Friday, 22 July 2016 01:22
Real Chicago Grifters Vie to Survive in Chops – a success of Mametian proportions
Written by Bill Esler
Right out of the gate CHOPS is a winner – in performances, production and script. Playwright Michael Rychlewski captures that ineffable quintessence of Chicago-ese as his three remnants of the 1950s and ‘60s glory days of Rush Street wash ashore at Vince’s bar. Let’s hear it for the casting, too…
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Theatre in Review
Friday, 15 July 2016 12:48
The New Colony’s "Kin Folk" Is A Humorous and Poignant Look into Self-Actualization
Written by Kimberly Katz
Who’s to say how we each should be identified? Whether labeled as a man, woman or even a dragon, those are in fact just that – labels. So why should others tell us how we ought to perceive ourselves? That premise is the foundation in New Colony’s latest production “Kin…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 18 July 2016 09:47
WOZ: A Rock Cabaret That Falls Short of Expectations
Written by Michelle Reidy
Pinterest fails are an internet sensation, with recognizable side by side pictures illustrating the difference between expectations and reality for the everyday crafter, baker, photographer, etc. It seems that no matter how many of these memes we see, it is still commonplace to set high expectations which risk being let…
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Theatre in Review
It is with a heavy heart I confess that I cannot recommend the play Eroica. David Alex’s melodrama is not without merit or redeeming character – but for most people it will probably not be worth spending 70 minutes to extract them. The story is compelling and worth telling: during…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Friday, 17 February 2017 12:34
Scientology Exposed Like Never Before in Schenkelberg's "Squeeze My Cans"
Written by Ken Payne
It goes something like this: “Sit down, relax and squeeze the two cans in front of you” The cans are wired to a funky gizmo where a needle gauges one’s activity on a meter based on their responses to questions asked. “Tell us about a pleasant memory you’ve had.” “Give…
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Theatre in Review
There are something’s that just stick with you from your childhood. Any time a reminder of said memory comes up you can instantly recall when and where that memory took place. For me, I can clearly remember watching Ghostbusters as a young child and it sticking with me throughout my…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 11 July 2016 17:37
Review: Steppenwolf's Between Riverside and Crazy
Written by John Accrocco
It’s not often a theatre company tackles two Pulitzer Prize winning plays in one season, but Steppenwolf is doing just that. While you may grow a long white beard waiting to see the 2016 winner, "Hamilton," Steppenwolf has 2014 and 2015 covered with "The Flick" and "Between Riverside and Crazy."…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 11 July 2016 18:50
Factory Theater's "Dating and Dragons" A Hilarious Look At Gamers and Love
Written by Kimberly Katz
The Factory Theater Company just opened their latest production, Dating and Dragons, in its adorable space in the heart of Rogers Park. The venue is very intimate but comfortable, nicely lit, colorful and in this summer heat - well air conditioned! In Dating and Dragons, the lead character Jack and…
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Theatre in Review
Sunday, 10 July 2016 15:58
Magically Mirthful - First Folio's A Midsummer Night's Dream Under the Stars
Written by Ken Payne
In one of William Shakespeare’s most popular works, A Midsummer Night’s Dream has been performed widely across the world, this summer finding a temporary home at First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oakbrook). Celebrating twenty years of the company’s annual Shakespeare Under the Stars Production, theatre goers are treated…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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One of the world’s most popular musicals has found a temporary home at Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. And you should see it! Celebrating five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the 1964 hit takes on a most interesting chapter in the life of Don Quixote while spending time in prison as…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 24 June 2016 12:53
That's Weird, Grandma's Summer Series A Fine Credit To Barrel of Monkeys Great Work With CPS
Written by Ken Payne
For those of you who are not aware, there is a great youth program taking place where a group of educators have created an alternative education source for CPS students. Enter Barrel of Monkeys. Barrel of Monkeys (BOM) is a combined group of actors, teachers and musicians that have developed…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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- Barrel of Monkeys
- That’s Weird, Grandma
- The Summer Strikes Back
- Chicago Public School Systems
- CPS
- NeoFuturist Theater
- Joseph Schupbach
- Rawson Vint
- Dixie Belinda Uffelman
- Gwen Tulin
- Deanna Myers
- Spencer Meeks
- Laura McKenzie
- Elizabeth Levy
- Krista Mickelson
- Nick Hart
- Kassi Bleifuss
- Nancy Casas
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Saturday, 25 June 2016 18:42
"This" Attempts To Identify With Thirty-Something Doubt
Written by Sara Hassan
I thoroughly enjoy the Windy City Playhouse and it appears they did a renovation since I was there last. The seats are comfortable and a full bar is a fantastic feature to any theater, if you ask me. In addition, the staff are incredibly friendly and very caring. I will…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 19 June 2016 18:31
40 Years of Spanish Art Form Mastery Comes to Life in "Flamenco Passion"
Written by Kimberly Katz
I love flamenco for its sensual power and the amazing way both female and male dancers, whether solo or couples, locked in passionate embrace are able to make the human body dance with such precision and emotional fury. Is there any other dance form where the men are so manly…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Written by Buzz Center StageIDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS Presents Spring Concert 2025 “Instinct” A captivating performance of four distinct works on April 26 & 27 Ann Barzel Theater Visceral Dance Center, 3121 N Rockwell St, Chicago IL 60619 Tickets $30 Saturday, April…
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