A Midsummer Night's Dream (Actors' Summit)

Delightful ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Actors’ Summit

Seeing Shakespeare at American theatres, especially a theatre that doesn’t specialize in classical productions, can be a forbidding experience. Fear not. In general, Actors Summit’s ‘A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM’ is a delightful experience.

Less is known about ‘A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM’ than most of Shakespeare’s writings. Not only the date at which it was written, but why the play was scribed is up for discussion. It is assumed to have been developed between 1594 and 1596, early in Shakespeare’s life. It might have been written for an aristocratic wedding. Some Elizabethan scholars suggest it was written for the Queen to celebrate the feast day of St. John.

Also, in contrast to Shakespeare’s pattern for many of his other offerings, there is no known source for the play’s plot. One theory is that it is loosely based on “The Knight's Tale” from Chaucer's ‘CANTERBURY TALES.’

Though popular with viewers, most critics agree that the comedy is not one Shakespeare’s best plays.

The story features three interlocking plots, all of which are connected by marriage. Two couples, Hermia and Lysander and Helena and Demetrius, run away into the fairyland forest in order to avoid forced marriages, are pulled apart and then brought together through some shenanigans pulled off by the impish folk character Puck. The third couple, Oberon and Titania, the King and Queen of the Fairies, are also in a love/hate/love situation. Add a play within a play by a group of inept actors, and we have some wonderful light and joyous moments.

As one critic stated, “If ‘A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM’ can be said to convey a message, it is that the creative imagination is in tune with the supernatural world and is best used to confer the blessings of nature upon mankind and marriage.”

Actors’ Summit’s production is filled with many very good and some mediocre acting. Kathleen Cutter is delightful as Hermia. Alicia Kahn lights up the stage as Helena. She has a wonderful sparkle in her voice and face which compels one to smile and empathize with her as she speaks. Andrew Narten (Lysander) and Noah Varness (Demetrius), are both fine and help complete the charming duet of lovers. A. Neil Thackaberry, as Theseus, and Sally Groth (Hippolyta) playfully create the mature couple. Though he sometimes knows no restraint, Peter Voinovich was the audience favorite as Bottom, the weaver who turns into a jackass.

Bob Parenti, playing the dual roles of Egeus, father of Hermia and Quince, a carpenter stumbled over a number of his lines and was often unbelievable. Puck needs to be impish, charming, delightful. Sasha Thackaberry was simply not “puckish” enough, often becoming slave to the poetic rhyming pattern.

Mary Jo Alexander’s costume designs were wonderful as was the creatively designed set.

Director A. Neil Thackaberry has shortened the play so that it runs two-hours, including intermission. No one, except a Shakespeare scholar, will realize that there have been cuts in the script. He has paced the show well and wisely has his actors using Shakespearean dialogue with General American pronunciation which results in ease of understanding.

Actors’ Summit received a large grant to perform matinees for area students. Over 1000 young people will be exposed to Shakespeare through this anonymous grant. It can only be hoped that the donor will see fit next year and for years to come to make money available to allow area students to experience the wonders of live theatre.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: Actors’ Summit’s ‘A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM’ is a delightful offering well worth seeing.

Verb Ballets (Ohio Theatre)

Verb Ballets continues to impress

While attending the two-day Verb Ballets programs at Playhouse Square’s Ohio Theatre, a reliable source revealed that Ohio Ballet, which had already canceled its winter season, had canceled its spring Cleveland appearance. The source indicated that plans were to possibly do an Akron spring offering. This news does not bode well for the company. It is ironic since Verb Ballets was doing a weekend tribute to Heinz Poll, founder of the Ohio Ballet. It was Poll who made the company a national force, combining traditional and modern ballet.

In the last several years it has become apparent that Verb Ballets is on its way to filling the void caused by the demise of Cleveland-San Jose Ballet and the problems of Ohio Ballet, its potential replacement as the major large company in the area. Verb’s concerts are well attended. Last year’s Playhouse Square offering was sold-out. Their recent two-night stand, in spite of stiff competition from the Cleveland Film Festival, ‘BOMBAY DREAMS’ in the next door Palace Theatre, and Groundworks performing at Cleveland Public Theatre, drew nice sized audiences.

Artistic Director Hernando Cortez has developed a well-disciplined company. He has supplemented his personal creative choreography with works of Poll and Paul Taylor. He has brought in resources such as Jonathan Sheffer, artistic director of RED, to compose music specifically for the company. Trad Burns continues to impress with his lighting designs. The company appears to be on good financial grounds. They have developed a devoted and enthusiastic following.

Both evenings’ programs were well-danced. They were aesthetically pleasing, well conceived and nicely selected to make for two different and stimulating evenings.

On Friday, Eric Conway soared in ‘ESPLANDE ,‘ as did 70 year-old Ann Ennis reprising a role she has made her own. Kallie Marie Bokal/ Glynn Owens and Oren Porterfield/Mark Tomasic coupled impressively in ‘SIX -EASY PIECES.’ Based on Poll’s personal pronouncement that “movement has to have a reason,” his “WINGS AND AIRES’ was a melodic, flowing, exciting classical ballet which combined well with modern dance. His signature style of straight backs, free-flowing motion, meaningful arm movements and erect posture were all well-recreated by the dancers under the restaging concept of Jane Startzman.

