[NEohioPAL]Reviewing College Theatre

[Robert Lewis]

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A few weeks ago, WCLV's broadcast included interviews with local
Cleveland theatre critics.  During the broadcast, the subject of college
theatre came up and most critics stated that "they do not cover college
productions".

Based upon the number of reviews I've seen on the neohiopal site, covering
productions at Lakeland, and CSU  (see below), I would say that
the statement above is obviously not true.  Some of the best acted
and directed productions I've seen in Cleveland were presented by college
theatre departments and they should be frequented by the theatre-going
public and the critics as much as possible.   Also, the admission price to
these plays are much less expensive than their "profession" counterparts,
so basically, one gets a bigger bang for your buck.

Its evident that the critics *choose* to review certain colleges and not
others.  Why?  There could be many answers but it really comes down to the
fact that Cleveland theatre is very political and like politicians, the
critics say one thing, but mean another.



BOOTH by Austin Pendleton, the story within the story of the famous family
made infamous by the 1865 assassination of Abraham Lincoln, opens this
weekend at the CSU Repertory Theatre on East 24th Street between Chester and
Payne Avenues.

Featuring stars full of "innocence and desire", directed with "unfettered
glee", and a "no holds-barred performance [by Everett Quinton] that must be
seen to be believed"* (Plain* *Dealer)* the show reflects "precisely the
kind of bright future that the promising CSU summer project will... build on
*." (Free Times)*

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<div>A few weeks ago, WCLV's broadcast included interviews with local Cleveland theatre critics.  During the broadcast, the subject of college theatre came up and most critics stated that "they do not cover college productions". 
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Based upon the number of reviews I've seen on the neohiopal site, covering productions at Lakeland, and CSU  (see below), I would say that the statement above is <font style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff00">obviously
</font> not true.  Some of the best acted and directed productions I've seen in Cleveland were presented by college theatre departments and they should be frequented by the theatre-going public and the critics as much as possible.   Also, the admission price to these plays are much less expensive than their "profession" counterparts, so basically, one gets a bigger bang for your buck.
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Its evident that the critics <strong>choose</strong> to review certain colleges and not others.  Why?  There could be many answers but it really comes down to the fact that Cleveland theatre is very political and like politicians, the critics say one thing, but mean another.   
</div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>BOOTH by Austin Pendleton, the story within the story of the famous family made infamous by the 1865 assassination of Abraham Lincoln, opens this weekend at the CSU Repertory Theatre on East 24<sup>th</sup> Street between Chester and Payne Avenues.
</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Featuring stars full of "innocence and desire", directed with "unfettered glee", and a "no holds-barred performance [by Everett Quinton] that must be seen to be believed"<strong> (Plain
</strong> <strong>Dealer)</strong> the show reflects "precisely the kind of bright future that the promising CSU summer project will... build on<strong>." (Free Times)</strong></div>

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