Roy Berko - Page 15

In this era, confusion and uncertainty are the present trend in many cutting-edge plays by a new breed of playwrights that Dobama is using as its writing stable.

What happens when a musical film earns over $131-million on a $35-million-dollar investment? If you are Andrew Lloyd Webber, you buy the rights and turn it into School of Rock The Musicalwith lyrics by Glenn Slater and book by Julian Fellowes.

Musicals come in different forms. Musical comedies, such as 'Cinderella' and 'School of Rock' intend to entertain. Musical dramas--think 'Dear Evan Hansen,' 'Come From Away,' and 'Hamilton,' relay thoughtful ideas in words, song and dance. The musical tragedy, such as 'Sweeney Todd' and 'The Kiss Of The Spider Woman,' which is now on stage at Blank Canvas, finds a 'victim' in a society which doesn't understand or appreciate them, resulting in dire consequences.

Agatha Christie, the 'Queen of Crime,' was a British writer of murder mysteries, noted for creating plays, books and short stories. They not only contained intriguing plot twists, which centered on scandalous murders, elaborate twists and turns, but revealed basic 'truths' that are not what they seem.

'On Stage' recently announced that Baldwin Wallace University's Music Theatre program has risen to number one calling it 'a top destination for any student wanting to study musical theatre.'

Before you ask, 'Yes, a helicopter lands on stage in the touring production of 'Miss Saigon,' now on stage at the KeyBank State Theatre, but, as with the production itself there is a 'but . . .'.

It is entirely appropriate that the songs of Nina Simone were heard before, during intermissions and following the Ensemble production of Lorraine Hansberry's 'A Raisin in the Sun.' Simone, an activist and singer, was strongly influenced by Hansberry, who was the first female African-American playwright to have a play performed on Broadway.

Musical theater and Broadway have been changed by some specific shows. Included are 'Oklahoma!,' the first book musical, 'Hair,' and its strong political/anti-war presence, 'Chorus Line,' with its emphasis on dance, and 'Rent' and its millennium theme. Another show, which tends not to be as commonly known, is 'Shuffle Along.'

Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II, the fathers of the modern American musical, were advocates of social responsibility. In OKLAHOMA, they stressed the building of community. In SOUTH PACIFIC they pegged prejudice. In THE KING AND I, the duo examined intercultural understandings.

It won Best Unique Theatrical Experience and 2017 MAC Award Show of the Year. 'Hamilton?' No, 'Spamilton: An American Parody,' which is now starting its North American tour at the Hanna Theatre in CLE's Playhouse Square.

Greater Cleveland is blessed with a vital theater scene. It the purpose of BROADWAY WORLD.COM-PROFESSIONAL CLEVELAND THEATER TRIBUTES (BWW-CLE Theater Tributes), to recognize theatrical experiences that, in the subjective view of this reviewer deserve special recognition.

David Maiocco is noted as being a tour-de force solo-performer, who is presently making a career of portraying 'Mr. Showmanship,' the uniquely American icon, Liberace.

Jeanine Tesori (music) and David Lindsay-Abaire (books and lyrics) developed the creative musical 'Shrek' from DreamWorks Animation's film and William Steig's book of the same name.

It has been said that dying is easy, farce is hard to do! And, 'Avenue Q,' the delightful, satirical, coming of age parable by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, is farce at its highest level.

Shahrazad Theatre Company was formed late in 2016 with 'the purpose of performing shows that were important and valuable contributions to today's Cleveland theatre scene.'