Category Archives: Reviews

August 9, 2013 · 12:29 pm

THE 39 STEPS Review

CSC_The 39 Steps1

Nicholas Rose and Miranda McGee. Rich Sofranko Photography

THE 39 STEPS presented by Cincinnati Shakespeare Company through Aug. 11. You can read the show description here.

CSC kicks off their 20th anniversary season with a special event production of THE 39 STEPS. This comedic take on the Alfred Hitchcock thriller features the solid cast of Nicholas Rose, Miranda McGee, Billy Chance and Justin Combs under the direction of Brian Isaac Phillips. I attended the opening night performance on July 19. (My apologies for the delay in this review. I promise to be more timely for the rest of the season.)

CSC_The 39 Steps2

Billy Chance, Justin Combs & Nicholas Rose. Rich Sofranko Photography.

One thing obvious on opening night was that CSC has a very invested fan base, who have a real connection to its performers. This, combined with a few breaks of the fourth wall, led to a very vocal audience swept along in the fun.

The chase scene aboard the train was my favorite in the show. All elements came together brilliantly.

The only “complaint” I had was with the pacing in a several places. Part of this stems from a few of the comedic bits going on too long. Most notable was the political rally scene near the beginning of act two. One comedic old man is funny, two of them slows the show momentum considerably. Also the black-outs between several scenes (I assume required due to limited backstage space) interrupted the pacing.

Overall a very entertaining production and a great “thank you” to their patrons for making their first 20 years such a success.

Click here for a complete list of show times for THE 39 STEPS.

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the showor 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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June 5, 2013 · 1:53 pm

IN WHICH I SET MYSELF ON FIRE Review

Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Simon Powell as Roman, Carey Parsons as Rita & Blair Bowman as Chris. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

IN WHICH I SET MYSELF ON FIRE presented by Cincinnati Group Theatre as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Click here for the show description, a list of show times, links to local media coverage and other reviews.

I think it’s great to see new works by local playwrights at the Fringe Festival. One entry this year is NKU-grad Hayley Powell’s new play IN WHICH I SET MYSELF ON FIRE.

For the most part, I found the script to be solid and it held my interest throughout. Director Brandon Moore guides a strong ensemble  (Robyn Novak as Sylvia, Simon Powell as Roman, Blair Bowman as Chris and Carey Parsons as Rita) well in the confined space. The blocking made good use of the playing area and had a sense of purpose. Emotionally the scenes felt right. Sylvia and Chris’ confrontation scene was a personal favorite. Also the cast seems to have done some in-depth research on how to act drunk. 🙂

Carey Parsons as Rita, Blair Bowman as Chris, Simon Powell as Roman, & Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Carey Parsons as Rita, Blair Bowman as Chris, Simon Powell as Roman & Robyn Novak as Sylvia. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

I wasn’t sure on the time frame involved. I understand the main three were college friends, but how long after college are the scenes taking place?

Live cellist Cole Guillian accompanies the play and at times it is very effective. In a couple of scenes, as he started to play, my first thought was that someone’s cell phone was going off.

I’m not sure what the next step is for this work but I could see it expanded into a full length play. What follows are some observations for whatever their worth. I was a bit unclear about Rita (BTW Parsons gave great face throughout the show). She was a friend to Sylvia, but didn’t seem to interact much with the other characters.

The issue of catholic-guilt seemed a little light. Heaven and hell aren’t just Catholic concepts and with audience members not being Catholic, you may have to provide a bit more exposition for them regarding the guilt.

Additional lines or scenes to better help understand Chris & Roman’s relationship , why Roman and Sylvia ever got married at all, and a bit more resolution to Chris and Sylvia’s relationship after the big confrontation.

Overall a very promising start on a new work from a new organization.

Links to all reviews can be found on the BTC REVIEWS page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my FaceBook fan page. You can receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

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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June 5, 2013 · 11:48 am

POE AND MATHEWS: A MISADVENTURE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE Review

Brian Kuwabara as Cornelius Mathews & Emily Windler as Edgar Allan Poe. Photo by Jacob Drabik.

