[NEohioPAL]DOBAMA SUPERB, GLTF WONDERFUL, CPH FADES IN 2ND ACT

[Roy Berko]

DOBAMA’S PRODUCTION SUPERB; GLTF’S MUCH ADO IS
WONDERFUL, CPH’S BRIGHT IDEA FADES IN THE 2ND ACT

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--The Times Newspapers--
	
Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	



DOBAMA’S THREE IN THE BACK, TWO IN THE HEAD IS SUPERB

Every once in a while a theatre-goer gets a chance to
see drama at its very best and to realize why this art
form is so potent.   Jason Sherman’s THREE IN THE
BACK, TWO IN THE HEAD, now on stage at Dobama Theatre,
is that kind of production.  It is as close to
flawless as you’ll see.  The directing is totally
focused, the play’s meaning is clear, the writing is
on target, the acting makes one appreciate talent, all
the technical elements enhance the visual image.

In THREE IN THE BACK, TWO IN THE HEAD we follow the
son of a murdered Canadian Scientist who goes looking
for justice at the CIA headquarters in Washington.  We
become aware of a coverup, the controversy over a Star
Wars-like defense system, the truth behind a murder,
the depth of emotion and manipulation that dedication
engenders.  We watch as a renegade genius scientist
tries to come to grips with reality while losing
himself.  We watch as his son comes to grips with
reality while discovering truth.  It is a gripping,
sensational play.

Director Seth Gordon shows complete understanding of
how to stage a production to achieve the maximum
emotional effect.  The 80-minute intermissionless play
is paced perfectly.  He is aided by a superb cast. 
Bernie Canepari, as Donald Jackson, the scientist,
gives his finest performance.  Tyson Jackson, as his
son, creates the absolute right level of love and
disdain for his father.  Robert Hawkes perfectly
creates a man you’ll  hate.   We are never sure, even
as the play concludes if the CIA director he portrays
has ever told the truth.  Nan Wray is right on key as
Jackson’s wife.

Jason Sherman received the Governor General’s Award
for this play.  He deserves it.  Dobama’s production
is also an award winner.  Go see THREE IN THE BACK,
TWO IN THE HEAD.  It is mind boggling in every detail.

THREE IN THE BACK, TWO IN THE HEAD plays at Dobama
Theatre, 1846 Coventry Road, Cleveland Heights
Tuesdays through Sundays through November 18.  Tickets
for the Tuesday night productions are 2 for 1.  For
tickets, which cost $16/$18  call 216 932-6838.

GLTF’S MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING LEAVES AUDIENCE ON IT’S
FEET

When was the last time a production of Shakespeare in
Cleveland finished with the audience on its feet
cheering?  When?  The opening night of Great Lakes
Theatre Festival’s season. The 41st season, the first
for Charles Fee, the organization’s new Producing
Artistic Director, and maybe his last.  With the
impending melding  of GLTF and The Cleveland Play
House, Fee’s tenure could be short.  Before the
production Fee said as much during his acceptance of a
City of Cleveland proclamation honoring the theatre. 
That would be too bad, especially if this production
of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is typical of what he can
engender.
	MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is one of Shakespeare’s
comedies.  The modern dress, modern attitude
production under the able guidance of director Drew
Barr, made it a delightful, if sometimes an overly
slapstick, experience.  This version was Shakespeare
meets Mel Brooks with side trips into the lives of the
Marx Brothers and the Three Stooges.
	The story concerns a nobleman, his daughter, his
niece, and their two suitors.  It also encompasses
deception and evil.  Being a comedy, everything, of
course, turns out well in the end.
	The cast is generally strong.  Erika Rolsrud, is a
delight as the sharp-tongued niece.  David Anthony
Smith was delightful as her acid-mouthed, turned
love-struck suitor.  Carie Yonekawa and Roderick Hill
were charming as the young suitors.  Only Roderick
Hill, as the bastard brother of the prince, failed to
develop the shading needed for portraying a meaningful
character.  It was nice to see Cleveland-based faces
on stage such as John Buck, Jr., Bill Bush, Jenn
Goodson, Benji Reid, Gary Walker and Jason Yachanin.
	If you like Shakespeare; if you enjoy his comedies;
if you want to see a fine theatre production, see MUCH
ADO ABOUT NOTHING.
	To obtain tickets for MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING call
ADVANTIX at 216-241 6000 or on-line at
www.playhousesquare.com.  The show runs through
November 3 at the Ohio Theatre

BRIGHT IDEAS AT CPH BURNS OUT IN SECOND ACT

When I first saw Eric Coble’s BRIGHT IDEAS as a staged
reading as part of the Cleveland Play House’s Next
Stage Festival, I found it zany and scary. 
Appropriately so, for it is a black comedy intending
to over-exaggerate reality.  During the first act of
the world premiere production, now on stage at CPH, I
was laughing at the dark side of a couple trying their
best to do everything they can to insure their 3-year
old child’s success in life.  It is a misguided
success which includes getting into Bright Ideas, the
"best" preschool in town.  At the end of the Act, I
was very satisfied.  Point made.  In fact, I was ready
to happily leave.  Then came Act II.  As sometimes
happens with playwrights, Coble decided to go on, and
on, and on.  On to the point of making the point
become ridiculous.  Even though much of the act was
funny, it started to get tedious.  The audience’s
laughter got less enthusiastic, until it nearly faded
totally away at what earlier would have evoked at
least titters.

Director David Colacci has let loose all the stops. 
He plays for comedy with all his might.  And, for a
while, it worked.  He was aided by a strong cast. 
Andrew May was his usual wonderful self.  No one can
screw up his face, dance in place, be tortured while
sitting in a preschool child’s chair, or wipe his
mouth with his tie better than May.  He was ably
countered by Susan Ericksen who grew so out of
proportion in the role that we went "nuts" with her. 
Chip Duford, Kate Hodge and Elizabeth Rainer were
excellent while portraying many supporting roles. 
Pavel Dobrusky’s carousel-like revolving set and Robin
Heath’s calliope music help enhance the mood.

Too bad Coble didn’t leave well enough alone and pull
in the reigns before he wrote on, and on, and on.  
Great idea, but he turned out the lights a little too
late.

BRIGHT IDEAS continues at The Cleveland Play House
through November 10.  For tickets call 217-795-7000 or
go on line at www.clevealndplayhouse.com.


__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Y! Web Hosting - Let the expert host your web site
http://webhosting.yahoo.com/