHG0qQW90oWLO8uRJ4ZEOUQiXO5bVf6-qvAi9oTYME_niMkssjAg3v3QNAD48X87F9iMRx3EW-SpOcE/s320/cyclone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="color: #404040; font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;"> </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">Theater, as all of the arts, represents the era from which it comes. We live in a period of confusion, conflict, uncertainty, changing customs and practices. Present day dramas and musicals reflect today’s political, racial, religious, technical, cultural, language, and gender/sexual issues.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;"> </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="font-family: palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;">RIDE THE CYCLONE</em><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">, with music, lyrics and book by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, which is now being produced, in its regional premiere at the Beck Center, is a case in point.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">The show opened Off-Broadway in November, 2016 and ran until December 18 of that year. </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="font-family: palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;">CYCLONE</em><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;"> centers on the fictional St. Cassian High School chamber choir from Uranium City, Saskatchewan, Canada. While on a trip, which includes a visit to a carnival, the members die on The Cyclone, a roller coaster that malfunctioned.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;"> </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">The spirits of five choir members, before they go to the “after life,” are told, by The Amazing Karnak, a mechanical fortune teller, that one of them will get a chance to return to life. The fortunate “winner” will be selected by the unanimous votes of the group after hearing from each as to why they should be allowed to live. </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">There is a sixth victim of the malfunction, Jane Doe, who was so named because no family came to claim her body. Her real identity is unknown to herself or anyone else. She is wearing the same school uniform as the others, but none of them remember her.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">Karnak reads a prophecy: "Whoever wants to win it the most shall redeem the loser in order to complete the whole."</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">Each “contestant” tells and sings a song themed around themself. </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;"> </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">Presentations vary. One young lady recounts her self-importance and that others fall far short compared to her.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">Others follow relating the tale of their lives and the influence of varying things including reality television shows, living a life of tragedy, having feelings of isolation, the role of rap/hip-hop music, posts on YouTube, online dating, existing with a degenerative disease, the effect of fantasy, the function of animals on one’s life, the lose of virginity, and the diminishment of respect for parents.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">Rather than singing about her past and her hopes, dreams, and fantasies, Jane Doe sings about her own despair as her spirit has no memory of who she was. </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">At last, it is time for the final vote. It is here that the “moral” of the script comes forth-- “that at the end of the day life is not a game to be won, but a ride to be enjoyed through all its ups and downs.”</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">The show, which is expertly directed by Victoria Bussert, is partially double cast. </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">The Raptor Cast, which I saw, was universally excellent. The singing, acting and dancing, as should be expected from students of the highly respected BW Musical Theatre Program, was of the highest quality. </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">Matt Koenig, an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Baldwin-Wallace is totally mesmerizing as Karnak. His mechanical movement and voice are amazingly accurate.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">Other members of the stellar Raptor Cast are Joë Lewis-McLean, Alexa Lopez, Izzy Baker, Elliot </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">Block, Danny Bó and Benjamin Michael Hall.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">The scenic design Trad A Burns’ is outstanding, as are his lighting effects. Carlton Guc’s sound design, Jack-Anthony Ina’s projection designs, Matthew Webb’s musical direction and Lauren Tidmore Marousek’s choreography all add to the over-all positive effect of the production.</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">Capsule Judgment: The strong directing, performances and production qualities of RIDE THE CYCLONE THE MUSICAL overcome the less than stellar book and music to make this is definitely worthy of a trip to Beck Center where the audience gets to appreciate and wonder at the talents of the students enrolled in the BW Musical Theatre program.</span></em><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="font-family: palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;">RIDE THE CYCLONE THE MUSICAL runs through February 25 at the Senney Theater in the Beck Center for the Arts complex. </em><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none !important;">For tickets call 216-521-2540 or go to </span><a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=82914fe5fb&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">beckcenter.org</a></span></strong><p></p></div></td><td style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" width="20"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></td></tr><tr style="outline: none !important;"></tr></tbody></table><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-60551247783003156842024-02-12T10:54:00.002-05:002024-02-12T10:54:44.859-05:00Murder, mystery, farcical humor…AGATHA CHRISTIE’S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS @ GLT<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9TYBv-xcW2OpR35sd-cdd3gZsYF9xfa5pSoBlWN10ErsRzYKL9GVe5jqyBuU16CRv8YNAFUV9nutmSRH9do-Q3LR0lTOX0KsA9DaXgteHh3yST3CiKXgKDXh2akzGSAQQDN2HzFz88druQ4hQmxfUhn2i_6GqyslaNykxWZW2HfDnDvUz-0i-_Y8bqw/s1749/glt020824532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1749" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9TYBv-xcW2OpR35sd-cdd3gZsYF9xfa5pSoBlWN10ErsRzYKL9GVe5jqyBuU16CRv8YNAFUV9nutmSRH9do-Q3LR0lTOX0KsA9DaXgteHh3yST3CiKXgKDXh2akzGSAQQDN2HzFz88druQ4hQmxfUhn2i_6GqyslaNykxWZW2HfDnDvUz-0i-_Y8bqw/s320/glt020824532.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; outline: none;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; outline: none;" /><strong style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: 18px; outline: none;">Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Known as “The Duchess of Death", the "Mistress of Mystery", and the "Queen of Crime,’” her popularity was based on her plots being possible and logical. As a literary critic once wrote, "At the start of each novel, she shows us an apparently impossible situation and we go mad wondering ‘How can this be happening?'. Then, slowly, she reveals how the impossible is not only possible but the only thing that could have happened.”<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Though she is best known for her novels, she also wrote the world's longest-running play, <em style="outline: none;">THE MOUSETRAP</em> which has been performed continually in London since 1952. An interesting bit of theater history is that Christie gave the rights, and therefore all of the royalties to <em style="outline: none;">THE MOUSETRAP,</em> to her grandson Mathew Prichard as his 9<sup style="outline: none;">th</sup> birthday present.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Because Dame Christie wrote plays, be aware that <em style="outline: none;">MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS</em>, which is now on stage at Great Lakes Theater, don’t assume that she was the script’s author. The playscript was adopted by Ken Ludwig, from the Christie book.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Ludwig is a well-known writer who specializes in farcical works. His <em style="outline: none;">LEND ME A TENOR, MOON OVER BUFFALO, SHAKESPEARE IN HOLLYWOOD, THE GAMES AFOOT </em>and<em style="outline: none;"> A COMEDY OF TENORS</em> have had local productions. In fact, <em style="outline: none;">THE THREE MUSKETEERS</em> is now on stage at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre. His <em style="outline: none;">LEADING LADIES</em>, received its world premiere at Houston’s Alley Theatre, in co-production with the Cleveland Play House.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" /><em style="outline: none;">MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS </em>is widely regarded as one of Agatha Christie’s greatest literary achievements. First published in 1934, the play version had its world premiere in 2017.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />“It's 1934. Passengers aboard the opulent Orient Express awake to frightful news: Overnight, the American business mogul among them was stabbed to death behind locked doors. Thankfully, debonair detective Hercule Poirot is on the train and on the case. He promptly begins interviewing suspects, securing alibis and forming theories about the killer, who remains at large and could be closing in on the next victim. As the plot thickens and the travelers grow restless, Poirot presents scenarios about who murdered the mogul and why, taking the audience on a wildly glamorous crime-solving ride.”<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />It helps, in watching the play to know that the novel is a meditation on revenge and justice. In addition, Ludwig’s adaptation for the stage streamlines the plot, which was inspired by the famous kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby. Be aware that the ending is unlike any that Christie ever wrote as two different conclusions can logically be induced. Also, that the GLT production is directed by the theater’s Artistic Director, Charles Fee.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Fee, as the director makes a great difference in how the play is staged. He loves farce. There is no slammed door, double-entendre, pratfall, absurdity, ridiculous situation, reversal of expectations and mistaken identity, that the man does not like, and he feels obligated to use as many as possible in his staging. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Given that Ludwig is a master at writing farce, and Fee is accomplished in staging them, the audience gets a delight filled “Christie” experience.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Fee is supported by a superb set of technicians. Rick Martin’s opulent, art-deco revolving “moving” train set is ingenious. His lighting design and Patrick John Kiernam’s sound design underscore the tension and action. There is even a snow storm on stage.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The large cast, is headed by David Anthony Smith, and his marvelous mustache, as Hercule Poirot. The actors all know how to perform the difficult task of performing farce. Every one of them is believable as the perpetuator of the crime. And, who knows, maybe they are!!! Hmm…who did it…the conductor or the actress or the secretary or . . .?<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" /><em style="outline: none;">Capsule judgment: Agatha Christie’s MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS gets a wonderful staging at GLT. It challenges the imagination, it delights, it makes for a special evening of theatre. Yes, if you want a couple of hours out of the time we are all spending in this stressful world, this is an absolute GO SEE!</em><br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" /><em style="outline: none;">Agatha Christie’s MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS</em> runs through March 3, 2024. For tickets go to <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=0727fc172d&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.greatlakestheater.org</a> (216) 241-6000.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Next up: March 22-April 7, 2024: THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR.</span></strong><div><span style="color: #404040; font-family: Palatino;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzgC49ogm6olcHezY0PhyNh6i97gsXmfgXJ-fiUlaXCk97KOWRE3xshczCDL5CV70lX3g4ijs-964ANQW4Mx_N5R3Kogu729y2RKN9qMH-0Pg_A5gOjJiTZQJey8yw1LSr7Yeg5_kwp0hyiGeURF_7j46Snw15i5g6c9Q1O7PUJ4eBIonuPaA2hsI7Wk/s1749/glt020824559.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1749" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzgC49ogm6olcHezY0PhyNh6i97gsXmfgXJ-fiUlaXCk97KOWRE3xshczCDL5CV70lX3g4ijs-964ANQW4Mx_N5R3Kogu729y2RKN9qMH-0Pg_A5gOjJiTZQJey8yw1LSr7Yeg5_kwp0hyiGeURF_7j46Snw15i5g6c9Q1O7PUJ4eBIonuPaA2hsI7Wk/s320/glt020824559.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-51440386051983922312024-02-02T14:50:00.002-05:002024-02-02T14:50:29.728-05:00Karamu stages the world premiere of THE BREAKFAST AT THE BOOKSTORE<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important; width: 350px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" valign="top" width="310"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div id="yiv3240084231templateBodyCopy" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; outline: none !important;"><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: none !important;"><span style="color: #404040;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #404040;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBvcmJjYJ5VOmdLS-UcxphpRZcuXnAzM9_24AFsSxpasdRzoDC8fxaqub8CLhn4toAOt62A4OLbfJ6sG29dj9gJ8fiVZli05PeMPG7EyiQLETPGfs7EjSlcndKyQfQ-O23-ijLIjGyyBqsFzudF3VV2fw40SsiEiDNsyFMi8fqX9pTl0JrvR2SgSuk5s/s286/download-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="176" data-original-width="286" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBvcmJjYJ5VOmdLS-UcxphpRZcuXnAzM9_24AFsSxpasdRzoDC8fxaqub8CLhn4toAOt62A4OLbfJ6sG29dj9gJ8fiVZli05PeMPG7EyiQLETPGfs7EjSlcndKyQfQ-O23-ijLIjGyyBqsFzudF3VV2fw40SsiEiDNsyFMi8fqX9pTl0JrvR2SgSuk5s/s1600/download-1.jpg" width="286" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #404040;"><br /> </span><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /><strong style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;">Lisa Langford, the author of THE BREAKFAST AT THE BOOKSTORE, which is getting its world premiere at Karamu, the nation’s oldest African American theater, is a Cleveland based actress and playwright. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />This script won the Pittsburgh Public Theatre’s 2022 New Play Contest. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The play, which contains adult language, sexual suggestiveness, and descriptions of violence, is set in a Glenville storefront in 1973. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The tale centers on Dot, who wants to be an activist and support the Black liberation movement by opening a revolutionary bookstore which will serve free breakfasts to the local people. A conflict centers on the opposition of her common-law husband and a former Black nationalist, who is opposed to the idea.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Why Dot had this strong drive to give out free breakfasts is not clearly developed in the script, which is divided into 12 scenes, and is often short on clarity and references which might clarify for the viewer. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The play also lacks meaning, for example, if the viewer does not know, as the program indicates, that “UFO traditions are closely related to Black supernatural traditions. For African Americans, generally, the supernatural isn’t spooky: ancestors hang around, they help us. [The supernatural] gives them a sense of meaning in the concrete world in a way that allows them to re-envision who they are to empower themselves in a world they see as against them.” <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Though long-term locals may know, but newbies or those not from the area will not be aware, is that in 1968 the Glenville Uprising took place.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />As the program notes indicate: “For several hours, gunfire engulfed the Black neighborhood of Glenville [located along the East 105<sup style="outline: none !important;">th</sup> corridor between Euclid and St. Clair Avenues]. The Black Nationalists of New Libya exchanged shots with the Cleveland Police Department from the apartments and homes. By the end of the night, seven men had been killed, including three police officers, three black nationalists, and one civilian. Several houses in the Glenville neighborhood were on fire and at least 15 individuals were injured.” <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Nina Dominque, the play’s director, in her “Director’s Note” states: “Dot represents all the young people trying to find their place in activist spaces.” <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The cast, Dar’Jon Bentley (Haywood), Mariah Burks (Dot on the night I saw the show), Carolyn Demanelis (Fran) and Prophet Seay (Sharpe) were excellent in developing the characters they were given to play. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The set, lights, costumes and sound all aided in developing the production.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">Capsule judgment: According to the program notes, Dot, the fulcrum around which the plot circulates, “represents the next generation of freedom fighters who refuse to be restricted by binaries and demand that we acknowledge their full humanity in all its complexity.” Oh, if that were only true, and the playwright made this clearer in her writing. As is, I doubt whether that erudite message was what many in the audience garnered from the presentation.</em><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">THE BREAKFAST AT THE BOOKSTORE</em> runs January 26-February 18, 2024 at Karamu. For tickets call 216-795-7077 or go to <u style="outline: none !important;">karamuhouse.org</u></span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-size: 15px; outline: none !important;">Next up: March 8-31, 2024, <em style="outline: none !important;">IT HAPPENED IN ATLANTA</em>--—As four college friends from Cleveland come together for their 20<sup style="outline: none !important;">th</sup> college reunion weekend they are forced to wrestle with what happened in Atlanta.</span></strong></span><p></p></div></td><td style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" width="20"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></td></tr><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td colspan="3" style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" valign="bottom" width="350"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></td></tr></tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-87583004490467651232024-01-29T09:34:00.004-05:002024-02-02T14:56:05.984-05:00 Dobama’s AT THE WAKE OF A DEAD DRAG QUEEN fulfills theater’s mission, but isn’t for everyone!<p><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none;"></span></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbuhqpClvgRce8ncr4_0CWw2vTd_P6iFSzWb6mq4y-Kuk_GQ_v_1u-9BD42VBJzoEMzqYEOTKGXKGvx9RW4NyRuEfqPXsfhsJnosagn4ta9qAKz-3XLFKJp-lVwrJkK9xCVr2bhkSLtGRudK_M9A6IfU2P-CzeCACAMp6I-3P335P2Ws-K7PN7lvGZIA/s1068/thumbnail-4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1068" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbuhqpClvgRce8ncr4_0CWw2vTd_P6iFSzWb6mq4y-Kuk_GQ_v_1u-9BD42VBJzoEMzqYEOTKGXKGvx9RW4NyRuEfqPXsfhsJnosagn4ta9qAKz-3XLFKJp-lVwrJkK9xCVr2bhkSLtGRudK_M9A6IfU2P-CzeCACAMp6I-3P335P2Ws-K7PN7lvGZIA/s320/thumbnail-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></strong></div><strong style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none;"><br /> </strong><strong style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: 18px; outline: none;">Dobama bills itself as the area’s Off-Broadway theatre. It is “dedicated to premiering important new plays by established and emerging playwrights in professional productions of the highest quality. Through theatrical production, community engagement, and education programming, Dobama nurtures the development of theatre artists and builds new audiences for the arts while provoking an examination of our contemporary world.”</span></strong><p></p><div style="outline: none;"><strong style="font-family: "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; font-size: 16px; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: 18px; outline: none;"> <br style="outline: none;" />The theater’s production, <em style="outline: none;">AT THE WAKE OF A DEAD DRAG QUEEN, </em>fulfills the venues mission, especially since Dobama has added “Full Circle Program” to its objectives. That objective “connects audiences with organizations relevant to each production.” <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />To fully understand how the offering satisfies the objective, it is necessary to know that <em style="outline: none;">AT THE WAKE OF A DEAD DRAG QUEEN</em> follows the complicated lives and the relationship of two drag queens. Courtney Berringers (given name: Anthony Knighton) welcomes guests to her wake. She has recently died from complications due to AIDS. In a series of flash backs we are exposed to Courtney’s life and complex relationship with Vickie (Hunter), her fellow drag queen.<br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />The duos relationship is full of love and heartbreak. <br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />To fully appreciate the script, it is helpful to know, as Terry Guest, the play’s author explains “when he was 15, his uncle…sat me down and said, ‘I am gay and I have AIDS’ literally in the same conversation. I was in the closet, but was queer but was really conflicted by that. I was barely out of the closet to myself.” <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />His uncle died about a year after that conversation. He recounts, “That was tough for me. It shoved me further in the closet and further into religion for a couple years, but I still had this interest in exploring his life and honoring him in some way, but I didn’t know how.” <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Guest felt that someday he would want to explore those complex feelings of inner turmoil, confusion and fear, which led him to write <em style="outline: none;">AT THE WAKE OF A DEAD DRAG QUEEN</em>. