Heart warming musicals aren’t exactly what Steppenwolf Theatre is known for. While not an outright musical, ‘Lindiwe’ is a new play with live music in collaboration with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Co-directed by Jonathan Berry and playwright Eric Simonson, this marks the second time Steppenwolf has worked with Ladysmith Black Mambazo.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 19 November 2019 22:16
‘The Niceties’ is a Worthy Look at Cultural and Racial Divides
Written by Bill Esler
The Niceties is a play that engages the intellect. But in so doing, sets up a tug-of-war with our gut, addressing a visceral issue for today: race. Like the puzzler plays Proof or Seminar (both also set at a university campus) The Niceties leads us to think through ideas, in this case the customs and…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
Tuesday, 12 November 2019 17:29
The Family Crest, Jacaranda Collective and Den Theatre combine for an unforgettable, one-of-a-king retelling of 'Romeo and Juliet'
Written by Ken Payne
So…a theatre, a rock band and a production company got together and decided to put a show together. Only this wasn’t just a theatre, it was Den Theatre, one of the most experimental and influential theatres in Chicago today. Nor was this just any production company. Jacaranda Collective is a…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 10 November 2019 18:00
Consider Yourself Seeing Marriott Theatre’s 'Oliver!'
Written by CJ Burroughs
The first time I ever saw Oliver!, it was the 1960s movie version. I saw it at one of those old-timey theaters where an “old” guy (this was the 1980s and I was a wee lad, so the organist very well could’ve been a pimply teen keyboard prodigy and I’d…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 09 November 2019 17:34
Review: About Face's 'Packing' at Theater Wit
Written by John Accrocco
Scott Bradley is an institution within the Chicago theater community. His quirky, campy musical versions of old horror movies have been sell-out hits around town for years. Which is what makes “Packing” all the more interesting. He instead turns the spotlight on himself. About Face borrows Victory Gardens artistic director…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 07 November 2019 10:06
Lookingglass Theatre’s 'The Steadfast Tin Soldier' A Hans Christian Andersen Holiday Tale for Children of All Ages
Written by CJ Burroughs
Let’s begin with a children’s story. A children’s story about children’s stories, really. Long, long ago, there lived a boy who could not decide what he would be when he grew up. He might have grown up to sing songs or tally bills, to right wrongs or treat ills, but…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 07 November 2019 01:01
A New Play Called ‘N’ Grazes a Third Rail in Social Conventions
Written by Bill Esler
We all know that certain words are verboten in polite society - some because they are coarse, like expletives; others because they are demeaning or belittling, or off-limits. One of these – the N-word – is the hook that triggers the action in a new play, called, simply, ‘N,’ at…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 04 November 2019 13:53
Review: 'Dead Man Walking' at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Written by John Accrocco
What separates a musical from an opera? Technically an opera is a story in which all the dialogue is exchanged through song. Hence the term rock opera, which describes modern musicals that have little to no spoken dialogue. Such semantics may seem trivial, but as the world moves forward traditional…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 01 November 2019 15:49
Theatre in the Dark's 'Three Stories Up' delivers a truly unique theatre adventure
Written by Ken Payne
What better props and scenery than that in one’s own imagination? And what better way to give each audience member their own unique experience than to let each follow their own journey guided only by storytelling without any visuals to distract, detract or force its own interpretation of what we…
Published in
Theatre in Review
More...
Wednesday, 30 October 2019 18:08
The Joker’s Disciple? An Amazing Actor in Accidental Death of a Black Motorist
Written by Bill Esler
Sometimes tragedy is so extreme, our only response is to be driven to distraction – like that character in a graphic novel pushed off the edge, laughing in the abyss. Or think of the performance of Joaquin Phoenix in The Joker. A work springing from this sentiment is playing live…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 08 January 2020 15:33
Riveting, heartfelt and sure to shake things up: 'I'm Not A Comedian...I'm Lenny Bruce'
Written by Ken Payne
*Now extended through February 16th due to popular demand “Lenny Bruce was the defender of all people. Notorious from his belief that people give words power. It’s not the words itself, but the intention,” says playwright and performer Ronnie Marmo in the show’s playbill - A Note from the Playwright…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 27 October 2019 00:49
Fresh Insights in a Merchant of Venice Set in Mussolini's Fascist Italy
Written by Bill Esler
Triggered by Shylock’s role, Invictus Theatre gives us a strong production of The Merchant of Venice. One of Shakespeare’s most accessible plays, The Merchant is seasoned with timeless lines: “Love is blind”, “Let me play the fool,” “The quality of mercy is not strained,” “the devil can cite Scripture for…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 22 October 2019 15:59
Is it love or a side-effect? 'The Effect' at Strawdog Theatre
Written by Michael Chandler
What brings people together? Similar interest, physical attraction, and availability? Or could it be just a side effect of the medication the doctor prescribed? Strawdog Theatre Company kicks their 32nd season off with the Chicago Premier of Lucy Prebble’s The Effect. Tristan, a cheerful young man hungry to see the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Register
Login
Latest Articles
-
A Night to Remember Aboard Marriott Theatre’s Titanic
Written by CJ BurroughsAs a lifelong aficionado of the ill-fated ocean liner RMS Titanic, I’ve always gravitated toward any experience that would leave me feeling immersed in that famous moment of an era that nobody any of us knows anymore is alive to… -
Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces casting for the NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE of a new musical from the producers of SIX - 42 Balloons
Written by Buzz Center StageChicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces today the cast of the North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons. From the multi-award-winning producers Kevin McCollum (Oh, Mary!, Rent), Andy Barnes and Wendy Barnes (SIX), and Sonia Friedman Productions (Merrily We Roll Along), 42 Balloons is an '80s-inspired musical based on the unbelievable true story… -
Pegasus Theatre Chicago announces cast for its revival of Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery
Written by Buzz Center StagePegasus Theatre Chicago and Director ILesa Duncan proudly announce the casting for the revival of playwright Shay Youngblood's Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery, which follows "Daughter", who returns home to eulogize the last of the women who raised her in 1960s Georgia. Shakin' the Mess Outta…
-
Steppenwolf Theatre Announces LookOut's Summer 2025 Season
Written by Buzz Center StageSteppenwolf's LookOut Series is pleased to announce its action-packed summer lineup of comedy, magic, storytelling, drag and more! The Summer 2025 Season includes captivating solo works from some of Chicago's most accomplished storytellers; showcases of comedy, theatre and puppetry artists; and a…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.