Friday, 22 March 2024 13:06
Review: A Streetcar Named Desire at Copley Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
If there's one play every American should see in their lifetimes, without a doubt it's Tennessee Williams' perennial classic A Streetcar Named Desire. It's the type of play that transcends theatre and stands alone as one of the best contributions to contemporary literature. Its complexities and social commentary make it…
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Theatre in Review
I love all things Shakespeare, particularly modern iterations and adaptations of his works, and I’ve had good experiences with Idle Muse Theatre Company. So naturally when I learned that Idle Muse was mounting a new version of "What the Weird Sisters Saw," I was pretty excited. Fifteen years ago, when…
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Theatre in Review
Sunday, 17 March 2024 02:42
Music Theater Works’ ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ a sparkling and witty production
Written by Kimberly Katz
Who will the best speller be? Who will be able to withstand the pressures of competition? Who wants it the most? I’m sure these are among the questions you must be asking yourselves once the play begins. Well, without giving the ending of the story away, I’ll just say that…
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Theatre in Review
Friday, 15 March 2024 09:08
Margaret Atwood's 'The Penelopiad' Is a Zesty Romp, Even If a Bit Cerebral
Bill Esler
“The Penelopiad” is a zesty romp and very entertaining. With a script by a writer I adore, Margaret Atwood of “The Handmaid's Tale” fame, and based on her novella by the same name, it tells the story of Odysseus’ wife Penelope (played stunningly by Jennifer Morrison)—and how she occupied herself during…
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Theatre in Review
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There’s a reason Elton John’s Broadway musical adaptation of ‘Aida’ was one the most popular musicals of the early aughts. Verdi’s classic has all the romance and tragedy that opera fans crave, but with a relatively easy to follow plot. For that reason, ‘Aida’ is a more accessible work for…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 11 March 2024 11:14
'Bill W. and Dr. Bob' Tells About AA Founders, and What It Was Really Like to be their Wives
Written by Bill Esler
“Bill W. and Dr. Bob,” in its Chicago premiere at the Biograph Theater, tells the exciting story of the 1935 origins of Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA. Ubiquitous (though by its own traditions it doesn’t advertise), AA has spawned some 200 similar addictive behavior treatment programs (for drugs, compulsive sex and…
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Theatre in Review
It was a dark and stormy night (yes, it really was!) – the perfect ambiance for taking in one of theatre’s classic comedic thrillers, Ira Levin’s Deathtrap, staged by BrightSide Theatre at North Central College’s Meiley-Swallow Hall, in Naperville. For knowledgeable theatre buffs, Deathtrap holds the record for the longest-running…
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Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 05 March 2024 15:07
Black Ensemble Theatre's 'The Time Machine: A Tribute To The 80’s' celebrates a transformative era of music
Written by Wesley David
Black music in the 1980’s was transformative. It was the decade where Black music exploded in diversity and influence. It broke down racial barriers in popular music, with Black artists topping the charts and influencing artists across genres. Black music embraced new music technology; pioneering techniques used in popular music…
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Theatre in Review
Friday, 01 March 2024 12:01
Mrs. Doubtfire leaves no doubt, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
Written by Wesley David
The Groundhog Day musical debacle left me wary of movie-to-stage adaptations. I saw them as cash grabs, mere shadows of the beloved originals. So, I approached Mrs. Doubtfire with trepidation, fearing another corny, uninspired musical. Thankfully, Mrs. Doubtfire surprised me. It wasn't just enjoyable, but the refreshingly unapologetic old-fashioned style…
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Theatre in Review
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Wednesday, 28 February 2024 14:26
'Shakespeare’s R & J' adapted from 'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare at Pride Arts Center
Sarz Maxwell
Shakespeare’s R & J is another demonstration of just how brilliant William Shakespeare truly was, is, and ever will be. Romeo & Juliet has captivated audiences since the 16th century. The story of the star-crossed lovers is universal, appealing to audiences from all walks of life, and stanzas from the…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 26 February 2024 13:09
'James and the Giant Peach' comes to life in a big way at Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences
Written by Betsy Schmitt
For anyone familiar with children’s literature, Roald Dahl is a household name. Since the 1960s, Dahl has entertained and enchanted his young readers with fantastical tales of witches, giants, talking animals, magical chocolate factories, and yes, even a giant peach. So, it is more than appropriate that the Marriott Theatre…
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Theatre in Review
Friday, 23 February 2024 12:16
Gripping ‘Richard III’ Mines Shakespeare’s Script for All its Power, Horror, and Humor
Written by Bill Esler
As the audience takes its seats around the Shakespeare Theater’s Courtyard thrust stage, wraiths in black gowns and white masks silently infiltrate the aisles, imparting an air of menace and suspense about what will unfold as we near the opening of “Richard III.” Soon enough, they take to the stage,…
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Theatre in Review
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Tuesday, 20 February 2024 10:33
Review: 'The Magic Flute' at Goodman Theatre
Written by Betsy Schmitt
Mozart’s masterpiece, and one of the world’s most frequently performed operas, The Magic Flute, is given a modern-day makeover in award-winning director and writer Mary Zimmerman’s production of The Matchbox Magic Flute, now playing at The Goodman Theatre on its Owen stage. In this world-premiere production, Zimmerman has adapted the…
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Theatre in Review
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