Category Archives: Reviews

November 12, 2014 · 12:43 am

ONCE 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.

Stuart Ward and Dani de Waal from the ONCE Tour Company © Joan Marcus

Stuart Ward and Dani de Waal from the ONCE Tour Company © Joan Marcus

ONCE presented by Broadway in Cincinnati through Nov. 23. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

It is easy to write about the technical aspects of the show. But it is when I try to go beyond that, and talk about my emotional response to the show that I start to have trouble. First of all, “emotional response” isn’t really accurate. The story, music and performances seems to open the door to your emotional-memory and allows you to re-experience your personal emotions that resonate in harmony with the action on stage.

ONCE Tour Company © Joan Marcus

ONCE Tour Company © Joan Marcus

The second song of the show, “Falling Slowly,” establishes the strong connection between the two leads, simply referred to as Guy and Girl. Through the music and the emotion, I became part of that initial connection and immediately became invested in their happiness and success.

When “Falling Slowly” is reprised as the show’s final number, it’s an amazing, heartfelt goodbye that is moving and satisfying.

The ensemble are extremely talented musicians, great entertainers and strong actors. Dani de Wall as Girl is mesmerizing to watch, and Stuart Ward is kind and charismatic as Guy. Their chemistry together is wonderful. Of the other characters in the show, Evan Harrington as Billy and Donna Garner as Baruska (Girl’s mother) were personal favorites.

ONCE Tour Company © Joan Marcus

ONCE Tour Company © Joan Marcus

ONCE is one of the most uniquely staged productions I have ever seen. The set is three walls, with a bar upstage and seating along the side walls for the ensemble, who also play all the music. It is Natasha Katz’s excellent lighting design that transforms the open space between the three walls into the various locations, at times giving an ethereal quality to a scene. The lighting also includes a few surprises you will just have to see for yourself. Director John Tiffany creates many, beautiful stage pictures and the choreographed movement by Steve Hoggett is visually captivating. Most of the scene changes are choreographed and many have their own musical accompaniment. Even the pacing has its own tempo that refuses to be rushed.

Stuart Ward and Dani de Waal from the ONCE Tour Company © Joan Marcus

Stuart Ward and Dani de Waal from the ONCE Tour Company © Joan Marcus

Unfortunately it’s the sound execution that kept the opening night performance from being a perfect experience. Individual mics, especially the leads, were too low. Between the accents and at times, the speed of delivery, it was difficult to understand some dialogue and even more lyrics. This was a complaint I overheard from many people during intermission.

ONCE is simply beautiful, and beautiful in its simplicity. I was enthralled and would gladly see this remarkable theatrical experience again.

My rating: 4.90 out of 5

Caveat: I have seen on social media that some people had a negative reaction to the show. The common complaint seems to the be that the stage adaptation doesn’t do justice to the movie. (That is not to say that everyone who saw the movie, didn’t enjoy the play.)  I have not seen the movie I truly enjoyed the production. Make of that what you will.

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November 11, 2014 · 4:28 pm

SPEECH AND DEBATE 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.

Ryan Garrett, Katie Langham & Owen Alderson. Photo by Richard E. Hess.

Ryan Garrett, Katie Langham & Owen Alderson. Photo by Richard E. Hess.

SPEECH AND DEBATE presented by UC College-Conservatory of Music Drama on Nov. 6-8. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the Saturday matinee performance.

Talk about not being able to judge a book by its cover…or in this case a play by its show description and video trailer. To be truthful, my expectations were a little confused about SPEECH AND DEBATE. I wasn’t sure how those two things fit together. What I wasn’t expecting, was to walk out of the theater about 100 minutes later, having seen one of the best shows of the season.

The script is laugh-out-loud funny, surprising, touching and very well-written by Pulitzer-prize nominated playwright Stephen Karam. The show features excellent direction by Richard E. Hess, and is extremely well-cast with a committed and fearless leading trio.

Both Sarah Davenport as Teacher and Colleen Ladrick as Reporter gave strong, supporting performances and were able to “age-up” their characters into believable, young adults.

Owen Alderson as Solomon, Ryan Garrett as Howie and Katie Langham as Diwata all give outstanding performances. Their characterizations are fully-realized, honest and relate-able. Their interactions and relationships build naturally and together the three of them have a wonderful synergy on stage.

The character of Diwata is the linchpin of the show. She in a huge, loud personality and it is her actions that bring the three together and then cajoles/bullies/blackmails the other two, into joining her speech and debate team. Langham does amazing work, making Diwata a unique and memorable character whose bravado, humor and vulnerability doesn’t get lost in the exuberance of the character or upstage her fellow actors.

The simple set design (not credited in the program) with the three bedrooms upstage and several classroom desks downstage worked well. Assistant director Patrick Kevin was also responsible for designing the projections that injected some fun visuals into several scenes.

