Wednesday, 05 November 2025 13:02
Haunting Beauty and Harsh Truths in The House That Will Not Stand
Written by Wesley David
America’s greatest sin is its obsession with race and skin color. From the first toll of the Liberty Bell, the nation has measured who is free and who is owned by the color of their skin. In Marcus Gardley’s The House That Will Not Stand, now given a rich and…
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Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 05 November 2025 21:45
Nikki Puts James Baldwin on a Pedestal in 'Giovanni | Baldwin Experience'
Written by Bill Esler
In 1971, Nicki Giovanni was a young Black poet already risen to prominence when she and the celebrated Black author James Baldwin met for a two hour conversation broadcast from London on PBS. Baldwin, 47, an éminence grise, answered the poet’s questions at length and Giovanni, 28, offered her own…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 02 November 2025 11:36
Un Colpo fa Miracoli: Cavalleria rusticana & Pagliacci offers easy entree into the operatic world
Written by Kendall Royzen
In a world where our attention span seems to be shrinking, it’s comforting to know there are still one-shots available for our entertainment like a limited mini-series, a short story, a collection of poetry, or in the case of operatic masterpieces, double-feature shows. One of the drawbacks to newcomers with…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 01 November 2025 21:03
'Duck Soup' a Powerfully Funny Take by The Conspirators on Marx Brothers 1933 Film
Written by Bill Esler
In an opening scene of “Duck Soup,” a new adaptation by The Conspirators of the Marx Brothers 1933 film, the wealthy heiress Gloria Teasdale (Hayden Hartrick), has been asked to increase her financial support of the deficit-ridden, mythical nation of Freedonia. “Just loan us $20 billion dollars, so we can…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 27 October 2025 12:42
Review: Kokandy's 'Jekyll & Hyde' at Chopin Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
‘Jekyll & Hyde’ returns to Chicago for the first time in over 15 years. Kokandy Productions follows their recent hit ‘Amelie’ with a much-anticipated revival of the 90s cult horror pop opera. Director Derek Van Barham brings his stylish vision to life with a cast of scary good voices. Kokandy…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 26 October 2025 14:17
Sequins, Sass, and Sci-Fi Chaos: Brightside’s Rocky Horror in Overdrive
Written by Kimberly Katz
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a glam-rock concert, a sci-fi B-movie, and a drag ball collided in a castle during a thunderstorm—The Rocky Horror Show Live has your answer, and it’s wearing fishnets. The Rocky Horror Show Live is a glitter-drenched, gender-bending, sci-fi rock ‘n’ roll romp…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 25 October 2025 11:17
It'll Cast Its Spell On You: Godspell spreads the good word at The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
Written by Kendall Royzen
There’s an old adage that says something along the lines of “don’t judge a book by its cover.” The same wisdom can most certainly be applied to playbills. More often than not the title of a musical describes exactly what the theatre piece will be about; Hamilton is about Alexander…
Published in
Theatre in Review
I try to attend all performances of Babes w/ Blades Theater Company, but I haven’t seen them in this fabulous venue – The Edge Theater, on Broadway – since 2022. That presentation of Shakespeare’s RICHARD III holds a special place in my heart as one of the finest theatrical productions…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 23 October 2025 12:28
A Melodic Masterpiece: The Sound of Music Sweeps Through Chicago with Charm and Courage
Written by Ken Payne
The beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein classic The Sound of Music returns to the Windy City in a dazzling stage revival now playing at the James M. Nederlander Theatre. This timeless tale of love, courage, and music unfolds with renewed vibrancy, inviting audiences of all ages to fall in love all…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Tuesday, 21 October 2025 23:50
An Eerie Tale of Deathly Dimensions - ‘Strange Cargo: The Doom of the Demeter’
Written by Bill Esler
“Strange Cargo: The Doom of the Demeter,” is a compelling proposition for a stage play. Now in its world premiere in a Black Button production with City Lit Theater, Timothy Griffin’s original two-act script draws on Chapter 7 of Bram Stoker's novel “Dracula,” . That chapter in the book “Dracula”…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Sunday, 19 October 2025 14:42
Review: The Sporting Life at Factory Theater
Written by Maddie Burroughs
Let me start by saying: this play is not for anyone unfamiliar with feminine rage. While I’m all for experiential desensitization, diving straight into a show all about female “hysteria,” periods, witches, and penis-biting might be a bit much for your first swim. You don’t need to be a woman…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 20 October 2025 14:31
Disney’s Finding Nemo Charms Audiences of All Ages at Marriott Theatre
Written by Betsy Schmitt
It’s always risky to take a familiar story and translate it from one medium to another, in this instance from film to stage. Will the adaptation do justice to the story? Will our favorite characters be recognizable to us? Will we walk away happily satisfied with the end result? I…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 17 October 2025 15:14
Chicago Shakespeare Theater Terrifies and Astounds with Paranormal Activity
Written by Lauren Katz
Lou (Cher Álvarez) and James (Patrick Heusinger) are in their bedroom. They are so focused on each other that they don’t notice the flashing light in the bedroom down the hall. The catch? Lou and James are the only ones in the house. So that leaves the question – who…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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