Saturday night opened with the exciting and fun-filled ‘FOREVER FLING,’ an Irish hoedown. Fourteen year-old wunderkindt, Austin Thomas, stole the hearts of the audience. A lanky six-footer, Thomas moved quickly with confidence and competence and accomplished amazing vertical leg kicks that brought squeals of delight from the audience. Also impressive in the number were Mark Tomasic and Robert Wesner. Wesner made a major breakthrough in his performance skills. Abandoning his usual overly-dramatic, stilted hand sweeps and classical stiff body running off stage at the end of his solos, his face gleamed with real emotional reactions. His body interpreted and lived the music. I don’t know if it was the Poll influence, Cortez’s directions or Wesner realizing that reality is more important than window-dressing, but the adjustment worked and worked well!

The high point of the evening was ‘CHICHESTER PSALMS,’ choreographed by Cortez to music by Leonard Bernstein. The well-conceived, beautifully structured piece wowed the audience. Brooke Wesner, who coupled with her husband, Robert, was outstanding. Trad Burns’ lighting perfectly paralleled the musical sounds in its ever changing intensity and flow. The marriage of dance, music and lighting was impressive.

The evening ended with Poll’s ‘ELEGIAC SONG.’ Based on Poll’s personal memories of wartime Germany, the choreography impressively mirrored the grieving woman drawings of artist Kathe Kollwitz. The visual images precisely paralleled the haunting music by Shostakovich.

In a well-planned tribute, Elizabeth Flynn, a long-time Cortez friend,who is leaving the company, danced the lead roll in “ELEGIAC SONG.’ Her final bow was met with hundreds of roses being thrown on stage by her devoted followers and a tearful goodbye speech by Cortez.

Verb Ballets will be conducting HOOPLA, a unique fund raiser consisting of 15 small get-togethers ranging from a live piano concert in a South Park home to the premiere of ‘CLEVELAND BARES,’ a Broadway burlesque featuring Cleveland’s hottest dancers. The company’s next public appearance will be on September 15 and 16 at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. For information on HOOPLA or the fall concert call 216 231-1177.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: As their slogan states, ‘Verbs the word,” and again the company proved the truth of that statement. Bravo!

Groundworks Dancetheater (Cleveland Public Theatre)

Groundworks Dance at CPT’s Danceworks ‘06

David Shimotakahara’s Groundworks Dance is one of my favorite companies. I look forward to each of their offerings. In their latest concert, which was part of the Cleveland Public Theatre’s DANCEWORKS ‘06,’ as always, the dancing was superb. Unfortunately, as a friend who I was sitting with said, “This wasn’t up to their usual level.” They were speaking of the program selections. As much as I hate to admit it, I agree.

‘INSIDEOUT,’ in its world premiere, was a series of short pieces developed around the interplay of internal and external perceptions. It was performed as a series of intimate duets in which inner and outer worlds were expressed through word and dance. Though the idea was clever, at times there was a disconnect between the words and movements. This was, in part, caused by the decision to speak the words as if they were a flat melody, often ignoring the phrasing which would have increased the clarity of the message.

The segments ranged from comedy shticks to enactment of serious problems. Two segments, which weren’t word supported were piece highlights. A delightful interlude found Shimotakahara and Mark Otloski using a pair of baggy pants and an oversize jacket to twist, roll and gyrate through, under, around and in. Another excellent segment found Felice Bagley and Jennifer Lott interacting with two vivid white spots in an otherwise black space. Bagley was superb. Lott, a trainee who is still learning Shimotakahara’s precision movements, often flowed in her arm and body movements rather than using precise maneuvers ingrained into the psyches of the other dancers.

A segment that highlighted the weakness of the concept took place late in the program when Amy Miller and Mark Otloski beautifully danced an introspective concept. The spoken segments, however, didn’t parallel the dancers’ moods and movements.

In its Cleveland premiere, ‘TIPPING POINT,’ as choreographed by KT Niehoff, found the dancers sitting on the floor for most of the number. The piece was intended to explore “the relationship between intense isolation and the group mind.” Set to Sarah Murat’s discordant repetitive beating music, the twenty-minute offering became mind numbing after a while. As someone behind me said, “Why don’t they get up and do something, already?” Well, maybe that was Neihoff’s intention. By repeating the same head, arm and body movements at varying speeds, after a while, like work on an assembly line, the participants get to their tipping point. Even with that clarity of explanation, the over-all effect of the piece was not extremely positive.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: I have high expectations for Groundworks Dance concerts. My expectation of superb dancing was met, but the programming left something to be desired.

Bombay Dreams (Playhouse Square Center)

‘BOMBAY DREAMS’ doesn’t get standing ovation at the Palace

In 2002, when ‘BOMBAY DREAMS,’ now on stage at Playhouse Square’s Palace Theatre, opened in London it became a cult hit. It ran until June of 2004. Many felt the reason for the success was the large Indian population in England, who frequented the show. When it opened on Broadway in 2004, the show was met with less enthusiasm. It ran for only 284 performances. One review stated, “If you're suffering from a ravenous hunger for rich, intelligent musical theatre, you're unlikely to be satiated by ‘BOMBAY DREAMS’.”

That, and similar reviews not withstanding, one might anticipate that a show produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with a score by A. R. Rahman and Don Black, and a book by Meera Syal and Thomas Meehan, which was based on an idea by Shekhar Kapur and Lloyd Webber, might have something to offer. Unfortunately, based on the touring production, the New York reviewer seemed absolutely right.

‘BOMBAY DREAMS’ tells the story of Akaash, a brash young slum dweller who dreams of becoming a Bollywood movie star and meeting his idol, the voluptuous screen siren Rani. And, as in all good fairy tales, whether American or Indian, his dreams come true. But, in order for the plot to work, or at least to add some suspense, Akaash has some personal costs to pay and has to take part in the obligatory on-stage dance in which he is drenched in a water fountain.

