Thursday, 23 January 2025 11:30
Fat Ham at Goodman Theatre: Bold, Hilarious, and Heartfelt
Written by Wesley David
James Ijames' Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Fat Ham, bursts onto the Goodman Theatre stage in a vibrant, deeply resonant co-production with Definition Theatre. Directed with an expert hand by Definition Theatre's Artistic Director Tyrone Phillips, this contemporary reinvention of Hamlet dazzles with humor, heart, and a profound exploration of identity, toxic…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 21 January 2025 12:39
Review: Porchlight Music Theatre's 'Fun Home' at Ruth Page Center for the Arts
Written by John Accrocco
Before Alison Bechdel became famously associated with her “Bechdel Test” for evaluating fiction by how women are portrayed, she published the now classic graphic novel ‘Fun Home’. Through meticulously created panels, Bechdel explores her splintered relationship with her father who died shortly after she came out to him. Renowned composer…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 20 January 2025 16:15
Dual Delights: A Spellbinding Journey with Jekyll And Hyde In Concert
Written by Kimberly Katz
Brightside Theatre's latest production, Jekyll And Hyde In Concert is a truly mesmerizing experience. And if you are a Chicago resident like myself, this theatrical performance is well worth the not-so-long trek to the burbs. The musicians and the impressive array of talented singers delivered a performance that seized my…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
- JEKYLL AND HYDE IN CONCERT
- Brightside Theatre
- Robert Louis Stevenson
- Gerald Kelel
- Rachel Carreras
- Julie Ann Kornak
- Stan Austin
- Molly Bremer
- Sean Rhead
- Brightside Theatre’s Concert Series
- Jeffrey Cass
- Naperville
- Frank Wildhorn
- Steve Cuden
- Leslie Bricusse
- De Haddad
- Phil Videckis
- North Central College
- Madden Theatre
Monday, 20 January 2025 14:02
"Braids, Dreams, and Resilience: JaJa’s African Hair Braiding Shines at Chicago Shakespeare Theater"
Written by Wesley David
JaJa’s African Hair Braiding, written by first-generation Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Obie Award-winning Whitney White, is a vibrant celebration of the resilience, community, and complexity of West African immigrant women striving to establish their place in New York City. Currently receiving an acclaimed production at Chicago…
Published in
Theatre in Review
We all have Christmas rituals; practices we incorporate into our personal experiences of the holidays. For me, it used to be reading all three books of The Lord of the Rings. This has naturally morphed into watching all three extended-version DVD’s – a significant investment of time, but far less…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 13 January 2025 16:59
Broadway Tribute Introduces A New Generation of Musical Titans
Written by Mitchell Oldham
Collaborations can produce tremendous results and the one between Nathan Gunn, his wife Julie Jordan Gunn and Jam Orchestra counts as a particularly splendid example. Nathan Gunn & Friends: Beloved Broadway, a tribute to some of the finest music produced on Broadway, had nestled within it an ulterior agenda Saturday…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 09 January 2025 11:29
Broadway in Chicago’s production of Shucked Charms and Delights
Written by Lauren Katz
It’s the second act, and Beau (Jake Odmark) is in quite a state. The love of his life is about to marry another man, and he doesn’t know what to do. In an effort to lift him up, his friends do what anyone in their positions should do – insult…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 24 December 2024 15:36
Review: The Berlin Diaries by Andrea Stolowitz at Open Space Arts
Sarz Maxwell
My companion was apprehensive about the press release’s statement that “… the two-person cast will play all characters and will even share certain characters.” “How can that work?” she wondered. “How will we know which character is speaking?” I told her, “Wait and see.” I had no such doubts; I’ve…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 24 December 2024 10:45
Legally Blonde at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts: Blonde Ambition Takes Center Stage in Skokie!
Written by CJ Burroughs
Unlike many of the shows I review, which I’ve often seen in other productions elsewhere, I went into Music Theater Works’ current production of Legally Blonde blind. Other than the couple-decades-old movie the musical is based on, along with a covid-era TikTok fascination that my daughters had with a particular…
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Theatre in Review
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Tuesday, 17 December 2024 00:49
25 Years of Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer: A Warm and Sparkling Celebration of Individuality!
Written by Kimberly Katz
I fondly recall watching the 1964 children’s television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer each year with great wonder! Its message of hope—that you can be yourself and different from the herd—left a lasting impression. The idea that, through perseverance, you can be loved and appreciated for your unique talents is…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
- RUDOLPH THE REDHOSED REINDEER
- Hell in a Handbag Productions
- Hoover Leppen Theatre
- Center on Halsted
- David Cerda
- Caitlin Jackson
- Sydney Genco
- Michael Hampton
- Terry McCarthy
- Lori Lee
- Mark Bartishell
- Kelly Bolton
- Peter Ruger
- Matt Sergot
- Eustace Allen
- Cameron Cai
- Micah Mixon
- TJ O’Brien
- Shawn Quinlan
- Michael Radford
- Whitney Willard Wilkinson
- Anthony Whitaker
- Chad Gearing
Friday, 13 December 2024 13:49
Teatro ZinZanni's Love, Chaos, and Dinner: A Spectacular Romantic Journey of Joy and Laughter
Written by Kimberly Katz
Upon entering the beautifully decorated lobby of Teatro Zinzanni theater on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, you are instantly transported to an exquisite, romantic art deco speakeasy. The theater itself is housed under a stunning 100-year-old Belgian Spiegeltent, featuring booth and chair seating in the round. A delightful…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 11 December 2024 17:15
This Charles Dickens Gets to the Heart of 'Christmas Carol' In Spectacular Performance
Written by Bill Esler
Just as there are many Santa’s around town, this time of year we have a wide selection of Christmas and Holiday-themed shows on stage. While I’ve grown quite jaded about the diminishment of “real” theater during the holidays—steadfastly avoiding the Goodman show each year—there was something that overcame my reluctance…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 12:01
Join Sweet DeLa and Spicy Jinkx in their irreverent shenanigans
Sarz Maxwell
[Reviewer’s Note: I’ve been reading a book whose main character is inveigled by Word of the Day; hence, I’ve striven to include as many unconventional and indecipherable words as possible. You’re welcome.] This is the seventh year of the JINKX AND DELA HOLIDAY SHOW, composed each year by BenDeLaCreme and…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Written by Sarz MaxwellI’ve reviewed a number of shows at Open Space Arts (OSA) – I love the place – so I’m familiar with OSA’s attributes: unique productions that battle antisemitism and homophobia with art; premiere plays by previously-unknown writers; small, intimate venue;… -
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