[NEohioPAL] Fw: Berko review: GYPSY (Brecksville Theatre on the Square)

[Jeffrey E. Braun]

Just a word, as an actor in community theatre for I hate to admit many years, THEATRE  is meant for entertainment. To take those that go to see it out of there everyday lives and escape for about two hours. To laugh, cry, to be well entertained,drama or musical. Community Theatre Arts and those who perform in them are special people. They in community theatre give of themselves and do not get rapped up in the all mighty dollar and I believe stay away for the most part from the Diva syndrome. If our said reviewers, who openly admit, they don't review community theatre much  would go to more community theatre productions they would realize but might need to be reminded that there are many, many talented actors in community theatre every bit as good as or whom can stand toe to toe with those of the equity variety. No cut to those that are equity. Just that community theatre performers and those theatres and people that frequent them, really do care about
 there craft for the right reasons. Most are on a continued journey to perfect themselves,and if are true, always learning and fine tuning from others. They give one hundred and ten percent all the time. They have heart, passion and sense of community. Not again saying equity performers do not. There is a very large community theatre base in this town. I personally have seen some wonderful productions and some bad ones, as have I seen some wonderful equity ones and some real stinkers. It is entertainment ladies and gents. Just like in the bigs, there are A list and B list. Like anywhere if you go seek out those that are the A list you will get A list performance. As said by others, if you go to a B list theatre for the sake of being able to demean community theatre performers, then you are not giving solid information. Lets remember if you review it is after all an opinion your opinion. For those who can not afford the $35.00 ticket they have the right
 to see as good theatre at an affordable price and be entertained. Believe it or not community theatre with the right people, with the right heart and passion and vision can give as close to broadway as you can get just as the equity theatres do. Curtains up and hats are off to the Community Theatre world. I am honored and proud, and humbled to stand and perform with you.  Jeffrey E. Braun
--- On Fri, 5/14/10, Roy Berko <royberko at yahoo.com> wrote:

> From: Roy Berko <royberko at yahoo.com>
> Subject: [NEohioPAL] Berko review: GYPSY (Brecksville Theatre on the Square)
> To: "NEOhioPerformingArts" <neohiopal at listserve.com>
> Date: Friday, May 14, 2010, 10:13 AM
> Brecksville’s ‘GYPSY’ exceeds
> expectations 
> 
> Roy Berko
> 
> (Member, American Theatre Critics Association)
> 
> --THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--
> 
> Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
> Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times
> 
> --COOLCLEVELAND.COM—
> 
> ‘GYPSY’ by Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur
> Laurents, is a musical theatre classic.   It
> is based on Gypsy the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous
> striptease artist and her relationship with her mother,
> Rose, the aggressive show business mother, who appears to be
> using her daughters to achieve what she never could. 
> In spite of, or maybe because of Rose, Gypsy became a star,
> and sister June Havoc also achieved acting fame.
> 
> I normally don’t review community theatre shows, but I
> made an exception when I found out that Monica Olejko was
> coming out of a self-imposed retirement to star as Mama Rose
> in Brecksville Theatre on the Square’s ‘GYPSY. ‘ 
> 
> I was not disappointed.  In fact, the production
> turned out to be much better than I anticipated. 
> Olejko controls a stage.  When she’s on, all eyes are
> on her.  It’s not that she is a scene stealer, it’s
> just that she is so talented that almost all her moves are
> right on point.  Her versions of “Some People,”
> “Mr. Goldstone” and “Everything’s Comin’ Up
> Roses,” were all excellent.  Her verbal and physical
> attack of “Rose’s Turn,” often called Rose’s Lament,
> was strong and clearly developed the message of Rose’s
> understanding of why she pushed her daughters to be what she
> couldn’t be.  Wow!
> 
> Robb Gibb was excellent as Herbie.  “You’ll Never
> Get Away From Me,” his duet 
> With Rose, was delightful.
> 
> Bridget Chebo was exceptional as Louise.  She has an
> excellent voice and much stage presence.  
> 
> A strong performance was turned in by Shane Joseph
> Siniscalchi as Tulsa.
> 
> Heather Hersh, Jeanette Stack Luli, Kimberly Bush, and the
> audience, had a wonderful time during the trio’s bump and
> grind routine, “You Gotta Get A Gimmick.”
> 
> Musical director Georgiann Bodle did an excellent job of
> making sure her musicians backed up, rather than overpowered
> the singers.  
> 
> Director Geoffrey Short kept the show well paced.  It
> would have been nice if he could have worked with some of
> the support cast to develop clearer  and consistent
> characterizations, but this is community theatre, and that
> means the quality of the talent can’t be expected to be
> consistently top drawer.
> 
> ‘CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:   Thanks to Monica
> Olejko, Rob Gibb and Bridget Chebo , Brecksville Theatre on
> the Square’s ‘GYPSY’ was better than most community
> theatre productions of this show.    Nice job!
> 
> The show continues at Brecksville Theatre on the Square in
> the Brecksville Old Town Hall through May 16.  Call
> 440-526-3443 for tickets.
>  
> Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews
> from 2001 through 2010, 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 subscribe visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.)
>  Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews
> from 2001 through 2010, 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 subscribe visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.)
> 
> 
> 
>       
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