It is the purpose of THE CLEVELAND CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS to recognize outstanding Cleveland area productions, performers, directors and designers who contributed to the professional theatre scene during the 2013 season.  For a listing of the theatres considered for “Best of” and “Superior Achievement” awards, go to: clevelandtheaterreviews.com

Best Musical Production:  SWEENEY TODD, Great Lakes Theater

Superior Achievement:

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Porthouse Theatre

NEXT TO NORMAL, Lakeland Civic Theatre

SHE …more…

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland Critics Circle)

Greater Cleveland is blessed with a vital theatre scene. It is the purpose of the TIMES THEATRE TRIBUTES to recognize theatrical experiences that, in the view of this reviewer, were excellent and deserve recognition.

Only shows performed in 2013 which I reviewed were considered.  With the exception of Best National Touring Production, selections were limited to locally produced stagings though actors, directors and …more…

“Alas For You,” GODSPELL is at BLANK CANVAS

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland Critics Circle)

GODSPELL is one of the biggest musical theatrical successes of all-time.  Based on the “Gospel According to St. Matthew,” the musical tells the story of the last seven days of Christ’s life. The parables have been contemporized, and Christ’s followers are free spirits who sing the likes of “Day By Day”, “All Good Gifts”, and …more…

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

She’s Back!

ANNIE, the redheaded comic strip heroine, is back at Beck Center.  The musical, which was showcased in the past at Beck, is making yet another appearance in Lakewood.

The show gives us cute orphans, a dog, a funny orphanage director, con-men, a billionaire, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Christmas.  And, yes, lots of memorable songs including Tomorrow, Hard Knock Life, Little Girls, I  Think I’m Going to Like it Here, N.Y.C., Fully …more…

Compelling THE BIG MEAL at Dobama

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland Critics Circle)

Dan LeFranc’s THE BIG MEAL is a ninety-minute comedy-drama about life, death, meeting, dating, marriage, child-rearing, the importance of casual comments and interactions, and the quickness of existence.

Nicole is a waitress in a non-descript restaurant someplace in America.  Sam enters, they interact, go on a date in which she informs him that she isn’t into commitment and …more…

Roy Berko

(American Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland Critics Circle)

How good is the production of WICKED which is now appearing at the State Theatre?  In 2009 when I took my then 14-year old grandson, known as the Kid Reviewer because I take him along to give the teen/tween view of shows, he gave it a 9.5 out of 10 on his “rate the play scale.”  Why only a 9.5? He said he’s …more…

A CHRISTMAS STORY somewhat disappoints at Cleveland Play House 

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland Critics Circle)

In January of 1983, as the on-air entertainment reviewer for Continental Cable, I was assigned to interview Peter Billingsley, the lead child actor in a forthcoming movie which was being filmed in Cleveland.

I not only did the interview, but stood in as an extra on Public Square with fake snow being sprayed because the …more…

Sam Shepard’s FOOL FOR LOVE at convergence continuum, Bob Abelman speaks on reviewing 

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland Critics Circle)

Sam Shepard, the author of FOOL FOR LOVE, which is now in production at convergence continuum, described the script as “a very emotional play and in some ways embarrassing for me to witness but somehow necessary at the time.”  The time was shortly after breaking up his marriage to be …more…