Displaying items by tag: Donna English
'Clue' The Hilarious Whodunit Brings Mystery Mayhem to CIBC Theatre
I’m not a fan of board games. I’ve never finished a full game of Monopoly. Risk? No, thanks. But Clue? I’ve loved it since I saw the ‘80s film version as a kid. And ever since, the movie and the game have been inseparable and intertwined in my mind.
The first time I brought my youngest child to a theater production of Clue, she was also transfixed—with the show and the game—and so we were both eager to see Broadway in Chicago’s current touring production of Clue—Live on Stage!, directed by Casey Hushion and playing at the CIBC Theatre until March 2.
First off, I forget how cozy the CIBC Theatre is. I adore each of the 1920s Rapp & Rapp palaces, and I love the much-older Auditorium the most of any Chicago venue, but the turn-of-the-century-ish Vaudevillian vibe of the once-Majestic CIBC is its own thing altogether. And it sure bundled us all in and enveloped us for an evening of murder, mystery, and maniacal merriment—just like the movie and just like the game, but playing out live.
In the film, Tim Curry is Tim Curry—the thief of any scene, the star of any moment the camera catches him—as Wadsworth does the heaviest lifting. Onstage, Wadsworth the butler carries the story and the action. Jeff Skowron’s Wadsworth received the largest and loudest ovation at show’s end, and it’s because he kills it—literally and figuratively. He makes the butler his own, and relishes with impish glee the evening of horrors he’s there to present to the six guests.
Wadsworth is joined in his service to the night’s slayings and silliness by Elisabeth Yancey as the French maid, Yvette. I recall as a boy being enamored of Yvette on the silver screen, and it’s no different all these years later. Yancey’s enamoring while still being a riot—playing the trope for all the provocativeness and physical comedy she can wrench from it.
Speaking of physical comedy (not to mention, wrenches… lead pipes, candlesticks, etc.), in all my years of attending live theater, I’ve rarely seen a physical comedian as gifted as John Shartzer, who plays Mr. Green. Shartzer’s arrival at the doorway of Boddy Manor is a flop—in the best sense of the word—and in the hour or so that follows he continues to one-up himself with slithering, scooting, being squashed, shrieking, screeching, squawking, squealing, and a really cool slo-mo scene, all while waiting to deliver the show’s coup de grace.
The other five dinner guests/game pieces are equally as memorable and enthralling. David Hess imperially bumbles and balderdashes through the evening’s proceedings. Christina Anthony’s Miss Scarlet’s the sadder but wiser woman of the night. Donna English, who originated the role of Mrs. White onstage, continues the role with calculating cool. Jonathan Spivey’s abrasive know-it-all Professor Plum might annoy his fellow houseguests, but the crowd thoroughly enjoyed him. And my daughter pointed out as soon as Joanna Glushak took the stage as Mrs. Peacock (my daughter’s favorite Clue character) that she was the “perfect Mrs. Peacock.”
Indeed, with this production’s impressive set pieces, lighting, and stage choreography—not to mention its intermission-less wham-bam runtime, and its spot-on setting during American times of distrust, untruth, and turmoil—Broadway in Chicago’s current production of Clue—Live on Stage!, at the CIBC Theatre until March 2, is a great escape.
For more info visit https://www.broadwayinchicago.com/shows/clue/.
