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Case Western Reserve University's independent student news source

The Observer

Case Western Reserve University's independent student news source

The Observer

Case Western Reserve University's independent student news source

The Observer

From left to right, second-year students Nathan Waniorek and Ashlen Trapalis and fourth-year student Alex Gordon recite lines from Shakespeare's comedies. Upper: During a scene in the production, a ghost visits two characters, portrayed by second-year student Ashlen Trapalis and fourth-year student Alex Gordon.

Balancing between silliness, seriousness

Eddie Kerekes, Executive Editor March 1, 2019

As a high school student, perhaps the two worst words to hear from an English teacher are “William Shakespeare.” The name itself strikes dread and fear into the hearts of teenagers, leading to groans...

Courtesy Playbill.com

“Rent Live” showed potential despite production disaster

Michael Wu, Staff Reporter February 1, 2019

Believe it or not, there was a time when “Rent” was radical. The musical, about a group of young New Yorkers fighting off gentrification in the shadow of the AIDS crisis, premiered off-Broadway, less...

MaDaCol creates memorable experience for audience, dancers alike

MaDaCol creates memorable experience for audience, dancers alike

Kyle Smith, Staff Reporter December 7, 2018

Dance productions are not for everyone. The Mather Dance Collective (MaDaCol) wants to change that. MaDaCol is one of Case Western Reserve University's oldest student-run organizations, founded in...

One-Act Festival provides bite-sized entertainment for CWRU

Yvonne Pan, Staff Reporter December 7, 2018

Do you have the attention span of a squirrel? Do you often find yourself losing interest in plays only minutes in? Players’ Theatre Group (PTG) provided a solution to both problems through their hour...

Footlighters’ “If/Then” offers emotional experience, displays young talent

Kyle Smith, Staff Reporter November 9, 2018

“If/Then” is a musical that every college student should see. It asks many of the questions that keep young adults up at night: questions about fate and chance, choice and consequence. The show seeks...

Arts After Dark unites campus performers and arts supporters

Arts After Dark unites campus performers and arts supporters

Julia Knight, Staff Reporter November 2, 2018

Arts enthusiasts were scattered around Harkness Chapel on Saturday evening, relaxed and ready to watch performances by a variety of their musical peers. Arts After Dark is a semesterly event organized...

East Cleveland Theater opens season No. 50 with dramatic Jekyll and Hyde

East Cleveland Theater opens season No. 50 with dramatic Jekyll and Hyde

Kyle Smith, Staff Reporter October 12, 2018

Fog poured through the darkly lit hall of a 100-year-old church Saturday night, as dark figures stalked through the gloom pursuing evil intentions. Where pews should have stood, rows of theater seating...

“Reckless” asks, “Can you ever really know a person?”

Sunayana Jampanaboyana, Staff Writer October 12, 2018

To open the Eldred Theater 2018-19 season, the Case Western Reserve University Department of Theater presented six performances of “Reckless” by Craig Lucas. “Reckless” is a hallmark of postmodern...

The Mather Dance Collective (MaDaCol) rehearsing for their spring performance. Dances were choreographed by second-year graduate students Yizhen Hu and Xiaomeng Zhao, as well as CWRU alumna Karina Browne.

MaDaCol showcases modern themes, old school flare

Kyle Smith, Contributing Reporter April 27, 2018

At the center of a pitch black room, a solitary orange spotlight illuminated a shapeless figure writhing and contorting to the sound of dripping water, scraping metal and distorted mumbling. The scene...

1. IMPROVment hosted “Lake Effect,” its annual comedy show on April 7. 2. Fifth-year student Brett DiCello and second-year student Tony Monczewski perform as IMPROVment cast members at “Lake Effect.”

“Lake Effect” hits Cleveland

Max McPheeters, Staff Reporter April 13, 2018

This past weekend, IMPROVment held their seventh annual “Lake Effect” improv comedy festival. The April 7 event was free and open to the public like all of IMPROVment’s shows, and featured visiting...

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