Home

Displaying items by tag: Mariah Sulaiman

Although a muggy night, the crowd arrived in force at Ravinia.  Chicago natives, the Plain White T’s made their Ravinia debut this past Saturday night.  A pop-punk band since 1997, it’s surprising that these gentlemen have only now just graced this stage.  It was evident that their signature tracks, in their pop-punk style are the back beat in the lives of so many. “1234” and “Hey There Delilah” raved in echoed singing voices, and dancing couples waved across the grass and over the hills of Ravinia.  Know that their most recent album, released earlier this year “American Nights” is another great summer album to rock with your windows rolled down. Their new single “Rhythm of Love” got the crowd up on their feet.  Tunes like “Stay” and “Heavy Rotations” are high energy with new beats, great heat, and are easy to sing along to.  For the love of the music, and for the heart, take a look at this soon to be your favorite new album.

Another album release coming out this year in August, introduces us to a new side of Rob Thomas, the headlining act for the evening.  Known for being a part of Matchbox 20, and for his hit song with Santana “Smooth”, this pop prince is roaming his way toward country.  The crowd was on their feet for most of the heated show (as Rob, changed his shirt half way through). Old and new tracks, “Lonely No More,” “Boom Shake” and even a remix of “Let’s Dance” brought cheers for Rob and his band, and sing-alongs from the crowd.  The first single “Trust You” from his new album “The Great Unkown” was an introduction to all the great things to come.  You only get “One Shot” to make a night at Ravinia, Rob heated up the stage and set fire to the release of his upcoming album.

Check out upcoming Ravinia shows at www.Ravinia.org.

Published in In Concert
Monday, 16 March 2015 00:00

Review: The Full Monty

One can never have enough of imports from across the sea, “The Full Monty” based on the book by Terrence McNally which earned a 2001 Tony Away nomination and based on the movie by Fox of the same name, is no exception.  Currently being performed at the intimate space of Chicago's Theatre Wit, the audience becomes part of the struggle of the men in a town who are just trying to get by. The Full Monty is set in Buffalo, New York, rather than its original setting in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. But that doesn't really matter. 
  
David Yazbek, wrote the script and music for this new interpretation for the cast of twenty, and the audience can tell that with his talent and the work of director John D. Glover, the 2 hour and 20 minute show, draws the audience into the lives of the regular men in Buffalo as they get over their insecurities, fear and doubts through their chances of changing their situation, their jobs and their lives, with one night of stripping.
 
Your heart sympathizes with the mastermind of the disrobing plan, Jerry Lukowski (Garrett Lutz) unexpected along for the ride, his best friend Dave Bukatinsky (Scott Danielson).  Bringing the group up from a two man show, the friends draw in some of the local gentleman from the mill they had all been laid off from, Harold (Eric Lindahl), Malcolm (George Toles), “Horse” (Randy Johnson) and Ethan (Greg Foster). These men come together to overcome their obstacles and support each other in ways they never expected.
 
You will laugh out loud, you will clap along, you will try to sing a long, you will tear up and you will root for the underdog, praying all six of them (the old, the young, the skinny, the round, the hairy and the hairless) will succeed. The Full Monty hits on many topics including obesity, depression, impotency and father's rights to name a few. As much of a show for the working man, father, husband or boyfriend, as it is a treat for the ladies, all walks of life should enjoy The Full Monty.  Although, more of an adult show (parental guidance would be suggested), teenagers would relate to the family dynamic and stand behind Jerry Lukowski’s son, Nathan (played by Kyle Klein II and Seth Steinberg).
 
The Full Monty is playing at Theatre Wit through April 12th. For show info and/or tickets visit www.theaterwit.org.
Published in Theatre in Review
Page 2 of 2

Asgard Amplified: Loki’s Rock Revolution at Lifeline

04 May 2026 in Theatre in Review

Get ready for a cosmic comedy of gods, monsters, and mayhem that refuses to play by the old rules. That’s…

Rom‑Com Spark and ’80s Verve Light Up Metropolis’ Wedding Singer

03 May 2026 in Theatre in Review

The Wedding Singer is currently onstage at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights, offering a faithful and upbeat interpretation…

E. Faye Butler directs stellar Chicago cast in comedy Nunsense this summer at Drury Lane

01 May 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Drury Lane Theatre continues its 2026/2027 season with the divine extravaganza Nunsense, featuring book, music and lyrics by David Goggin, directed by E. Faye…

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces North American Premiere production of Brokeback Mountain

01 May 2026 in Theatre in Review

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for Brokeback Mountain, the North American premiere production of Ashley Robinson's adaptation of the…

THE NOTEBOOK WILL PLAY BROADWAY IN CHICAGO’S JAMES M. NEDERLANDER THEATRE AUGUST 4 - 16

30 April 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Producers Kevin McCollum and Kurt Deutsch, along with Broadway In Chicago are thrilled to announce that single tickets for THE NOTEBOOK,…

YI Love Jewish and Arts Judaica Announce Chicago Premiere of A PEOPLE at Theater Wit June 18 – July 5

30 April 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

The South Florida based YI Love Jewish and Chicago-based Arts Judaica proudly join forces to present a limited engagement of the Chicago…

BTE marks 40 years with new season: 'Little Women," "Dial M for Murder" and “One Man, Two Guvnors”

30 April 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE), the professional Equity theater company in residence at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC), announced it will…

Eclectic Full Contact Theatre's The Red Lion - Bramble Arts Loft - Through May 16th

29 April 2026 in Now Playing

Eclectic Full Contact Theatre is proud to announce the cast and crew for their final show of season 14, THE…

Free Metra rides for all Broadway In Chicago Shows all summer

29 April 2026 in Theatre Buzz

Broadway In Chicago and Metra  are pleased to announce a new promotion featuring nine shows coming to Chicago this summer: CHICAGO THE MUSICAL, LES MISÉRABLES, SPAMALOT, KINKY…

Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater 50th Anniversary Celebration

29 April 2026 in Upcoming Dance

The world‑renowned Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, brings the passionate, expressive rhythms of Spain…

Alone Together: Three Guys Fishing for Love in Stellar 'Eelpout!'

