OBAMA-OLOGY is about privilege, as experienced and explored by Warren, a young gay Black man, recently graduated from college who takes a job with the 2008 Obama campaign. He arrives in a near-frenzy of excitement, but his ardor rapidly shrivels in the bleak streets of East Cleveland. Warren, ably played…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 10 June 2023 15:42
NEJLA YATKIN pop-up Performances of ‘FIREBIRD’ FREE in Chicago Parks throughout June -RECOMMENDED!
Sarz Maxwell
As part of Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series, Nejla Yatkin, dancer and choreographer is offering a series of FREE pop-up performances at parks throughout the City. I just saw her at West Ridge Park; there are fourteen more pop-ups between now and July 8 (I’ll get…
Published in
Theatre in Review
What’s the line between faith and reason? That’s the question at the center of playwright John Pielmeier’s contemporary classic ‘Agnes of God’. The reliable ensemble at Redtwist Theatre creates an atmospheric production that leaves an indelible impression. ‘Agnes of God’ tells the story of a young, mentally impaired nun who…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 08 June 2023 10:55
Escape Reality and Laugh With Second City’s ‘Don’t Quit Your Daydream’
Written by Bree Samani
Second City’s Don’t Quit Your Daydream is a dream you won’t want to wake up from. I gotta say this show brought me to tears… of laughter. Once the lights dim, you are welcomed with a groovy dance opening and then dive into back-to-back comedy sketches. This show captures all…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
West Side Story is just as exciting, vibrant, and moving today as it was when it was first created in 1957. Filled with timeless songs and choreographed dance numbers that are as original as they are visually stunning, West Side Story continues to delight audiences old and new, and Lyric…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 03 June 2023 11:48
Review: Pippin at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
Written by CJ Burroughs
Fun fact. I went into Music Theater Works’ production of Pippin knowing the songs, knowing the show, and knowing I’d have a good time. But afterwards, I learned from my daughter, herself a current member of Scotch’n’Soda Theatre, Carnegie Mellon University’s student theater troupe, that the beloved musical didn’t just…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 02 June 2023 09:54
Good Beyond Words: Cirque du Soleil Returns to Chicago with ‘Corteo’
Written by Bill Esler
After a four-year hiatus, Cirque du Soleil, the ever-inventive circus troupe, has returned to Chicagoland with its latest show, “Corteo.” Founded in Montreal in 2005, Cirque transforms ordinary circus stuff— trapeze performances, acrobatics and gymnastics—through costuming, music, and a continuing storyline into pure stage magic. This has garnered Cirque a…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
Monday, 22 May 2023 13:56
Let the Weeping Cease, “The Gospel At Colonus” Opens at Court Theatre
Written by Wesley David
After an unexpected delay due to Covid-19, a most anticipated musical has finally opened at the Court Theatre. “The Gospel At Colonus” is the second installment of Sophocles’ Theban Trilogy. The first, “Oedipus Rex” was produced by Court Theatre during the 2019/2020 season to rave reviews. The Third, “Antigone” has…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 21 May 2023 13:18
Review: Invictus Theatre Company's 'The Crucible' at Reginald Vaughn Theatre - Very Highly Recommended!
Sarz Maxwell
Do not see THE CRUCIBLE to unwind after a hard week. Do not take a blind date to THE CRUCIBLE. If you couldn’t get tickets to Second City, do not attend THE CRUCIBLE as a backup. But in any other circumstances whatsoever, DO see THE CRUCIBLE at Invictus Theatre. Even…
Published in
Theatre in Review
More...
King Solomon once wrote there is nothing new under the sun, I will also add, there are no new stories to be told. The only difference is how the stories are told. Chicago playwright Joshua Allen with the second installment of his Grand Boulevard Trilogy is proving himself to be…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Playwright Joel Tan named this play for the book And Tango Makes Three, a true story about the two male penguins in Central Park Zoo who as a couple hatched and raised Tango – who, just by the way, later paired with another female penguin. But we’re not here to…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 17 May 2023 08:41
With Fabulous Frivolity, Serious Shakesperean Actor Brings a New Lens to the Canon
Written by Bill Esler
Will WIlhelm, a trans actor with a serious bent for Shakespeare, takes us on a provocative journey through the playwright’s works that is both funny and eye opening. About Face Theatre’s “Gender Play or What You Will” is accompanied by plenty of witty dish. But this seemingly light-hearted two-hours also…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 14 May 2023 15:07
Running On Little Sleep, Love, and Mom Water; MotherFreakingHood! delights at Mercury Theater
Written by Kendall Royzen
It's Mother's Day today and you know what that means, It's the day we honor those who rock cool mom jeans. Don't pretend you don't own some, they're back in fashion, ya know, So don those old favorites and step out for a show. …
Published in
Theatre in Review
Register
Login
Latest Articles
-
'Blue' Holds Mirror to Race in America
Written by Betsy SchmittWhen Francesca Zambello, director of The Glimmerglass Festival, commissioned an opera about race in America, the country was reeling from a spate of police shootings of young African-American men in Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. By the time the… -
Review: 'Falsettos' at Court Theatre
Written by John AccroccoEven 40 years later, the AIDS crisis continues to shape American life. Long before Hollywood brought AIDS stories to the cultural mainstream, the theatre was a safe place for actors and writers to explore their fears and sense of injustice… -
Delightful Send-up of 1930s Musicals, 'Dames at Sea' Nearly Sunk by Bad Sound
Written by Bill EslerOverall Citadel Theatre’s ‘Dames at Sea’ has a smashingly great cast of singers and dancers, perfect for a musical comedy satirizing the over-the-top 1930s movies and Broadway revues that were light on plot and heavy on costumes, dance routine, and… -
Disney's The Little Mermaid at Drury Lane: An Inspiring and Delightful Production Celebrating Girls' Unique Voices
Written by Kimberly KatzI thoroughly enjoyed Drury Lane's enchanting stage production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid from start to finish. While few are overly familiar with Hans Christian Andersen’s original, darker tale of ill-fated romance, the Disney animated film and this stage adaptation,…
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.