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Roy Berko - Page 17

Roy Berko

Roy Berko, a life-long Clevelander, holds degrees, through the doctorate from Kent State, University of Michigan and The Pennsylvania State University. Roy was an actor for many years, appearing in more than 16 plays, 8 TV commercials, and 3 films. He has directed more than 30 productions. A member of the American Critics Association and The Cleveland Critics Circle, he has been an entertainment reviewer for more than fifty years. For three years he was a regular on Channel 5, ABC-Cleveland's "Morning Exchange" and "Live on 5," serving as the stations communication consultant. He has also appeared on "Good Morning America." Roy served as the Director of Public Relations for the Volunteer Office in the White House during the first Clinton Administration. He was a professor of communication and psychology who taught at George Washington University, University of Maryland, Notre Dame College of Ohio and Towson University. Roy is the author of 38 books. He was selected by Cleveland Magazine as one of the most interesting people in Cleveland.




LEARN MORE ABOUT Roy Berko

First Show:

Wonderful Town

Favorite Show:

Chorus Line, Fiddler on The Roof, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, West Side Story, Something Rotten, Pippin



BWW Review:  Superb WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? @ Beck Center
BWW Review: Superb WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? @ Beck Center
October 14, 2018

Edward Albee, author of 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf,' now in production at Beck Center for the Arts, is one of the best known Theatre of the Absurd American writers. This form of theatre, which was at its apex shortly following World War II, is based, in part on philosophical existentialism, which asks 'what is the purpose of existence?'

BWW Review: Less than clever CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL raw @ Blank Canvas
BWW Review: Less than clever CANNIBAL! THE MUSICAL raw @ Blank Canvas
October 13, 2018

As Blank Canvas's program notes states, 'Before 'South Park.' Before 'The Book of Mormon. There was 'Cannibal! The Musical!'

BWW Review: Beautifully Crafted “Pride and Prejudice” at Great Lakes Theater
BWW Review: Beautifully Crafted “Pride and Prejudice” at Great Lakes Theater
October 8, 2018

Great Lakes Theater has found a perfect combination of scripts to start its 57th season. The fun, escapist juke box musical, 'Mamma Mia!,' had the audience excitedly on its feet for the extended curtain call. 'Pride and Prejudice,' the epic story of class-stratification and misunderstanding feelings in 19th century England, also had the audience on its feet at the end. This time, instead of dancing and singing, it was applause for a well-directed and performed staging.

BWW Review: 'It Only Takes a Moment' to Know That HELLO, DOLLY!, Betty Buckley and the Audience Are Having a Musical Theater Love Affair
BWW Review: 'It Only Takes a Moment' to Know That HELLO, DOLLY!, Betty Buckley and the Audience Are Having a Musical Theater Love Affair
October 7, 2018

It was apparent on reviewer's night of 'Hello Dolly,' which is starting its national tour in Cleveland, that many of the audience, which was awash in red clothing, had heard of the 'wear David Merrick red' to productions of this script. David Merrick red?

BWW Review: Finely Built FENCES at Karamu
BWW Review: Finely Built FENCES at Karamu
October 4, 2018

August Wilson is considered one of the most prolific sources for documenting the twentieth century African-American experience. His ten-play cycle, basically set in Pittsburgh's Hill district, started with 'Gem of the Ocean,' representing the 1900s and ended with 'Radio Golf,' shining the spotlight on the 1990s. 'Fences,' which is now on stage at the newly renovated Jelliffe Theatre at Karamu, was the 1950s representative.

BWW Review: GLT's MAMMA MIA! Leaves Audience Singing & Dancing in the Aisles
BWW Review: GLT's MAMMA MIA! Leaves Audience Singing & Dancing in the Aisles
October 1, 2018

'Mamma Mia!,' now on stage at Great Lakes Theatre, as has been the case on Broadway and in its many local tour stops, is a thoroughly entertaining theatrical experience. The audience was on its feet for the extended curtain call, dancing, clapping, and singing.

BWW Review: Captivating, topical must see “Freak Storm” at none too fragile
BWW Review: Quality performances make PLATH AND ORION interesting evening at Cesear's Forum
BWW Review: Quality performances make PLATH AND ORION interesting evening at Cesear's Forum
September 27, 2018

Cesar's Forum, which might be thought of as the little theater company 'that could and can,' is at it again. The organization, which is a financial and one-man adventurehas won both Cleveland Critics Circle and Broadway World Theatre Tribute recognitions for past performances.

