Tuesday, 07 February 2017 23:29
Full Throttle Chills Lurk in Wolf at End of the Block
Written by Bill Esler
The lights come up as a dark-haired young, Latino - bloodied, bruised, battered - launches into an adrenaline-fueled monolog. Facing the audience, Abe (Gabe Ruiz) is talking a mile a minute to an unseen clerk in the wee hours at a convenience store. From the torrent we piece together clues…
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Theatre in Review
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Friday, 03 February 2017 11:53
"The Bodyguard" An Exciting, Sexy Tribute to Whitney Houston's Amazing Voice
Written by Kimberly Katz
The Bodyguard, The Musical begins with a bang! Literally, the unexpected sound of gunshots combined with great strobe lighting effects made me (along with most of the audience) scream with delight and jump out of our seats! I enjoyed this show from beginning to end with a strong starring lead…
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Theatre in Review
Bootycandy is about Sutter, an African American gay man’s experience from adolescence to adulthood. The play touches on many different aspects and felt like several puzzle pieces coming together throughout its duration, each falling perfectly into place to create a path whereas the production is able to end on a…
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Theatre in Review
Saturday, 04 February 2017 12:11
Buffalo Theatre Ensemble's "Good People" Delivers Good Message
Written by Ron Reis
The Buffalo Theatre Ensemble brings a very thought provoking play to the stage. David Lindsay-Abaire penned this two-act performance and the small theatre was perfect for the story. Finely directed by Connie Canaday Howard, Good People highlights a strong ensemble that exhibits a magical chemistry onstage. The story line was…
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Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 24 January 2017 20:25
In 1930 Black Harlem Renaissance, Every Character Has a Powerful Story
Written by Bill Esler
Trying to explain what Black Harlem's Renaissance was like is hard. The period was so rich in creative verve, you really have to show it while you tell it. It took me awhile to grasp what playwright Pearl Cleage has achieved - and director Ron OJ Parson has brought carefully…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 30 January 2017 14:58
High Seas Fun, Adventure and Love in First Folio's Action-Packed "Captain Blood"
Written by Ken Payne
In the action-packed world premiere of Captain Blood, First Folio Executive Producer David Rice along with his wife, Artistic Director Alison C. Vesely, have collaborated on a swashbuckling adventure that is sure to be long remembered for its choreographed swordfights, enthralling story and witty comicality. Sadly, Alison recently lost a…
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Theatre in Review
Saturday, 28 January 2017 12:59
Disco is Back! Boogie, Glitz and Style Abound In Drury Lane's Saturday Night Fever
Written by Ken Payne
Guys, it’s time to dig into your closet and shake the dust from your polyester, large-collared, chest-exposing dance shirt. Divas, grab your sequin-studded blouse and bell-bottomed slacks or favorite jumpsuit – it’s time to disco! Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook hosts an electric 1970’s dance party to remember with their…
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Theatre in Review
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Sunday, 29 January 2017 20:45
Druids Rule in Norma, a Surpassingly Beautiful Bel Canto Opera
Written by Bill Esler
Watching an inner circle of Druids contemplate the eventual fall of Rome, my thoughts turned to Game of Thrones, to Mad Maxx’s Thunderdome, even alighting ever so briefly on our own political landscape. Lyric Opera’s production Bellini’s beautiful 1831 opera carefully builds such a world, with Iron Age sets in…
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Theatre in Review
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Thursday, 26 January 2017 23:34
Review: About Face Theatre's "The Temperamentals"
Written by John Accrocco
"The Temperamentals" by Jon Marans makes its Chicago premiere at About Face Theatre. Artistic director Andrew Volkoff revisits this 2009 Off-Broadway play in a critical time for LGBT rights in America. This play was selected for their season long before the election, but serves to remind that the struggle for…
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Theatre in Review
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The House Theatre of Chicago artistic director Nate Allen introduces the world premiere of Diamond Dogs, an adaptation of a short story by Alastair Reynolds, by noting that it is “hard sci-fi” and a departure from the optimism usually implicit in House Theatre shows. Since a significant plot point of…
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Theatre in Review
Sunday, 22 January 2017 18:03
Arc Theatre Puts Refreshing Spin on Classic "Steel Magnolias"
Written by Kimberly Katz
As I found my seat in the very intimate forty-seat or so Red Curtain Theater in First Congregational Church House to see Robert Harling's popular American classic Steel Magnolias, made popular by the movie starring Julia Roberts, I was very drawn in immediately by Mark Boergers' set design which places…
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Theatre in Review
If you don’t already know about the 16th Street Theater in Berwyn, now’s a great time to check it out. For ten years, the Equity company run by Ann Filmer in the basement of the Berwyn Cultural Center has endeavored to produce high-quality work for an affordable price while paying…
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Theatre in Review
Friday, 20 January 2017 14:32
Review: Circumference of a Squirrel at The Greenhouse Theater Center
Written by John Accrocco
“Circumference of a Squirrel” by John Walch finishes out The Greenhouse Theater’s inaugural Solo Celebration. This one-character play festival featured only single narrative storytelling. It’s not often you see a one-person fiction play, and while some may cringe at the concept, these short works explored highly relevant themes. Will Allen…
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Theatre in Review
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