Sunday, May 5, 2019

Native Gardens @ Cleveland Play House, April 27th to May 19th

Review by Laura Kennelly

“Good fences, make good neighbors?” Well, maybe not always. Karen Zacarias’s witty and abundantly funny Native Gardens, directed for The Cleveland Play House by Robert Barry Flemming, plants two contrasting families side by side in a wealthy Washington, D.C. neighborhood. As the drama grows, entwining Zacarias’s characters into battle despite their good intentions, it becomes harder to tell the weeds from the flowers.

The story begins with happy welcomes when newcomers, the ambitious young lawyer Pablo Del Valle (an earnest Grayson DeJesus) and his very pregnant wife Tania (an idealistic Natalie Camunas), first meet the neighbors, master gardener Frank Butley (a grandfatherly Wynn Harmon) and his engineer wife, Virginia (a matter-of-fact Charlotte Maier). The Butleys have lived in their house for years; the Del Valles are first-time home owners.

Both couples agree that gardens are to be cultivated and fences to be maintained. Or do they? A polite disagreement over a fence that separates the two backyards soon escalates to outright chaos as both couples surprise themselves with their own prejudices (and we laugh at the realization of our own assumptions). Meanwhile, a small crew of construction workers labor away in the background. The ensemble includes Anais Bustos and Anthony Velez. (Opening night Velez provided a bit of comic relief when he exited the stage via a series of remarkable handstands and flips.)

As contradictory and confusing as it may sound (can politics ever be funny again?), the witty Zacarias brings laughs with references to well-intentioned contemporary taboos and rules (such as don’t be regionalist, ageist, racist, sexist, etc.). As a result, and as with the very best satire (which I consider Native Gardens to be), many of us saw laughable aspects of ourselves, especially as relating to our current political passions and divisions. (At times the players had to pause so they could be heard over audience laughter.)

Scenic designer Jason Ardizzone-West’s gorgeous set supplied their unlikely battleground with a simple, but brilliant design: two backyards, one an English garden, and the other an unfinished “natural” garden complete with a huge oak tree. Lighting designer Michael Boll skillfully turned night into day and back again with convincing ease. Ensemble players kept busy working in the yard and planning a fence. The beautiful wooden barrier in question, furnished by Elyria Fence Company, got special mention. (Full disclosure: I’ve used Elyria Fence too.)

Bottom Line: Yes, the play is satire, but it’s not a pile of negative snark. The story seems refreshingly grounded in the author’s faith in the human capacity for love and growth. It reminds me of Voltaire’s (and Bernstein’s) Candide because at the end, it’s love that ultimately makes these D.C. gardens grow. Native Gardens is a delight.

Monday, April 29, 2019

Theater Review: A Bronx Tale at Playhouse Square

Vibrant, touching, tuneful and above all, a gift to start summer right. Playhouse Square’s latest Broadway Series musical, A Bronx Tale, feels real and a lot more than just a remix of Jersey Boys, Hairspray and West Side Story (though it does artfully combine appealing aspects of all three). With book by Chazz Palminteri, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater and direction by Jerry Zaks and Robert De Niro (yes, that Robert De Niro) and with choreography by Sergio Trujillo, it’s a winner.

Where to start? First, the story, set in the Bronx. An economical, cleverly designed set by Beowulf Boritt creates an impression of a cityscape. A little boy (the utterly charming Shane Pry as the young Calogero), just hanging out on his street, sees a murderous fight over nothing (a parking space), but the consequences are not what you might expect (such as years dealing with trauma). Things work out well for him. He makes an important friend, gang leader Sonny (the charismatic Joe Barbara). Sonny dubs him “C” and the new name becomes his neighborhood moniker (and protection, via this informal baptism).

Time passes and a young adult version of Calogero (now played by the equally charming Joey Barreiro) worries his bus-driver father (a stalwart Richard H. Blake) and his housewife mother (a loving Michelle Aravena). The lad faces big life choices: shall he stay as an aspiring top dog in a tough neighborhood or shall he go and see where his talents take him?

