Wednesday, 01 November 2017 17:07
Review: Welcome to Jesus at American Theatre Company
Written by John Accrocco
Celebrating nearly 35 years in their factory space around the North Center neighborhood, American Theater Company has a knack for taking risks on new works. “Welcome to Jesus” is prefaced with a recorded curtain speech by artistic director Will Davis, “It’s our responsibility to take risks.” And that is absolutely…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 27 October 2017 18:58
Review: In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play at Timeline Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
Sarah Ruhl’s ‘In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play’ returns to Chicago at Timeline Theatre. Directed by Mechelle Moe, this drawing room comedy about the advent of electricity is sure to tickle audiences. Ruhl’s works have often been produced around the city as she’s an Evanston native. She may…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 22 October 2017 02:24
Carrie 2: The Rage (An Unauthorized Musical) A Funny Halloween Treat That Urges People "Not to Suck So Much"
Written by Kimberly Katz
Most people are aware of the movie Carrie, starring the haunting Sissy Spacek as the picked on teenaged outsider who uses her telekinetic powers to burn down her high school with most of her attackers in it, but few know there was a sequel made in the 90's where her…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Lookingglass Theatre Company opens its 30th Anniversary Season with the return of the award-winning “Hard Times”, adapted from Charles Dickens and directed by Artistic Director and Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman , in association with The Actors Gymnasuim. It was first produced at Lookingglass in 2001, and some of the artists…
Published in
Theatre in Review
With two decades in its home at Lakeview’s Briar Street Theater under its belt, Blue Man Group is still going strong. The show can best be described as a bizarre, performance-arty take on STOMP, with both running about 90 minutes without an intermission, both featuring silent performers, both utilizing homemade…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 10 October 2017 18:04
Hilarious "Bewildered" will make you realize that YOU are the leading lady in your life!
Written by Kimberly Katz
Hell in a Handbag rings in its fifteenth-anniversary season with real magic in this hilarious spoof of the 60's and 70's TV shows we all grew up loving with its hocus-pocus focus on the show Bewitched. In this tale, Bewildered, by Aaron Benham (music and lyrics) and Ron Weaver (book…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 11 October 2017 02:30
First Folio's "The Man-Beast" a passionate tale of horror that delivers big
Written by Ken Payne
Set in the 18th century French countryside, First Folio Theatre vividly brings to life Joseph Zettelmaier’s “The Man-Beast”, a romantic, yet frightening, tale just in time for the Halloween season. The final installment of Zettelmaier’s horror trilogy, “The Man-Beast” follows first works “The Gravedigger” and “Dr. Seward’s Dracula” and, staying…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 10 October 2017 18:40
Rigoletto’s classic tale is a feast for the ears
Written by Vika Lvova
Court jester Rigoletto prefers to hide his misery behind jokes and mockery of others. But it’s not the only thing he hides; his beloved daughter Gilda lives with him unbeknownst to the world; he selfishly keeps her locked away in fear of losing his only joy. This famous Juiseppe Verdi’s…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Darn those French and their "musical spectaculars." There are few things Americans do with more flare than the French, and musical theater is one of them. "Piaf: The Show!" is billed somewhat differently than what it actually is. That is not to say we've been misled. Those who have spent…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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It’s the season of Arthur Miller in Chicago. It appears Miller is enjoying a renaissance right now with three of our major companies reviving his work this season. The Steppenwolf takes on "The Crucible" as their Young Adult show. Calling upon Jonathan Berry (one of the city's foremost storefront theatre…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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
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