[NEohioPAL]BERKO REVIEWS: JORDAN AT ENSEMBLE, CATECHISM AT HANNA

[Roy Berko]

BARBARA JORDAN AT ENSEMBLE; CATECHISM AT HANNA; ‘THE
MALE INTELLECT’ COMING TO ALLEN

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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


BARBARA JORDAN SHORTCHANGED AT ENSEMBLE


The late Barbara Jordan is one of my heros.  If not
for her illness and premature death, she might have
been the first Black woman to be nominated for a high
national office. This was a woman of high spirit,
intelligence and a clear mission of life who
translated her background and yearnings into a
national platform for civil rights and high values.

Unfortunately, ‘Voice Of Good Hope: The Words And Life
Of Barbara Jordan’ does little to help sell her
greatness.  This is a poorly written script which is
given a shallow production at Ensemble Theatre.  

The script is fragmented, jumping from time to time in
Jordan’s life with little logical bridging.  Though
hinted at, we miss entire segments of her life which
would show her rise to being a respected and national
political power.  

Production values are also lacking.  The set, which
consists of series of levels, is awkwardly designed,
causing actors to constantly step up and down to get
from place to place.  This is very problematic in
scenes in which Ms. Jordan is supposed to be suffering
from knee and hip problems.  Taped speeches of Richard
Nixon and other notables in Jordan’s life are often
difficult to understand.

Besides technical problems, acting levels are
generally weak.  It is the obligation of a director to
work with her cast to insure that they both understand
the meaning of their lines and can interpret the words
to the audience.  This is not the case in this
production.  Except for Mary Jane Nottage, as Jordan’s
companion Nancy Earl, and James Seward as Jordan’s
grandfather, the cast fails to perform effectively. 
Lines are often spoken as flat statements with little
meaning.   In addition, stage movements are often 
ill-conceived.  In a scene where Jordan is supposedly
in physical pain she has been directed to constantly
sit and stand.   

It’s a shame that this great woman has not been given
a better remembrance.
‘Voice Of Good Hope: The Words And Life Of Barbara
Jordan’ continues at Ensemble Theatre, located in the
Civic in Cleveland Heights through February 9.  For
ticket information call 216-321-2930.


‘LATE NIGHT CATECHISM’ DELIGHTS AT HANNA

When you go see ‘Late Night Catechism’ at the Hanna
Theatre, and you should go see it, there are a few
"rules" you better follow.  Don’t chew gum because
Sister will make you spit it out.  Don’t think of
swallowing it because, as Sister says, "it stays in
your stomach six weeks." Don’t talk while she is
talking.  A "heathen" Jewish lady did, and Sister made
her change her seat.   A duo were whispering and had
to stand up in front of the entire "class" and
apologize.   Be aware that if she finds out you didn’t
go to Catholic school you’ll get her lecture about
your parents not loving you.

You’ll learn much during this delightful interactive
theatre piece.  Sister will inform you that Dead
Catholic accountants keep track of your indulgences,
that she once had a nun teacher who was so old that
"she could have been a waitress at the last supper"
and that "Episcopalians are really Catholic-lites." 
You also be told that St. Simeon Stylis was the patron
saint of pole sitters and two Notre Dame nuns can beat
the "hell out of 3 Ursulines."   Also, did you know
that nuns are really gang members?  Sure they are,
they wear a common uniforms, hang around together, 
have colors.

And so it goes.  One hysterically funny comment after
another.  ‘Late Night Catechism’ is not for the plot
oriented, it’s not thinking person’s theatre.  This is
just plain fun stuff.

Do you have to be Catholic to appreciate the
goings-on?  No, but, it doesn’t hurt.   Several of the
opening-night attenders were planning on using this
experience on an on-going basis instead of going to
confession.  And, even though it’s a production based
on audience participation, you can hide and not
participate.  That is, if Sister doesn’t catch you.

Lisa Buscani, who plays Sister in this hoped-for
long-running local production, is a delight.  She is
not only knowledgeable and opinionated about the
church, but she is excellent at ad libbing and making
the entire evening delightful.

And, true to the Catholic Church, you’ll have a chance
to play bingo and place an offering  in the collection
box.  

For tickets, which range in price from 33-$36, to the
laugh-filled  ‘Late Night Catechism,’ call
216-241-6000 or go on line to ticket.com.    Sister
will appear  Tuesdays through Sundays.


‘THE MALE INTELLECT: AN OXYMORON’ COMING TO ALLEN
THEATRE


Humorist Robert Dubac has decided to take on the
enviable task of trying to figure out what a woman
wants.  Is this man insane?  Negotiating the conflict
between the Palestinians and Israelis might be easier.

Dubac is the author and sole-performer of ‘The Male
Intellect: An Oxymoron.’ The 90 minute, laugh-out-loud
theatrical/stand-up comedy piece examines how Bobby,
who has just been dumped by the girl of his dreams
tries to examine male-female relationships.

The piece, which show-cased in Cleveland for two
months in late 2000, will be performed from February
12 through February 16 for six shows at the Allen
Theatre in Playhouse Square.   Part of the proceeds
from the local performances will go to The Gathering
Place, a wellness community for those touched by
cancer.

In its last visit to the area the performance was
called "caustically funny," "a high octane rant," and
"instructively funny."

If you want a laugh-filled evening go see ‘The Male
Intellect: An Oxymoron.’ For tickets, which range from
$39.50 to $34.50 call 216-241-6000 or 1-800-766-6048
or go online to www.ticket.com or
www.playhousesquare.com.     All tickets are $20 for
opening night, February 12.


__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
http://mailplus.yahoo.com