POE AND MATHEWS: A MISADVENTURE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE presented by Grumble Productions as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Click here for the show description, a list of show times, links to local media coverage and other reviews.

Thanks to my Dad, I was exposed to Laurel & Hardy, Abbott & Costello, The Three Stooges and The Bowery Boys at an early age. POE & MATHEWS brought back those memories and reminded me of the affection I have for this type of physical comedy.

Brian Kuwabara as Cornelius Mathews & Emily Windler as Edgar Allan Poe. Photo by Jacob Drabik.

Brian Kuwabara as Cornelius Mathews & Emily Windler as Edgar Allan Poe. Photo by Jacob Drabik.

Emily Windler plays straight-man Edgar Allan Poe to Brian Kuwabara’s bumbling Cornelius Mathews. The two make a great team and compliment each other nicely. Personally, I got a big charge out of Windler’s much put-upon Poe. The mannerisms, the voice, the faces, the eye-rolls in exasperation combined to make an entertaining character to watch.

The script is good and flows nicely. Veiled (and blatant) movie references, commentary asides about the venue, and improper word choice are some fun bits. A small complaint, there was one “stage” that felt like it was going a bit long, a few minutes before it actually ended.

Overall, a fun, laugh-filled hour at The Coffee Emporium.

Links to all reviews can be found on the BTC REVIEWS page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my FaceBook fan page. You can receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

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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June 4, 2013 · 3:40 pm

BUTCHER HOLLER HERE WE COME Review

Photo by Joe Bourguignon.

Photo by Joe Bourguignon.

BUTCHER HOLLER HERE WE COME presented by Aztec Economy as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Click here for a list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews.

You gotta love a show with your name (kinda) in the title. 🙂

I remember visiting Mammoth Caves, and sitting in that large chamber when they turn out the lights. So dark you can’t see your hand in front of your face. The underground venue at MOTR Pub comes close to that kind of darkness.

Photo by Joe Bourguignon.

Photo by Joe Bourguignon.

The concept for the show is very interesting. It’s 1973 and the audience is trapped with five coal miners after a cave collapse. Usually the only lights, if any, are the headlamps of the miners.

The ensemble is talented and does great work. The confrontation scene was well done albeit a bit stressful. 🙂

The description promises that the show brutally weaves “through family histories, complicated friendships, crooked politics, childhood visions, audacious hopes, eerie dreams, criminal addictions, and fervent spirituality.” Which it does. But for me, with the lack of visual information, I had a hard time keeping track of who was who, (aside from “Hiccup”) and their personal connections. Perhaps a short scene before the lights go out could help establish some of the characters and relationships for the audience.

Overall a fun and unique experience.

Links to all reviews can be found on the BTC REVIEWS page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my FaceBook fan page. You can receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

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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June 4, 2013 · 2:05 pm

THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET Review

David Lee Nelson. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

David Lee Nelson. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET presented by Keeping Watch as part of the 2013 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Click here for a list of show times, local media coverage and other reviews.

David Lee Nelson’s one-man show, THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET is a laugh-out-loud, smart, straight-talking 60+ minutes.

For those of you worried the show might be a extreme party-bashing tirade, nothing could be farther from the truth. Nelson begins with a quick history of the Republican Party, then recounts his own personal political history by Presidential election by Presidential election.

Running as a thread throughout the show, is Nelson’s relationship with his father. The only two men in a house full of women, politics was one of underpinnings in their close relationship. How would voting for Obama in 2012 affect their relationship?

David Lee Nelson. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

David Lee Nelson. Photo by Jeff Burkle.

Nelson is a talented performer with great comic timing. He has an easiness on stage and quickly establishes a great rapport with the audience. The multi-media used for the show are well done and well-chosen.

For laughs per minute, the funniest show at the fringe and worth a stop.

Links to all reviews can be found on the BTC REVIEWS page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my FaceBook fan page. You can receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

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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