The show attempts to mirror many a Bollywood musical in its lavish and plentiful production numbers.

Song titles include "Salaa'm Bombay," "Bollywood," "Love's Never Easy," "Lovely, Lovely Ladies," "Bhangra," "Shakalaka Baby," "I Could Live Here," "Is This Love?," "Famous," "Chaiyya Chaiyya," "How Many Stars?," "Hero," "Ganesh Procession," "The Journey Home" and "Wedding Qawali." In the local version, authentic music was played adequately by a small pit orchestra and two drummers placed in the stalls above both sides of the stage.

The touring production is hardly an example of masterful craftsmanship in either its technical or performance qualities. The sets were mainly colorful drops, nothing like the Broadway and London visual sights. The sound system squealed on opening night and drops were brought in at the wrong times. As for the acting, it ranged from amateur to semi-professional. This was not a high quality Equity cast. The “spectacular” dance numbers were less than spectacular due to repetitive and ill performed choreography.

Sachin Bhatt , who portrayed Akaash, the slum boy who becomes a star, lacked the necessary sensuality and charisma. He simply doesn’t have the acting, singing or dancing abilities to make the character appealing. He also has a distracting habit of snarling as he sings. On the other hand, Reshma Shetty was quite charming as Priya, the woman who finally wins Akaash’s heart.

The performance of Sandra Allen who portrayed Rani, the over-the-hill movie star, was all on the surface. She was never really believable. Aneesh Sheth, as Sweetie, a eunuch who is in love with Akaash, was very good. Kenneth Maha, who was a replacement portraying Priya’s father, was embarrassingly bad. To make matters worse, his fake whitish sideburns kept falling away from his head, making him look like he had swan’s wings sprouting out of his head.

In spite of all the problems, it was difficult not to smile, shake your head at the ridiculousness of the plot, and be mildly entertained by this light-weight tribute to the Indian movie musical.

Capsule judgment: Cleveland audiences give standing ovations to almost anything . A litmus test to the lack of quality of ‘BOMBAY DREAMS’ was that there was not a single person standing during the curtain call, not even from the huge number of Indians who were in attendance. Too bad. With a stronger cast and better production qualities, “BOMBAY NIGHTS’ could have been fun and even educational.

Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre (Cleveland Public Theatre)

Cleveland Contemporary Dance presents inconsistent program

Several years ago Michael Medcalf combined with David Shimitakahara to present a memorable evening of dance. Since then Medcalf has developed his Cleveland Contemporary Dance, the only all African American dance group in the area, into the Karamu House’s residential dance company. They recently presented a program as part of Cleveland Public Theatre’s ‘DANCEWORKS 06.’

Staged with the unusual device of having each choreographer discuss his/her concept in a tape-recorded interview which played before each presentation, the audience was alerted to the philosophical concept of each piece.

Presenting an inconsistent program, the company opened with ‘HYMN/BY THE WATER, which choreographer Medcalf indicated in his pre-show was a journey of two men who move in different ways toward their goal. On the surface this appeared to be an interesting concept. Unfortunately, since both dancers started on the floor, moved behind a screen and removed their clothing, then spent time in what appeared to be sleep and moving in tandem, then arose, put on their clothing and proceeded to dance in tandem to each other, the theme seemed to be unfulfilled. To compound matters, Ryan Lott and DjDoc’s contemporary throbbing music was not carried out in the movements of the dancers. Antwon Duncan and Daniel Isaah Henderson were both proficient but not entrancing.

‘WE, AT THE CROSSROADS,’ was choreographer Paloma McGregor’s attempt to give “dancers a voice.” As with the opening number, the total effect was less than compelling. The dancers were quite undisciplined and displayed various levels of skills. Often their unity moves lacked unity and there were problems in holding freezes. McGregor’s message did not come forth loud and clear.

‘TO HAVE AND TO HOLD,’ as choreographed by Shapiro and Smith, though a little long, was an evening highlight. Using three benches as props, there was a mobility, a joy, an interaction and a discipline in this piece not seen in the two opening numbers. This was a powerful and athletic piece which clearly developed the concept of those who have loved and lost, but have not forgottten.

The evening ended with Kevin Iega Jeff’s exciting ‘CHURCH OF NATIONS.’ Jeff, Medcalf’s mentor, blended 10 men and one women into a cohesive unit. The movements well fit the liturgical music. The dancers moved onto, over, next to, and beside the eleven black chairs arranged in a random pattern. Jeff stated in his taped interview, “You are expressing the idea or not. You need to be prepared.” His dancers were well prepared “to question whether the houses in which we worship should give consent to death and destruction in the name of God.”

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre’s all men’s program was inconsistent. Fortunately, the latter two numbers were compelling, leaving the audience with a positive final image of the evening.

Le Corsaire (American Ballet Theatre)

American Ballet Theatre’s ‘LE CORSAIRE’ fine, but not wonderful

American Ballet Theatre is one of the finest dance companies in the country. Over the past four years they have become fixtures in the Ballet Series at Playhouse Square Center. Their ‘GISELLE’ was breathtaking. ‘WITHIN YOU WITHOUT YOU: A TRIBUTE TO GEORGE HARRISON’ and ‘PILLAR OF FIRE’ were what ballet should be. “SWAN LAKE’ was exciting beyond description.

With that said, I was less than enraptured by “LE CORSAIRE, THE PIRATE.,’ ABT’s most recent Playhouse Square offering. Maybe it was due to the light-weight story line, maybe it was the overly stylized concept, maybe it was the bows after every solo which broke the flow of the story, maybe it was the confusing costuming which found tutus mixed with pirate and Arabic costumes, maybe it was because the male lead (on opening night) did not have the charisma and sensuality required for the swashbuckling image of a pirate. Whatever, ‘LE CORSAIRE,’ though perfectly acceptable, and if presented by a company other than ABT might have been declared as “good,” simply wasn’t up to ABT standards.