The story is kinda true, in that it’s based on Palminteri’s childhood and youth and his experiences growing up in the Bronx. It is this that seems to give it more heart than the above-mentioned musicals (though there’s truth in them too). Yes, it’s sentimental, but times like these (maybe in all times), it’s good to see a strong father/son relationship. And that one Bronx boy (Calogero) has two guys (his father and the neighborhood boss) looking out for him makes it even better.

There’s also forbidden young love when schoolgirl Jane (a sweetly innocent Brianna-Marie Bell) falls for Calogero (and vice versa). That the families of both would disapprove doesn’t matter to the young ones as they sing “Out of Your Head” and dare to date. Things happen after that — of course, but not quite as bad as in West Side Story.

But now let’s talk about the music and the dancing. The composer sprinkles little treats for 1960s-style music fans throughout the story. Numbers from era favorites (why choose only one?) shine as the exuberant, talented principals and ensemble members shuffle, bounce and swing, as the story calls for, to Motown, rhythm & blues, rock & roll and romantic crooner standards. They all seem close enough to the originals to make us think we recognize the songs (but we don’t).

The score should probably get listed as part of the cast. It’s essential to mood and scene. Every melody and rhythm has a reason. For example, a doo-wop quartet opens the first act with “Belmont Avenue” and makes it clear it’s the “cool kids” in an Italian-American enclave. A few minutes later, Pry’s Little “C” steals our hearts when he cuts loose and dances in near-perfect synch with neighborhood teens, hoods, characters — everyone — in “I Like It.” When the second act opens with the groovy “Webster Avenue,” we know the story has moved a few blocks over to the African-American neighborhood and the moves fit the feelings.

BOTTOM LINE: It was not the rehash I expected from the promos.. There was heart (OK, Broadway Musical style “heart,” but it felt reality-based). A Bronx Tale blends old styles and motifs into a delicious concoction celebrating life as one person remembers it. It makes me think of all the stories Cleveland has yet to tell. Recommended without reservation (unless you just hate all popular music–and I mean all.)

[Written by Laura Kennelly]

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

THEATER REVIEW: “Be More Chill” @ Playhouse Square by Laura Kennelly

Fri 4/5-Sun 4/7

Yes, it’s possible to think up a fresh musical about high school! Evidence? Be More Chill, the latest Baldwin Wallace University and Playhouse Square collaboration directed by Jon Martinez. Those lucky enough to see one of the four sold-out performances at the Allen Theatre laughed and empathized with the struggles of poor Jeremy Heere, an insecure high school student who accepts a magic pill that (as it turns out) offers a popularity that is too good to be true.

Be More Chill gives a funny, sometimes raunchy look at high school adventures. This rollicking play with music and lyrics by Joe Iconis, and a book by Joe Tracz drawn from the novel by Ned Vizzini, has something for anyone who has ever been in high school or will be. (That would be everyone, right?) The cast makes sci-fi paranoia seem both real and ridiculous — and very very musical.

Outstanding dance routines executed (seemingly) perfectly by the agile cast of fourteen BW students moves action from school to social events, and back to school. They also shift the elements of the set, consisting of moveable units, without missing a beat.

Jahir Hipps as our hero Jeremy Heere brilliantly morphs from nerd extraordinaire to life of the party, to popular guy (and back). Amy Keum as Christine Canigula, the girl Jeremy has a crush on, delights with her bouncy optimism. Warren Egypt Franklin as a visible manifestation of the Squip (a tiny supercomputer) makes sci-fi believable as he gradually takes over Jeremy’s life.

Others in the ensemble include Enrique Miguel, Jake Slater, Charlie H. Ray, Shelby Griswold, Nadina Hassan, Veronica Otime, Marcus Martin, Nick Cortazzo, Courtney Hausman, Andrew Nelin, and Gillian Jackson Han. Keyboard player Matthew Webb conducted the small band.

Be More Chill, which has become a cult favorite since it first appeared in a New Jersey regional theater in 2015, just opened this March on Broadway, so if you would like to see it, it’s still to be found.

BOTTOM LINE: Cleveland hit it lucky with this fresh musical delight. I doubt it’s possible to be more chill anywhere, even NYC.

