At the close of Actors’ Summit’s performance of “My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding” that I saw, all the players took a group cast bow. The gesture befit the tight ensemble work that they had just performed, with all the actors adding significantly to the clever, smart script that is this play. “My Mother’s Lesbian […]
Article · December 12, 2012 by Roger Durbin
For the second year, Downtown Akron Partnership is offering the Discover Downtown Akron Passport program. To cut to the chase, for just $15, Passport holders get a $213 value through admission to 16 different events beginning with First Night Akron (a mini arts fest itself) on Monday, December 31, 2012. The remaining 15 events run from […]
Article · December 7, 2012 by Roger Durbin
“Kaleidoscope 2012,” which is on display in Summit Artspace, a Knight Arts grantee, through December 31, shows as a panoramic exhibition of some solid art works that give the show’s name its due. The pieces on view represent many good artists from four major organizations: Artists of Rubber City, Akron Society of Artists, Cuyahoga Valley […]
Article · December 5, 2012 by Roger Durbin
Some theatrical comedies come across as lightweight, as though they are confections, airy nothings. In the right hands, though, they can be carefully crafted so that the spread of substance doesn’t show or offend but can be served up in abundance. The latter is the case in Coach House Theatre’s production of Andrew Bergman’s “Social […]
Article · November 30, 2012 by Roger Durbin
When I first wrote about the None Too Fragile theater group, I mistakenly said that the black box theater has 40 seats. Turns out there are twice that many. The closeness to the action makes the place seem tighter. That intimacy comes to the fore in None Too Fragile’s current production of Karen Sunde’s “How […]
Article · November 28, 2012 by Roger Durbin
The Vienna Boys Choir (Wiener Sangerknaben in German) has been around since 1498. That’s a long time, but what a gifted musical tradition. Since 1918 the members (who range in age from 10-14) have made appearances aside from the royal court (where it all began), and in churches or for state occasions. Now here’s something […]
Article · November 16, 2012 by Roger Durbin
During most of the openings of new art exhibits at Summit Artspace, a Knight Arts grantee, there have been various musical soloists or groups performing. They generally have been on the third floor where there is more room since the primary gallery on the first floor can get crowded. For the upcoming exhibit “Kaleidoscope 2012” – […]
Article · November 14, 2012 by Roger Durbin
GroundWorks DanceTheater will be performing again in Akron. That’s always great news, for having this singular contemporary dance company do its innovative thing is a great sight to behold. Artistic Director David Shimotakahara added a concert at the Akron-Summit County Public Library a couple of years ago in order to extend its presence in the […]
Article · November 9, 2012 by Roger Durbin
Christine Meneer, artistic director of Ballet Theatre of Ohio, has been bringing her “Nutcracker” to Akron area audiences for 20 years now. The longstanding event began, Meneer said in an interview, when some of the students from her dance school were appearing in a touring version of the classic holiday season dance. She thought right […]
Article · November 7, 2012 by Roger Durbin
Old artists can learn new artistic tricks, or can if they are like Adolph Gottlieb. The Akron Art Museum, a Knight Arts grantee, sets out to show exactly that in its newest exhibition, “Adolph Gottlieb: Sculptor.” Adolph Gottlieb. Photo by Michael Fredericks I think it’s fascinating that someone who was late in his career and […]
Article · November 2, 2012 by Roger Durbin
Two-person dramas are going to be talky. They just are. So it really helps when the play is lively, full of human insight, and extremely well acted, as Weathervane Playhouse’s “Shooting Star” is. Steven Dietz’s play – which incidentally is being performed in Weathervane Playhouse’s intimate 50-seat black box Dietz Theater – tells the story […]
Article · November 1, 2012 by Roger Durbin