Category Archives: Reviews

February 18, 2015 · 4:26 pm

ANYTHING GOES 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.

Emma Stratton as Reno Sweeney and Brian Krinsky as Billy Crocker. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

Emma Stratton as Reno Sweeney and Brian Krinsky as Billy Crocker. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

ANYTHING GOES presented by Broadway in Cincinnati through Feb. 22. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

Based on the audience’s reaction to opening night, if you are a fan of ANYTHING GOES, there is much to enjoy in this season optional offering. If you are not a fan of this old war-horse of a musical, it might be better to miss the boat.

Emma Stratton as Reno Sweeney and Lexie Plath, Kaylee Olson, Annie Wallace and Gabriella Perez as Angels. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

Emma Stratton as Reno Sweeney and Lexie Plath, Kaylee Olson, Annie Wallace and Gabriella Perez as Angels. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

Originally produced in 1934, this tour, based on the 2011 production, is the third revival. With tongue firmly planted in cheek, the comedy is very broad and maintains its 1930s sensibilities.

The biggest selling point of ANYTHING GOES for me is the music of Cole Porter. The orchestra, conducted by music director Robbie Cowan, was strong in bringing the rich score to life, but I did have trouble hearing the vocals during most of the up-tempo numbers. Familiar songs include the ballad, “I Get a Kick Out of You,” and comic duets like “You’re the Top” and “Friendship.” The act one finale and titular song, “Anything Goes” was a true highlight of the show. Also strong was “Blow, Gabriel, Blow.” For the most part, I enjoyed the choreography of director Kathleen Marshall across the show, although the jazz portion of “Gabriel” felt like it dragged a bit.

Emma Stratton as Reno Sweeney and the company of ANYTHING GOES. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

Emma Stratton as Reno Sweeney and the company of ANYTHING GOES. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

Visually the passenger costumes had some standouts and the lighting made for some great stage pictures. The main set of the ship was very white with little to break it up. Add the mostly white costumes of the crew and the daylight deck scenes become a bit monochromatic. The small-but-mighty ensemble was solid and impressive in the big production numbers. The leads were capable, but no one seemed to attack their roles and make them their own.

Mychal Phillips as Erma and the ensemble of ANYTHING GOES. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

Mychal Phillips as Erma and the ensemble of ANYTHING GOES. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

Overall the production felt a bit paint-by-numbers to me. All the elements were there and the final result is a mostly-satisfying production but it doesn’t gel into a blockbuster.

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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February 17, 2015 · 10:00 am

IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT 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.

Derek Snow as Tibbs & Mike Hall as Gillespie. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Derek Snow as Tibbs & Mchael Hall as Gillespie. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT presented by Falcon Theater through Feb. 28. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

“They call me, ‘Mr. Tibbs.'”

Falcon Theater brings a riveting production of the racially-charged murder-mystery, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, to the stage in Newport.

Derek Snow as Tibbs, Michael as Gillespie. Rich Setterberg as Tatum & Terry Gosdin as the Coroner. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Derek Snow as Tibbs, Michael as Gillespie. Rich Setterberg as Tatum & Terry Gosdin as the Coroner. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Derek Snow does excellent work as Virgil Tibbs, the detective who struggles to maintain his composure amid the near-constant bigotry he is subjected to. Equally engaging is Mike Hall as chief of police Gillespie as he struggles with controlling his own bigotry versus the responsibility of bringing a murderer to justice. Together the two play well against each other, both working toward the same goal and trying to prove to the other their worth.

Derek Snow as Tibbs & Simon Powell as Sam. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Derek Snow as Tibbs & Simon Powell as Sam. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Also very strong is Simon Powell in the role of Officer Sam Wood. I enjoyed the mentoring dynamic he developed with Tibbs, as well as how he handled the pressures of the townspeople’s attitude toward him for working with a colored man. It was interesting to see his response to this morph over the course of the show.

