Displaying items by tag: John Schiappa
Broadway in Chicago’s 'GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY' Features Standout Vocalists and Touching Story
“May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
May you stay forever young”
For many, if they are unfamiliar with the music of Bob Dylan, they have at least heard the one. As the opening cords of “Forever Young” start to play, Elizabeth (Jennifer Blood) takes center stage. She sits on the bench and sings – backlit by a screen of light blue. Aside from her husband, Nick (John Schiappa), who sits frozen by her side – the stage is empty. The room is silent save for her stunning vibrato. We are left with nothing but her and the lyrics on which to focus, allowing us to join in her somber, reflective journey.
Juke-box musicals can often run into challenges. In trying to fit an entire score of pre-made material, it can become tough to craft a story that flows and feels authentic. Girl from the North Country is a Bob Dylan juke-box musical, and you may just find that the creators found the perfect balance of storytelling to match his folk/rock genre.
Written and directed by Conor McPherson, Girl from the North Country centers on a group of wayward travelers in Duluth, Minnesota in 1934. When these characters meet at Nick’s old guesthouse, we catch glimpses into their lives – past relationships, hopes for the future, and all of the regrets leading them to this moment. Much of McPherson’s musical is told in a vignette style – moments in which we see these characters briefly interact before moving on to their rooms for the evening. Scenic and Costume Designer Rae Smith heightens the theatricality with her design. Rather than featuring a full house on stage, we see the structure in segments – with walls dropping in various places as a way to highlight the characters’ interactions before moving to a different space in the house.
The musical showcases a list of famous songs by Bob Dylan including “Forever Young,” “All Along the Watch Tower,” “Hurricane,” and “Like a Rolling Stone.” With the story moving so quickly, Dylan’s slower musical style allows the audience to catch up as the songs unfold – giving us just enough pause to catch a window into the characters’ true feelings before speeding back up again. This especially rings true in the more heartbreaking, romantic storylines of the show.
“Tight Connection to my Heart (Has Anybody Seen My Love)” appears early in Act One and features Marianne Laine (Sharaé Moultrie) – the adopted daughter of the innkeeper. We learn that she is pregnant but refuses to let anyone know the identity of the father – including her parents. As we see her break away after guest after guest pushes for that answer, the music starts to play. The lights shift. Moultrie is backlit by a bright green screen as she begins to sing – creating a haunting presence as her powerful belt rings throughout the theater. After seeing so many characters move in and out of the space, you may find that Marianne’s isolation on stage almost feels like a shock, but also offers a much-needed moment of backstory before quickly moving on to the next.
A moving story and jaw-dropping vocalists alone make Girl from the North Country a night to remember Conor McPherson and his artistic team celebrate Bob Dylan’s music in a way that I can only imagine is exciting for long-time fans to experience first-hand.
RECOMMENDED
Running through February 25, 2024 at the CIBC Theatre – 18 Monroe Street.
Review: 'Fool for Love' at Steppenwolf Theatre
10 February 2025 in Theatre in ReviewLove is often jokingly referred to as a socially acceptable form of insanity, but in Sam Shepard’s ‘Fool for Love’…
Court Theatre’s "A Raisin in the Sun": Bold Choices, Timeless Struggles
10 February 2025 in Theatre in ReviewLike the dream deferred in Langston Hughes' poem that inspired its title, Court Theatre's latest production of "A Raisin in…
Northlight Theatre’s production of 'The Heart Sellers' is Charming and Heartfelt
06 February 2025 in Theatre in ReviewIt’s still fairly early in the evening. At this point, the turkey is in the oven, and Jane and Luna…
'Mr. Parker' at Open Space Arts: A Thoroughly Outstanding Theatrical Journey
04 February 2025 in Theatre in ReviewOpen Space Arts presents a premiere performance of Michael McKeever’s MR PARKER. Like everything I’ve seen at Open Space Arts…
Baldwin Vs. Buckley: How Have We Changed in 60 Years?
