Category Archives: Reviews

September 11, 2018 · 4:57 pm

MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY Review

XUT_Mr Burns1

Act I.

MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY presented by Xavier University Theatre ran Sept. 7-9. Click here for a synopsis and more information on the production. I attended the Saturday matinee performance.

Xavier University Theatre kicks off their 2018-2019 season with a unique three act play based on an episode of The Simpsons television series. The three acts are set in the very near future, seven years after that, then 75 years after that. Each act was performed in its own unique performance space throughout the Gallagher Student Center.

The eight person ensemble, under the direction of Stephen Skiles, was very impressive in their performances and truly was an ensemble. The cast included Andrew Leonard, Cassie Delicath, Kelsey Schwarber, Aiden Dalton, Nora Weisz, Matthew Wilkinson, Catherine Sholtis & Gigi Relic. Their believably and commitment to the different settings went a long way to selling the show.

XUT_Mr Burns2

Act 2.

Music director Scot Buzza put the cast through its paces, whether they were performing a capella in Act Two or accompanying themselves on guitar, drums, piano – and I believe even a toy piano in the final act.

Equally impressive was the creativity and attention to detail put forth by the production team. Set/lighting designer Joe Beumer created some truly unique environments for Acts One and Three. The naturally lit “found space” for the second act also fit its needs extremely well. Given the gloominess of the weekend, I was curious if any additional light sources were used in the middle act for the evening performances. The “fire” light sources looked realistic and I loved the effect that lit the theater as we entered for the third act. The sets were built by the students under the technical direction of Joe Leonard. Honestly, I checked with the director to verify they didn’t purchase the set in the third act because it was so well done.

XUT_Mr Burns3

Act 3.

Costume designer Jessica Pitcairn gave the “costumes” of Act Two a great “limited resources/limited experience” quality and also created a unique aesthetic for the final act. Properties designer Lydia Reagan found a great balance in giving new life to found objects and finding creative ways to recreate objects that were mass produced in the “past.”

Overall, a job very well done. Thanks to everyone at Xavier University involved in bringing this fun and quirky show to a Cincinnati stage. It was an unexampled theatrical experience I will remember for a long time to come.

My rating: 4.75 out of 5.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show or my review. All I ask is that you express your opinion without attacking someone else’s opinion. You can post your comments below.

Leave a comment

Filed under Reviews

Tagged as

September 10, 2018 · 9:08 am

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM Review

CSC_Forum Act One Web size -377

The Courtesans in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s production of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM presented by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company through Sept. 29. Click here for a synopsis and more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company kicks off their 25th anniversary season with their first musical production, Stephen Sondheim’s A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM.

Visually FORUM is bright, colorful, and fun. I thought the Vegas-inspired costumes of the Courtesans’, designed by Brian Horton, were nicely done and had a Bob Mackie quality to them that I enjoyed. The incorporation of pixel tape into Adam Zeek’s lighting design (or is that into Shannon Robert’s scenic design?) was a nice touch and it was very effective when it was synced to the music. The two-story, three house set worked very well for the script demands and housing the orchestra. The attention to detail was impressive and the fountain was a fun addition.

The sound design of Douglas J. Borntrager nicely balances the orchestra with the vocalists. I had no issues hearing every spoken and sung word, an impressive feat for their first musical in the space. Speaking of the orchestra, I thought the music sounded full and rich and well directed by Erin McCamley,

FORUM has a special place in my heart as I have childhood memories of watching it on TV with my Dad. I enjoy the music and I do believe it is a better musical than movie. This production is fun and sports a talented cast, but I think the show struggles as musical theater.

CSC_Forum Act two Web size -62

Kelly Mengelkoch as Domina & Gabe Wrobel as Miles Gloriosus. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

To me, the show felt segmented and didn’t flow well from scene to scene. In hand with that, the show failed to build any momentum. Aside from Kelly Mengelkoch as Domina and Matthew Johnson as Pseudolus, it seemed that many of the CSC’s ensemble didn’t create a character. When speaking, they tended to drop into their familiar Shakespeare voice and tempo which worked against not only the pacing, but some of the comedy as well. The chase in act two could also be tightened up timing wise, as several times the stage was empty as we waited on entrances.