[Written by Laura Kennelly]

Sunday, April 7, 2019

The Taming of the Shrew @ Great Lakes, March 29-April 14, 2019

Review by Laura Kennelly

Director Sara Bruner’s The Taming of the Shrew at the Hanna Theatre brings a welcome fresh look, lots of insight, and--most importantly--plenty of laughs (it is, after all, a comedy). This Great Lakes production of the Shakespeare classic also boasts a dynamic cast, one that speaks clearly enough for jokes to be funny and moves quickly enough to keep us involved.

It’s a simple story set in Italy. Baptista Minola (Steve Pickering) insists that his oldest daughter (Katherine) must be married before the younger one may be allowed to be wed. (It’s actually to Katherine’s benefit because that way she will be taken care of when her father dies.) Bianca (Mandie Jenson) has three suitors and they are all smitten with the young woman they imagine is as sweet as she seems to be. Bianca fears she will never be married if she has to wait for Katherine to find a husband.

Rather than a battle between the sexes (or even stereotypes) as some directors would show it, Bruner shows us a battle between a very angry, rude woman (Katherine) who resents her situation and a self-confident adventurer (Petruchio) who wants to better his lot in life by marrying “up.” Bianca’s suitor, the dashing Hortensio (Eric Damon Smith) tells Petruchio the situation, but warns him Katherine is “difficult.” No problem, Petruchio says.

When Katherine (powerhouse Jessika D. Williams) marches on stage, Williams shows her as a terrifying “shrew.” Kate hits, throws, and yells at family, servants, and visitors whether they deserve it (some do) or not.

As the story continues (and after they are wed) Jonathan Dyrud’s stalwart Petruchio mirrors Kate’s temper to (ultimately) achieve an effective alliance. (One can only imagine what power the two united must have enjoyed in later life.) Dyrud, tall and confident, and Williams, also tall and confident, seem well-matched. Williams’ usurping of the famous “Kiss me Kate” command brings extra laughs.

The humor is broad and the farce gets frenetic (which I like). One highlight Friday night was Joe Wegner’s Grumio (a servant to Petruchio). I’m told Wegner varies his comic bit from performance to performance, but we saw him slide into the theatre from the audience (via a section divider) and then, reciting lines all the way, march through a center row of occupied seats (with an “excuse, pardon,” etc.) to the stage. After which he peered out into the audience saying “Hi, Tom Hanks!” Hammy, but hysterical.

The excellent ensemble (now the norm for GLT) included Lynn Robert Berg, Taha Mandviwala, David Anthony Smith, Maggie Kettering, Andy Nagraj, Ethan Hennes, M.A. Taylor, Krista Harmon, Nate John Mark, Jessie Cope Miller, and Jodi Dominick. Dominick, in disguise as father to one of Bianca’s suitors, also brought laughs with an outrageous Jersey accent straight out of “The Godfather.”

The set (designed by Russell Metheny) resembled an Elizabethan stage. In what may be a permanent practice, onstage seating (this time with seats onstage and seats on a balcony) also proved popular. (Kudos to the unknown audience member on Friday night who allowed himself to be crowned with a tin pot and reacted happily to the gentle sport made of him.)

Costume designer Leah Piehl created clothes for Kate that allowed her to look as rough as the men (boots and breeches) and elegant costumes for the more traditionally dressed characters. Jessie Cope Miller’s elegantly-gowned “Widow” looked rich compared to the practically gowned Kate, a fact which made one suspect that Petruchio desired the rigorous Kate for more than her money.

Bottom Line: In Shakespeare’s era “comedy” meant the play always had to end with a wedding. In this witty and gorgeous production, the wedding itself begins the laughs. Bravo Great Lakes (and thanks)!

Review of Tiny Houses @ the Cleveland Play House

THEATER REVIEW: “Tiny Houses” @ Cleveland Play House by Laura Kennelly

Through Sun 4/14

Ever want to run away? Leave city stress behind? Chelsea Marcantel’s comic new play, Tiny Houses, at the Cleveland Play House, shows one witty take on this impulse in a perfectly paced production directed by Laura Kepley.