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />As part of the Full Circle Program, Dobama has employed well-known Queer local Black drag queen “Onya Nurve as a consultant on the show, to help ensure that the production is rehearsed and performed with cultural competency. Nurve has been present in rehearsals and is assisting on choreography, make-up, costume, and dramaturgy.” <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />“Because this play deals heavily with the health disparities facing BIPOC LGBTQ+ people living with HIV, Dobama is partnering with the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland to provide free HIV testing, resources and information to audiences. There will be pre- and post-show discussions throughout the run with representatives from the AIDS Task Force, area Drag performers, and Dobama Artists involved with the production. Also being planned in collaboration with area organizations is a Drag Story Hour and a Drag Cabaret Show. Visit <a href="http://dobama.org/drag-queen" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none;" target="_blank">dobama.org/drag-queen </a>for details about these events as they become available.”<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The Dobama production is directed by Preston Crowder, an Oberlin grad, who is a playwright-actor-director-songwriter with a passion for telling stories surrounding the vast experiences of being Black and Queer in the United States.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The two-person show stars Jason Eno (Courtney/Anthony) and Dan Hendrock (Vickie/Hunter). <br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />The roles require vulnerability and strength in addition to a keen awareness of the scars that each carry, probing the inner depths of each to truly tap into the emotions that should be every-present.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Though they give full effort in the ever-present costume/wig/emotion-changing roles, neither actor totally grabs and holds their character, as a person or as a drag performer. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />There is a “stagey” quality to their performances that doesn’t quite allow us to believe they are real people or are emotionally hooked on each other. Neither their kissing or sex scenes are totally believable. And, in spite of their tutoring by Onya Nurve, neither reaches the RuPaul level of “fabulousness” when performing in drag.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Suwatana Rockland’s costumes are grand, as appropriately grand as they should be for a backwoods Georgia drag show. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The creative team for the production includes Scenic Design by Ben Needham, Lighting Design by Ben Gantose, Sound Design by Megan “Deets” Culley, Props Design by Vanessa Cook, Intimacy Direction by Casey Venema & Colin Anderson, Assistant Direction by Ananias J. Dixon, and Technical Direction by Jeremy Paul. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" /><em style="outline: none;">Capsule judgment: </em><em style="outline: none;">The show, which gets an acceptable performance, isn't for everyone. However, it should make audience members think and expose the average person to people and a way-of-life beyond their norm experience.</em><em style="outline: none;"> It’s worth a go-see!<br style="outline: none;" /></em><br style="outline: none;" />For tickets to <em style="outline: none;">AT THE WAKE OF A DEAD DRAG QUEEN</em>, which runs through February 18, 2024, call 216.932.3396 or go to <a class="yiv2284554571enhancr_card_6802888738" href="https://www.dobama.org/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none;" target="_blank">Dobama Theatre</a><br style="outline: none;" />Next up: March 8-30—<em style="outline: none;">SOMETHING CLEAN</em>—The line between love and complicity isn’t clean as is revealed in one woman’s struggle to make sense of her own grief, love, and culpability.</span><div style="outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /></div></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-15620756166679023912024-01-11T13:15:00.006-05:002024-01-11T13:15:40.497-05:00Rob McClure makes it look “Easy Peasy” as he shines in MRS. DOUBTFIRE at Connor Palace<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important; width: 350px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" valign="top" width="310"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><div id="yiv3013094796templateBodyCopy" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px; outline: none !important;"><p style="color: #404040; font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><span style="color: red; outline: none !important;"></span></span></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6TJuFWmgKCwLY07V1P0eZ5Pj8Eb_dztyNgG_-hGgWs9Bt34LMKm_c8LigJKJrtDTj64v6Avd8bJT3eFRw_nswW_i6VWIuI0fCzB5WWBhT3mZZ9kdnkZ5oxmsqom92tnU6f9P6vVxNnMghf_Gz69CWOhIdkpSq968FH5IX506T6RXCwXBx0T3IKN2XQ4/s259/Unknown-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6TJuFWmgKCwLY07V1P0eZ5Pj8Eb_dztyNgG_-hGgWs9Bt34LMKm_c8LigJKJrtDTj64v6Avd8bJT3eFRw_nswW_i6VWIuI0fCzB5WWBhT3mZZ9kdnkZ5oxmsqom92tnU6f9P6vVxNnMghf_Gz69CWOhIdkpSq968FH5IX506T6RXCwXBx0T3IKN2XQ4/s1600/Unknown-3.jpeg" width="259" /></a></strong></div><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br /></strong><p></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #800180; font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><span style="color: white;">Every once in a while a theater-goer sees a production in which it becomes apparent that the lead actor was born to play a role. Julie Andrews as Eliza in <em style="outline: none !important;">MY FAIR LADY</em>, Zero Mostel in <em style="outline: none !important;">FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM</em> and Marlon Brando in <em style="outline: none !important;">STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE</em>, come to mind. </span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><span style="background-color: #800180; font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"></span></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMd8tOTFh5m04493d-omcBO9hBHzfaSJTnDOacztXcY36kcP-6EvF-xPv7PN8kCOFNZxKQNEibBy2m8EX87uRXS6-BiKvIH-k-2ZD3Dh1VwLBAzb45iQSGg7CXn6OZQJzjy_Wxry2PPNtWCLamGwMhuSA_Ng5mWlMSIKWRZIkq9m8GekA28sT9-TKaWM/s300/Unknown-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMd8tOTFh5m04493d-omcBO9hBHzfaSJTnDOacztXcY36kcP-6EvF-xPv7PN8kCOFNZxKQNEibBy2m8EX87uRXS6-BiKvIH-k-2ZD3Dh1VwLBAzb45iQSGg7CXn6OZQJzjy_Wxry2PPNtWCLamGwMhuSA_Ng5mWlMSIKWRZIkq9m8GekA28sT9-TKaWM/s1600/Unknown-2.jpeg" width="300" /></a></span></strong></div><strong style="outline: none !important;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Rob McClure was born to play Daniel/Mrs. Doubtfire. Others will play the role, but McClure owns the part! I thought that in New York, I believed that at the Key Bank touring production, now at the Connor Palace.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">MRS. DOUBTFIRE</em> is a <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=43f919042e&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Musical theatre">musical</a> based on the 1993 film of the same name, which in turn is based on the 1987 novel “<a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=58c37730dd&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Madame Doubtfire"><em style="outline: none !important;">Alias Madame Doubtfire</em></a><em style="outline: none !important;">.”</em> The musical, which has music and lyrics by <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=bb7b0fd472&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Karey Kirkpatrick">Karey</a> and <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=a942ed2ace&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Wayne Kirkpatrick">Wayne Kirkpatrick</a> and a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=8b402cc667&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="John O'Farrell (author)">John O'Farrell</a>, was directed on Broadway, and on tour by Jerry Zaks, with choreography by <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=b5ab6dc3f3&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Lorin Latarro">Lorin Latarro</a>.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=9bd0c858e2&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Rob McClure">Rob McClure</a> played the role of Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire on the Great White Way and is now inhabiting the part on tour. He was nominated as best actor by Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critic’s Circle Awards and the Tony Awards. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The show was scheduled to open in April, 2020, but was postponed due to COVID when all Broadway productions were suspended. It finally opened, to mixed reviews, with raves for McClure, but ran only 83 performances. <br style="outline: none !important;" />It is not the custom of the lead actor in the Broadway show to tour, but, in an unprecedented turn of events, McClure is traveling with the show.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The score, which was negatively evaluated on Broadway has been expanded for the tour and the London production. So, this isn’t what appeared on the Great White Way, but is a much-improved version!<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />What’s it all about? Daniel Hillard, a struggling, out-of-work actor, will do anything for his kids.<br style="outline: none !important;" />The recently unemployed voice actor, following a messy divorce, which came about as his wife Miranda divorced him after coming to the realization that her husband was an extremely immature father to their children, as well as an unfit husband to herself.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /> After losing custody, when the judge declares he needs to get a job, a place to live, and become an adult rather than playful man-child, he creates the kindly alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire, who will take care of his kids, in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. Of course, lots of pratfalls and humorous incidents allow McClure to shine, with a happy ending a must! Yes, as the last song states, “As Long as There is Love.”<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Interestingly, Anne Fine, the author of the book on which the musical is based, named the novel on a 1970s-era second-hand store, "Madame Doubtfire," located at the corner of Howe Street and South East Circus Place in Edinburgh. And, “while William's legendary character was certainly made up, it wasn't a complete work of fiction - Mrs. Doubtfire, it turns out, was actually based on an eccentric, and, reportedly foul-mouthed, Aberdeen-born shopkeeper.”<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The touring production, with the exception of a less than clearly tuned sound system, is a delight. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Maggie Lakis, Mrs. Rob McClure, in real life, sings well and develops an appropriate frustrated mother and wife. The kids, Giselle Gutierrez, Cody Braverman and Emerson Mae Chan, on the night I saw the show, are wonderful. Both Braverman and Chan had a keen sense of comic timing and got lots of laughs as well as displaying strong real-felt emotional reactions.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Aaron Kaburick, as Daniel’s brother Frank, and Nik Alexander, Frank’s lover, are great at performing schtick. The chorus sings and dances with professional verve and Leo Roberts flexes with a muscular flair!<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />If there is unusually loud audience reaction when Mr. Jolly, delightfully played by Canton native David Hibbard (who also appears as the Judge and the doctor) makes his appearance, be aware that the Ohio State grad has many followers in the Cleveland area. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">Capsule judgment: As the much-reprised song, “I Want to Be There” states, you will want to be there…at the Connor Palace…to join Rob McClure, and the rest of the cast, and enjoy the wonderful, fun-filled Mrs. Doubtfire! Go! Enjoy!</em><br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />MRS. DOUBTFIRE continues at the Connor Palace through January 28, 2024. For tickets call 216-241-6000 or go to <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=f5132b5bfd&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">playhousesquare.org</a></span></span></strong><p></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; margin: 0px; outline: none !important;"><span style="color: #442d6e;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b><br /></b></span></span><strong style="color: #404040; font-size: 12px; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=f5132b5bfd&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="color: #442d6e; outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"></a></span></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong style="color: #404040; font-size: 12px; outline: none !important;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn78f3KyVF3bitrfEeuBBJXI77BVaPE_VhWdimvF6ThgVdLT6zPH8jpYQAYHCEjgskBKToIAwwPQtQHGxS5u2lpKRO5Q_ve8fJ-3KK8ZZpLLa236wXjzLKEBzwV4p94wC84IKSDmfb5IYAQNgXppjFSZsOqw63ioGq6yNG9P7ejMHfj86920JxuPmoCOQ/s267/Unknown-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="267" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn78f3KyVF3bitrfEeuBBJXI77BVaPE_VhWdimvF6ThgVdLT6zPH8jpYQAYHCEjgskBKToIAwwPQtQHGxS5u2lpKRO5Q_ve8fJ-3KK8ZZpLLa236wXjzLKEBzwV4p94wC84IKSDmfb5IYAQNgXppjFSZsOqw63ioGq6yNG9P7ejMHfj86920JxuPmoCOQ/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" width="267" /></a></strong></div><strong style="color: #404040; font-size: 12px; outline: none !important;"><br /></strong><p></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-30887371888582855532024-01-07T12:06:00.002-05:002024-01-07T12:18:36.411-05:00 BROADWAYWORLD-Cleveland 2023 THEATER AWARDS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonra1lu9VRjJcoF_kIC4qiFU0EU15ARativnihLvPy-U4Tj9sZEWm2Ln3QD3Kg7vepf3KMCzHwy71jXnWETL9RDnnn6GiCxDiCcAX2Dz4i0ZH466N2AERJNK82PFveBKIuFKYz0ufZOLYlaRpYx310EfDbss8L0LUbJk44J4VRdrKfEaK2IeyQKTylCA/s225/download-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonra1lu9VRjJcoF_kIC4qiFU0EU15ARativnihLvPy-U4Tj9sZEWm2Ln3QD3Kg7vepf3KMCzHwy71jXnWETL9RDnnn6GiCxDiCcAX2Dz4i0ZH466N2AERJNK82PFveBKIuFKYz0ufZOLYlaRpYx310EfDbss8L0LUbJk44J4VRdrKfEaK2IeyQKTylCA/s1600/download-1.png" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">Roy Berko</span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"> </span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">Broadwayworld-Cleveland each year recognizes local theaters, performances, writers, performers and technicians of plays staged by area professional theaters during the January 1-December 31 year. Only plays which this reviewer saw, and were locally produced, are included in the citations. Shows and individuals are listed in alphabetical order, with no intention of ranking.</span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"> </span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">Best Musical Productions </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> </span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">BLACK NATIVITY</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, KARMAU HOUSE THEATRE/CLEVELAND PLAY </span></b></span></span><b style="font-size: 12pt; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">HOUSE</span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> <i style="outline: none;">CABARET</i>, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY</span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> <i style="outline: none;">FUN HOME</i>, CAIN PARK</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> <i style="outline: none;">GHOST</i>, BALDWIN WALLACE/BECK CENTER</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> <i style="outline: none;">NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812</i>, GREAT LAKES THEATER</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> <i style="outline: none;">ONCE ON THIS ISLAND</i>, </span></b></span><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">BECK CENTER <span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt; outline: none;"></span></span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> <i style="outline: none;">RENT</i>, CAIN PARK</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">Best Non-Musical Productions</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">DOUBT: A PARABLE</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, BECK CENTER</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">LITTLE WOMEN</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, DOBAMA THEATRE</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558carticleparagraph" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">LUNGS</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, </span></b></span><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">ENSEMBLE THEATRE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558carticleparagraph" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">SENSE AND SENSILITY</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, GREAT LAKES THEATER</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558carticleparagraph" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">STEW</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, DOBAMA THEATER </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">THE ISLAND</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, ENSEMBLE THEATRE</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">THE LIGHT</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, ENSEMBLE THEATRE</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">THE OTHER PLACE</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, DOBAMA THEATER</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">TROUBLE IN MIND</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, SEAT OF PANTS ENSEMBLE</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><br /></span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">Best Actors </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">– Musical</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> </span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">ALEX SYIEK<i style="outline: none;">, </i></span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, </span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">GREAT <span> </span><span> </span>LAKES </span></b></span><b style="font-size: 12pt; outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">THEATER</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> MARK DOYLE<i style="outline: none;">, GHOST, </i>BALDWIN WALLACE/BECK CENTER<i style="outline: none;"></i></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> </span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">SCOTT ESPOSITO<i style="outline: none;">, FUN HOME, CAIN PARK </i>THEATER<i style="outline: none;"></i></span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> TIM CULVER<i style="outline: none;">, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, </i></span></b></span><b style="font-size: 12pt; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">PORTHOUSE</span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">Best Actors </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">– Non-Musical</span></b></span></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">ANANIAS DIXON, <i style="outline: none;">THE LIGHT</i>, ENSEMBLE THEATRE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">CHRIS RICHARDS, <i style="outline: none;">CAT’S PAWS</i>, BECK CENTER</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">CHRISTOPHER BOHAN, <i style="outline: none;">DOUBT: A PARABLE</i>, BECK CENTER</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> DOUG SUTHERLAND, <i style="outline: none;">THE OTHER PLACE</i>, DOBAMA THEATRE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">KOYD</span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">É</span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> SOYEMI, </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">NICHOLAS BRADLEY, </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">CABARET</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">NNAMDI OKPALA, <i style="outline: none;">THE ISLAND</i>, ENSEMBLE THEATRE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">ROBERT WILLIAMS, <i style="outline: none;">THE ISLAND</i>, ENSEMBLE THEATRE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">TOM WOODWARD, </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">TROUBLE IN MIND</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, SEAT OF PANTS ENSEMBLE</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><br /></span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">Best Actresses </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">– Musical</span></b></span></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> </span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> COLLEEN LONGSHAW, </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">GHOST</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, BALDWIN WALLACE/BECK CENTER </span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> </span></b></span><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">ISRAELJAH REIGN</span>, </strong><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">ONCE ON THIS ISLAND</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, BECK CENTER</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> LANE LA VONNE, <i style="outline: none;">THE PROM</i>, PORTHOUSE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> JESSIE KIRTLEY, </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, GREAT LAKES THEATER</span></b></span></span><b style="color: white; font-size: 12pt; outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">GREAT LAKES THEATER</span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">MADISON SHANNON, <i style="outline: none;">CABARET</i>, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY</span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> JULIA MARTIN, <i style="outline: none;">PIPPIN</i>, BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">Best Actresses </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">– Non-Musical</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">CHRISTINA JOHNSON, <i style="outline: none;">STEW</i>, DOBAMA THEATRE</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">DERDRIU RING, <i style="outline: none;">DOUBT: A PARABLE</i>, BECK CENTER</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">GABRIELLLOA O’FALLON, <span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;">DOUBT: A PARABLE</i>, BECK