Cincy Theatre Update

I saw two amazing plays this weekend – and if you’re in the Cincinnati area, you can see them, too! I’m not writing reviews as regularly as I once was, but when I see a show that I think needs to be spotlighted, I’m excited to come home and post about it. This weekend, I saw two of those kinds of productions!

First on Friday at Falcon Theatre, I got to see a very strong production of “Red Speedo,” which opened at Falcon Theatre tonight. Congrats to director Tara Williams and her cast (Nikola Pajic, Jared Earland, Rory Sheridan, Anna Hazard) on a great performance.

The stage (designed by Tyler Duncan Gabbard) is one of my favorites ever in this space and the lighting by Mason Williams is very professionally done.

Lucas Hnath writes interesting dialogue and it’s hard to perform (and rehearse – especially in a pandemic!) because of the way his characters interrupt and talk over each other . . . but this cast handled it well – especially Anna Hazard, who plays “Lydia.” This was my first exposure to her and I want to see more of her on stage right away.

I’m a huge fan of the rest of the cast, having seen them multiple times in a variety of shows and mediums – and they never disappoint. Nik (“Ray”) is the lynchpin to this thing; for such a smart man, he plays this less-than-skilled character with finesse and great timing. It’s a fun night out, an affordable theatrical experience, and incredibly timely and thought-provoking. It’s also staged so well by Tara Williams and moves very quickly!

Get tickets for Red Speedo at www.falcontheater.net

Then on Saturday night . . .

“Rooted” in the Shelterhouse at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is so good. Like… SO good. The acting, the script, the sound design, the lighting, and what I think is probably my new favorite set (by Se Hyun Oh) ever – it all comes together for a delightfully funny, heartwarming, and delicious night of theatre.

Deborah Zoe Laufer is a brilliant writer and director Noah Himmelstein used the space very well as he brought all components together to tell a beautiful, moving, and very funny story.

I don’t know why I missed “Be Here Now” when it was at the Playhouse a couple years ago but I’m kicking myself for it. Emily Kratter, who played “Luanne” in that production returns to the Playhouse for this play. (“Rooted” is set in the same fictional universe as “Be Here Now,” but you don’t need to know that to enjoy the show). She’s great. So is Tarah Flanagan as “Emery,” an amateur botanist whose live streams garner the attention of like-minded people who mistake her for a spiritual guru.

And Tasha Lawrence (“Hazel”) is absolutely perfect as Emery’s long-suffering, hard-working, and hilarious sister who sees this as an opportunity and seizes it head-on. It’s such a great story and such a great play.

Go see it if you can. You won’t be sorry.

Tickets for “Rooted” are at www.cincyplay.com.