Wednesday, 27 December 2023 12:08
SHREK: THE MUSICAL—a Holiday Spectacular with a Moral to its Story
Sarz Maxwell
I wasn’t sure what to expect, not being an aficionado of animated / cartoon shows, but I figured hey, what the heck – it’s Christmas! And as it happens I have lots of good things to say about Music Theatre Works’ “Shrek: The Musical.” It fits the bill for a…
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Saturday, 23 December 2023 13:33
“Sugar Hill: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker,” is a revelation, an absolutely delightful spectacle
Written by Bill Esler
“Sugar Hill: The Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker,” is a revelation, an absolutely delightful spectacle that may open for you a world of riches in music, choreography, and costumes—it did for me. Just as the 1892 Tchaikovsky “Nutcracker Ballet” is a holiday dream told in dance, so is this new Americanized (and to…
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Theatre in Review
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Friday, 22 December 2023 21:35
More Conspirators Fun: Ayn Rand's ‘It's a Wonderful Life’ Under the Direction of Diane Feinstein
Written by Bill Esler
You have be on your toes to catch The Conspirators productions, but it’s worth the effort. The troupe’s latest evanescent performance, just three days last week, was a take on holiday shows, actually a remount of the 2019 “Ayn Rand's ‘It's a Wonderful Life’ as Performed by the Conspirators,” but…
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Sunday, 17 December 2023 16:48
STOMP – A DEEP DIVE INTO THE LIFE OF A STOMPER
Written by Wesley David
For three decades, STOMP has captivated crowds with its dynamic percussion beats and mesmerizing performers. The sensational stage show is presently on a National Tour across the United States and has made a stop at Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse! By seamlessly combining dance and performance with music generated from ordinary found items…
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Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 13 December 2023 13:12
Review: The Hip Hop Nutcracker at Cadillac Palace
Written by Betsy Schmitt
As someone who has seen Tchaikovsky’s timeless holiday classic, The Nutcracker, performed many times over, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect last night at the Cadillac Palace’s presentation of The Hip Hop Nutcracker. But after experiencing the grandeur and soaring beauty of Tchaikovsky’s magical musical tale of a young…
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Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 12 December 2023 13:35
A Night of Intrigue in a Top Flight Production of ‘Dial M for Murder’
Written by Bill Esler
There’s no mystery to “whodunit” in Northlight Theatre’s current production of “Dial M for Murder.” The audience watches a murder planned, while also being privy to the motivations of all the major characters. But there is plenty of suspense and intrigue as we watch Inspector Hubbard (Nick Sandys is spectacular)…
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Theatre in Review
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Monday, 11 December 2023 19:50
Light + Joy = Holiday Perfection; The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show at Auditorium Theatre
Written by Kendall Royzen
It’s a truth universally known that the holidays aren’t always a great time for everyone. Holiday traditions and expectations can often leave us feeling emotionally void or overwhelmed, particularly with how bleak 2023 has been for so many. But in every darkness there is joy to be sparked and light…
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Theatre in Review
Friday, 08 December 2023 14:21
BOOP! Betty Boop dazzles Chicago on it's way to Broadway success!
Written by Kimberly Katz
I remember Betty Boop the cartoon character because she was my mom's favorite female cartoon as the sexy, saucy 1930's flapper who had men chasing her around town in her voluptuous, tight-fitting dresses - and this wonderfully staged musical does a brilliant job in bringing her to life! Jasmine Amy Rogers…
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Theatre in Review
Friday, 08 December 2023 12:41
Cirque du Soleil’s ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE Dazzles with Holiday Magic
Written by Lauren Katz
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; Many are at least somewhat familiar with Clement Clark Moore’s famous poem,…
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Thursday, 07 December 2023 22:03
'Caveman Play' a Theatrical Confection But Deceivingly Substantial
Written by Bill Esler
“Caveman Play” by Savannah Reich is a delightful confection that delves into weighty matters—the state of the earth, the fundamental challenges of civilized life—but avoids the angst. In just 70 minutes, Reich takes us back to our primordial past, when humans first began to drop their roles of hunting and…
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Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 05 December 2023 14:19
'Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay!' by Dario Fo Incredibly Funny and a Complete Surprise
Written by Bill Esler
“Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay!" by Dario Fo is incredibly funny and a complete surprise. I’d seen one other hilarious play based on a Daniel Fo script, “Accidental Death of a Black Chicago Motorist,” but that liberally adapted work by The Conspirators hadn’t prepared me for how funny this 1997 Nobel…
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Theatre in Review
Sunday, 03 December 2023 14:06
'AMAZE' AT THE RHAPSODY THEATER - A Magical Blend of Tradition and Technology
Written by Wesley David
Going through the doors of the Rhapsody Theater on Morse Avenue is like stepping through a time portal. The 1919 theater was gorgeously renovated last year from a wedding and events venue back to the stunning theatre it was meant to be. There is a large dark mahogany bar serving…
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Sunday, 03 December 2023 13:37
The Golden Girls Save Xmas Once Again with Handbag's Heartfelt Comedic Expertise!
Written by Kimberly Katz
I've been a devoted fan of David Cerda's Hell in a Handbag Productions for so many of the 23 years they have been in Chicago, and I still get the same great feelings whenever I attend one of their award-winning camp comedy/musical shows. Having grown up in Miami, Florida with my Golden…
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Theatre in Review
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