Displaying items by tag: American Son
'American Son' at Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre: This show is miraculous!
You know that breathless moment of silence after the curtain falls and before the applause begins? That moment doesn’t happen often, and it always indicates a truly extraordinary performance. That silence occurred Sunday night as the stage of AMERICAN SON at Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre went black: we all sat stunned for just a moment before erupting into a standing ovation.
AMERICAN SON was written by Christopher Demos-Brown in 2018 but in today, post-George Floyd et al, it’s even more relevant and impactful. The plot is simple: a bi-racial teenager has had some sort of run-in with the police. His parents, separated only a few weeks, meet at the police station seeking information about their child. In this charged atmosphere the estranged couple confront the dissolution of their marriage and the challenges of raising a biracial son in a privileged community.
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre Artistic Director Tim Rhoze directs AMERICAN SON with compassion and finesse. The theatre has no actual curtain, giving us ample time to examine the set designed by Rhoze with Technical Director Evan Sposato. Nondescript institutional furniture is rigidly arranged against a striking backdrop of abstract graphics painted in grey tones with ominous splashes of red. Huge enigmatic faces have a distinct tribal vibe, infusing every word and movement with racial significance.
It's a small cast and all four actors are superb. Michael Manocchio brings a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability to the role of Officer Larkin, whose unenviable task it is to placate the parents with meager scraps of sketchy information. The mom describes him as ‘a low-level flunkey who’s not too bright”. His subconscious racism is transparent to us, as in his fumbling attempt to bond with the father by “speaking badge to badge” while sweating it out until the all-knowing Detective Stokes turns up.
Detective Stokes, impeccably played by Darren Jones, finally arrives, positively bristling with authority but without much additional information. Though he maintains his rigid professional preeminence with the frantic parents, occasional glimpses of well-concealed humanity unavoidably break through.
The central characters are the parents, Scott (Darren Andrews) and Kendra (Alexandra Moorman). Andrews plays Scott as the prototypical affluent White Male, reeking of privilege and self-importance. Scott believes his marriage proves he’s unprejudiced, but his subliminal racism inevitably breaks through with words like ‘uppity’. Yet Andrews’ treatment of Scott’s vulnerable moments are equally credible and satisfying. There is a lovely scene where Scott and Kendra review the issues they agree on – Thelonious Monk and sex, basically. Scott is not likeable, but we can’t help being moved as he tenderly recalls the happiest day of both their lives: the day their son was born.
I saw Alexandra Moorman a month ago in What to Send Up When It Comes Down” at Lookingglass. She was phenomenal there, but as Kendra she purely took my breath away. At several points, starting with the first five minutes of the play, Moorman is alone, and fills the stage with her consummate presence. She maintains this aspect throughout, managing to enrich the other performances without eclipsing them. I noted this same quality in What to Send Up: a troupe production, but Moorman’s genius can’t help but show. Her light will penetrate any bushel … and besides, she’s gorgeous!
The production crew is vital in creating such an awesome production. Director Tim Rhoze and Technical Director Evan Sposator both double as co-Set Designers. Name coincidence is good for David Goodman-Edburg and David Goode as Lighting and Sound Designers, respectively. Bria Walker is Dramaturg, Production Stage Manager is Barbara Reeder, and Lynn Baber costumes the characters with penetrating character discernment.
I don’t often add VERY to my rating, but AMERICAN SON is VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
IDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS Presents Spring Concert 2026 “EFFERVESCENT”
10 March 2026 in Upcoming DanceIdentity Performing Arts presents “Effervescent” with two original dance premieres: “Enthralled" created by Artistic Director, Ginny Ching Yin Lo, and…
World Premiere BOTH from Teatro Vista Productions & Steppenwolf Theatre Company
10 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation’s premier ensemble theater company, and Teatro Vista Productions are pleased to announce the world premiere…
IDLE MUSE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS THE THREE MUSKETEERS, MARCH 26 - APRIL 25 AT THE EDGE OFF-BROADWAY
10 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreIdle Muse Theatre Company launches its 20th anniversary season with The Three Musketeers, March 26 - April 25, written by…
Physical Theater Festival Chicago Announces 2026 Lineup and Companies for its 14th season, June 1 - 7
10 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatrePhysical Theater Festival Chicago is proud to announce the full lineup for its 13th anniversary celebration, June 1 - 7. The Festival…
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND BLUEY’S BIG PLAY RETURNS TO CHICAGO THIS YEAR!
