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GET OUT Everything you should do in Cleveland this week
WED 05/04
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Immersive Sound Listening Party
At this special monthly event at Music Box Supper Club, you will hear a classic album played through a breakthrough Immersive Sound System. Frank Foti, CEO of the Telos Alliance, a pioneer and world leader in audio processing headquartered in Cleveland will be on hand to show off his cutting-edge technology. This week, you’ll hear Duran Duran’s Rio. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 in advance, $14 at the door. 1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
THU 05/05
Black Violin
Black Violin members Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste met in orchestra class at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale. After college, they produced beats for South Florida rappers and began building an audience in local clubs. They later went on to win Showtime at the Apollo in 2005, and eventually sold-out headline performances at venues across the country, merging string arrangements with modern beats and vocals. They bring their tour in support of 2021’s Take the Stairs to the State Theatre, where they perform tonight at 8. Check the venue’s website for more info. 1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
FRI 05/06
The Big Photography Show
This group exhibition featuring works by 16 veteran and new Cleveland-area photographers opens today, with a special reception that takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. Artists include Jay Brown, Matthew Chasney, Hadley Conner, Jacques Gauvin, Jef Janis, Keith Marlowe, Ken Matosky, Barbara, Merritt, Bryon Miller, Karen Novak, Anastasia Pantios, Bob Perkoski, Barney Taxel, Steve, Vaccareillo, Danny Vega and Brad Williams. 818 Jefferson, 216-870-2012, merrittphoto.com.
SAT 05/07
Singer-songwriter Valerie June comes to the Beachland Ballroom. See: Friday, May 13.
Courtesy of Shore Fire
monthly addition to LGBTQ nightlife. Each month, GlamGore features a variety of performance artists under one roof, ranging from beauty queens to drag monsters. One of few all-inclusive and all ages productions that incorporates themed performances to elevate artists and audiences alike, GlamGore features wellrounded drag entertainers of all shapes, sizes and styles from all over the country. Tonight’s event starts at 9 at the Grog Shop. Tickets cost $12 in advance, $15 at the door. VIP tickets which include a photo opportunity, a meet-and-greet prior to the show and seating, cost $20. 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
SUN 05/08
COYO Spring Concert
Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra will perform its annual spring concert tonight. Expect to hear pieces by Esmail, Mendelssohn, Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff. Vinay Parameswaran will conduct. The concert begins tonight at 7 at Mandel Concert Hall. Consult the orchestra’s website for more info. 11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
MON 05/09
Rupi Kaur
Known for her spoken word poetry performances, international star Rupi Kaur comes to the Ohio Theatre tonight at 8 to read unpublished pieces as well as poems and “greatest hits” from her many books. Check the venue website for more info. 1511 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
TUE 05/10
with performances at E.J. Thomas with performances at E.J. Thomas Hall on the campus of the University Hall on the campus of the University of Akron, Charlie and Chocolate of Akron, Charlie and Chocolate Factory features songs from the Factory features songs from the original film, including “Pure original film, including “Pure Imagination,” “The Candy Man” and Imagination,” “The Candy Man” and “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket” alongside “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket” alongside a new score from the songwriters of a new score from the songwriters of Hairspray. Performances take place Hairspray. Performances take place at 7:30 tonight and tomorrow night. at 7:30 tonight and tomorrow night. Check the venue’s website for more Check the venue’s website for more info. info. 198 Hill St., Akron, 330-972-7570, 198 Hill St., Akron, 330-972-7570, ejthomashall.com. ejthomashall.com.
WED 05/11 WED 05/11
AJR — The Ok Orchestra Tour AJR — The Ok Orchestra Tour
AJR, the indie rock act that AJR, the indie rock act that recently released the single “Record recently released the single “Record Player” with indie pop trio Daisy Player” with indie pop trio Daisy the Great, regularly delivers the Great, regularly delivers punchy, high-energy live shows punchy, high-energy live shows that should translate even in a that should translate even in a sports arena like Wolstein Center, sports arena like Wolstein Center, where the band performs tonight at where the band performs tonight at 7:30. Check the venue’s website for 7:30. Check the venue’s website for more info. more info. 2000 Prospect Ave., 216-687-9292, 2000 Prospect Ave., 216-687-9292, wolsteincenter.com. wolsteincenter.com.
THU 05/12 THU 05/12
Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 StepsAlfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps Great Lakes Theater’s Production Great Lakes Theater’s Production of Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Stepsof Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps mixes suspense with Monty Python mixes suspense with Monty Python in what’s been called a “fast-paced, in what’s been called a “fast-paced, madcap whodunit for anyone madcap whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre.” who loves the magic of theatre.” Tonight’s performance takes Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Hanna, where place at 7:30 at the Hanna, where performances continue through performances continue through May 22. May 22. 2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, 2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org. playhousesquare.org.
