Displaying items by tag: 1903
The Ruffians' Burning Bluebeard A Hauntingly Rich Theatre Experience
Almost as funny as it is tragic (that sounds so wrong), The Ruffians’ Burning Bluebeard, currently running at Theatre Wit, is a very unique live performance that everyone should experience. Bluebeard is an ensemble piece that recreates the stage performance that took place during the famous 1903 Iroquois Theater fire that claimed over 600 lives on Randolph Street in downtown Chicago.
The moment we enter the stage area, we are met with body bags that lie on a charred theater floor. It is a melancholy scene that sends chills up one’s spine. We soon are introduced to five stage performers and a theater manager who each tell their story of what they were doing at the time the fire struck. This happens in between the recreation of acts leading up to the tragedy. During this process we laugh and laugh some more. How can there be something funny found in something so disastrous? Masterfully, playwright Jay Torrence is able to infuse a dark humor throughout this tragic historical event. Each character delivers a knockout performance drawing laughs at will from the crowd one moment and bringing tears to one’s eyes the next.
One of the year’s best, this show is like no other. Its vivid descriptiveness relates to the audience to the point you really feel you know the characters and are experiencing the tragedy along with them. Grim and morose is the story though comical are many of the surrounding facts such as the Mr. Bluebeard itself, the massively produced play with over four hundred cast members that was running at the time of the great fire. A play that hardly made any sense and depended on large visuals, an overload of song numbers (nine songs in first act alone) and dazzling acrobatics.
We are described beautifully the stunning details of the sixteen hundred seat Iroquois Theater, a majestic auditorium with no costs spared during its creation that was touted as fireproof just as the Titanic was called unsinkable nine years later. The sad truths are slowly released whereas mostly women and children were in attendance at this standing room only matinee performance, and that the theater was nearly escape proof once the fire erupted.
Wonderfully directed by Halana Kays, Burning Bluebeard makes exceptional use of its limited space, successfully creating the illusion of a much larger scaled production. Ensemble members Pam Chermansky and author Jay Torrence lead the way delivering mesmerizing performances in this multi-talented and very colorful cast with Anthony Courser, Molly Plunk, Leah Urzendowski and Ryan Walters. And thanks to imaginative costume design, we have no problem believing we are present at a 1903 production.
In Burning Bluebeard we are treated to a rare flavor of theatre that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Chicago City Opera Delivers a Rare Operatic Haunting with Der Vampyr
08 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewWith Halloween creeping closer, there’s something fitting about revisiting one of opera’s earliest flirtations with macabre horror - especially in…
Avalanche Theatre stages the world premiere of They Broke Up by Skyler Tarnas November 6–22, 2026
08 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreAvalanche Theatre announces the world premiere production of They Broke Up by Chicago playwright Skyler Tarnas, November 6–22, 2026. Opening…
Celebrate 100 Years of the Cadillac Palace and James M. Nederlander Theatres
08 October 2026 in Theatre BuzzGrab your party hats — Broadway In Chicago ’s Cadillac Palace and James M. Nederlander Theatres are turning 100! The…
Oil Lamp Theater Announces the cast and creative team for the return of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY, Nov. 20 - Dec. 27
08 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreOil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its next production and the final production…
Adults-only holiday fun: Who's Holiday! brings R-rated Cindy-Lou Who back to Theater Wit for her sixth year, Nov. 27-Dec. 27
08 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChristmas Day is in our grasp. Why the vodka? Glad you asked! Who's Holiday! brings R-rated Cindy-Lou Who back to…
Two-Time Tony Award-Winning Actress Victoria Clark To Receive the Sarah Siddons Society Award at Annual Benefit on Monday, November 9, 2026
08 October 2026 in Theatre BuzzThe Sarah Siddons Society is pleased to present its 2026 Award to actress and director Victoria Clark, who recently starred…
Goodman's Dead Girl’s Quinceañera: When Fifteen Meets the Adult World
07 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewAt fifteen, the world can feel like a television show you haven't quite figured out how to turn off. For…
Steppenwolf Theatre's ADIRONDACK CHAIR CIRCLE In Rehearsal – Playing October 22 – December 6, 2026 – World Premiere!
07 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to launch its 51st Season with the world premiere of…
Hell in a Handbag Productions Announces 25th Anniversary Season!
