Based on the Charles Dickens’ 1838 classic Oliver Twist, OLIVER! has further immortalized this ageless story of a young orphan who finds himself living in the slums of London. Winner of multiple Tony Awards, this fiery musical has all the elements needed to cast a lasting impression on its audience.…
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Theatre in Review
There is nothing better than a good chase. Based on the remarkable, almost too far-fetched true story, “Catch Me If You Can” is a whirlwind of exciting scenes and show stopping numbers. The story follows the exploits of Frank Abagnale Jr., a con artist in a league of his own,…
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Theatre in Review
THEATRE-ON-THE-HILL proudly presents Peter Barnes' scathingly brilliant satire, THE RULING CLASS performed indoors April 12-28, 2013. A profoundly witty, oddly dark comedy that has everything: clever dialogue, musical numbers, fabulous sets, serial killers, madrigals and burlesque striptease, opera and aristocracy, romance and insanity, jealousy and drama and theology and much…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 20 February 2013 18:00
FELA! Magnificent, the most important and exciting show of the year!
Written by Kimberly Katz
Fela! is based on the biography of Fela Kuti, a Nigerian superstar singer, musician, and composer who became an iconic spokesman for the country's underclass against the brutal and corrupt Nigerian military government in the 1970s and 80s. Playing at the Arie Crown Theatre in McCormick Place through Saturday, Fela!…
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 21 February 2013 09:36
Attention!: A Soldier’s Play is a must see at The Raven
Written by Kendall Royzen
The Raven theatre has never disappointed me. Their performances strike an emotional chord with their audiences and their actors are among the best I’ve seen in Chicago. On a rainy Monday night, A Soldier’s Play premiered with mixed reviews, but from my perspective, this play is timeless and one you shouldn't miss. When Captain…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 12 February 2013 18:00
"Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo" Asks Many Questions
Written by Ken Payne
Lookingglass Theatre’s “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo” is a dark comedy that questions human nature, the existence of God and explores living with the decisions we have made. Directed by ensemble member Heidi Stillman and written by Rajiv Joseph, “Bengal Tiger” takes us to Baghdad and centers around two…
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Theatre in Review
For a night of laugh out loud moments, take in Jeeves Takes a Bow, an adaptation of the series by PG. Wodehouse appearing at the First Folio Theater. It is an entertaining play which allows audience members to get lost in the debauchery of the 1930’s prohibition era of speak…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 08 February 2013 17:44
Steppenwolf Takes on Pinter's "The Birthday Party"
Written by Ken Payne
“The Birthday Party” at Steppenwolf’s new upstairs theatre, is theatre in the round at its best, with the living room set in the middle of the room amidst the audience, almost giving us the feeling that we are part of the play. With Chicago theatre heavyweights filling the cast, including…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Simply put, Christine Sherrill puts on one of the best all around performances I’ve seen in some time. Playing “Norma Desmond” in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard”, Sherrill clearly shows why she is a top stage talent with her brilliant use of dramatics, comedic timing and, maybe most of all,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Monday, 04 February 2013 20:17
An American Play, a Chicago Premiere; 'Southbridge' surprises at Chicago Dramatists
Written by Kendall Royzen
In a small and unassuming theatre on a low traffic corner in Chicago rests a playhouse that offers some big surprises. We ventured into this playhouse to see, unbeknownst to us, a world premiere production. Southbridge, written by Reginald Edmund and directed by Russ Tutterow was as unassuming as the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 03 February 2013 13:29
A Smart, but not Steamy "Other Desert Cities" at Goodman
Written by Zach Zimmerman
It's 2004 and a violent war is raging in the desert. In Afghanistan, young, fatigued soldiers fight against terror, but in a secluded West Coast mansion, a war of word wages between a strained family. Brooke, the daughter of two prominent old-school Republicans - Ron and Nancy are among the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 10 January 2013 18:00
“The Motherf**ker With The Hat” Wins Big at Steppenwolf
Written by Ken Payne
Steppenwolf Theatre Company kicks in the 2013 season with a dark comedy that is both engaging and compelling from the opening scene that has “Jackie” finding the hat of his girlfriend “Veronica’s” alleged lover. Just out of prison, “Jackie” takes a big step towards starting his new life by getting…
Published in
Theatre in Review
The highly anticipated musical theatre production, “The Book of Mormon”, winner of nine Tony Awards, has made its way to Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre (18 W Monroe) amidst its second national tour. With a humorous story revolving around young Mormons spreading the word of “Heavenly Father” according to The…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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'Blue' Holds Mirror to Race in America
Written by Betsy SchmittWhen Francesca Zambello, director of The Glimmerglass Festival, commissioned an opera about race in America, the country was reeling from a spate of police shootings of young African-American men in Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Carolina. By the time the… -
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Disney's The Little Mermaid at Drury Lane: An Inspiring and Delightful Production Celebrating Girls' Unique Voices
Written by Kimberly KatzI thoroughly enjoyed Drury Lane's enchanting stage production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid from start to finish. While few are overly familiar with Hans Christian Andersen’s original, darker tale of ill-fated romance, the Disney animated film and this stage adaptation,…
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