Category Archives: Reviews

May 29, 2015 · 3:30 pm

ZOMBIE-LOGUE Review

CFF_Zombie-logueLinks to all reviews can be found using the REVIEWS link at the top of the page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my Facebook fan page. You can also receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

ZOMBIE-LOGUE presented by Hugo West Theatricals as part of the 2015 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

You can read the show description here.

Well you know what they say about assuming.

Just because Mike Hall is the guy who helped create zany musical comedies like Don’t Cross the Streams: The Cease and Desist Musical and Hot Damn! It’s the Loveland Frog for previous Cincy Fringes, one should not automatically assume that this year’s entry would also be a zany comedy. Like I did. Then you would be wrong. Like I was.

Instead, ZOMBIE-LOGUE is a story grounded in the real world (well, a real world with zombies). Hall portrays a lone “walker,” held at an undisclosed location, being passive-aggressively interviewed by person or persons unknown about his role in what has transpired.

Hall has a great every man quality that serves the character well. The zombie’s struggle to piece together what has happened and stay on topic feels natural. The script is well-written and, while not a comedy, it has a fair share of laughs and offers some biting commentary on today’s social norms.

The make-up, designed by Bob Allen, is unique and succeeds in the small space.

Aside from being a little slow to start, director Greg Procaccino has the show well-paced and and uses the area well. I did think there were a few emotional beats that could be explored regarding the zombie’s concern for his wife and child.

For future performances, a platform under the chair would help with sight lines. Also, when Hall was downstage center at the fence, it blocked the audience’s view of the communication from the observer(s).

Overall a bit unexpected, but an interesting and engaging story well-told. Four performances remain through June 6.

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.

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May 29, 2015 · 2:12 pm

CODY CLARK: A DIFFERENT WAY OF THINKING Review

CFF_Cody ClarkLinks to all reviews can be found using the REVIEWS link at the top of the page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my Facebook fan page. You can also receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

CODY CLARK: A DIFFERENT WAY OF THINKING presented by Cody Clark as part of the 2015 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

You can read the show description here.

Cody Clark is a talented young magician and a savvy performer. Cody also has autism.

Reading that in his show information, the word doesn’t have any real-world meaning for me. No one in my extended family or circle of friends has this neurodevelopmental disorder.

During his show, Cody discusses the social deficits and communication difficulties he and other people with autism experience. He also shares funny and, at times, poignant stories of growing up, and the challenges he faced. All complimented by a wide-array of magic tricks. The story of his Mee-Maw, and his family’s obsession with Velveeta Cheese (with accompanying sleight-of-hand) was a personal favorite.

What I find most impressive about what Cody does, is that his desire to perform his magic in front of an audience is, in ways, in direct conflict with his disorder. His determination to succeed and love for what he does is inspiring.

Cody personifies what he encourages his audience to do: embrace and celebrate what makes you, you.

Overall an entertaining performance that offers some new insight into the human condition . Four performances remain through June 6.

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.

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May 28, 2015 · 2:56 pm

HEARD Review

CFF_HeardLinks to all reviews can be found using the REVIEWS link at the top of the page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my Facebook fan page. You can also receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

HEARD presented by Queen City Queer Theatre Collective as part of the 2015 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

You can read the show description here.

The Queen City Queer Theatre Collective has been staging impressive monthly readings since November of last year. I was excited to hear that they were presenting a fully-staged performance at this year’s Fringe, and they didn’t disappoint.

This original work is smartly-written by QCQTC co-founder Linnea Bond. The structure of the show works well, giving the audience enough information about the central character to keep us fully-engaged as her story unfolds.

QCQTC’s other co-founder, Lindsey Augusta Mercer, directs. She has quickly become one of my favorite directors whose local credits include THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED at New Edgecliff Theatre and DEATH AND THE MAIDEN for Diogenes Theatre Company. The blocking was natural and worked well within the found space. It was nicely-paced with solid performances from a strong ensemble.

