Tag Archives: Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati

Bruce Cromer as Man. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

ST. NICHOLAS presented by Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati through Oct. 28. Click here for a synopsis and more information on the production. I attended the opening Saturday performance.

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati continues its 2018-19 season with a special performance event that is perfect for the Halloween season. An eerie one-man show about a theater critic [the horror!] and some vampires.

All joking aside, Bruce Cromer is completely engaging as Man, an Irish journalist recounting the sins of his life and the events that lead him to an unexpected relationship with the creatures of the night. As usual, Cromer brings a great physicality to the role that is very enjoyable to watch. Director Brian Robertson keeps the show well paced, makes great use of the entire play area, and emphasizes the wit and humor of the script.

Bruce Cromer as Man. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

The simple set and smart lighting designs, both by Brian c. Mehring, easily meet the needs of the far-traveling script. Matt Callahan’s sound design also does much to add to the eerie atmosphere of the piece. Stormi Mac’s design and the small changes to Cromer’s wardrobe over the course of the show are very effective.

Overall, an engaging tale both well-told and well-presented.

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.

Nathan Robert Pecchia as Narrator, Maya Farhat as Daphne & Brooke Steel as Miriam. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

FLY BY NIGHT presented by Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati through Sept. 29. Click here for a synopsis and more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

ETC kicks off their 2018-2019 season with the contemporary musical fable, FLY BY NIGHT.

While I found the show well-paced, the script itself, although engaging, could use a bit of editing. The book has an abundance of plot lines spinning and for me there are times when the show loses momentum due to that volume. I didn’t mind the non-linear storytelling and it is used best when the audience gets to revisit a previous moment with more information or a different perspective.

Phil Fiorini as Mr. McClam & Nathan Robert Pecchia as Narrator. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

The bulk of the cast is comprised of faces familiar to ETC audiences and as a whole they are solid across the board. Phil Fiorini completely charms as Mr. McClam who is lost after the passing of his wife. As the Narrator, Nathan Robert Pecchia handles the multiple-roles well, but there were times when his performance level could have been brought down a notch or two to match his scene partners. While I am very much appreciative that ETC so often casts local equity actors, it would be great to see returning actors further explore the physicality of their characters and make unique choices for them.

The cast handled the vocals for the show well, backed by a four-piece band. The only issue I noticed with the sound was a couple of instances when the mics of the supporting vocalists were at the same level as the lead.

The Company. Photo by Ryan Kurtz.

The set and lighting design by Brian c. Mehring was a standout for this production. The triangle of circular platforms, the color choices, the balcony, the set pieces tucked under the walls, and the lighting accents gave the set a great ethereal quality.

The solid black and white costume scheme worked well for the most part, but the lack of color or pattern had Harold and Joey in essentially the same costume that didn’t really speak to the period. I would also have liked to have seen the Narrator’s all-white ensemble broken up a bit. I understand the convenience of the black handkerchief for some of his quick costume changes, but for an extended scene as when Miriam visits the gypsy woman, something with a bit more size and substance would be welcomed.

Overall, FLY BY NIGHT is visually enthralling, touching. and bittersweet, this emotional roller coaster of a show hits the mark much more than it misses.

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.