[NEohioPAL]Berko reviews: Dirty Blonde, previews: Groundworks, Halle Theatre, Lion King

[Roy Berko]

‘DIRTY BLONDE’ TOTALLY DELIGHTS AT CPH; PREVIEWS OF
GROUNDWORKS DANCE, HALLE THEATRE and ‘THE LION KING’

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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


When I'm good, I'm very good," Mae West says with a
wink, "but when I'm bad, I'm better."  

When you attend ‘DIRTY BLONDE,’ now on stage at The
Cleveland Play House, and you should, you’ll laugh and
thoroughly enjoy yourself as you peer beneath the
surface and meet the woman that was Mae West, the
performer who became a caricature of herself.  ‘DIRTY
BLONDE’ earned five Tony nominations for its
successful Broadway run in the1999-2000 season.

The story line centers on following two of West's fans
as they discover a bit of the Mae West swagger in
their own shy and lonely lives and allow the audience
to peek inside West’s life.  Charlie is a film
librarian who met West in his teens and was given one
of her beautiful gowns. Jo is a struggling actress who
meets Charlie at West’s gravesite. What follows is a
sweet love story that gives us a full view of Mae
West, her songs and her life. 

Why was West such a hit?  As one researcher says,
"Instead of hiding the fact that she was all about
sex, she learned to play it up. She became this sexy
creature who would always be in control of the men
around her. She uses her sexuality to maintain
control." 

West’s career, which spanned the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s
was fodder for plenty of Hollywood gossip. Speculation
flew that West’s personal life was as sexy as her
roles. Eventually, the actress turned from a temptress
in her prime to a lampoon of herself in her old age. 

Be aware that the play contains nudity, well, one boob
gets flashed, and like West, herself, the lines and
double-takes are full of innuendo. The bottom line,
however, is that it has a fair amount of raunch
contained in a tender little love story.

Claudia Shear’s play has been called clever, witty,
intelligent, touching, entertaining, unpredictable. 
It’s that and more under the able direction of Peter
Hackett and a wonderful cast.

There are only three performers and they are all
brilliantly versatile.   Elizabeth Meadows Rouse does
a great Mae West imitation, while also portraying Jo,
the frustrated actress wanna be.  She looks enough
like the legend to be mistaken for her, especially
when she struts around in the hallmark sequinced
gowns, large feather crested hats and blonde wigs.    

Tom Frey is wonderful as "The Man." He plays the
piano, sings, dances, switches characters, does
shticks with the audience, plays straight and gay with
ease.  He’s in his CPH debut and deserves to be asked
back again and again.  

Nick Sullivan plays Charlie, the librarian, among
other roles which include being a star struck
teenager.   He shadows each character perfectly,
making each of them unique.  He is a very talented
performer who brings a quirky humor to his roles.

The staging of the play is clever.   We clearly know
and understand what is taking place.  This is
difficult because the script keeps jumping in time and
there are numerous characters.  The scenes blend
seemlessly together in a way that aids us to keep
track of the action.   The lighting and set designs
aid in developing the entire mood.

Unlike some plays which have their slow moments,
"DIRTY BLONDE" starts off with a bang and never lets
up.  Ms. Shear is deserving of every bit of praise
that she has received.

The play, which runs about 1 hour and 45 minute, with
no intermission, is one of the few highlights of this
year’s CPH season, proving that it, like West, when
it’s good, it’s very, very good.  Go see ‘DIRTY
BLONDE,’ it’s CPH at its best.

Tickets for ‘DIRTY BLONDE’, which range in price from
$12 to $47.50 may be obtained by calling 216-795-7000
or visiting www.clevelandplayhouse.com.


UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS


GROUNDWORKS DANCETHEATER

I have long contended that Groundworks DanceTheater
should present its offerings for longer than a single
weekend.  Finally, that wish will come through.  David
Shimotakahara’s brilliant dance company will present a
Landmark Series at Pilgrim’s Church, 2595 W. 14th
Street in Tremont from April 25 to 27 and again from
May 1-3.  The program will include three pieces,
including a world premiere.  The all dances will be
presented with live music composed by Gustavo Aguilar.
 For tickets, which range from $18 for general
admission and $12 for students and seniors call
216-691-3180.   The Sunday, April 27 performance is
aimed at families.  Tickets are $12 for adults with a
family and $5 for children 12 and under.

HALLE THEATRE PRESENTS ‘A...MY NAME WILL ALWAYS BE
ALICE’

Five local divas--Tiffany Gates, Paula Kline, Maryann
Nagel, Tina Stumpe and Cassandra Vincent-- will be
featured in Joan Micklin Silver and Julianna Boyd’s
musical ‘A...MY NAME IS STILL ALICE’ at the Halle
Theatre   The show, which is a collection of music,
poetry and comic sketches, celebrates the pleasures
and frustrations of growing up female.  Douglas Farren
directs with musical direction by Marc Baker and
choreography by Eric van Baars.  For tickets for the
show, which runes from May 10 25, call 216-831-4000,
extension 274.

‘THE LION KING’ TO ROAR ONTO THE STAGE AT THE STATE

Tickets for the stage version of Disney’s ‘THE LION
KING’ are now on sale for the show’s upcoming eight
week run on the stage of the State Theatre in
Playhouse Square.  The show, which runs from June 27
through August 17, was the winner of six Tony Awards. 
For tickets, which cost from $20 to $127.50 for VIP
packages, call 216-241-6000 or 1-800-766-6048, go to
Tops Friendly Markets or the box office at Playhouse
Square, or visit on line at www.playhousesquare.com.


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