I found the comedy of the show to be very similar to what is usually done with their “Abridged” productions, but this time with musical numbers. I’m not saying that this is a bad thing, but it also isn’t really new or different, either. I also think that there is more comedy to be mined from the script and more options for physical comedy.

CSC_Forum Act One Web size -57

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s production of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

The staging is forward-heavy, but the only sight line issue I had was during the “Lovely” reprise as the pair were so far downstage and facing in toward each other. Since the fourth wall is broken so frequently, actors could work to be a a bit more inclusive of all the audience.

Overall, this is an enjoyable production especially if you haven’t seen FORUM before. I do hope the cast can “shake off their Shakespeare” and really come to embrace the fun and silliness of the show over the remainder of the run.

As of this writing, two performance has been added to the run: Saturdays, Sept. 15 & 22 at 2pm.

My rating: 4.25 out of 5.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show or my review. All I ask is that you express your opinion without attacking someone else’s opinion. You can post your comments below.

2 Comments

Filed under Reviews

Tagged as

September 10, 2018 · 8:46 am

MISERY Review

PIP_Misery_02

Barbara Chisholm as Annie Wilkes. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

MISERY presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park through Sept. 29. Click here for a synopsis and more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

Cincinnati Playhouse kicks off their 2018-2019 season with a top-notch stage adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name. Gasps, groans, and nervous laughter? Check, check, and check. Director Blake Robison delivers edge-of-your-seat thrills with capital “Eeek!”

PIP_Misery_03

David Whalen as Paul Sheldon. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

As savior and sadistic jailer Annie Wilkes, Barbara Chisholm is equal parts funny and scary, but always believable as she ping-pongs between “number one fan” and number one fanatic. David Whalen as injured novelist Paul Sheldon transitions very well from near-helpless prisoner to determined survivor and handles the physical demands of the role very well. Together the two have a great rapport on stage and their adversarial relationship is very engaging to watch unfold (except in those moments you have to look away). Rounding out the cast is Kenneth Early turning in a solid performance as Buster, the local sheriff who questions Annie about the missing Sheldon.

The fourth star of the show is Paul Shortt’s beautiful three-sided set which rotates between living room, bedroom and kitchen throughout both acts. There are also a couple of surprises with the set that were fun and highly effective.

PIP_Misery_08

Barbara Chisholm as Annie Wilkes & David Whalen as Paul Sheldon. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The set decor was amazingly detailed and fit perfectly with Annie’s character. The lighting design by Xavier Pierce adds much to the show’s atmosphere and I enjoyed how the passage of time was handled between scenes. Also adding to the suspense of the piece was the work of sound designer and composer, Matthew M. Nielson. Rick Sordelet and Christian Kelly-Sordelet are listed as fight choreographer and special effects coordinator for MISERY. For the most part, the stage combat and effects are highly effective and handled well by the cast.

PIP_Misery_07

Kenneth Early as Buster & Barbara Chisholm as Annie Wilkes. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Costume designer Kathleen Geldard created some great looks for Annie and several of the changes seemed very quick . Great work by the crew on the running of the show and those stealthy set changes as the play continued on the other side of the wall.

Overall, MISERY is a tightly directed, engrossing and suspenseful thriller, elevated by pitch-perfect performances and great eye to detail. Start your Halloween season a month early at the Playhouse.

My rating: 5 out of 5.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show or my review. All I ask is that you express your opinion without attacking someone else’s opinion. You can post your comments below.

1 Comment

Filed under Reviews

Tagged as

September 10, 2018 · 8:31 am

FLY BY NIGHT Review

ETC_Fly By Night 6

Nathan Robert Pecchia as Narrator, Maya Farhat as Daphne & Brooke Steel as Miriam. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

FLY BY NIGHT presented by Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati through Sept. 29. Click here for a synopsis and more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

ETC kicks off their 2018-2019 season with the contemporary musical fable, FLY BY NIGHT.

