[NEohioPAL] Berko review: THE SECRET SOCIAL @ CPT

[Roy Berko]

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THE SECRET SOCIAL holds special meeting at Cleveland Public Theatre*

Roy Berko
(Member, American Theatre Critics Association & Cleveland Critics Circle)

“As a member of the Secret Social, your presence is requested at a special
meeting.  Attendees must believe in the power of myth, true love and
sacrifice.  Suggested attire includes your most prized pair of shoes.
Bring your friends, neighbors and coworkers (and your secret handshake).”

Thus, audiences are invited to attend the latest of Cleveland Public
Theatre and Conni’s Avant Garde Restaurant lively evenings of musical
entertainment, light supper of paesano bread, farmers’ cheese, kielbasa and
borscht (Eastern European beet soup), and uninhibited goings on.

The goings-on, which are presented in a theatre arranged at cabaret tables,
offers “friends who pay together stay together” and free bottles of wine
for groups of 8 or more.  If you don’t’ come with someone, you’ll be seated
with other “friendless” people who will quickly become your best “buds.”

Obviously, this is not traditional theatre fare.  The evening is loosely
based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, The Twelve Dancing Princess,
sometimes called The Worn-Out Dancing Shoes, and/or The Shoes that were
Danced to Pieces.

The story centers on twelve pretty princesses, each more beautiful than the
other, who sleep in twelve beds in the same room.  Every night the door to
their room is locked, but each morning their shoes are found to be worn
through.  The perplexed king promises his kingdom to any man who can
discover the tale of the shoes.   But, beware, those who try and fail will
be put to death.  (How far are you willing to go to get the kingdom?)

Parallel to the story, each member of the audience is led on a path where
each discovers the bedroom, sees the shoes, and proceeds to participate in
the development of the story.  Watch your footwear, be careful what you
volunteer for, and if you are a prude, don’t watch guy who runs through the
goings-on sans garments.  On the other hand, you might have a positive
experience, as did the woman at our table who yelled out, “Wow, he has a
cute tush" [a diminutive of the Yiddish word for the human posterior].

Many of the cast are back from last year’s CPT/Connie’s Avant Garde
Restaurant extravaganza.  The cast has fun, the audience has fun, the
entire evening is meant for enjoyment, and enjoyable it is.

BTW—there is less food this year, which is just fine, as this is not dinner
theatre.  The grub is there as part of the story.

*Capsule judgement:  THE SECRET SOCIAL is not traditional theatre.  No
plot, no social message. All in all the goings on are intended for  fun.
That is, if you are in the mood to be uninhibited, and just have a great
time.  It also helps if you and half the audience are looped and let loose
with rude and creative comments.  *

THE SECRET SOCIAL runs six nights a week through December 23 at 7:00.  For
tickets call 216-631-2727 or go on line to www.cptonline.org.  Be aware
that some evenings are sold out.  You can find this information on the
website.

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