CENTER</span></span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-color: #800180; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: white; outline: none;">KATIE SIMÓN<i style="outline: none;">, LUNGS</i>, ENSEMBLE THEATRE</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> MARGIE KETTERING, <i style="outline: none;">SENSE AND SENSILITY</i>, GREAT LAKES THEATER </span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">NATALIE GREEN, <i style="outline: none;">LITTLE WOMEN</i>, DOBAMA THEATRE</span></b></span><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">NICOLE SUMLIN, <i style="outline: none;">THE LIGHT</i>, ENSEMBLE THEATRE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; outline: none;">NICOLE SUMLIN, </span></b><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">TROUBLE IN MIND</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, SEAT OF PANTS ENSEMBLE</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> TRACEE PATTERSON, <i style="outline: none;">THE OTHER PLACE</i>, DOBAMA THEATRE</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">Best Directors </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">– Musical</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> </span></b></span><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">CHRISTOPHER CHASE CARTER, <i style="outline: none;">ONCE ON THIS ISLAND</i>, BECK CENTER</span></strong><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> </span></b></span><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">JOANNA MAY CULLINAN, <i style="outline: none;">FUN HOME</i>, CAIN PARK</span></strong></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> NATHAN HENRY, <i style="outline: none;">RENT</i>, CAIN PARK</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> TERRI KENT, <i style="outline: none;">CABARET,</i> KENT STATE UNIVERSITY</span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> VICTORIA BUSSERT, <i style="outline: none;">GHOST</i>, BALDWIN WALLACE/BECK CENTER</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> VICTORIA BUSSERT, </span></strong><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, </span></b></span></span><b style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: 12pt; outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">GREAT LAKES THEATER</span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><br /></span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">Best Directors </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">– Non-Musical</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">BECKY MOSLEY, <i style="outline: none;">LUNGS</i>, ENSEMBLE THEATRE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">DONALD CARRIER, <i style="outline: none;">DOUBT: A PARABLE</i>, BECK CENTER</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">JEANNINE GASKIN, <i style="outline: none;">THE LIGHT</i>, ENSEMBLE THEATRE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">JEANNINE GASKIN, <i style="outline: none;">TROUBLE IN MIND</i>, SEAT OF PANTS ENSEMBLE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">MELISSA CRUM, <i style="outline: none;">LITTLE WOMEN</i>, DOBAMA THEATER</span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">NATHAN MOTTA, <i style="outline: none;">THE OTHER PLACE</i>, DOBAMA THEATRE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">SARA BRUNER & JACKLYN MILLER, </span></strong><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">SENSE AND SENSILITY</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, GREAT LAKES </span></b></span></span><b style="font-size: 12pt; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">THEATER</span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">SARAH MAY, <i style="outline: none;">THE ISLAND</i>, ENSEMBLE THEATRE </span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">Best Choreographers</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> CHRISTOPHER CHASE CARTER, </span></b></span><strong style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">ONCE ON THIS ISLAND</span></i></strong><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, BECK CENTER</span></strong></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> ERRIN WEAVER, <i style="outline: none;">BLACK NAIVITY</i>, KARAMU/CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE</span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> GREG DANIELS, <i style="outline: none;">PIPPIN</i>, BALDWIN WALLACE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> JACLYN MILLER, </span></strong><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, GREAT </span></b></span></span><b style="font-size: 12pt; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">LAKES THEATER</span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> KENYA WOODS, <i style="outline: none;">RENT</i>, CAIN PARK</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> LAUREN TIDMORE, </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">GHOST</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">BALDWIN WALLACE/BECK CENTER</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> MARTIN C</span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">É</span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">SPEDES, <i style="outline: none;">A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, </i></span></b></span></span><b style="font-size: 12pt; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">PORTHOUSE</span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><span> </span>MARTIN C</span></strong><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">É</span></strong><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">SPEDES, </span></strong><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">CABARET</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY</span></b></span><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-weight: normal; outline: none;"></span></strong></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><br /></span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><span>Best Musical Directors</span></span></b></span><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> BRADLEY WYNER, </span></b><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">RENT</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, CAIN PARK</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> DAVID M. THOMAS<i style="outline: none;">, BLACK NAITVITY</i>, KARAMU HOUSE THEATRE/CLEVELAND </span></b></span><b style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: 12pt; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">PLAY HOUSE</span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> EDWARD RIDLEY, JR</span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">., </span></b></span><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">BUBBLY BROWN GIRL</span></i></b><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, KARAMU HOUSE THEATRE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> JEANINE TERSORI, <i style="outline: none;">FUN HOME</i>, CAIN PARK</span></strong></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> JENNIFER KORECKI, <i style="outline: none;">CABARET,</i> KENT STATE UNIVERSITY</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> LARRY GOODPASTER, </span></b></span><strong style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">ONCE ON THIS ISLAND,</span></i></strong><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> BECK CENTER</span></strong></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> MATTHEW WEBB, </span></b><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">GHOST</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, BALDWIN WALLACE/BECK CENTER</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> MATTHEW WEBB, </span></strong><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, GREAT </span></b></span></span><b style="font-size: 12pt; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">LAKES THEATER</span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">Best Scenic Designers</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">CHERI PROUGH-DEVOL, </span></b></span><strong style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">ONCE ON THIS ISLAND</span></i></strong><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, </span></strong><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">BECK CENTER</span></b></span><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></strong></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> </span></b></span><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">COURTNEY O’NEILL<i style="outline: none;">, </i></span></strong><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">SENSE AND SENSILITY</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, GREAT LAKES THEATER </span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">GENNIE NEUMAN-LAMBERT, <i style="outline: none;">CABARET</i>, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY</span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">JEFF HERMANN, </span></strong><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, GREAT </span></b></span></span><b style="font-size: 12pt; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> LAKES THEATER</span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> JILL DAVIS, <i style="outline: none;">DOUBT</i>: <i style="outline: none;">A PARABLE</i>, BECK CENTER </span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> JORDAN JANOTA<i style="outline: none;">,</i></span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> GHOST</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, BALDWIN WALLACE/BECK CENTER</span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> LAURA CARLSON TARANTOWSKI, <i style="outline: none;">STEW</i>, DOBAMA THEATER</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> TRAD A BURNS/SARA MAY, <i style="outline: none;">FUN HOME</i>, CAIN PARK</span></strong></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"><br /></span></strong></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><span>Best Lighting Designers</span></span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> RUSS BORSKI, </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">GHOST</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, BALDWIN WALLACE/BECK CENTER</span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">ADAM DITZEL, </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">DOUBT: A PARABLE</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, BECK CENTER</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">COLLEEN ALBRECHT, </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">RENT</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, CAIN PARK</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">EMMA HANSEN, </span></b></span><strong style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">ONCE ON THIS ISLAND</span></i></strong><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, </span></strong><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">BECK CENTER</span></b></span><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></strong></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">TRAD A BURNS, </span></strong><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, GREAT </span></b></span></span><b style="font-size: 12pt; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> LAKES THEATER</span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">JALYUNG C. SEO, <i style="outline: none;">MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN</i>, </span></b></span><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">CLEVELAND PLAY <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>HOUSE </span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">DAVID BRUNS, <i style="outline: none;">CABARET</i>, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY</span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><br /></span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">Best Projection Designers</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> </span></b></span><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">KASUMO, </span></b><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">GHOST</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, BALDWIN WALLACE/BECK CENTER</span></b></span></span></p><div style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> JEREMY PAUL, </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">THE OTHER PLACE</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, DOBAMA THEATER</span></b></span></span></div><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> JOE BURKE, </span></b></span><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">BUBBLY BROWN GIRL</span></i></b><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, KARAMU HOUSE THEATRE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> T. PAUL LOWRY, </span></b><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">BLACK NAIVITY</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, KARAMU HOUSE THEATRE/CLEVELAND <span> </span><span> </span>PLAY </span></b></span><b style="font-size: 12pt; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">HOUSE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 1pt; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">Best Costume Designers</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 1pt; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> ABBIE HAGEN, <i style="outline: none;">THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES</i>, PORTHOUSE</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 1pt; outline: none;"><b style="font-size: 12pt; outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>INDA BLATCH GEIB, <i style="outline: none;">BLACK NAIVITY</i>, KARAMU HOUSE THEATRE/CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE</span></b></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 1pt; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> INDA BLATCH-GEIB, </span></b></span><strong style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">ONCE ON THIS ISLAND</span></i></strong><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, </span></strong><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">BECK CENTER</span></b></span><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"></span></strong></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> LEX LIANG, <i style="outline: none;">MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN</i>, </span></b></span><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE </span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 1pt; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> MEIKA VAN PLOEG, </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">SENSE AND SENSILITY</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, GREAT LAKES THEATER</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;"> MICHELLE HUNT SOUZA, <i style="outline: none;">CABARET</i>, KENT STATE UNIVERSITY</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> TESIA DUGAN BENSON, </span></strong><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, <span> </span>GREAT LAKES THEATER</span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><br /></span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">Best Sound Designers</span></span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832msonormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">ANGIE HAYES, <i style="outline: none;">DOUBT: A PARABLE</i>, BECK CENTER</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> CARLTON GUC, </span></b></span><strong style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">ONCE ON THIS ISLAND</span></i></strong><strong style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, </span></strong><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">BECK CENTER</span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> </span></b></span></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="background-color: #800180; color: white; outline: none;">MEGAN CULLEY, <i style="outline: none;">STEW</i>, DOBAMA THEATER</span></b></span></p><p class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cMsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;"> PAUL JAMES PRENDERBAST, </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">SENSE AND SENSILITY</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, GREAT LAKES THEATER</span></b></span></span></p><div style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; outline: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">SHARATH PATEL, </span></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><i style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN</span></i></b></span><span class="yiv1516717385ydpcdf1558cyiv4029616832" style="outline: none;"><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">, </span></b></span><b style="outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="outline: none;">CLEVELAND PLAY <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>HOUSE </span></b></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-20955023263403041342023-12-12T18:26:00.003-05:002023-12-12T18:49:38.292-05:00 Audience pleasing JOSEPH @ Beck Center<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoxANUevm9OmKO4VtkSHyvCbZS4pPlPHklKcEFtl8V14KtdHHZeWlwQFHoR1Hpf50TJ5M__6Z7bBp-oFso1Hbvi_OvkZTqoenHWnRo-ro3n-wvbRPit59oEIXH6ydiNvapxXxDfhGkJXYq9OMzZCKEOmXr0IWQGXvPSaumNrIZuY7VQJPXi8pAquYnck/s275/download-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoxANUevm9OmKO4VtkSHyvCbZS4pPlPHklKcEFtl8V14KtdHHZeWlwQFHoR1Hpf50TJ5M__6Z7bBp-oFso1Hbvi_OvkZTqoenHWnRo-ro3n-wvbRPit59oEIXH6ydiNvapxXxDfhGkJXYq9OMzZCKEOmXr0IWQGXvPSaumNrIZuY7VQJPXi8pAquYnck/s1600/download-1.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><p><br /></p><strong style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">My first exposure to </span><em style="font-family: palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none;">JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT</em><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> was ironically at Beck Center, where I recently saw their newest edition of that play. </span><br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">That show, many years ago starred Rob Gibbs, now a local director and actor, was a fine introduction to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical, which had an unusual path to being one of the oft-produced musicals of all time. It has been estimated that world-wide, over 20,000 school, community and professional theaters have produced the work.</span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">As its creation story goes, in 1967, when Webber was 19 years-old, he was asked to write a pop cantata for the school choir to sing at their Easter end-of-term concert. He asked his friend, Tim Rice, to write lyrics for the project. They decided to base the work on the story of Joseph from the Biblical book of Genesis. </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><em style="font-family: palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none;">JOSEPH</em><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> started as a twenty-minute choral piece. The show gradually developed into what is now a full script. It is, however, a different type of script than most musicals. In fact, it is not a script at all, just a collection of twenty songs arranged in chronological order, with no narrative and no stage directions. This is why each production of the show takes on a different approach.</span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Sometimes the presentation is done in two acts, sometimes in one. It has been staged as a bedtime story in pajamas, a Biblical epic complete with clothing of the time of Jacob, a fantasy costumed in out-of-this world clothing, and with and without a chorus. </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">The Narrator explains, in the “Prologue,” that this is a tale of Joseph, whose clairvoyant powers, intelligence and charm lead to both his being his father’s favorite and the wrath of his 11 brothers (“Jacob and Sons”). The envy increases when Jacob gives Joseph, a symbol of respect (“Joseph’s Coat”). His “bros” get rid of him by planning fratricide, but change their minds and sell him to some passing Ishmaelites (“Poor, Poor Joseph”), who take him to Egypt. They explain his “death” to their father in “One More Angel in Heaven.”</span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Joseph eventually becomes the Pharaoh’s favorite when he successfully enciphers the leader’s nightmares (“Pharaoh’s Dreams Explained”), saves Egypt from famine, becomes the second in command, eventually forgives his brothers when they come to beg for food (“Grovel/Grovel”) and, in an emotional climax, reunites with his father (“Jacob in Egypt” </span><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">).</span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">The play concludes with the audience on its feet clapping as the cast sings ‘Any Dream Will Do” and “Give Me My Colored Coat".</span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Like many of Andrew Lloyd Webber conceptions, which includes </span><em style="font-family: palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none;">CATS, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, EVITA, ASPECTS OF LOVE</em><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">, AND </span><em style="font-family: palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none;">SUNSET BOULEVARD</em><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">, much of the music is infectious. There are parodies of French ballads ("Those Canaan Days"), </span><a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=f8d2d0a8c9&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">rock and roll</a><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> ("Song of the King"), </span><a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=5aaf7a2d32&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">western</a><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> ("One More Angel In Heaven"), 1920s </span><a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=87476a414e&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Charleston</a><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> ("Potiphar"), </span><a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=3870f5d4ba&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Calypso</a><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> ("Benjamin Calypso"), and go-go music ("Go, Go, Go Joseph").</span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Like most British musicals, there is no dialogue, just musical lyrics which tells the tale.