Tom Peters as Purdy & Allison Evans as Noreen. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Tom Peters as Purdy & Allison Evans as Noreen. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

The remaining ensemble was very solid and did good work. Of those playing multiple roles, I found Terry Gosdin and Tom Peters to be really strong in distinguishing their two characters.

This production enjoyed solid direction by Ed Cohen with some very engaging scene work. I did find the scene where Tibbs is “attacked” to be confusing. For me, it was not clear what was happening or where it was taking place. I also felt there were a couple of times where the racially-motivated bigotry in the beginning of a scene almost completely disappeared by the end that scene, with the conversation becoming a bit too casual.

Dan Maloney as Pete, James Ball as Ralph & Simon Powell as Sam. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Dan Maloney as Pete, James Ball as Ralph & Simon Powell as Sam. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

The costume design by Tara Willians, worked well and kept the look of the period for me. I would have liked to have seen Dee Anne Bryll (as Melanie), wigged or hair-styled to better reflect the era.

As staged, I found the set changes to be a bit time-consuming and overly complicated. The on-stage base and percussion was a nice concept during the scene changes, but it quickly became a bit repetitive. Also, since the music continued into the scene’s dialogue, I found it to be a bit too loud.

Dee Anne Bryll as Melanie & Rich Setterberg as Endicott. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Dee Anne Bryll as Melanie & Rich Setterberg as Endicott. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

During the final confrontation, the cast seemed less-than-conformable with the stage combat so the scene seemed a bit tentative. I did not see a fight choreographer listed in the program.

Overall, it’s a very well-done and intense production that is sadly, still timely given recent events. I understand that ticket sales are extremely strong, so you better act quickly to ensure a seat.

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.

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February 13, 2015 · 12:27 pm

CHAPATTI 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.

Dan (Jonathan Gillard Daly) and Betty (Sarah Day) take turns telling the story of how they met. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Dan (Jonathan Gillard Daly) and Betty (Sarah Day) take turns telling the story of how they met. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

CHAPATTI presented by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park through March 8. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

“All that matters, is love.” -Betty

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park opens this Irish gem of a love story.

Sarah Day as Betty. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Sarah Day as Betty. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

On entering the theater, the audience is greeted by Scott Bradley’s excellent and detailed set of an Irish pub. As the play begins, the Barman, played by Jay Hobson, is busied with various tasks as two patrons enter the pub. Dan (Jonathan Gillard Daly) and Betty (Sarah Day), who greet the audience as fellow bar patrons, order their respective drinks, and take seats near the fireplace to tell their story.

The play is delivered mostly as narrative, as the leads take turns recounting their lives leading up to their meeting and the events that follow. This gives surprising strength to those moments when the two interact directly, and quite the emotional punch to the final few scenes.

Jonathan Gillard Daly as Dan. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Jonathan Gillard Daly as Dan. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

Their story unfolds at a leisurely pace and at first feels a bit mundane. As in life, as the characters (and the audience) gain a more intimate knowledge of each other, and their respective pasts, the story that unfolds is anything but.

Smartly directed by Anne Marie Cammarato, both Daly and Day do excellent work in their roles, individually and together. Their characters are easily likable and relate-able. Dan carries the burden of the recent loss, of the love of his life, while Betty quietly yearns for a true love she has never known. I have to admit, as the play neared its conclusion, I was taken by surprise by how emotionally vested I became in their story.

Overall a simple, yet beautifully-told and emotionally-satisfying love story.

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.

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February 8, 2015 · 3:11 pm

SATURDAY THE 14TH 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.

Nik Pajic as Mitch & Miranda McGee as Gail.

Nik Pajic as Mitch & Miranda McGee as Gail.

SATURDAY THE 14TH presented by Know Theatre of Cincinnati through Feb. 14. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening afternoon performance.

Just in time for that damn Hallmark-holiday, Know Theatre of Cincinnati re-stages a popular entry from last summer’s SERIALS.