The Antiquities: A Thought-provoking Look at Today from the Future
13 May 2025 in Theatre in ReviewWith AI and other technological advancements continuing to change the landscape of how we work and interact with one another,…
![Riots of Laughter Greet World Premiere of 'R.U.R. [Rossum’s Universal Robots]'](/media/k2/items/cache/63d6788acfa364724d695afe54efe853_S.jpg)
Riots of Laughter Greet World Premiere of 'R.U.R. [Rossum’s Universal Robots]'
13 May 2025 in Theatre in ReviewRiots of laughter greeted the City Lit Theater world premiere of “R.U.R. [Rossum’s Universal Robots]” Wait. Could this be the…
Paramount Theatre extends Million Dollar Quartet until January 4, 2026
12 May 2025 in Upcoming TheatreParamount Theatre’s smash hit Million Dollar Quartet, a “roof-rattling…rapturous celebration of early rock ‘n’ roll” (Daily Herald), won’t stop rockin’ anytime…
See Chicago Dance Announces 2025 Chicago Dance Month Performers and FREE Events
12 May 2025 in Upcoming DanceSee Chicago Dance, the dance industry's nonprofit service organization celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, is proud to announce organizations…
Tickets for Disney's The Lion King On Sale Now
12 May 2025 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago announced today that individual tickets for Disney’s The Lion King, are now on sale to the public. Tickets ranging…
Cats pounces onto the Paramount stage taking the legendary musical to soaring new heights
11 May 2025 in Theatre in ReviewI’ll just say it - Cats is going to blow your mind. Now running at the Paramount Theatre, this spectacular…
Trap Door's 'Galileo,' Beautifully Produced, Is a Knowing Parable for Our Times
11 May 2025 in Theatre in Review“Galileo” written in 1938 by German playwright Bertolt Brecht, tells the straightforward story of the 17th century physicist and astronomer’s…
Humble and Radiant: Charlotte's Web at Greenhouse Theatre
11 May 2025 in Theatre ReviewsThe adage goes that you can’t choose your family but you can choose your friends. Throughout our lives, we meet…
Hell in a Handbag Productions Presents World Premiere of QUEEN FOR A DAY
09 May 2025 in Upcoming TheatreHell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to conclude its 2024/25 Season with the world premiere of QUEEN FOR A DAY written by…
A Chicago May Must See: Time Is A Color And The Color Is Blue at Bramble Arts Loft
06 May 2025 in Theatre ReviewsIf our day-to-day lives were a collective color, it would probably be the color blue. Whether you are feeling blue,…
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents YOU WILL GET SICK - June 5 – July 13, 2025 - Chicago Premiere!
06 May 2025 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to present Noah Diaz's whimsical, wild, unpredictable and deeply moving Chicago…
Review: Remy Bumppo's 'Art' at Theatre Wit
06 May 2025 in Theatre in ReviewA fool and their money are soon parted as the old expression goes, but what do you do when that…
BACK IN CHICAGO BY POPULAR DEMAND! TONY AND GRAMMY-WINNING BEST MUSICAL, HADESTOWN IS NOW PLAYING
06 May 2025 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce that HADESTOWN, the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best New Musical and the…
Definition Theatre Presents World Premiere of Black Bone by Tina Fakhrid-Deen
05 May 2025 in Upcoming TheatreDefinition Theatre is proud to present the world premiere of Black Bone, a bold new satire by Chicago playwright Tina Fakhrid-Deen…
Hymn at Chicago Shakespeare Theater – A Soulful Exploration of Brotherhood
04 May 2025 in Theatre in ReviewStories that explore the emotional lives of men—especially Black men—are still far too rare on the American stage. Outside the…
Chicago Opera Theater presents world premiere of She Who Dared by Jasmine Arielle Barnes & Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton
02 May 2025 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Opera Theater (COT), Chicago’s foremost producer of new and rarely staged operas, proudly presents the world premiere of She Who Dared by…
Outrage Made Manifest in “Bust: An Afrocurrentist Play”
30 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewSomething extraordinary happens on a street in Huntsville, Alabama. Mr. Woods (Keith Randolph Smith), a hard-working Black man in the…
THE DEN THEATRE ANNOUNCES JUNE COMEDY SHOWS
30 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreThe Den Theatre today announced upcoming June 2025 shows at the theatre's Wicker Park stages at 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., including "Anatomy…
Redtwist Theatre's GARY: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus: Who mops up after the royals' butchery?