FRI 05/13 FRI 05/13
Valerie June Valerie June
Produced by June and Jack Splash, Produced by June and Jack Splash, singer-songwriter Valerie June’s singer-songwriter Valerie June’s latest album, last year’s The latest album, last year’s The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers, shows off her beautiful Dreamers, shows off her beautiful voice and exquisite harmonies. voice and exquisite harmonies. Her tour in support of the album Her tour in support of the album comes to the Beachland Ballroom comes to the Beachland Ballroom tonight. Expect to hear songs from tonight. Expect to hear songs from The Moon and Stars as well as well The Moon and Stars as well as well as plenty of new tracks, including as plenty of new tracks, including the woozy, horn-driven “Use Me.” the woozy, horn-driven “Use Me.” Tonight’s concert begins at 8. Tonight’s concert begins at 8. Singer-songwriter Chastity Brown Singer-songwriter Chastity Brown opens the show. Tickets cost $30. opens the show. Tickets cost $30. 15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, 15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com. beachlandballroom.com.
Alyssa Edwards Alyssa Edwards
Alyssa Edwards brings her Life, Alyssa Edwards brings her Life, Love & Lashes — Memoirs of a Love & Lashes — Memoirs of a Queen world tour to town tonight. Queen world tour to town tonight. Press materials for the trek proclaim Press materials for the trek proclaim that it’s “a must-see tell-all story that it’s “a must-see tell-all story about her life, drag and finding love.” about her life, drag and finding love.” The show begins at 8 at the Ohio The show begins at 8 at the Ohio Theatre. Check the Playhouse Square Theatre. Check the Playhouse Square website for more info. website for more info. 1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, 1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org. playhousesquare.org.
SUN 05/15 SUN 05/15
The Gilmour Project The Gilmour Project
A “descendant” of Blue Floyd, A “descendant” of Blue Floyd, the early 2000s group made up the early 2000s group made up of Allen Woody, Matt Abts, Marc of Allen Woody, Matt Abts, Marc Ford, Berry Oakley Jr., and Johnny Ford, Berry Oakley Jr., and Johnny Neel and a tribute to Pink Floyd Neel and a tribute to Pink Floyd singer-guitarist David Gilmour, the singer-guitarist David Gilmour, the Gilmour Project take Pink Floyd Gilmour Project take Pink Floyd tunes and put a twist on them. The tunes and put a twist on them. The group performs tonight at 7:30 at group performs tonight at 7:30 at MGM Northfield Park — Center MGM Northfield Park — Center Stage. Stage. 10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark. 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark. mgmresorts.com/en.html. mgmresorts.com/en.html.
MON 05/16 MON 05/16
Movie Mondays Movie Mondays
Every Monday, Cleveland Cinemas Every Monday, Cleveland Cinemas hosts $5 Movie Mondays, where hosts $5 Movie Mondays, where film fans can catch up on the film fans can catch up on the latest Hollywood flicks for latest Hollywood flicks for significantly reduced prices. significantly reduced prices. Bring your friends and family and Bring your friends and family and make Movie Mondays a weekly make Movie Mondays a weekly tradition — many theaters even tradition — many theaters even offer discounted concession stand offer discounted concession stand items. Participating theaters include items. Participating theaters include Apollo Theatre, Cedar Lee Theatre Apollo Theatre, Cedar Lee Theatre and Chagrin Cinemas. Additional and Chagrin Cinemas. Additional charges apply for 3-D movies. charges apply for 3-D movies. clevelandcinemas.com. clevelandcinemas.com.
TUE 05/17 TUE 05/17
An Evening with Neil Gaiman An Evening with Neil Gaiman
The author of works such as The author of works such as Neverwhere, Stardust, American Neverwhere, Stardust, American Gods and Anansi Boys, Neil Gaiman Gods and Anansi Boys, Neil Gaiman speaks tonight at 7:30 at the State speaks tonight at 7:30 at the State Theatre. In 2020, the prolific author Theatre. In 2020, the prolific author published The Neil Gaiman Reader: published The Neil Gaiman Reader: Selected Fiction, and a new children’s Selected Fiction, and a new children’s book, Pirate Stew.book, Pirate Stew. 1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, 1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org. playhousesquare.org.