10 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreWackadoo! Following a highly successful global tour, Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad are bringing Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show back to…
Northlight Theatre announces the inaugural season in the company's new home in Downtown Evanston
10 March 2026 in Theatre BuzzNorthlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, proudly announces its inaugural…
Static, Signals, and Surprises: City Lit’s Changing Channels Tunes In
09 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThe year is 1952. Television is rapidly gaining popularity over radio, to the delight of some and the disgust of…
Beautifully Produced 'Two Sisters and a Piano,' But Script Misses the Mark
09 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewIn “Two Sisters and a Piano” written by Nilo Cruz and directed by Lisa Portes, we soon learn these two…
CHUCK SMITH AND HARRY LENNIX REUNITE FOR A MAJOR REVIVAL OF MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, AUGUST WILSON'S ONLY PLAY SET IN CHICAGO, APPEARING AT THE GOODMAN STARTING MARCH 28
09 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreNearly 30 years after its box-office-record-setting 1997 Chicago premiere production, August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom returns to The Goodman, helmed by Chicago…
Open Space Arts' Chicago premiere of A THIRD WAY, begins Friday, April 3
09 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewOpen Space Arts has announced casting for its Chicago premiere of A THIRD WAY, a sharply funny, deeply compassionate new play…
Driehaus Museum announces spring activation dates for Brendan Fernandes: In the Round APRIL 10 & 11 AND MAY 6–9, 2026
09 March 2026 in Upcoming DanceThe Driehaus Museum announces the Spring activation dates for Brendan Fernandes: In the Round. As the Museum's first artist-in-residence, Fernandes transforms the Museum's 1926 Murphy Auditorium…
producingbody Announces the Chicago Premiere of SPACEMAN, May 19 - June 13, at The Edge Off-Broadway
09 March 2026 in Upcoming Theatre[producingbody] is pleased to announce the Chicago premiere of Spaceman, by Leegrid Stevens and directed by Eric Slater, May 19 - June 13, at The Edge Off-Broadway, 1133…
A Night in Jellicle Heaven: Music Theater Works Delivers a Stunning 'Cats'
08 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewAndrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats remains one of musical theatre’s most distinctive creations - a sung‑through, dance‑driven spectacle that swaps traditional…
The Lord of the Rings in Concert at the Auditorium with 238 piece Orchestra with movie playing on 60-ft Friday, March 13, and Saturday, March 14
06 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreDue to overwhelming demand, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring — In Concert has added a third performance…
Step inside Bunny’s bedroom in Goodnight Moon, Chicago Children’s Theatre’s immersive 20th season finale, dir. by Mikael Burke, April 11-June 7
06 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreIt’s been more than a decade since Chicago Children’s Theatre presented Goodnight Moon, the popular musical about a bunny who doesn’t…
Celebrate Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian Heritage Month with Asian American Arts' EVOLUTION: ASIAN AMERICAN ARTS FESTIVAL, May 2 and 3
06 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewAsian American Arts Chicago (AAAC) announces the Festival schedule and that tickets are now on sale for EVOLUTION: Asian American Arts Festival, Saturday, May 2 from 12…
Filament Theatre announces world premiere of Farewell Opportunity
06 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFilament Theatre, the Northwest Side's premier theater for young audiences, is delighted to present the world premiere of Farewell Opportunity from May 2-17,…
TimeLine Theatre Company announces inaugural season at new Uptown home
05 March 2026 in Theatre BuzzTimeLine Theatre Company is thrilled to announce its 2026–27 Inaugural Season in the company’s first permanent home at 5035 N. Broadway…
Her Story Theatre's World Premiere "THE OFFICAL BIOGRAPHY" - Wednesday, April 1 at 7:30 pm at The Den Theatre
05 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreHer Story Theatre has announced the World Premiere of Kurt McGinnis Brown's two-hander THE OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY, to play March 28 –…
WALKABOUT THEATER COMPANY CELEBRATES A RETURN TO ITS ROOTS WITH POOR POOR LEAR AT THE CHOPIN THEATRE, MARCH 12 - 15
04 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreWalkabout Theater Company returns to producing in Chicago with the production that launched the company in 1999, Poor Poor Lear,…
Steppenwolf Theatre Company Announces 2026/27 Season
04 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, under the leadership of Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis and Executive Director E. Brooke Flanagan, today announced its 2026/27 Season, marking the…
Three Plays to See This Weekend - Shattered Globe Theatre, The Story Theatre and American Blues Theater Should Be High On Your List!
