Displaying items by tag: theatre

I had a blast enjoying this production of ‘Footloose the Musical’ based on the 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon and so did the opening night audience who roared their approval and stopped the show after the rousing rendition by Ariel played with real sass and excitement  by Lucy Godinez of "Holding out for a Hero." I had a blast enjoying this production of ‘Footloose the Musical’ based on the 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon and so did the opening night audience who roared their approval and stopped the show after the rousing rendition by Ariel played with real sass and excitement  by Lucy Godinez of "Holding out for a Hero." 

Where have all the good men gone

And where are all the gods?

Where's the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds?

Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?

Late at night I toss and I turn

And I dream of what I need

I need a hero 

I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night

He's gotta be strong

And he's gotta be fastAnd he's gotta be fresh from the fight

I need a hero

I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light

He's gotta be sure

And it's gotta be soon

And he's gotta be larger than life!

Larger than life

Somewhere after midnight

In my wildest fantasy

Somewhere just beyond my reach

There's someone reaching back for me

Racing on the thunder and rising with the hea

tIt's gonna take a superman to sweep me off my feet

This production of Footloose the Musical directed with fantastic energy and humorous insight by Gary Griffin is the PERFECT show to see right now for young and old alike because it is all about real love and communication and doing the right thing in your own hometown even if there is opposition on all sides. 

The surface storyline is about a small town whose church leaders have banned dancing following a fatal car crash following a school dance.

  
Of course, the show is about dancing and there is AMAZING dancing choreographed with great sexiness and joy by William Carlos Angulo throughout this show. 

Aidan Wharton plays Ren, the kid who comes from Chicago and creates a stir throughout the town when he lobbies for the right to dance. With wonderful unabashed enthusiasm and a skilled dancer, Wharton is an even better dancer than he is a singer and that's okay because this show needs Ren to be a super-natural standout on the dance floor. 

This show is all about teenagers falling in love and dancing and being footloose and fancy free for the first time in a long time. In small towns when this play took place people were often wed to their first loves, so relationships between teens were highly monitored. 

When Ren arrives in the small town from bustling Chicago the local kids warn him that "eyes are everywhere” and that every move they make is dissected day and night. There is no place to escape this scrutiny and even explore their own feelings for each other - like a dance party.

This somber and slightly scary dance number really reflects how many teens today feel about growing up in the internet age. They are feeling the constant pressure " to post...or not to post" and either way people are watching them and if they post the wrong thing or don't post anything at all. People are still judging them 24/7 often finding their lives and actions lacking. 

Ren tells everyone he sees that he is restless and can't stop moving, so he dances around all the time - which makes him seem weird or suspect in itself to those observing him for the first time in this reserved town. 

At one point the adorable country nerd and bumpkin Willard Hewitt played (delightfully by character actor Ben Barker) says to Ren in distress about his new hope for a girlfriend - "She scares me! She is the fastest talking woman I've ever met!" Ren says honestly to reassure the awkward Willard, "She talks fast ‘cause she LIKES you! She's just horny for ya!" Ben is insecure because he can’t dance, but later there is a fantastic bit of physical comedy by Ben Barker as he learns that he really CAN dance with his new girlfriend, all he needs is rhythm, sway and a little loving encouragement from Ren and the other kids.

 
Ariel, the town pastor’s daughter, is involved with the town bad boy Chuck Cranston (Ryan McBride) who is slightly mean to her and pushes her around when she doesn't want to follow him.  Chuck claims he is the "best time to be had in this tiny town” and demands that Ariel follow him into his truck whenever new teen Ren is in sight. The chemistry between Ren and Ariel is obvious from the first time they see each other. 

Ryan McBride is a dead ringer for the actor Andy Samberg and has a similarly wry sense of comic timing. McBride is also a solid singer/dancer and stands out well in this production. 

Lucy Godinez is a great singer and actress with real fire in her eyes. Godinez plays Ariel as a strong, independent woman who has a secure sense of her own blossoming sexuality even though her father is the highly judgmental and protective Reverend Moore. 

Johanna McKenzie Miller as Ariel's mother, Vi Moore, is stunningly intelligent in her role as always and emits an essence of spiritual peacefulness that lends the whole play an anchor of calm, and quiet belief in her daughter and in others to do the right thing for ALL in the end. 

