Sunday, 17 July 2022 10:27
American Blues swings for the 'Fences' and hits a home run
Written by Wesley David
I’ve often said despite the larger houses producing August Wilson plays, they tend to work better in intimate spaces. After all, Mr. Wilsons’ inspiration came from intimate settings. He would write in bars, cafes, restaurants, and other places where his characters would be right in his face. He would often…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 11 July 2022 16:31
Review: 'The Playboy of the Western World' at City Lit Theater
Written by John Accrocco
Sometimes a play or a piece of music has such an effect on audiences that they can’t control themselves. Just as the premiere of Stravinky’s ‘Rite of Spring’ caused a stampede among patrons, John Millington Synge’s ‘The Playboy of the Western World’ incited a riot in its 1907 Dublin debut.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 05 July 2022 18:19
Sit up, pay attention: 'Marie Antoinette and the Magical Negroes'
Written by Wesley David
Let me begin by saying, this was one helluva 90 minutes in Chicago theatre. We enter the theatre to the sound of a combination of Jazz, trap music and hip-hop. There is a sign reading “This is not history”. On stage, the set, a French street with boarded up storefronts…
Published in
Theatre in Review
You know what they say: The only cure for homosexuality is to issue him a Screen Actor’s Guild card. Tommy on Top takes this old saw a step further: Tommy Miller (Ryan Cason), closeted Hollywood hunk, has been nominated for an Oscar. Super-swish boyfriend George (Patrick Gosney) and vodka-swigging sister…
Published in
Theatre in Review
There’s nothing new about Antigone. Sophocles wrote it in 440BC, and we all read it (under duress) in high school, my most vivid memory of which is Mrs. Thatcher printing ‘ANTIGONE’ on the chalkboard, and Patrick Tyrrell sneaking up to print ‘P’ at the beginning. Recent adaptations have used Antigone…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Not every story about gay youth is a “coming out” story. Some youth have nothing to come out of. Their lives are not spent hiding who they are. For the most part, young people today are confident and proud of who they are. They are who they are, and the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
You’d think that a 1956 musical about a man who doesn’t like women all that much and the woman who lets him refine and control her wouldn’t hold up in 2022 (especially in light of the recent Roe v. Wade reversal which gives women far less control over their bodies…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 20 June 2022 12:16
Review: Brandon Bennett in "Elvis My Way' at Marriott Theatre'
Written by Kimberly Katz
I've seen a lot of Elvis Tribute Artist shows over the years and have enjoyed them all. They’re nostalgic and fun and, while some are better than others, they are always a good time. And I really love the fact that there always seems something unique in each artist that makes…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 07 June 2022 22:17
Onward To Adventure: Joffrey Ballet brings classic Don Quixote to the Lyric Opera
Written by Kendall Royzen
For the past two-plus years, I’d dreamed of doing all the things in Chicago that were shut down due to the pandemic. When restrictions were lifted and entertainment started to come back to the city, I was determined to say yes to every unique city experience. By far the most…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Initially, I had the jitters about reviewing Grandma’s Jukebox. Obviously the show was very much about music, and I’ve just never been really into music; I’d rather be reading. I didn’t even own a stereo in college! But I love theater so I arrived at the opening with an open…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 25 May 2022 09:30
The Magnolia Ballet: Funny, Powerful, and Poetry in Motion
Written by Bill Esler
'The Magnolia Ballet' is an exceptional show—perfect in performances, direction (Mikael Burke), staging. And then there’s the script, by Terry Guest, who also plays the lead as Ezekiel “Z” Mitchell VI. While this show merits a Jeff Award (Chicago's Tony) without doubt, I believe it’s Pulitzer material, at least in…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 23 May 2022 18:14
Two Trains of Thought in Court Theatre’s ‘Two Trains Running’
Written by Wesley David
August Wilson is best known for a series of 10 plays known as the “Pittsburgh cycle” which chronicle the African American experience in America. For me, Wilson’s greater achievement is giving voice to African American men. Grown African American men over a certain age. Wilson allows his male characters to…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 18 May 2022 17:01
'The Chinese Lady' is Powerful, Poignant, and Not to Be Missed
Written by Bill Esler
TimeLine Theatre’s ‘The Chinese Lady’ is a powerful show - poignant, learned, sophisticated - and illuminating. Ninety minutes of engaging drama (no intermission) that left me somewhere between laughing, crying, and standing on my feet to cheer. Directed by Helen Young from the script by Lloyd Suh (an award-winning playwright…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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