[NEohioPAL] Berko review: PANGS OF THE MESSIAH (Jewish Community Center), rumor and previews

[Roy Berko]

‘PANGS’ at JCC, rumor, previews

Roy Berko
(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--
Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	

--COOLCLEVELAND.COM—

POTENTIALLY  INCENDIARY PIECE READ BY AND IS GOING TO BE STAGED BY JCC

The Jewish Community Center of Cleveland presented a staged reading of award-winning contemporary Israeli playwright Motti Lerner’s script, ‘PANGS OF THE MESSIAH.’  This was a preview of the play which will be fully staged next season.  

The reading, directed by Cleveland Play House’s Seth Gordon, featured an excellent cast.  

The play, as was obvious during the after-reading talk session, is going to incite much discussion within the community.  It is a probing script which is filled with words, not on-stage actions.  And the words are incendiary.  

The interactions center on what may happen, in the near future, when a peace treaty with the Palestinians, is about to be enacted.  What will happen to those “settlers,” mostly ultra-religious Jews who live in Samaria, basically the northern  part of the West Bank of the Jordan River.  How will they respond?  Will they be willing to give up what they think is the very heart of religious Israel for peace?

Capsule judgement:  Look for the staged version next year!


RUMOR HAS IT……

A reliable source has shared that Ensemble Theatre is going to take over the former home of Kalliope Theatre on Lee Road and Cedar.  The small space seems ideal for the type of intimate shows that Ensemble does.

SUMMER FARE

MERCURY SUMMER STOCK
	Pierre-Jacques  Brault’s ten-year old “little theatre that could,” is going to do HONK, a return engagement of Mercury’s most popular show, June 13-28; BLOOD BROTHERS,  July 11-26, starring Brian and Dan Marshal, real-life brothers; August 8-23, THE UTTER GLORY OF MORRISSEY HALL, an Ohio Premiere by the author of  YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN, from August 8 through 23; and, BLUES CLUES LIVE! THE MOST SPECTACULAR PLACE, an Ohio premiere, a paired production with Nickelodeon and Michelle Acquin of Florida’s Puppet Planet.
Shows performed at Parma Little Theatre, 6285 W. 54th Street.
Tickets:  216-771-5862 or www.mercurysummerstock.com.

CAIN PARK
	Live theatre:  THE WIZ, directed by Pierre-Jacques Brault and choreographed by Martin Cepedes.  The hip version of THE WIZARD OF OZ.  June 19-26.  HAROLD & MAUDE:  AN INTIMATE MUSICAL.  Director Vickie Bussert delves into the lives of two of filmdom’s historical figures.  July 31-August 17.
	Dance:  GROUNDWORKS  DANCETHEATER.  David Shimotakahara’s compelling choreography and dancers in another of their special performances, JUNE 20-22;  PAUL  TAYLOR DANCE COMPANY,  an internationally known contemporary dance company, JULY 19; VERB BALLET, always exciting includes works by Artistic Director Herando Cortez and Heinz Poll. August 1; INLET DANCE , back from Easter Island and ready to inspire us with dances from the Rapa Nui people.  July 24.
Tickets:  216-371-3000 or www.cainpark.com.

BECK CENTER
ALTAR BOYZ,  CLEVELAND PREMIERE, July 18 – August 17, 2008, directed by Scott Spence, choreographed by Hernando Cortez.  A musical-comedy spoof about a Christian boy band riding the wave of America's latest fascination with religion.  
Tickets: 216-521-2540

CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE
GIRLS NIGHT: THE MUSICAL--June 12 - July 6—a Sex and the City, tell-it-like-it-is musical review, featuring such songs as “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” “I Will Survive,” and “We are Family.”
LATE NITE CATECHISM 2--June 12 - July 6-- Armed with banners, filmstrips, mimeographed handouts, historical facts, and hysterical insights, Sister conducts her class into convulsions of laughter.  You don’t have to be Catholic to join in the fun, but all that guilt induced by the nuns, helps!
Tickets: 216-795-7000


PLAY HOUSE  SQUARE
JERSEY BOYS…The 2006 Tony Award-winning Best Musical , tells the story of how four blue-collar kids became The Four Seasons, one of the greatest successes in pop music history.  State Theatre—June 18—July 20.
Tickets: ($24.50 to $130.00)  216-241-6000 or www.playhousesquare.com.

PORTHOUSE  THEATRE

ANYTHING GOES—a tap-dancing, tuneful romp, featuring Cole Porter’s music (“You’re the Top,” “It’s De-Lovely,” and “I Get a Kick Out of You.”  Terri Kent directs.  June 12-28.
‘ALICE’—a modern adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic adventure which takes audiences on a fantastical, psychedelic journey into Wonderland.  July 3-19.
‘THE MUSIC MAN’—Meredith Wilson’s tune-filled story of Harold Hill, a con man who finds love and honesty in River City, Iowa.  Includes the resounding“76 Trombones.” July 24-August 10.
Tickets:  ($13-26) 330-929-4416 or 800-304-236

Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2008, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info
      
His reviews can also be found on www.coolcleveland.com and NeOHIOpal (to subscibe visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.)