On the plus side, Irina Dvorovenko was lovely as Medora, the young Greek woman with whom Conrad, the pirate, falls in love. Her toe-work was impressive as was her ability to make the role her own. Equally rapturous and proficient was Stella Abrera as Medor’s friend. Jose Manuel Carreno, though he was overly dramatic to the point of upstaging the lead dancers as he wandered the stage while others danced and exaggerated his gestures while standing still, was magnificent when he danced. He literally threw himself around the stage while doing his circle turns and captured the audience with his fluid body control. Also impressive was Gennadi Saveliev as Lankendem, the owner of the bazaar.

On the other hand, Maxim Berloserkovsky just wasn’t physically commanding as the pirate. Though his second act pas de deux with Dvorovenko, his real-life wife, was captivating, most of his other dancing was simply acceptable. The same can be said for Hector Lopez, as Conrad’s friend and betrayer. Veronika Part, one of the Odalisques, was consistently out-of-time with her partners and had trouble holding freezes.

A wonderful addition to the proceedings was the inclusion of many local young ballerinas who were impressive in their concentration and dancing abilities.

Conductor Ormsby Wilkins’ full orchestra was excellent.

CAPSULE JUDGMENT: Though quite good, American Ballet Theatre’s ‘LE CORSAIRE, THE PIRATE’ did not capture the local audience as other ABT presentations have done. There was strong applause, but not the leaping and screaming standing ovations the company has received here in the past.

Full Monty (Beck Center)

‘FULL MONTY’ is fun at Beck

A woman bounds onto the stage. It’s Girls’ Night out. She introduces us to the featured attraction of the evening, the very handsome Buddy "Keno" Walsh (Rob Mayes), who is dressed in a business suit, though not for long. The buff Mayes is soon down to a yellow G-string and accepting screams and dollar bills from the women in the audience.

Thus, we are introduced to the world of ‘THE FULL MONTY,’ now on stage at the Beck Center. It’s a tale of six unemployed steel workers who, out of desperation for money and respect, form a male striptease troupe.

Written by Terrance McNally and David Yazbek, the stage musical is based on the 1977 hit British movie of the same name but moves the characters to Buffalo, N.Y. Once the shenanigans start, the only question is whether the anything-but-buff sextet will wind up doing a full monty, the British term for strippers who take it all off.

With the steel plant closed, a meeting is held at the union hall to distribute the last of the pay checks. We meet Jerry Lukowski, who is months behind in his child payments and faces the prospect of no visitations with his 12-year old son. His best friend, extremely overweight Dave Bukatinsky, now a stay-at-home husband with only a security job at Walmart as a potential way out, is also desperate. Then there is Malcolm MacGregor, who lives alone with his infirm mother. They all feel like “Scrap,” ironically the show’s first song.

Waiting at the bus stop, the guys overhear two women excitedly going into a club, paying $50 to see Keno strip. An idea hatches. If he and Dave--real men--were to strip, they could clean up. He talks four oher reluctant guys into going along with his scheme. Tickets don’t sell well, and when asked by some women why, after having seen "the real thing", they would want to see a bunch of amateur local guys strip. Jerry quickly says, much to the shock and disbelief of the guys, "We're different - we go all the way..the full monty.” The only question left for the audience is, “Will they really go all the way?”

Now, it wouldn’t be fair to reveal the answer, but I will say that at the end of the show there are six guys on stage and we learn that the full monty isn't just about showing off the outside, it's about what all of us have on the inside.

Beck’s production is amusing, even delightful in spots, but not totally polished. The cast is uneven in their acting and singing abilities.

Lenne Snively nearly steals the show as the elder pianist, whose wise-cracks add much to the goings-ons. She nails the role of Jeanettte, though after a while one would wish she’d lose the overused cigarette prop. She is matched as an audience favorite by Kris Hebble who is endearing as the very over-weight Dave. Watching Kris strip is a comedy show in and of itself.

Keith Faris (Dave) develops a clear character and when the songs he is rendering are in his pitch range he is quite good. Unfortunately, when he forces his voice, he loses the top register.

If Rob Mayes isn’t a professional Chippendale guy he should be. This boy knows how to strip, and has the looks and body to make it convincing. Patrick Janson is properly appealing as, Malcolm the mommy’s boy, who finds love unexpectedly in the form of Tim Hirzel (Ethan). The matched set are so skinny that when they turn side-ways, they disappear. They are yet another sight of the sights to behold in the final strip number.

Nicki Stacey (Georgie) and Maggie Stahl (Vicki) as two of the harried wives, sing well and develop clear characterizations. Their “You Rule My World (Reprise)” is excellent. Elliott Hooper (Horse) is delightful. His “Big Black Man” is a show-stopper.

The orchestra, under the direction of Larry Goodpaster is excellent, backing up rather than drowning out the singers.

As always, Martin Cespedes’s choreography is creative. The highlights were the moves to “Michael Jordan’s Ball.”

Song high points included, “It’s a Woman’s World,” “Big Ass Rock,” and “Jeannette’s Showbiz Number.”

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: ‘THE FULL MONTY’ isn’t a great musical, but it is a lot of fun. If you are a prude, you might be shocked by some of the language, and the sight of some male nudity. Others should really enjoy themselves.

