Friday, 17 November 2017 18:45
Cirque De Soleil's "Crystal" is a Delight for Young and Old Alike
Written by Kimberly Katz
As a theater critic who used to travel to Las Vegas twice a year to review some of the most unusual shows, I have seen a lot of amazing Cirque De Soleil productions. Crystal, now being performed at Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, is the first Cirque show I…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 30 November 2017 00:51
Goodman's "A Christmas Carol" still tops list for Holiday fun in Chicago
Written by Ken Payne
Chicago has no shortage of Christmas traditions. In other words, if you’re looking for holiday fun it’s not very hard to find something to do with your friends, significant other or family. Rich traditions such as Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo, Joffrey’s Nutcracker, Christkindlmart, Christmas film classics at Music Box,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 04 December 2017 06:38
A Bromance for the Ages: Bizet's The Pearl Fishers at the Lyric
Written by Bill Esler
The Pearl Fishers has been called Bizet’s most beautiful opera. Lyric’s electric production is certainly one of the most beautiful visually as well. The continuously melodious score also represents a departure from more familiar opera, with just one principal female role, Leila (soprano Marina Rebeka) and with the strongest duets…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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The classic film It’s A Wonderful Life, based on the story The Greatest Gift, is brought to life by Theatre At The Center just in time for the holidays with their latest presentation A Wonderful Life: The Musical. In TATC’s adaptation, the story is intertwined with many big song and…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 22 November 2017 17:30
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: I’d Rather See the Movie
Written by CJ Burroughs
As I entered the Cadillac Palace Theatre – originally the Orpheum Circuit’s lavish vaudeville flagship before keeping up with the times to become a golden age movie palace – the simple, classy screen that hung over the stage gave me hope for the evening’s entertainment. There was the show’s title…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 23 November 2017 01:53
Kid Friendly, Parent Approved: Sleeping Beauty shines at Marriott Theatre
Written by Kendall Royzen
This past week I found myself in a movie theater with reclining seats, an overpriced large popcorn, and a two liter cup of soda all to myself. The movie was awful, but the audience more than made up for the bad comedy. With contagious laughter and witty one-liners, the audience…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 18 November 2017 19:21
Reviewing the new hit musical "Escape to Margaritaville" from the seat next to Jimmy Buffett!
Written by Kimberly Katz
In reviewing Jimmy Buffett’s new musical Escape to Margaritaville I was seated in the last row of the Oriental Theatre but since the row was reserved and nearly empty, I settled in for a nice relaxing show with no one coughing on me or knocking my elbow off the armrest. …
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 18 November 2017 23:38
Firebrand's "Lizzie" a spellbinding theatrical experience that rocks
Written by Ken Payne
It only takes a few moments into Lizzie’s opening number that audience members realize they are in for quite the unusual theatre experience. Haunting, yet beautiful, the creepiness quickly sets in as Lizzie’s four Victorian-clad characters solemnly sing the tale of the infamous Lizzie Borden who was accused of butchering…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 13 November 2017 01:45
The House Theatre’s "The Nutcracker" is a wonderful holiday treat
Written by Vika Lvova
It’s that magical time of the year when The House Theatre of Chicago brings the inhabitants of Clara’s toy box back to life in their annual all-original The Nutcracker. For the eight’s straight year this exciting Christmas tale brings the spirit of Christmas to the Chopin theatre in Ukrainian village.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Wednesday, 08 November 2017 05:05
"42nd Street!" wows audiences with thrilling, energetic dance and song!
Written by Kimberly Katz
The current production of 42nd Street at Drury Lane Theater left me breathless! With book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin, the newly updated and improved 42nd Street blends different periods of dance from the sixties to the present including some…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 11 November 2017 06:28
"This Wonderful Life" is just that - wonderful
Written by Ken Payne
Most of us have seen Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” at some point in their lives. Whether a Holiday tradition or by happenstance as television stations run their yearly marathons, there’s a very good chance you have experienced the heartfelt 1946 film classic starring James Stewart and Donna Reed.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 05 November 2017 19:59
School of Rock at Cadillac Palace will rock your socks off
Written by Vika Lvova
Here comes the feel-good show that both adults and kids will enjoy. Based on the 2003 movie by the same name starring Jack Black, School of Rock-The Musical is featuring music from the movie, as well as an original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Glenn Slater. If…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 03 November 2017 18:25
Newsies at The Marriott Theatre: Pomp and Papes
Written by CJ Burroughs
Newsies, the Disney film from 1992 by Alan Menken (whose run around the same time of Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin I’d put up against the work of any songwriter, on tape, on film, or on stage), was one I saw back when it hit VHS. But…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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A WONDROUS SOUND - Orchestra and Chorus of the Chicago Lyric Opera is a wondrous compilation of the best of the best!
Written by Sarz MaxwellThe repertoire for this fabulous program - A WONDROUS SOUND, showcasing the full force of Lyric’s amazing orchestra and chorus, was developed in collaboration between Lyric Conductor Enrique Mazzola and Chorus Director Michael Black. The orchestra started it off with… -
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