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UID:2763@coolcleveland.com
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York;VALUE=DATE:20260424
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York;VALUE=DATE:20260427
DTSTAMP:20260427T025448Z
URL:https://coolcleveland.com/events/theater-review-star-machine-playhouse
 -square-by-laura-kennelly/
SUMMARY:THEATER REVIEW: "Star Machine" @ Playhouse Square by Laura Kennelly
DESCRIPTION:\nThis month’s short run of Star Machine\, a Playhouse Square
 /Baldwin Wallace University collaboration\, was also the show’s world pr
 emiere. With music and lyrics by brothers Gideon Temple and Hank Temple\, 
 book by Hollee and John Temple\, and direction by Richard Biever\, it take
 s a serious—yet often funny—look at breaking into show business.\nThe 
 straightforward story follows vocal performers Jaz (a vivacious Nadia Rich
 ardson) and her sister Nikki (a compelling Avery Fahey). Briefly we see th
 em wandering through various career paths until at last they decide to joi
 n forces and compete in Star Machine.\nAnd then things take off.\nWe learn
  that Star Machine\, a glitzy multi-episode soap-opera style production\, 
 runs aspiring artists through their paces before deeming one as that round
 ’s loser and kicks them into the garbage. The compelling MC\, Star Machi
 ne maven Bugsy (a glam and ruthless Julia Martini) oversees events as the 
 contestants dwindle and each vies for survival.\nNo surprise\, even though
  the others show talent\, our girls become top finalists. And then\, they 
 must decide what they really want.\n\nChoreographer Carol Schuberg allows 
 the cast to dance up a proverbial storm\, and the multi-talented Baldwin W
 allace students take advantage of the opportunity. Even the “losers” a
 re winners. Costume designer Inda Blatch-Gelb gets a special award from me
 \, especially for the brightly patterned men’s suits that scream “Watc
 h me\; I’m so cool.” Yep.\nThe engaging ensemble cast includes Cameron
  Brayboy\, Alexis Castro\, Sophia Davison\, Noelle Duncan\, Coletta Hempst
 ead\, Gabriel J. Hill\, Colleen Longshaw Jackson\, David Keller\, Reese Ma
 nuel\, Nijah Soleil\, Kaleb Pickett\, Dakota Renteria\, Henry Robinson-Dor
 n\, Sofia Leigh SanGiovanni\, Connor Schenke\, Libby Serber\, Caleb Smith\
 , Adam Thompson\, Siena Worland\, and Eleanora Ward.\nMembers of the band\
 , conducted by music director Gideon Temple\, include Hank Temple\, Reece 
 Clements\, Dylan Arner\, Simon Schlenker\, and Nate Schiavone.\nBottom Lin
 e: To call Star Machine “lively” might be the understatement of the se
 ason. It’s a musical that cleverly parodies (and just plain has fun with
 ) the “show business is a competition” mentality as seen in America’
 s Got Talent or The Voice. Yes\, it needs a bit of refinement (cutting and
  tightening episodes)\, but it’s well on the way to winning the real sho
 w biz Star Machine (and Hello Broadway!).\n\n[Written by Laura Kennelly]\n
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://coolcleveland.com/wp-content/uploads/202
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CATEGORIES:Performance,Theatre,----WRITERS----,Laura Kennelly,Review
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