To me it is obvious that Ren's character is very much a Christ figure of hope and change in this show. Ren appears without warning in the small town where dancing has been banned by the elders for several years, yet he is so FULL of life and joy that he can't STOP dancing! 

At the crucial moment of judgement by the town as to whether they will allow dancing again, several quotes about the very positive nature of dancing itself are read to the council members from the Bible by Ren in Christ-like fashion: 

Psalm 149:3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!

Ecclesiastes 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance

Psalm 30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness

Jeremiah 31:13 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them and give them gladness for sorrow.

The whole show reminded me how important dancing really is in relation to feeling a sense of love and joy in your daily life. Director Gary Griffin mentions in the press kit that he chose this show in part due to the current oppressive and depressing political climate especially for young people, which is mirrored in 'Footloose.' 

Dancing is a thing I rarely take the time to do anymore publicly or privately and being reminded in such a colorful and glorious way by this production that dancing is actually "prescribed" as a healthy form of activity by God makes me want to dance around the best I can! 

Highly recommended for all ages. I suggest you see this show and get your Spring on! 

‘Footloose the Musical’ is being performed at Marriott Theatre through June 2nd. For more show info click here.

The first time I saw ‘A Chorus Line’ was when I worked backstage for a touring production while I was in college. Perhaps it was my youth, or perhaps it was the fact that I was in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the fit and fabulous cast, but at the time, the show struck me as one of optimism and youthful energy. But all these years later, Porchlight Theatre’s current — and fantastic — production Michael Bennett’s classic look at the often-anonymous dancers on Broadway’s stages held a much different meaning for me. Instead of just being wowed by the performers’ talents, I really understood their pain and the lives they’ve lived on said stages — in the words of the number “At the Ballet”: “It wasn’t paradise, but it was home.”

I realized that part of that is the brilliance of the show, itself — that it acts every bit as its famed mirror backdrop, reflecting the audience members’ experiences and baggage back at them. But this depth also comes from this brilliant cast and their brilliant performances brilliantly directed by Brenda Didier. Of course, the talent is youthful and top-notch, as it must be for such a classic show. Christopher Chase Carter’s choreography populates the stage and pleases the eye, while the music propels things, thanks to Linda Madonia’s direction. Matthew Weidenbener gets things going with Mike’s Vaudevillian number, “I Can Do That.” Ayana Strutz’s Connie Wong confidently struts and fills the stage despite her diminutive stature. Terrell Armstrong’s Richie wows with his acrobatic dancing. While the show’s one about dancers, not singers, much of the cast has pipes aplenty — Taylor Lane and Aalon Smith’s vocals stood out, and Grant Carriker’s and Chloe Nadon-Enriquez’s married duet “Sing!” was flawless (although Nadon-Enriquez’s Kristine is not supposed to be able to sing). As far as vocals go, Adrienne Velasco-Storrs’ Diana got the show’s two big opportunities to sing — Marvin Hamlisch’s standards “Nothing” and “What I Did for Love” showed that she can sing and brought the house down, as they’re supposed to do.

But, again, it was the sadness, the weariness, and the experience that shone through to this weary and experienced version of me who attended this version of ‘A Chorus Line,’ and that was as much thanks to the performers’ take on the material as the material itself. Of course, Paul’s iconic monologue, here delivered with all the feeling one would expect by Alejandro Fonseca, manufactures emotion. But Erica Evans’ world-weary Sheila, looking for one last shot on the line, provides those same feels from start to finish; I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. Natalie Welch’s Val also draws the eye, even before her showstopper “Dance: Ten; Looks: Three,” although Welch’s age is a bit on the young side for the veteran Val. But while Val’s at last got the “it” she needed to succeed and Sheila laments the “it” that once made her successful, both of these actresses definitely have “it.”

