Sunset Boulevard (Review)
Tale of Hollywood desperation and dementia gets a big-time patina
Silent Films with Live Music Make a Comeback
Measure for Measure (Review)
Cincy Shakes presents strange brew of drama, comedy
Double Indemnity (Review)
Cincinnati Playhouse production is playful, thrilling
Sister Act (Review)
Talent of touring cast provides a night of fun
Equus (Review)
Director Kenny, strong cast find the rituals in classic '70s play
0 Comments · Wednesday, October 7, 2009
When playwright Peter Shaffer's 'Equus' opened on Broadway 35 years ago, it wasn't easy to discern his purpose. Had he set out simply to craft a racketing good script with a philosophical undertow for audience members to puzzle over with their after-theater drinks? Or had he aimed higher? Today 'Equus' feels undated if not yet timeless. And it's as provocative as ever, especially in an energized New Edgecliff Theatre production.
Meet Me in St. Louis (Review)
0 Comments · Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Want to feel younger, instantly? Head to the Covedale on the West Side for 'Meet Me in St. Louis.' If this nostalgic show, based on the 1944 Judy Garland film and full of playful tunes like "Skip to My Lou" and "Under the Bamboo Tree" doesn’t make you feel like a kid again, the audience will.
Victoria Musica (Review)
Playhouse world premiere delves into the mysteries of motivation
0 Comments · Monday, October 5, 2009
How can people with the best of intentions do things that eventually turn out to be wrong, or at least misguided? Such matters are the foundation of Michele Lowe's 'Victoria Musica,' in its world premiere at the Cincinnati Playhouse.
My Fair Lady (Review)
Showboat Majestic features an illuminating Eliza
0 Comments · Friday, September 18, 2009
Showboat Majestic closes out the 2009 summer season with the evergreen, ever-lilting, ever-intelligent Alan Lerner-Frederick Loewe 1956 musical 'My Fair Lady,' under Tim Perrino's direction. Much of this show is brightly energetic and cleverly staged, though occasionally ragged in execution on the postage stamp stage. All 18 cast members give the piece their Showboat best.
The Lion in Winter (Review)
Manic production mars Cincy Shakespeare's season opening production
0 Comments · Monday, September 14, 2009
Imagine the result if Noel Coward had written 'King Lear.' Imagine the savagery that families reserve for their most bitter internecine battles but verbalized in the lilting, wit-lit language of drawing-room comedy. That's the effect of 'The Lion in Winter,' which is opening Season 16 at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company with seven most familiar and ordinarily persuasive performers directed by artistic guru Brian Isaac Phillips.
Sleuth (Review)
Playhouse opens 50th season with thriller full of surprises and intricate trickery
0 Comments · Friday, September 11, 2009
With a zippy production of Anthony Shaffer's 1970 thriller 'Sleuth,' Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park has launched a year-long 50th anniversary celebration. Almost 40 years after its 1,200-performance Broadway run, 'Sleuth' survives and thrives under Michael Evan Haney's crafty direction — surprises and intricate trickery intact. Further, while keeping the thrills chilling, Haney instilled some nicely leavening humor.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Review)
In need of some subtlety to balance its goofy excess
1 Comment · Wednesday, September 9, 2009
No swindle here: a professional cast, a polished design, an 11-player orchestra, a hot show just a few seasons removed from Broadway, a reasonable ticket price, all in comfortably posh surroundings at Covington's Carnegie Center. For a musical about con artists, 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' is surprisingly on the level.
33 Variations (Review)
ETC's season opening show is a triumphant look at Beethoven's motives
0 Comments · Friday, September 4, 2009
Much was made of this show's Broadway debut earlier this year, especially Jane Fonda's starring role. ETC is offering only the second staging of this Tony Award-nominated work. Despite Amy Warner's moving performance in the role Fonda played, '33 Variations' is more than a star vehicle: It's a strong ensemble production that will engage audiences from start to finish.
Fall Arts Preview: Classical Music
Bounty of music events and special guests on tap
0 Comments · Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The relatively mild summer is giving way to what could well be a mild fall, so maybe the only excitement we'll see this season will be the Classical music offerings. As always, Maestro Paavo Jarvi and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra offer a wide array of talent for the CSO's 115th season, including the Sept. 17 one-night-only appearance of piano superstar Lang Lang.
Fall Arts Preview: Theater
Despite New Stage Collective's demise, new local theater season has much to offer
0 Comments · Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The landscape of Cincinnati theater has changed since a year ago. As the season starts this week, New Stage Collective is gone and the leaders of Know Theatre of Cincinnati have left, it's Playhouse in the Park's 50th anniversary, ETC has a fresh line-up and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company continues to stage excellent classic material.
All in the Family
CEA Hall of Famers have transformed landmarks into successful entertainment venues
0 Comments · Monday, August 24, 2009
For creating and sustaining Cincinnati Young People's Theatre Festival for nearly 30 years, for keeping the Showboat Majestic afloat (literally and artistically) and for turning a deteriorating West Side movie theater into a popular performing arts venue, the Covedale Center for the Performing Arts, Tim and Jennifer Perrino and Denny Reed are being honored by the League of Cincinnati Theatres with the 2009 "Continuing Achievement Award." On Sunday evening at Below Zero Lounge in Over-the-Rhine, they'll be inducted into the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards Hall of Fame.
Theater CEAs To Be Handed Out Aug. 30
0 Comments · Monday, August 24, 2009
The 13th annual Cincinnati Entertainment Awards, the area's longest running local theater awards program, will be held Sunday evening at Below Zero Lounge in Over-the-Rhine. Twenty awards will be handed out, and Jennifer and Tim Perrino and Denny Reed of Cincinnati Landmark Productions will be inducted into the CEA Hall of Fame. Admission is free, and food and drink are available to help the party mood.
Little Shop of Horrors (Review)
Jersey Productions plants the seeds, but a gardener is needed
2 Comments · Tuesday, August 18, 2009
There's a lot to like about Jersey Productions staging of the campy classic musical 'Little Shop of Horrors.' The music is tuneful, the voices are good, the humor is goofy and amusing (even if you've seen it before) and the modest staging doesn't get in the way. But something's missing at the Aronoff Center's Jarson-Kaplan Theater.
Big Comedy Weekend on Tap
Brew Ha-Ha, Kathy Griffin headline big weekend for laughs
0 Comments · Tuesday, August 18, 2009
If you like to laugh, you'll be able to find lots of stand-up comedy this weekend — on a big stage, in a small club and in the great outdoors served with beer. The third annual Cincinnati Brew Ha-Ha, for instance, features 50 comedians on three stages Friday and Saturday, plus more than 50 beers available for sampling.
Godspell (Review)
80 high schoolers are the power source for a night of adolescent verve
0 Comments · Monday, July 27, 2009
'Godspell' is typically a musical that uses a small cast and charms audiences because of its intimate storytelling of parables from St. Matthew's Gospel, Stephen Schwartz's tuneful score and other inventive, often amusing twists. But with 80 or so kids of high school age onstage for Cincinnati Young People’s Theatre, this production is more like 'Godspell' on steroids.
