Thursday, 03 December 2009 12:43
The Day the Music Died: A Review of The Addams Family Musical
Kendall Hartenstine
Yours truly spent Thanksgiving Eve (yes, I am making up a new holiday) at the historic Oriental Theatre for a viewing of the much anticipated Addams Family musical. The show is previewing in Chicago until January 10th where it will make its move to Broadway. The following review may oust…
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Theatre in Review
The town of Laramie, Wyoming gained international recognition on October 6th 1998, when young Matthew Shepard was tied to a fence followed by a brutal beating in which he was left for dead. Six days later Matthew died as the case became sensationalized throughout the world by the media as…
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Theatre in Review
Going in to see a stage musical based on a well-loved, popular movie, one can't help but have expectations -- and big ones. This is Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein we're talking about...
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 02 November 2009 14:52
The Spirit of All Halllow’s Eve – Hypnotically Charming
Written by Ken Payne
Halloween was even more intriguing and mystical this year thanks to Theatre on the Hill’s charming production of “The Spirit of Hallow’s Eve”. Written and directed by Douglas Hawksworth, the Bolingbrook theatre company’s presentation was hypnotic, featuring dazzling costumes...
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Theatre in Review
Although Cats can no longer claim the title as Broadway's longest-running show (The Phantom of the Opera surpassed Cats in performance number a few years ago), it is still clear why the show still brings in crowds of young and old. It is a strange musical, certainly, with no plot except…
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 08 October 2009 19:46
"Plans 1 Through 8" a Hilarious Space Adventure
Written by Ken Payne
New Millennium Theatre Company’s “Plans 1 Through 8 from Outer Space” is probably the epitome of the word “zany”. Packed with outlandish humor and bizarre characters “Plans 1 Through 8” is the story of an alien race intent on taking over the Earthlings
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Theatre in Review
Let’s just start by saying Coed Prison Sluts is certainly not your average musical. Claimed as the longest running musical in Chicago, this Annoyance Theatre production takes its viewers inside a prison – a very unusual prison to say the least.
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 31 August 2009 19:42
“Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical” is One Funny Adventure at Sea
Written by Ken Payne
Hilarity, madness, and good old-fashioned fun are high-flying in “Poseidon! The Upside Down Musical”, based on the book by David Cerda. Directed by Matthew Gunnels, Poseidon is the story about a ragtag group of “Poseidonites” who regularly get together to watch the 1972 disaster film The Poseidon Adventure.
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Theatre in Review
Do you have a dream? The kind of dream that makes your whole family both respect your audacity and think you are crazy at the same time? The kind of dream that may take decades to fulfill, while quite possibly bankrupting your life savings?
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Theatre in Review
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If you’re finding that one of your brows is raised, if you’re bewitched, bothered, or bewildered, then you’ve probably yet to experience the work a compulsive ironist. The quotations cited above can be found in “The History Boys,” the Best Play Tony Award winner of 2006, which is now at…
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Theatre in Review
Art gets underway when one of three friends purchases a very expensive painting - a white canvas. To his chagrin neither of his two friends “get it” in the way he does. While one friend, Marc, is outraged at the acquisition and forthright about his opinion, the other, Yvan, agrees…
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Theatre in Review
Ensemble member Tina Landau brilliantly brings the final work of William Shakespeare to life as Steppenwolf Theatre presents The Tempest thanks to her fantastic direction and strong performances by its cast. The performance, which runs through May 31st, is an ideal blend of humor and powerful drama and is enhanced…
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Theatre in Review
Most “Rentheads” in Chicago probably thought they’d never get the chance to see “Rent” ever again with its original Broadway cast members. Now, for a limited time, they can. Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Gwen Stewart have all rejoined the cast while on its current national tour that can be…
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Theatre in Review
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