<i><font color="black" size="4"><font face="arial"><font color="crimson"><b><font color="chocolate">HE VIEWED,</font> <font color="forestgreen">SHE VIEWED:</font> </b></font></font></font><font size="4"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">This
is one in a series of exclusive reviews on LandOfCleve.net that feature the dual and (sometimes
dueling) perspectives of entertainment critics Rich Stimac and Vivian
Luther from HeViewedSheViewed.com</span></font></i><font color="black" size="3"><font face="arial"><i><font size="4">. If you would like to invite this prolific pair to cover your next stage production, movie screening, art show or public event, email them at inthelandofcleve@gmail.com.</font></i><br>
</font></font><h1 class="title entry-title" itemprop="name"><font size="4"><a href="http://inthelandofcleve.blogspot.com/2014/02/he-viewed-she-viewed-cleveland-public.html" rel="bookmark" itemprop="url">Cleveland Public Theatre's 'Air Waves' Never Lets Viewers Breathe Easy</a></font></h1>
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<div><font size="3"><b>WHO: Cleveland Public Theatre</b></font></div>
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<div><font size="3"><b>WHAT: "Air Waves"</b><b> </b></font></div>
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<div><font size="3"><b>WHEN: Now through Feb. 15</b></font></div>
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<div><font size="3"><b>WHERE: CPT's Gordon Square Theatre</b></font></div>
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<div><font size="3"><b>HOW: Call (216) 631-2727 x501 <br>
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<div><font size="3"><b> or visit <a href="http://www.cptonline.org/theater-show.php?id=218">http://www.cptonline.org/theater-show.php?id=218</a></b></font></div>
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<font color="forestgreen" size="3"><b><span style="font-size: large;">SHE VIEWED by Vivian Luther </span></b></font></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: large;">What comes to mind when you hear the
word "air"? Is it something you can describe, or is it just a feeling?
Those are the types of questions explored in Cleveland Public Theatre's
outstanding production of "Air Waves (Part Three of the Elements
Cycle)."</span></font>
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</span><span style="font-size: large;">"Air Waves" loosely follows the story of
Kim, a local from a fictional suburb who has moved to the big city to
become a representative of a powerful Energy Company. She is sent back
home to purchase air credits (a means of offsetting the Energy Company's
pollution output) from the community, and finds herself having to
convince her childhood friend George, who is the last resident to hold
out on selling his "air." </span></font>
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<font size="3"><span style="font-size: large;">George is in a state of depression after
suffering from a tragic event in his life involving his sister,
Jeanette. Kim will stop at nothing to get George to consent, even
offering what seems to be the impossible. Kim gives George three wishes,
anything he wants in the world in exchange for the credits, to which
George reluctantly agrees. The audience then get taken on a journey with
these characters both figuratively and physically until they meet the
full terms of the agreement.</span></font></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: large;">There are no walls in this most
innovative theatrical experience. Upon entering the building, audience
members are invited to sit at round tables next to and facing fellow
guests creating an atmosphere of being at someone's dinner party rather
than a "performance." Immediately interactive, there are questions
written on the table coverings, and guests are encouraged to place
stickers on the answers that appealed to them personally. </span></font>
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<font size="3"><span style="font-size: large;">A member of the cast casually sits at
each table and offers introductions, again, bringing the audience into a
very personal space. Darius Stubbs -- the cast member at our table --
was the perfect host, posing thoughtful questions while revealing
details of the fateful central story like an intellectual educator. The
three main characters emerge around the audience while our "Professor"
continues his tale, and soon the journey begins. </span></font></div>
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<font size="3"><span style="font-size: large;">This uniformly solid ensemble of actors
guides us through the venue as if we are lifted on the "air" passengers,
blown from setting to setting while riding on a paper airplane -- the
plays "through-line" image. As Kim, Faye Hargate gives a dynamic
performance as the Energy Company representative. She is quirky, sweet,
evil, conniving, and determined all in the same sentence, doing
whatever it takes to get what "the company" wants. Adam Seeholzer's
George is spot on in his portrayal of a sincere and genuine "everyman."