But the real It Girl in this show is Laura Savage’s Cassie. The red dress draws the eye, of course, as does her constant backstory back-and-forth with director Zach, given both authority and empathy by Richard Strimer. But it’s the mix of confidence and brokenness that Savage brings to the role that did it. Only after the show did I learn that Savage, during last year’s Marriott Theatre production of Newsies in which she dazzled with her dancing, seriously injured herself, and has only at last recovered enough to lead this production. But lead it she does, shining as the starlet who’s looking to start back at the beginning, and who’s looking at herself in that mirror she sings about. And it is Savage’s Cassie, I guess, that spoke to me the loudest and most longingly, that gave this show the depth it was meant to have, and that most brightly shined, to myself and the rest of the audience, during this breathless, breathtaking, and unbeatable take on a timeless Broadway tale.

Through May 31st at Ruth Page Center for the Arts.

If you follow the Chicago theater scene, you’ve likely heard about local playwright Ike Holter. His Rightlynd series has been appearing in near rapid succession at various theatre companies around town. The Rightlynd saga concludes its seven-play series at the Goodman in a new play called 'Lottery Day'. Accomplished local director, Lili-Ann Brown and a cast of entirely Chicago faces make this production an authentic experience.If you follow the Chicago theater scene, you’ve likely heard about local playwright Ike Holter. His Rightlynd series has been appearing in near rapid succession at various theatre companies around town. The Rightlynd saga concludes its seven-play series at the Goodman in a new play called 'Lottery Day'. Accomplished local director, Lili-Ann Brown and a cast of entirely Chicago faces make this production an authentic experience.

Rightlynd is a fictional ward on Chicago's south side that has undergone many changes as a result of gentrification. In 'Lottery Day' many characters from the rest of Holter's plays gather for a final barbeque in matriarchal character Mallory's (J. Nicole Brooks) backyard. This isn’t just any barbeque for Mallory, she's decided to play a little game with her ten guests. One of them will leave with a large sum of money. 

'Lottery Day' plays out like peak-era Edward Albee. The structure of the game and the poetic ways Holter's characters play verbal tennis make this a satisfying watch. Often playwrights miss the real spirit of Chicago. Holter hits Chicago life on the head for anyone who's spent a good chunk of time living here. That spirit is further distilled through the lens of particularly underserved citizens. Local references don't feel clunky or jammed in. These are conversations you'd really hear. 

An all Chicago cast gives this play an edge. Here are actors who are not only familiar with each other but have a palpable chemistry. Within minutes of McKenzie Chinn's entrance as Cassandra, she shares a touching moment with Mallory. A simple gesture of affection feels so real that it makes you misty. Sydney Charles takes most of the laughs as Zora, but again, her scenes with Chinn feel so real you'll want more. There's not a bad performance on this stage. This cast is having so much fun together, it's almost an invitation for the audience to join their party. 

'Lottery Day' is an exciting moment in Chicago theatre. It seemed like everyone in the intimate Owen space was having a good time. The laughs and celebration of Chicago, as well as urban life, create a sense of community in the two-and-a-half-hour production. Those with a deep knowledge of pop culture and theatre in general will find plenty of shout outs to chuckle about. See this play if for no other reason than it will give you compassion for everyone you encounter in a day in this unique city. 'Lottery Day' is a love letter to a Chicago we are losing year by year as neighborhoods go from bad to "safe". 

Through April 28th at Goodman Theatre. 170 N Dearborn. 312-444-3821

Rhythm is an essential part of life. We wouldn’t exist without it. It all starts with your heart beat. That is the origin of rhythm really. And Djembe! The Show at Apollo Theater is all about the rhythm – and it’s informative. I really enjoyed learning how the djembe was used throughout musical history.

Djembe! was almost like a workshop at times. Drums are located at each audience member’s seat. The show was emceed by Ben Hope. Hope, along with the rest of the ensemble, taught the audience about the rich history djembe drumming. I didn’t realize this was actually a touring road show until yesterday. I can just imagine packing all those drums away after every show! Hopefully, Djembe! sticks around for a while because it is truly worthy of a long run.

The band in this show was fantastic. Fode Lavia Camara was the Djembe Fola, or “master”. He led the drumming for the most part although all were involved. The band was rounded out with bass guitar, keys and drums. All were musicians are very talented players.

Rashada Dawan handled most of the lead vocals. She wore a variety of costumes to illustrate the influence of djembe rhythms through musical history. Her voice was amazing. She also helped emcee the show.