Overall, my biggest complaint is that the run was not longer, so more people could see this excellent production.

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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November 9, 2014 · 6:05 pm

ALL NEW PEOPLE 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.

Leah Strasser as Emma, Carter Bratton as Charlie, Nathan Neorr as Myron & Mindy Heithaus as Kim.

Leah Strasser as Emma, Carter Bratton as Charlie, Nathan Neorr as Myron & Mindy Heithaus as Kim.

ALL NEW PEOPLE presented by Untethered Theatre Company through Nov. 30. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

Untethered kicks off their three-show season with a quirky, semi-dark comedy by Zach Braff. Audiences may recognize his name from his leading role as Dr. John (J.D.) Dorian in the TV series Scrubs, and his award-winning turn as writer/director and lead in the movie Garden State.

The four-person ensemble is very solid and works well together. Directed by Jared D. Doran, each character was well-defined and their personalities and interactions were very believable. Leah Strasser’s Emma was a personal favorite with her motor-mouth energy and a solid and consistent accent throughout the production. I would like to have seen the energy of Carter Bratton’s Charilie to be raised just a bit to bring him up to the same level as the rest of the cast. I understand that he was in a dark place, I just would have liked to have seen him a bit more impatient, irritated and snarky at times with his unwanted guests.

Carter Bratton as Charlie & Leah Strasser as Emma.

Carter Bratton as Charlie & Leah Strasser as Emma.

There were some pacing issues opening night. Part of this is due to the humor of the script. Many of the jokes come out of left field (this is not a complaint) resulting in a delayed reaction from the audience, which can throw off the actors timing a little bit. Understandable considering this may have been their first performance with an audience. Small, yet mighty, as we were, I think as the show’s audience size increases, which I’m sure it will, their energy will feed back into the pacing. Near the end of the show, as plot points begin to resolve, the script encourages a slower pacing that the actors need to be conscious of and fight against to some degree.

One aspect of the performance that did not work for me was the cocaine use by Myron (Nathan Neorr) and Kim (Mindy Heithaus). I didn’t see much difference in those characters after they snorted it. I didn’t get the increasing sense of energy and alertness, the extremely elevated mood & the feeling of supremacy that goes along with the high (Thanks WebMD).

Mindy Heithaus as Kim & Nathan Neorr as Myron.

Mindy Heithaus as Kim & Nathan Neorr as Myron.

The four video flashbacks produced by NKU Electronic Media and Broadcasting 424 – Digital Cinema Projects were excellent. Probably the best I’ve seen produced for any local production. Congratulations to all involved in creating them. During the show, a couple of the videos could have used a volume bump when they were played.

The space at Clifton Performance Theatre has its own unique challenges, and I’ve seen the both Untethered and Clifton Players work hard to overcome them. I thought the set, designed by Buz Davis and Doren worked really well. The front door unit was smartly done and made a great, additional playing space, The special stage effect at the beginning of the show worked really well and easily generated the desired response from the audience. Well done!

Overall a very entertaining piece of theater. It may keep the audience guessing about where it’s headed, but it’s a smartly written and a very funny ride to the satisfying end.

My rating: 4.25 out of 5

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November 4, 2014 · 6:35 pm

DRIVING MISS DAISY 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.

Dale Hodges as Daisy Wertham & Reggie Willis as Hoke. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Dale Hodges as Daisy Wertham & Reggie Willis as Hoke. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

DRIVING MISS DAISY presented by The Carnegie through Nov. 16. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening Sunday performance.

You had me at Dale Hodges as Miss Daisy.

When new seasons are announced in the spring, there are always a few productions that immediately fall into the “must see” category. As expected, seeing this favorite local actress in the iconic role of Daisy Wertham, does not disappoint. Also giving strong performances are Reggie Willis as Hoke and Randy Lee Bailey as Boolie.

Dale Hodges as Daisy Wertham & Randy Lee Bailey as Boolie. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Dale Hodges as Daisy Wertham & Randy Lee Bailey as Boolie. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

“Keep it simple” seems to be the mantra for the show and it works well. The minimum set (designed by Kristen Robinson) works well for the various locations of the show. The passage of time is acknowledged by the bits of news and music (excellent sound design by Jason Sebastian) that the ever-present radio plays between scenes. Time also passes visually, as son Boolie swaps out the radio with a more modern one, several times over the course of the show.

Dale Hodges as Daisy Wertham & Reggie Willis as Hoke. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Dale Hodges as Daisy Wertham & Reggie Willis as Hoke. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Wig Master Daniel Townsend and assistant Michael Seagraves do great work with Daisy’s various styles. Daryl Harris did the costume and makeup design. His costumes worked really well for all the characters and appropriate to the time period. The only costume that did not work for me was the shiny gold dress that Daisy wore to the Martin Luther King Jr. event. It seemed out of character, especially with her ongoing concern that others would think she was putting on airs.