</span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Tim Rice, the lyricist and Webber’s longtime collaborator, not only has written for Broadway, but for such Disney films as </span><em style="font-family: palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none;">ALADDIN, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST </em><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">and </span><em style="font-family: palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none;">THE LION KING</em><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">.</span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Broadway Tony nominee, Mary Bridgett Davies, the Narrator, has a fine voice and the ability to sing meanings, not just words. Her “Prologue” set a perfect tone to start the show and introduced us to the story and let the chorus of kids enter. </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Jess Markowitz has a pleasant voice and stage presence, but misses the undefinable special quality that makes Joseph into a charmer. His “Close Every Door” was nicely interpreted and sung. </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Jimmy Helms does an Elvis-light interpretation in “Song of the King.” Maybe not wearing a traditional Elvis white body-hugging onesie was issue. But more relevant were directorial decisions. As in other parts of the show the words being sung are ignored as clues to the visuals being created on stage, so the audience is left with conflict between what they are hearing and what they are seeing. </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">The children’s chorus is excellent in both their vocal abilities, staying in character and reacting appropriately throughout.</span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">All of the brothers do a nice job of creating individual different personalities into their characterizations, and nicely singing solos and choral sounds.</span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Lauren Tidmore’s choreography was creative and well interpreted, fitting the changing moods of the music into the style of each segment of the show.</span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">Brittany Merenda’s projections enhanced the liveliness and visual aspects. </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">The musicians did a nice job of supporting, rather than drowning out the performers, especially in the solos. Some of the musical arrangements, which changed the intent of some songs, might be questioned by<em style="outline: none;"> </em></span><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial;"><em style="outline: none;"></em></span><em style="font-family: palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none;">JOSEPH</em><em style="font-family: palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none;"> </em></span></strong><strong style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">traditionalists.</span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><em style="font-family: palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none;">Capsule judgement: Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a fun show for audiences of all ages. As evidenced by the extended applause at the end of the show, and the many instances of audience delight displayed during the production, despite some questionable directorial decisions, the cast and crews efforts were appreciated. </em><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span><br style="outline: none;" /><em style="font-family: palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none;">Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat </em><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;">runs through December 30 at Beck Center for the Arts. For tickets call 216-521-2540 or go to </span><a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=0db0866628&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">beckcenter.org</a></span><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Palatino; font-size: medium; outline: none;"> </span></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-58209644410385934882023-12-10T11:02:00.005-05:002023-12-10T11:03:44.354-05:00World Premiere of A LIGHT IN THE NIGHT: A HANUKKAH PLAY by Tailspinner Children’s Theater<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFeQ7DmYjgot8-wLTE7UUzxCWbgg3SxlRLcFo7hZuuA7OoqSMrkv2bU3bszU_q_d1kj_ByyvJJ5kc3RwUfcE4Th3EWPz4SV6a41aAkGT8-nwYCbcyVV0uQkmhMmaZzby1CX5owUQbsZxOpNc1WG2Qd0ioVHBnqS7UFRVPQDAJexV2qzyWMRcjZTsAQ9U/s400/6Z8A0327-S.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFeQ7DmYjgot8-wLTE7UUzxCWbgg3SxlRLcFo7hZuuA7OoqSMrkv2bU3bszU_q_d1kj_ByyvJJ5kc3RwUfcE4Th3EWPz4SV6a41aAkGT8-nwYCbcyVV0uQkmhMmaZzby1CX5owUQbsZxOpNc1WG2Qd0ioVHBnqS7UFRVPQDAJexV2qzyWMRcjZTsAQ9U/s320/6Z8A0327-S.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><strong style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">The little children sat, laid on, or snuggled with the pillows that were wisely placed on the floor of the Stonehill Auditorium at the Jewish Community Center. The kids, and their relatives were there to watch and sometimes participating in the world premiere of <em style="outline: none;">A LIGHT IN THE NIGHT: A HANUKKAH PLAY.</em> </span></strong></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">The 45-minute play with music, was written by local writers Les and Elana Hunter.</span></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">Playwright and theater historian Dr. Les Hunter, who is an associate professor of English at Baldwin Wallace University, where he received the 2019 Bechberger Award for Human Development, is noted for a writing with an emphasis on shedding new light on emerging problems of selfhood. The coauthor is his wife, Elena, who is a counselor. </span></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">The theme is now only the Jewish holiday commemorating the defeat of evil forces of old by the Maccabees, but the facing fear, and being brave. </span></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">The plot centers on Judy and her family, who are moving across town. It’s the first night of Chanukah, and Mom and Dad forgot to pack the box with the menorah! Judy rides her bike back to the old house to search for the candelabra. When she finds it, she discovers that not only does the Shammes (the candle that is used to light the others), has the ability to talk but something has gone wrong. The evil forces have to be defeated once again or there will be no holiday. Judy and Shammes are responsible for fixing the problem or there will be no reason to celebrate. </span></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">As in all good melodramatic tales, the good guys find a way to win, much to the glee of the tykes watching this epic tale. Mazel tov to Shammes and Judy!</span></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">Observing various children during the presentation was an educational experience. Some were totally involved, singing when they were instructed to do so. Others jumped around when the cast danced. Still others were passive. It appeared that this offering was probably best for 5 through 8 years old. The older children, in the main, did not verbally participate and seemed uncomfortable when encouraged to participate. The very little didn’t seem to know what was going on and there was not enough action and slapstick to hold their attention.</span></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">As is, there may have been too much talking and not enough action in the script. In addition, the use of Yiddish was over the heads of the children, even though all terms are defined verbally or on the screen which flashed the play’s dialogue. Most of them were not of reading age, and even for those that were, having them pay attention to both the screen and the dialogue seemed cut down on reactions. A little rewriting and some stage activity should take care of the problems.</span></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">The Tailspinner cast, under the direction of Margi Zitelli, was quite good, but lacked some opportunities to get more audience interaction such as a victory parade. This is very important as the “kinderlach” have short attention spans.</span></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><em style="outline: none;">Capsule judgment: </em><em style="outline: none;">The production, with its simple set and small cast would be perfect for tours to 1st through 3rd grade Sunday or Jewish school classes, where the kids could be pre-taught the Chanukah story and the script’s songs, so they could be knowledgeable active participants. </em></span></strong></span></p><p style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">The show was staged at the JCC in Beachwood from December 2nd through the 10th.</span></strong></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-38603678978758939432023-12-06T12:40:00.007-05:002023-12-07T09:48:18.972-05:00HAIRSPRAY is at Connor Palace as part of Huntington Broadway series<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none; width: 350px;"><tbody style="outline: none;"><tr style="outline: none;"><td align="left" style="outline: none; word-break: normal;" valign="top" width="310"><div id="yiv8235210099templateBodyCopy" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; outline: none;"><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: none;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje23LHLNMG2JCrZeEGeCJJC8c9si5par4MCXHkndEuj1ntzLjHLSgPkx3zfYqphJFbTpay6S22473G8TwapaOk7zWHDrqnZhLTGbkXjV9IaIZecnjtMOt5BBDJi0qsrTyV1FU1_SwlyObcdt4_GsQDOoEYppnwV3F0PAAecOuO-LifxuXeCNSsD_8hJSg/s320/03%20Welcome%20to%20the%2060s%20Nov%2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje23LHLNMG2JCrZeEGeCJJC8c9si5par4MCXHkndEuj1ntzLjHLSgPkx3zfYqphJFbTpay6S22473G8TwapaOk7zWHDrqnZhLTGbkXjV9IaIZecnjtMOt5BBDJi0qsrTyV1FU1_SwlyObcdt4_GsQDOoEYppnwV3F0PAAecOuO-LifxuXeCNSsD_8hJSg/s1600/03%20Welcome%20to%20the%2060s%20Nov%2023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="background-color: #800180; font-size: 18px; outline: none;"><b><span style="color: white;">The farcical, yet message-loaded <em style="outline: none;">HAIRSPRAY,</em> is the type of musical that in a bad production falls flat, but in a good production the audience gets all-kinds of involved.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" /> I wish I could say that the touring version at Playhouse Square was one of the good ones, but with its languid first act yet dynamic second act, which left the audience dancing in the aisles, could only be called a partial success.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Let’s put this in perspective for CLE audiences. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The Key Bank Broadway series presents fresh productions peopled by actors who usually have been in the Big Apple production of the show or have professional experience, are Equity members, and which has top-notch technical ingredients. The shows tend to run, in each city on its itinerary, for 2 or 3 weeks. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The Huntington Featured Performance series, of which HAIRSPRAY is an offering, are short-stay productions, usually 3 or 4 days, often feature professional newbies, or performers past their prime, and are low-cost technical presentations. They usually are a step-above local little theatre or school productions, but not of the quality of Broadway shows or the offerings of the Key Bank Series.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" /><em style="outline: none;">HAIRSPRAY</em>, the stage musical, is based on the 1988 John Walters movie of the same name. It has up-beat music by Marc Shaiman, encompassing lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman, and a purposeful book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan. It was a cry for integration in 1960s for segregated cities such as Baltimore. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The story focuses on “zaftig” Tracey Turnblad, who has three desires in life: dance on the “Corny Collin’s Show” (think Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand”), have “every day be Negro day on that show,” and meet Link Larkin, the show’s “stud” male. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Tracey keeps getting sent to detention at school because of her well-sprayed huge hair (the Jackie O signature style of the era). The detention room is populated by African Americans who expose the liberal-minded Tracy to “Black” dancing. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />After Tracy gets selected to be on the show, against the wishes of Velma von Tussle, the program’s multi-prejudiced producer, she launches a campaign to integrate the show. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Of course, all hell breaks loose including picketing, a riot, a jail lockup, a jail breakout, white kids singing and dancing in 'Balmur’s all Black North side, the coming out of Tracy’s agoraphobic and plus-sized mother, love affairs between Link and Tracy as well as that of Penny, Tracy’s white best friend, and Seaweed, the son of Black DJ and vocalist, Motormouth Maybelle. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The 2002 Broadway production won eight Tony Awards, ran over 2500 performances, and has had numerous foreign and community theatre productions.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The touring show’s opening act was slow-paced. The cast seemed either over-whelmed by the script’s requirements, or were tired from their two or three nights in one town and quick get-away to their next performance site. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Even the mediocre scenery presented problems as the show had to be stopped shortly before intermission because of an errant piece of scenery go onto the stage. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Let’s not even discuss the bad wigs, overacting, volume issues or tinny-sounding electric music.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The cast and crew seemed to have had a pep-talk or a nap at intermission, because the second act was dynamic.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Caroline Eiseman, whose credits do not include any Broadway work, has the required chunky cheeks, biggish voice, and dancing feet, to create Tracy. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Caroline Portner, was Gidget-cute, but over-acted as Tracy’s best friend Penny. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Greg Kalafatas (in drag), though quite adequate in the role, never really was totally endearing as Tracy’s mother.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Skyler Shields, who sings and dances well, was “kind of” okay at Link, but was missing the necessary stud-factor needed for the role.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Deidre Lang, Motormouth Maybelle, almost achieved the impossible deed of stopping the show with her wailing, infectious rendition of the gospel-rock “I Know Where I’ve Been.” <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Josiah Rogers, an Orange High School graduate, was a dancing dynamo as Seaweed, while Kaila Symone Crowder was delightful as the full-spirited Little Inez.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Song highlights were: “I Can Hear the Bells,” “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now,”” Welcome to the ‘60s,”and “Big, Blonde & Beautiful.” <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" /><em style="outline: none;">CAPSULE JUDGMENT: The touring production was quite adequate, but could have been so much more with more focused direction, better technical aspects and a stronger cast. The opening night audience was on their feet at the end in spite of the performance and technical issues.</em><br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" /><em style="outline: none;">HAIRSPRAY</em> is here through December 10, 2023. For tickets 216-241-6000 or go to <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=189848562b&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">playhousesquare.org </a> </span></b></span><p></p></div></td><td style="outline: none; word-break: normal;" width="20"><b><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><br style="outline: none;" /></span></b></td></tr><tr style="outline: none;"></tr></tbody></table><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-38342632270736507782023-12-04T12:02:00.005-05:002023-12-04T12:02:57.488-05:00BLACK NATIVITY leaves audience joyously singing praises of Afrocentric holiday musical<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important; width: 350px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" valign="top" width="310"><div id="yiv8601650795templateBodyCopy" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px; outline: none !important;"><p style="font-family: Palatino; margin: 0px; outline: none !important;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #404040; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6TwoWVcQ0Tjzbp0uMHhrlBwv-7hVCCjE1tXbqHoZQX0IEsORbVPQsjlYHru76MKd34_14jSc25fapnTIRjykgIipd4ddaI-zmMvCBB4yJ1Dove92xd5tgh3iWqHHayv5r4TgNL1sssOu3iIMsJW_GGdtmzXgDQtn8V9aNqOG1dsRYCSelkpfoDu6bAc/s318/thecastofblacknativity2022willindseyimg-kh03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="212" data-original-width="318" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6TwoWVcQ0Tjzbp0uMHhrlBwv-7hVCCjE1tXbqHoZQX0IEsORbVPQsjlYHru76MKd34_14jSc25fapnTIRjykgIipd4ddaI-zmMvCBB4yJ1Dove92xd5tgh3iWqHHayv5r4TgNL1sssOu3iIMsJW_GGdtmzXgDQtn8V9aNqOG1dsRYCSelkpfoDu6bAc/s1600/thecastofblacknativity2022willindseyimg-kh03.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br /><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;"><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 18px;"> </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;">Langston Hughes, the author of BLACK NATIVITY, now on stage at the Allen Theatre, in a joint production between Karamu, the country’s oldest black producing theater and the Cleveland Play House, the nation’s first resident company, was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />One of the earliest innovators of the literary art form called <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=ab9ac8f057&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Jazz poetry">jazz poetry</a>, Hughes is best known as a leader of the <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=e404e0a578&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Harlem Renaissance">Harlem Renaissance</a>. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Langston Hughes had a special relationship with Cleveland, where he went to school and lived for a period of time. He also had a special connection to Karamu Theatre, and with Reuben Silver, then the theatre’s Artistic Director, who was on the staff for 21 years, as well as Reuben’s wife, Dorothy Silver, the theatre’s guest artistic director. Many of his plays were developed and <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=dfa7081e93&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Premiere">premièred</a> at Karamu. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />In an interview with Silver, Hughes said: "It is a cultural shame that a great country like America, with twenty million people of color, has no primarily serious colored theatre. There isn't. Karamu is the very nearest thing to it...It not only should a Negro theatre, if we want to use that term, do plays by and about Negroes, but it should do plays slanted toward the community in which it exists. It should be in a primarily Negro community since that is the way our racial life in America is still...It should not be a theatre that should be afraid to do a Negro folk play about people who are perhaps not very well-educated because some of the intellectuals, or intellectuals in quotes, are ashamed of such material.”<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Hughes was not afraid, as is obvious in <em style="outline: none !important;">BLACK NATIVITY, </em>to clearly identify a Black coming of the messiah, as his is an adaptation of the <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=3447b39fa4&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Nativity play">Nativity</a> story told from a Black perspective. It is noted as a trail-blazer as it is performed by an entirely black cast. In addition, besides the choice of language and songs, it is narrated by a Griot, a traditional West African storyteller and praise singer. (Think <em style="outline: none !important;">THE LION KING, </em>which is also related by a Griot.)<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Hughes was the author of the musical’s book, with the lyrics and music being derived from traditional <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=8c8e9a3441&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Christmas carol">Christmas carols</a>, sung in <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=0c98908cd8&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Gospel music">gospel</a> style, with a few songs created specifically for the show. It was first performed <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=967fa6bd83&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Off-Broadway">Off-Broadway</a> on December 11, 1961, and was one of the first plays written by an African American to be staged in New York’s professional theatre district. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Karamu’s BLACK NATIVITY has become a traditional local holiday treat, like Great Lake’s Theatre’s <em style="outline: none !important;">A CHRISTMAS CAROL</em> and Cleveland Ballet’s <em style="outline: none !important;">THE NUTCRACKER</em>.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The performance combines poetry, scripture, gospel music and dance in an Afrofuturist reimagining of the story. It combines the past, the present, and the future in a continuum asserting that “we are there, we are here and we will be here for years to come.”<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The long first act, which spotlights the birth of Christ, and includes such songs as “Joy to the World,” “What You Gonna Name Your Baby,” “Go Tell It On the Mountain,” and “Oh, Come All Ye Faithful,” was quite languid. There was little audience reaction to much of the material, no call and response, which is so common in both Black church services and many theatrical performances at Karamu.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The second act, however, which started with a fashion parade, to highlight the incredible clothing created by costume designer Inda Blatch Geib, changed the pace. Dynamic dancing, rockin’ musical arrangements and direct appeals to the audience, got the audience involved. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />‘Meetin’ Here Tonight,” “We Shall Be Changed,” “His Will Be Done,” “Get Away Jordan,” and the over-the-top “Said I Wasn’t Gonna Tell Nobody,” all incited strong reactions. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The show ended with an extended curtain call featuring the reprise of “Joy to the World” and a closing medley. Don’t leave early—the wrap-up is the highlight of the show!<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The cast is strong. The voices powerful and the dancing exciting (if not always coordinated.)<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Musical arrangements by Dr. David M. Thomas, who also conducts the proficient orchestra, were often unique and presents a different mood than when the same songs are presented by a mainly white assemblage. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Errin Weaver’s enthusiastic choreography, pushed her dancers to their limits! <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The scenic and digital media designs by T. Paul Lowry added a special visual excitement.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">Capsule judgment: Co-directors, Tony F. Siras and Errin Weaver, conceived a production that gives a true Afrocentric twist to the nativity that clearly stresses that Afro-people were there, are here and will be around for years to come!</em><br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">BLACK NATIVITY</em> runs through December 16 at the Allen Theatre. For tickets call 216-400-7000 or <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=91e3d0eb24&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/</a></span></span></strong><p></p></div></td><td style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" width="20"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></td></tr><tr style="outline: none !important;"></tr></tbody></table><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-2932886169726631352023-12-03T11:58:00.006-05:002023-12-03T11:58:40.776-05:00 Kleenex required for charming, melodramatic LITTLE WOMEN at Dobama <p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 34, 40); color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: currentcolor !important; width: 350px;"><tbody style="outline: currentcolor !important;"><tr style="outline: currentcolor !important;"><td align="left" style="outline: currentcolor !important; word-break: normal;" valign="top" width="310"><div id="yiv7240715035templateBodyCopy" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px; outline: currentcolor !important;"><p style="font-family: Palatino; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor !important;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #404040; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-zP2H7ohmWZqMfiC2hyvOeM0vHGy-e_FU9Po0qweJpb-Tx_GI9MKrzHhZLboKbkUm7XitNoh3uLWKuEc2YqJGATm0WhTnkhhKZz8UINqRPZBQLTRfnMkDbAMDhvzoj_DSVr7ixhkZy3hC_mjxUoErjJAQ-9KFgxSTaYLyxlMy0Qfc9IJuUUYqQgivbk/s1382/Dobama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1382" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-zP2H7ohmWZqMfiC2hyvOeM0vHGy-e_FU9Po0qweJpb-Tx_GI9MKrzHhZLboKbkUm7XitNoh3uLWKuEc2YqJGATm0WhTnkhhKZz8UINqRPZBQLTRfnMkDbAMDhvzoj_DSVr7ixhkZy3hC_mjxUoErjJAQ-9KFgxSTaYLyxlMy0Qfc9IJuUUYqQgivbk/s320/Dobama.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="outline: currentcolor !important;"><br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: large;">Author Louisa May Alcott created relatable characters in 19<sup style="outline: currentcolor !important;">th</sup> century novels. Her writing style greatly impacted American literature. <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />Her <em style="outline: currentcolor !important;">LITTLE WOMEN</em> is probably her shining glory. The names of Jo, Meg, Amy and Laurie, who are all based on Alcott’s real family, are permanently etched in the memories of all woman of a certain age, who read the book, fantasized of being one or all of these young women.<br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />As Nathan Motta, the Artistic Director of Dobama says in the play’s program notes, “<em style="outline: currentcolor !important;">LITTLE WOMEN</em>“reflects in vivid detail what it means to be family—the joy of togetherness, struggle of conflict, sadness of loss, and unconditional love.”<br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />The tale is set during and after the Civil War and tells the story of the four girls of the March family as they struggle and grow, learning the value of hard work, self-sacrifice, and love, while their father is serving in the war.<br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />A play version of the novel is getting one of its first professional stagings at Dobama Theatre. <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />The script, adapted by Heather Chrisler, evokes all the right images. If you are at all sentimental, bring Kleenex to use during the syrupy ending. <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />“It is through a sense of play that Jo and her sisters find themselves, spending time in the attic making up fairy stories with witches and heroes, or spending an evening reciting the articles written for their beloved imaginary newspaper. It is, however, through the tragedy of losing her sister Beth that Jo finally finds her voice as an artist, and moves into adulthood with the knowledge that while families change and grow apart, the ones we love are always close at heart.”<br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />The script, which came to life in a reading at the PennySeats Theatre, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. After further development at several other venues, it got its first professional production at First Folio Theatre in Oak Brook, Illinois. Yes, small venues. It has never had a Broadway or Off-Broadway production.<br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />An early review of a reading states, “As the show unfolded, it became clear this was no cursory take. While <em style="outline: currentcolor !important;">LITTLE WOMEN </em>remains an endearing testament to sisterhood, and the power of women to sustain and inspire each other, Chrisler's version emerges as a heartwarming portrait of a budding artist [Jo], one determined to express herself.”<br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />The Dobama production, which runs two-hours (including intermission), is creatively directed by Melissa T. Crum. <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />Laura Tarantowski’s lovely, warm period-correct set, creates the perfect atmosphere, though the constant dragging of furniture and rearranging of flowing drapes, sometimes breaks the mood. The visuals are enhanced by Josee M. Coyle’s light design and sound designer Angie Hayes music selections.<br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />The women, who have been color-blinded-cast, not only play themselves, but also men who are part of the girl’s lives. Though they all create emotionally relatable and real people, males as males might help the realism factor. (Yes, I am aware of the movement to break gender stereotypes, but this is a traditional theme and script, and realism is realism.)<br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />Theo Allyn gives exactly the right humanism to Jo. The actor has a wonderful sense of comic timing and displays just the right degree of empathy and caring. <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />Mariah Burks, as Meg, the “I’m supposed to get married and have children and live a normal life” sister, hits all the character-right notes.<br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />Amaya Kikyomi, as the spoiled youngest sister, Amy, grows nicely in her characterization as the girl-to-woman develops.<br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />Natalie Green was born to play Laurie. She nicely displays the vulnerability of the emotionally and physically fragile sister. Her ending scenes are perfectly etched. <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /><em style="outline: currentcolor !important;">Capsule judgment: At this time of holiday, yet living in a world of stress and strife, it is nice to be able to go back in time and relive one of the English language’s epic tales. The Dobama production nicely develops Louisa May Alcott’s sappy, but well-intentioned picture of life in a by-gone era, where melodrama ruled in literature.</em><br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /><em style="outline: currentcolor !important;">LITTLE WOMEN </em>is on-stage at Dobama through December 3, 2023. For tickets call 216.932.3396 or go to <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=3bc2d5f077&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="font-weight: bold; outline: currentcolor !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.dobama.org/</a><br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> <br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" />Next up: AT THE WAKE OF A DEAD DRAG QUEEN (January 26-February 18, 2024) --An irreverent play about the fine art of drag.</span></span><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /> </span><p></p></div></td><td style="outline: currentcolor !important; word-break: normal;" width="20"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: large;"><br style="outline: currentcolor !important;" /></span></td></tr><tr style="outline: currentcolor !important;"></tr></tbody></table><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-67339524098941788642023-11-21T11:25:00.001-05:002023-11-21T11:25:05.920-05:00 Uneven PIPPIN somewhat disappoints at Baldwin Wallace University<p><br /></p><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlwv3RvPn6esBZgjv51MQ0jIrXm4wtAWVGe0KJ7VXX_v5lft3F83ACDSl1V2qXI5ErhvRO6yLpwTBIZj8Gtcxah2o8tmT8f79tVyYfEcIqoF1ePAVPkIbnw-5b0PElLY1hKCPz7zZxy04QtWLH2w1h1FzS7VbGsOtIqimbAHDPf6UNCdG8FvCiErTB0U/s312/Unknown-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="161" data-original-width="312" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlwv3RvPn6esBZgjv51MQ0jIrXm4wtAWVGe0KJ7VXX_v5lft3F83ACDSl1V2qXI5ErhvRO6yLpwTBIZj8Gtcxah2o8tmT8f79tVyYfEcIqoF1ePAVPkIbnw-5b0PElLY1hKCPz7zZxy04QtWLH2w1h1FzS7VbGsOtIqimbAHDPf6UNCdG8FvCiErTB0U/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" width="312" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /><b><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">In the Fall of 1971, while chaperoning a group of college students to New York, I saw <em>PIPPIN</em>, the Stephen Schwartz (music and lyrics), Roger Hirson (book), Bob Fosse (director/choreographer) musical. I had an instant love affair with the show!<br /><br />The original production starred Jonathan Rubinstein as Pippin, while the Leading Player was portrayed by Ben Vereen. Irene Ryan, of “Beverly Hillbilly “fame, played Berthe. A 2013 revival featured BW grad Sierra Renee as the leading player.<br /><br /><em>PIPPIN</em> uses the premise of a performance troupe, led by the Leading Player, to tell the “magical” story of a young prince on his search for meaning and significance. <br /><em>PIPPIN</em> contains one of my most admired musical theater songs, “Corner of the Sky,” Pippin’s “I want” song, which not only tells us about the character, but reveals the major meaning for the script. <br /><br />Originally conceived by Schwartz when he was a student, it was performed by <a data-cke-saved-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie_Mellon_University" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie_Mellon_University" title="Carnegie Mellon University">Carnegie Mellon University</a>'s <a data-cke-saved-href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch%27n%27Soda" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch%27n%27Soda" title="Scotch'n'Soda">Scotch'n'Soda</a> theatre troupe. Ironically, as the script evolved, Schwartz has said that “not a single line or musical note from that <em>Pippin</em> made it into the final version.”<br /><br />An example of the evolution of the script is the "Theo ending," which is used in the BW show, was not conceived until 1998, when Mitch Sebastian collaborated with Schwartz in an alternative concept for the show. The new ending was included in the 2013 Broadway revival. The new ending, altered the meaning of the original show.<br /><br />The original Broadway production was performed in one-act. The BW interpretation is performed in two-acts, which, in my opinion, breaks the flow of the show.<br /><br />The magic aspect of the show is so important, that in its most recent Broadway revival, it was done as a Cirque de Soleil-like production.<br /><br />Why director, Nathan Henry, decided to eliminate all of the magic tricks and effects, is a mystery. Without them, much of significance and creativity of the show is eliminated. He seemed to somewhat lack how to artistically develop the show to accomplish the intent and purpose of the writers.<br /><br />Talking about questionable choices, the BW students have wonderful singing voices, but the vocal sounds are only part of the role development. Most important, especially with Stephen Schwartz songs, is the meaning of the words. Musical director Chase Kessler, seemed to forget that. In several numbers, notably “Corner of the Sky” words rather than meaning were sung. <br /><br />On the other hand, Greg Daniels’ reinterpretation of Bob Fosse’s choreography was superlative. Yes, the famous “jazz hands” were present, but there was an expansion of the original dance moves which was effective and wonderful.<br /><br />For added educational experiences, the University’s musicals are often double cast. (I saw the “Glory Cast,” so my comments only center on that group of actors.) <br />Kris Lyons was superlative as the Leading Player. She played the lines with meaning and style, working the audience well. This young lady is Broadway ready.<br /><br />Julia Martin, as Fastrada, was wonderful. She milked the laughs showing a complete understanding of comedy, exaggeration, and character development! <br /> <br />Jack Borenstein (Charlemagne) started each of his speeches and singing lines with emphasis and then faded into unintelligible endings. He played for laughs, for the sake of farcical-reaction, sometimes ignoring that the spoken and sung lines had meaning.<br /><br />Reese Henrick appropriately had fun as Pippin’s grandmother, Berthe, though she would have been helped if the traditional method of letting the audience see the chorus words that she invited us to sing had been projected onto a screen or printed in the program.<br /><br />Jack Prisco had some fine moments as Pippin. He has a nice singing voice.<br />Zach Mackiewicz was character and physically right as Lewis, Pippin’s dense half-brother.<br /><br />Camille Brooks made a charming Catherine, Pippin’s love interest.<br /><br />The singing and dancing ensemble were excellent.<br /><br /><em>Capsule judgement: When someone goes to a musical theatre production at Baldwin Wallace, they probably go with the knowledge that program is ranked as one of the best of its type in the country and the performers are of high quality. They should also be aware that these are students who are not only performing in a show, but are getting a learning experience. The unevenness of the recently closed production of PIPPIN was not due to the talent of the students, but the decisions of the guest director and a student musical director. As is, the show was enjoyable, but not of the usual high BW level of achievement.</em><br /> <br /></span></b></span><span style="background-color: #800180; font-size: 12px;"><b><span style="color: white;">(Full disclosure: <em>PIPPIN</em> is one of my favorite musical theatre shows. I’ve directed it and seen at least twenty different companies produce the show, including a previous staging at Baldwin Wallace. “Corner of the Sky” is my favorite musical theatre song.)</span></b></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-61339660523343737102023-11-07T12:31:00.001-05:002023-11-07T12:31:11.163-05:00TROUBLE IN MIND, is a rich experience that is disturbing and thought-provoking!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedGcIdLosTBrI_NSnD9T3f65b0vUY-nSuaDwtc1HaLbpMzYJwoBZa5mdMQ26nuMjmSpdOjDgLdEqQdAGZZJm8QsHj6P8n9f1-aFJDfxAnLJsl6gyBTUrNBq6uZIyTGnKIYuW5G_LDNrYZ22HV_0XoNFpvk_d1aCijczJJN1Kdnhcjt_PV4K-WqKsX1iU/s259/Unknown-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedGcIdLosTBrI_NSnD9T3f65b0vUY-nSuaDwtc1HaLbpMzYJwoBZa5mdMQ26nuMjmSpdOjDgLdEqQdAGZZJm8QsHj6P8n9f1-aFJDfxAnLJsl6gyBTUrNBq6uZIyTGnKIYuW5G_LDNrYZ22HV_0XoNFpvk_d1aCijczJJN1Kdnhcjt_PV4K-WqKsX1iU/s1600/Unknown-2.jpeg" width="259" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><br style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;">The late-Alice Childress, the author of <em style="outline: none !important;">TROUBLE IN MIND</em>, now being staged by Seat of the Pants Productions, was an American novelist, playwright, and actress, who was acknowledged as the only African-American woman to have written, produced, and published plays for four decades.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Childress described her work as “trying to portray the have-nots in a have society.”<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />As she explained, "My writing attempts to interpret the 'ordinary' because they are not ordinary. Each human is uniquely different. Like snowflakes, the human pattern is never cast twice. We are uncommonly and marvelously-intricate in thought and action. Our problems are most complex and, too often, silently borne."<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Billed as “a moving and heartbreaking look at racism, identity and ego,” <em style="outline: none !important;">TROUBLE IN MIND</em> is a scathing indictment of racism in America and American commercial theatre.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />It tells the story of Wiletta Mayer, an African-American actress cast in a supposedly “progressive” play about racism by a white male author. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The script and the job turn-out to be anything but progressive, both in terms of its script and rehearsal environment.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">TROUBLE IN MIND</em> had a strange route to Broadway. The original Off-Broadway production was sponsored by the Village Presbyterian Church and the Brotherhood Synagogue in 1995. In 1957, a Broadway transfer had been planned, renamed <em style="outline: none !important;">SO EARLY MONDAY MORNING</em>, but the production was cancelled when the author refused to subdue its content.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">TROUBLE IN MIND</em> finally made its Broadway debut on November 18, 2021. The limited run closed on January 9, 2022, after 58 performances and 20 previews. The production was nominated for four <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=9b5b131b93&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Tony Awards">Tony Awards</a> including <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=f3c956e93f&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play">Best Revival of a Play</a>.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />“Set during rehearsals for a major Broadway production, <em style="outline: none !important;">TROUBLE IN MIND</em> illuminates the inner life of a Black actress struggling with her career. As Wiletta grapples with how she's treated, the role she's being asked to play, and what the production says (or doesn't) about race in America, her growing discomfort sets off a chain of events that reveal fissures within the acting company — and bring her into conflict with her director.”<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Effectively directed by Jeannine Gaskin, the production takes lots of twists and turns, allowing the observer to examine their attitudes toward race, feminism, prejudices and white male privilege. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself in states of repeated conflict not only by your feelings toward the characters, but by your own attitudes.</strong></span></span><div><span style="background-color: #800180; font-family: Palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></strong></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #800180; font-family: Palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><span style="color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZfFRDgQM8ytFPuB7LP_Y0JIvQ6uh4hVQC37ZR5WFHUh5YNJ23HJ8JdgTEDLQE4F28BniNH0yZ2lcwU8iiZ5C_uOBVJN1U0bH65SZlD0TfJ_2J9vcRnkzfGsxesRbIZb5dhX4sXsy-0hhv21KOW62UEQ6jgrqSZgjyKK1G_MQwUjqNZXxDIKrvaGKmvc/s225/Unknown-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZfFRDgQM8ytFPuB7LP_Y0JIvQ6uh4hVQC37ZR5WFHUh5YNJ23HJ8JdgTEDLQE4F28BniNH0yZ2lcwU8iiZ5C_uOBVJN1U0bH65SZlD0TfJ_2J9vcRnkzfGsxesRbIZb5dhX4sXsy-0hhv21KOW62UEQ6jgrqSZgjyKK1G_MQwUjqNZXxDIKrvaGKmvc/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Cleveland Critics Best Actress in a Musical award winner, Nicole Sumlin, is superb as Wiletta. Her climax speech, in which she expresses the author’s strong beliefs on the way in which black people, especially African Americans, both women and men, are negated by attitudinal views, and how women, in general, must be all that men are, plus some, just to be viewed as equal.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Tom Woodward, who also has been lauded by the Cleveland Critics Circle, is so effective in his characterization of the “villainous white man” who is unaware of his bullying methods and strong prejudices, that there were times when anything less than hitting him over the head with a two-by-four wouldn’t have been enough to knock some sense into him. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Strong performances were also presented by Elizabeth Domer (Judy), Andrew Knode (Bill), Madison Ledyard-King (John), Michael Montanus (Eddie), Zyrece Montgomery (Millie), Tom Stephan (Henry), and Darryl Tatum (Sheldon).<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Costume design by Marti Coles, lighting design by Ayron Lord, props design by Mia Jones, sound design by Aria Smith, and scenic construction by Christian Sanko all enhanced the production. The use of an electronic projection on the back wall, was especially effective.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">Capsule judgment: The company’s use of an intensive rehearsal period known as “process driven production method,” paid off. There is no doubt of clear character development, smooth flow of action, and meaningful stage pictures. All in all, the show makes for both a rich experience regarding evaluating yours and societal attitudes, as well as a fine theatrical experience! This is must see theatre!