When it all is said and done, we learn that a lot of the rhythm we take for granted in music is African in origin. It is interesting to see the influence of these rhythms on everything from Pop to Classical Music. This was all about the Djembe, but it translates to other instruments and even voices, and a show like this is great mind food for musicians. Us musicians need to constantly feed our minds with information. But it is the entertainment value in Djembe! that makes it fun!

This is a show one could see again and again. In fact, I am tempted to take a friend there who I know would really like it. You would too. Nothing makes you feel better than beating a drum. Bring a friend. Make a friend. It’s a celebration of life. This would be a great show to take your kids along. It’s a lot of fun.

Djembe! The Show is currently being performed at Apollo Theater.

For more information on this unique experience, visit www.djembetheshow.com.

In the newly re-imagined Pinocchio, the House Theatre has done what it does best: bring out a childhood favorite and give it a fabulous makeover. Directed by Company Member Chris Mathews, Carlo Collodi’s classic tale is taken on a wild ride (adapted for the stage by Joseph Steakley and Ben Lobpries). The House’s Pinocchio is decidedly different from the one we grew up with: he’s bookish, has photographic memory, a penchant for grammar, and a razor-sharp wit that often comes in handy. But he’s made of wood, and he is not like everyone else in that little town, so his gloomy Papa Geppetto (Molly Brennan) becomes fiercely protective of him. Nevertheless, Pinocchio is a clever little wooden boy; he’ll find a way out of the house and into the world full of wonder. Armed with wit, book smarts and hunger for musicals, he sets out to explore the world outside of the house windows. But he soon finds that the real world is filled with mean school children and close-minded townspeople. In fact, this town happens to be an oppressive place, fearfully intolerant of anyone different and anything that they cannot understand. Thus, Pinocchio, much like his unusual Papa, is persecuted and forced out, or at least attempted to.

Animating and voicing Pinocchio-the-puppet is a very talented UK-born guest artist Sean Garratt. Garrett’s Pinocchio is emotional and lively, the two of them soon practically fuse into one and the same. They move seamlessly about the stage, occasionally helped by the cast members, mostly when more complex movements, such as running or dancing, are involved. As nearly always the case with House’s high energy productions, Pinocchio requires carefully executed stage choreography; the flow of movement here is effortless (choreographer Kasey Foster). 

Other amusing characters in the play include mean-spirited schoolchildren Kitty (Carley Cornelius) and Dingo (Omer Abbas Salem), who let their teenage frustrations out on poor unsuspecting Pinocchio; dyslexic and goofy town deputy Doohickey, played by Kevin Stangler, and a very proper schoolteacher Miss Penny (wonderfully played by the Company Member Christine Mayland Perkins). There’s always live music on stage, whether just a simple banjo sound accent, or a full-on musical number, performed by Mike Mazzocca and Tina Munoz Pandya (music by Matthew Muniz). 

Witty writing makes use of the language nuances, so the audience gets numerous lessons in grammar and vocabulary, but most importantly, Pinocchio teaches us all a lesson on kindness, tolerance, and the importance of being true to oneself.

Through May 19th at Chopin Theatre - https://www.thehousetheatre.com/.

This was my first time seeing any production of ‘Jersey Boys’ and I was so taken by the music and drama of the show I went to see it again closing night - and I'm so glad I did! 

I learned so much about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Here’s an interesting tidbit - they originally called themselves The Four Lovers! I haven't heard their music on the radio in a long time and hearing their songs performed so well made me realize how many of their hits shaped my view of romantic love as a child. 

“Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” as done by this tremendous cast was a soaring delight, and one of the reasons I saw the production twice with those spectacularly romantic lyrics of pure devotion. 

“You're just too good to be true

 I can't take my eyes off you

You'd be like heaven to touch

I wanna hold you so much

At long last love has arrived

And I thank God I'm alive

You're just too good to be true

Can't take my eyes off you”

 
“Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Oh What a Night,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Sherry” and ”Working My Way Back To You" were so much fun to hear again, especially when learning some of the back stories on how they were written and for whom. 

