Tuesday, 11 June 2013 19:00
“The Messiah Complex” - With a Little More “Messiah” Russell Brand’s Comedy Could Really Enlighten
Written by Kimberly Katz
TBS Just For Laughs The crowd at The Chicago Theater Just for Laughs Festival welcomed Russell Brand with a warm roar much like they would a rock star. Although Brand reissued much of his old material in the show he also got some huge laughs working the crowd spontaneously and…
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Theatre in Review
Saturday, 15 June 2013 19:00
Bob Newhart Hits it Out of the Park as Anchoring Act for Just for Laughs Festival
Written by Ken Payne
Welcome back to Chicago, Bob Newhart. Returning to the city where he had grown up, Bob Newhart returned in style, this time anchoring an already terrific TBS Just for Laughs Festival at the Chicago Theatre. The veteran comic showed that he is still as funny as ever with a collection…
Published in
Theatre in Review
The Oriental Theatre is hosting West Side Story for one week only. Playing from June 11th-June 16th, this classic musical still holds up to the test of time. Laced throughout with dazzling choreography reproduced by Tony Award nominee, Joey McKneely, West Side Story is a visual spectacle that rivals any…
Published in
Theatre in Review
It was standing room only at the Vic Theatre Thursday night, as one of the Just for Laughs Festival heavyweights, Nick Swardson, gave the crowd an evening to truly remember. With an arsenal of jokes that touched on everything from cats vs dogs to the Virgin Airlines “rave plane”, Swardson…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 13 June 2013 00:11
The Whitest Kids U’ Know Brings Their Award Winning Sketch Comedy to TBS Just for Laughs Festival
Written by Ken Payne
The 2013 TBS Just for Laughs Festival is underway and there are a bevy of terrific acts to catch throughout the week. With multiple shows each evening at various Chicago venues, one of Wednesday’s shows had the Park West Theater hosting The Whitest Kids U’ Know - and they did…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 04 October 2012 19:00
From “Mindfreak” to “Believe” – The Criss Angel Interview
Written by Ken Payne
"Believe" is the Harley Davidson of magic shows. There are motorcycles and then there are Harley Davidsons. Not that there is anything wrong with many of these motorcycles, but it’s the innovative style, performance, detail and quality that sets Harley Davidsons apart from the rest. Well, in comparison, there are…
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Theatre in Review
AIDY BRYANT, TIM ROBINSON AND CECILY STRONG OF "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" BRING ORIGINAL SKETCH COMEDY TO CHICAGO WITH "KNUCKLEHEADS" Second City Alumni Return to Chicago for Performances Thursday, June 13 Through Saturday June 15, 2013 at UP Comedy Club CHICAGO — Aidy Bryant, Tim Robinson, and Cecily Strong, (best known for “The Girl You Wish…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Steppenwolf Theatre is currently presenting the world-premiere production of “Head of Passes”. A story that takes place in the marshlands of Louisiana, “Head of Passes” is a story about tested convictions and soul searching. What begins as a family gathering for a birthday party, turns into a tragic tale that…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 22 April 2013 19:00
“Still Alice”, A Powerful Portrait of Life with Early Onset Alzheimer’s
Written by Kimberly Katz
“Still Alice” tells the story of a highly intelligent, respected Northwestern professor of linguistics and cognitive psychology who begins having the symptoms of early onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 49. At first, she has small problems of forgetfulness, and attributes them to menopause but after getting lost on a…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Sunday, 28 April 2013 21:31
O, O, No; Othello leaves audiences wanting more
Written by Kendall Royzen
There is just something about the ballet; the people watching (it’s a very entertaining crowd), the glass of bubbly before the show starts, the curtain rising, the live orchestra playing, and of course the ballet dancers that make the most difficult of feats seem effortless. Unfortunately, like previous performances I’ve…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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The pre-Broadway world premiere release of Big Fish hit the BIG stage, Friday, April 19th at Chicago’s one and only Oriental theater; and it was a BIG HIT! Just 10 years after its Hollywood release, this full length feature film has been reincarnated into a new fantastic and imaginative LIVE musical! Based on…
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Theatre in Review
Mercury Theater has your springtime fun all ready and waiting for you. “Barnum” is not just an enjoyable musical, but it is also an amazing spectacle complete with aerial artistry, gymnastics, unicycles, clowns and juggling. Donned in colorful costumes, each performer/actor helps in succeeding to creating the illusion that we,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 16 April 2013 11:14
One Night Is Not Enough: Havana Blue world premiere at Auditorium Theater
Written by Kendall Royzen
I’ve never been to Havana, Cuba. I never even saw Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. But after seeing the world premiere of River North Dance Chicago and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic’s performance of “Havana Blue,” Havana is definitely a place that I would hop on a plane and visit in a…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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