While I’d yet to see Beautiful: The Carole King Musical since it premiered to much acclaim (and a U.S. tour) a couple years ago, I entered the Cadillac Palace Theatre for its latest Chicago debut a lifelong Carole King fanboy. I knew her songs. I knew her story. But for…
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Theatre in Review
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Friday, 08 December 2017 22:54
Gobsmacked Brings A Cappella to Chi-aca-cago!
Written by Anne Rakowiecki
It’s fitting that the opening tune of Gobsmacked! declares, “Turn up the radio, blast your stereo right,” because the show is essentially a live jukebox. The seven performers sing and beat-box their way through songs that span the decades, from The Beatles to David Bowie to Duffy to The Black-Eyed…
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Friday, 17 November 2017 18:45
Cirque De Soleil's "Crystal" is a Delight for Young and Old Alike
Written by Kimberly Katz
As a theater critic who used to travel to Las Vegas twice a year to review some of the most unusual shows, I have seen a lot of amazing Cirque De Soleil productions. Crystal, now being performed at Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, is the first Cirque show I…
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 30 November 2017 00:51
Goodman's "A Christmas Carol" still tops list for Holiday fun in Chicago
Written by Ken Payne
Chicago has no shortage of Christmas traditions. In other words, if you’re looking for holiday fun it’s not very hard to find something to do with your friends, significant other or family. Rich traditions such as Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo, Joffrey’s Nutcracker, Christkindlmart, Christmas film classics at Music Box,…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 04 December 2017 06:38
A Bromance for the Ages: Bizet's The Pearl Fishers at the Lyric
Written by Bill Esler
The Pearl Fishers has been called Bizet’s most beautiful opera. Lyric’s electric production is certainly one of the most beautiful visually as well. The continuously melodious score also represents a departure from more familiar opera, with just one principal female role, Leila (soprano Marina Rebeka) and with the strongest duets…
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Theatre in Review
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The classic film It’s A Wonderful Life, based on the story The Greatest Gift, is brought to life by Theatre At The Center just in time for the holidays with their latest presentation A Wonderful Life: The Musical. In TATC’s adaptation, the story is intertwined with many big song and…
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Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 22 November 2017 17:30
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: I’d Rather See the Movie
Written by CJ Burroughs
As I entered the Cadillac Palace Theatre – originally the Orpheum Circuit’s lavish vaudeville flagship before keeping up with the times to become a golden age movie palace – the simple, classy screen that hung over the stage gave me hope for the evening’s entertainment. There was the show’s title…
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 23 November 2017 01:53
Kid Friendly, Parent Approved: Sleeping Beauty shines at Marriott Theatre
Written by Kendall Royzen
This past week I found myself in a movie theater with reclining seats, an overpriced large popcorn, and a two liter cup of soda all to myself. The movie was awful, but the audience more than made up for the bad comedy. With contagious laughter and witty one-liners, the audience…
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Theatre in Review
Saturday, 18 November 2017 19:21
Reviewing the new hit musical "Escape to Margaritaville" from the seat next to Jimmy Buffett!
Written by Kimberly Katz
In reviewing Jimmy Buffett’s new musical Escape to Margaritaville I was seated in the last row of the Oriental Theatre but since the row was reserved and nearly empty, I settled in for a nice relaxing show with no one coughing on me or knocking my elbow off the armrest. …
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Theatre in Review
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Saturday, 18 November 2017 23:38
Firebrand's "Lizzie" a spellbinding theatrical experience that rocks
Written by Ken Payne
It only takes a few moments into Lizzie’s opening number that audience members realize they are in for quite the unusual theatre experience. Haunting, yet beautiful, the creepiness quickly sets in as Lizzie’s four Victorian-clad characters solemnly sing the tale of the infamous Lizzie Borden who was accused of butchering…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 13 November 2017 01:45
The House Theatre’s "The Nutcracker" is a wonderful holiday treat
Written by Vika Lvova
It’s that magical time of the year when The House Theatre of Chicago brings the inhabitants of Clara’s toy box back to life in their annual all-original The Nutcracker. For the eight’s straight year this exciting Christmas tale brings the spirit of Christmas to the Chopin theatre in Ukrainian village.…
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Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 08 November 2017 05:05
"42nd Street!" wows audiences with thrilling, energetic dance and song!
Written by Kimberly Katz
The current production of 42nd Street at Drury Lane Theater left me breathless! With book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin, the newly updated and improved 42nd Street blends different periods of dance from the sixties to the present including some…
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Theatre in Review
Saturday, 11 November 2017 06:28
"This Wonderful Life" is just that - wonderful
Written by Ken Payne
Most of us have seen Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” at some point in their lives. Whether a Holiday tradition or by happenstance as television stations run their yearly marathons, there’s a very good chance you have experienced the heartfelt 1946 film classic starring James Stewart and Donna Reed.…
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Theatre in Review
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Citadel's 'A Jukebox for the Algonquin" - The Reality of Life in a Senior Center sets the Stage for Tunes, Friendship and Rebellion!
Written by Kimberly KatzCitadel’s latest production, A Jukebox for the Algonquin, truly captured my heart. It’s a refreshing reminder that as we age, life doesn’t lose its spark—it merely shifts to a new rhythm, one filled with laughter, camaraderie, and unexpected joys. This… -
A Night to Remember Aboard Marriott Theatre’s Titanic
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Pegasus Theatre Chicago announces cast for its revival of Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery
Written by Buzz Center StagePegasus Theatre Chicago and Director ILesa Duncan proudly announce the casting for the revival of playwright Shay Youngblood's Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery, which follows "Daughter", who returns home to eulogize the last of the women who raised her in 1960s Georgia. Shakin' the Mess Outta…
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