I was sad but not surprised to hear that like most musical groups at that time and now, The Four Seasons were forced to tour so much and were taken advantage of financially in various ways. Pressures like such caused the band of friends to break up prematurely due to the seemingly endless strains of exhaustion, loneliness along with the emotional burdens they took on, from touring in particular, as compared to staying home with their families and recording in the studio.  

The opening night performance was still fantastic! I heard some vocal shakiness here and there and saw some nervous dance energy that made the cast appear stiff in parts when trying to hit their marks with such exactness. So, I attended the next performance and the entire cast blew me away and revealed two "Rising Stars" out of the very talented 15-member ensemble. I later found out that the cast having just flown in from NY were a little tired on opening night but by the time I saw the show again, the show had gelled so well it was almost like seeing a whole new show. Audiences seeing the show from here on out have a special treat coming to their towns! 

All four leads were wonderful with Jonny Wexler as Frankie Valli, Eric Chambliss as Bob Gaudio, Corey Greenan as Tommy DeVito and Jonathan Cable as Nick Massi. The four were in lock step, perfectly executing the demanding choreography needed to recreate the band’s exciting live presence.  

The ensemble members, Ashley Bruce, Tony L. Clements, Rick Desloge, Wade Dooley, Todd DuBail, Caitlin Leary, Kevin Patrick Martin, Jeremy Startin, Chloes Tiso, Kit Treece and Jessica Wockenfuss were all dynamite as well and with production cuts each had to lay several roles and sometimes even play instruments.

The female roles in this show are mostly "thankless" cameos which don't allow for a gal to show off, but every cast member more than pulled their weight. 

Jonny Wexler made the most astounding leap from opening night jitters and by Saturday his falsetto was flawless. The gravitas missing from his dramatic scenes was in play and when I closed my eyes during "Can't Take my Eyes Off of You" I literally felt transported back in time! I felt like I was hearing the glorious impossible tones of Frankie Valli performing in his prime. 

Jonathan Cable, who is from Indiana, actually had the most NY swagger of the entire cast from night one. Cable has an extensive musical theatre background and his smooth yet masculine dance moves, growling low singing tones and wry sense of humor made him a sexy stand out that will make ladies AND gents who see this production chuckle when they remember his interpretation of bass tenor Nick Massi. 

‘Jersey Boys’ is the well told journey of how four Jersey street kids rose from neighborhood trouble makers to one of the great musical acts of their time. It’s also the story of how a teenage kid named Bob Gaudio, who penned the cheeky hit “Short Shorts,” teamed up with Valli and company, matured as a song writer and wrote some of the most memorable songs of the era.  

The pace of the show is leisurely at first then develops nicely as the backstory of each band member comes together with their own unique talents. There is a nice intermission in this two-hour-plus show which makes it a perfect date night for Broadway theater lovers - well worth the price of admission. 

I highly recommend this production of ‘Jersey Boys’ to "Lovers" everywhere for the astoundingly talented cast, dramatic staging and really heart-satisfying renditions of classic love songs that will have you floating out of the theatre on a cloud exclaiming, "Oh, What a Night!" 

'Jersey Boys’ is here on a short run through April 7th at Auditorium Theatre.

As America watches a college admissions scandal unfold in the headlines, Theatre Wit opens a revival of Joshua Harmon's early 2018 play, "Admissions". First produced at the Lincoln Center last winter, Harmon's play was definitely on to something broiling in suburban American life. This remount was announced long before the current events rendering this new work very relevant. Directed by Jeremy Wechsler, this production is another installment in Theatre Wit's original programing. 

Sherri (Meighan Gerachis) is a middle-aged prep school admissions counselor. It's her job and personal mission to increase diversity at the upper middle class school. She prides herself on increasing the quota to 20% non-white students. When her own son is rejected from Yale and his mixed-race best friend is accepted, things get tense for this family. 

"Admissions" is a one-act play that dissects the various identity politics even those on the same side can find themselves playing into. Sherri's son Charlie (Kyle Curry) has a lengthy, if not sort of racist, rant that truly poses some interesting questions about the origins of what we consider race today. And as any mother with a concern for her child's future, Sherri starts to examine her own hypocrisy for being angry about her son's rejection. The irony of Sherri's motivations underscore that college admissions are nearly as important to parents as their students. 
One of Harmon's intentional quirks in the script is that the entirely white cast is having this intense discussion about race. Characters of color are eluded to but never featured on stage. It's a good allegory for some of these complicated debates "woke" white people have among themselves. It makes you wonder about the sincerity of our so-called wokeness. 