The set, constructed while we watch in the Outcalt Theatre, consists of a vacant lot plus a trailer big enough to support a small house. During the course of the play, the actors (and their assistants) assemble a real tiny house. This solves a familiar challenge playwrights face — what to have their characters doing while they deliver the dialogue and actions that really run the story. Marcantel has come up with one perfect solution, at least in the hands of Cleveland Play House technical directors Devin Gallo and Liam Roth; carpenters Cayla DeStefano, Andy Rowland, and Kaleb Yandrick; and scenic artists Brendan Kelly, Jennifer Hitmar Shankland. Other members of the design team included Arnulfo Maldonado, Elizabeth Mak and Joanna Lynne Staub.

The uniformly convincing and persuasive cast adds the necessary element of delight as we watch New York City native and financial diva Cath (Kate Eastman) and her boyfriend Bohdi (Peter Hargrave) after they move to the far west. Why do they move? Bohdi (who has little money) has convinced Cath that they should move back to his hometown in Oregon so that they can live a more authentic life in the woods. In a tiny house.

Lucky for them Bohdi’s old friend (Michael Doherty) lets them live with him while they build the house. Soon Ollie’s former girlfriend Jevne (a delightfully ditzy Nandita Shenoy), appears — all eager to help (and, as one might expect when old girlfriends meet new ones, complications ensue).

To combat her feelings of helplessness Cath soon hires Jeremiah, a construction supervisor (aka the handyman one always dreams of having around). The handsome, athletic James Holloway, playing the only one on stage who has the slightest idea about building a house, soon becomes indispensable to the inept housebuilders. He’s like the hero in a western who appears just in time to rescue the pioneer settlers (in this case not from hostile elements, but from themselves). We fall for him.

Amy Clark’s clever costumes amplify the characters’ personalities. For example, unlike Eastman (whose Cath wears practical NYC clothes and colors), Shenoy’s Jevne gets to sport colorful outfits, including leggings which feature Frida Kahlo faces.

BOTTOM LINE: As it turns out, building a tiny house may be as complicated as building a huge house. One thing for sure: both always take longer, require more decision, and complicate life in unimaginable and (for an audience), entertaining ways.

Monday, March 25, 2019

THEATER REVIEW: “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” @ Beck Center by Laura Kennelly

Through Sat 4/14

Attention! Attention! Ladies and gentlemen, the Beck Center proudly presents Ms. Nicole Sumlin, songstress and actress extraordinaire! Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill gives a glimpse of the late chanteuse Billie Holiday’s last days as a singer. It also offers a great chance for a vocalist with acting chops to entertain, move and impress an audience. Enter Sumlin, who, as Holiday, does just that.

Scott Spence directs this Studio Theater production written by Lanie Robertson. Cameron Michalak designed the perfect set for the cozy space. There’s even a bar in the corner (genially managed by Leonard Goff as Em) and five tables for patrons close to the stage. (Despite the wine glasses and the bar, only Lady Day took a drink — or five — during the show.)

There are songs galore sung in Billie Holiday style (“What A Little Moonlight Can Do,” “Strange Fruit,” “Tain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do,” etc. Check her out on YouTube) — jazz club stylings — romantic, sexy, and (increasingly) boozy. Born in 1915, raised in poverty, she managed to create her own style before she died of liver disease when she was 44. When the play opens, she’s just out of a brief stint in jail and performing in a Philadelphia club. As dramaturg Leonar Inez Brown tells us in the program notes, there is “no happy ending, there is no redemptive moment,” but the glimpses we get of Holiday show us “moments [that] depict personal triumph.”

Sumlin shows us all that and, in a credible imitation of Holiday, sings with loving conviction while revealing, as the show continues, that the star is still addicted to booze and drugs. She’s supported in her show by pianist Ed Ridley as Jimmy Powers and Bradford McGhee as groovy bass player Ray Carter. Ridley (who is also music director of the show) plays a mean piano and (in a different sense of “playing”) a good friend to the failing Holiday. It’s a touching show about the fragility of success and the power of music.

It’s also a long show, and some had trouble staying in the bleacher seats for 90 minutes, making a big clatter as about five left at once. What might have been irritating turned into “Oh yes, that’s how it is at a club” and for me, added a dash of reality to the experience.

BOTTOM LINE: A fine ensemble effort headlined by Sumlin.