Category Archives: Reviews

April 18, 2015 · 1:32 pm

SPRING AWAKENING 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.

Tyler Kuhlman as Melchior and The Boys.

Tyler Kuhlman as Melchior and The Boys.

SPRING AWAKENING presented by Xavier University through April 19. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the Friday performance.

For its final show of the school year, Xavier mounts an impressive production of SPRING AWAKENING. The show is smartly directed by Stephen Skiles. The tone and emotion of the show is spot on throughout the performance.

Griff Bludworth as Moritz & Molly Hiltz as Melchior's mother.

Griff Bludworth as Moritz & Molly Hiltz as Melchior’s mother.

The entire ensemble is strong, focused and fully-committed to their performances. Both Maya Farhat as Wendla, and Tyler Kuhlman as Melchior, are vocally-strong in the roles. Their scenes together work very well. Gliff Bludworth’s turn as tragic Moritz is moving and emotionally touching. Megan Hostetler has a great stage presence and a powerful voice as Ilse. Molly Hiltz and Sean Burlingame show great versatility in their numerous adult roles. Hiltz gives Wendla’s mother and Melchior’s mother two very distinctive and easily identified personalities.

Megan Hostetler as Ilse and the Girls.

Megan Hostetler as Ilse and the Girls.

Favorite musical numbers include “The Bitch of Living,” “Don’t Do Sadness/Blue Wind,” and “Those You’ve Known.” The staging of the finale, “The Song of Purple Summer” was a very satisfying end to the production. The choreography by Dee Anne Bryll pays homage to the Broadway production while keeping it unique. Music director Scot Buzza does great work with the vocalists and in leading the orchestra. Thanks to sound designers Cam Mitchell & August Dice there was a great balance between the music and vocals.

Molly Hiltz & Sean Burlingame as The Administration.

Molly Hiltz & Sean Burlingame as The Administration.

On the visual side, the subtle church theme of set designer Alana Yurczyk was complimented by the work of lighting designer Alice Trent. Costume designer Kathleen Hotmer kept the show rooted in the proper time period.

This is the second production I’ve attended at Xavier University. Trust that I will be coming back for their upcoming season.

Congratulations to all on a great night of musical theater.

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.

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April 17, 2015 · 6:12 pm

DEATH AND THE MAIDEN 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.

Annie Fitzpatrick as Paulina Salas. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Annie Fitzpatrick as Paulina Salas. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

DEATH AND THE MAIDEN presented by Diogenes Theatre Company through May 2. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening performance.

I’ll give you four excellent reasons to see this show: Annie Fitzpatrick, Michael G. Bath, Giles Davies & Lindsey Augusta Mercer.

Annie Fitzpatrick as Paulina Salas & Michael G. Bath as Gerardo Escobar. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Annie Fitzpatrick as Paulina Salas & Michael G. Bath as Gerardo Escobar. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Paulina Salas begins the show as an emotionally-damaged shrinking violet. Fitzpatrick does excellent work in transforming Paulina into an emotionally-damaged women driven to confront and overcome the abuse she has experienced. Perhaps with a small side of crazy. 🙂

Giles Davies as Roberto Miranda. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Giles Davies as Roberto Miranda. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

As Paulina’s rising politico husband Gerardo, Bath strikes a great balance as put-upon husband, caregiver and negotiator. The scene between the couple, where the events of 15 years ago are finally addressed, is emotionally charged.

I am always excited to see Giles Davies return to the Cincinnati stage. And for me, rare are the times I get to see him in a contemporary role. As Roberto, the victim of Paulina’s, umm…ire, Davies excels in projecting an innocent man, while still having audience members question Roberto’s truthfulness. The physical demands of the role are well-met as well.

Annie Fitzpatrick as Paulina Salas & Giles Davies as Roberto Miranda. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Annie Fitzpatrick as Paulina Salas & Giles Davies as Roberto Miranda. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The staging by director Lindsey Augusta Mercer is simple, yet effective. Mercer has a talent for bringing out dynamic and exciting performances from her actors. This show, combined with her work at New Edgecliff Theatre and Queen City Queer Theatre Collective has, for me, made the young director one to watch.

Annie Fitzpatrick as Paulina Salas & Michael G. Bath as Gerardo Escobar. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Annie Fitzpatrick as Paulina Salas & Michael G. Bath as Gerardo Escobar. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The ocean sounds and blowing fabric nicely establish the locale. The lighting design by Richard Riley Noble works extremely well with Sarah Beth Hall’s scenic design. Great work by sound designer Doug Borntrager, prop master Tenley Pitonzo and stage manager Zavarie Z. Irons.

Overall, an excellent, intense, gripping drama that is a highlight of the season.

Please note that after this weekend, there are no performances the week of April 20. DATM returns to the stage April 29-May 2 for it’s second and final week of performances.

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.

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April 17, 2015 · 3:10 pm

HONOUR 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.

Hannah Rahe as Sophie & Peggy Allen as Honor.

Hannah Rahe as Sophie & Peggy Allen as Honor.

HONOUR presented by Women in Theatre through April 18. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening Sunday performance.

Peggy Allen is strong as Honor, a woman who is abruptly left by her husband after 30+ years of marriage. Her portrayal through the “stages of grief” is emotionally true and very believable. Dennis Blom did well as Gus, but there were times when the script seemed to get away from him. As Claudia, Patricia Mullins does well with the ambition and self-assured arrogance of the character. At times, her line delivery lacked a bit of spontaneity. I also felt a bit of apprehension by the actors in the scenes where Gus and Claudia are together as a couple. Hannah Rahe’s performance of Sophie immediately reminded me of someone I’ve worked with in the past. The character choices were spot on for the role, I just wanted a bit more vocal variety in your speech.