Performances make this production stand out. The play opens on a hilarious scene between Sherri and her co-worker Roberta played by Judi Schindler. The naivete with which Schindler approaches the dialogue completely captures the way older Americans think about race, a sort of what's-the-big-deal-? attitude. Gerachis turns in a very relatable performance. She seems to know this character well and is rarely concerned with audience likeability versus getting to the truth in this well-meaning but complicated character. 

"Admissions" is a topical look at what's at stake for today's youth. On one hand we have a cultural cynicism about higher education but on the other we understand its value in our economy. As we look at the current scandal, we ask ourselves why the already advantaged need more advantage for their future. Giving extra privilege to the privileged effectively reduces the amount of seats at the table of prosperity. Harmon also understands the pressure today's teens face from an early age to succeed at any cost. This is more than a play about college but rather a play about what we take for granted. 

Through May 12 at Theatre Wit. 1229 W Belmont Ave. 773-975-8150

Is monogamy dead? S. Asher Gelman's "Afterglow" makes an interesting case for and against it. David Zak directs the Chicago premiere at Pride Films and Plays. "Afterglow" ran off-Broadway for over a year in 2017 to rave reviews. 

Josh (Rich Holton) and Alex (Jacob Barnes) are a married gay couple living in New York City. They enjoy an open marriage until one night they bring home new guy, Darius (Jesse James Montoya). Josh's feelings toward their lover increase as the due date for their surrogate-born child approaches.  While the plot sounds very specific to the LGBTQ community, the themes explored by Gelman feel universal. 

In short scenes (most of which performed naked), we watch the central couple grapple with what it really means to share your partner with another person. Some of the plot points and dialogue are cringe-worthy in their awkwardness. A solidly midwestern audience may clutch their pearls and ask, "can you imagine?" Gelman makes very astute points about the future of commitment as we grow increasingly reliant on dating apps. 

There's a certain sloppiness however to Zak's production. Performances run a bit passionate in this otherwise quiet script. An intimate theater space amplifies the already too loud actors on stage. Some insightful nuggets of wisdom in Gelman's script are overshadowed by strange acting choices. The set includes some impressive feats for a storefront theater (like a working shower), but it also seemed to be falling apart around the cast by evening's end. Technical difficulties aside the cast worked around the challenges gracefully. 

"Afterglow" is a gay play for this time, much like "The Boys in the Band" spoke to a late-70s gay audience. There's nary a single person gay or straight that won't find themselves nodding along with Gelman's observations. There's a lot in this 80-minute drama and the sexual tension runs searingly throughout. David Zak's production is somewhat devoid of the off-Broadway production's sleekness and it tends to undercut the script. Those who enjoy queer theater will be pleasantly surprised by the depth of this new play. 

Through May 5 at Pride Films and Plays - Pride Arts Center, The Buena. 4147 N Broadway. 773-857-02222

*Extended through June 2nd

Nothing beats celebrating New Year’s Eve like being a on ship that capsizes just after the countdown. The 1972 film that features Gene Hackman, Shelly Winters, Red Buttons, and Ernest Borgnine is just that. When a cruise ship capsizes, surviving passengers are forced to travel upwards from floor to floor with the goal of reaching the ship’s bottom where they believe rescuers will be waiting or an escape through the propeller room might be had. The film, a classic disaster flick with several over the top performances, begs to become a victim of parody – and Hell in a Handbag is just the team to make this happen.

Originally staged by Hell in a Handbag in 2002, ‘Poseidon! An Upsidedown Musical’ was a tremendous hit and went on to run for a five-month sold out engagement. Accepted into The New York International Fringe Festival, no other show beat its attendance. When the show was remounted in 2009 at Chopin Theatre, it ran to great success once again and saw yet another extended run. The 2009 production of ‘Poseidon!’ was my very first Handbag experience and I’ve never looked back, enjoying nearly all the ensemble’s shows since. I was immediately hooked on Handbag’s knack for producing pinpoint camp and became a fan of the likes of David Cerda, Ed Jones, Elizabeth Lesinski and company from day one. 

