Category Archives: Reviews

SUMMERLAND presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park through March 5. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

Michael Rothhaar as William H. Mumler & Whitney Maris Brown as Mrs. Mumler. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

A taste of Halloween comes late (or early, depending on your point of view) to the Park’s Shelterhouse with SUMMERLAND. If you are unfamiliar with the term, “Summerland” is the name given by Theosophists, Wiccans and some earth-based contemporary pagan religions to their conceptualization of an afterlife.

Arlitia Jones’ play uses the now infamous image taken by Spirit Photographer William H. Mumler as a jumping off point for her play. In the photo, a seated Mary Todd Lincoln is captured with the ghostly image of her late husband standing beside her.

Director Michael Evan Haney elicits unique and believable performances from his talented ensemble of three. Billy Finn is strong as the young and driven Jospeh Tooker, determined to prove Mumler is the fraud Tooker is convinced he is. Michael Rothhaar charms as William H. Mumler, a man who appears to genuinely believe his work is a comfort to the living. Playing Mrs. Mumler, Whitney Maris Brown is mesmerizing as the enigmatic and otherworldly wife and possible conspirator.

Whitney Maris Brown as Mrs. Mumler & Billy Finn as Joseph Tooker. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

My favorite scene of the play is the beginning of Act II. The “confrontation” between Mrs. Mumler and Tooker is immensely satisfying to watch. Brown is a force of nature as she assails, cajoles and taunts Mr. Tooker, keeping him completely off balance.

For me, one of most successful aspects of the play is how well the technical team set the mood for the piece. The special effects worked well and the theater magic stayed well-hidden in the intimate performance space. The end of Act I is indeed “spooky.”

Billy Finn as Joseph Tooker & Michael Rothhaar as William H. Mumler. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

As a new work the play could still use a bit of editing. The first scene went a bit long in exposition considering how quickly it becomes apparent that the young man is there for more than his portrait sitting. The epilogue also seems a bit anti-climatic, working hard to establish a connection between the two men after all that has transpired.

Overall, an engaging and unique historical drama with a supernatural bent.

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.

Gina Milo as Audrey, David Meyers as Mr. Mushnik & Nick Cearley as Seymour. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS presented Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park through Feb. 19. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

It was my love of the movie LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS that led me to become involved in our local theater scene about 25 years ago. Without Seymour, Audrey, and the gang, you would not be reading this review. 🙂 This is the first regional production I have attended and I’m happy to say that the Playhouse’s production does the show, (as well as and my fond memories of it) justice.

If you are a fan of the movie but have never seen the stage version, you will experience a completely different ending sans “Mean Green Mother From Outer Space,” as well as several songs that were not included in the movie.

Johari Nandi as Chiffon, Ebony Blake as Ronnette, Alexis Tidwell as Crystal & Nick Cearley as Seymour. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The cast is extremely talented and does a wonderful job of making the roles their own. Nick Cearley is endearing as hapless Seymour who flinches from every harsh word. Gina Milo is easy to love as Audrey and offers an emotionally touching “Somewhere That’s Green.” Jamison Stern is hilarious as Orin and brings a quirkiness to the dentist and his various other roles that is fun to watch. The Urchins (Johari Nandi as Chiffon, Alexis Tidwell as Crystal & Ebony Blake as Ronnette) nail the harmonies and dance moves that make the roles so much fun to watch. Rounding out the ensemble is Chaz Rose as the voice of Audrey II & Stephen Kriz Gardner as the puppeteer/manipulator. The two give the ever-growing plant great presence and personality, however it was noticeable several times that Audrey II wasn’t hitting all the syllables in the dialogue and lyrics.

Playhouse’s Marx Theatre can make the staging of a musical rather challenging. Michael Schweikardt’s set design is extremely successful in the space. There are many great touches throughout and I thought the shop’s renovation was one of the most dramatic I’ve ever seen. The various transformations and quick costume changes were handled excellently by the stage management team. The production also boasts one of the most successful executions of the final number.

Jamison Stern as Orin & Nick Cearley as Seymour. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The musicians, conducted by Stephen Goers and located underneath the stage, rocked out the score. I found the music and vocal balance to be great and I was able to hear every line and lyric.

Opening night, the younger audience members around me seemed to enjoy the show -although the lines “tough titties” and “no shit, Sherlock” did elicit a bit of a shocked reaction from them.

Overall, LITTLE SHOP is a grade A, sci-Fi, B movie, musical comedy that is laugh out loud funny and a rocking good time.

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.