Saturday, 23 November 2019 18:12
'Mary Poppins' at Drury Lane Practically Perfect in Every Way
Written by Ken Payne
Drury Lane Theatre has put together perhaps the most visually stunning and vocally finessed production of ‘Mary Poppins’ one could possibly see. An imaginative, ever-changing bright and colorful set with loads of special effects surrounds a most remarkable cast, highlighted by Emilie Lynn who wows theatre goers as Mary Poppins. …
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 22 November 2019 13:55
Lyric Opera’s Don Giovanni Comes to a Fiery End
Written by Bill Esler
Goodman’s treasured director Robert Falls directs the Lyric Opera’s new production of Don Giovanni, the tale of that lustful, destructive Spanish sexual predator, Don Juan. Falls has wisely exercised restraint in this production, letting the sumptuous music of Mozart prevail. The musical high points will be familiar to anyone who…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
Heart warming musicals aren’t exactly what Steppenwolf Theatre is known for. While not an outright musical, ‘Lindiwe’ is a new play with live music in collaboration with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Co-directed by Jonathan Berry and playwright Eric Simonson, this marks the second time Steppenwolf has worked with Ladysmith Black Mambazo.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 19 November 2019 22:16
‘The Niceties’ is a Worthy Look at Cultural and Racial Divides
Written by Bill Esler
The Niceties is a play that engages the intellect. But in so doing, sets up a tug-of-war with our gut, addressing a visceral issue for today: race. Like the puzzler plays Proof or Seminar (both also set at a university campus) The Niceties leads us to think through ideas, in this case the customs and…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
Tuesday, 12 November 2019 17:29
The Family Crest, Jacaranda Collective and Den Theatre combine for an unforgettable, one-of-a-king retelling of 'Romeo and Juliet'
Written by Ken Payne
So…a theatre, a rock band and a production company got together and decided to put a show together. Only this wasn’t just a theatre, it was Den Theatre, one of the most experimental and influential theatres in Chicago today. Nor was this just any production company. Jacaranda Collective is a…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 10 November 2019 18:00
Consider Yourself Seeing Marriott Theatre’s 'Oliver!'
Written by CJ Burroughs
The first time I ever saw Oliver!, it was the 1960s movie version. I saw it at one of those old-timey theaters where an “old” guy (this was the 1980s and I was a wee lad, so the organist very well could’ve been a pimply teen keyboard prodigy and I’d…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 09 November 2019 17:34
Review: About Face's 'Packing' at Theater Wit
Written by John Accrocco
Scott Bradley is an institution within the Chicago theater community. His quirky, campy musical versions of old horror movies have been sell-out hits around town for years. Which is what makes “Packing” all the more interesting. He instead turns the spotlight on himself. About Face borrows Victory Gardens artistic director…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 07 November 2019 10:06
Lookingglass Theatre’s 'The Steadfast Tin Soldier' A Hans Christian Andersen Holiday Tale for Children of All Ages
Written by CJ Burroughs
Let’s begin with a children’s story. A children’s story about children’s stories, really. Long, long ago, there lived a boy who could not decide what he would be when he grew up. He might have grown up to sing songs or tally bills, to right wrongs or treat ills, but…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 07 November 2019 01:01
A New Play Called ‘N’ Grazes a Third Rail in Social Conventions
Written by Bill Esler
We all know that certain words are verboten in polite society - some because they are coarse, like expletives; others because they are demeaning or belittling, or off-limits. One of these – the N-word – is the hook that triggers the action in a new play, called, simply, ‘N,’ at…
Published in
Theatre in Review
More...
Monday, 04 November 2019 13:53
Review: 'Dead Man Walking' at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Written by John Accrocco
What separates a musical from an opera? Technically an opera is a story in which all the dialogue is exchanged through song. Hence the term rock opera, which describes modern musicals that have little to no spoken dialogue. Such semantics may seem trivial, but as the world moves forward traditional…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 01 November 2019 15:49
Theatre in the Dark's 'Three Stories Up' delivers a truly unique theatre adventure
Written by Ken Payne
What better props and scenery than that in one’s own imagination? And what better way to give each audience member their own unique experience than to let each follow their own journey guided only by storytelling without any visuals to distract, detract or force its own interpretation of what we…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 30 October 2019 18:08
The Joker’s Disciple? An Amazing Actor in Accidental Death of a Black Motorist
Written by Bill Esler
Sometimes tragedy is so extreme, our only response is to be driven to distraction – like that character in a graphic novel pushed off the edge, laughing in the abyss. Or think of the performance of Joaquin Phoenix in The Joker. A work springing from this sentiment is playing live…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 08 January 2020 15:33
Riveting, heartfelt and sure to shake things up: 'I'm Not A Comedian...I'm Lenny Bruce'
Written by Ken Payne
*Now extended through February 16th due to popular demand “Lenny Bruce was the defender of all people. Notorious from his belief that people give words power. It’s not the words itself, but the intention,” says playwright and performer Ronnie Marmo in the show’s playbill - A Note from the Playwright…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Register
Login
Latest Articles
-
Midsommer Flight to present free production of Shakespeare’s ROMEO AND JULIET, June 28 – August 4 in six Chicago parks
Written by Buzz Center StageMidsommer Flight, a company that has brought free performances of Shakespeare's plays to Chicago Park District parks since 2012, will present a fully staged ROMEO AND JULIET - one of the Bard's most popular tragedies - as its 2024 free Shakespeare… -
LEAGUE OF CHICAGO THEATRES HIGHLIGHTS SUMMER 2024 PRODUCTIONS
Written by Buzz Center StageChicago continues to produce some of the most exciting work in the country this Summer, offering a wide variety of plays and musicals, as well as comedy, dance, festivals, and more. To highlight these productions, The League of Chicago Theatres is publishing its Summer…
-
Token Theatre to produce new play directed by Emmy winner Alan Muroaka
Written by Buzz Center StageToken Theatre, Chicago's Asian American theatre company, announces the company's first full production, ZAC EFRON, written by Artistic Director David Rhee, co-written by Managing Director Wai Yim and directed by two-time Emmy Award winner Alan Muraoka ("Sesame Street"). ZAC EFRON plays at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N Wells St, June 20-July 21,…
-
Review: Murder in the Cathedral at City Lit Theater
Written by Sarz MaxwellI 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…
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.