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.
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First Show:
Wonderful TownFavorite Show:
Chorus Line, Fiddler on The Roof, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, West Side Story, Something Rotten, Pippin
BWW Reviews: POOR LITTLE LULU, Theatre of The Absurd at Cleveland Public Theatre
March 14, 2012
March 14, 2012
POOR LITTLE LULU, Matthew Earnest's play, which is getting its world premiere at Cleveland Public Theatre where it is being produced in association with The Lunar Stratagem, is a classic Theatre of the Absurd creation. The absurd movement, which was at its high during the turbulent mid-to-late twentieth century, centered on the existential question, "why do we exist?" Plays by Edward Albee and Eugene Ionesco put individuals in absurd situations, where the ridiculousness and horrors of life, and of the decisions made, were paramount.
BWW Reviews: Rare Professional Production of THE MOUSETRAP at Great Lakes Theater Deserves to Be Seen
March 12, 2012
March 12, 2012
During the pre-talk of the opening night production of THE MOUSETRAP, William Fee, Great Lakes Theatre's Producing Artistic Director, shared that when the company was designing the 2011-2012 season, they wanted to add a different dimension to their offerings. The show selected had to take a diverse approach to the usual offerings, but retain the theatre's classic tradition.
BWW Reviews: Thought provoking ANTEBELLUM at Cleveland Public Theatre
February 27, 2012
February 27, 2012
In 1939, Hattie McDaniel was the first African-American to win an Oscar for her portrayal of Mammy in GONE WITH THE WIND. She was also the first African American to be an invited guest to attend the Oscars. Ironically, she was required to sit alone at the back of the Cocoanut Grove, the site of the award ceremonies, a far distance from the white performers in the movie.
BWW Reviews: Dan Folino and Katherine DeBoer Make Lakeland's ANYONE CAN WHISTLE Worth Seeing
February 17, 2012
February 17, 2012
When Martin Friedman, Artistic Director of The Lakeland Civic Theatre, announced he was staging Stephen Sondheim's ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, there were some raised eyebrows in the theatre community. Friedman is a Sondheimophile. He knows the master's works well. Why would he even adventure into Whistle land, which is fraught with land mines?
BWW Reviews: THE BLUEST EYE--Morrison Plays Highlights Black History Month at Karamu
February 14, 2012
February 14, 2012
At the start of the Karamu production of THE BLUEST EYE we hear the voice of Shirley Temple singing. Yes, Shirley Temple, the cute Caucasian child movie star with the curly blond hair and bright blue eyes. That song harbors what is to come.
BWW Reviews: SPRING AWAKENING is Mesmerizing at Beck Center for the Arts
February 8, 2012
February 8, 2012
CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: SPRING AWAKENING is an emotionally stirring, relevant, and well staged production. This is not a should see, it's a must see presentation. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
BWW Reviews: IN ARABIA WE'D ALL BE KINGS @ CWRU/CPH
February 7, 2012
February 7, 2012
CAPSULE JUDGMENT: IN ARABIA WE'D ALL BE KINGS gets an impressive production and is a perfect vehicle to open CPH's new Lab Theatre. Due to its language and subject matter, it's not a play for everyone, but those interested in having an up-front emotionally involving theatrical theatre experience, should definitely see this production.
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