Displaying items by tag: Richard Gomez
Petal-powered Feud: When Shrubs and Sass Collide in Buffalo Theatre Ensemble's 'Native Gardens'
Buffalo Theatre Ensemble’s latest offering, Native Gardens by Karen Zacarias, is a riotous comedy that delves into the quirky world of suburban gardening and neighborly tiffs. The plot blossoms around two neighboring couples in Washington D.C. On one side, there's Pablo, a high-powered lawyer from Chile with a wealthy background, and his very pregnant wife, Tania, a doctoral candidate and avid gardener. They're ecstatic about transforming their new backyard into a vibrant native garden that attracts the right kind of insects that add to a healthy ecosystem. They are a younger couple, new to the neighborhood, with a bright future ahead.
On the other side, there's Frank and Virginia, a well-established couple with a perfectly manicured, non-native garden. Frank is laser-focused on winning the neighborhood's annual gardening competition. At first, the two couples get along swimmingly, but things take a thorny turn when Pablo and Tania discover that their property line extends two feet into Frank's cherished garden. This revelation ignites a full-blown border dispute, with both couples revealing their true colors as they clash over race, class, privilege, and taste.
As the conflict heats up, the play explores themes of cultural differences, environmentalism, and the challenges of living harmoniously with others. Despite the tension, Native Gardens ultimately offers a hopeful message about finding common ground. While there are plenty of profound moments that point out the short-comings and hypocrisies on both sides of the fence (pun intended), there are also many moments that share joint interests between the two couples, giving audience members the feeling that compromise, and even friendship, can be reached with a little effort once the egos are left at the door and true respect and understanding for each other is realized.
The sparring couples are wonderfully cast - and are a hoot to watch! Richard Gomez and Sofia Tew are convincing as Pablo and Tania De Valle, each executing rapid fire line delivery with just the right amount of finesse and humor. Frank and Virginia Buckley are played by Bryan Burke and Kelli Walker and are fantastic together as the long-term residents who look to fend off the newcomers - despite the official survey findings. With no shortage of hilarious moments, this play has a lot of fun with generation gaps, culture clashes and of course the various things neighbors might squabble about. One won’t be able to help but get into the characters within the first few minutes and, like a freight train, the momentum of this play just keeps building as it goes.
Keenly directed by Steve Scott, Native Garden’s delightful blend of humor and social commentary will have you laughing and reflecting long after the final curtain call.
Nestled in the backyards of two Georgetown homes, each with contrasting landscaping visions that irk their new neighbors, you can only imagine the craziness that will ensue. Fortunately, there’s nothing for you to do but sit back and enjoy the garden wars!
Where: The Playhouse Theatre at the McAninch Arts Center (The MAC) in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Additionally, the theatre is thoughtfully designed with increased accessibility features, such as elevators, wheelchair ramps, accessible seating, and assistive listening devices, making it a comfortable and inclusive venue for all attendees, including those with disabilities. Pro tip when selecting tickets - if stairs are challenging for you or your companion(s), the first row does not require any steps at all and the second row just a couple.
When: Native Gardens is running through March 2nd.
Tickets: $44 and $42 for seniors.
Theatre/Play Information: For tickets and/or more show information, visit http://atthemac.org/events/native-gardens/.
Celebrate Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian Heritage Month with Asian American Arts' EVOLUTION: ASIAN AMERICAN ARTS FESTIVAL, May 2 and 3
06 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewAsian American Arts Chicago (AAAC) announces the Festival schedule and that tickets are now on sale for EVOLUTION: Asian American Arts Festival, Saturday, May 2 from 12…
Filament Theatre announces world premiere of Farewell Opportunity
06 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFilament Theatre, the Northwest Side's premier theater for young audiences, is delighted to present the world premiere of Farewell Opportunity from May 2-17,…
TimeLine Theatre Company announces inaugural season at new Uptown home
05 March 2026 in Theatre BuzzTimeLine Theatre Company is thrilled to announce its 2026–27 Inaugural Season in the company’s first permanent home at 5035 N. Broadway…
Her Story Theatre's World Premiere "THE OFFICAL BIOGRAPHY" - Wednesday, April 1 at 7:30 pm at The Den Theatre
05 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreHer Story Theatre has announced the World Premiere of Kurt McGinnis Brown's two-hander THE OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY, to play March 28 –…
Steppenwolf Theatre Company Announces 2026/27 Season
04 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, under the leadership of Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis and Executive Director E. Brooke Flanagan, today announced its 2026/27 Season, marking the…
Three Plays to See This Weekend - Shattered Globe Theatre, The Story Theatre and American Blues Theater Should Be High On Your List!