</em><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">TROUBLE IN MIND</em> runs November 3-19, 2023 (Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM / Sundays at 2:30 PM) @The Pivot Center, 2937 West 25th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113. For tickets: <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=63b98768b6&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://seatofthepants.org/productions</a></strong></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-44275711063647195362023-11-03T09:08:00.005-05:002023-11-03T09:08:55.234-05:00GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY of Key Bank Broadway Series is not a typical musical<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFQStFPDR2YLuK-zF1zPLkXsh49r1SW0Zj2-G5X6jstcx7c2gwev4yM5GHNnyrmu5-_9Sxd-Jfnwb15z_8POCU0MBouFofjuZ1duyWWmPwfEKtAFrtGyzlWlFDvq6lPFjYDC2vNs97V_fiCw55OyfXItl84iefKRDIdYwTNY1P6oUuHY93rFlAbYFikQ/s275/Unknown-1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFQStFPDR2YLuK-zF1zPLkXsh49r1SW0Zj2-G5X6jstcx7c2gwev4yM5GHNnyrmu5-_9Sxd-Jfnwb15z_8POCU0MBouFofjuZ1duyWWmPwfEKtAFrtGyzlWlFDvq6lPFjYDC2vNs97V_fiCw55OyfXItl84iefKRDIdYwTNY1P6oUuHY93rFlAbYFikQ/s1600/Unknown-1.jpeg" width="275" /></a></div><p></p><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 18px; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">David Greene, the Senior Vice President of Programming at Playhouse Square, informs theater-goers in his program notes for <em style="outline: none;">GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY</em> that “it is a non-traditional musical which features songs by music legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bob Dylan.” <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />He goes on to say, “[the songs] do not always sync with the story, rather they run parallel and expose something that we do not already know about a character or situation, a sort of peek into the subconscious.” <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />You are there to listen to Bob Dylan music and not figure out why this song is being sung by that character and how it fits into the tale.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />As Greene indicates, theatre-goers should not go to the show expecting to see a story-line musical. This is not OKLAHOMA, DEAR EVAN HANSEN or RENT. They shouldn’t even expect MAMMA MIA, JERSEY BOYS or MOULIN ROUGE, juke box musicals which, like <em style="outline: none;">GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY,</em> are a collection of pre-written music, jammed into a synthetic story line. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Bob Dylan? He’s Robert Allen Zimmerman, an 82-year-old American singer-songwriter, generally regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, who has been a major figure in popular culture for the 60 years of his career. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s, when songs such as "<a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=6085100b66&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Blowin' in the Wind">Blowin' in the Wind</a>" (1963) and "<a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=d0e775e4d4&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="The Times They Are a-Changin' (song)">The Times They Are a-Changin'</a>" (1964) became anthems for the <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=75adf5ff8f&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Civil rights movement">civil rights</a> and <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=5cb546cfe7&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Opposition to United States involvement in the Vietnam War">antiwar</a> movements. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />His lyrics during that period incorporated liberal political, social, philosophical, and literary influences, defying pop music conventions and appealing to the burgeoning <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=50fb5c5343&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Counterculture of the 1960s">counterculture</a>.<br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />Dylan was raised in <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=75b113ec7e&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Hibbing, Minnesota">Hibbing, Minnesota</a>. His grandparents emigrated from Russia and Lithuania following the pogroms in their native lands. <br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />He was brought up as part of a small, close-knit Jewish community, went to college where he became involved in the Dinkytown folk music circuit, which is an area of Minneapolis near the University of Minnesota campus noted for being the center of student life, and began to introduce himself as "Bob Dylan,” supposedly after reading poems by <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=5429b3ffca&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Dylan Thomas">Dylan Thomas</a>. <br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />As he explained it, "You're born, you know, the wrong names, wrong parents. I mean, that happens. You call yourself what you want to call yourself. This is the land of the free."<br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />In the late 1970s, Dylan converted to <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=4f1f3a07c1&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Evangelical Christianity">Evangelical Christianity</a> and released three albums of contemporary gospel music during what is called his “religious” period. “He returned to Judaism.” And . . . ? A recent quote seems to sum up his views: “I’m a man of contradictions, I’m a man of many moods. I contain multitudes…”<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />In 2016 he was awarded Nobel Prize for Literature, with the explanation that the committee was awarding Dylan "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition." <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The award was not without controversy, and <em style="outline: none;">The New York Times</em> reported: "Mr. Dylan, is the first musician to win the award, and his selection is perhaps the most radical choice in a history stretching back to 1901." <br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />Dylan was included in <em style="outline: none;">Time </em>magazine’s “The 100 Most Important People of the Century.” He was called "a master poet, caustic social critic and intrepid, guiding spirit of the counterculture generation."<br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />In 2008, the Pulitzer Prize jury awarded him a special citation for "his profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power."<br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" /><em style="outline: none;">GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY</em> has a book by <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=7efa3c97cb&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Conor McPherson">Conor McPherson</a> and premiered at <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=06c06a2756&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="The Old Vic">The Old Vic</a> in London running from July 8 to October 27, 017. It came to Broadway on March 5, 2020. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=7bc4c2f51e&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="COVID-19 pandemic">COVID-19 pandemic</a> shuttered Broadway theaters on March 12, 2020, the show resumed performances on October 13, 2021. It permanently closed on June 19, 2022. <br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />The play with music takes place on the shores of <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=2f84d2db00&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Lake Superior">Lake Superior</a> in <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=5358c9143e&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Duluth, Minnesota">Duluth</a> in the winter of 1934 when America is in the grip of the <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=53cfa4abd8&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Great Depression">Great Depression</a>.<br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />The story is narrated by Dr. Walker, physician to the Laine family. Nick Laine is the proprietor of a rundown guesthouse. The bank is threatening to foreclose on the property and he is desperate to find a way to save his family from homelessness. His wife, Elizabeth, is suffering from a form of dementia. Their children are Gene, who is in his early twenties, and their adopted daughter, Marianne, who is nineteen.<br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />As the slight, soap-opera like “story” develops, we meet various residents of the guesthouse and locals, who share their backstories and present lives.<br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />Late at night, during a storm, a self-styled reverend bible salesman and a down-on-his-luck boxer arrive looking for shelter. The arrival of these characters is a catalyst, changing everything for everyone in the house. <br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />Twenty-two Bob Dylan songs are performed. Songs include: “Went to See the Gypsy,” “Slow Train,” “Make Me Feel Your Love,” “True Love Tends to Forget,” “Is Your Love in Vain” and “Pressing On.”<br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" /><em style="outline: none;">Capsule judgment: The singing voices are strong, the music well-played, the technical aspects well done. The sound system leaves much to be desired as spoken voices are not well-heard. Don’t expect the usual Broadway glossy set, special effects, fancy costumes, or electronic effects. If you are a Dylan-fanatic, are into his music and/or want to sit back and listen to his songs, while paying a little attention to a slight story, this will be your thing! Me? I’m looking forward to FUNNNY GIRL and COMPANY, later in the season offerings.</em></span></strong></span><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><br style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; outline: none;" /><br style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; outline: none;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 16px; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><em style="outline: none;">GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY</em>, which is part of the 2023-24 KeyBank Broadway Series at Playhouse Square, will play in the Connor Palace at Playhouse Square from Tuesday, October 31-Sunday, November 19. Show times are Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets for all performances are available online at <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=1d80765bda&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">playhousesquare.org</a> or by calling 216-241-6000.</strong></span></span><div><span style="color: white; font-family: Palatino;"><b style="background-color: #800180;"><br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLI751PrEoY51TDRKkeBAz9XJEx5xibYlBXtJwE6XNO9Pp1j869YSh7wZ5Vf3Sbk2L2-7rxc1W7bRKCUXkEGXLsiIBMR_hTnvPI1BKhZpcqKFD3C8TwEPsV7dZWy-vAfAAdrs4nrDxy3aJs9Ls4Pn1IcYMqvLsqbiehjIZELUKqupXShGMYvfMolvytBk/s275/Unknown.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLI751PrEoY51TDRKkeBAz9XJEx5xibYlBXtJwE6XNO9Pp1j869YSh7wZ5Vf3Sbk2L2-7rxc1W7bRKCUXkEGXLsiIBMR_hTnvPI1BKhZpcqKFD3C8TwEPsV7dZWy-vAfAAdrs4nrDxy3aJs9Ls4Pn1IcYMqvLsqbiehjIZELUKqupXShGMYvfMolvytBk/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" width="275" /></a></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-7802094183222414282023-11-02T09:06:00.010-05:002023-11-03T09:20:30.167-05:00Astounding CABARET compels at School of Theatre and Dance of Kent State<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; outline: none; width: 350px;"><tbody style="outline: none;"><tr style="outline: none;"><td align="left" style="outline: none; word-break: normal;" valign="top" width="310"><div id="yiv9587849686templateBodyCopy" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px; outline: none;"><p style="font-family: Palatino; margin: 0px; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span style="color: white; font-size: medium; outline: none;"></span></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1o462fCA4n26POGddHQ28_x2ynPO03Y2UpCXRvQtyWR7Z0lQhd6hjn1cZDze5WFgJg_Z0pAJ2OLopCFAlx2HBqDWgDOTw1ooX8r4cTRi0vwkEkE-94I-efYaMYI0-nwhRh9EHVjRdkSMLwhprZl4-ink-ZGZfTKPeShEDjpCIW31AGsGuhWbcPdKGw4/s1200/20231026_BC_Theatre_Cabaret_1573-Enhanced-NR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1o462fCA4n26POGddHQ28_x2ynPO03Y2UpCXRvQtyWR7Z0lQhd6hjn1cZDze5WFgJg_Z0pAJ2OLopCFAlx2HBqDWgDOTw1ooX8r4cTRi0vwkEkE-94I-efYaMYI0-nwhRh9EHVjRdkSMLwhprZl4-ink-ZGZfTKPeShEDjpCIW31AGsGuhWbcPdKGw4/s320/20231026_BC_Theatre_Cabaret_1573-Enhanced-NR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><strong style="outline: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">On a mid-December evening in 1966, as I walked down the aisle to my mezzanine seat in the third row of the Broadhurst Theatre in New York to see one of the first performances of the musical CABARET, I was struck by my image reflected by a huge convex mirror stage. The closer I got to the stage, the more I was confronted by my grotesque-self getting larger, longer, and out of proportion. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Little did I know, at the time, that out-of-focus image was reflecting the concept of the era being depicted in the story. Yes, it was the time of the growth of the Nazi Party, the rise of Hitler, the creation of concentration camps, and the destruction of much of the Jewish/Gay/Gypsy/Communist/disabled populations of eastern Europe.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Yes, theatre, as is true of the arts, represents the era from which is comes. And, CABARET, the John Kander (music), Fred Ebb (lyrics), Joe Masteroff (lyrics) musical, is a perfect reflection of the decadence and horrors of that time. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The musical, which in its first staging starred Cleveland-native Joel Grey, was not an instant success due to its perceived immoral content. As Masteroff shares, “When the show opened in Boston there were a lot of walkouts; however, once the rave reviews came out the show was a success.” <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The multi-award-winning script inspired numerous subsequent productions as well as the 1972 Emmy winning film. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />“Set in 1929–1930 Berlin during the twilight of the Jazz Age, the musical focuses on the hedonistic nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub and revolves around American writer Clifford Bradshaw's relations with English cabaret performer Sally Bowles. A subplot involves the doomed romance between German boarding house owner Fräulein Schneider and her elderly suitor, Herr Schultz, a Jewish fruit vendor. Overseeing the action is the Master of Ceremonies at the Kit Kat Klub, and the club itself serves as a metaphor for ominous political developments in late Weimar Germany.” <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />American writer Christopher Isherwood's autobiographical tales is of his escapades when he came to Berlin to enjoy the city's orgiastic cabarets in hopes of finding a topic about which to write a novel. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Two weeks after <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=d0c5770b45&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Adolf Hitler">Adolf Hitler</a> implemented the <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=05cf88e796&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Enabling Act of 1933">Enabling Act</a>, which cemented his dictatorship, Isherwood fled Germany and returned to England on April 5, 1933 and wrote GOODBYE TO BERLIN. (<em style="outline: none;">CABARET</em> is based on the John Van Druten 1951 play <em style="outline: none;">I AM A CAMERA</em>, which was based on the Isherwood book.)<br style="outline: none;" />The script had a strong rebirth when in 1993 <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=6825ee42b9&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Sam Mendes">Sam Mendes</a> directed a reconceptualization version in <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=55840cccfc&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="London">London</a>. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The most significant change in the reimagined <em style="outline: none;">CABARET </em>was in the character of the Emcee. In the original version the role, as played by Grey was an asexual character with rouged cheeks dressed in a <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=8c9f2c994f&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Tuxedo (clothing)">tuxedo</a>. <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=382d409676&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Alan Cumming">Alan Cumming</a>, in the Mendes-directed version, was highly sexualized, and the horror of the forthcoming Holocaust was emphasized.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The KSU production, using the Mendes interpretation, is under the creative and focused directing of Terri Kent and the ingenious choreography of Martin Cespedes, who also serves as Artistic Collaborator. It is astounding. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The story is clearly told. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The characters are clearly etched. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Cespedes’ “Willkommen” opening number movements set a perfect pace and image for the show. The kick-line in “Married” had the audience screaming for more. </span></span></strong><p></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; margin: 0px; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: Palatino; margin: 0px; outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;"><strong style="outline: none;"></strong></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAUhTFBSDyOKhVIE1f7GNZgTp8BVSv_OyYqDMYPYN9ozpbq7Di_MF1pSe5OWQA2g2bwsgDfYVt5KEopp0R5ABhvOGg4hWuIG0nr8x1qGHiOBDwgoO3TbgaXjUgnbxegCDTTR4IAwUSPNK-hnpAx0loXwPJFXTPiafHB6jxPrRG_KLg14cm3xl-Tq5_bo/s225/kent3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAUhTFBSDyOKhVIE1f7GNZgTp8BVSv_OyYqDMYPYN9ozpbq7Di_MF1pSe5OWQA2g2bwsgDfYVt5KEopp0R5ABhvOGg4hWuIG0nr8x1qGHiOBDwgoO3TbgaXjUgnbxegCDTTR4IAwUSPNK-hnpAx0loXwPJFXTPiafHB6jxPrRG_KLg14cm3xl-Tq5_bo/s1600/kent3.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></strong></div><strong style="outline: none;"><span><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The orchestra arrangements often differ from previous productions. “Cabaret,” Sally Bowe’s epic song, gets a character-developing “hard-assed,” interpretation by Madison Shannon, as does her interpretation of “Main Herr” and “Maybe This Time.” Hers is not a Liza Minnelli air-headed character-copy.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />“Married” a duet by Tim Culver, as Schultz and Rebecca Poole, as Frau Schneider, has all the necessary delight, but has an added foreshadowing of the disaster to come. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />“Tomorrow Belongs to Me” is powerfully engulfing. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />“I Don’t Care Much” (Nicholas Bradley as the Emcee—he alternates in the role with Dominic Young) and “The Finale” (Anthony Ghali as Cliff and Bradley) sets the audience up for an emotionally-wrenching ending.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />It is so tempting to explain in detail the powerful finale, but it would be a disservice to future audiences. Just to say, it would have been made even stronger if the blackout at the end had been held even longer, letting the audience sit in darkness, deservedly uncomfortable, and then walking out in half-dimmed lights with no curtain call.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Jennnifer Korecki’s orchestra is right on key, but could have been tuned-down in some segments, where they drowned out the singers.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The sets (Gennie Neuman-Lambert), costumes (Michelle Hunt Souza), lights (David Bruns) and sound (Bella Brehm) designs were excellent. The concept of using up-side down chairs as cells and cell bars was ingenious.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" /><em style="outline: none;">Capsule judgment: KSU’s CABARET is one of the highest quality college performances this reviewer has ever seen. Every aspect was well-conceived. Terri Kent and Martin Cespedes are to be commended for their vision and execution and every person who participated in bringing this show to stage should be proud of their accomplishments! Applause, applause, applause.</em><br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" /><em style="outline: none;">CABARET</em> runs through November 9. Tickets can be purchased through the Performing Arts Box Office by phone at 330-672-2787 or online at <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=a421847a11&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://kentstateticketing.universitytickets.com/w/default.aspx?cid=167.</a></span></span></span></strong></div><div id="yiv9587849686templateBodyCopy" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px; outline: none;"><strong style="outline: none;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; outline: none;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 10pt; outline: none;">(Fairness factor: I am a proud theatre/speech graduate of Kent State University (Class of 1955) and hold the distinction, while serving as Vice President of the Student Senate and All-University Social Chairman, of being the producer of FINIAN’S RAINBOW, noted as the first official musical theatre production at KSU. This was long before the school had a Musical Theatre program.)</span></i></span><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span><span style="background-color: #800180;"><br /></span></span></span></strong></div></td><td style="outline: none; word-break: normal;" width="20"></td></tr></tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-26761447907329260622023-11-01T09:20:00.004-05:002023-11-01T09:20:34.296-05:00Artificial Intelligence trend makes CPH’S MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN even more thought-provoking!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wz6vvY9fKBHGx0TUrQ4CjlpA4pr224U44K3Uj2sOPIDTuls4zFN1kj6wIVY_nKXeEk7RJd_TjF3LpzEIS4S9OjBIOrUgEkdjS_Z592jQGDX94g2mvBQj7uNn610diQ4HTZpUpbIfSj3O7XgYj1n1zE2RdjfeLXEOapc4u-S__iZVBP2JsVeG1k4Wk-A/s318/cph102023260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="212" data-original-width="318" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wz6vvY9fKBHGx0TUrQ4CjlpA4pr224U44K3Uj2sOPIDTuls4zFN1kj6wIVY_nKXeEk7RJd_TjF3LpzEIS4S9OjBIOrUgEkdjS_Z592jQGDX94g2mvBQj7uNn610diQ4HTZpUpbIfSj3O7XgYj1n1zE2RdjfeLXEOapc4u-S__iZVBP2JsVeG1k4Wk-A/s1600/cph102023260.