AIDA (Playhouse Square Center)

'AIDA' bring them to their feet at the State Theatre

Several weeks ago a Disney production of 'BEAUTY AND THE BEAST' graced a Playhouse Square Theatre. From now until March 24th another Disney production is being seen in Cleveland. Though AIDA is aimed at a very different audience, it contains all the Disney elements...grand sets and costumes, fanciful dancing, creative lighting effects, lush music and a competent cast. The pleasure of the audience was displayed on opening night by an immediate standing ovation. In actuality, the applause was probably more for the singing of the lead actors than the production as a whole.

This contemporary version of 'AIDA' starts and ends in the Egyptian room of a modern museum. Amneris, once a queen of an ancient kingdom, invites the audience to witness the tale of love and a struggle for power during the era when war raged between Egypt and its neighbor Nubia. The story relates how an Egyptian army captain, Radames falls in love with Aida, one of the Nubians he has captured. Unknown to him, she is a princess. Their love is fraught with numerous obstacles. The story’s ending leads us to believe that Aida and Radames will spend eternity together entombed beneath the sands of the Egyptian desert. Their tomb has been transported to a museum where, in their reincarnated forms, they meet once again.

Paulete Ivory captivates as Aida. Her voice is glorious. The huge sound that comes from such a tiny woman is amazing. Patrick Cassidy, a cousin of the famous Partridge family Cassidy’s, has a strong singing voice and a powerful physical presence which the costumer has accented by having him appear shirtless in numerous scenes. Local audiences may well remember him for his wonderful portrayal several seasons ago in 'JOSEPH AND HIS AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.' Kelli Fournier, for some unknown reason other than the show needed some comic relief, plays Amneris as a Fran Dresher nasal sounding clothes horse. Her wonderful singing voice makes up, however, for the questionable character development.

The dancing is proficient. The costuming is confusing. The Nubians are dressed as native Africans, the Egyptians, however, are in mixed contemporary garb which is not ethnically identifiable.

Typical of Disney productions, no cost has been spared on this show. The tour travels in 13 semi trucks. There are 29 cast members, 9 musicians, 23 backstage crew and 3 stage managers. The pyramid at the opening of Act 2 is formed by two laser lights. One hundred twelve yards of Chinese silk are used to form the Nile River in one scene and 80 yards of silk form the sails on Radames’ ship. To create the night stars 17 fiber optic sources are used. The swimmers in the palace pool (yes, there is a vertical swimming pool) are each flown by use of a waist harness.

Capsule judgement: The score, though by Elton John and Tim Rice, fails to produce a memorable song. The story line is forced and slightly hokey. But when those elements are combined with Disney grandeur, it produces a pleasing evening of theatre. Not great, but enjoyable.

The Body Outlaws (Red Hen Theatre)

‘THE BODY OUTLAWS’ investigated by Red Hen

Theatres are founded for various reasons. The mission of RED HEN is to give a voice to feminist writers and feminist themes. You do not go to one of their performances to see or hear a neutral view of the world. Their staging of ‘BODY OUTLAWS’ won’t disappoint their loyal following.

The staged reading is based on Ophira Edut’s collection of essays in which women discuss their bodies and the cultural views of women’s shapes and forms. It exposes advertisers, toy manufacturers and various others who shape societal attitudes of what women should look like and be. Segments include “The Butt: Its Politics, Its Profanity, Its Power,” “The Skinny on Small,” “Klaus Barbie, and Other Dolls I’d Like to See,” and “Memories of a (Sorta) Ex-Shaver.”

The staging and performances were generally fine. Rose Leininger’s “Sizing Myself Up: Tales of a Plus-Size Model,” the last piece of the evening, was outstanding. She is a fine actress and this selection is highly emotionally involving.

Capsule judgment: The evening is long! Ten pieces at ten to 15 minutes proved to be too much. Especially long when the seats are stiff and unpadded and the performance space very, very cold.

Danceworks '06 (Inlet Dance, Morrison Dance, Anteus Dance) CPT

DANCEWORKS ‘06 at CPT meets with mixed success

Inlet Dance Theatre is impressive

Bill Wade, the Artistic Director and Founder of Inlet Dance, has a mission. He intensely believes that contemporary dance training and performing can positively impact lives. Besides directing the regular company, which is in its fifth season, Wade works with a trainee/apprentice program, mentors pre-professional dancers who have come to Cleveland to study, and works in outreach programs in various school districts, such as the recently completed month-long Mosaic Experience at Cleveland Heights High School.

It is obvious in attending Inlet Dance concerts that Wade is enamored with a search for wholeness, for the truth, for relationships based on a respectful balance and full of trust, and journeys toward redemption.

The company was impressive in their recent residency at Cleveland Public Theatre, as part of Danceworks 06.

’WONDROUS BEASTS’ found the well-disciplined dancers, who were dressed in colorful tie-dyed unitards, moving in slow-motion controlled maneuvers. Working as individual animals, through a series of gymnastic moves they masterfully combined into a single centipede. The gymnastic moves perfectly fit Ryan Lott’s editing of Mum and Siguar Rose’s jungle music and sounds. Dennis Dugan’s lighting helped enhance the ever-changing moods.

‘SKIRTING THE HEART,’ in its premiere presentation, used religious ritual as an illustration of moving toward salvation. The dancers, dressed in black flowing skirts, eventually disappeared below a ground cover only to emerge in cleansed all-white costumes. Choreographed by Stephen Wynne, the movements perfectly fit Transglobal Underground, KIA’s tribal-type music. The piece was intense and, though a little too long, impressive.