07 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreHell in a Handbag Productions is thrilled to announce its 25th Anniversary Season, featuring three "camptacular" shows guaranteed to delight lovers of…
Chicago’s Theater Wit introduces new Watchword closed captioning system, dramatically improving access in all three of its theaters
07 October 2026 in Theatre BuzzChicago’s Theater Wit is now offering new, state-of-the-art closed captioning service, marking a dramatic improvement in making live theater more…
Paramount Theatre’s reimagined A Christmas Carol promises to be a dazzling new, all-ages spectacle for Chicago’s holiday theater season, November 11-January 3
07 October 2026 in Upcoming Theatre“God bless us, everyone,” because there’s a fresh, new, reimagined version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale A Christmas Carol debuting…
"John C. Reilly is Mister Romantic" Returns to Steppenwolf Theatre - December 10 – 13, 2026
06 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFollowing last year's critically acclaimed, sell-out engagement, Steppenwolf Theatre Company is pleased to announce the return of John C. Reilly…
Saint Sebastian Players Open 45th Season With A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie Classic Miss Marple Mystery Runs Oct. 23–Nov. 15
06 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Saint Sebastian Players open their 45th season of travels to different places with A Murder is Announced, a classic Miss Marple mystery…
Announcing "The Goodman, For Good" Campaign
06 October 2026 in Theatre BuzzToday, Goodman Theatre raises the curtain on its future as leadership and artists share a vision for its next century…
Two Edge Theater Company to stage A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE as its inaugural Chicago production, December 4 through January 10
05 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreTwo Edge Theater, a reincarnation of the Edge Theater Company that enjoyed eight successful seasons in the Denver, Colorado area,…
Frankenstein at Studebaker Theater adds performances for Halloween run
05 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago's historic Fine Arts Building and Studebaker Theater are thrilled to announce their Halloween co-production of Manual Cinema's acclaimed Frankenstein…
Chicago-Area World Premiere of Liana Sonenclar's The Years Between Us - October 15-18
05 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreJonathan James Productions presents the world premiere of The Years Between Us, a new play by Liana Sonenclar, directed by…
Oil Lamp Theater Announces its 2027 Season
05 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreOil Lamp Theater, currently presenting the highly recommended Dial M for Murder, through November 1, is proud to announce its…
Dial M for Mastery: Oil Lamp’s Thriller Tightens the Screws
04 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewAs a lifelong Hitchcock fan, Dial M for Murder has always been one of my comfort film thrillers - the…
ARTEMISIA REVEALS PLAYWRIGHTS AND DIRECTORS FOR THE 2026 WEWOMEN PLAY FESTIVAL At Bramble Arts Loft from Nov 16 - 18th
03 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreArtemisia Theatre is proud to announce the return of the WeWomen Play Festival, its annual celebration of new feminist work.…
Operation Mincemeat: A Smart, Scrappy Musical That Shines When Its Cast Takes the Wheel
01 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewIn the 2019 film Yesterday, a struggling musician wakes up in a world where The Beatles never existed. A similar…
Backyard Theatre Company’s Red Bike - Berger Park Coach House Theatre - Through October 24th
30 September 2026 in Now PlayingRed Bike is an intimate, movement‑driven play that follows a young person navigating a town transforming faster than they can…
Red Theater presents the world premiere of CHURCH HURT October 24 - November 21, 2026
30 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreRed Theater is thrilled to announce the cast and production team of the world premiere of Church Hurt by Brynne…
Ballets Jazz Montréal Makes Chicago debut at THE AUDITORIUM Saturday, November 7th
30 September 2026 in Upcoming DanceThe Auditorium (Chicago's landmark stage at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) continues its 2026-27 Dance Season titled North American…
A Red Orchid Theatre Opens 34th Season with Chicago Premiere of HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING October 29 – December 6, 2026
29 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreA Red Orchid Theatre is pleased open its 34th Season, exploring the theme of "world on fire," with the Chicago…
Lookingglass announces new leadership team
29 September 2026 in Theatre BuzzLookingglass Theatre Company today announced a new leadership structure that brings together four longtime members of its acclaimed ensemble and…
Steppenwolf’s Topdog/Underdog: When History Deals the Cards
28 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewSusan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog, the Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, is the kind of play that changes depending on when—and how many times—you…
MAMMA MIA! and HADESTOWN Return to Chicago in Spring 2027
28 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago is excited to announce two fan-favorite shows are returning to our stages this year: MAMMA MIA! and…
Collaboraction to premiere Mud Life, drawn from Willie Round’s experience as a writer and rapper on Chicago’s west side, October 21-November 15
27 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreMud Life, a world premiere drama by Chicago writing duo G. Riley Mills and Willie Round, drawn from Round’s life…
'I’m Going to Marry You Tobey Maguire,' Full of Laughs, Ends With a Fizzle
25 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewHere’s a play that should be really good, based on its reputation alone. Written by Chicago comedy writer Samantha Hurley,…
Latest Articles
-
Avalanche Theatre stages the world premiere of They Broke Up by Skyler Tarnas November 6–22, 2026
Written by Buzz Center StageAvalanche Theatre announces the world premiere production of They Broke Up by Chicago playwright Skyler Tarnas, November 6–22, 2026. Opening November 7 at 7:30pm) at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, 5779 Ridge Ave. They Broke Up is Avalanche's first world premiere presented… -
Celebrate 100 Years of the Cadillac Palace and James M. Nederlander Theatres
Written by Buzz Center StageGrab your party hats — Broadway In Chicago ’s Cadillac Palace and James M. Nederlander Theatres are turning 100! The festivities will kick off with a birthday celebration at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.) on Saturday, October…
-
Oil Lamp Theater Announces the cast and creative team for the return of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY, Nov. 20 - Dec. 27
Written by Buzz Center StageOil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its next production and the final production in its 2026 season, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, November 20 - December 27, adapted by Joe…
-
Adults-only holiday fun: Who's Holiday! brings R-rated Cindy-Lou Who back to Theater Wit for her sixth year, Nov. 27-Dec. 27
Written by Buzz Center StageChristmas Day is in our grasp. Why the vodka? Glad you asked! Who's Holiday! brings R-rated Cindy-Lou Who back to Theater Wit for her sixth consecutive year of adults-only holiday fun. Step inside Chicago’s #1 holiday bedazzled mobile home to…
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.