Monday, 30 September 2019 01:03
Lightning Strikes in Powerful Production of King Hedley II
Written by Bill Esler
Booming thunder unleashed by a violent storm marks a scene change in King Hedley II, the sound and fury expressing the clash of deep emotional confrontations playing out as the stage goes to black. Under the direction of Ron OJ Parson, Court Theatre gives us what is surely a definitive…
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Theatre in Review
Sunday, 22 September 2019 17:48
'Revolution Chicago'. A one-sided tale of House music’s origins
Written by Michael Chandler
Chicago is a blue-collar town that loves its blue-collar music. Blues, jazz, soul, punk, heavy metal, and hip hop. Each of these genres has been taken to new heights by legendary Chicagoans but were ultimately borrowed from their originators. That all changed in the early ’80s, from the underground came…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 23 September 2019 17:39
Drury Lane's 'The Color Purple' a special musical to remember
Written by Ken Payne
Drury Lane brings Alice Walker’ 1982 novel ‘The Color Purple’, which found major success as a film in 1985, to the stage in what is sure to be a memorable experience for theatre goers. After its opening night performance, many who had seen either the Broadway run or national touring…
Published in
Theatre in Review
The immensely entertaining and surprisingly complex Bernhardt/Hamlet is a must-see at the Goodman Theatre. A hit at New York's Roundabout Theatre on Broadway last year, it’s very on-trend for contemporary feminist dramas playing out in sports, the workplace, and the arts. It is also a rather delicious backstage drama, like The Dresser…
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Theatre in Review
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Thursday, 19 September 2019 12:13
'Pajama Game', A Sparkling Classic Musical about the Game of Love
Written by Kimberly Katz
The inimitable Doris Day played the lead in the film version of Pajama Game after the hit musical ran on Broadway for three years and won a Tony. I enjoyed this production of The Pajama Game at Theatre at the Center so much from beginning to end that I am…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 24 September 2019 23:27
Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon - Easier To Follow If You Read Up First
Written by Bill Esler
In Delicate Tears of the Waning Moon, dolorous music accompanies the opening scene: a clearly debilitated woman is wheeled into her apartment, where she is eased into a bed in her main room. This is Paulina (Rebeca Alemán), and we see she is weak and tired. Helping her is Rodrigo…
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Theatre in Review
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Saturday, 21 September 2019 16:02
Blue Stockings Recounts the 1896 Battle for Womens' Rights to Love and College Degrees
Written by Bill Esler
In its opening scene, Blue Stockings sets us in a bustling 19th century train station, the crowd swirling quickly by, then shifting to slo-mo – just like a digital film – highlighting characters who soon become principal players in the action. That cinematic touch seems to be used more frequently…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 19 September 2019 13:05
Review: The Great Leap at Steppenwolf Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” repeats James Seol in Lauren Yee’s new play “The Great Leap” now playing at Steppenwolf Theatre. Jesca Prudcencio directs this modern twist on the Dickens classic “A Tale of Two Cities”, which divides its action between 1980s San…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 17 September 2019 12:47
'Vanya On the Plains' attempts a glimpse into humanity’s depressing future
Written by Vika Lvova
Imagine some not too distant in the future totalitarian society where young people have never seen a book (much less a theatre play), computer screens had moved inside people’s heads, and language has so many technological terms, it’s barely recognizable. People work all the time, no one goes out anymore,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Monday, 16 September 2019 14:26
Review: 'Tiny Beautiful Things’ at Victory Gardens
Written by John Accrocco
How does an advice column translate to stage? Surprisingly well in the case of 'Tiny Beautiful Things’ at Victory Gardens. From an adaptation of Cheryl Strayed’s book penned by “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” star Nia Vardalos comes this uplifting one-act. Directed by Vanessa Stalling, this production marks the Chicago…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Would you be able to spot a person in trouble? Lucas Hnath’s new play “Dana H” is a fascinating look at what the seedy underbelly of America may be (or sound) like. Goodman Theatre gives this unique new drama its Chicago premiere with direction by Les Waters. “Dana H” is…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 14 September 2019 16:04
Winning Direction Anchors Caryl Churchill’s Hilariously Disturbing Play, Love and Information
Written by Bill Esler
Directors say Caryl Churchill’s Love and Information is a challenging play, but in good hands, it is a treasure. And this is what we have at Trap Door Theatre’s production – an absolutely enthralling experience directed by Kim McKean. It is like a tightly scripted improv show, packed with familiar…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 08 September 2019 16:11
Marriott Theatre's 'Something Rotten' Wonderfully Celebrates the Romance of Words!
Written by Kimberly Katz
The only "rotten" thing about this super funny and colorful production is the title, a line taken from a Shakespeare play. ‘Something Rotten’ is the latest comedy-musical at Marriott Theatre and is full of laughs. I went to the show not knowing anything about its brief Broadway debut in 2015 and…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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