Leads Nik Pajic and Miranda McGee are very cute together and have a fun, every-man chemistry that makes them easy to root for. Rounding out the cast as “everyone else” is Chris Wesselman who tackles the multiple roles with unabashed enthusiasm and takes butt-crack humor to a whole new level.

Co-writer of the piece, Elizabeth Martin comes to Cincinnati to direct. She successfully stages the work on the existing set, with a few minor modifications, of Know’s current mainstage production. Martin and co-writer Lauren Hynek have added some new material to the piece to create a nicely-flowing, 60-minute play. Andrew Hungerford’s lighting and sound design works well to establish the various locations.

Overall, a quirky and laugh-out-loud funny, anti-romantic comedy. Perfect for the hopelessly romantics, and the hopeful ones.

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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February 5, 2015 · 5:22 pm

TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES, 1992 Review (GYTN)

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.

Torie Wiggins. Photo by Daniel R Winters Photography.

Torie Wiggins. Photo by Daniel R Winters Photography.

TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES, 1992 presented by Diogenes Theatre Company through Feb. 8. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance. GYTN = Get You Tickets Now.

The streak of beautifully-performed one-person plays continues with Torie Wiggins in TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES, 1992.

The book of the show is deeply personal and riveting. Instead of having the events of 1992 analyzed by media and political talking heads (like recent, similar events), the words come verbatim from interviews with those directly affected by the Rodney King verdict and the subsequent rioting. Heartfelt and brutally honest, at times, their words are also amazingly profound.

Torie Wiggins. Photo by Daniel R Winters Photography.

Torie Wiggins. Photo by Daniel R Winters Photography.

Performed in the Aronoff’s black box, the Fifth-Third Bank Theater, the show is simply staged and starkly lit. Actress Torie Wiggins is barefoot and costumed in black. An added costume piece or the addition of a hand-held prop are all that is used to transform her into nearly four dozen, ethically-diverse individuals.

Torie’s vocal and physical range is impressive. There is an attention to detail in her performances that I really enjoy and admire. Some of the longer vignettes allowed her to totally disappear into a role for the audience. Even with such serious subject matter, Wiggins and director Brian Isaac Phillips find the humor, strength of character and hopefulness in the interviews to maintain an emotional balance. Her turn as the Haitian shooting victim and the Korean store-owner were personal favorites.

Torie Wiggins. Photo by Daniel R Winters Photography.

Torie Wiggins. Photo by Daniel R Winters Photography.

On entering the space and seeing the set on the floor, without any levels, I had an initial concern about sight lines. However, the show is smartly blocked with minimal movement, but it never felt static. Yes, the audience may have to shift in their seats with the character changes to get a clear line of site, but it never devolved into the need for an ongoing bob and weave to see the performance.

Torie Wiggins. Photo by Daniel R Winters Photography.

Torie Wiggins. Photo by Daniel R Winters Photography.

Doug Borntrager succeeds with the demanding sound and video elements of the show. Projected placards are used to introduce the characters prior to each scene and are narrated by, I believe, by Phillips. Just a thought, but it night have been interesting to have a second female narrator, so that each placard were read by the appropriate sex, but I quibble. The video also includes actual footage from some of the discussed events. It’s a bit surreal to see a truck driver being attacked by rioters, knowing that similar incidents happened, literally, blocks away from where you are sitting, during the Cincinnati riot in 2001. Solid work by the rest of the technical team, stage manager Justin McCombs, lighting designer Daniel R. Winters, costumer Amanda McGee and props mistress, Ally Landen.

In their press information, the Diogenes Theatre Company asks, “How much have things changed since then? Or not?” For me, this play definitely answered that question.

If you are a fan of Torie Wiggins work, you definitely do not want to miss this excellent production. Based on the size of the opening night audience, I suggest you purchase your tickets sooner, rather than later.

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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