Home

Displaying items by tag: Rhea Leman

In Akvavit Theatre Company's Hitler On The Roof, playwright Rhea Leman has devised the perfect post-mortem punishment for the man behind the Nazi propaganda machine. It’s spring of 1945, Berlin, infamous Fuhrerbunker; the war is all but lost, Hitler had just committed suicide, Dr. Joseph Goebbels and his wife have followed his lead, first having poisoned their six children. Everybody’s dead. But, wait: Dr. Gobbels’ ghost (played by Amy Gorelow) is still hanging around refusing to cross onto the next world. Seventy-two years had passed, it’s now 2017, yet, Dr. Goebbels believes that the war is still going on and that he’s got some important work to do.


I’d like to note that Strawdog Theatre is a very intimate space with just two double rows of seats on each side of the stage. The stage itself is made to look like a bunker (set design by Chad Eric Bergman), empty food cans strewn around, Edith Piaf’s “Non, je ne regrette rien” blasting in the background, and muffled old radio recordings of Hitler’s speeches occasionally chiming in (sound design by Nigel Harsch).


Ducking under the table each time a bomb goes off above the bunker, Dr. Goebbels keeps himself busy reciting Hitler’s and his own accomplishments and quotes, playing radio broadcasts to non-existent audiences, and boasting about his past, unable to let go and “move on”. Pacing around the bunker and reflecting on Germany’s past (“in 1931 Hitler turned dying country into a thriving country” and “created a new DNA, designed a new Germany”), he also analyzes propaganda’s manipulative power. As Minister of Propaganda and Peoples Enlightenment, Dr. Joseph Goebbels would know: he controlled arts, media, news and information in Germany from 1933 until his death in 1945.


Playwright Rhea Leman uses this original way to shine the light on the media and how it may be used as a tool to shape people’s perceptions and opinions, creating our reality. History is always there to remind us of our past and warn about the future. Born and raised in New York City, Rhea Leman moved to Denmark in 1981. She wrote Hitler On The Roof in 2011 in response to rise of Danish Nationalism. The original production of the play by the company Folketeatret toured Denmark for two years, winning the prestigious Reumert award for Best Leading Actress. Rhea Leman is the winner of multiple awards, including the Allen Prize award for “excellent dramatic writing”. Her writings focus on serious subjects which she presents in humorous ways, not unlike the current piece.


Mid-way through the play, Dr. Gobbels is joined in the bunker by the ghost of artist and filmmaker Leni Reifenstahl (Jay Torrence in drag), and the play picks up quite a bit. Together these two actors have such great chemistry on stage, and the gender role reversal of the two actors makes the premise of the play even more comical. Dressed like clowns, they dance (adorable!), flirt, and slap each other around (choreography by Susan Fay), all the while engaging in conversational battles to try and out-manipulate one another. But Leni Reifenstahl didn’t just drop in to chat; she’s there on a self-serving mission that, ultimately, doesn’t go as well as planned. Let’s just say the two “living dead” might just end up passing an eternity together, stuck in the bunker. Well done.


Hitler on the Roof is being performed at Strawdog Theatre (1802 W. Bernice Ave) through July 9th. For more information on this show or to purchase tickets, visit www.chicagonordic.org.

Published in Theatre in Review

Review: Remy Bumppo Theatre Company's "Love Song' at Theater Wit

26 March 2024 in Theatre in Review

When a play’s opening moment is mystifying and its closing moment is satisfying, the stuff in between must be doing…

Eddie Izzard performs Shakespeare’s "Hamlet" in limited engagement, April 19–May 4

26 March 2024 in Theatre in Review

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces today a thrilling addition to the season: Tony Award-nominated actor Eddie Izzard brings her celebrated solo theatrical performance of Hamlet to…

Identity Performing Arts presents spring concert “Muted”

26 March 2024 in Upcoming Dance

Identity's Spring concert offers a captivating performance with two dissimilar works in its dynamic. Join us for the premiere of choreographer…

Joffrey Ballet closes season with remount of crowd favorite, Alexander Ekman's "Midsummer Night's Dream"

25 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

The Joffrey Ballet boldly closes its 2023-24 season with the return of Midsummer Night's Dream by internationally renowned Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman. Premiered by The…

Breaking Through The Winter Blues: Cirque du Soleil Crystal Sparkles at NOW Arena

23 March 2024 in Theatre Reviews

Like any good Chicago March, the city cannot make up its mind about what season it is in. This weekend…

Review: A Streetcar Named Desire at Copley Theatre

22 March 2024 in Theatre in Review

If there's one play every American should see in their lifetimes, without a doubt it's Tennessee Williams' perennial classic A…

Five Plays by Spanish Speaking Female Playwrights Selected for Series at Instituto Cervantes

20 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Instituto Cervantes of Chicago (31 W. Ohio St.), the city's primary non-profit center for Spanish language and cultural exchange, is pleased to present,…

Macbeth Gets Upended in ‘What the Weird Sisters Saw'

20 March 2024 in Theatre in Review

I love all things Shakespeare, particularly modern iterations and adaptations of his works, and I’ve had good experiences with Idle…

ON YOUR FEET! THE STORY OF EMILIO & GLORIA ESTEFAN Is Now Playing

19 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Broadway In Chicago is pleased to announce the smash-hit musical, ON YOUR FEET! THE STORY OF EMILIO & GLORIA ESTEFAN is now…

