Monday, 20 January 2025 14:02
"Braids, Dreams, and Resilience: JaJa’s African Hair Braiding Shines at Chicago Shakespeare Theater"
Written by Wesley David
JaJa’s African Hair Braiding, written by first-generation Ghanaian American playwright Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Obie Award-winning Whitney White, is a vibrant celebration of the resilience, community, and complexity of West African immigrant women striving to establish their place in New York City. Currently receiving an acclaimed production at Chicago…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 20 January 2025 11:55
XAVIER MORTIMER: MASTER OF MAGIC Now On Sale
Written by Buzz Center Stage
Broadway In Chicago and Starvox Touring are excited to announce individual tickets for XAVIER MORTIMER: MASTER OF MAGIC are now on sale. XAVIER MORTIMER: MASTER OF MAGIC will play the CIBC Theatre (18 W. Monroe St.) for a limited engagement, March 21-23. Xavier Mortimer, the illusionist who starred in Cirque du Soleil’s production – MICHAEL JACKSON ONE,…
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Upcoming Theatre
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We all have Christmas rituals; practices we incorporate into our personal experiences of the holidays. For me, it used to be reading all three books of The Lord of the Rings. This has naturally morphed into watching all three extended-version DVD’s – a significant investment of time, but far less…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 13 January 2025 16:59
Broadway Tribute Introduces A New Generation of Musical Titans
Written by Mitchell Oldham
Collaborations can produce tremendous results and the one between Nathan Gunn, his wife Julie Jordan Gunn and Jam Orchestra counts as a particularly splendid example. Nathan Gunn & Friends: Beloved Broadway, a tribute to some of the finest music produced on Broadway, had nestled within it an ulterior agenda Saturday…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 09 January 2025 11:29
Broadway in Chicago’s production of Shucked Charms and Delights
Written by Lauren Katz
It’s the second act, and Beau (Jake Odmark) is in quite a state. The love of his life is about to marry another man, and he doesn’t know what to do. In an effort to lift him up, his friends do what anyone in their positions should do – insult…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 24 December 2024 15:36
Review: The Berlin Diaries by Andrea Stolowitz at Open Space Arts
Sarz Maxwell
My companion was apprehensive about the press release’s statement that “… the two-person cast will play all characters and will even share certain characters.” “How can that work?” she wondered. “How will we know which character is speaking?” I told her, “Wait and see.” I had no such doubts; I’ve…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 24 December 2024 10:45
Legally Blonde at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts: Blonde Ambition Takes Center Stage in Skokie!
Written by CJ Burroughs
Unlike many of the shows I review, which I’ve often seen in other productions elsewhere, I went into Music Theater Works’ current production of Legally Blonde blind. Other than the couple-decades-old movie the musical is based on, along with a covid-era TikTok fascination that my daughters had with a particular…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 17 December 2024 00:49
25 Years of Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer: A Warm and Sparkling Celebration of Individuality!
Written by Kimberly Katz
I fondly recall watching the 1964 children’s television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer each year with great wonder! Its message of hope—that you can be yourself and different from the herd—left a lasting impression. The idea that, through perseverance, you can be loved and appreciated for your unique talents is…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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- RUDOLPH THE REDHOSED REINDEER
- Hell in a Handbag Productions
- Hoover Leppen Theatre
- Center on Halsted
- David Cerda
- Caitlin Jackson
- Sydney Genco
- Michael Hampton
- Terry McCarthy
- Lori Lee
- Mark Bartishell
- Kelly Bolton
- Peter Ruger
- Matt Sergot
- Eustace Allen
- Cameron Cai
- Micah Mixon
- TJ O’Brien
- Shawn Quinlan
- Michael Radford
- Whitney Willard Wilkinson
- Anthony Whitaker
- Chad Gearing
Tuesday, 17 December 2024 12:23
Three-time Jeff Award winner Ron OJ Parson to direct Hymn
Written by Buzz Center Stage
Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces renowned Chicago director Ron OJ Parson will helm the North American premiere of Lolita Chakrabarti's Hymn, making his CST directorial debut. Chakrabarti has re-imagined her play in the South Side of Chicago, following an acclaimed premiere at London's Almeida Theatre. The creative team also includes scenic and projection designer Rasean Davonté Johnson,…
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Upcoming Theatre
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Friday, 13 December 2024 13:49
Teatro ZinZanni's Love, Chaos, and Dinner: A Spectacular Romantic Journey of Joy and Laughter
Written by Kimberly Katz
Upon entering the beautifully decorated lobby of Teatro Zinzanni theater on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, you are instantly transported to an exquisite, romantic art deco speakeasy. The theater itself is housed under a stunning 100-year-old Belgian Spiegeltent, featuring booth and chair seating in the round. A delightful…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 11 December 2024 17:15
This Charles Dickens Gets to the Heart of 'Christmas Carol' In Spectacular Performance
Written by Bill Esler
Just as there are many Santa’s around town, this time of year we have a wide selection of Christmas and Holiday-themed shows on stage. While I’ve grown quite jaded about the diminishment of “real” theater during the holidays—steadfastly avoiding the Goodman show each year—there was something that overcame my reluctance…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
Tuesday, 10 December 2024 12:01
Join Sweet DeLa and Spicy Jinkx in their irreverent shenanigans
Sarz Maxwell
[Reviewer’s Note: I’ve been reading a book whose main character is inveigled by Word of the Day; hence, I’ve striven to include as many unconventional and indecipherable words as possible. You’re welcome.] This is the seventh year of the JINKX AND DELA HOLIDAY SHOW, composed each year by BenDeLaCreme and…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 07 December 2024 11:51
Finally, A Fresh and Fitting Take on Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women
Written by Mitchell Oldham
Like a lot of people, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women has been mostly a cultural curiosity for much of my life. I know it’s perennially referenced when talking about women and their struggle to achieve personal agency and autonomy. Since it was published in 1868, shortly after the Civil War,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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History. Passion. Power. A Love That Changed an Empire - Scandalous Boy at
Written by Sarz MaxwellI’m a geek, I admit it; I love seeing theatre that’s … well … real. Like SCANDALOUS BOY – you’ve heard of Roman Emperor Hadrian, yeah? He reigned from 117 to 138 CE (that was even before Diana’s wedding!) and… -
Evanston Salt Costs Rising: Stormy souls on salted streets at First Floor Theater
Written by Susan LiebermanRecent Chicago-area winters have been relatively easy ones. Lest we forget howling blizzards or subzero temperatures, Will Arbery’s Evanston Salt Costs Climbing serves as a reminder. Director Micah Figueroa stages First Floor Theater’s production of this idiosyncratic play in a… -
MJ THE MUSICAL is On Sale Wednesday May 28th!
Written by Buzz Center StageProducers Lia Vollack, John Branca, and John McClain and Broadway In Chicago are thrilled to announce that individual tickets for the highly anticipated return engagement of the smash-hit musical, MJ, will go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, May 28. MJ makes its Chicago return at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, August… -
Corn Productions has a new original play premiering in June - Support Group For The End Of The World
Written by Buzz Center StageCorn Productions announces the world premiere of “Support Group For The End Of The World” Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, June 5th-28th, at 7:30pm. Located at Cornservatory, 4210 N Lincoln Ave Chicago IL. The world is ending, there's no stopping it…
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