Roy Berko - Page 13

How many times can you see 'Book of Mormon' and continue to be delighted? I'm at #8 and counting! Yes, the Huntington Bank Series touring production of the irreverent look at religion, racism, Mormon up-tight piety and all things ridiculous, is back again, and, if you can believe it, better than ever.

What happens when you meld together performers from the 'top destination for any student who wants to study musical theatre,' one of the leading orchestras in the world, and a recognized classic of the American theater lexicon? You get a production starring past and present Baldwin Wallace University's Music Theatre program (supplemented by a few guests), the Cleveland Orchestra (under the baton of Andy Einhorn), and 'South Pacific' by Rogers and Hammerstein.

Kenneth Lonergan is noted for writing about decent people who are unexpectedly challenged by issues of ethics. In his 'Lobby Hero,' now on stage at Blank Canvas, the 2016 Oscar winner for 'Manchester by the Sea' specifically asks, 'What happens when emotions come in conflict with principles.'

There is an old adage in the theater that an audience should not leave a musical theater production whistling sets and costumes. In other words, it should be the music and story-line that are most important.

Meredith Wilson's 'The Music Man' is one of American musical theatre's most produced shows. Professional, community and educational theatres stage the show on a regular basis. The songfest, which is as American as apple pie and a Fourth of July fireworks display, is now on stage at Porthouse Theatre.

Most musicals follow the tried and true pattern of being written in a format that it is expected to be examined and redone through a series of readings, rewrites, staged readings, rewrites, previews, more rewrites, and, if lucky, a full-staged production. As the process continues the script and score are improved to attempt to ensure that they are well-integrated.

What do 'James and the Giant Peach,' 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and 'George's Marvelous Medicine' all have in common? They were all written by Roald Dahl.

Blank Canvas has a niche audience. They love slasher, off-the-wall, ridiculous plotted plays, especially musicals.

'Come From Away' is a special musical that creatively tells a heart-wrenching story of compassion, caring and a display of the best of humanity with humor and pathos. It makes for one of those special moments in the theater. The touring production is beyond excellent and is an absolutely must see!!

It is reasonable, with the Cleveland Orchestra playing its annual 'Salute to America' at Blossom, just yards away, and POTUS going through what appears to be his childhood dream of having tanks, planes and fireworks light up the nation's capital for its birthday, that Porthouse Theatre get into the mood by staging 'Tintypes,' a musical revue with almost fifty patriot songs.

Viewing a new theatrical production is always an intriguing experience. This is especially true if the offering is a musical and has not had many workshops or readings. It is in these venues that the material is tested and adjusted based on reviewer and audience reactions.

It is entirely appropriate in this era of rising anti-immigrant feelings, the re-emergence of the White Supremacy movement, increased anti-Semitism, and having a President who believes in nationalism and Eugenics, that Cain Park revisit the historical foundations of this country via the musical 'Ragtime.'

Rogers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma ushered in the era of book-centric American musicals that have been designated as musical comedies. The beginning, middle and ending structured stories normally contain singing, dancing, show stoppers, comedy, a few conflicts, and a satisfying ending, in a two-act format.