On Stage

Fiddler on the Roof — See review. 

Through June 27 at the Palace Theatre, 1615 Euclid Ave.  Tickets are $10-$75.  Call 216-241-6000 or visit playhousesquare.org.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat — The biblical tale of Joseph and his awesome coat is told almost entirely in song. Jealous of his coat and his ability to interpret dreams, Joseph's brothers conspire to sell him off to be a slave in Egypt. But all is forgiven in the end.

Through June 26 at the Cleveland Play House, 8500 Euclid Ave. Tickets are $12-$15. Call 216-771-5862 or visit mercurysummerstock.com.  

Red Beard: The World's Greatest Liar! — An evil, lying astronaut tries to go into outer space and butts heads with a lie detective. Seriously — we couldn't make this up if we tried.

Through June 27 at Karamu House, 2355 E. 89th St. Tickets are $10. Call 216-795-7070 or visit karamuhouse.org.

Steal Away — Set in Depression-era Chicago, the show features a group of black women who sell pies to fund advanced degrees for deserving young black females in the neighborhood. But since bake sale receipts have fallen off lately, the ladies — who have been turned down for a bank loan — decide to rob a bank to fund the higher learning. After a fairly meandering first act, the second stanza sharpens as the ladies plan and execute the heist. Unfortunately, even with some great performances leading the way, Steal Away feels soft and lethargic. (Howey)

Through June 27 at Karamu House, 2355 E. 89th St. Tickets are $20-$25. Call 216-795-7077 or visit karamuhouse.org.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee — The kids are at it again, spelling unpronounceable words as they try to suss out their even more complicated lives. On the page, Putnam County Spelling Bee is a grand collection of youthful yearning and stumbling. Of course, scripts and productions are different things, and this staging directed by Terri Kent succeeds only part of the time. Still, despite the glitches, there is enough charm here to lighten a summer evening. (Howey)

Through June 26 at Porthouse Theatre, 1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls. Tickets are $13-$36. Call 800-304-2363 or visit dept.kent.edu/theatre/porthouse.

The Merry Wives of Windsor — The Shakespearian story of a fat knight who, in a dire financial situation, decides to woo two wealthy married women.  The women learn of his plan use the situation to their amusement. Hilarity ensues.

June 25 & 26 at Notre Dame College, 4545 College Rd., S. Euclid. Admission is free.  Call 216-381-1680 or visit cleveshakes.org.

Sweeney Todd — This bloody and brooding venture into the mind of a mad barber in the bowels of London is like being handed a cup of three-day-old coffee grounds and lemon peels. But an engrossing score by Stephen Sondheim lifts it out of the muck, and the book by Hugh Wheeler spins plenty of thrills. (Howey)

Through July 27 at Cain Park, corner of Lee and Superior roads, Cleveland Heights. Tickets are $15-$24. Call 216-371-3000 or visit cainpark.com.