THEATER REVIEW — Since the theater season just opened last weekend, it's probably too soon to call "Amadeus" something like "the production of the year."

But Cincinnati Shakespeare Company has certainly set the bar high as Bruce Cromer (Salieri) and Christopher Guthrie (Mozart) both turn in award-worthy performances in this story of ambition and jealousy.

The story is framed by Salieri's last night on earth as he moans and wails nearly incoherently, but enough for people to understand that he is confessing to the death of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the greatest musical minds of all time.

In flashback, then, we get their story from Salieri's perspective, of a brash young man with prodigious talent thrust into the European music scene by an over-bearing, over-protective father.

Salieri presents himself as a jealous and conniving man, doing his best as court composer to the clueless Emperor Joseph II to keep Mozart in destitution by withholding recommendations for students and placing Mozart in court positions but with reduced salaries.

He senses, quite correctly, that history will judge Mozart the superior talent, so part of Salieri's motivation is to make sure that his name is mentioned alongside through the ages. But mostly, the major themes of "Amadeus" and Salieri's inner conflicts tend to be religious ones as he tries to justify his uncivil treatment of one he believes to be God's messenger.

In the title role, Cromer once again proves himself to be the region's leading stage performer, and Guthrie isn't far behind, and the rest of the ensemble always seems to bring it up a notch when they're in the cast.

• how to go
• WHAT: "Amadeus"
• WHERE: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, 719 Race St., Cincinnati
• WHEN: Through Sept. 28
• COST: $26 adults; $22 seniors; $20 students
• MORE INFO: (513) 381-2273; www.cincyshakes.com