Wed. May 11
Marc Cohn
Sat. May 14
Al Stewart
Wed. May 18
Bodeans
Thurs. May 19
Teddy Robb
Sat. June 4
Bluffett
Jimmy Buffett Tribute Sat. June 11
AT THE GOODYEAR THEATER Janis Ian The Final Tour
with special guest Tom Rush Wed. May 11
Get tickets now at goodyeartheater.com or ticketmaster.com
Wednesday, June 8 | The Music of Cream NEW! Sunday June 12 | America Tuesday, June 28 | The Zombies NEW! Friday July 1 | Hard Day’s Night - Beatles Tribute Saturday, July 9 | Jordan Rudess NEW! Tuesday July 12 | Todd Rundgren NEW DATE! Friday, July 28 | Keillor and Company NEW! Thursday August 4 | The Abrams Sunday, August 21 | The Wallflowers NEW! Friday October 7 | Marcc Nutter
ARTS ARTS
DECONSTRUCTED BIRD DECONSTRUCTED BIRD
Brisk dramatic pace of To Kill a Mockingbird, now at Playhouse Square, is enough to To Kill a Mockingbird, now at Playhouse Square, is enough to Brisk dramatic pace of To Kill a Mockingbird, now at Playhouse Square, is enough to compensate for its blindspots compensate for its blindspots compensate for its blindspots
by Christine Howey by Christine Howey
FOR IMPROV ACTORS, THE
golden rule is “Yes, and...” That is, the key to continuing any improvisation is to accept whatever the last person said and then embellish on it by beginning the next piece with those two words. But for those who attend To Kill a Mockingbird, the national touring show now at Playhouse Square, one helpful approach might be, “Yes, but...”
Written by Aaron Sorkin, master of erudite, machine-gun dialog that dazzled us all in shows such as The West Wing on TV and films such as Steve Jobs and Moneyball, this adaptation of Ms. Lee’s iconic work tweaks a number of elements while maintaining the overall thrust of the book, as well as the movie version featuring Gregory Peck as the noble lawyer Atticus Finch. The result is a play that is utterly pleasing on the surface, thanks to a superior cast that is fully in tune with the crisp pacing of director Bartlett Sher.
Upon reflection, however, there are a collection of moments that give one pause, triggering the “Yes, but...” impulse. Just as in the original material, the story is narrated by Finch’s six-year-old tomboy daughter Scout, played by adult actor Melanie Moore with fiery assurance. Additional narration is handled by her brother Jem (Justin Mark) and a precocious pal, Dill (Steven Lee Johnson), modeled after Lee’s real-life friend Truman Capote.
Interestingly, although it all takes place in a small Alabama town during the Depression,the opening scene happens in a stark, gray warehouse space that would seem appropriate for a restaging of Reservoir Dogs. The rest of the scenes are located in that space, primarily with stylized suggestions of the Finch front porch and, of course, the courtroom.
This sends a message that this adaptation will not attempt to recreate the warm and fuzzy feel of small-town Alabama in the 1930s, where the film was set. Instead, this is a deconstructed Mockingbird, rearranged so that certain scenes can be shoved together to increase the dramatic effect. Yes, this works at times, but it also has its downsides.
Unlike the source material, this version starts with the courtroom scene where Tom Robinson, a clearly innocent Black man, is on trial for raping a poor white girl, Mayella Ewell (a shattering Arianna Gayle Stucki), who lives with her redneck and abusive father Bob (the formidable Joey Collins). That iconic courtroom confrontation is then spread throughout the two acts, not saved to the end. Yes, it moves the story along at a clip that audiences these days appreciate. But by not setting the scene of Scout and Jem’s coming of age, in a town which they perceived as friendly and welcoming until they come face-toface with the ugly truth of racism, something is lost.
Of course, most of us recall the Peck performance as Atticus, who intoned his simple wisdom and compassion with few words, spoken in his trademark growl. Here, that role is taken by Richard Thomas, the well-known film and TV actor who brings a natural warmth to the role, delivering gentle and humorous nudges to keep the kids on the right path. But when Atticus viciously attacks Mayella during his cross-examination, his intentionally out-of-character rant seems to arrive out of the blue and undercuts his slow realization that, perhaps, everyone in town isn’t a “good person” as he once thought.
These are some of the traps the play falls into due to its episodic, non-linear progression. While Sorkin has wisely given the two Black characters, Tom and Finch’s housekeeper Calpurnia, more words to say, they still seem minimized in a story that still frames the white man — even with his flaws — as the paragon of virtue. As Tom, Yaegel T. Welch simmers with righteous intent, and Jacqueline Williams lands each of Calpurnia’s well-justified snarky comments with perfect timing, even though they seem a bit pat at times (ie. cue
FOR IMPROV ACTORS, THE
golden rule is “Yes, and...” That is, the key to continuing any improvisation is to accept whatever the last person said and then embellish on it by beginning the next piece with those two words. But for those who attend To Kill a Mockingbird, the national touring show now at Playhouse Square, one helpful approach might be, “Yes, but...”