BWW Review: “The Woman in Black” less than it could be at the Cleveland Play House
BWW Review: God admits he's imperfect in hysterically funny “An Act of God” at Beck
BWW Review: Well-performed, But Uninspired A LITTLE NIGHT Music At Lakeland Civic Theatre
BWW Review: Well-performed, But Uninspired A LITTLE NIGHT Music At Lakeland Civic Theatre
September 12, 2018

Like much of the works of Stephen Sondheim, from the start, 'Little Night Music' proves to be a different type of musical. Rather than a traditional overture, one-by-one, a quintet of singers, who will act like a Greek chorus throughout the production commenting on varying situations, introducing the audience to characters and clarify the plot's goings on, enter, tuning up their voices. Eventually, they blend into an overture composed of different songs from the score.

BWW Review: Must see ALABAMA'S STORY is Compelling at Ensemble
BWW Review: Dobama's 'Sunset Baby' exposes the underbelly of the great sacrifice of survival
BWW Review: Music, staging, performances makes reimagined “Jane Eyre” special
BWW Review: Music, staging, performances makes reimagined “Jane Eyre” special
September 6, 2018

Charlotte Bronte's book, 'Jane Eyre,' is a gothic melodrama which centers on strong-minded Jane's cruel treatment by her sadistic cousin and aunt, being shipped off to jail-like boarding school, departing to become a nanny for the ward of the wealthy but psychologically tortured Edward Fairfax with whom she falls in love, and the resulting angst of secrets revealed.

BWW Review: Playwrights Local and Dobama Present DOWN BY CONTACT
BWW Review: Playwrights Local and Dobama Present DOWN BY CONTACT
August 21, 2018

CTE is a 'neurodegenerative disease found in people with multiple head injuries.' It often occurs in athletes involved in boxing, football, wrestling, ice hockey, rugby and soccer, all activities that include the participants being hit in the head, often resulting in concussions.

BWW Review:  Surreal “Bloomsday” gets impressive production at none-too-fragile
BWW Review: Surreal “Bloomsday” gets impressive production at none-too-fragile
August 19, 2018

What does Steven Dietz, the author of 'Bloomsday,' which is now on stage at none-too-fragile, have in common with Tennessee Williams and Edward Albee? Yes, they are all American playwrights, but, believe it or not, they are all tied for number eight on the list of the Top Ten Most Produced Playwrights in America.

BWW Review: Topically Important SPRING AWAKENING Impressively Staged at Near West Theatre
BWW Review: Topically Important SPRING AWAKENING Impressively Staged at Near West Theatre
August 7, 2018

This past season, NBC aired 'Rise.' The television show spotlighted a high school in a conservative working class neighborhood. The school's new drama teacher, portrayed by Josh Rado, decided rather than staging a traditional, escapist musical, that the students and community would grow from doing 'Spring Awakening,' an exploration of 'young people navigating a world full of pain, frustration, growing up and peopled with not only teens, but adults who often don't have the best intentions.'

BWW Review: Clevelanders Invade Canada for the Shaw Festival 2018
BWW Review: Clevelanders Invade Canada for the Shaw Festival 2018
August 6, 2018

The Shaw Festival, located in Niagara-on-the Lake, is often like being in downtown Cleveland on game day. Lots of 216/440 residents migrate North for a day, days or a week to visit 'the most beautiful little city in Canada,' as Niagara-on-the Lake is often called. They purchase peaches, cherries, and nectarines, tour the wine country and attend plays at The Shaw. It also doesn't hurt that the present exchange rate is $ .77 American for the Canadian dollar. (For the non- mathematical-Americans get a little over 20-cents back for every dollar they spend. Use credit cards to get the highest exchange rate.)

BWW Review: AUDRA MCDONALD delights and captivates Blossom audience
BWW Review: History Changing OKLAHOMA Charmingly Ends Porthouse's 50th season
BWW Review: History Changing OKLAHOMA Charmingly Ends Porthouse's 50th season
July 29, 2018

Before the opening night performance a representative of Actors' Equity presented the theatre with a proclamation in honor of their 50thanniversary which included praise for not only Porthouse and Kent State University, but for Terri Kent, who has been leading the endeavor for 18 successful years. The words praised the venue for not only setting high professional theatrical goals, but for being a place where support, encouragement and respect is stressed.



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