Cleveland Winter '13 Theater Calendar

Don't just hunker down during Cleveland's upcoming season of discontent and snow, support the local theatres.  BTW…tickets or gift cards to local theatres make great holiday presents!

Cleveland Play House

216-241-6000 or go to www.clevelandplayhouse.com

January 11-February 3

BELL, BOOK AND CANDLE

A classic comedy in which a beautiful and sexy witch, who is frustrated by a lack of romance in her life, is smitten by her handsome neighbor.

February 15-March 10

THE DEVIL'S MUSIC:  THE LIFE AND BLUES OF Bessie Smith

This soulful musical takes place in a private parlor in Memphis, circa 1930, where sexy and sassy Bessie Smith takes center stage.

February 27-March 9

IDENTITY THEFT

(A CPH/CWRU MFA Acting program production)

Asks, "who am I" by examining seven lives filtered through the ideas of August Strindberg.

March 22-April 14

GOOD PEOPLE

Margie Walsh, in this funny 2011 Tony nominee, wants to escape from Southie, a Boston neighborhood where a night on the town means a few rounds of bingo and lots of beer.  She may have found her exit route when an old flame, now a big success, comes back.

April 19-May 22

RICH GIRL

A take on THE HEIRESS, this comedy about women and their relationships finds a sheltered girl falling in love with a starving artist, but, her mother, doesn't approve.

DOBAMA

216-932-3396 or dobama.org 

December 7 - January 6

4000 MILES

A drama concerning 21 year-old Leon, who comes to his feisty, 91 year-old grandmother (portrayed by Dorothy Silver, the Grande dame of Cleveland Theatre) for solace.  In a single month they infuriate, bewilder, and ultimately reach each other.

February 22-March 17

SONS OF THE PROPHET

In this comedy/tragedy, Joseph, a distant relative of Kahlil Gibran, author of THE PROPHET, desperately tries to keep his Pennsylvania Lebanese-American family from breaking apart. 

PLAYHOUSESQUARE

216-241-6000 or go to www.playhousesquare.org.

January 15-27

PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT

An outrageous tune-filled musical which tells the story of a trio of uninhibited friends who find themselves on a battered old bus in the middle of the Australian outback.

February 5-17

YOU SAY TOMATO, I SAY SHUT UP, A LOVE STORY

Real life partners/actors/comedians/writers probe what happens when two people in a thirteen-year marriage suddenly decide that "we're just not that into us."  (Not recommended for children.)

February 5-10

LES MISERABLES

A return visit of the 25^th anniversary production of the legendary smash musical based on the Victor Hugo novel.

February 12-17

THE BLUE MAN GROUP

The wildly popular show, appropriate for all ages, combines makeup, comedy, music and technology.

February 22-March 22

JOSHUA SETH'S BEYOND BELIEF

Award winning Joshua Seth returns for a one-man show, called "amazingly captivating,"  featuring laughter, mind-reading and magic.

March 5-17

SISTER ACT

A musical based on the movie SISTER ACT, tells the story of a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and hides out in a convent!

April 9-21

War Horse

The amazingly staged World War I story of a horse, a boy and the meaning of loyalty.  A must see experience!  The puppetry and special effects are breathtaking.

Beck Center

216-521-2540 or http://www.beckcenter.org

December 7 - January 6

ANNIE

The comic  book inspired musical of a spunky Depression-era orphan determined to find the parents who abandoned her on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage.

March 1-April 21

NEXT TO NORMAL

The Tony Award-winning pop rock musical that examines a suburban family dealing with the traumatic effects of mental illness.

March 22-April 21

THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES

John Guare's Drama Critics' and Obie Award winning play about an aspiring songwriter who wants to escape the life he despises and pursue a musical career.

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Roy Berko, a life-long Clevelander, holds degrees, through the doctorate from Kent State, University of Michigan and The Pennsylvania State University. Roy was an actor for many years, appearing in more than 16 plays, 8 TV commercials, and 3 films. He has directed more than 30 productions. A member of the American Critics Association, the Dance Critics Association and The Cleveland Critics Circle, he has been an entertainment reviewer for more than twenty years. For many years he was a regular on Channel 5, ABC-Cleveland's "Morning Exchange" and "Live on 5," serving as the stations communication consultant. He has also appeared on "Good Morning America." Roy served as the Director of Public Relations for the Volunteer Office in the White House during the first Clinton Administration. He is a professor of communication and psychology who taught at George Washington University, University of Maryland, Notre Dame College of Ohio and Towson University. Roy is the author of 31 books. Several years ago, he was selected by Cleveland Magazine as one of the most interesting people in Cleveland.

Past Articles by This Author:

• BWW Reviews: WHAT MAKES A MAN EXPLORED at Actors' Summit
• BWW Reviews: Unnerving Musical about the Crime of the Century at Convergence-Continuum
• BWW Reviews: Acting Overshadows Esoteric Script at Cleveland Public Theatre
• BWW Reviews: THERE IS HAPPINESS (and Absurdity) at Cleveland Public Theatre
• BWW Reviews: NEW GROUND...New. Theatre. Festival, Light up Cleveland Play House
• BWW Reviews: LOVE STORY, THE MUSICAL Showcases BW Talent at the 14th Street Theatre
• BWW Reviews: Creatively Conceived and Thought-Provoking WORKING at Blank Canvas
• BWW Reviews: THE LYONS Roars at Dobama Theatre
• BWW Reviews: RICH GIRL, a Sure to Please the Audience Production at Cleveland Play House
• BWW Reviews: THE ICEMAN COMETH, a Four-Hour Marathon at Ensemble

More Articles by This Author...