Director Mark Lutwak does an excellent job of blocking the show and bringing emotionally-true and believable performances from all three actors. Reggie Willis has great comic timing as Hoke and his friendship with his employer begins and grows naturally. It has been several years since I’ve seen a production of DRIVING MISS DAISY, and the first where I have been a contemporary of Boolie. Bailey had the right balance of love, concern and exasperation that hit home. The final few scenes of the play packed the perfect payoff.

Randy Lee Bailey as Boolie & Reggie Willis as Hoke. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Randy Lee Bailey as Boolie & Reggie Willis as Hoke. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Hodges and Willis do a good job of physically aging their characters as the years passed. There was one cross, during a blackout, by Hodges that seemed a bit more spry than it should have been.

Simply staged and superbly acted, The Carnegie’s DRIVING MISS DAISY is a moving 90 minutes, full of heart and laughter.

My rating: 4.75 out of 5

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October 29, 2014 · 6:31 pm

INTO THE WOODS 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.

Leslie Turner as Cinderella's Stepmother, Grace Eichler as Florinda, Erin Nicole Donahue as Cinderella & Jeni Bayer Schwiers as Lucinda. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Leslie Turner as Cinderella’s Stepmother, Grace Eichler as Florinda, Erin Nicole Donahue as Cinderella & Jeni Bayer Schwiers as Lucinda. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

INTO THE WOODS presented by Covedale Center for the Performing Arts through Nov. 16. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening Sunday performance.

Stephen Sondheim’s INTO THE WOODS is a personal favorite of mine, so it’s always fun to catch a new, local production. The Covedale Center does an excellent job of bringing this musical fairy-tale mash-up to life.

The musical opens with inter-woven scenes taking place in three houses. One belonging to Cinderella, one to the Baker and his wife, and the third home to Jack (of beanstalk fame) and his mother. Even though space is very tight, director Matthew Wilson does a great job of blocking which keeps the focus where it needs to be, without it looking like the cast is struggling in the space. And then the curtain opens revealing the woods.

Rodger Pille as The Baker & Michelle Wells as The Witch. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Rodger Pille as The Baker & Michelle Wells as The Witch. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Every production I have ever seen of INTO THE WOODS has been staged as a load-in/load-out set. This is the first time I have seen the woods built in a dedicated theater. Set designer Brett Bowling and his crew have created an elaborate set that is impressive to say the least. Multiple levels and exits, a long bridge, a stump and an angled fallen tree that can be walked on…so many options that Wilson takes complete advantage of in his staging.

INTO THE WOODS offers several unique design challenges and it is always interesting to see how each production handles them. Bowling has made many, smart decisions to meet the challenge. For the cow, Milky White, a puppet is used and given life by puppeteer Elizabeth Molloy to great effect. The Witch’s magic staff, the delivery of Cinderella’s dress, the freeing of Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother, the goose, and the growing beanstalk at the end of act one were great.

Erin Nicole Donahue as Cinderella, Allison Muennich as The Baker's Wife & Elizabeth Molloy as Milky White. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Erin Nicole Donahue as Cinderella, Allison Muennich as The Baker’s Wife & Elizabeth Molloy as Milky White. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

The show boasts an excellent cast that can handle the vocal demands of the show.The five person orchestra, under the direction of Michael Kennedy sounded great, and best of all, the sound design by Denny Reed and the sound execution allows audience members to hear it all. The only exception was the difficult “You’re Fault” which seemed a bit off in the timing, causing it to sound a bit “mumbly.” Also, the Witch’s transformation could have used a sound effect or music queue to enhance the moment.

Performances are solid across the cast. My personal favorites include Erin Nicole Donahue as Cinderella, Allison Muennich as The Baker’s Wife, Megan Ainsley Callahan as Little Red Riding Hood, Michelle Wells as the Witch and the Tylers…Tyler Kuhlman as Rapunzel’s Prince and Tyler Alessi as Cinderella’s Prince. A sure sign that the show is hitting the right emotional notes is me getting a little misty-eyed during the final “No One is Alone.”

The special make-up for the Witch and the Wolf by Randy Fabert looked great.

The cast. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

The cast. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.

Excellent work by costumer Caren Young. The costumes are colorful, well-fitting and detailed. Personal favorites include Cinderella’s ball gown, her Stepmother and step-sisters gawdy dresses, both Witch’s costumes (especially the green dress and purple-lined cloak that created a great silhouette when it moved), Little Red Riding Hood and both princes. I would have liked to have seen something under the Wolf’s vest, as the bare chest and arms looked too human.

As a whole, one of the best productions I have seen at the Covedale. Congratulations and I hope to see the momentum continue.

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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