Saturday, 22 September 2012 11:47
Brown Paper Box' "Godspell" Filled with Heart and Passion
Written by Ken Payne
“Godspell” is a musical for everyone. Now that that has been stated, everyone should see this particular production by the Brown Paper Box Company. Creatively directed by M. William Panek, “Godspell” is fun, lively and has the audience captured from the first number “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord”.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
1970’s magic is in the air as the highly entertaining musical, XANADU, makes a stop at Drury Lane Theatre. Based on the film starring Olivia Newton John, Gene Kelly and Michael Beck, the show parodies the original every chance it gets from Newton John’s Australian accent to its cheesy love…
Published in
Theatre in Review
In this re-staging of their first production from 2001, the House Theatre ofChicago beautifully incorporates classically authentic magic tricks into thestory of Harry Houdini, the world famous magician of the early 1900s. Havingwitnessed his father die when Houdini (performed by Denis Watkins, a reallife magician) was a teenager, he became…
Published in
Theatre in Review
While Steppenwolf occupies itself with Russian "Sisters," the Goodman is mounting a musical with sisters of a different sort. "Crowns," the soulful musical brainchild of Goodman mainstay Regina Taylor. Inspired by real-life stories of Black women and the extravagant and fabulous hats that adorn their heads, "Crowns" hits its stride about…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 28 July 2012 17:20
The Summer of Our Discontent: "The Three Sisters" at Steppenwolf
Written by Zach Zimmerman
A comfortable schoolteacher, an angst-ridden housewife, and an idealistic teenager walk into a house. What sounds like the set-up for a terrible joke is a roll call for the titular characters in one of Chekhov's most produced plays. "The Three Sisters," currently enjoying a nearly pitch-perfect incarnation at Steppenwolf,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Luis Alfaro’s modern day adaptation of “Oedipus the King”, or “Oedipus Rex”, takes this tragic tale to the streets of gangland Los Angeles. It is there we meet young Oedipus, who was secretly spared after his father, the current “king”, condemned him to death after hearing the prophecy he would…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 19 June 2012 17:22
Sean Flannery – The Unheralded Gem of TBS’ Just for Laughs Festival
Gabriel Silva
With one night left before the end of the TBS Just for Laughs Festival, I decided to check out the Chicago Playground after reading about Sean Flannery’s “Never Been to Paris”. In doing some background on Sean Flannery I saw that he also does movie reviews without even seeing the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
With the seating area set like the inside of a large ship, wonderment immediately ensues as audience members walk into the theatre. Wooden pews take the place of traditional theatre chairs and a large canopy encompassing the entire room hangs overhead. Excitement takes places throughout the crowd before the show…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 16 June 2012 14:00
Kevin Smith’s Q&A at Chicago Theater Both Educational and Funny
Paul Black
As part of TBS’ “Just for Laughs Festival”, An Evening with Kevin Smith was certainly one of the highlights. Performing at the Chicago Theater, Kevin Smith fielded questions from audience members for just over two hours, responding with his quick wit and “open book” approach. Probably known best as the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Thursday, 14 June 2012 15:17
The Nerd Show Brings Out the Funniest Geeks at Just For Laughs Festival
Gabriel Silva
The Up Comedy Club is where the scene was at last Wednesday night, the second day of TBS’ Just for Laughs Festival. Geek humor alert – anything from Star Wars to Weezer was fair game for these nerdy comedians. Hosted by tremendously humorous Pete Holmes, “The Nerd Show” is a…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Pine Box Theater Company really hits the funny bone hard with their latest production, “The Jammer”, currently playing at the Athenaeum Theatre (2936 N Southport). In this hilarious play by Rolin Jones, the audience is blasted with funny from the beginning and the laughs never let up. Relying partly on…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 05 June 2012 15:39
Take Me Out to the Ball Game – “Bang the Drum Slowly” Is in the Win Column
Paul Black
After a series of wonderful shows, Raven closes its 2011-2012 season on a high note with their production of “Bang the Drum Slowly”, directed by Michael Menendian. Playing through June 30th, “Bang the Drum Slowly” is classic, smart, inspiring and a must for any theatre fan who also happens to…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 21 May 2012 19:00
Sexy Baby - You'll Want to Make this Baby Stay Up All Night
Written by Kimberly Katz
David Cerda and Scott Lamberty, the creators of “Sexy Baby”, have once again taken a touchy subject, child beauty pageants, which are already riddled with parody and camp, and unleashed a veritable whirlwind of funny on Chicago audiences. I fall in comedy love with pretty much every show David Cerda's Hell…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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