While Steppenwolf occupies itself with Russian "Sisters," the Goodman is mounting a musical with sisters of a different sort. "Crowns," the soulful musical brainchild of Goodman mainstay Regina Taylor. Inspired by real-life stories of Black women and the extravagant and fabulous hats that adorn their heads, "Crowns" hits its stride about…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 28 July 2012 17:20
The Summer of Our Discontent: "The Three Sisters" at Steppenwolf
Written by Zach Zimmerman
A comfortable schoolteacher, an angst-ridden housewife, and an idealistic teenager walk into a house. What sounds like the set-up for a terrible joke is a roll call for the titular characters in one of Chekhov's most produced plays. "The Three Sisters," currently enjoying a nearly pitch-perfect incarnation at Steppenwolf,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Luis Alfaro’s modern day adaptation of “Oedipus the King”, or “Oedipus Rex”, takes this tragic tale to the streets of gangland Los Angeles. It is there we meet young Oedipus, who was secretly spared after his father, the current “king”, condemned him to death after hearing the prophecy he would…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 19 June 2012 17:22
Sean Flannery – The Unheralded Gem of TBS’ Just for Laughs Festival
Gabriel Silva
With one night left before the end of the TBS Just for Laughs Festival, I decided to check out the Chicago Playground after reading about Sean Flannery’s “Never Been to Paris”. In doing some background on Sean Flannery I saw that he also does movie reviews without even seeing the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
With the seating area set like the inside of a large ship, wonderment immediately ensues as audience members walk into the theatre. Wooden pews take the place of traditional theatre chairs and a large canopy encompassing the entire room hangs overhead. Excitement takes places throughout the crowd before the show…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 16 June 2012 14:00
Kevin Smith’s Q&A at Chicago Theater Both Educational and Funny
Paul Black
As part of TBS’ “Just for Laughs Festival”, An Evening with Kevin Smith was certainly one of the highlights. Performing at the Chicago Theater, Kevin Smith fielded questions from audience members for just over two hours, responding with his quick wit and “open book” approach. Probably known best as the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 14 June 2012 15:17
The Nerd Show Brings Out the Funniest Geeks at Just For Laughs Festival
Gabriel Silva
The Up Comedy Club is where the scene was at last Wednesday night, the second day of TBS’ Just for Laughs Festival. Geek humor alert – anything from Star Wars to Weezer was fair game for these nerdy comedians. Hosted by tremendously humorous Pete Holmes, “The Nerd Show” is a…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Pine Box Theater Company really hits the funny bone hard with their latest production, “The Jammer”, currently playing at the Athenaeum Theatre (2936 N Southport). In this hilarious play by Rolin Jones, the audience is blasted with funny from the beginning and the laughs never let up. Relying partly on…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 05 June 2012 15:39
Take Me Out to the Ball Game – “Bang the Drum Slowly” Is in the Win Column
Paul Black
After a series of wonderful shows, Raven closes its 2011-2012 season on a high note with their production of “Bang the Drum Slowly”, directed by Michael Menendian. Playing through June 30th, “Bang the Drum Slowly” is classic, smart, inspiring and a must for any theatre fan who also happens to…
Published in
Theatre in Review
More...
Monday, 21 May 2012 19:00
Sexy Baby - You'll Want to Make this Baby Stay Up All Night
Written by Kimberly Katz
David Cerda and Scott Lamberty, the creators of “Sexy Baby”, have once again taken a touchy subject, child beauty pageants, which are already riddled with parody and camp, and unleashed a veritable whirlwind of funny on Chicago audiences. I fall in comedy love with pretty much every show David Cerda's Hell…
Published in
Theatre in Review
CATS made a short lived return to the stage with its only North American production that played from from May 1st-6th at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theater. For what became the longest running musical in theater history, CATS return was not a very long one. For those of you that…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 06 May 2012 19:00
Caught in the Jazzy Web of Spider Saloff's One Woman Show “The Roar of the Butterfly”
Written by Kimberly Katz
I thoroughly enjoyed Spider Saloff's performance at Victory Gardens Theater. Spider has a wonderful, smooth, rich tone to her voice and impeccable phrasing. Although there were serious technical difficulties with her microphone that continued throughout her performance, she unflinchingly “drove right through it” and maintained her focus on the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Steppenwolf's season of “Dispatches from the Homefront” has travelled from Greek legend to contemporary Iraq. Now, it splits the difference and hones in on a time in America when the battlefield and homefront collided. Countless historians have told the tale of the War between the States; from analysis of military…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Register
Login
Latest Articles
-
‘Kairos’ Is One of the Most Enjoyable and Provocative Shows in Chicago
Written by Bill EslerLisa Sanaye Dring’s play “Kairos,” which just opened at The Edge Off Broadway theater, is one of the most thought-provoking and enjoyable productions I have seen lately. Set in the near future, the 90-minute play (no intermission) is as good… -
David Mamet's 'Henry Johnson' in High Powered Premiere at Victory Gardens Biograph
Written by Bill Esler“Henry Johnson,” David Mamet’s new play running at the vintage Biograph Theatre, is like many of his works, enigmatic and demanding of his audience. With Mamet one must pay close attention to the dialog, packed with foreshadowing and reveals. Miss…
-
A WONDROUS SOUND - Orchestra and Chorus of the Chicago Lyric Opera is a wondrous compilation of the best of the best!
Written by Sarz MaxwellThe repertoire for this fabulous program - A WONDROUS SOUND, showcasing the full force of Lyric’s amazing orchestra and chorus, was developed in collaboration between Lyric Conductor Enrique Mazzola and Chorus Director Michael Black. The orchestra started it off with… -
Stellar Performances in “Prayer for the French Republic”
Written by Bill EslerEarly in the first act I whispered to my companion and said “I love this!” Extremely well written by Joshua Hartman with stellar performances directed by Jeremy Wechsler, “Prayer for the French Republic” (a Northlight Theatre Theatre Wit co-production) attempts…
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.