28 April 2026 in Theatre in Review

Shattered Globe’s world premiere of the delightful comedy “Eelpout!” delivers its punches with deceivingly understated skillfulness. Written by Paul W.…

Steppenwolf Theatre Announces LookOut Series' 10th Anniversary Season

28 April 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Steppenwolf's LookOut Series is proud to unveil its lineup for Summer 2026, marking ten years of steadfast dedication to Chicago performing artists…

Marriott Theatre to present LET'S HANG ON: A ROCK 'N SOUL PARTY June 1 and 2

28 April 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Four favorite singers of past Marriott Theatre concerts will unite on Monday, June 1 and Tuesday, June 2 for LET'S…

Review: The Movement You Need: An Evening with Brendan Hunt at Steppenwolf Theatre

28 April 2026 in Theatre in Review

A show somewhere between a play, standup act, memoir, and PowerPoint presentation. A show so chaotic you think it could…

GEE'S BEND, playing May 23 – June 7 at Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre in the Noyes Cultural Arts Center

27 April 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre today announced full casting and production team for its season-opening production of GEE'S BEND, the 2008 play by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder, to…

BrightSide Theatre presents THE PRODUCERS, June 12 – 28, 2026

27 April 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Concluding BrightSide's 14th season will be THE PRODUCERS, the longest running Broadway musical comedy ever and the winner of 12 Tony…

Joffrey Ballet presents Chicago Premiere of Yuri Possokhov's EUGENE ONEGIN, June 4th-14th

27 April 2026 in Upcoming Dance

The Joffrey Ballet concludes its 2025-26 season with the highly anticipated Chicago Premiere of Yuri Possokhov’s Eugene Onegin, a richly layered and deeply human…

A Final Bow: Chicago Theatre Mourns Matt DeCaro

25 April 2026 in Theatre Buzz

The Chicago theater community is grappling with the sudden loss of Matt DeCaro, whose death early Saturday came as a…

Fault Shakes Up Chicago Shakespeare Theater with Fierce, Funny Chaos

25 April 2026 in Theatre in Review

Dark comedies built around relationship dynamics have always drawn me in because they reveal conflict with a kind of honesty…

At Writers Theatre, a Tech “Job” Too Toxic Shatters an Employee

24 April 2026 in Theatre in Review

A psychotherapist is held hostage by a gun-toting patient demanding he certify her as stable enough to return to work.…

Curious Theatre Branch Announces Beau O'Reilly's TALKING ABOUT GODARD, May 29 - June 28

24 April 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Curious Theatre Branch, launches its 38th Season, with the revival of Talking About Godard, written by Beau O’Reilly and directed by Beau O’Reilly with Briavael O’Reilly, May…

Announcing the 2026 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards Nominees and Show Sponsor

24 April 2026 in Theatre Buzz

Broadway In Chicago is delighted to announce the 24 student nominees for Best Performer in an Actor and Actress role,…

Midsommer Flight to stage Shakespeare’s comedy AS YOU LIKE IT free in six Chicago parks June 27 – August 2

24 April 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

For its 13th free summer production, Midsommer Flight will present one of Shakespeare's most highly regarded and popular comedies. AS YOU…

Physical Theater Festival Chicago Announces Chicago Talent in this Year's Festival, June 1 - 7

23 April 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

Physical Theater Festival Chicago, the city’s annual celebration of contemporary, movement-based performance, announces a bold lineup spotlighting local creativity. Each…

Intuit’s New Exhibits Spark Verve Through Art

23 April 2026 in BCS Spotlight

Gatecrashers. That’s the term newspapers nearly 100 years ago called the works of self-taught artists when they began “crashing the…

safronia soars at Lyric Opera

22 April 2026 in Theatre in Review

safronia at Lyric Opera of Chicago emerges as a deeply personal story of the Great Migration - one that resists…

At Steppenwolf, Windfall Doesn’t Cash In on Its Promise

21 April 2026 in Theatre in Review

Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s, Windfall arrives with all the promise its pedigree suggests. Written by Academy Award–winning ensemble member Tarell Alvin…

Redtwist’s Sobering ‘night Mother Asks Us to Look for the Unseen

21 April 2026 in Theatre in Review

Mother-daughter relationships are somehow deemed different.  More seminal than the bond between a father and son. More instinctive than between…

AstonRep Productions to stage US Premiere of Liisa Repo-Martell's new adaptation of Chekhov's UNCLE VANYA, June 18 – July 5 at the Edge Off-Broadway Theatre

21 April 2026 in Upcoming Theatre

AstonRep Productions, the theatre and film production company that has produced over 30 stage productions in Chicago, has announced it…

 

         20 Years and counting!

Register

     

Latest Articles

Guests Online

We have 784 guests and no members online

Buzz Chicago on Facebook Buzz Chicago on Twitter 

Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.