Tuesday, 24 September 2019 23:27
Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon - Easier To Follow If You Read Up First
Written by Bill Esler
In Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon, dolorous music accompanies the opening scene: a clearly debilitated woman is wheeled into her apartment, where she is eased into a bed in her main room. This is Paulina (Rebeca Alemán), and we see she is weak and tired. Helping her is Rodrigo…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Saturday, 21 September 2019 16:02
Blue Stockings Recounts the 1896 Battle for Womens' Rights to Love and College Degrees
Written by Bill Esler
In its opening scene, Blue Stockings sets us in a bustling 19th century train station, the crowd swirling quickly by, then shifting to slo-mo – just like a digital film – highlighting characters who soon become principal players in the action. That cinematic touch seems to be used more frequently…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 19 September 2019 13:05
Review: The Great Leap at Steppenwolf Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” repeats James Seol in Lauren Yee’s new play “The Great Leap” now playing at Steppenwolf Theatre. Jesca Prudcencio directs this modern twist on the Dickens classic “A Tale of Two Cities”, which divides its action between 1980s San…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 17 September 2019 12:47
'Vanya On the Plains' attempts a glimpse into humanity’s depressing future
Written by Vika Lvova
Imagine some not too distant in the future totalitarian society where young people have never seen a book (much less a theatre play), computer screens had moved inside people’s heads, and language has so many technological terms, it’s barely recognizable. People work all the time, no one goes out anymore,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 16 September 2019 14:26
Review: 'Tiny Beautiful Things’ at Victory Gardens
Written by John Accrocco
How does an advice column translate to stage? Surprisingly well in the case of 'Tiny Beautiful Things’ at Victory Gardens. From an adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s book penned by “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” star Nia Vardalos comes this uplifting one-act. Directed by Vanessa Stalling, this production marks the Chicago…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Would you be able to spot a person in trouble? Lucas Hnath’s new play “Dana H” is a fascinating look at what the seedy underbelly of America may be (or sound) like. Goodman Theatre gives this unique new drama its Chicago premiere with direction by Les Waters. “Dana H” is…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 14 September 2019 16:04
Winning Direction Anchors Caryl Churchill’s Hilariously Disturbing Play, Love and Information
Written by Bill Esler
Directors say Caryl Churchill’s Love and Information is a challenging play, but in good hands, it is a treasure. And this is what we have at Trap Door Theatre’s production – an absolutely enthralling experience directed by Kim McKean. It is like a tightly scripted improv show, packed with familiar…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 08 September 2019 16:11
Marriott Theatre's 'Something Rotten' Wonderfully Celebrates the Romance of Words!
Written by Kimberly Katz
The only "rotten" thing about this super funny and colorful production is the title, a line taken from a Shakespeare play. ‘Something Rotten’ is the latest comedy-musical at Marriott Theatre and is full of laughs. I went to the show not knowing anything about its brief Broadway debut in 2015 and…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 08 September 2019 16:42
'Midsummer (A Play with Songs)' invites you to a weekend you’ll never forget
Written by Michael Chandler
It’s a rainy night in Edinburgh, a divorce lawyer name Helena is sitting alone in the corner of a pub. She has just been stood up by her lover who so happened to be married to another woman. Across the room is a petty criminal named Bob who’s reading Notes…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Tuesday, 10 September 2019 12:39
Review: Shattered Globe's 'Be Here Now' at Theater Wit
Written by John Accrocco
How odd that a play about nihilism could be so uplifting. ‘Be Here Now’ at Shattered Globe is just that. Shattered Globe ensemble member Sandy Shinner directs a new play by Deborah Zoe Laufer. A small, mostly ensemble cast opens the season with a relevant play about the state of…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 05 September 2019 23:24
D.H. Lawrence Sons and Lovers: Beautiful Performances Worth Seeing
Written by Bill Esler
When we meet Paul Morel, he is just being born. A bearded gentleman off to the side offers commentary on the scene as the nurses attend to his mother. That narrator turns out to be D.H. Lawrence, and he reappears regularly in Sons and Lovers, adapted and directed from Lawrence’s breakthrough…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Out of Love by Elinor Cook examines the dynamics of a close, at times even unhealthy and overly enmeshed relationship, between two women friends. Cook artfully displays that elusive quality of intimacy that courses between people who are too close – an almost inexpressible aspect of the attraction that keeps…
Published in
Theatre in Review
I’ve said it before and I’ll surely say it again: We Chicagoland theatergoers find ourselves wandering through — lost in, even — a fairyland of shows and venues and world-class talent. And never was that more evident than when I experienced the Writers Theatre’s current production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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