Our hearts go out to Cassie Neumann's Jeanette, who plays her innocence
deftly and causes us to pause and think of "unintended circumstances"
in life. </span></font></div>
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<font size="3"><span style="font-size: large;">The entire cast deserves praise because
the company was truly a finely woven quilt of talent. I must, however,
allow myself to reveal my favorite performance of the evening by Chris
Seibert as the Queen Bee. This particular scene is guaranteed to create
"quite a buzz" (no pun intended -- well, maybe) among anyone who sees
Ms. Seibert's intriguing portrayal of a frustrated flying insect. Also,
worthy of special mention are Renee Schilling and Lauren Joy Fraley,
who excel as vaudeville versions of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, as
well as the edgy performance by Nate Miller as an insidious
Rumpelstiltskin. </span></font></div>
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<font size="3"><span style="font-size: large;"><br>
</span><span style="font-size: large;">The production is directed by Raymond
Bobgan, with contributing directors Caitlin Lewins, Melissa Crum, Molly
Andrews-Hinder, and Dylan Winter Dwyer. It is hard to believe this
piece was directed by more than one person, because everything flows
seamlessly together. The use of space and movement is extremely
creative and the action fits into the physical space, like Cinderella's
foot in the slipper. </span></font>
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<font size="3"><span style="font-size: large;">The storyline is mainly conceived by
Raymond Bobgan, with contributions from Chris Seibert, Faye Hargate,
Adam Seeholzer, Darius Stubbs, Carly Garinger and the ensemble. Again, I
commend this group effort and their success. Although avant garde and
rather experimental, I am confident my 88-year-old mother will follow
the story and I am bringing her to see it next week. The costume
designs by Ali Garrigan were very effective, especially a very creative
scene involving "jellyfish-like" creatures superbly lit by Benjamin
Gantose. </span></font></div>
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<font size="3"><span style="font-size: large;"><br>
</span><span style="font-size: large;">"Air Waves" is an experience that must
NOT be missed. If you have never been to the Cleveland Public Theatre,
this is the show to see. Not only does it epitomize the company's
heartfelt goal of providing our community with thought-provoking images
and ideas, but it allows guests to see into every nook and cranny of
this historic, landmark building. CPT is definitely a feather in the cap
of Cleveland! <br>
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<font color="chocolate" size="3"><b><span style="font-size: large;">HE VIEWED by Rich Stimac</span></b></font></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: large;">Several times
throughout the epically intimate production of "Air Waves," currently
being presented by Cleveland Public Theatre, viewers may be reminded of a
similarly titled play filled with mayhem and music and madness and
messages... a play called "Hair." The latter show bravely and brazenly took a stance
against war and violence. Likewise, this fresh "Air" warns of another danger to
mankind, but one that hits much closer to home -- one that can leave us
literally breathless -- and that is the danger of air pollution.</span></font>
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<font size="3"><span style="font-size: large;"><br>
</span><span style="font-size: large;">"Air
Waves," like "Hair," is a collaboration between many contributing directors,
creative writers, technical designers and performing artists. </span><span style="font-size: large;">From an initial introduction seated around a table to a final tableau on a mammoth
platform, the sights, sounds and scenes in "Air Waves" push and pull patrons in all directions amid a
riptide of emotion, humor, tension, and release. </span></font>
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<font size="3"><span style="font-size: large;">Orchestrating the entire affair is
writer-director Raymond Bobgan, who meticulously draws audience members
out of their complacent comfort zones and transports them into a
futuristic void filled with intrusive imagery and mesmerizing mind games. He</span><span style="font-size: large;">
takes a
site-specific approach to the show's staging, keeping everyone on their
toes as actors and audience alike are led through a series of escalating
interludes that riff on the
main theme through a spectrum of styles.</span></font></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: large;">Kudos
to the fearlessly phenomenal ensemble of actors-contributors, including
Molly Andrews-Hinders, Dionne Atchison, Melissa Crum, Lauren Joy
Fraley, Carly Garinger, Faye Hargate, Caitlin Lewins, Jeremy Lewis, Nate
Miller, Cassie Neumann, Renee Schilling, Adam Seeholzer, Chris Seibert
and Darius Stubbs. </span></font>
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</span><span style="font-size: large;">In addition to multi-talented
Bobgan (who also provided scenic design), the behind-the-scenes
superstars include costume designer Ali Garrigan, lighting designer
Benjamin Gantose, composer Sean Hussey, and stage manager Sarah Moore.
Additional directing chores were handled by Dylan Winter Dwyer.</span></font>
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</span><span style="font-size: large;">This
play is the third installment of CPT's Elements Cycle, and they can
breathe a clean sigh of relief to know that their efforts paid off, and
their message came through loud and clear.</span></font>
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<font size="2"><i>Copyright 2014 </i><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><font size="2">--</font> <font size="2">HeViewedSheViewed.com</font></span></i></font>
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