[NEohioPAL] Berko: The Shaw Festival capsule reviews

[Roy Berko]

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 *The Shaw Festival’s 2013 season*

Roy Berko

Member, Cleveland Critics Circle, American Theatre Critics Association

The Shaw Festival is one of the two major Canadian theatre celebrations,
the other being The Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario.  Both are
professional high quality venues.

The Shaw Festival is a tribute to George Bernard Shaw and his writing
contemporaries.
Many Clevelanders take the four-hour drive up to The Shaw, as it is called
by locals, to participate in theatre, tour the “most beautiful little city
in Canada,” shop, and eat at the many wonderful restaurants.

It’s a good idea to make both theatre and lodging reservations early,
especially with the B&Bs on weekends. Our home away from home is the
beautiful and well-placed Wellington House (
www.wellington.house at sympatico.ca), directly across the street from The
Festival Theatre, within easy walking distance of all the theatres. For
information on other B&Bs go to
www.niagaraonthelake.com/showbedandbreakfasts<http://www.niararaonthelake.com/showbedandbreakfasts>

There are some wonderful restaurants.  My in-town favorite is The Grill on
King Street (905-468-7222, 233 King Street).

Having just returned from the Festival, I offer these capsule judgments of
some of the shows on the schedule:

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA--* Shaw’s THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA is a special
night of musical theatre that might not be to everyone’s liking.  To
appreciate the show, the viewer must put aside an attitude of what a
musical should sound like and embrace this “different” approach.  I, for
one, loved the story, the music and the production.*  Through October 13 in
the Court House Theatre.

GUYS AND DOLLS--*GUYS AND DOLLS is a pleasant production, but lacks the
dynamics and Runyonesque qualities to make it a great show.  Too bad.  With
a little bit of Yankee flair, it could have been excellent.  “More I Cannot
Wish You.”***  Through November 3 in the Festival Theatre.

ENCHANTED APRIL--*Shaw’s ENCHANTED APRIL is a well-performed, well
directed, well written charming comedy that should delight those interested
in an escape from the real world into a voyage of discovery of what is
really important in life.* Through October 26, 2013 at the Festival
Theatre.

PEACE IN OUR TIME—* PEACE IN OUR TIME is a farcical romp, pitting the Three
Stooges  against Shavian satire. Though the second act gets a little
tedious, the overall effect is a learning experience about the foibles of
politics and the stupidity of humans for allowing governmental systems to
operate with little regard for humanity.* Through October 12 in the Court
House Theatre.

TRIFLES*--TRIFLES is an interesting quick venture in the theatre which
presents two pillars of theatrical writing in early works.  It’s worth
seeing this production  to experience how Susan Glaspell and Eugene O’Neil
give glimpses of their talents in these early endeavors.* Through October
12 in the Court House Theatre.

FAITH HEALER--* Brian Friel’s FAITH HEALER is definitely not a play for
everyone.  It fails to grab and hold attention, giving the director and
actors a difficult performance task.  It’s unclear why the artistic team at
The Shaw chose this play when much better Friel scripts are available.*
Through October 6, 2013 in the Royal George Theatre.

OUR BETTERS—* OUR BETTERS is a social commentary that will delight those
who like to delve into British social classes.  In this case they also get
to see snapshots of Americans trying to be Brits, upper class ones at that.*

Through October 27 in the Royal George Theatre.

To read the complete reviews of these shows go to:  http://www.royberko.info

Shows I didn’t see, but are part of the season are:

LADY WINDEMERE’S FAN--Oscar Wilde’s bitingly satirical attack on Victorian
morals.

MAJOR BARBARA—Shaw’s provocative and witty play about immorality and the
testing of beliefs and ideals.

ARCADIA—Tom Stoppard’s intellectually dazzling mystery and love story,
which is set in both 1809 and the present time.

Two plays which will be presented as staged readings:

THE MOUNTAINTOP—Broadway’s smash hit of this past season regarding the
night before the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot.  (For a review
of the play go to http://www.royberko.info and search the title.  (Only
September 1)

JERUSALEM—The Tony Award winning play which ran in London (2009) and on
Broadway (2010), which concerns tall tales and past glories. (Only October
13)
For theatre information, a brochure or tickets, call 800-511-7429 or go
on-line to http://www.shawfest.com. Ask about packages that include
lodging, meals and tickets. Also be aware that the festival offers
day-of-the-show rush tickets and senior matinee prices.


*Go to the Shaw Festival! Find out what lovely hosts Canadians are, and see
some great theatre!  Don’t forget your passport as it’s the only form of
identification that will be accepted for re-entry into the U.S.*

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