On July 14, 2007, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago celebrated their 35th Anniversary with a concert and Gala at the famous Harris Theater in Millennium Park. This Milestone featured the world premieres of Brazilian choreographer Rosangela Silvestre’s piece, which was titled “Guide” and “In Search Of Africa by Amaniyea Payne,…
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Theatre in Review
The epic sweep of Ragtime is captured in its opening prologue, a nine-minute kaleidoscope of fictional characters mingling with historical figures from the early 20th century as originally captured in E.L. Doctorow’s novel. As the story continues, we meet pianist Coalhouse Walker Jr. and his child's mother, Sarah who has…
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Theatre in Review
Remember what Chicago’s West Rogers Park was like in 1979? Ok, maybe you do and maybe you don’t. But for those that don’t Crossing California delivers a powerful, but comedic, look into the past in this coming of age story based on the novel by Adam Langer. For those that…
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Theatre in Review
The redux of 1940’s Superman comics has once again made its way to live theatre, giving audience members a chance to follow the man of steel in an all-out song and dance adventure. Drury Lane’s presentation of “It’s a Bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!” contends with any summer musical…
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Theatre in Review
I’ve always been one for a good mystery, especially in the vein of Alfred Hitchcock or Agatha Christie, and that’s why Leslie Sands who-dun-it, Cat’s Cradle was such an intriguing experience. Directed by Jack Phillips in the 78-year-old Western Springs Theatre in Western Springs, Cat’s Cradle was filled with…
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Theatre in Review
Sophocles, the great Greek tragedian and philosopher/scientist Sigmund Freud lived worlds apart. Seemingly dissimilar, in a cultural sense, and obviously millenniums apart, there are unique common threads to be found; both men chased intellectual understanding through war and societal ruin. And each had a fascination with a certain archetypal legend…
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Theatre in Review
I was both intrigued and a little bit hesitant to check out The Fleshtones Burlesque featuring a classic burlesque dancer “Satan’s Angel” the Devil’s own mistress! I am against any form of stripping or performance that women have to do that demeans them just to make money. I was very…
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Theatre in Review
Second city’s 94th revue, Between Barack and a Hard Place, has led them to reclaim their throne as King of Chicago’s comedy circuit once again. Kiss the sky they haven’t lost their politically incorrect sense of humor just yet. Derisively witty and chalk full of satire, the six-person main stage…
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Theatre in Review
Purple Haze, Sticky-Icky-icky, Santa Maria, Sweet Malaysian Skunk Weed, Maui Waui, Muffman Delight, 7 Seconds, Purple Power, no matter what you call it this show makes marvelous sense out of the wonderful and wacky world of pot smoking. If you were unsure if an entire show about pot smoking could…
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Theatre in Review
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Wednesday, 11 April 2007 01:00
Theatre on the Hill's Escanaba In Da Moonlight
Written by Kimberly Katz
Lights...curtain...get ready to laugh! What’s better than a family on a hunting trip in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan? The Soady family on a hunting trip in Northern Michigan...well maybe not better, but definitely funnier. In Theatre on the Hill’s latest production “Escanaba In Da Moonlight”, directed by Craig J.…
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Theatre in Review
Continuing its 2006/2007 season with Rabbit Hole, the Tony Award-nominated play by the brilliant David Lindsay-Abaire, Goodman Theatre has proved first in command of the Chicago stage again and again. Goodman Associate Producer and Director Steve Scott has assembled an all-Chicago cast for the Midwest premiere of Abaire’s compassionate, heartfelt...
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 08 March 2007 00:00
Ted Neeley Regains his Crown in Jesus Christ Superstar
Written by Ken Payne
If you’ve ever watched Norm Jewison’s 1973 screen adaptation of Tim Rice Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar you were no doubt taken by Ted Neeley’s unique, but masterful, portrayal of Jesus Christ. Neely, who received Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor and Best Newcomer for his role, shined…
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Theatre in Review
Because they went brilliantly over the rainbow with this one, The House Theatre of Chicago’s The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz, is being remounted at the Northlight Theatre in Skokie Illinois march 1-11 2007. Playwright and House Theatre Executive Director Phillip C. Kapperich has adapted the famous novel by…
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Theatre in Review
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