Monday, 03 December 2018 23:10
Review: 'Cendrillon' at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Written by John Accrocco
It’s December, which means Chicago’s theaters are in full-on holiday mode. Traditional theater takes a break at some of our major houses as festive productions of holiday classics trod the local boards. Those who do not celebrate Christmas aren’t to be left out. For family fun entertainment, Lyric Opera offers…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 30 November 2018 04:45
Review: 'The Revolutionists' at Strawdog Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
“It may be fiction but it’s not fake.” says French revolution-era playwright Olympa De Gouges to Charlotte Corday in a fictionalized meeting between the two in Lauren Gunderson’s play ‘The Revolutionists’. Rounding out the chance encounter are Haitian slave revolt activist Marianne Angell and Queen Marie Antoinette herself. If you…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 26 November 2018 18:02
Set in a Mythical 51st Ward, Rightlynd Is a Delightful Portrait of How Chicago Works
Written by Bill Esler
Set in Chicago’s mythical 51st Ward, Rightlynd is an absolute lark – but with serious underpinnings. It’s a cautionary rendition of that age-old political maxim: power corrupts. Rightlynd also doubles as a romantic comedy with a healthy dose of musical (ala Hamilton). Set in Chicago’s mythical 51st Ward, a section…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 28 November 2018 04:56
'Snowgirls' explores the darker side of the North Pole
Written by Ken Payne
When we think holidays in Chicago, we think ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Goodman, Joffrey’s ‘Nutcracker’, Christkindlmarket, Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo, Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier and the list goes on and on. We should count our lucky stars, Chicago has a lot to offer this time of year.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 27 November 2018 21:41
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 'Il Trovatore' by Giuseppe Verdi: A Perfect Storm of Vocalism
Written by William and Margaret Swain
As in a perfect storm, where a variety of different factors come together, augmenting the force above and beyond what is imaginable, Lyric Opera of Chicago brought together a group of singers who may, together and individually, define the interpretation of the music of Verdi for our time. The famous…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 27 November 2018 21:20
Goodman’s "A Christmas Carol" never ceases to inspire to do good
Written by Vika Lvova
Having seen (and adored) Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol 17 years ago, I was thrilled to experience this holiday classic once again this year. Though having undergone many changes over the years, Goodman’s gorgeous production of Charles Dickens’ timeless Christmas tale has kept the most important bit: the message of…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 23 November 2018 20:56
Christmas Magic is Here! "Miracle on 34th Street the Musical"
Written by Ken Payne
It’s the big day. The most celebrated parade in the country, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, is about to set sail down 34th Street, of course passing Macy’s flagship store along the way. When a man who just happens to be named Kris Kringle (Neil Friedman) notices that the hired Santa for…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
- Miracle on 34th Street the Musical
- Theater at the Center
- Santa Claus
- Christmas
- Neil Friedman
- Courtney Jones
- Stella Rose Hoyt
- Christopher Kale Jones
- Dan Klarer
- It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
- Kris Kringle
- Musical
- theatre
- Munster
- Ken Payne
- Buzz Center Stage
- George Seaton
- Valentine Davies
Tuesday, 20 November 2018 18:24
"Disney's Beauty and The Beast" at Drury Lane is an Exciting Rollercoaster of Love
Written by Kimberly Katz
I loved the Disney version of Beauty and The Beast on the big screen and I think children who have been wowed by the movie version will also be wowed by Drury Lane Theatre’s sumptuous stage production as well. Director Alan Souza and choreographer Ron De Jesus pull out all…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 28 November 2018 00:13
The Woman in Black at Royal George: the Theater Event of the Season, Perfect for the Holidays
Written by Bill Esler
The Woman in Black, a retelling of a 19th century gothic ghost story, has already begun electrifying audiences on Halsted Street. This finely-honed, two-man production features strong performances by Adam Wesley Brown as The Actor, and Bradley Armacost as a retired lawyer, Arthur Kipps. We'll try to minimize any hint…
Published in
Theatre in Review
More...
Thanksgiving is over, which means It’s time to get into the Christmas spirit full-throttle. And nothing says “Christmas” like the 1946 Frank Capra classic It’s a Wonderful Life. But this Chicago production isn’t like any play you’ve seen before, because it’s not a play — it’s a radio broadcast. This…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 20 November 2018 22:28
In Arcadia, Stoppard Pushes the Bounds of the Stage and We Exit Laughing
Written by Bill Esler
An unusually busy run for me - four plays in four days - ended last night with the opening of Arcadia, Promethean Theatre Ensemble’s production of what is said to be one of British author Tom Stoppard’s finest plays. Running at the Greenhouse Theatre, it is certainly the best I…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 19 November 2018 01:13
The Movie in My Mind: Miss Saigon at the Cadillac Palace Theatre
Written by CJ Burroughs
When Schönberg and Boublil’s Miss Saigon made its original run in the early 90s, I missed it — too far away to catch a traveling performance, and too young to have seen or even afforded to see it. And back then, I was way too young to have really understood…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 17 November 2018 20:17
Marriott Theatre's 'Holiday Inn' a fitting ode to the Crosby, Astaire classic
Written by Ken Payne
Marriott Theatre brings yet another high-energy, song and dance production to its audience, this time mounting the regional premiere of ‘Holiday Inn’, a sentimental musical based on the 1942 film of the same name featuring the music of Irving Berlin and starring such great as Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby and…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Register
Login
Latest Articles
-
Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival returns January 15-26, 2025
Written by Buzz Center StageThe Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival is pulling strings to raise funds this fall, offering three exclusive sneak peeks of the amazing puppet artistry of one of next January’s most hotly anticipated festival performers, presented in highly intimate, exclusive living… -
Steep Theatre Back Early 2025 with A Slow Air
Written by Buzz Center StageSteep Theatre will kick off the new year with the Chicago Premiere of David Harrower's A Slow Air, directed by Steep Ensemble Member Robin Witt. Witt was at the helm for Steep's recent critically-acclaimed production of Samuel D. Hunter's A Case for…
-
Oil Lamp Theater Announces the Cast for its 2025 Season Opener: THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED), Jan. 24 - Feb. 16, 2025
Written by Buzz Center StageOil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its first production of the 2025 season, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), written by Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield with new revisions by Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, January 24 -…
-
Half-Price Holidays return to Hot Tix as Chicago theatres get festive for the 2024 holiday season
Written by Buzz Center StageChicago theatres will present a wide variety of festive plays, musicals, dance, and comedy offerings this holiday season. In support, the League of Chicago Theatres has again created a comprehensive Holiday Theatre Guide, available at https://chicagoplays.com/chicago-theatre-guide/. A list of shows with additional details about…
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.