04 March 2026 in Now PlayingChicago theatre‑goers have one of those rare, golden weekends where three very different companies are all firing at full power—each…
TIN DRUM THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF SOUTHERN RAPTURE, JUNE 11 - 28, AT THEATER WIT
04 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreTin Drum Theatre Company is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the Chicago premiere of Southern Rapture at Theater Wit,…
Splish Splash: A Day on the Lake - Goodman Theatre - Through March 22nd
04 March 2026 in Now PlayingTeamwork, bravery and fun are at the forefront of Splish Splash: A Day on the Lake, The Goodman's latest Theater for the…
A Wondrous Production of Oscar Wao at The Goodman Theatre
04 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewBased on the novel by Junot Díaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao follows neurodivergent and perpetually lovelorn college…
In Timeless ‘Come Back, Little Sheba,’ American Blues Theater Speaks for Today, as Well
03 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewWith spot-on performances across a large cast, William Inge’s 1949 script for “Come Back, Little Sheba” is receiving a definitive…
Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical" featuring Meat Loaf's greatest hits at The Auditorium on April 9 - One Night Only
03 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Auditorium (Chicago's landmark stage at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) presents Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical direct from London's…
THE JOFFREY BALLET ANNOUNCES 2026–2027 SEASON AT LYRIC OPERA HOUSE
03 March 2026 in Upcoming DanceAshley Wheater MBE, The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet, today announces the Joffrey's 2026-2027 season at…
BrightSide Theatre's PRIVATE LIVES April 10 - 26, Meiley-Swallow Hall in Naperville
03 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBrightSide Theatre has announced the full cast and artistic team for its production of PRIVATE LIVES, the third mainstage production of…
A professor finds himself in a firestorm in The Ally, the 2025 Pulitzer-nominated new play by Itamar Moses, at Theater Wit March 20-May 2
03 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFrom the Tony Award-winning author of The Band's Visit comes a provocative new play about identity, loyalty, and the complexities of unity.A…
Latest Articles
-
IDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS Presents Spring Concert 2026 “EFFERVESCENT”
Written by Buzz Center StageIdentity Performing Arts presents “Effervescent” with two original dance premieres: “Enthralled" created by Artistic Director, Ginny Ching Yin Lo, and "Critical Parts" created by guest choreographer, Braedon Barnes in collaboration with Identity’s performing artists. The program also features the return… -
Static, Signals, and Surprises: City Lit’s Changing Channels Tunes In
Written by Sarz MaxwellThe year is 1952. Television is rapidly gaining popularity over radio, to the delight of some and the disgust of others. Senator Joseph McCarthy has just been re-elected and is accusing hundreds of people of having connections to the Communist… -
World Premiere BOTH from Teatro Vista Productions & Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Written by Buzz Center StageSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation’s premier ensemble theater company, and Teatro Vista Productions are pleased to announce the world premiere production of TVP Artistic Collective member Paloma Nozicka’s* BOTH, as a part of a new, multi-year partnership between the two…
-
Northlight Theatre announces the inaugural season in the company's new home in Downtown Evanston
Written by Buzz Center StageNorthlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, proudly announces its inaugural season in the company's new home at 1012 Church Street in Downtown Evanston. With its own venue built from the ground up,…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.