Displaying items by tag: Christopher Sheard
Review: Remy Bumppo's 'Dear Elizabeth' at Theater Wit
What a treat to have two of Evanston-native Sarah Ruhl’s plays running concurrently at Theatre Wit. Alongside the Shattered Globe Theatre’s Midwest premier of Ruhl’s Becky Nurse of Salem is Remy Bumppo’s production of Dear Elizabeth. Directed by Christina Casano, this epistolary play has all the elements that make Ruhl’s plays so enjoyable.
Dear Elizabeth is an intimate play that explores the letters between two of the world’s most celebrated poets: Robert Lowell and Elizabeth Bishop. Ruhl crafts a tender narrative out of the beautifully written letters, and it’s wonderfully acted by Christopher Sheard and Leah Karpel.
Sarah Ruhl is one of America’s most popular playwrights because of her unique brand of quirky storytelling. Through her inventive style audiences who may not be familiar with the poets will walk away with more than just a book report. Though, this play will certainly tickle classic literature enthusiasts. The 90-minute play is crackling with trivia and humorous hot takes.
The dialogue in Dear Elizabeth may be contained to letters, but the contents of those letters whisk audiences all over the world. Both poets did extensive traveling during their careers, with Elizabeth Bishop residing in Brazil for some years. Through their words we get rich descriptions of where these characters are in their lives physically but more importantly emotionally. Though the romantic throughline is a bit mirky (as is often the case in life), the deep love between them is palpable.
Staging and visuals are important aspects of Ruhl’s work. Seeing how she sees her story, and seeing how a director and set designer interprets her vision are as moving as the words themselves. Catalina Niño’s design for Dear Elizabeth is nothing short of gorgeous. Though minimal in nature, the emotions certain moments conjure are haunting.
Dear Elizabeth is also a celebration of the art of letter writing. This is a theme Ruhl has touched on in other works as well. We may be living in the most advanced age of communication, but so much is lost in emojis and brief text messages. In these heartfelt letters there’s such depth and substance that you’re nearly envious of their loyal friendship.
If it’s Sarah Ruhl you’re after this season, look no further than Theatre Wit in Lakeview. Two of Chicago’s most esteemed companies impeccably bring her riveting works to life. Dear Elizabeth is a great showcase of Ruhl’s earlier style whereas Becky Nurse of Salem feels more like a new direction. And just like Robert and Elizabeth, they’re great companions.
Through November 17 at Remy Bumppo at Theater Wit. 1229 W Belmont Ave. (773) 975-8150
Class is back in session with Victory Gardens’ World Premiere of The Humanities
19 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewCoincidentally (or not), Victory Gardens’ new play about a controversial campus speaker opens just days after the one-year anniversary of…
Layered, Lovely, and Lasting; The Joffrey Ballet's Liliom Lights up The Lyric Opera
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Cast and Production Team Announced for Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre's THE NICETIES, October 31 – November 15
18 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFleetwood -Jourdain Theatre, an award-winning theatre company that has been thrilling audiences with over four decades of unique, inspirational, and invigorating Black…
Goodman’s centennial is its all‑time most successful year, with 300,000 patrons at 4,000 performances & events
18 September 2026 in Theatre BuzzThe Goodman wraps its 2025/2026 Centennial Season, an unprecedented line-up marking the 100th anniversary of Chicago's flagship not-for-profit theater, as the…
Kokandy Productions’ Jekyll & Hyde: A Fearless Reworking Elevated
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THE PRINCESS BRIDE to have Pre-Broadway World Premiere in Chicago July 19 - August 22, 2027
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American Son - Friendship Community Place - Through October 4th
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MARRIOTT THEATRE REVEALS A 2027 SEASON OF SHOWSTOPPING MUSICALS AND BELOVED STORIES
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Raíces to Roots’ Unpacking Home - Collaboraction's House of Belonging - Through September 27th
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Identity Performing Arts Celebrates 5 Years with Gala Performance at MCA's Edlis Neeson Theater October 18th
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BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA - Do we listen to each other as much as birdsongs?
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The Dancing Delivers What the Dialogue Doesn’t in Dirty Dancing: The Musical
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Divergent Viewpoints Distract: The Birth of the Pill at Timeline Theatre
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Go Behind The SCREAM: A Live Conversation with David Arquette following a 30th Anniversary screening of SCREAM, one-night-only at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre, Saturday, October 24 at 8 p.m.
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GDC Premieres New Work by Al Blackstone in "untamed passion" at the North Shore Center November 6th and 7th
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The Gift Theatre announces casting for Netta Walker's Hayward
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Steep Opens New Home with Simon Stephens' U.S. Premiere A Slow Fire
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Go behind the scenes of House of the Exquisite Corpse, Chicago’s only puppet haunted house, with new All-Inclusive Experience, October 8-25 at Steppenwolf’s The Merle
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Full Casting Announced for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's ADIRONDACK CHAIR CIRCLE – October 22 – December 6, 2026 – World Premiere!
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Porchlight Announces "Little Shop of Horrors" Cast & Creative Team
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Embrace The Change: Menopause the Musical® 25th Anniversary Tour to play Aurora’s Paramount Theatre Saturday, October 17 at 3 p.m.
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Paramount’s Mean Girls Delivers a Fierce, Fetch Night Out
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The Man Who Fell - Trap Door Theatre - Through September 19th
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Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Dark Children’s Tale Translates to Stellar Show in ’The Man Who Fell with the Rain’
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'The Snow Queen' presented by The Impostors Theatre Co. November 6th through November 21st
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City Lit announces August Wilson's KING HEDLEY II October 16 through November 29 - here the cast
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Cast and Production Team Announced for Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre's THE NICETIES, October 31 – November 15
Written by Buzz Center StageFleetwood -Jourdain Theatre, an award-winning theatre company that has been thrilling audiences with over four decades of unique, inspirational, and invigorating Black American and African Diaspora-centered storytelling, has announced the cast and production team for the final production of its 2026 season. THE… -
Goodman’s centennial is its all‑time most successful year, with 300,000 patrons at 4,000 performances & events
Written by Buzz Center StageThe Goodman wraps its 2025/2026 Centennial Season, an unprecedented line-up marking the 100th anniversary of Chicago's flagship not-for-profit theater, as the most successful in its history. Today, the theater released its "A Century of Impact" report, detailing milestone programming and attendance…
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Class is back in session with Victory Gardens’ World Premiere of The Humanities
Written by John AccroccoCoincidentally (or not), Victory Gardens’ new play about a controversial campus speaker opens just days after the one-year anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Returning from a lengthy hiatus, Victory Gardens once again lights up the Biograph Theater with the world… -
Layered, Lovely, and Lasting; The Joffrey Ballet's Liliom Lights up The Lyric Opera
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