Thursday, 07 May 2015 00:00
Review - "Doubt: A Parable" at Writer's Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
When a play is produced as often as “Doubt,” each theatre company must ask of itself, why now? What can our company give to this work that another has missed? Over the past decade or so, it’s becoming nearly impossible to open a newspaper and not read a headline about…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 06 May 2015 00:00
Review: The Project(s) at American Theater Company
Written by John Accrocco
It may be surprising to few that the story of Chicago Public Housing is not a happy one. When we think of the “projects” many of us can only think of the harsh setting in the film “Candyman” or an NWA music video. Not an actual place where families thrive…
Published in
Theatre in Review
"Anna in the Afterlife" is a play based on author Richard Engling’s friendship and collaboration with Fern Chertkow, a dear longtime friend, writer, and colleague who took her own life in 1988. There was so much in this play that I enjoyed in terms of its emotional themes and the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
A legend in her own right, Frederica von Stade graces the stage with poise and perfection in Chicago Opera Theater's "A Coffin in Egypt". A veteran mezzo-soprano, her performances, recordings and television specials have garnered her six Grammy nominations, a cascade of European awards and recognition, and even an award from President…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 26 April 2015 00:00
Join Alice’s adventure in "Wonderland, Alice’s Rock and Roll Adventure!"
Written by Eden Diez
Chicago Children’s Theatre World Premiere invites you to “Wonderland, Alice’s Rock and Roll Adventure”, and to delve into your curious imaginations. Chicago director Rachel Rockwell and music director Michael Mahler reinvented Lewis Carroll’s books Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass into a wild adventure of self-actualization. Small, troubled, 7½…
Published in
Theatre in Review
"Maybe it's the wanting we want" muses Vershinin in The Hypocrites' version of Chekhov's 'Three Sisters'. At once this new adaptation by Geoff Button (who also directs) is contemporary and charming. Button seems to run with them theme of supressed desires in his production that feels ever-relevant in our #FOMO…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 17 April 2015 00:00
Set Sail for Pleasure! “Anything Goes!” at the Marriott Theatre
Written by Kimberly Katz
I truly adore anything with Cole Porter’s amazing music performed as well as the cast at The Marriott Theatre. Porter’s songs “I Get a Kick Out of You”, “You’re the Top”, “Easy to Love” and “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” are lovingly performed and choreographed to perfection. “Anything Goes” is the still…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 20 April 2015 00:00
"Look, We Are Breathing": When Is Loss Meaningful? Answer - Always
Written by Ken Payne
“Look, We Are Breathing” at Rivendell Theatre is a powerful drama that deals with the coping of loss. Written by Chicago playwright Laura Jaccqmin, “Look, We Are Breathing” examines the grieving process when the one taken away so unexpectedly never really amounted to much nor has shown the potential to…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 16 April 2015 00:00
Steppenwolf's "The Herd" Is Family Dramedy At Its Best
Written by Ken Payne
When it comes to family, can there be boundaries crossed to which mercy and forgiveness should no longer considered? And should this barrier be traversed upon, is it even possible to wholeheartedly exonerate those who do even if one wants to? In Rory Kinnear’s debut play The Herd (aptly named…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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As Chekov supposedly once said, if you bring a gun out in act one, it better go off by act three. Raul Castillo’s new play for Teatro Vista, ‘Between You, Me and the Lampshade’ goes for a metaphoric interpretation of the old rule. The play starts off with a rush…
Published in
Theatre in Review
In today’s culture of OnDemand and streaming entertainment, one has to wonder how theatre art will adapt. Accomplished playwright Jordan Harrison also currently writes for the hit Netflix series ‘Orange is the New Black.’ Nobody can argue that Mr. Harrison hasn’t mastered the one-hour drama format, but what we can…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 10 April 2015 00:00
Louis and Keely, Live at the Sahara- Brings Two Jazz Prodigies Back to Life!
Written by Kimberly Katz
From the moment actor Anthony Crivello as Jazz great, Louis Prima, is wheeled onto the stage on a hospital bed speaking to us from a coma, and snaps his fingers to begin the story of his life, the audience is absolutely enthralled by his manic yet superbly commanding presence until…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Roger and Hammerstein’s “Carousel” is always a treat, and that holds true especially with Lyric Opera of Chicago’s current production at the Civic Opera House. A true spectacle of colorful sets, scenic backdrops and larger than life dancing choreography envelope brilliant vocal performances in the fun classic. Of course, the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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