By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“) There’s something to be said when a major New Orleans staple like Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is able to been seen with a new wrinkle. The Pulitzer Prize winning play set on a Mississippi Delta plantation is now on the boards at Le […]
By ROY BERKO In the late 1950’s through the 1980s The Theatre of the Absurd theatrical movement was the intellectual rage. Based on the concept of Existentialism which asks, “what happens when human existence lacks meaning or purpose and communication breaks down.” The structure of the plays often centered on the finishing point, being the same as the […]
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out”) If artists of one cultural or racial extraction are being considered above others for inclusion at a museum or at gallery shows, is it ever fair to appropriate that culture or race for the purpose of evening the artistic playing field? The fact that playwright James Ijames […]
By ANNE SIEGEL MILWAUKEE, WI – This Midwest state is currently swept up in a slate of new plays, all part of a project called World Premiere Wisconsin. The project, with multiple sources of funding, is designed to showcase new work in theaters across the state. The first “World Premiere” production to open is Milwaukee […]
By ANNE SIEGEL MILWAUKEE, WI. – January temperatures rarely rise above 30 degrees here, so indoor activities are welcomed. Local theatergoers can watch a foot-stompin,’ whooping and hollering Texas hoedown in the 1970s musical, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, courtesy of Bombshell Theatre Co. This theater company is devoted to bringing little-seen musicals to […]
By ROY BERKO Since 1959, Dobama Theatre has been dedicated to premiering important new plays by established and emerging playwrights in professional productions of the highest quality. The Land of Oz, is a good selection for them to undertake. Dobama’s multi-talented artistic director Nathan Motta has incorporated his training as a music composer with his […]
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out”) There’s no more an appropriate time to present Irving Berlin’s ‘Holiday Inn’ than during the festive season of holiday time. With songs like “White Christmas” and “Let’s Start the New Year Right,” it’s a no-brainer that people looking for holiday cheer will wrap themselves in something warm and […]
By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critic (“Steppin’ Out“) Sharai Bohannon is an activist playwright who doesn’t shy away from tackling issues that some might feel uncomfortable discussing. When a group attempted to mount a production of her play Craigslisted without authorization, she fought back, even when they threatened her with legal action. For her efforts, which […]
By ANNE SIEGEL MILWAUKEE, WI – Some funny anecdotes were once relayed by playwright Catherine Trieschmann to Milwaukee Repertory Theater Artistic Director Mark Clements. They initially led to a few laughs between friends. At the time, Trieschmann was writing some humorous essays about her experiences with other theater groups. Inspired by these stories, Clements urged […]
By ROY BERKO Describe the Night, which is now on stage at Ensemble Theatre, is Cleveland Heights native Rajiv Joseph’s 2018 Obie Award winner for Best New American Play. Joseph was named a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Bengal Tiger at Baghdad Zoo, which starred the late Robin Williams in […]