Wednesday, 19 February 2020 21:04
A Tough Hand To Play- The Queen of Spades at Lyric Opera
Written by Kendall Royzen
Some reviews are as easy to write as 1, 2, 3; an intro, a body, and a conclusion. Some reviews are more difficult to write, even when following that simple formula. Even time is broken into three parts: past, present, and future. Well, I cannot go into the past to…
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Theatre in Review
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Saturday, 15 February 2020 22:19
Summer: The Donna Summer Musical Is Captivating and Poignant
Written by Bill Esler
Though I loved her music and her voice, I knew little about the celebrated Queen of Disco, Donna Summer - before seeing the Broadway in Chicago show about her. Summer: The Donna Summer Musical tells it all, an engaging narrative spiced with the diva’s great music, beautifully performed. Musically, Donna…
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Theatre in Review
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We are rarely privy to the forthright conversations traded among the wealthy about class dynamics and privilege. Doubly so when they involve the rarified class of rich, well-borne African Americans. In Stickfly, playwright Lydia Diamond said she wanted to “write a play that talks about class and class strata within…
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Theatre in Review
Raven Theater has a penchant for aptly timed revivals, and their production of Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House is no exception. Published and set circa 1879 in Norway, the play offers a snapshot of domestic life at the time, reminding us how much progress has been made since then --…
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Theatre in Review
Sunday, 09 February 2020 16:33
Drury Lane's 'An American in Paris' - they've got Rhythm and a whole lot more
Written by Ken Payne
Drury Lane has wowed audiences over and over with big song and dance productions. Not only recognized for its intricate choreography, the theater has also been known for its dazzling sets and stunning costume design. From ‘42nd Street’ to ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ to ‘West Side Story,’ impressive musical stage…
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Theatre in Review
Saturday, 08 February 2020 17:33
Review: The Boys in the Band at Windy City Playhouse
Written by John Accrocco
"Life's a god damned laugh riot," writes Mart Crowley in his 1968 play "The Boys in the Band". Windy City Playhouse revives the iconic play under the direction of Carl Menninger. This is the first revival in Chicago in over twenty years. "The Boys in the Band" just ended a…
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 06 February 2020 15:19
Review: 'Madama Butterfly' at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Written by John Accrocco
It’s interesting to view the world through the lens of an early 20th century Italian opera composer. When “Madama Butterfly” by Puccini premiered in Milan in 1904 it was met with abysmal reviews. Audiences clamored that he had recycled music from his previous hit “La Boheme” which seems like the…
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 06 February 2020 13:03
Tracy Letts' 'Bug' at Steppenwolf a creepy thrill ride
Written by Ken Payne
When Tracy Letts wrote ‘Bug’ in 1995, it was an age when, yes, though conspiracy theories existed, they haven’t yet run nearly as rampant as the have since the September 11th, 2001 takedown of the mighty World Trade Center buildings in New York. Today we live in a world where…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 03 February 2020 15:36
Review: 'How to Defend Yourself' at Victory Gardens Theater
Kerstin Broockmann
Before seeing the co-world premiere (with Actors Theatre of Louisville) of Liliana Padilla’s How to Defend Yourself, read their program note. In it, they reflect on their fear that the play might be “harmful and re-traumatizing” (it might). They also state their aspiration “to be in the truthful chaos—to hold…
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Theatre in Review
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Monday, 03 February 2020 16:22
No order to tall for Jeeves in First Folio's 'Jeeves Saves the Day'
Written by Ken Payne
Jeeves has returned and the ever-loyal valet is just waiting to get wealthy Londoner Bertie Wooster out of trouble – again. Quick-witted, reliable and extremely resourceful, Jeeves first order of business is always to keep a close eye on his charming and oft adventurous employer, Bertie, but in First Folio’s…
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Theatre in Review
Saturday, 01 February 2020 13:11
Sophisticated Ladies is An Unbeatable Celebration of Duke Ellington, and Dance
Written by Bill Esler
Sophisticated Ladies is a musical confection, a 1981 Broadway hit celebrating the big band music of Duke Ellington. In the hands of Porchlight Music Theatre, it is a production of brilliant technical skill in dance, music, costumes, set. And the singing is sensational (largely overcoming constraints on sound amplification quality).…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 27 January 2020 16:57
Court Theatre's 'The Mousetrap': Feel the Suspense Building in this Very Funny Production
Written by Kimberly Katz
Do you love a good whodunnit? If so, you will love this rich and funny production of ‘The Mousetrap’ directed with great staging and humor by Sean Graney. Agatha Christie's ‘The Mousetrap’ opened in London in 1952 and never stopped running. It is the longest running play in stage history,…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 27 January 2020 14:30
'The Adult in the Room' Introduces a Passionate and Approachable Nancy Pelosi
Kerstin Broockmann
The title is a huge clue that Bill McMahon’s new play about Nancy Pelosi, The Adult in the Room, is not going to be a balanced political commentary. If you are a Trump supporter, be warned that he is cast as Voldemort to Pelosi’s Dumbledore. For anyone looking for a…
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Theatre in Review
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