‘THIS COULD HURT,’ based on John Eldredge’s book Wild at Heart, was a wonderful enactment of a group of guys having an adventure full of risk-taking behavior. The gymnastic movements were well executed by Dan Barnes, Joshua Brown, Brett Parker and Justin Stentz. Stentz, who is a company trainee, was impressive throughout the evening. He has the makings of an excellent dancer.

‘ASCENSION,’ also a company premiere, contained many of Wade’s signature maneuvers: controlled gymnastic movements, duos balancing like teeter totters, strong arm thrusts, unchanging facial expressions, male and female equality in strength movements, repetition without redundancy and serious undertones. The piece was danced to the electronic music of Ryan Lott. Lott, who is becoming the favorite of not only Wade, but Groundworks’ David Shimotakahara, is a master at creating contemporary sounds that lend themselves to creative choreography. Performed like a three-ring circus, the trio of couples became acrobats as they balanced and worked with full trust to create impressive visual images. Leila Pelhan, Rebecca Inman, Margret Ludlow, Joshua Brown, Elizabeth Stratton and Justin Stentz were amazing in their body control.

The program ended with Steve Rooks’ ‘THE DOOR.’ The least impressive piece of the evening, it was the most traditional in use of modern dance movements. Billed as a journey through redemption, the dancers were not as engaged in the piece as in other offerings.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: Inlet Dance Theatre impressed a sold out audience with a program that generally showed fine choreography combined with excellent dance skills.

Morrison Dance fails to capture audience with Irish dance-theatre pieceMorriso

In its recent residence as part of Cleveland Public Theatre’s Danceworks 06, Morrison Dance presented Christopher Johnston’s ‘THE MAD MASK MAKER OF MAIGH EO.’ It was an attempt to combine dance and story into a unified whole.

The dance/play was based on two Irish myths. ‘THE RED-HAIRED GIRL FROM THE BOG’ centers on a bewitching fairy who could appear as a hag or as a beautiful young woman. The second myth is that there were good fairies to whom people could turn when there was trouble in their village or town. The combined tale found the red haired girl coming to a village and removing the mask-maker, who had been taking the souls of people to make masks. Johnston states that the primary theme of his play is “how at times conflicting and times comingling influences of paganism and Christianity have forged the distinctly Irish spirit.”

In spite of valiant efforts by actors Derdriu Ring, Meg Chamberlain and Andrew Narten, the dialogue was generally flat, fringing on boring. Sarah Morrison’s choreography did not integrate well into the story line.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: Seeing a dance company combined with a company of actors to present a performance can provide a compelling evening. It requires a creative script based on an engaging story into which the dancing must blend so that it becomes a seamless unit. Unfortunately, ‘THE MAD MASK MAKER OF MAIGH EO’ was not such an offering.


Anteus Dance Company investigates human cruelty

“Mankind is capable of great cruelty. Humanity also possesses a vast capacity for love and forgiveness.” These two themes were at the core of ‘BURN THE HEAVENS,’ Antaeus Dance Company’s recent production as part of Cleveland Public Theatre’s Danceworks 06.

Performed to the music of Mudbaby, the piece, which was developed through a collaborative process between the dancers and the choreographer, set a clear tone at the beginning. Unfortunately, though well-intentioned, the piece was repetitive and instead of building empathy as it progressed, it lost the audience’s attention and the impact of the offering by being overly long and static. How many times do we have to watch pushing and shoving, hitting and recoiling, dragging and punching before we get the point? As a twenty-minute piece this would have been effective. As an entire program it was just too agonizingly slow and redundant to hold attention.

The dancers successfully executed Joan Meggitt’s intent. The music ate into our souls. James Longs’ jail-like set was well-intentioned, but, unfortunately, by Meggitt allowing the “victims” to escape outside the cell, she broke the feeling of “there is no escape.”

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: Meggit needs to carefully examine what effect she wants from her audience and choreograph to that end. Her well intentioned concept in ‘BURN THE HEAVENS’ lost its impact due to a lack of restraint.

Les Ballets De Montreal (Playhouse Square Center)

LES BALLET DE MONTREAL

When the Cleveland Browns football team fled the city, there was an immediate outcry and efforts were made to replace the squad. The club was reconstituted, but the level of success, at least to date, has been less than stellar.

When the Cleveland-San Jose ballet fled town, there were minor ripples of displeasure, but no great outcry. Surprisingly, in contrast to the Browns experience, the outcome has proven to be positive. With CSJB gone, the flood gates were open to smaller companies springing forth and both Dance Cleveland and Playhouse Square Foundation bringing in world class ballet companies.

On the local level Verb Ballet, recently played to a sold-out house in its Playhouse Square debut. It has developed a large and loyal following as has Groundworks Dance Theatre which also performed to sold out houses in its recent Botanical Garden performances. Point of Departure, Safmod, Inlet Dance, Antaeus Dance Company, Neos Dance Theatre, Ohio Dance Theatre, and Ohio Ballet are all alive and well.

On the professional level, world class dance companies continue to appear in Playhouse Square venues. The Kirov Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Miami Ballet, Les Ballets De Monte Carlo, Paul Taylor Dancers and Momix Dance Theatre have all made successful visits to the city. There have also been some less than successful performances such as the Pennsylvania Ballet’s walking through ‘THE NUTCRACKER’. Here is one case where we miss CSJB’s magical production of that show. But, as a whole, the world of dance is alive and well in Cleveland.

At a recent dance concert, Les Ballet de Montreal played to a sizeable audience at the Ohio theatre.

