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<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">When theater becomes
theatre<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Bob
Abelman<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">News-Herald,
Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The
Morning Journal, Geauga Times Courier<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Member,
American Theatre Critics Association<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">This
review will appear in the <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">News-Herald
</I></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">7/29/11</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">In warfare, the word
“theater” describes a specific geographical area where conflict
occurs.</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Anyone watching TV or
listening to radio these days knows that the U.S. is involved in an all-out,
no-holds-barred conflict, but the theater is not Iraq, Libya, Pakistan or
Afghanistan. The theater is TV and radio, and the conflict we are talking about
is… talking.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">There is a war of
words happening in this country.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>While much of it addresses Iraq, Libya, Pakistan and Afghanistan, hot
button topics such as global warming, the deficit, abortion, gay marriage,
healthcare, the President’s true nationality, and everything else on the
respective agendas of political conservatives and liberals is open for
discussion.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">No, not
discussion.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Or debate.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Diatribe.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=western><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Although America’s political rhetoric
has been toned down by career politicians since the shooting of U.S.
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Arizona, this is not the case for either party’s
unelected, unofficial spokespeople.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>In fact, </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN>public
affairs programs with hosts who are rabidly partisan have been growing in
number, volume and fervor.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And no
matter where they stand on Darwin, their venues have evolved.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=western><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=western><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><FONT size=3>In the
1990s, the war of words went from the podium and bully pulpit to the public
airwaves.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Conservative talk radio
became America’s alternative media universe, providing listeners with a
counterpoint to what was believed to be a liberal mainstream
media.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=western><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=western><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><FONT size=3>AM radio
was dying and the Fairness Doctrine, which required that a commentator’s
opinions be matched by “equal time” for opposing positions, was abolished by the
FCC.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>With available and
unrestrained airtime at his disposal, Rush Limbaugh was among the first—and
eventually among the most popular—of the outspoken conservatives to take to talk
radio. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=western><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=western><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black">He was soon followed by
</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Bill
O'Reilly, Michael Savage,</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">
<SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Sean Hannity,</SPAN> <SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Laura Ingraham,</SPAN> <SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Glenn Beck, Dr. Laura Schlessinger,</SPAN>
<SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Neil Boortz, Mike Gallagher and, most
recently, c</SPAN>omedian/ political commentator Dennis Miller<SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=western><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Although
conservatives dominate the radio airwaves, there are a few prominent liberal
talk radio personalities.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thom
Hartmann, Bill Press, Ed Schultz, <SPAN
style="COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Mike Malloy, Sam Seder, Rachel
Maddow and Randi Rhodes </SPAN>maintain a beachhead on old time broadcasting.
</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"></SPAN><FONT
size=3><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Mostly, liberal pundits
found their way to television.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In
1993, <SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">c</SPAN>omedian/political
commentator Bill Maher’s <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Politically
Incorrect</I> landed on cable and then moved to ABC until the talk show was
cancelled for being too politically incorrect.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Its next incarnation, <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Real Time with Bill Maher</I>, is currently
a hit on HBO.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS','sans-serif'; COLOR: #343434"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Others programs, such as the faux-news
show <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The Daily Show with Jon Stewart</I>
and a faux-conservative talk show <I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The
Colbert Report</I>, took up residency on the Comedy Central network.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Collectively, Maher, Stewart and Colbert
serve as a primary source of news, information and perspective for young
progressives.</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=3><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=3><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN></FONT><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>The conservatives, in
turn, have laid claim to the Fox News network as their latest stronghold, with
<I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The O’Reilly Factor</I> leading the
charge.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Dennis Miller, who for
years was host of the “Weekend Update” on NBC’s <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Saturday Night Live</I>, has hosted a string
of talk shows on HBO and CNBC and is a regular guest on Fox programs including
<I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The O’Reilly Factor</I>. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He has, in fact, become the acerbic
poster child for young Republicans and right-leaning
independents.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Now that the war of words
is escalating, the theater has moved to the theatre.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Bill Maher is on tour,
bringing his smart, sardonic and some say smug brand of political humor to
cities across the country. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He was
in the Palace Theatre at Cleveland’s PlayhouseSquare this past Sunday for a two
hour one-nighter.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>While the show looked
like a typical stand-up comedian’s gig, with a single microphone stand, a single
white spot light, and a bottle of water at the ready, the punch lines were the
Tea Party, Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, Sarah Palin, gun enthusiasts, Sarah
Palin, and Maher’s favorite pet peeve, organized religion. “I’m just an advocate
for common sense,” said Maher, “speaking my mind.” </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>On his mind that night
were all things political.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Maher
explained to the audience the significance of the American debt, which he
attributed to reckless spending by the Bush administration though Republican’s
blame Obama. “Let me illustrate for you how much $14.26 trillion really is,”
offered Maher.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“Take the value of
your house, and add $14.26 trillion.”</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Maher commented on the
state of the union, citing research that found our country ranking 10th among
the world’s nations in terms of social and economic mobility.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“The USA,” Maher reported, “is now 10th
in the American dream.”</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">And,
of course, he uniformly dissed, dissected and dismissed each and every
Republican with a hankering to be President.</SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>This is theatre alright.
Here is staged activity that appears spontaneous, comedic storytelling with a
poignant and cleverly crafted undertow, and seemingly innocuous fare laden with
the intention to move an audience emotionally and intellectually.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And a standing “O” at the
end.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>Since the days of
Aristotle, theatre has been a political forum.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Now it’s a war zone.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3>And, as with all theatre,
a different show will be opening soon.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Bill O’Reilly, the <SPAN style="COLOR: black">godfather of in-your-face
right-wing television, and Dennis Miller, the king of literary references and
bemused socio-political rants, will be teaming up and touring.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Effective August 20, <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The Bolder and Fresher Tour</I> hits the
road and promises to hit it hard.</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"></SPAN></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"></SPAN></FONT></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"><FONT size=3>Dates have
not been finalized but since they are doing Bill Maher damage control, it is a
good bet they will be bringing the theater to a theatre near
you.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"></SPAN> </P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black"></SPAN><FONT
size=3><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">What’s next as we inch
closer to election year?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Perhaps
</SPAN><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri">Mitt
Romney</SPAN></I><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">: The Musical</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">.</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT
size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT> </P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>