Dennis Blom as Gus & Patricia Mullins as Claudia.

Dennis Blom as Gus & Patricia Mullins as Claudia.

Directed by Donna Hoffman, the tone and blocking of the show were well done. The re-figuring the set pieces and simple additions of few items worked well for the location changes. There is an old, local, community theatre joke about using a couch center stage, facing the audience, due to sight-line issues. The cast did well in keeping themselves open to the audience when using it. In a couple scenes, when the actors stood in front of, and parallel to the couch, they tended to stay in profile a bit too long. If one actor could pull downstage on the diagonal a bit, it would help.

Despite some limitations of the found performance space, the production is solid and offers an interesting look at love vs. passion.

My rating: 3.5 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.

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April 17, 2015 · 12:00 pm

THE COVER OF LIFE 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.

Gretchen Reinersman as Tood Cliffert, Lisa Dirkes as Weetsie Cliffert & Tara Williams as Kate Miller. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Gretchen Reinersman as Tood Cliffert, Lisa Dirkes as Weetsie Cliffert & Tara Williams as Kate Miller. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

THE COVER OF LIFE presented by Falcon Theater through April 25. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening Saturday performance.

There is a famous notion that 90% of directing is casting, If this is the case, director Tracy M. Schoster definitely succeeded with her wonderful ensemble for THE COVER OF LIFE. Not only is every character well-defined and unique, but the dynamics among all the characters are as well.

Kristy Rucker as Addie Mae McGough. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Kristy Rucker as Addie Mae McGough. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Tara Williams deftly handles Kate’s journey from cynic to visitor to friend. Gretchen Reinersman shines as simple-spoken, yet wise beyond her years, Tood. Lisa Dirkes smartly finds the humor in dedicated-wife and dedicated-Christian, Weetsie. Holly Sauerbrunn’s smart-tongued, deadpan delivery of pragmatic, life-weary Aunt Ola is spot on. The moment Merritt Beischel throws out the first verbal barb, it speaks volumes to who Sybil is. Kristy Rucker makes busybody Addie Mae fun and endearing. Jared Earland as Tommy looks like he stepped out of a recruitment poster and handles the youngest-brother angst well.

Lisa Dirkes as Weetsie Cliffert & Holly Sauerbrunn as Aunt Ola Cliffert. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Lisa Dirkes as Weetsie Cliffert & Holly Sauerbrunn as Aunt Ola Cliffert. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Thanks to the director, there are many, very nicely-done moments in the show. Favorites include: Kate and Tood on the hilltop and their final goodbye. Todd and Aunt Ola’s private conversations. Sybil and Weetsie’s argument in front of company. Weetsie eavesdropping on Tood and Sybill and Tood and Tommy at the pond. I could mention a few more, but those would be spoilers. The show is well-paced, flows well and Schoster creates great stage pictures.

Gretchen Reinersman as Tood Cliffert, Merritt Beischel as Sybil Harrist-Cliffert & Lisa Dirkes as Weetsie Cliffert. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Gretchen Reinersman as Tood Cliffert, Merritt Beischel as Sybil Harrist-Cliffert & Lisa Dirkes as Weetsie Cliffert. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The costumes, designed by Tara Williams, evoked the time-period and complimented the personalities of the characters. Great work done by Prop Mistress Alecia Lewkowich as well.

This is the first production since the organization has completed some upgrades to their recently purchased venue. The raisers have been installed and the new seating is definitely more comfortable. Freshly repainted, the theater now has an intimate black box aesthetic that works well.

Gretchen Reinersman as Tood Cliffert & Jared Earland as Tommy Cliffert. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Gretchen Reinersman as Tood Cliffert & Jared Earland as Tommy Cliffert. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Overall an emotionally strong, heartfelt and heartbreaking production. Congratulations to all. The first weekend did sell out, so I recommend you get your tickets in advance.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5

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April 16, 2015 · 2:55 pm

THE UNDERPANTS 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.

Brian Griffin as Versati, Erin Ward as Louise Maske, Michael Hall as Cohen & Randy Lee Bailey as Theo Maske. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Brian Griffin as Versati, Erin Ward as Louise Maske, Michael Hall as Cohen & Randy Lee Bailey as Theo Maske. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

THE UNDERPANTS presented by The Carnegie through April 26. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

As the lights come up and music plays, Theo Maske (Randy lee Baily) and his wife, Louise (Erin Ward) have a pantomimed confrontation over “The Underpants” incident. I thought this was a great introduction to the farce I was about to see. Unfortunately once the dialogue started, that energy seemed to disappear, offering a very sedate and conversational farce for the most part. As the second act progressed toward its hectic conclusion the energy level did reach farce-level.

Tom Manning as Klinglehoff, Jodie Schwegmann-Meyn as Gertrude & Erin Ward as Louise Maske. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Tom Manning as Klinglehoff, Jodie Schwegmann-Meyn as Gertrude & Erin Ward as Louise Maske. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Among the talented ensemble, I really enjoyed Jodie Schwegmann-Meyn as Gertrude. Every time she entered a scene, she brought a great character and great energy to the stage. Tom Manning’s character of Klinlehoff makes an appearance late in the second act. It’s a fun role but I had issues understanding his dialogue at times.

Randy Lee Bailey as Theo Maske & Erin Ward as his wife Louise, Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Randy Lee Bailey as Theo Maske & Erin Ward as his wife Louise, Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The set was a stand out element of the production. Scenic designer Ryan Howell created a great multi-level play space. The color scheme of the set complemented the colors of the theater so well that the set looked like it belong there.

Overall a good production that hasn’t found its equilibrium yet in characterization and tone.

My rating: 3.75 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.

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