Roy Berko - Page 38

When most young theatre geeks think of what they want to do in the world of entertainment, they picture themselves on stage before adoring fans. Not Lynda Lavin. The Mayfield High School class of '71 grad, who attended Cuyahoga Community College and Cleveland State, decided while working as a high school student at Musicarnival, the legendary Cleveland tent theatre, that being a stage manager was her ticket to a life in the theatre.

PHOTOGRAPH 51 is a bio-drama based on the life of Rosalind Franklin, a British biophysicist and crystallographer. Many think she should have been a Noble prize-recipient, but her standoffish personality, perfectionism, and some seemingly unethical actions by others, as well as the possibility of gender discrimination against her, got in the way.

The opening night audience for YENTL failed to give the standard Cleveland standing ovation. This might be construed as an omen that there was a disconnect between the viewers and the production. It's too bad. YENTL is an important script, which tells a fascinating story of a writer, ahead of his time, who weaves Jewish history with modern issues. I wanted so much to really be swept away by the production. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

'MENOPAUSE, THE MUSICAL' is a delightful portrayal of the 'Change, Change, Change' that women of a certain age go through, that consists of 'Hot Flashes,' as they realize that 'I'm No Babe,' and requires a 'New Attitude.' Do you have to be a 'mature' women to appreciate the goings on? No, but from observing the opening night audience, it helps! (Don't forget to bring a fan if you are in the 'change' age group.

What is it like to live much of your life perceiving that you have been born in the wrong body and then going through the process to correct this mistake of birth? That's the major issue exposed by Christine Howey in her one-woman, self-acted and self-written play, EXACT CHANGE, now on stage at Cleveland Public Theatre.

A touring company of the multi-award winning musical 'CHICAGO,' is now appearing at the Palace Theatre in PlayhouseSquare.

It is the purpose of THE CLEVELAND CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS to recognize outstanding Cleveland area productions, performers, directors and designers who contributed to the professional theatre scene during the 2013 season. For a listing of the theatres considered for 'Best of' and 'Superior Achievement' awards, go to: clevelandtheaterreviews.com

Greater Cleveland is blessed with a vital theatre scene. It is the purpose of the TIMES THEATRE TRIBUTES to recognize theatrical experiences that, in the view of this reviewer, were excellent and deserve recognition.

GODSPELL is one of the biggest musical theatrical successes of all-time. Based on the 'Gospel According to St. Matthew,' the musical tells the story of the last seven days of Christ's life. The parables have been contemporized, and Christ's followers are free spirits who sing the likes of 'Day By Day', 'All Good Gifts', and 'Turn Back, O Man.

She's Back!

Dan LeFranc's THE BIG MEAL is a ninety-minute comedy-drama about life, death, meeting, dating, marriage, child-rearing, the importance of casual comments and interactions, and the quickness of existence.

How good is the production of WICKED which is now appearing at the State Theatre? In 2009 when I took my then 14-year old grandson, known as the Kid Reviewer because I take him along to give the teen/tween view of shows, he gave it a 9.5 out of 10 on his 'rate the play scale.' Why only a 9.5? He said he's reserving the 10 for the most unbelievable show he's ever seen. But, he indicated 'WICKED' was GREAT!' Why? 'It had everything. Great story, outstanding production qualities...sets, costumes, lights, special effects. The music and the performances were awesome.' His advice: 'Go see this show! It's appropriate for kids and their parents.'

A CHRISTMAS STORY holds a special place in the hearts of many Clevelanders. The present staging, under the direction of John McCluggage, while engaging, misses out on some of the farcical and endearing dynamics needed to make this a totally wonderful holiday present. It's not bad, just not everything that it could be or has been.

2014 Winter/Spring Cleveland Theater Offerings

Sam Shepard, the author of FOOL FOR LOVE, which is now in production at convergence continuum, described the script as 'a very emotional play and in some ways embarrassing for me to witness but somehow necessary at the time.' The time was shortly after breaking up his marriage to be with another woman.

'If you hear a song in blue Like a flower crying for the dew That was my heart serenading you My prelude to a kiss'

About half an hour before the start of ONCE, the touring version of the musical which is now appearing at the Palace, the audience is invited on stage for beer, music and dancing. It turns out to be a big Irish jam session. An intermission hoe-down is also included in the staging. Come early. Join in. Have fun!

A psychiatrist, who is credited with naming the act of sadomasochism, stated, 'I feel justified in calling this sexual anomaly 'Masochism,' because the author Sacher-Masoch frequently made this perversion, which up to his time was quite unknown to the scientific world as such, the substratum of his writing.' Yes, this is the same Leopold Sacher-Masoch who is the author of VENUS IN FURS, which is the subject of David Ives VENUS IN FUR, now in production at the Cleveland Play House.

Lincoln Center is the largest contiguous performing arts center in the United States. Included in the complex are concert, dance, education, commercial and theatre spaces. The newest venue is the Claire Tow Theatre, a two-story, 23,000 square-foot space built on the roof of the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. The space includes the theatre, rehearsal and office space, and a lobby that opens onto an outdoor terrace surrounded by a new green roof with views of the rejuvenated Lincoln Center Plaza.

Theater Ninja is a nomadic theatre company which has no permanent home and appears in store fronts, art spaces, and churches. It was founded in 2006 with the goal of developing innovative, nontraditional theatrical experiences. As founder Jeremy Paul explains, 'We are a risk-taking company.'