29 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewI reviewed TITUS ANDRONICUS in mid-February, so I was eager to see the sequel! In TITUS, Shakespeare tells the story…
BrightSide Theatre announces cast and production team for season finale PIPPIN, June 13-29
29 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreBrightSide Theatre, Naperville’s professional theatre company, has announced the cast for the final show of its 13th season – the…
Chicago Puppet Lab Showcase culminates eight-month residency with experimental live shows by emerging puppet artists, May 31-June 1 at Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
29 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreEight Chicago artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines have spent the last eight months in residence at the Chicago Puppet…
Gusto Performances in ‘Spring Awakening,’ Vibrant Staging of 1906 Basis of Broadway Musical
28 April 2025 in Theatre in Review“Spring Awakenings,” now playing at Chicago’s Greenhouse Theater Center, is not the Tony-winning 2006 Broadway musical “Spring Awakening,” but an…
Rosemont's Parkway Bank Park Announces 2025 Lineup for Rockin in the Park Free Summer Concert Series
28 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreRosemont's Parkway Bank Park entertainment district (5501 Park Place, Rosemont) will turn up the volume this summer with the return of its…
‘Kairos’ Is One of the Most Enjoyable and Provocative Shows in Chicago
27 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewLisa Sanaye Dring’s play “Kairos,” which just opened at The Edge Off Broadway theater, is one of the most thought-provoking…
A Half-Century in Harmony: Ryan Opera Center Shines in ‘Rising Stars in Concert’
27 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewIt was a night of celebration, reflection, and breathtaking talent at the Civic Opera House. Fifty years of song echoed…
From Graphic Epic to Stage Triumph: Berlin at Court Theatre
27 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewCourt Theatre’s world premiere of Berlin, adapted by Mickle Maher from Jason Lutes’ monumental graphic novel, is a breathtaking achievement.…
Rivendell Theatre continues 30th Anniversary Season with GORGEOUS in a co-production with Raven Theatre May 1 - June 7, 2025
25 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreChicago's Rivendell Theatre Ensemble continues to celebrate its 30th Anniversary season with the World Premiere co-production of Keiko Green's GORGEOUS, directed by Kirsten Fitzgerald. The co-production…
Announcing the 2025 Broadway In Chicago Summer Concert
24 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce that its free SUMMER CONCERT will return to Millennium Park on August 11,…
THE JOFFREY BALLET CLOSES 69TH SEASON WITH EXTENDED RUN OF CHRISTOPHER WHEELDON'S ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND
24 April 2025 in Upcoming DanceThe Joffrey Ballet concludes its 69th season with two-time Tony Award®-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon's enchanting and family-friendly Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Set to…
David Mamet's 'Henry Johnson' in High Powered Premiere at Victory Gardens Biograph
24 April 2025 in Theatre in Review“Henry Johnson,” David Mamet’s new play running at the vintage Biograph Theatre, is like many of his works, enigmatic and…
Latest Articles
-
The Antiquities: A Thought-provoking Look at Today from the Future
Written by Betsy SchmittWith AI and other technological advancements continuing to change the landscape of how we work and interact with one another, what does the future hold for humanity? What does it mean to be human in a world where robots and… -
Riots of Laughter Greet World Premiere of 'R.U.R. [Rossum’s Universal Robots]'
Written by Bill EslerRiots of laughter greeted the City Lit Theater world premiere of “R.U.R. [Rossum’s Universal Robots]” Wait. Could this be the same 1920 science fiction play by Czech Karel Čapek? His 1937 science fiction piece at Trap Door Theater “The White… -
Hell in a Handbag Productions Presents World Premiere of QUEEN FOR A DAY
Written by Buzz Center StageHell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to conclude its 2024/25 Season with the world premiere of QUEEN FOR A DAY written by ensemble member Tyler Anthony Smith* and directed by Stephanie Shaw. This gay fantasia on national themes... wait, wrong play. This one-act comedy/drama/cry for help… -
Tickets for Disney's The Lion King On Sale Now
Written by Buzz Center StageBroadway In Chicago announced today that individual tickets for Disney’s The Lion King, are now on sale to the public. Tickets ranging from $40 - $140 and a limited number of Extra Magic Package seats, which include an excellent seat in the theater and…
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.