Written by Aaron Sorkin, master of erudite, machine-gun dialog that dazzled us all in shows such as The West Wing on TV and films such as Steve Jobs and Moneyball, this adaptation of Ms. Lee’s iconic work tweaks a number of elements while maintaining the overall thrust of the book, as well as the movie version featuring Gregory Peck as the noble lawyer Atticus Finch. The result is a play that is utterly the sassy Black gal). pleasing on the surface, thanks to The conclusion of the play is a superior cast that is fully in tune still another “Yes, but...” moment with the crisp pacing of director when—after the courtroom scene Bartlett Sher. ends – a crime is committed and
Upon reflection, however, there then covered up. The play then are a collection of moments that slithers to a resolution that is give one pause, triggering the missing the snap and energy that “Yes, but...” impulse. Just as in would seem more fitting. the original material, the story is In sum, this Mockingbird is narrated by Finch’s six-year-old a stellar effort, a smooth and tomboy daughter Scout, played professional production in all by adult actor Melanie Moore respects. And if you grew up loving with fiery assurance. Additional the book and/or the movie, this will narration is handled by her brother spark many fond remembrances. Jem (Justin Mark) and a precocious But we are living in a world pal, Dill (Steven Lee Johnson), where racism is still rampant, modeled after Lee’s real-life friend where the right to vote of Truman Capote. minorities and the poor are being
Interestingly, although it all eroded (nay, demolished) every day. takes place in a small Alabama Also, if a progressive single white town during the Depression,the dad like Atticus Finch showed up opening scene happens in a stark, today, he would likely be scorned gray warehouse space that would by half the population as a woke seem appropriate for a restaging libtard and likely accused of being of Reservoir Dogs. The rest of the a pedophile, or worse. scenes are located in that space, As Atticus says, “It’s a crime primarily with stylized suggestions to kill a mockingbird” because of the Finch front porch and, of they are innocent, but there are course, the courtroom. still many “mockingbirds” under
This sends a message that imminent threat in this fractured this adaptation will not attempt country. to recreate the warm and fuzzy feel of small-town Alabama in the 1930s, where the film was set. Instead, this is a deconstructed Mockingbird, rearranged so that certain scenes can be shoved together to increase the dramatic effect. Yes, this works at times, but it also has its downsides. Unlike the source material, this version starts with the courtroom scene where Tom Robinson, a clearly innocent Black man, is on trial for raping a poor white girl, Mayella Ewell (a shattering Arianna Gayle Stucki), who lives with her redneck and abusive father Bob (the formidable Joey Collins). That iconic courtroom confrontation is then spread throughout the two acts, not saved to the end. Yes, it moves the story along at a clip that audiences these days appreciate. But by not setting the scene of Scout and Jem’s coming of age, in a town which they perceived as friendly and welcoming until they come face-toface with the ugly truth of racism, something is lost. Of course, most of us recall the Peck performance as Atticus, who intoned his simple wisdom and compassion with few words, spoken in his trademark growl. Here, that role is taken by Richard Thomas, the well-known film and TV actor who brings a natural warmth to the role, delivering gentle and humorous nudges to keep the kids on the right path. But when Atticus viciously attacks Mayella during his cross-examination, his intentionally out-of-character rant seems to arrive out of the blue and undercuts his slow realization that, perhaps, everyone in town isn’t a “good person” as he once thought. These are some of the traps the play falls into due to its episodic, non-linear progression. While Sorkin has wisely given the two Black characters, Tom and Finch’s housekeeper Calpurnia, more words to say, they still seem minimized in a story that still frames the white man — even with his flaws — as the paragon of virtue. As Tom, Yaegel T. Welch simmers with righteous intent, and Jacqueline Williams lands each of Calpurnia’s well-justified snarky comments with perfect timing, even though they seem a bit pat at times (ie. cue the sassy Black gal). The conclusion of the play is still another “Yes, but...” moment when—after the courtroom scene ends – a crime is committed and then covered up. The play then slithers to a resolution that is missing the snap and energy that would seem more fitting. In sum, this Mockingbird is a stellar effort, a smooth and professional production in all respects. And if you grew up loving the book and/or the movie, this will spark many fond remembrances. But we are living in a world where racism is still rampant, where the right to vote of minorities and the poor are being eroded (nay, demolished) every day. Also, if a progressive single white dad like Atticus Finch showed up today, he would likely be scorned by half the population as a woke libtard and likely accused of being a pedophile, or worse. As Atticus says, “It’s a crime to kill a mockingbird” because they are innocent, but there are still many “mockingbirds” under imminent threat in this fractured country.
Photo by Julieta Cervantes Photo by Julieta Cervantes
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
THROUGH MAY 15 AT PLAYHOUSE SQUARE, CONNOR PALACE THEATER, 1615 EUCLID AVE., THROUGH MAY 15 AT PLAYHOUSE SQUARE, CONNOR PALACE THEATER, 1615 EUCLID AVE., PLAYHOUSESQUARE.ORG, 216-241-6000. PLAYHOUSESQUARE.ORG, 216-241-6000.