If you like your dance in little doses, Part I of Les Ballet de Montreal’s ‘THE STOLEN SHOW’ would have thrilled you. The segment consisted of 24 short pieces, each lasting from 30 seconds to 3 minutes. It was both an exhausting and exhilarating experience. The segments moved from solos to duets to the fourteen members of the company all on stage at the same time. The movements covered free form, intricate stretches, floor contortions, modern dance, gyrations, lifts, interweaving of bodies, hip hop complete with yelling and screaming, hopping, skipping, prancing, kick boxing, karate, weaving lines, traditional ballet, twitching, running and movement in place. Need stories? This wasn’t your thing. Want to see all sorts of dance in a creative and exhausting display? If so, you would have loved “Short Works: 24.”

Part II, “The Stolen Show” was delightful. That is, if you could accept that a world class ballet company was going to perform with a horde of plastic chickens that were thrown around the stage and finally performed as a kick line, and with two female dancers who performed wearing three high-heeled shoes between them. Then there were the cadre of clowns. In actuality, this was more performance art than dance, but who cares, it was fun.

An intriguing segment of Part II was watching two dancers simulate choreographing a segment of the performance before our eyes. They spoke to each other in French and English, planned, corrected, reenforced and then performed the whole piece. It was both a creative and pleasant way of introducing the audience to the world of dance development.

LES BALLETS DE MONTREAL was another of the positive dance experiences that have been presented in what might be called a realignment of the area’s dance scene.

Well (Cleveland Play House)

Everything is ‘WELL’ AT CPH

As the audience enters Cleveland Play House’s Drury Theatre, they are confronted by an elderly woman sitting in a worn La-Z-Boy recliner. A younger woman appears from the wings, sharply attired and armed with index cards. She steps into her circle of light and announces that the evening will be a "theatrical exploration of issues of health and illness both in an individual and in a community."

The individual is her mother, "a fantastically energetic person trapped in an utterly exhausted body. The firebrand who once racially integrated her neighborhood in Lansing, Michigan.”

Thus, we are introduced to one of the most bizarre scripts ever written. The structure is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The plot is in the present, the past and the future at the same time. And, yet, it’s easy to follow.

From the outset, Ann, the mother (Clevelander Denny Dillon of “Saturday Night Live” fame) controls the action. As daughter and playwright Lisa (Alicia Roper in the CPH production) narrates, Ann corrects, clarifies and up-stages. (Does that sound like any mother you know?) While Lisa tries valiantly to tell her tale, mom is so charming and sympathetic that the audience gets pulled out of Lisa’s story. At one point, Ann blithely offers the audience beverages and flings sacks of snacks at the first few rows by way of bidding them welcome. Lisa stands there stunned, wondering if “the absurdist playwright Pirandello really started this way.” As Lisa states, “That's what you get for bending rules, breaking the fourth wall and experimenting. The lesson to be learned might be that a playwright should never invite your mother on the stage with you."

Ann is not the only impediment. Other actors appear and, as Lisa talks, they critique the script and her memories. Lisa finds herself losing control of her own play and, therefore, of her life. What’s right? Who is right? Can life and theatre be integrated? Can we, as the playwright contends, “weave into a whole the parts that don’t fit?”

Sound bizarre? Sound delightful? Sound like a play that received rave reviews in its Off-Broadway presentation? Well, ‘WELL,’ is bizarre, delightful and deserving of the praise it received in its previous productions.

Denny Dillon is hilarious as the mother. She uses her aged kewpi-doll face and whiny voice to the max. She is totally believable. It is easy to understand why the audience appears to take her side in the conflict between her version of reality and Lisa’s.

Alicia Roper is right on target as the daughter. She swings from “in control” to “nearly hysterical” with ease. She is the perfect foil for Dillon.

The rest of the cast, Zandy Hartig, Jason Miller, Lelun Durond Thompson and Bailey Varness are fine in their multi-roles.

Michael Raiford’s scenic design, putting the realistic living room and stairway floating in the midst of an empty stage, works well. It isolates the action, but extends it into all of our experiences.

CAPSULE JUDGMENT: The CPH production, under the adept direction of Michael Bloom, is both insightful and fun. It’s the perfect blend of what high level theatre should be: thought-provoking and entertaining. This is exactly the kind of play selection and direction we had hoped Bloom would bring to the theatre when he was hired as its Artistic Director.

7 Brides for 7 Brothers (Carousel)

PLEASANT BUT UNINSPIRED 7 BRIDES @Carousel

Name your favorite musical film. If you are fairly typical your list probably included ‘MY FAIR LADY,’ ‘SOUND OF MUSIC,’ ‘WEST SIDE STORY’ and ‘CHICAGO.’ But, did you select ‘SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS’? You might be surprised that in recent favorite movie musical polls, Seven Brides came in third on one list and eighth in another. It was the only musical on those lists which was developed as a film and not transferred from the Broadway stage. It definitely makes my top five list.

In 1954 the film, loosely based on Steven Vincent Benet’s short story “The Sobbin’ Women,’ opened. The flick, which starred Howard Keel, Russ Tamblyn, Jane Powell and Julie Newmar was the sleeper hit of the year and has developed a cult following. Much of the popularity was due to the amazing choreography by Michael Kidd which took such mundane pursuits as chopping wood and raising a barn and made them into spectacular and enthralling visualizations.

In 1979, Jane Powell and Howard Keel reprised their film roles in an off-Broadway stage production, and in 1982 a full-blown Broadway musical opened to moderate success. It is the staged version which is now at Carousel Dinner Theatre.

The story is about Adam, a backwoodsman and Milly, who marries him after knowing Adam for only a few hours. Upon arriving at his cabin in the mountains, Milly is surprised to learn that Adam is one of seven brothers who inhabit the cabin. After a rocky start, the relationship flourishes and Milly teaches the younger brothers manners including how to dance. They are able to test their new “selves” at a barn-raising, where they meet six girls they like. The girls, of course, like the brothers, but due to a fight, the brothers are banned from town and the relationships don’t flourish.

