Sunday, 08 December 2019 14:05
Steven Strafford exceptional in Goodman's 'The Santaland Diaries'
Written by Ken Payne
A non-traditional story about Christmas might just be becoming a tradition at Goodman Theatre. No. I’m not talking about Goodman’s masterpiece production of ‘A Christmas Carol’. For its second year in a row comes David Sedaris’ satirical, hysterical AND anything but conventional (see what I did there?) story of a…
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Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 10 December 2019 00:53
Offbeat, Grim: How People Cling to Power, Except When Faced With 'The White Plague'
Written by Bill Esler
As Chicago stages turn to Dickens and Tchaikovsky, you can find darker but equally fun fare in Trap Door Theatre’s high-flying production, The White Plague. This imaginative, high-energy show brings us the black-gowned denizens of a futuristic nation in the throes of a plague, with rising fascism and an imminent…
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Theatre in Review
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Many of us already know the story of the spirited, loveable orphan girl who is saved from an abusive orphanage after a billionaire takes a liking to her and decides to adopt her. Daddy Warbucks is that billionaire, Miss Hannigan is the abusive, alcoholic who runs the orphanage and the…
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Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 03 December 2019 12:13
Handbag's 'The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes - Holiday Edition, Vol 2' Celebrates the Wonder of Enduring Friendship!
Written by Kimberly Katz
There are certain theatrical events that I look forward to attending each season and Hell in a Handbag's Holiday shows are always at the top of my list. ‘The Golden Girls: The Lost Episodes – The Holiday Edition, Vol 2’ should be on the top of everyone’s list. When I'm…
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Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 26 November 2019 12:47
Paramount's 'Beauty and the Beast' an enchanting, fun-filled adventure
Written by Ken Payne
Disney’s 1991 Award-winning musical Beauty and the Beast was an instant hit. Its songs were memorable, and its story considered one of Disney’s best. With music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice and Howard Ashman, a live musical took the Broadway stage in 1994 that successfully ran for…
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 28 November 2019 12:48
Engaging Story in Fine Production of 1912 ‘Rutherford and Son’
Written by Bill Esler
Rutherford and Son tells the story of an early 20th century glass making factory in northern England. It’s run by rough a tumble owner, Rutherford – played convincingly and powerfully by Steppenwolf’s Francis Guinan. Under his thumb are hundreds of workers, who he treats as recalcitrant peasants; and his three…
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Theatre in Review
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Wednesday, 20 November 2019 13:54
Theatre at the Center's 'White Christmas' rings in the holidays with great dance and romance!
Written by Kimberly Katz
I am from Miami, Florida and after moving to Chicago there was a time when I genuinely looked forward to the first snow of the year. I’d also wish for snowfall each year to bring us a white Christmas here in Chicago and this lovely production of ‘White Christmas’ at…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 25 November 2019 13:00
Review: 'A Christmas Carol' at Goodman Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
What can be said about a show that's been running every Christmas in Chicago for forty-one years? Other than it must be pretty good if it continues to play to sold out audiences year after year. There have been theatre versions of 'A Christmas Carol' nearly as long as the…
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Theatre in Review
Sunday, 24 November 2019 12:43
Review: 'Always...Patsy Cline' at The Den Theatre
Written by Earl Cochran
Patsy Cline was only 30 years old and at the peak of her career when she died in a plane crash in 1963. But her sweet voice and music lives on in Firebrand Theatre's 'Always...Patsy Cline', a story written by Ted Swindley and based on true events. After hearing a…
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Theatre in Review
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Saturday, 23 November 2019 18:12
'Mary Poppins' at Drury Lane Practically Perfect in Every Way
Written by Ken Payne
Drury Lane Theatre has put together perhaps the most visually stunning and vocally finessed production of ‘Mary Poppins’ one could possibly see. An imaginative, ever-changing bright and colorful set with loads of special effects surrounds a most remarkable cast, highlighted by Emilie Lynn who wows theatre goers as Mary Poppins. …
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 22 November 2019 13:55
Lyric Opera’s Don Giovanni Comes to a Fiery End
Written by Bill Esler
Goodman’s treasured director Robert Falls directs the Lyric Opera’s new production of Don Giovanni, the tale of that lustful, destructive Spanish sexual predator, Don Juan. Falls has wisely exercised restraint in this production, letting the sumptuous music of Mozart prevail. The musical high points will be familiar to anyone who…
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Theatre in Review
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Heart warming musicals aren’t exactly what Steppenwolf Theatre is known for. While not an outright musical, ‘Lindiwe’ is a new play with live music in collaboration with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Co-directed by Jonathan Berry and playwright Eric Simonson, this marks the second time Steppenwolf has worked with Ladysmith Black Mambazo.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 19 November 2019 22:16
‘The Niceties’ is a Worthy Look at Cultural and Racial Divides
Written by Bill Esler
The Niceties is a play that engages the intellect. But in so doing, sets up a tug-of-war with our gut, addressing a visceral issue for today: race. Like the puzzler plays Proof or Seminar (both also set at a university campus) The Niceties leads us to think through ideas, in this case the customs and…
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Theatre in Review
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