Tuesday, 28 May 2024 09:25
Compelling One-act Opera Is Based on Amazing Story by Tribune Reporter Howard Reich
Written by Bill Esler
Chicago Opera Theater premiered a one-act opera, “Before It All Goes Dark,” in two performances over Memorial Day weekend at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago. Semi-staged with chamber orchestra conducted by Joseph Mechavich, the compact work was commissioned by Seattle-based Music of Remembrance. Acclaimed for developing new works that confront…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
Saturday, 25 May 2024 12:35
Three Crow's 'The Danish Play' a funny, tragic, gripping, relevant tale
Sarz Maxwell
I love stories about World War II, particularly about survivors of the Holocaust and the Camps. And I love stories based on real people. So naturally I was drawn to THE DANISH PLAY, which Canadian playwright Sonny Mills (he/him/they/them) wrote about her great-aunt Agnete Ottosen. THE DANISH PLAY addresses historical problems…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Language may be the backbone of human communication, but there’s a lot that happens between the lines. Sanaz Toosi’s 2023 Pulitzer Prize winner ‘English’ explores what we learn when studying a new language. Director Hamid Dehghani assembles an all-Iranian cast for Goodman Theatre’s Chicago debut of this exciting new play.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 21 May 2024 14:15
A Compelling Vision of Desperation and Injustice: Lifeline Theatre's 'Native Son'
Written by Wesley David
Lifeline Theatre’s production of "Native Son," directed by Ilesa Duncan and adapted by Nambi E. Kelley from Richard Wright’s seminal novel, is a masterful exploration of urban naturalism. With powerful performances and an incisive adaptation, the play captures the harrowing tale of Bigger Thomas, a young Black man whose life…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 22 May 2024 13:00
'Viva La Mort' A Novel Update to 1960s Film Falls Short in Script
Written by Bill Esler
“Viva La Mort: A Play With Songs” mines the 1956 Swiss novel “The Visit” by Friedrich Durrenmatt that came to further fame in a 1964 Hollywood melodrama with Ingrid Bergman and Anthony Quinn. In the original, a wealthy woman arrives in the poverty-stricken hamlet of her childhood, offering to restore…
Published in
Theatre in Review
TimeLine Theatre has entranced me for years with its historically- and politically-significant plays, riveting and educational – just my cup of tea! So, I felt honor-bound to pay homage to the final event TimeLine will produce in their current (way-too-small) Lincoln Park venue, where they’ve been for a quarter century.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
“James was deeply aware of the anguish associated with denying others their authenticity; His famous Frankenstein wasn’t a murderous monster. His heart’s desire was friendship cleverly bestowed upon him by a blind man”. Norm Woodel Frame of Reference Productions In Association with The Woodel Inspiration Fund has embarked on a…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 20 May 2024 11:00
So Be-Coming: Death Becomes Her Brings Magic and Dark Comedy to Cadillac Theatre
Written by Kendall Royzen
It’s often quoted in reviews that we are unworthy of such beauty or splendor the arts and humanities afford us. The turn of phrase elicits images of Wayne and Garth of Wayne’s World bowing at the feet of Alice Cooper, or a dashing Bridgerton man dropping to a knee at…
Published in
Theatre in Review
I arrived at City Lit Theater’s MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL expecting a heavy, serious, doubtless thought-provoking but rather intimidating major work of literature. By the end of the performance, I wanted to rush out, buy the book and read it immediately. Any production that accomplishes this in three hours must…
Published in
Theatre in Review
More...
Sunday, 12 May 2024 02:12
'Poor People! The Parody Musical' is rich in laughs
Written by Kimberly Katz
I’m amazed that it’s been 18 years or so since I first saw a Hell in a Handbag production. Though it seems like yesterday, my first experience with Handbag was taking in their production of The Poseidon Adventure at the cozy and artistic Chopin Theatre in Wicker Park. It was…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
- Poor People! The Parody Musical
- Hell in a Handbag Productions
- Chopin Theatre
- David Cerda
- Tyler Anthony Smith
- Stephanie Shaw
- Dakota Hughes
- Sydney Genco
- Matty Bettencourt
- Brittney Brown
- Caitlin Jackson
- Elizabeth Lesinski
- Taylor Dalton
- Shane Roberie
- Patrick O’Keefe
- Tommy Thurston
- Christopher Kelley
- The Chopin Studio Theatre
- Andrew Milliken
- Parody
Monday, 13 May 2024 10:50
Dance and Sing to the Beat of Life with ‘Last Stop on Market Street’
Written by Bree Samani
Despite the fact that I have never read the Newberry Award-Winning children’s book called Last Stop on Market Street, I chose to see the musical adaptation on a sunny Saturday afternoon. And I have to say, I am impressed with this fun-loving musical at the Young People’s Theatre of Chicago.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 10 May 2024 13:18
Review: The Thanksgiving Play at Steppenwolf Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
“Together we created this nothingness,” says Audrey Francis in Steppenwolf’s production of Larissa Fasthorse’s ‘The Thanksgiving Play’. Hot off its Broadway run, this madcap comedy cuts right to the bone. Under Jess Mcleod’s direction, the intimate cast leaps right off the stage. ‘The Thanksgiving Play’ is about three elementary school…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 07 May 2024 12:50
1619: THE JOURNEY OF A PEOPLE to commemorate the arrival in America of the first African slaves and examine the peoples' progress since then
Written by Buzz Center Stage
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre's 2024 season of four productions will open with the original musical 1619: THE JOURNEY OF A PEOPLE by Chicago writer and performer Ted Williams III. The musical commemorates the arrival of the first 20 Africans on the shores of Point Comfort, Virginia on August 20, 1619. In it, three modern…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Register
Login
Latest Articles
-
A Night to Remember Aboard Marriott Theatre’s Titanic
Written by CJ BurroughsAs a lifelong aficionado of the ill-fated ocean liner RMS Titanic, I’ve always gravitated toward any experience that would leave me feeling immersed in that famous moment of an era that nobody any of us knows anymore is alive to… -
Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces casting for the NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE of a new musical from the producers of SIX - 42 Balloons
Written by Buzz Center StageChicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces today the cast of the North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons. From the multi-award-winning producers Kevin McCollum (Oh, Mary!, Rent), Andy Barnes and Wendy Barnes (SIX), and Sonia Friedman Productions (Merrily We Roll Along), 42 Balloons is an '80s-inspired musical based on the unbelievable true story… -
Pegasus Theatre Chicago announces cast for its revival of Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery
Written by Buzz Center StagePegasus Theatre Chicago and Director ILesa Duncan proudly announce the casting for the revival of playwright Shay Youngblood's Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery, which follows "Daughter", who returns home to eulogize the last of the women who raised her in 1960s Georgia. Shakin' the Mess Outta…
-
Steppenwolf Theatre Announces LookOut's Summer 2025 Season
Written by Buzz Center StageSteppenwolf's LookOut Series is pleased to announce its action-packed summer lineup of comedy, magic, storytelling, drag and more! The Summer 2025 Season includes captivating solo works from some of Chicago's most accomplished storytellers; showcases of comedy, theatre and puppetry artists; and a…
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.