Winter arrives, and the six younger brothers mope for their girls. Adam inspires his brothers to kidnap their lady loves. The girls, of course are upset and Milly is furious. She bans the brothers to the barn while the girls live in the house. Adam, who is also furious, leaves to live out the winter by himself. And, of course, since this is a traditional musical comedy, the brothers and the girls, and Adam and Milly find ways to work out their problems, and they live happily ever after.

Okay, so this isn’t a great story line, but it is fun. Well, it can be fun. For the material to work, it must be done with abandonment and enthusiasm. It must a hoot from beginning to end. It has to be bigger than life.

Unfortunately, the Carousel show, under the emotionally controlled direction and uncreative choreography of Chet Walker, is “nice” not “dynamic.” The cast spent lots of time in straight rows, stepping forward to sing their solos or speak their lines. This is just out and out bad staging. The choreography was repetitious, not always fitting the moods of the music.

Part of the problem may also be due to a limited rehearsal time that the cast had to prepare. Seven days does not make for developing the type of dance coordination and complete comfort with the material that a dance show like this needs. Add to that the necessity for seven superb male and female dancers and the task is daunting.

The show’s sprightly and often tender music is by Gene dePaul with creative lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Songs include, “One Man,” “Goin’ Courting,” “”Sobbin’ Women,” and “Wonderful, Wonderful Day.” Like the dancing, some of the song interpretations were missing the necessary texturing and proper mood.

Jennifer Byrne (Millie) is pretty, has a nice singing voice, but was much too sophisticated for the role. Randy Bobish (Adam) has George Clooney good looks and a nice voice. But, he failed to texture his performance so he came off as being unreal.

Curtiss Howard III was delightful as the youngest brother. Kyle DesChamps (Daniel) showed some great dancing skills.

Robert Kovach’s sets worked well. Dale DiBernardo’s costumes designs were era correct, but in a discussion following the opening night’s production several of the male dancers complained that the high-waisted pants made for difficulty in easy movement.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: To be successful, a production of ‘SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS’ requires extraordinary dancing, and the development of a love story that charms the viewer with warmth and wit. The production needs to be an imaginative romp. The Carousel show just doesn’t reach those levels. It’s not bad, it’s just not wonderful.

Ain't We Got Fun (14th Street Theatre)

‘AIN’T WE GOT FUN!’ no fun at 14th Street Theatre

Halfway through the second act of ‘AIN’T WE GOT FUN!,’ now on stage at the 14th Street Theatre in Playhouse Square, a character who is performing at a depression era speakeasy says, "It’s a shame there are so few of you here tonight." Prophetically, the character was correct. The production’s audience numbered less than 15 people. Unfortunately, based on the poor quality of the script, the staging and the performances, not many more should be showing up.

‘AIN’T WE GOT FUN!’ follows the love affair between two young men from Michigan in the 1920s. One, intrigued by a group of men who visit the resort community in which the boys live, follows the fellows to Chicago where he becomes a performer at a gay speakeasy. As happens in all concept musicals, lovers come and go and reunite again.

‘AIN’T WE GOT FUN!,’ was conceived by Michael McFaden after hearing a series of gay love songs written in the 1920s and 30s. He started to develop the show in May of 2003 and by November of that year he had a workable draft. Two staged readings later, one at the Fresh Fruit Festival in New York City, at which the show received the Best Musical award, convinced McFaden that the script was ready for prime time. It is getting its professional world premiere in Cleveland.

I don’t know what the competition for the festival was like, but from my perspective this is not an award winning piece of theatre. The story line is obvious, it contains no high and low emotional levels and much of the dialogue is trite and unnatural. It also plays up every bad stereotype of gay males.

Even if the script was excellent, the quality level of the local production, under the off-key direction of the author, is poor. The acting is mostly surface level, and the vocal abilities of the cast are generally shallow. As the person sitting next to me moaned, "This is pathetic."

There are some positive aspects. Alex Puette as Benny, one of the young lovers, is a good dancer, attractive, a more than adequate singer and is generally believable in his acting. Dorothy Savage is delightful as Chloe, the naive flapper, who falls in love with one of the young men before she realizes he is gay. She sings well and is Betty Bop adorable.

Ian Atwood, as a bouncer at a gay club, sings well.

Rose Leininger gives the right tone to the role of Chloe, when she gets old. Kyle Primous develops some nice choreographic moments, but except for Puette, he is working with performers with limited dancing skills.

Unfortunately, Chad Moore, with a bad bleach job, is physically wrong for the role of Oscar, who supposedly becomes the unbelievably handsome, buffed stud performer of the Chicago gay circuit. He has difficulty with the singing, dancing and acting aspects of the role. Neal Alan Oblonsky, complete with a very bad make-up job, fails to make his role of the Old Oscar credible. Zak Hudak had a few good moments as Miss Amanda Luze, a drag queen, but he needed to be more naturally flamboyant, and less screachy, to make the character soar. The Bearcat Boys, a quartet who both sing and play the role of upper class bon vivants, are generally weak in their singing, dancing and performance skills. Of the trio, only Mike Caraffi developed a believable character, but he had trouble keeping his focus on stage. The technical aspects of the show, especially the scene changes, which slowed down the whole production, were very amateurish.

Capsule Judgment It’s painful to review a show with such few positives and it is even more painful to have to discourage people from going to see a production, but I have to call it as it is and ‘AIN’T WE GOT FUN!’ isn’t much fun.