While I found the show well-paced, the script itself, although engaging, could use a bit of editing. The book has an abundance of plot lines spinning and for me there are times when the show loses momentum due to that volume. I didn’t mind the non-linear storytelling and it is used best when the audience gets to revisit a previous moment with more information or a different perspective.

ETC_Fly By Night 9

Phil Fiorini as Mr. McClam & Nathan Robert Pecchia as Narrator. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

The bulk of the cast is comprised of faces familiar to ETC audiences and as a whole they are solid across the board. Phil Fiorini completely charms as Mr. McClam who is lost after the passing of his wife. As the Narrator, Nathan Robert Pecchia handles the multiple-roles well, but there were times when his performance level could have been brought down a notch or two to match his scene partners. While I am very much appreciative that ETC so often casts local equity actors, it would be great to see returning actors further explore the physicality of their characters and make unique choices for them.

The cast handled the vocals for the show well, backed by a four-piece band. The only issue I noticed with the sound was a couple of instances when the mics of the supporting vocalists were at the same level as the lead.

ETC_Fly By Night 15

The Company. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

The set and lighting design by Brian c. Mehring was a standout for this production. The triangle of circular platforms, the color choices, the balcony, the set pieces tucked under the walls, and the lighting accents gave the set a great ethereal quality.

The solid black and white costume scheme worked well for the most part, but the lack of color or pattern had Harold and Joey in essentially the same costume that didn’t really speak to the period. I would also have liked to have seen the Narrator’s all-white ensemble broken up a bit. I understand the convenience of the black handkerchief for some of his quick costume changes, but for an extended scene as when Miriam visits the gypsy woman, something with a bit more size and substance would be welcomed.

Overall, FLY BY NIGHT is visually enthralling, touching. and bittersweet, this emotional roller coaster of a show hits the mark much more than it misses.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show or my review. All I ask is that you express your opinion without attacking someone else’s opinion. You can post your comments below.

 

1 Comment

Filed under Reviews

Tagged as

June 1, 2018 · 2:41 pm

OF MONSTER DESCENT Review (GYTN)

CFF18_Of Monster Descent

OF MONSTER DESCENT presented by Queen City Flash as part of the 2018 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

GYTN = Get You Tickets Now. Go ahead, follow the link, the review will still be here after you get back.

Writer/Director team Trey Tatum and Bridget Leak (“Slut Shaming” 2014 Artist Pick of the Fringe, “The Disappearance of Nicole Jacobs”) present a story about a family on the brink of collapse and the woodland beast that stalks just beyond their fence line. Set in a decaying Gulf Coast oasis, a young boy confronts family legacy and the untamed beyond in this otherworldly, lightning-lit, monster survival tale.

Sometimes the most successful solo shows at the Fringe are rooted in the performer’s personal history. When an artist takes the leap and exposes their vulnerability, the result can be amazing. Such is the case with OF MONSTER DECENT.

CFF18_Of Monster Descent1

Trey Tatum.

The script by Trey Tatum is extremely well-written. Pop culture and childhood experiences of family life in Alabama combine in an engaging, thought-provoking, yet genuinely laugh-out-loud funny sixty minutes.

His storytelling and emotional connection to the work is only strengthened by the direction of Bridget Leak. I really enjoy her eye for connecting the words to physical movement in a way that complements the work, without it becoming distracting or overwrought.

The end of the Thursday night performance was greeted with a well-deserved ovation from the sold-out audience.

Five performances remain at the FLC Lounge, one of the smaller Fringe venues:

  • Sat, June 2 at 9pm
  • Sun, June 3 at 7pm
  • Thu, June 7 at 7pm
  • Fri, June 8 at 8:30pm
  • Sat, June 9 at 4:45pm

More information |

 

1 Comment

Filed under Reviews

Tagged as ,