03 February 2025 in Theatre in ReviewSome 60 years ago black intellectual and littérateur James Baldwin met with the leading conservative spokesman and author of his day,…
Petal-powered Feud: When Shrubs and Sass Collide in Buffalo Theatre Ensemble's 'Native Gardens'
02 February 2025 in Theatre in ReviewBuffalo Theatre Ensemble’s latest offering, Native Gardens by Karen Zacarias, is a riotous comedy that delves into the quirky world…
Steep Theatre’s A Slow Air is Thought-Provoking and Intimate
27 January 2025 in Theatre in ReviewIt’s Athol’s turn to speak. The lights have come up on his side of the stage and Morna fades into…
Avaaz: A Powerful and Personal Tribute to a Mother’s Journey
26 January 2025 in Theatre in ReviewOne of the things I have always enjoyed and admired most about Chicago Shakespeare Theatre is their willingness to bring…
Lookingglass Theatre Company Shares 2025 Performances, Post-show Discussion, Events, Updates and MORE
23 January 2025 in Upcoming TheatreChicago’s Tony-Award winning Lookingglass Theatre Company is proud to share its current 2025 season including two mainstage productions, Circus Quixote, January 30 – March…
Fat Ham at Goodman Theatre: Bold, Hilarious, and Heartfelt
23 January 2025 in Theatre in ReviewJames Ijames' Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Fat Ham, bursts onto the Goodman Theatre stage in a vibrant, deeply resonant co-production with…
Review: Porchlight Music Theatre's 'Fun Home' at Ruth Page Center for the Arts
21 January 2025 in Theatre in ReviewBefore Alison Bechdel became famously associated with her “Bechdel Test” for evaluating fiction by how women are portrayed, she published…
Dual Delights: A Spellbinding Journey with Jekyll And Hyde In Concert
20 January 2025 in Theatre in ReviewBrightside Theatre's latest production, Jekyll And Hyde In Concert is a truly mesmerizing experience. And if you are a Chicago…
"Braids, Dreams, and Resilience: JaJa’s African Hair Braiding Shines at Chicago Shakespeare Theater"
20 January 2025 in Theatre in ReviewJaJa’s African Hair Braiding, written by first-generation Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Obie Award-winning Whitney White, is…
XAVIER MORTIMER: MASTER OF MAGIC Now On Sale
20 January 2025 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago and Starvox Touring are excited to announce individual tickets for XAVIER MORTIMER: MASTER OF MAGIC are now on sale. XAVIER MORTIMER: MASTER…
Drury Lane Theatre launches 2025/26 Season with the thrilling Chicago Regional Premiere of The Da Vinci Code
18 January 2025 in Upcoming TheatreDrury Lane Theatre opens its 2025/26 with the thrilling Chicago Regional Premiere of The Da Vinci Code, based on the novel by Dan Brown,…
Joffrey Ballet presents two World Premieres in upcoming 'Golden Hour' mixed rep program
17 January 2025 in Upcoming TheatreThis winter, The Joffrey Ballet presents Golden Hour, a radiant mixed repertoire program of warmth and splendor. Featuring world premieres by Yuri Possokhov and Dani Rowe,…
Marriott Theatre Kicks off Spectacular 50th Anniversary Season with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
16 January 2025 in Upcoming TheatreChicagoland's longest running musical theatre, Marriott Theatre, officially kicks off its spectacular 50th Anniversary Season with one of the most enduring and beloved musicals…
TOO HOT TO HANDEL: the Jazz-Gospel Messiah … SIZZLES!!
