Saturday, 07 November 2015 21:00
Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin - The Unmitigated King of One Person Shows
Written by Kimberly Katz
“Irving Berlin has no place in American music—he is American music. Emotionally, he honestly absorbs the vibrations emanating from the people, manners and life of his time and, in turn, gives these impressions back to the world—simplified, clarified and glorified.” - Jerome Kern There are shows that make one proud…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Here we go again. Wow, this year went by fast! Christmas is again just around the corner, which means it’s time to bring on the holiday plays! This year one of the funniest Christmas shows of the season will certainly be “Elf”, now playing at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. Based…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 20 October 2015 13:08
Jolly Roger, Booty and Ratty Seadogs - Yo Ho Ho for "Treasure Island" at Lookingglass!
Written by Ken Payne
Shiver me timbers! Child actor John Francis Babbo delivers a knockout performance to lead, what can be called nothing less than a stellar cast, in Lookingglass Theatre’s world premiere production of “Treasure Island”. Based on the classic children’s novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1883, Mary Zimmerman vividly adapts…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 18 October 2015 16:10
An Evening of Work by William Forsythe Moves with the Audience with Accuracy and Danger
Written by Kimberly Katz
In the first piece titled, "N.N.N.N.", in the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Fall Series at Harris Theatre, two men and two women dance in silence except for the occasional sounds of their breath and grunts of exertion, which are both a relief to hear and even comical in places. Forsythe…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 13 October 2015 11:34
"Good for Otto" A Masterful Exploration on the Importance of Mental Health Care
Written by Kimberly Katz
I was expecting a great work of art from David Rabe, the American Tony Award-winning playwright, screenwriter and author, famous for his Vietnam trilogy (“Sticks and Bones”, “The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel”, “Streamers”), as well as other notable plays, like “Hurlyburly” and “In the Boom Boom Room”. I was…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 07 October 2015 17:17
Step Up Production's "Barefoot in the Park" Lukewarm in Love Department
Written by Kimberly Katz
Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park" is one of my favorite comedies. Simon so perfectly captures the dynamics of a new couple moving in together as newlyweds and the pressures that begin to erode or test their love as soon as they move in. Cory and Paul's lack of money…
Published in
Theatre in Review
What would you do if a stranger asked you for something as simple as a bone marrow transplant? What would you do if someone gave you a life shattering diagnosis? The appropriate reaction seems obvious but as many things in reality are, it's always more complicated. "Marvin's Room" is the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 02 October 2015 12:57
Face Your Fears at Disturbia: Screams in the Park
Written by Eden Diez
Face your fears at Disturbia: Screams in the Park Imagine: You are walking down a long, dank hallway, towards a clown. He waits for you behind bars. If you're brave enough, you keep eye contact with the clown as you walk closer and closer to the door. You must push…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 30 September 2015 12:36
First Folio's "The Madness of Poe, A Love Story" Brilliantly Reveals The Loving Side of Poe
Written by Kimberly Katz
From the moment you enter the darkened and eerie Tudor Revival styled Mayslake Peabody Estate and are handed a dance card indicating which group of theater goers you will follow throughout the performance, the tension and excitement of this wonderful production begins to mount. Not long after First Folio Theatre’s…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Tuesday, 29 September 2015 14:22
Uproarious Halloween Fun - David Cerda's Trilogy of Horror "Scream, Queen, Scream!"
Written by Ken Payne
When October rolls along, Chicagoans have always been fortunate as far as the variety of Halloween events that take place around the city. And while many of these events take the form of haunted houses or annual midnight runs of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hell in a Handbag Productions…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 22 September 2015 16:27
Theatre at the Center's "Spamalot" Simply Smashing
Written by Ken Payne
If you’ve ever enjoyed the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, then “Spamalot” is definitely for you. But even those who have never seen the classic comedy would be hard pressed not to relish the musical proudly tabbed as “lovingly ripped off from the motion picture”. Now playing…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 21 September 2015 11:23
Wendt and Kazurinsky Breathe Fiery Drama and Heartwarming Comedy into "Funnyman" World Premiere
Written by Kimberly Katz
"Funnyman", now playing at Northlight Theatre in Skokie, is a familiar tale about an artist who has reached the end of one phase of his career and has to either adapt to the new environs and trends in entertainment or retire to his old world , hopefully with his dignity…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Signal Ensemble Theatre presents the United States premiere of Nicolas Billon’s “Butcher”, a thrilling mystery of revenge and dark secrets. Directed by Signal Ensemble Member Bries Vannon, “Butcher” is a gripping nail-biter and will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. On a rainy Christmas Eve in Toronto,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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