Kaleigh-Brooke Dillingham brings a nice balance to the role of Esther. She has a natural chemistry with Helen, played with believable ease by Mia Vera. Vera does double duty as Janice, bringing a nice contrast and complimentary-tone to the role. One of my favorite scenes of the play takes place about midway, when Esther visits Dr. Taylor, played pitch-perfectly by Tracy Schoster.

I enjoyed seeing Cal Harris on stage in the role of Dave. I liked the attitude and the physicality of the character, and his “relationship” with Esther was very believable. I would have liked to have seen his energy level raise slighty to match Dillngham. Zach Robinson has a good characterization as more-than-slightly, drunk and obnoxious Ben, but his connection to the other characters in the scene was lacking.

The acoustics in the venue are a bit hinky, so I would encourage the performers to keep their volume up, as I did lose lines in some of the quieter moments.

Overall a very well-done production and one that I’m sure will be a personal favorite of this year’s Fringe. Four performances remain through June 4.

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.

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May 28, 2015 · 1:45 pm

CATHEDRAL CITY Review

CFF_Cathedral CityLinks to all reviews can be found using the REVIEWS link at the top of the page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my Facebook fan page. You can also receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

CATHEDRAL CITY presented by Kurt Fitzpatrick as part of the 2015 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

You can read the show description here.

Kurt Fitzpatrick showcases his wide-range and versatility in this 60-minute solo show.

Funny and tightly-written, what appears to be a random stream of consciousness, (with characters that include a time-traveling Englishman, a young black girl and Fitzpatrick himself), over the course of an hour solidifies into an interconnected set of stories around a central personal event.

Overall a fun and entertaining pop-cultured-filled show. Four performances remain through June 4.

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.

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May 14, 2015 · 4:38 pm

CRAZY FOR YOU Review

Links to all reviews can be found using the REVIEWS link at the top of the page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my Facebook fan page. You can also receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

Kaitlin Lory as Polly Baker and John Woll as Bobby Child.

Kaitlin Lory as Polly Baker and John Woll as Bobby Child.

CRAZY FOR YOU presented by Cincinnati Music Theatre through May 16. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening Saturday performance.

Cincinnati Music Theatre ambitiously tackles the dance-heavy musical comedy CRAZY FOR YOU as their season closer.

Leads Kaitlin Lory as Polly Baker and John Woll as Bobby Child give solid performances and have a cute chemistry together. I would have liked to see a bit more of an emotional connection between the two since their relationship comes together so quickly.

Rick Kramer is spot-on and fun as (the real) Bella Zangler and his duet, “What Causes That,” with doppelganger Woll is a highlight of the show. Also fun were Jen Drake and Gregory Good in “Naughty Baby.” Allison Hinkel does well as Tess, but I think she could have been used more in supporting Bobby and Polly.

The cast.

The cast.

At the performance I attended, the cast seemed to struggle with maintaining their energy throughout the show. Several times (once due to a costume change delay) the momentum of the show dropped out almost completely.

The choreography suffered a bit from the same problem. There were times when the dancers’ faces dropped to concentrate on the choreography. The priority has to be convincing the audience that you are having fun. I’m not sure if this is an option, but a couple of the longer dance sequences could have used a bit of editing. That being said, the ensemble should be commended for the hard work that shows in the dance numbers, especially “I Got Rhythm.”

Jen Drake as Irene Roth & Gregory Good as Link.

Jen Drake as Irene Roth & Gregory Good as Link.

Director Sarah C. Mizelle creates some really nice stage pictures in her blocking. There were a few times where scenes with much of the ensemble on stage could have used a bit more focus on the leads.

The orchestra, under the direction of Charles Wilhelm sounded strong and it was very nice to hear the score played live by a talented ensemble of musicians.

On the technical side, Rick Kramer was also responsible for the smart set design. Also well done was the costuming work by Elaine Michael. I can’t recall any sound issues of note for the leads, but there were several instances where mics were not live for ensemble solo lines.

Overall a light-hearted and fun musical comedy. A bit uneven, easily rectified by the cast maintaining its focus, energy and spontaneity throughout the performance. Enjoy the rest of your run.

My rating: 3.25 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.

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