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
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
Sunday, 18 November 2018 17:26
Plainclothes Goes Behind the Scenes To Show How Shoplifters Get Nabbed
Written by Bill Esler
Plainclothes has all the hallmarks of a dynamic show – a parade of interesting and believable characters, fast-paced and witty dialog, even a socially meaningful storyline, and great performances by the cast. Premiering at The Den Theatre and written by Spenser Davis, who also co-directs (with Kanomé Jones) Plainclothes tells…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Monday, 12 November 2018 21:08
‘Iolanta’ at Chicago Opera Theater - You See What You Look For Or The Dance of the Sugar Plum Set Pieces
Written by William and Margaret Swain
Chicago Opera Theater opened their 2018-2019 season with the Chicago Premier of Peter Tchaikovsky’s ‘Iolanta’. Since this performance was also the Chicago debut of Lidiya Yankovskaya, COT’s new Stanley Music Director, it was an auspicious occasion for the company embarking on their 45th season. It also marked the first full…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 11 November 2018 19:47
Review: Manuel Cinema's 'Frankenstein' at Court Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
It’s a rare treat to get to experience anything as unique as Manual Cinema’s production of ‘Frankenstein’ at Court Theatre. With several productions of ‘Frankenstein’ going on this year, one might wonder how they’re each distinguishing themselves. Manual Cinema’s original adaptation is just that, a manual cinema. Told with intricate…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Tuesday, 13 November 2018 00:00
Testing the Limits of Dramatic Invention in An Oak Tree
Written by Bill Esler
It’s an intriguing proposition for a play: two actors meet for the first time on stage. One, the First Actor, has rehearsed the play, while the Second Actor has never even read it. In An Oak Tree, this dynamic repeats for each day’s performance – 22 in all by the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Saturday, 10 November 2018 21:39
Blue Man Group's Never Ending Invention Brings Us Light-Horns,Spinulum and Twinkies
Written by Bill Esler
Blue Man Group premiered the newest version of its show Thursday night at Briar Street Theater, where it has been ensconced since 1997 – making it the longest running act in Chicago. Wearing shiny blue face paint, skull masks covering hair and ears, and blue rubber gloves, the Blue Men…
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Theatre in Review
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Friday, 09 November 2018 04:07
The Better Half: A rich, buttery, and zesty new production at Steppenwolf
Written by Kendall Royzen
As the house lights dimmed and the actors took to the stage, an odd play began to unfold at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater. Lights appeared to direct the actors where to go, the actors didn’t act as though they were acting, and perched on my corner aisle seat actresses raced by…
Published in
Theatre in Review
The setting is a drought-stricken Midwest cattle town. Sheriff File (played by Denzel Tsopnang) and the town folk set the mood as they lament that “the earth is burning, crops is bad, and land is dry” in opening number “Another Hot Day” of BoHo Theatre’s presentation of 110 in The…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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