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><br /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-size: 18px;"> </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;">With the recent uptake in information about Artificial Intelligence, the creation of a monster becomes more real and probably scarier than when Mary Shelley wrote her 1818 novel <em style="outline: none !important;">FRANKENSTEIN</em><em style="outline: none !important;">; OR, THE </em><em style="outline: none !important;">MODERN PROMETHEU</em><em style="outline: none !important;">S</em>. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The tale tells the story of <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=678117c6fc&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Victor Frankenstein">Victor Frankenstein</a>, a young scientist who creates a <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=c8e6d92525&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Sapience">sapient</a> <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=6c42ce4463&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Frankenstein's monster">creature</a> in an unorthodox scientific experiment and the results of that creation. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The real scare may well be that we now are faced with the reality of our ability to “play God” in creating a “life.” Yes, the danger that lies in willful ignorance, when people neglect to consider the potential negative impacts of their actions.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Frankenstein has become a classic not only because of its of pioneering theme of reanimating the dead and/or creating new life, but also because of the interactions between its two main characters: the young scientist Victor Frankenstein and the creature that he creates, who remains nameless throughout the novel. (Side note: Since the publication of the novel, the name "Frankenstein" has often been used, erroneously, to <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=3217740cfb&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Frankenstein's monster">refer to the monster</a>, rather than to his creator/father.)<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />A significant incident In developing her tale took place when, in 1815, Mary Shelley travelled through Europe. She took a tour along the <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=359d2b7d28&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Rhine">Rhine</a> River in Germany, and stopping near the site of the Frankenstein Castle, where, two centuries before, an <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=be92b2a5e6&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Alchemist">alchemist</a> had engaged in experiments, and it was rumored he created a monster.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />As the result of that travel, in 1816, when Mary, her husband Percy Shelley, <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=31ef9cc06b&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="John Polidori">John Polidori</a> and <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=82d28d82f9&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Lord Byron">Lord Byron</a> had a competition to see who could write the best <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=b006f1179c&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Horror fiction">horror</a> story, she imagined the story of a scientist who created <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=731919e91e&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Life">life</a> and was horrified by what he had made. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The book, which she created from her contest story, is considered the <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=f41c7ae3ae&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="History of science fiction">first true science-fiction</a> novel. It has had a considerable influence on literature and on popular culture as it has spawned a complete genre of <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=9b82b169d2&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Horror fiction">horror</a> stories, films, and plays.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The play, <em style="outline: none !important;">MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN</em>, which is now on stage at Cleveland Play House, is a stage adaptation, by <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=cb5cabdafe&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Nick Dear">David</a> Catlin, of <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=2562d40a20&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Mary Shelley">Mary Shelley</a>'s book.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The plot centers on “<a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=7585253553&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Victor Frankenstein">Victor Frankenstein</a> who creates a <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=80db154410&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Frankenstein's monster">monster</a> from human corpses. Once the Creature is brought to life, however, Victor is appalled by his creation's deformed appearance and flees in terror. The Creature wanders through the streets of <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=1d22957446&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Ingolstadt">Ingolstadt</a>, lost and confused. Meanwhile, Gretel, a prostitute, is being assaulted in an alleyway and calls for help. The Creature frightens off her attacker, Gretel recoils from her savior, and a mob of villagers chase the Creature away. The next morning, the Creature sees the dawn for the first time and finds Victor's journal revealing the way in which it was created.”<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />And, thus we fall deeper into the tale of the horrors of the monster’s existence, lack of having true emotions and, therefore, the lack of being able to love. In contrast to the book, in which Victor dies, at the end of the play he does not.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />The CPH production, under the directorship of Michael Barakiva, is proficiently done. The cast, Josh Bates, Madeline Calais-King, Ellen Grace Diehl, Gavin Michaels (Victor Frankenstein) and Koydè Soyemi (Creature) are all competent in creating the characters they portray. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Lex Liang’s scenic and costume design, Jakyung C. Seo’s lighting, and Sharath Patel’s sound design all greatly enhance the staging.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">Capsule judgment: The production, though not as compelling as it could be, tells the tale as Mary Shelly intended it. If you think of the Frankenstein tale as true horrifying and scary, the monster as epitomized by Boris Karloff in the films FRANKENSTEIN AND THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, or ridiculously humorous as portrayed in ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN or HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, this is not it. This is a straight-forth telling of the Shelly tale, with the ominous over-tones of what might be in this age of Emotional Intelligence.</em><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN runs through November 12, 2023 in the Outcalt Theatre in the Cleveland Play House complex of Playhouse Square. For tickets call 216-400-7000 or <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=167467becb&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/</a><br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Next up at Cleveland Play House…Langston Hughes’ BLACK NAIVITY, directed by Tony F. Sias and Erin Weaver, with musical direction by Dr. David Thomas (December 1-16, 2023) followed by the farcical THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, February 10-March 3, 2024.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> </span></strong></span><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-22893368372686882992023-10-30T14:35:00.003-05:002023-10-30T14:42:00.837-05:00Stirring, historically important, must-see THE ISLAND is being staged by Ensemble Theatre<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none; width: 350px;"><tbody style="outline: none;"><tr style="outline: none;"><td align="left" style="outline: none; word-break: normal;" valign="top" width="310"><div id="yiv3445093420templateBodyCopy" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; outline: none;"><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: none;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #404040; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptWxbeCg00GYVdUvwsZP9I81MfwzrygaYpyE5CnAiLPrTQ0xgXBRb9-Nt6VKJhbqew6p9OXndLPlQ5-E2v6T6PwU67DQDu-c-t2BJjJ_7lD7dervKIxS7YF1CFHCZqp-dS1_mkeO29giJMp5JS-7ynHZE9G2nhfFLlVit7mtRDinsSJR9ISx3pnPs8t8/s1080/thumbnail.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1080" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptWxbeCg00GYVdUvwsZP9I81MfwzrygaYpyE5CnAiLPrTQ0xgXBRb9-Nt6VKJhbqew6p9OXndLPlQ5-E2v6T6PwU67DQDu-c-t2BJjJ_7lD7dervKIxS7YF1CFHCZqp-dS1_mkeO29giJMp5JS-7ynHZE9G2nhfFLlVit7mtRDinsSJR9ISx3pnPs8t8/s320/thumbnail.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><br /><strong style="outline: none;"><br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />Former South Euclid resident and Brush High School graduate, Dr. Alan Wieder, is on a quest "to stem the time of forgetfulness." The oral historian, who has been on the faculties of both South Africa's University of Western Cape and Stellenbosch University, is concerned that "Few young South Africans know of the contributions or the sensibilities regarding the social justice and the revolution against class disparity and racism in the world."<br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />Wieder has been working since 1999 with South Africans who fought the apartheid regime. His Apartheid based books include <em style="outline: none;">Voices from Cape Town Classrooms</em>,<em style="outline: none;"> Teachers and Comrade</em>, and <em style="outline: none;">Ruth First and Joe Slovo in the War Against Apartheid.</em><br style="outline: none;" /><br style="outline: none;" />Apartheid, which means "distantiation” in the <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=e11b4bac3c&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Afrikaans">Afrikaans</a> language, was a racist political and social system which took place in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. It was racial segregation, under the all-white government, which dictated that non-white South Africans (a majority of the population) were required to live in separate areas from whites, use separate public facilities, while contact between the two groups was basically forbidden.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The apartheid system was abolished when a new constitution was ratified abolishing the previous system of government. <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=e8a6d9838c&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Nelson Mandela">Nelson Mandela</a> was elected to the Presidency of South Africa when multi-racial elections were held in April 1994, thus becoming the first black person to hold the position in that country.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" /><em style="outline: none;">THE ISLAND</em>, is basically a true story. It is set in the notorious <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=1ce2239089&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Maximum Security Prison, Robben Island">Robben Island prison</a>, where <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=04de51f24c&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Nelson Mandela">Nelson Mandela</a> was held for twenty-seven years. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The script centers on John and Winston. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />John was imprisoned for belonging to a banned organization, while Winston, was incarcerated for burning his passbook in front of the police. This was a serious crime, as the passbook was used to identify, segregate and control the South African minority.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />As black political prisoners, the duo spends their days at hard labor and their evenings rehearsing Sophocles' <em style="outline: none;">ANTIGONE,</em> which will be presented before their fellow prisoners and their captures.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />In their enactment of <em style="outline: none;">ANTIGONE</em>, Winston takes the part of Antigone, who defies the laws of the state by burying her brother, while John portrays her uncle Creon, who sentences her to die for her crime of conscience, thus drawing a parallel between Antigone's situation and that of the black political prisoners. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The play has four scenes. It opens with a lengthy mimed sequence in which John and Winston, two cell mates imprisoned on Robben Island, shovel sand in the scorching heat, dumping the sand at the feet of the other man, so that the pile of the sand never diminishes. This is designed to exhaust the body and the morale of the prisoners.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />After yet another day of hard labor they tend each other's wounds, share memories of times at the beach and rehearse.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />During one of the rehearsals, John is called to the governor's office. He returns with news that his appeal was successful and his ten-year sentence has been commuted to three years: he will be free in three months. Winston’s reaction, though he is pleased for his cell-mate, has overtones of jealousy.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The final scene is their performance of <em style="outline: none;">ANTIGONE</em>. “After Creon sentences Antigone to be walled up in a cave for having defied him and done her duty towards her dead brother, Winston pulls off Antigone's wig and yells ‘Gods of Our Fathers! My Land! My Home! Time waits no longer. I go now to my living death, because I honored those things to which honor belongs.’ The final image is of John and Winston, chained together once more, running hard as the siren wails.”<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The themes of racial segregation, obedience and civil disobedience, brotherhood, freedom, memory, imagination, the transformative power of performance, the role of the individual versus the state, and mental versus physical liberation, run throughout the well-written and conceived script.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />Although the play is in English, <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=83287c872c&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Afrikaans">Afrikaans</a> and <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=3e15c91e91&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="Xhosa language">Xhosa</a> words are also spoken. The well-planned program includes a glossary of those terms, as well as clarifying messages from the director and a historical perspective.<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The Ensemble production, under the focused direction of Sarah May, is transfixing. She not only displays a clear understanding of the intent and purpose of the authors, and is well-versed in staging a script and working with actors, but is invested in the purpose of the play. <br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" />The two-person cast is outstanding. Both Nnamdi Okpala (Winston) and Robert Williams (John) totally inhabit their characters. They don’t act the roles, they assume the personhoods of each of the men. Their severe but meaningless labor, their physical and mental torture, and their friendship are totally clear. This performance at its finest!<br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" /><em style="outline: none;">Capsule judgment: THE ISLAND helps to keep the history and human torture of </em><em style="outline: none;">apartheid alive, and like plays, books and films about the Holocaust, keeps the vision, thoughts and memories of those horrible times alive, so that they are never repeated again. </em><em style="outline: none;">This is an absolutely must-see production!</em><br style="outline: none;" /> <br style="outline: none;" /><em style="outline: none;">THE ISLAND</em> runs October 27th- November 12th, 2023 Ensemble’s new location at Notre Dame College (4545 College Rd., South Euclid). Free, monitored parking is available. For tickets call 216-321-2930 or go on-line to <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=debb59f4d5&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Ensemble Theatre</a></strong></span><p></p></div></td><td style="outline: none; word-break: normal;" width="20"><br style="outline: none;" /></td></tr><tr style="outline: none;"><td colspan="3" style="outline: none; word-break: normal;" valign="bottom" width="350"><br style="outline: none;" /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-45856572097547243282023-10-23T14:48:00.005-05:002023-10-23T14:48:34.373-05:00DRACULA: THE BLOODY TRUTH @ Great Lakes Theater is a fun farce for some, not so for others<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important; width: 350px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" valign="top" width="310"><div id="yiv4062161879templateBodyCopy" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; outline: none !important;"><p style="font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: none !important;"><span style="font-size: 18px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"></strong></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #404040; text-align: center;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8_OoUfyzi1JshUhZDvxaM0g55uP2zgRcaPud8t7pJd65Ra3RhLLe-bU-XxQ0MpSd449p1jU8mG02jdy_IU-nJtWblOCuaojRlC6euhtIujgk62Nt2cXQh-e-Rkx3KQo8M7ksZrHYWHyf0DQsbFuHv-OcWnILNTOxX4DYJDYr07kzGekL4NgJSJg97e8/s1749/glt101923430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1749" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8_OoUfyzi1JshUhZDvxaM0g55uP2zgRcaPud8t7pJd65Ra3RhLLe-bU-XxQ0MpSd449p1jU8mG02jdy_IU-nJtWblOCuaojRlC6euhtIujgk62Nt2cXQh-e-Rkx3KQo8M7ksZrHYWHyf0DQsbFuHv-OcWnILNTOxX4DYJDYr07kzGekL4NgJSJg97e8/s320/glt101923430.jpg" width="320" /></a></strong></div><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br /><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">It's that time of year--pumpkins, costumes, trick and treat, horror movies and zombies. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />It is, therefore, only proper that area live theatres schedule appropriate shows. Cleveland Play House will shortly open <em style="outline: none !important;">FRANKENSTEIN</em> and Great Lakes Theater just raised the curtain on <em style="outline: none !important;">DRACULA: THE BLOODY TRUTH.</em><br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Dracula was the story that kickstarted the public’s interest in vampires. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Bram Stoker’s <em style="outline: none !important;">Dracula</em> (1897) is credited with giving us the quintessential vampire story. It wasn’t, however, the first of that genre. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s poem <em style="outline: none !important;">The Bride of Corinth</em> (1797) was an early take on vampire literature, and later Sheridan Le Fanu’s <em style="outline: none !important;">Carmilla</em> (1871) added to the myth. The gentleman vampire, which is the image that most have of the character, based on the movie and theatre versions, was the contribution of John Polidori with his <em style="outline: none !important;">The Vampyre</em> (1817).<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The throat-biting, blood thirsty mythical creature, is “one of the most adapted characters in the world, second only to Sherlock Holmes, with over 200 films featuring the character. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Great stars have played the infamous Count, including Lon Chaney Jr., Christopher Lee, Frank Langella, and Gary Oldman. The character has also been ripe for parody, like in the 1995 Mel Brooks film <em style="outline: none !important;">Dracula: Dead and Loving It</em>, starring Leslie Nielsen, and Roman Polanski’s 1967 film, <em style="outline: none !important;">The Fearless Vampire Killers</em>.”<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Chaney, it is purported, played the role at the Hanna Theatre, the home of Great Lakes Theater, in a live theatrical play version of the legend. (Though this, like Dracula, himself, is subject to speculation.)<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Farce is front and center in Le Navet Bete and John Nicholson’s <em style="outline: none !important;">DRACULA: THE BLOODY TRUTH.</em><br style="outline: none !important;" />The script’s premise is that we are hearing the “real” Dracula story, not some “alternative facts” and “fake news” version. (Yea, sure!)<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />To get the “facts” straight, the audience will take a journey across Europe from the dark and sinister Transylvanian mountains to the charming seaside town of Whitby, guided by the fictional Professor Van Heising. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />This will be accomplished by observing Van Heising, portrayed by Lynn Robert Berg (who also will be seen as Bride 1, Quincey Morris, a Peasant, a Train Conductor, a Bloke, a Box Man and a Paper boy) and three actors (Jeffrey C. Hawkins, Jodi Dominick and Joe Wegner) who stage a “factual” theatrical production of the bloody events of the life and deeds of (…drum roll…) Dracula. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />It allows Berg and company, at breakneck speed to (…I can’t resist…) sink their teeth into over 40 roles!<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Billed as “a wild, zany, (almost) authentic adaptation that provides a spooktacular evening [or afternoon] full of campy horror fun,” the script is seemingly a dream assignment for Producing Artistic Director Charles Fee. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Fee is the local king of farce. There is no schtick, gimmick, double-take, door slam, tripping over one’s own feet, that the man doesn’t love. It’s a wonder that following his oft-presented curtain speeches, he doesn’t do a pratfall off the stage.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />A Broadway World review of another theater’s production of the script called it “a side-splittingly funny show that was the best comedy I've seen this year.”<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />I wish I could say that about the GLT production. Maybe it was because I saw a matinee performance, or the cast was still recovering from the previous night’s opening night celebration, but the staging I saw was flat. It didn’t move at the expected break-neck speed. Lots of the gimmicks didn’t work. The timing was off. