Sunday, 08 October 2017 00:08
Older than Mythologie: Orphée et Eurydice at the Lyric Opera
Written by Kendall Royzen
The first time I went to the opera was in elementary school to see La Triviata. It was a school sponsored field trip that took kids to Los Angeles to see the opera, the symphony, museums, and the ballet, exposing them to the arts at an early age. Though I…
Published in
Theatre in Review
The most depressing thing about the Foxfinder’s premise of “near future” is that it looks remarkably like somewhat distant past, as in late 1800’s A.D. past. Gloom and doom, enhanced by the haunting music (by Jesse Case) and nearly constant rain, abounds in this Midwest premiere of Dawn King’s British…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 02 October 2017 23:10
Cupid Has A Heart On a unique, energetic night of shock comedy
Written by CJ Burroughs
As my sidekick for the evening – himself a theater and sketch comedy guy – and I entered Stage 773’s Cab Theater on Saturday to see Cupid Has a Heart On, we were greeted by smiley, bubbly folks who I guessed were cast members of the show. I turned out…
Published in
Theatre in Review
“Sometimes lying is the most humane thing you can do,” declares Gina Gionfriddo’s character Suzanna Slater in her play ‘Becky Shaw.’ Gionfriddo’s script was shortlisted for the 2009 Pulitzer and enjoyed a successful Off-Broadway run in 2008. ‘Becky Shaw’ makes its Chicago premiere at Windy City Playhouse in Irving Park.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 24 September 2017 16:30
Steppenwolf's "The Rembrandt" cleverly connects us to the past
Written by Ken Payne
Put acting greats Francis Guinan and John Mahoney on stage together and you undoubtedly get a performance that will certainly mesmerize. Add Jessica Dickey’s poignant script that delves into history and what we can take away from it, keen direction by Hallie Gordon and fine supporting performances from Ty Olwin,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 25 September 2017 16:42
“The Legend of Georgia McBride” is Packed with Laughs and Pink Feather Boas!
Written by Kimberly Katz
“The Legend of Georgia McBride” written by Matthew Lopez, is an adorable and entertaining piece brought to sexy, vibrant life by an exquisitely multi-talented cast of characters. The play is set in a dusty part of the Florida panhandle at a run-down club called Cleo's owned by Eddie played with…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 19 September 2017 21:59
Court Theatre's "Five Guys Named Moe" is non-stop fun
Written by Vika Lvova
The live sounds of 30’s and 40’s jazz transform Court Theatre into a music venue in this production of Five Guys Named Moe. Written by Clarke Peters and directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson, with Music Director Abdul Hamid Royal and Associate Director Felica P. Fields, this lively musical…
Published in
Upcoming Theatre
Wednesday, 20 September 2017 02:49
Review: Goodman's "A View from the Bridge"
Written by John Accrocco
The Goodman Theatre almost never includes a show in their subscriber season that they haven’t developed themselves. Dutch director Ivo van Hove began his vivid production of Arthur Miller’s “A View from the Bridge” in London before bringing it to Broadway in 2016. It went on to win the Tony…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 18 September 2017 16:20
TATC's "Big River" Brings Twain Characters Back to Life
Written by CJ Burroughs
There has never been a better Broadway marriage of story and storyteller – until Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, three decades later, anyway – than Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and songsmith Roger Miller. Floating between aching country ballads, soulful slave spirituals, and the side-splitting novelty tunes that made…
Published in
Theatre in Review
More...
Sunday, 10 September 2017 20:40
Drury Lane's "Rock of Ages" "Ain't nothin" but a good time"
Written by Ken Payne
For Chicagoans that grew up in the 1980’s music scene, we remember favorite rock clubs such as The Thirsty Whale, Chances R and Dirty Nellies where spandex and rayon were the materials of choice and eye-liner on Aqua-net sprayed, long-haired guys was all the rage. For the glam rock scene,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 12 September 2017 22:41
After Many Tribulations, Muthaland Finds Its Home
Written by Jacob Davis
Minita Gandhi’s autobiographical one-woman show is making its official world premiere as the final production of the 16th Street Theater’s tenth anniversary season, but it’s already been subject to a huge number of raves. Developed at Silk Road Rising and Victory Gardens, earlier versions of Muthaland were performed at everything…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 08 September 2017 20:06
(re)discover's "FOR ONE" is an unusual theatre amusement park
Written by Vika Lvova
The historic Gunder Mansion in Edgewater opens its doors for a unique theatre experience: a fifty-minute event consisting of five distinct plays, each unfolding in a separate room of the mansion and designed for an audience of one. The entire audience consists of only ten members; there are two tracks…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 05 September 2017 17:40
Review: Kokandy's "Bonnie and Clyde" at Theatre Wit
Written by John Accrocco
“This world will remember me,” Bonnie and Clyde sing to each other in Kokandy Productions’ presentation of “Bonnie & Clyde” – a musical. Directed by Spencer Neiman, this odd-ball musical makes its area premiere after an unsuccessful Broadway run in 2011. This production also marks the fifth anniversary of Kokandy…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Register
Login
Latest Articles
-
Chicago Opera Theater presents Chicago leg of the world premiere tour of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s newest opera Before It All Goes Dark May 25 & 26 at the Studebaker Theater
Written by Buzz Center StageChicago Opera Theater (COT), Chicago’s foremost producer of new and reimagined opera, closes its 50th Anniversary season presenting the final performances of the world premiere tour of Before It All Goes Dark, the latest opera by the most famous American opera writing duo working… -
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre announces 2024 season - celebrates local artists and two of the most significant Black female writers of the past 50 years
Written by Buzz Center StageTim Rhoze, Artistic Director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, has announced the company's 2024 season of four productions. The season 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…
-
Comedy & magic collide in RIDICULOUS! with David Williamson, May 16-June 30 at Rhapsody Theater
Written by Buzz Center StageDavid Williamson, regarded as one of the top magicians in the world today, makes his Rhapsody Theater debut with Ridiculous! Known for his tours with Circus 1903 and The Illusionists on Broadway, Williamson’s Ridiculous! is a brand new solo full-length magic production created for The Rhapsody Theater. Mixing mind-bending…
-
Ballet 5:8's 'Lost Women of Juárez' in a word - evocative!
Written by Sarz MaxwellBALLET 5:8 is a female - and minority-led ballet company resident at Harris Theatre in Millenium Park. Under the leadership of co-founder, Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager the company is ‘dedicated to engaging communities in conversations of…
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.