Roy Berko

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

Overheard at intermission of “DEATHTRAP” at Great Lakes Theater:  “I never expected that to happen!”  Response:  “I’ve seen this before and what’s coming up in the second act is even more surprising!”

Yes, “DEATHTRAP” may be a somewhat dated script but it still grabs and holds an audience.  In spite of references to dial telephones, the Merv Griffin TV show, the Great …more…

“BREATH AND IMAGINATION” enlightens at Cleveland Play House

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

Roland Hayes, Paul Robeson, Marian Anderson.  While Robeson and Anderson are probably names that many Americans can identify, Hayes probably is not.

Robeson was a football player, political, and civil rights activist, who, because of his criticism of the US government and communistic  leanings, was blacklisted during the McCarthy witch hunts.  He was a star of …more…

INLET DANCE educates in collaboration with Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Roy Berko

(Member, Dance Critics Association)

Bill Wade, Artistic Director and Founder of Inlet Dance, is first and foremost an educator.  His unique approach to dance, and his role as a choreographer, are clearly evident at his rehearsals.  As an observer, I was quickly swept up between the difference between Wade’s approach and that of the traditional choreographer.  Instead of operating as …more…

Roy Berko

(Cleveland Critics Circle, American Theatre Critics Association)

In September, 1964, Broadway welcomed what was to become one of the major musical theatre events.  With a score highlighted by “Sunrise Sunset,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “To Life,” and “Matchmaker,” “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF” opened to rave reviews, sold out houses, and unbridled praise.

The path to that September day was not easy.  It was marked with many naysayers who thought …more…

Roy Berko

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

From the heavy beating musical sound at the start, through the exciting powerful opening dance, to the exposition presented in the song, “In,” through the  compelling story filled with well designed twists and turns, to the startling conclusion, “CARRIE:  THE MUSICAL,” now on stage at Beck Center, captivates the imagination and compels attention.

The musical is based on Steven King’s novel, “CARRIE.”  It …more…

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

It might surprise many to find that the original 1935 Broadway production of “PORGY AND BESS” ran only 124 performances.  The reasons were many including the all Black cast, some of the overtones of the script were perceived by some to be “too Negro,” the opera format was considered “not Broadway,” while some railed that it “had racial overtones.”  Other suppositions were that …more…

Roy Berko

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

Karamu, the nation’s oldest African-American theatre, opened its Black History month celebration with “CEREMONIES IN DARK OLD MEN” by Lonne Elder III.  The play and its author are both noted for their strong place in the reflections of Blacks in this country.

Black history month, celebrated yearly in February, became a national tradition in 1976.  It is meant as a time to celebrate …more…

The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement which spanned the period from about 1919 to 1929.  It was the literary era when members of the Great African American Migration, Negroes who had moved into the U.S. Northeast and Midwest, asserted themselves in art, poetry, literature and theatre.  Participants included James Wendell Johnson,  Cleveland’s Langston Hughes, and Countee Cullen. 

Parallel to the Renaissance was the Niagara Movement, which stressed civil rights, increased …more…

“AIR-WAVES” completes “THE ELEMENTS CYCLE,” at Cleveland Public Theatre

Roy Berko

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

Cleveland Public Theatre’s “THE ELEMENTS CYCLE” examines the value of water, earth and air to humans.  It is an existential series which asks such questions as “is this the best way to live?,” “what is the purpose of existence?,” and attempts to inspire “new ways to think about and incite conversation about the …more…

“LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA” glows brightly at Lakeland

Roy Berko

(Cleveland Critics Circle and American Theatre Critics Association)

Adam Guettel, co-author of “THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA,” comes to writing musicals from a strong hereditary background.  His grandfather is Richard Rogers, one of the “fathers” of the modern American musical.  Yes, the co-writer of “OKLAHOMA,” “CAROUSEL,” and “THE KING AND I.”  His mother is Mary Rogers, author of “ONCE UPON A MATTRESS,” “WORKING,” …more…