Wednesday, 02 July 2025 11:40
Seeing Purple: Goodman Theatre’s Stunning Revival Honors Alice Walker’s Vision
Written by Wesley David
In the Goodman Theatre’s stirring new production of The Color Purple, director Lili-Anne Brown delivers a version of Alice Walker’s landmark novel that feels both stripped down and soulfully expansive. Forgoing spectacle in favor of raw emotional clarity, Brown places the story’s heart—female resilience and love—center stage, and the result…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 30 June 2025 20:58
'Dhaba on Devon Avenue' a Local Story with Universal Meaning
Written by Bill Esler
In its world premiere at Writers Theatre in Glencoe, “Dhaba on Devon Avenue” is a strong play, from a promising writer, Madhuri Shekar, winner in 2020 of the Lanford Wilson Playwriting Award. A TimeLine Theatre production, it is directed by Chay Yew. Another of Shekar’s plays, “A Nice Indian Boy,”…
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Theatre in Review
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Monday, 30 June 2025 12:37
Angels in America Soars at Chicago’s Invictus Theatre
Written by Wesley David
New York City in the 1980s—marked by Reagan-era conservatism and the devastating effects of the AIDS epidemic—was in decline. This is the backdrop for Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, a sweeping two-part epic that earned the Pulitzer Prize, multiple Tony Awards, and a lasting place as one of the most…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 21 June 2025 17:50
Sensational Musical Salutes an Unparalleled Trio of Living Legends
Written by Mitchell Oldham
Taking part of its title from a defining song that drew attention to the AIDS crisis in the mid 80s, That’s What Friends Are For: Gladys, Dionne and Patti combines thoughtful storytelling and fantastic music to honor the cultural contributions of three outstanding artists. Currently playing at Black Ensemble Theater…
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Theatre in Review
Saturday, 21 June 2025 17:03
Sweet Dreams and Steel Guitars: Drury Lane’s Tender Tribute to Patsy Cline
Written by Kimberly Katz
Always...Patsy Cline is a poignant and entertaining jukebox musical that honors the legacy of iconic country singer Patsy Cline through the heartfelt story of an unexpected friendship, which is currently beautifully staged at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook. Conceived and written by Ted Swindley, the production is inspired by…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 17 June 2025 16:06
Unimaginably Good: “An Iliad” Is the Best Show I Have Ever Seen
Written by Bill Esler
Court Theatre has brought back to its stage “An Iliad,” a surpassingly wonderful riff on Homer’s ancient Greek poem, “The Iliad.” Starring Timothy Edward Kane in a reprise of his sensational one-man performance as The Poet, it is directed by Charles Newell. This is the fourth time Court has staged…
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Theatre in Review
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Monday, 16 June 2025 13:17
Review: You Will Get Sick at Steppenwolf Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
If ever given the chance to see Amy Morton on her home stage at Steppenwolf–take it. She stars in the Chicago premiere of Noah Diaz’s ‘You Will Get Sick’ alongside fellow ensemble members Cliff Chamberlain, Namir Smallwood, Jordan Arredondo and Sadieh Rifai. Steppenwolf Theatre Artistic Director Audrey Francis directs this…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 11 June 2025 15:01
42 Balloons Soaring High at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Written by Lauren Katz
It’s 1982 and Larry Walters approaches his lawn chair. On either side are bags and containers full of various items like Coca Cola and Miller Lite – all meant to add various levels of weight to the contraption. His girlfriend, Carol, gives him a final embrace before he takes his…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 12 June 2025 10:52
Don't Wait Until It's Too Late: Kimberly Akimbo a Must See at CIBC Theatre
Written by Kendall Royzen
I like to think that I am hip and with it (insert millennial Gif here). I like to think that I am knowledgeable about the latest trends even if I don’t participate in them myself; not so much fashion and viral TikTok challenges, but more the books that everyone wants…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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“Ripe material for a comedy,” chuckles Atra Asdou, writer and star of ‘Iraq, but Funny” now playing at Lookingglass Theatre. Asdou’s new madcap play is part comedy, part history, part family drama. Directed by Dalia Ashurina, this hard-to-define play feels like the kind of thing we absolutely need more of.…
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Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 04 June 2025 22:52
A Remarkable Story Based on Real Events: 'Six Men Dressed Like Stalin'
Written by Bill Esler
“Six Men Dressed Like Stalin,” now at A Red Orchid Theatre in Chicago and directed by dado, draws upon the true story of Felix Dadaev, drafted in 1942 to stand in for Josef Stalin, Premier of the Soviet Union. The character Soso (Esteban Andres Cruz) is based on Dadaev. Like…
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Theatre in Review
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Saturday, 31 May 2025 10:00
It's Funny What Can Happen on a "Neighborhood Watch," Now Running at Jackalope Theatre
Written by Bill Esler
You’ll want to join this “Neighborhood Watch," a fast-paced comedy having its world premiere in Jackalope Theatre’s performance space in the Broadway Armory. Harsh Gagoomal plays Mo Rizvi with deft emotional range, a bearded, swarthy Middle Easterner who has moved into a house in white suburbia, in the weeks just…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 25 May 2025 12:47
History. Passion. Power. A Love That Changed an Empire - Scandalous Boy at
Sarz Maxwell
I’m a geek, I admit it; I love seeing theatre that’s … well … real. Like SCANDALOUS BOY – you’ve heard of Roman Emperor Hadrian, yeah? He reigned from 117 to 138 CE (that was even before Diana’s wedding!) and occasioned a slew of building projects, epitomized by Hadrian’s Wall in…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Her Story Theatre's World Premiere "THE OFFICAL BIOGRAPHY" - Wednesday, April 1 at 7:30 pm at The Den Theatre
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