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />It wasn’t that the show wasn’t funny…much of the second act was…it was that in farce the audience is to laugh at gags and gimmicks that come naturally from the lines and instances, not from devised ridiculousness. There was too much of a “you are supposed to laugh at this stuff” . . . a begging for laughs and humor that was too pat…not spontaneous.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The cast worked hard, the stagehands did their part with great enthusiasm, but all in all <em style="outline: none !important;">DRACULA: THE BLOODY TRUTH</em> just didn’t live up to expectations. The number of people who left at intermission show-cased this, as did the traditional Cleveland “required” standing ovation at the end, which only included about a third of the audience.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">Capsule judgment: Many will find DRACULA: THE BLOODY TRUTH to be a laugh riot, others will wonder why their seatmates were reacting, while they aren’t. </em><em style="outline: none !important;"> I, unfortunately, was in the latter group. Too bad, for with all the angst in the world, I was hoping for two-hours, with intermission, of humorous escape. Oh, well . . .</em><br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">DRACULA: THE BLOODY TRUTH </em>runs through November 5, 2023 at the Hanna Theatre, the home of the Great Lakes Theater. For tickets <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=96b4c880e3&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.greatlakestheater.org/</a> or call (216) 241-6000</span></strong><p></p></div></td><td style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" width="20"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></td></tr><tr style="outline: none !important;"></tr></tbody></table><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-36576463780387435902023-10-16T16:39:00.005-05:002023-10-16T16:39:40.995-05:00Con—con’s THE GROWN-UP, a thought-provoking, life-awareness, fantasy! <br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; outline: none !important;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: Palatino; font-size: 12px; outline: none !important;" /><span style="font-family: Palatino; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #404040; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiKnZpYY_kOi18R9NRCclo3rTdx-tfJW0tvQ0mSk5f6F72P_gTo5_ZmG0kf4UGGIYLfqG1g6t3mjOVat-D5xiIRk8tv7Dqf86gTi7ZndNg14Jn3qgT7G61SSPVrPqB4dMp3n72Rf1fvjqaODkloE37rJ_ca2o2vQO4m1eUGf15B3R0DjQGtYEKPFmul4/s1080/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiKnZpYY_kOi18R9NRCclo3rTdx-tfJW0tvQ0mSk5f6F72P_gTo5_ZmG0kf4UGGIYLfqG1g6t3mjOVat-D5xiIRk8tv7Dqf86gTi7ZndNg14Jn3qgT7G61SSPVrPqB4dMp3n72Rf1fvjqaODkloE37rJ_ca2o2vQO4m1eUGf15B3R0DjQGtYEKPFmul4/s320/thumbnail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-size: 18px;"> </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;"><em style="outline: none !important;">THE GROWN-UP</em>, Pulitzer Prize finalist Jordan Harrison’s play, which is now on stage at convergence-continuum, in its Ohio premiere, uses fantasy to explore how quickly life changes and, therefore, that life is too short to miss any moment of it. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The play asks the fundamental questions of life, such as whether it is possible to balance our earlier innocence with adult experiences? <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The script, which was premiered at the Actor's Theatre of Louisville in March, 2014 as a part of the Humana Festival, centers on ten-year old Kai, who is given a “magical” crystal door-knob by his grandfather that enables him to open “doors” that allow him to travel through space and time to see future events in his life. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />As he goes from experience to experience, including meeting a pirate, writing award winning scripts, discovering his gay sexuality, becoming disabled, reconnecting with his sister, the less he feels like he's seeing into his future, but more that he is living life as most people do, much too quickly. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />While the story is not linear in its development, it’s not difficult to follow. The clear staging and pace, as well as being up-close in con-cons intimate space of about 25 seats, with no-one more than three rows from the runway stage, aids in being involved in the intimacy of the action.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The six-person cast, who change characters, age and sex, requires the audience use their imaginations to accept the premise of Harrison’s writing.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Mike Frye who plays Kai at every stage in life, must not only be a child, but a jaded author of stories, an adventurer, an ill and later dying man. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Logan Andrews plays the cabin boy who brought the crystal to Kai’s grandparents’ house as well as Kai’s boyfriend in a scene in which his feelings for his lover change from bemusement to exasperation and fear. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /> Natalie Lambo plays the same character at two very different stages in her life. She’s a little girl at the start of the play and an old lady at the conclusion.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The show is effectively staged by Amy Bistok.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Clyde Simon’s projections aid in creating clear images of the set for many scenes,<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Each member of the non-professional cast, Mike Frye, Natalie Lambo, Logan Andrews, Katelyn Cornelius, David l. Munnell and Jack Matuszewski are believable in their many roles, developing clear characters.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">Capsule judgment: THE GROWN-UP, while fulfilling con-con’s purpose of expanding human imagination and extending the conventional boundaries of language, structure, space and performance, continues the pattern of presenting challenging plays that fits the likes of their core audience. As with most the theatre’s offerings, this play is both challenging and thought-provoking. It is a quick and interesting experience.</em><br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /></span></strong></span><p><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;"><strong style="font-family: Palatino; outline: none !important;"><em style="outline: none !important;">THE GROWN-UP</em> by Jordan Harrison, about 90-minutes long , is staged without intermission, runs Saturday Oct 14, 2023 through Saturday Nov 4, 2023 at convergence-continuum, 2438 Scranton Road in Tremont. For tickets go to <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=c18ba307da&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">www.convergencetoninuum.org</a>. </strong> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3114387099896190039.post-570570993412478142023-10-10T18:28:00.002-05:002023-10-10T18:28:18.465-05:00 MAKE BELIEVE @ Dobama--thought-provoking with some lacking staging and writing qualities <p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important; width: 350px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" valign="top" width="310"><div id="yiv8608933759templateBodyCopy" style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; outline: none !important;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="color: #1d2228; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; outline: none !important; width: 350px;"><tbody style="outline: none !important;"><tr style="outline: none !important;"><td align="left" style="outline: none !important; word-break: normal;" valign="top" width="310"><div id="yiv8608933759templateBodyCopy" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 21px; outline: none !important;"><p style="font-family: Palatino; margin: 0px; outline: none !important;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXf4YEws6QiMQSrLOJtJsIPWC204fC9aWXsb_lq4_GCf0_UdF2OwMvTN9YTeWVYect5uONq81gHPEc35S_nwnYi8FMihZlWR5Avbm6su8p0VgWoSViL0pY1QYrbziBjK-G_WdJNvWFW9bWZx2kS_VSTaOFzLiAJ6C5eW4OwqMCJ71VpDy0J9Kc7o6kPk/s750/i-FQkvXNk-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXf4YEws6QiMQSrLOJtJsIPWC204fC9aWXsb_lq4_GCf0_UdF2OwMvTN9YTeWVYect5uONq81gHPEc35S_nwnYi8FMihZlWR5Avbm6su8p0VgWoSViL0pY1QYrbziBjK-G_WdJNvWFW9bWZx2kS_VSTaOFzLiAJ6C5eW4OwqMCJ71VpDy0J9Kc7o6kPk/s320/i-FQkvXNk-X2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><strong style="outline: none !important;"><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;"><span style="color: #404040; font-size: 18px;"> </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: large;">In his program notes, Dobama Artistic Director Nathan Motta states of <em style="outline: none !important;">MAKE BELIEVE</em>, now on stage at Cleveland’s Off-Broadway theatre, “[it] is one of the best scripts I’ve read in my time at Dobama. After I read the play for the first time, I immediately contacted Ms. Wohl to share how fantastic I thought it was and to express my hope that we’d be able to produce it in the future. That’s the only time I’ve done that in my career. The structure, ideas, dialogue, characters, aesthetic, and storytelling are just phenomenal. It’s a play that feels both familiar and unique. It’s funny, moving, thought-provoking, and personal. For a cast and creative team, it presents numerous challenges, but the richness of the writing makes all the efforts well worth the work.” <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Normally, I agree with the very theatre-knowledgeable Motta, but, I must somewhat differ from him with his evaluation of <em style="outline: none !important;">MAKE BELIEVE</em>.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />On opening night, I found the first segment of the production excruciatingly slow and word-heavy. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The first 20-or-so minutes found four cute, young people “playing house” for a very long, long, long time. As the scene went on and on, in spite of some laughter, the audience around me were wiggling in their seats, coughing, and generally lacking involvement.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />All I could think of was, how many times are those kids going to pop in-and-out that tent of sheets, do the same verbal routine over and over, continue the ear-splitting dog barking, repeat the dad going off to work tale with mom preparing food and daughter futzing over her doll? Where is this going and when will it get there? <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />When I find myself carefully visually examining all the props imbedded in the set, I know the action is not holding my attention.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />I kept thinking that these issues could be solved with a good red pencil, capable of crossing at least ten minutes of the beginning scene.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Yes, exposition was needed to lead up to the resolution segment, but . . . well, no need to go further, point made.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />On the other hand, the second half, when the “adults” take over, the tension and effect of the play flipped in, the writing was more sparce and to the point. I paid attention. I got emersed in the characters and story. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">MAKE </em>BELIEVE takes place in the attic of a family’s home where four young siblings (Chris, Kate, Carl and Addie) recreate their lives in games of make-believe. Meanwhile, the world beneath them appears to hold a more ominous reality. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />In the second half of this intermission less play, following a funeral. It is 30 years later. We discover how the children have turned out and the effects of their traumatic childhoods. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Taking refuge from their father’s second family, the children, now adults, they are in hiding in the attic which does not seem to have physically changed one bit. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Kate, a gastroenterologist, is an anxious type, continually taking a drink of wine, and worrying about things that are beyond her control. <br style="outline: none !important;" />Addie, a mother, is a television celebrity, with a low tolerance for stress. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Bitter Carl arrived late as his plane was grounded due to a fog in San Francisco. He has missed the funeral and denied the opportunity to give the eulogy. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Each lives as far from their childhood home, as they could possibly have gotten.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Also present is Adult Chris, a non-family member, whose reason for attendance is not immediately clear, but eventually we realize his presence is important in understanding life of one of the family members.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />(I’ll pause here in the story exposition, and examine the production, as revealing more of the story would be a disservice to those who will see the production.) <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The production is directed by Motta. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The young cast members, Arthur Atwell (Chris), a University School 7<sup style="outline: none !important;">th</sup> grader, Kaitlyn Bartholomew (Kate), who has appeared in 20 different performances, Jonah McMurdy (Carl), an 11-year-old Woodbury Elementary School student, and Claire Zalevsky (Addie), a fifth grader at Laurel School, do as a creditable a job as they can for youngsters who take on roles that require understandings and skills well-beyond their years and experiences. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The adult members of the cast are universally excellent in developing the persona of the people play. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Kudos to Courtney Brown as Adult Kate, Anjanette Hall as Adit Addie. Andrew Pope as Adult Chris and Paul Hurley are Adult Carl. Harley’s belated eulogy speech was the dramatic highlight of the evening.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />As is constantly a problem at the “new” Dobama, with its long skinny stage, people seated extreme right and left often can’t hear the lines. Oh, for microphones to help carry the sound.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The set, with its many props is impressive.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">Capsule judgement: MAKE BELIEVE is play with a compelling premise, especially in this era of multi-dysfunctional families and days and nights of angst. With some careful cutting, and some extra-time spent working with the younger members of the cast, based on comments of reviews of other productions of this script, this may have been an exceptional experience. As is, the production makes for a thought-provoking evening with some lacking staging and writing qualities.</em><br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">MAKE BELIEVE</em> runs October 16-29, 2023. For tickets go on line to <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=c4e39a6fa8&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">www.dobama.org</a> or call 216-932-3396.</span></span></strong><p></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="font-family: Palatino; margin: 0px; outline: none !important;"><strong style="outline: none !important;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="outline: none !important;"> </span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;">Roy Berko<br style="outline: none !important;" />(Member: American Theatre Critics Association and Cleveland Critics Circle)</span><br style="outline: none !important;" /><span style="outline: none !important;"> <br style="outline: none !important;" />In his program notes, Dobama Artistic Director Nathan Motta states of <em style="outline: none !important;">MAKE BELIEVE</em>, now on stage at Cleveland’s Off-Broadway theatre, “[it] is one of the best scripts I’ve read in my time at Dobama. After I read the play for the first time, I immediately contacted Ms. Wohl to share how fantastic I thought it was and to express my hope that we’d be able to produce it in the future. That’s the only time I’ve done that in my career. The structure, ideas, dialogue, characters, aesthetic, and storytelling are just phenomenal. It’s a play that feels both familiar and unique. It’s funny, moving, thought-provoking, and personal. For a cast and creative team, it presents numerous challenges, but the richness of the writing makes all the efforts well worth the work.” <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Normally, I agree with the very theatre-knowledgeable Motta, but, I must somewhat differ from him with his evaluation of <em style="outline: none !important;">MAKE BELIEVE</em>.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />On opening night, I found the first segment of the production excruciatingly slow and word-heavy. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The first 20-or-so minutes found four cute, young people “playing house” for a very long, long, long time. As the scene went on and on, in spite of some laughter, the audience around me were wiggling in their seats, coughing, and generally lacking involvement.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />All I could think of was, how many times are those kids going to pop in-and-out that tent of sheets, do the same verbal routine over and over, continue the ear-splitting dog barking, repeat the dad going off to work tale with mom preparing food and daughter futzing over her doll? Where is this going and when will it get there? <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />When I find myself carefully visually examining all the props imbedded in the set, I know the action is not holding my attention.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />I kept thinking that these issues could be solved with a good red pencil, capable of crossing at least ten minutes of the beginning scene.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Yes, exposition was needed to lead up to the resolution segment, but . . . well, no need to go further, point made.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />On the other hand, the second half, when the “adults” take over, the tension and effect of the play flipped in, the writing was more sparce and to the point. I paid attention. I got emersed in the characters and story. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">MAKE </em>BELIEVE takes place in the attic of a family’s home where four young siblings (Chris, Kate, Carl and Addie) recreate their lives in games of make-believe. Meanwhile, the world beneath them appears to hold a more ominous reality. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />In the second half of this intermission less play, following a funeral. It is 30 years later. We discover how the children have turned out and the effects of their traumatic childhoods. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Taking refuge from their father’s second family, the children, now adults, they are in hiding in the attic which does not seem to have physically changed one bit. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Kate, a gastroenterologist, is an anxious type, continually taking a drink of wine, and worrying about things that are beyond her control. <br style="outline: none !important;" />Addie, a mother, is a television celebrity, with a low tolerance for stress. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Bitter Carl arrived late as his plane was grounded due to a fog in San Francisco. He has missed the funeral and denied the opportunity to give the eulogy. <br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Each lives as far from their childhood home, as they could possibly have gotten.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />Also present is Adult Chris, a non-family member, whose reason for attendance is not immediately clear, but eventually we realize his presence is important in understanding life of one of the family members.<br style="outline: none !important;" /><br style="outline: none !important;" />(I’ll pause here in the story exposition, and examine the production, as revealing more of the story would be a disservice to those who will see the production.) <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The production is directed by Motta. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The young cast members, Arthur Atwell (Chris), a University School 7<sup style="outline: none !important;">th</sup> grader, Kaitlyn Bartholomew (Kate), who has appeared in 20 different performances, Jonah McMurdy (Carl), an 11-year-old Woodbury Elementary School student, and Claire Zalevsky (Addie), a fifth grader at Laurel School, do as a creditable a job as they can for youngsters who take on roles that require understandings and skills well-beyond their years and experiences. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The adult members of the cast are universally excellent in developing the persona of the people play. <br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />Kudos to Courtney Brown as Adult Kate, Anjanette Hall as Adit Addie. Andrew Pope as Adult Chris and Paul Hurley are Adult Carl. Harley’s belated eulogy speech was the dramatic highlight of the evening.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />As is constantly a problem at the “new” Dobama, with its long skinny stage, people seated extreme right and left often can’t hear the lines. Oh, for microphones to help carry the sound.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" />The set, with its many props is impressive.<br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">Capsule judgement: MAKE BELIEVE is play with a compelling premise, especially in this era of multi-dysfunctional families and days and nights of angst. With some careful cutting, and some extra-time spent working with the younger members of the cast, based on comments of reviews of other productions of this script, this may have been an exceptional experience. As is, the production makes for a thought-provoking evening with some lacking staging and writing qualities.</em><br style="outline: none !important;" /> <br style="outline: none !important;" /><em style="outline: none !important;">MAKE BELIEVE</em> runs October 16-29, 2023. For tickets go on line to <a href="https://royberko.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=319f4c25375546f3c22909edf&id=c4e39a6fa8&e=6360a02bcb" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">www.dobama.org</a> or call 216-932-3396.</span></span></strong></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com