13 January 2025 in Theatre in ReviewWe all have Christmas rituals; practices we incorporate into our personal experiences of the holidays. For me, it used to…
Broadway Tribute Introduces A New Generation of Musical Titans
13 January 2025 in Theatre in ReviewCollaborations can produce tremendous results and the one between Nathan Gunn, his wife Julie Jordan Gunn and Jam Orchestra counts…
Drury Lane Theatre brings the music of Carole King to the stage with its stellar cast of Beautiful, beginning January 29
10 January 2025 in Upcoming TheatreDrury Lane Theatre is thrilled to announce casting for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, a heartwarming journey through Carole King's inspirational life story, where…
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to The Auditorium March 7-9
10 January 2025 in Upcoming DanceAlvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world's most popular dance companies, returns to The Auditorium, Chicago's landmark stage at…
Announcing 42 BALLOONS, a soaring original musical inspired by an unbelievable true story
09 January 2025 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces today an exciting addition to the 2024/25 season: the North American premiere of the new musical 42 Balloons.…
Broadway in Chicago’s production of Shucked Charms and Delights
09 January 2025 in Theatre in ReviewIt’s the second act, and Beau (Jake Odmark) is in quite a state. The love of his life is about…
Court Theatre presents A Raisin in the Sun for the first time in company's history
08 January 2025 in Upcoming TheatreCourt Theatre – under the continuing leadership of Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre, with interim artistic leadership from Senior Artistic Producer Gabrielle Randle-Bent and Senior Managing…
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents FOOL FOR LOVE - January 30 – March 16, 2025
07 January 2025 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to present a searing revival of Sam Shepard's dark and beautiful…
Writers Theatre to present Frida...A Self Portrait, opening January 31st
06 January 2025 in Upcoming TheatreWriters Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Artistic Director Braden Abraham, continues its 2024/25 Season with Frida...A Self Portrait, starring acclaimed…
Invictus Theatre Company announces its 2025 season
06 January 2025 in Upcoming TheatreInvictus Theatre Company has announced programming for its 2025 season, its second in residence at the Windy City Playhouse. As…
Submissions Open for 2025 CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL - Returning April 3 – 6, 2025 at The Chopin Theatre
02 January 2025 in Upcoming TheatreKokandy Productions is pleased to open submissions for the 2025 Chicago Musical Theatre Festival (CMTF), returning April 3 – 6, 2025 on The Chopin Theatre…
The Artistic Home to present HEDDA GABLER February 20 - March 23
02 January 2025 in Upcoming TheatreThe Artistic Home will present the Chicago premiere of Mark O'Rowe's adaptation of Ibsen's HEDDA GABLER. This pioneering work of…
Review: The Berlin Diaries by Andrea Stolowitz at Open Space Arts
24 December 2024 in Theatre in ReviewMy companion was apprehensive about the press release’s statement that “… the two-person cast will play all characters and will…
Latest Articles
-
Court Theatre’s "A Raisin in the Sun": Bold Choices, Timeless Struggles
Written by Wesley DavidLike the dream deferred in Langston Hughes' poem that inspired its title, Court Theatre's latest production of "A Raisin in the Sun" simmers, sags, and occasionally explodes with raw intensity. Director Gabrielle Randel-Bent's contemporary vision crackles with urgency, even as… -
Review: 'Fool for Love' at Steppenwolf Theatre
Written by John AccroccoLove is often jokingly referred to as a socially acceptable form of insanity, but in Sam Shepard’s ‘Fool for Love’ – social acceptability is an afterthought. Steppenwolf is especially known for their revivals of Shepard’s plays, and under Jeremy Herrin’s… -
Northlight Theatre’s production of 'The Heart Sellers' is Charming and Heartfelt
Written by Lauren KatzIt’s still fairly early in the evening. At this point, the turkey is in the oven, and Jane and Luna are each a couple sips into their bottle of wine. Conversation is nervous. The two women still do not know… -
'Mr. Parker' at Open Space Arts: A Thoroughly Outstanding Theatrical Journey
Written by Sarz MaxwellOpen Space Arts presents a premiere performance of Michael McKeever’s MR PARKER. Like everything I’ve seen at Open Space Arts (OSA), the acting was superlative: kudos to Andrew Kain Miller (Terry), Riley Capp (Justin), and Mary Ann Bowman (Cassie)! 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.