Casting Announced for Drury Lane Theatre's production of Guys and Dolls April 10 – June 9, 2024

18 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Drury Lane Theatre is thrilled to announce casting for its first show of the 2024/2025 season, Guys and Dolls, making its triumphant return to…

Writers Theatre announces 2024-2025 season

18 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Artistic Director Braden Abraham and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce Writers Theatre's 2024/25 season. The season launches with the Chicago premiere of the acclaimed musical Natasha,…

Music Theater Works’ ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ a sparkling and witty production

17 March 2024 in Theatre in Review

Who will the best speller be? Who will be able to withstand the pressures of competition? Who wants it the…

BLACK SUNDAY, a new, dust bowl-era drama by Dolores Díaz, directed by Sandra Marquez, storms in as TimeLine Theatre's 2023-24 finale

16 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

TimeLine Theatre announces the world premiere of the latest play developed through the company’s Playwrights Collective—Black Sunday, by Chicago playwright Dolores…

Marriott Theatre Continues Thrilling 2024 Season with "The Music Man"

15 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Marriott Theatre continues its thrilling 2024 season with MEREDITH WILLSON'S THE MUSIC MAN, the six-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy, directed and choreographed…

Red Theater presents HAMLET

15 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Red Theater is thrilled to present its second show of the 23/24 season: Shakespeare’s HAMLET, directed by Jeff nominated director Wyatt Kent, running April 26…

Margaret Atwood's 'The Penelopiad' Is a Zesty Romp, Even If a Bit Cerebral

15 March 2024 in Theatre in Review

“The Penelopiad” is a zesty romp and very entertaining. With a script by a writer I adore, Margaret Atwood of “The…

City Lit announces first season under incoming Executive Artistic Director Brian Pastor

14 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

City Lit Theater has announced its programming for the 2024-25 season, the company’s 44th. The season is the first to…

GIORDANO DANCE CHICAGO DEBUTS "GERSHWIN IN B" CHOREOGRAPHED BY EMMY AWARD-WINNER AL BLACKSTONE IN SPRING HARRIS ENGAGEMENT APRIL 5 & 6

13 March 2024 in Upcoming Dance

Giordano Dance Chicago (GDC) presents their "Season 61 | UNLIMITED!" Spring engagement at the Harris Theater at Millennium Park, 205…

Steppenwolf Theatre Announces 2024/25 Season

12 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Steppenwolf Theatre Company, under the leadership of Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis and Executive Director Brooke Flanagan, today announced its 2024/25 Season, featuring a dynamic…

Pretty Woman is now playing at CIBC Theatre

12 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Broadway In Chicago is delighted to announce PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL is now playing at Broadway In Chicago's CIBC Theatre (18 W.…

'Bill W. and Dr. Bob' Tells About AA Founders, and What It Was Really Like to be their Wives

11 March 2024 in Theatre in Review

“Bill W. and Dr. Bob,” in its Chicago premiere at the Biograph Theater, tells the exciting story of the 1935…

MOMIX: ALICE is Spectacular!

10 March 2024 in Dance in Review

I’ve seen quite a lot of wonderful, entertaining dance productions in Chicago lately - creations that include music and modern…

Review: 'Aida' at Lyric Opera Chicago

10 March 2024 in Theatre in Review

There’s a reason Elton John’s Broadway musical adaptation of ‘Aida’ was one the most popular musicals of the early aughts.…

Deathtrap: A Thriller to Die For

09 March 2024 in Theatre in Review

It was a dark and stormy night (yes, it really was!) – the perfect ambiance for taking in one of…

Pre-Broadway World Premiere DEATH BECOMES HER Announces Complete Casting

05 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

Broadway In Chicago and Universal Theatrical Group announced today complete casting for the world-premiere Chicago production of the drop-dead hilarious new musical comedy, DEATH…

Black Ensemble Theatre's 'The Time Machine: A Tribute To The 80’s' celebrates a transformative era of music

05 March 2024 in Theatre in Review

Black music in the 1980’s was transformative. It was the decade where Black music exploded in diversity and influence. It…

‘Meditations on Being’ an uplifting, healing experience

04 March 2024 in Dance in Review

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble (CDE) in collaboration with Duncan Dance Chicago has put together a production that undoubtedly will tap into…

The Joffrey Ballet announces 2024-25 season, opening with U.S. premiere of 'Atonement'

04 March 2024 in Upcoming Dance

Ashley Wheater MBE, The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet, today announces the Joffrey's 2024–2025 Season at…

Skokie Theatre Cast and Creatives for The Lightning Thief: A Percy Jackson Musical

03 March 2024 in Upcoming Theatre

MadKap Productions is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for The Lightning Thief: a Percy Jackson Musical, a…

Mrs. Doubtfire leaves no doubt, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE

01 March 2024 in Theatre in Review

The Groundhog Day musical debacle left me wary of movie-to-stage adaptations. I saw them as cash grabs, mere shadows of…

 

 

         17 Years and counting!

Register

 

     

Latest Articles

Guests Online

We have 258 guests and no members online

Buzz Chicago on Facebook Buzz Chicago on Twitter 

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.