Ta-Da! What better to open The House Theatre of Chicago’s fifth season with than a few sweet ass magic tricks? Nothin’ if you ask me. Once again this ensemble, many of whom graduated together from Southern Methodist University, have produced another exquisite piece of art that’s sure to surprise and…
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Theatre in Review
Most of us know playwright Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple from either the big screen with Walter Matthau and Jack Lemon as the quirky pair of opposite roommates or more recently (30 years ago) from the TV adaptation that starred Tony Randall as the germaphobic neat freak Felix Ungar and…
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Theatre in Review
With the re-emergence of burlesque, The Flaming Dames have put their own stamp on the exotic, vaudevillian art made famous in the early 20th century. Led by choreographer Leslie Kerrigan, the burlesque troupe known as The Flaming Dames bring their unique B-Horror homage to life in their new production, “Bump…
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Theatre in Review
The Extravalanche comedy flight offers a preview of some of the best shows in the Windy. Hosted Nick Lullo (Blu Mic), performers include Steve Mulcahy, Tony Sam, Kumail (Chicago Comedy Series), Jared Logan (Chicago Comedy Series), Rachel Lewis, Headcheese Fatboss, Flambango, Team Submarinne, and the improvised rock opera Baby Wants…
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Theatre in Review
On July 14, 2007, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago celebrated their 35th Anniversary with a concert and Gala at the famous Harris Theater in Millennium Park. This Milestone featured the world premieres of Brazilian choreographer Rosangela Silvestre’s piece, which was titled “Guide” and “In Search Of Africa by Amaniyea Payne,…
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Theatre in Review
The epic sweep of Ragtime is captured in its opening prologue, a nine-minute kaleidoscope of fictional characters mingling with historical figures from the early 20th century as originally captured in E.L. Doctorow’s novel. As the story continues, we meet pianist Coalhouse Walker Jr. and his child's mother, Sarah who has…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Remember what Chicago’s West Rogers Park was like in 1979? Ok, maybe you do and maybe you don’t. But for those that don’t Crossing California delivers a powerful, but comedic, look into the past in this coming of age story based on the novel by Adam Langer. For those that…
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Theatre in Review
The redux of 1940’s Superman comics has once again made its way to live theatre, giving audience members a chance to follow the man of steel in an all-out song and dance adventure. Drury Lane’s presentation of “It’s a Bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!” contends with any summer musical…
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Theatre in Review
I’ve always been one for a good mystery, especially in the vein of Alfred Hitchcock or Agatha Christie, and that’s why Leslie Sands who-dun-it, Cat’s Cradle was such an intriguing experience. Directed by Jack Phillips in the 78-year-old Western Springs Theatre in Western Springs, Cat’s Cradle was filled with…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Sophocles, the great Greek tragedian and philosopher/scientist Sigmund Freud lived worlds apart. Seemingly dissimilar, in a cultural sense, and obviously millenniums apart, there are unique common threads to be found; both men chased intellectual understanding through war and societal ruin. And each had a fascination with a certain archetypal legend…
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Theatre in Review
I was both intrigued and a little bit hesitant to check out The Fleshtones Burlesque featuring a classic burlesque dancer “Satan’s Angel” the Devil’s own mistress! I am against any form of stripping or performance that women have to do that demeans them just to make money. I was very…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Second city’s 94th revue, Between Barack and a Hard Place, has led them to reclaim their throne as King of Chicago’s comedy circuit once again. Kiss the sky they haven’t lost their politically incorrect sense of humor just yet. Derisively witty and chalk full of satire, the six-person main stage…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Purple Haze, Sticky-Icky-icky, Santa Maria, Sweet Malaysian Skunk Weed, Maui Waui, Muffman Delight, 7 Seconds, Purple Power, no matter what you call it this show makes marvelous sense out of the wonderful and wacky world of pot smoking. If you were unsure if an entire show about pot smoking could…
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Theatre in Review
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