[NEohioPAL] Berko reviews: What's happening on Broadway?

[Roy Berko]

*What’s happening on Broadway?*



Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)



--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

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



--Cool Cleveland.com—

In spite of the recession, New York City, in general, and Broadway theatre,
specifically, is booming.  Many shows, such as THE LION KING, WICKED and
MAMMA MIA are in long term runs.  Some shows have just opened and others
are in preview.  My recent trip to the Big Apple allowed for seeing some of
the newest shows.  Here are my quick observations.  If you want to read the
complete reviews go to http://www.royberko.info

*A hilarious THE BOOK OF MORMON*

THE BOOK OF MORMON is an irreverent look at all things holy.    The plot
centers on the story of two young Mormon missionaries who are complete
opposites.  The boys are sent to a remote village in northern Uganda, where
a brutal warlord is threatening the local population.  So the stage is set
for some of funniest songs since MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT.


If you are going to see THE BOOK OF MORMON there are some givens:  (a) if
you are an uptight religious zealot, you are probably going to be driven
right out of the theatre, (b) if four letter words make you nutsy, you are
probably going to go totally bonkers, (c) if you have a sense of humor, you
may lose control of your bladder from laughing, and (d) if you love
delightful music you are going to dig the score.


*Capsule judgement:  THE BOOK OF MORMON is one fun ride that takes on
religion, the Broadway musical, life and strife, and comes out the winner.
It’s a precious laugh delight.*



*Mesmerizing WARHORSE brings new dimensions to the stage***



WARHORSE is the story of the bond between Albert, a British farm boy, and
Joey, his magnificent horse.  The plot travels from the English countryside
to the fields of France and Germany.  Joey, a colt, which was bought by
Albert’s father in a drunken bidding contest, has developed into a prized
horse.  At the start of the war, the father, enticed by money, sells the
animal to the British military.  Distraught, underage Albert enlists in an
attempt to search out and save his steed.  Through a series of searing
battles we see how horse and boy eventually are reunited.



The visual elements of the production are finely honed.  The battle scenes
are realistic.  Nothing is more impressive than the life-sized puppet
horses.  They are magnificent creatures which are ridden, change in
physical size as they become malnourished, whinny, display unique
personalities, and become living creatures before our eyes.



The audience appreciation was evident by the resounding curtain call.  The
human actors were applauded, the horses got an extended standing ovation,
and  even the goose got screams of approval.



*Capsule judgement: **Filled with amazing puppetry, stirring music, a
riveting story, compelling graphics, and fine acting, WARHORSE is
mesmerizing theatre.  It is a once in a lifetime theatrical experience.*


**

*Ch’ing•lish** delights while probing cultural differences*



Chinglish refers to spoken or written English that is influenced by the
Chinese language <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_language>.  It is
commonly applied to ungrammatical <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammar>or
nonsensical <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonsense>English in Chinese
contexts. “False Alarm!” becomes “The Siren Lies!” and “quiet please“ is
translated as “no noising!”



In the play’s opening scene, Cleveland businessman, Daniel Cavanaugh (Gary
Wilmes) is giving a presentation to fellow Ohio entrepreneurs about his
experiences in obtaining a contract in a small Chinese city.  As we
observe, a series of scenes portray the difficulty of overcoming the
Chinese-English language barrier and customs.



*Capsule judgement:  Ch’iNg•lish is a fascinating and delightful study of
the clash of cultures based on the languages we use.
*


****

*THE MOUNTAINTOP** opens questions about Martin Luther King, Jr.***



What was Martin Luther King, Jr. like as a person?  With all the death
threats that King received, what was his last night alive like?  What did
he believe was going to be his ultimate role in the Black rights movement?  THE
MOUNTAINTOP attempts to answer these questions .



The play takes place on April 3, 1968.  It is a “what/if” reimagining  of
the night before King’s assassination.  As the one-act play unfolds,
through humor and drama, King is forced to confront his destiny and his
legacy.



The show stars Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett.

*Capsule judgement: **THE MOUTAINTOP is not an easy play to watch,
especially since we know what is going to happen the next day on the
balcony outside that room.  That is not to say the play is depressing. It’s
not.  It is filled with vivid imagery, humor and some preposterous ideas.  It
is well worth seeing.*



*FREUD’S LAST SESSION **a fascinating look at belief or lack of belief***



Sigmund Freud, an atheist,  founded the discipline of
psychoanalysis<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoanalysis>
.  C. S. Lewis, a firm believer in God, was a novelist, academic,
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_studies>literary critic,
essayist,<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theologian>and Christian
apologist<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_apologetics>,
wrote *The Chronicles of
Narnia<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chronicles_of_Narnia>
*.  What would have happened if these two men had met to discuss their
conflicting ideas?  To find out you need to see FREUD’S LAST SESSION,
a two-character
"what-if" play.
*Capsule judgement:  FREUD’S LAST SESSION is fascinating theatre for anyone
who is interested in a philosophical thought laced drama with laughter and
fine acting.*
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