Friday, 08 February 2013 17:44
Steppenwolf Takes on Pinter's "The Birthday Party"
Written by Ken Payne
“The Birthday Party” at Steppenwolf’s new upstairs theatre, is theatre in the round at its best, with the living room set in the middle of the room amidst the audience, almost giving us the feeling that we are part of the play. With Chicago theatre heavyweights filling the cast, including…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Simply put, Christine Sherrill puts on one of the best all around performances I’ve seen in some time. Playing “Norma Desmond” in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard”, Sherrill clearly shows why she is a top stage talent with her brilliant use of dramatics, comedic timing and, maybe most of all,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 04 February 2013 20:17
An American Play, a Chicago Premiere; 'Southbridge' surprises at Chicago Dramatists
Written by Kendall Royzen
In a small and unassuming theatre on a low traffic corner in Chicago rests a playhouse that offers some big surprises. We ventured into this playhouse to see, unbeknownst to us, a world premiere production. Southbridge, written by Reginald Edmund and directed by Russ Tutterow was as unassuming as the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 03 February 2013 13:29
A Smart, but not Steamy "Other Desert Cities" at Goodman
Written by Zach Zimmerman
It's 2004 and a violent war is raging in the desert. In Afghanistan, young, fatigued soldiers fight against terror, but in a secluded West Coast mansion, a war of word wages between a strained family. Brooke, the daughter of two prominent old-school Republicans - Ron and Nancy are among the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 10 January 2013 18:00
“The Motherf**ker With The Hat” Wins Big at Steppenwolf
Written by Ken Payne
Steppenwolf Theatre Company kicks in the 2013 season with a dark comedy that is both engaging and compelling from the opening scene that has “Jackie” finding the hat of his girlfriend “Veronica’s” alleged lover. Just out of prison, “Jackie” takes a big step towards starting his new life by getting…
Published in
Theatre in Review
The highly anticipated musical theatre production, “The Book of Mormon”, winner of nine Tony Awards, has made its way to Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre (18 W Monroe) amidst its second national tour. With a humorous story revolving around young Mormons spreading the word of “Heavenly Father” according to The…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 21 December 2012 18:00
Don't Hate him Because He's Beautiful! "Rudolph, The Red Hosed Reindeer"
Written by Kimberly Katz
I do love all the standard holidays shows and music that come with the season but there comes a point where I feel overloaded by all the sticky sweet extravaganzas and tearjerkers and just want to laugh my ass off. That is when I head straight to Mary's Attic for…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 15 December 2012 18:00
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular - Big Holiday Fun!
Written by Kimberly Katz
Merry Christmasukah! Looking for a fun way to get you and your family into the Christmas spirit? Look no further – The Radio City Spectacular at Rosemont’s Akoo Theatre featuring the Rockettes pulls out all the stops. From singing Christmas favorites to the dazzling famed New York chorus line, this…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 06 December 2012 18:00
Jeff Garlin In Concert - "Get Comfortable... it's Going to be a Long, Funny Night."
Written by Kimberly Katz
I just love Jeff Garlin's work. It was really great to see him in his second two week run at Steppenwolf Theater here in Chicago titled, "Closer Than I Appear", a year after his sold out run there with "No Sugar Tonight". Each show started out with Jeff telling…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Thursday, 06 December 2012 18:00
How The Grinch Stole Christmas: A Magical Christmas Treat
Kent Michaels
With the Christmas season comes the good guys we’ve come to love so dearly like Charlie Brown, Rudolph, George Bailey and of course Santa Claus, but it’s also the time for holiday nemesis’s such as Ebenezer Scrooge, Mr. Potter, Burgermeister and the Whoville hater himself, The Grinch. Well, the famous…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sean Palmer was originally slated for the role of “Don Lockwood” but suffered an injury postponing the Drury Lane opening of “Singin’ in the Rain”. Acting fast, Broadway actor Tony Yazbeck was brought in for the role of “Don Lockwood” and his performance couldn’t be more wonderful. From…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 30 November 2012 17:49
"It's A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play" Just Wonderful
Written by Ken Payne
‘Tis the season to jump into the holiday spirit and what better way than to kick it off by taking in a holiday classic. “It’s A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play”, now playing at American Theater Company, is a charming and fun-filled way to do exactly that. In this warm…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 17 November 2012 18:00
Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” at Northlight Theatre
Written by Ken Payne
The play starts out with a poker game taking place in Oscar Madison’s living room. The place we can see is a mess, cigar smoke freely roams throughout and all the regulars are there – Speed, Roy, Vinnie and Murray – all but one – Felix Ungar. After much worry…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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