So, great news Chicago! ‘Poseidon!’ is back, this time at the Edge Theatre in Edgewater. The show might be without Cerda and Jones in starring roles but puts forth an incredible funny cast with David Lipshutz leading the motley crew of survivors as Reverend Scott (played by Hackman in the film). Lipshutz is a comedic force, his deadpan delivery and exaggerated dramatic lines spot on. 

The cast is simply littered with talented actors who know how to draw laughs and ‘Poseidon!’ gives each ample opportunity to shine. Lesinski returns to Handbag and is hilarious as Linda, the impatient, self-centered wife of Rogo, a retired detective who often butts heads with the reverend and is played by Handbag newcomer Shane Roberie. Stevie Love takes on the role of Nonnie, the ditzy singer of the ship’s house band and is hysterically funny with just about every line delivered. The cast is tremendous and includes both Handbag veterans and new arrivals – Tommy Bullington takes on Belle (played by Shelly Winters in the film) and knocks it out of the park. Nicky Mendelsohn is sidesplittingly funny as ship employee, Acres (played by Roddy McDowell in the film) while cast members Katherine Bellantone, Michael S. Miller, Frankie Leo Bennet (C’mon sis! It’s a cinch!”), Scott Sawa and others strengthen an already strong cast.   

        
As an audience we are part of a group that watches The Poseidon Adventure regularly. The watching party is hosted by Caitlin Jackson who, along with her guests, comment on moments of the “film” and praises its heroes. Prior to the curtain being raised, Jackson and friends stroll around the theatre, drinks in hand, as they prepare to take their front row seats to watch the epic classic of a lifetime. 

The musical is filled with songs that are as catchy as they are funny like “Just Panties” and “(In the Water) I’m A Very Skinny Lady”. A live band is hidden away in the set that creatively flips upside down once the rogue wave strikes the helpless ship. 
Is it helpful to see the 1972 disaster film before the musical? For sure. Can you enjoy this musical if you’ve never even heard of the film? For sure.

Superbly directed by Derek Van Barham with book and lyrics by David Cerda of whom the latter also is credited for the music along with Scott Lamberty, “Poseidon! An Upside Musical’ is a super blast into comedic heaven. 
Catch the ship-capsizing wave of hilarity! Wholeheartedly recommended as one of the funniest productions you can possibly see.

‘Poseidon!’ is being performed at The Edge Theatre through April 28th. For tickets and/or more show information visit www.handbagproductions.org.

Some theatre is so unique that it defies genre, or even creates its own. 'For Colored Girls/Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf' by Notzake Shange is considered a choreopoem, a first and only of its kind to appear on Broadway. This pivotal work debuted on Broadway in 1975 and remains as potent today as it was then. Court Theatre's revival, going on now, is directed by original cast member Seret Scott. 

You may be asking yourself what a choreopoem is. As defined by Shange's work, it's a beautiful combination of spoken word poetry, song and dance. While narrative structure is fluid, there is a central storyline flushed out over the 90 minute run. 'For Colored Girls' tells eight black women's stories of urban life in sometimes joyful, sometimes tragic, but mostly empowering vignettes. The characters are identified only by the color of their dress, but are made distinct by their individual voices and stories. 

This piece isn't produced very often as it requires a solid and specific casting. Seret Scott has assembled a stellar cast for her production. Melody Angel as Lyric creates the rhythmic backbone as she shreds an electric guitar. Though all the women in this ensemble are hair-raisingly spectacular, Anji White's performance is truly transcendent. There's a moment near the middle of the show when White takes center stage as Lady in Red. From there on, you cannot take your eyes off her. The final monologue leaves an audience entirely surrendered to both her sensuality and gut-wrenching story. 

'For Colored Girls' is a timeless exploration of black female themes in American life, but perhaps there is no better time than right now to celebrate being other. If you've always wanted to see this piece performed to the best possible standards, don't skip this powerful production.

 
Through April 14 at Court Theatre. 5535 S Ellis. 773-753-4472