Roe V Wade might be the law of the land now, but playwright Lisa Loomer’s new play “Roe” suggests that it’s always been on shaky ground. Directed by Vanessa Stalling, ‘Roe’ makes its area debut at Goodman Theatre with a big cast of familiar faces. In “Roe” Lisa Loomer pieces…
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 23 January 2020 15:37
A whole lot of "Shakin'" in Lincolnshire as stellar cast shines in Marriott Theatre's 'Grease'
Written by Ken Payne
It’s time to go back to high school – for a couple hours anyway – and the year is 1959. The time for slicked back hair with full-on pompadours, bobby socks with pleated knee length skirts and hanging out at the malt shop have once again returned as Marriott Theatre…
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Theatre in Review
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Thursday, 23 January 2020 12:46
Some Shows You Go to, Some Shows You Love: 'Once on This Island' at Cadillac Palace
Written by CJ Burroughs
So, I went into Once on This Island, currently playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, knowing nothing of the show at all. Nothing. The above title, I took that from one of the songs that’s still stuck in my head — “Some Girls,” sung beautifully in this production by Tyler…
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 23 January 2020 13:02
Encounter Six Dynamic Shows at Collaboraction at Kennedy King College
Written by Bill Esler
Encounter, running tonight through January 25, is the product of Collaboraction Theater’s role as Theater in Residence at Kennedy-King College. It takes place in the lovely and modern wood-paneled theater space at Kennedy-King’s campus at 63rd and Halsted Street. It is sometimes said that theater is a community having a…
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Theatre in Review
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Saturday, 18 January 2020 11:27
Remarkable Music Drawn from Intriguing Undertale Video Game
Bill Esler & Kyran Esler
Not often drawn to live orchestral music, Undertale LIVE was an exception. Fifth House Ensemble and AWR Music produced the world premier of this remarkable presentation January 11 at the ornate 700-seat Studebaker Theater. Similar to a movie shown with live orchestra accompanying, Undertale LIVE is a 90-minute performance by…
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Theatre in Review
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With their usual care and commitment, Black Button Eyes Productions is introducing ‘Whisper House’, a musical ghost story about loss, love and not giving up, to Chicago. The premise is promising. A young boy loses his Airman father in the Pacific during WWII, a loss that his mother cannot handle.…
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Theatre in Review
Sunday, 29 December 2019 20:47
Dance Nation Reminds Us of the Unlimited Promise of Youth
Written by Bill Esler
Dance Nation is the story of a school dance team of thirteen-year-olds. The concept may seem to have dubious appeal, but Dance Nation quickly sinks its teeth into our attention with its opening scene. Director and choreographer Lee Sunday Evans has put the students in sailor suits, and they rigidly…
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 26 December 2019 13:28
'Champions of Magic' dazzle and stun at the Harris Theater
Written by Vika Lvova
Touring illusion show of five ‘Champions of Magic’ is playing at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago, and it is a spectacle to behold. A well-rounded performance, it includes a duo act of British grand illusionists Richard Young and Sam Strange, British mentalist Alex McAleer, American close…
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Theatre in Review
Sunday, 22 December 2019 12:39
A Lot of Little People: 'Working' at Theo Ubique
Written by CJ Burroughs
While I’m familiar with Studs Terkel’s oral of history of workers, titled of course ‘Working’, I came into opening night of Theo Ubique’s production of Stephen Schwartz’s musical adaptation completely ignorant of its content, its music, any of it. I didn’t know Schwartz had originally written and staged it in…
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Theatre in Review
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Sunday, 22 December 2019 16:02
Mr. Bluebeard: a Blazingingly Good Holiday Extravaganza
Written by Bill Esler
Epic tragedy shapes a society. For Chicagoans, there were the Great Fire of 1871 (300 dead, 100,000 homeless), and the 1915 SS Eastland sinking (844 died). Less remembered is the Iroquois Theater, which burned to the ground in 1903. The conflagration killed 602 people, and changed fire safety practices in…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 16 December 2019 17:03
Review: ‘Light in the Piazza’ at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Written by John Accrocco
Usually it’s the other way around that a show is developed by Lyric and sent on the road. Scenario Two Ltd. instead brings their critically acclaimed production of ‘Light in the Piazza’ from London to Chicago starring our own Renee Fleming. Those looking to warm their hearts without the glittery…
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Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 11 December 2019 15:39
'Bette: Xmas at the Continental Baths' celebrate the holidays with a legend, "The Divine Miss M"
Written by Kimberly Katz
Caitlin Jackson as Bette Midler recreating one wonderful cabaret night at the Continental Bathhouse in New York city is a heartfelt, moving and entertaining way to remember and celebrate Bette's humble and "hungry" beginnings as a performer with the legendary “Tommy” (Tommy Robb) her pianist. I really can't say enough…
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Theatre in Review
Friday, 13 December 2019 00:27
An Unforgettable Evening With Nat King Cole's Music
Written by Bill Esler
Who doesn’t like Nat King Cole? A band pianist who achieved mega-stardom in the late 1940s and 1950s, Cole’s pitch-true tenor was inflected by a nasal reverb, and that slight rasp that individualized him, making his voice on recordings still fresh, and endlessly interesting. Because of his immense talent, Cole…
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Theatre in Review
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