04 March 2026 in Now PlayingChicago theatre‑goers have one of those rare, golden weekends where three very different companies are all firing at full power—each…
TIN DRUM THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES THE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM FOR THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF SOUTHERN RAPTURE, JUNE 11 - 28, AT THEATER WIT
04 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreTin Drum Theatre Company is proud to announce the cast and creative team for the Chicago premiere of Southern Rapture at Theater Wit,…
Splish Splash: A Day on the Lake - Goodman Theatre - Through March 22nd
04 March 2026 in Now PlayingTeamwork, bravery and fun are at the forefront of Splish Splash: A Day on the Lake, The Goodman's latest Theater for the…
A Wondrous Production of Oscar Wao at The Goodman Theatre
04 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewBased on the novel by Junot Díaz, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao follows neurodivergent and perpetually lovelorn college…
In Timeless ‘Come Back, Little Sheba,’ American Blues Theater Speaks for Today, as Well
03 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewWith spot-on performances across a large cast, William Inge’s 1949 script for “Come Back, Little Sheba” is receiving a definitive…
Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical" featuring Meat Loaf's greatest hits at The Auditorium on April 9 - One Night Only
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THE JOFFREY BALLET ANNOUNCES 2026–2027 SEASON AT LYRIC OPERA HOUSE
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BrightSide Theatre's PRIVATE LIVES April 10 - 26, Meiley-Swallow Hall in Naperville
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A professor finds himself in a firestorm in The Ally, the 2025 Pulitzer-nominated new play by Itamar Moses, at Theater Wit March 20-May 2
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NICK OFFERMAN SET TO JOIN MEGAN MULLALLY FOR THE MUSICAL EVENT OF THE SUMMER AT GOODMAN THEATRE: ICEBOY! OR THE COMPLETELY UNTRUE STORY OF HOW EUGENE O'NEILL CAME TO WRITE THE ICEMAN COMETH
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Pot Girls: An Intelligent and Multilayered Explosion of Poetry and Feminism
02 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThe Story Theatre’s world‑premiere staging of Paul Michael Thomson’s Pot Girls bursts to life in a vivid, full‑throttle production at…
The Glitch in the New Normal - Shattered Globe Theatre’s Morning, Noon & Night
01 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewKirsten Greenidge’s Morning, Noon & Night, currently receiving its Midwestern premiere at Shattered Globe Theatre, is an ambitious, mind-bending exploration…
One-person comedy FULLY COMMITTED - Begins Friday, March 13 - 7:30 pm at The Den Theatre
01 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFULLY COMMITTED, the one-actor tour de force comedy by Becky Mode, will play The Den Theatre March 13-28, 2026. It…
Lyric Opera presents world premiere of new American opera by avery r. young
01 March 2026 in Upcoming TheatreLyric Opera of Chicago continues its commitment to bold, new work with the world premiere of safronia, a landmark musical composition…
The Play That Goes Wrong at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre A Most Perfectly Planned Train Wreck
01 March 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThe Chicago Metropolitan area has a soft spot for a beautiful disaster, and The Play That Goes Wrong delivers the…
Trap Door Theatre Presents: The Cuttlefish, or the Hyrcanian Worldview. Opening March 19th
26 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreTrap Door Theatre is thrilled to continue its mainstage work of their 32nd season with a production of Trap Door's favorite…
Hell in a Handbag Productions Presents The Golden Girls: The Cheese Pyramid A Lost Episodes Parody – May 8 – June 21, 2026 at The Clutch
26 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreHell in a Handbag Productions is excited to continue its 2025/26 season with the world premiere of The Golden Girls: The Cheese…
Announcing FAULT, an exciting addition to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater 2025/2026 Season
26 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces Fault, an exciting addition to the 2025/2026 season starring film and television star Enrico Colantoni (English Teacher, Galaxy Quest, Veronica Mars)…
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao - Goodman Theatre - Through April 12th
26 February 2026 in Now PlayingThe Goodman announces an eight-performance extension for the world premiere of Marco Antonio Rodríguez's English stage adaptation of The Brief Wondrous Life of…
THE DEN THEATRE ANNOUNCES APRIL COMEDY SHOWS
26 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Den Theatre today announced its lineup of April 2026 comedy shows at the theatre's Wicker Park stages at 1331 N.…
Spamalot at CIBC Theatre on Sale Friday, February 27th
26 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago is is delighted to announce that tickets for SPAMALOT will go on sale on Friday, February 27. SPAMALOT will play Broadway In…
The Gift Theatre announces its 25th Anniversary Season
25 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Gift Theatre, led by Artistic Directors Brittany Burch and Jennifer Glasse, announces its 25th Anniversary "Homecoming" Season. The landmark 2026…
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre 2026 Season to feature voices of contemporary female playwrights
25 February 2026 in Theatre BuzzFleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, the Evanston theatre company that has been thrilling audiences with stories of the Black American and African diaspora experience since…
Chicago, the Musical Tickets On Sale Now
24 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreCHICAGO THE MUSICAL is BACK IN TOWN and is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of…
Cast and production team announced for US Premiere of THE SUGAR WIFE, playing March 28 – May 3 at Theater Wit
24 February 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Artistic Home's 2025-26 season — its 25th — will conclude with the US premiere of THE SUGAR WIFE, a 21st Century…
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Celebrate Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native Hawaiian Heritage Month with Asian American Arts' EVOLUTION: ASIAN AMERICAN ARTS FESTIVAL, May 2 and 3
Written by Buzz Center StageAsian American Arts Chicago (AAAC) announces the Festival schedule and that tickets are now on sale for EVOLUTION: Asian American Arts Festival, Saturday, May 2 from 12 - 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the historic Lookingglass Theatre’s Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson… -
Filament Theatre announces world premiere of Farewell Opportunity
Written by Buzz Center StageFilament Theatre, the Northwest Side's premier theater for young audiences, is delighted to present the world premiere of Farewell Opportunity from May 2-17, 2026. Commissioned by Filament Theatre in 2019 and written by local Chicago playwright Georgette Kelly, Farewell Opportunity tells the story of Halley, who visits the…
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Her Story Theatre's World Premiere "THE OFFICAL BIOGRAPHY" - Wednesday, April 1 at 7:30 pm at The Den Theatre
Written by Buzz Center StageHer Story Theatre has announced the World Premiere of Kurt McGinnis Brown's two-hander THE OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY, to play March 28 – April 19 at The Den Theatre in Chicago. When young black journalist Xan Smith is assigned to interview the once successful, now…
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TimeLine Theatre Company announces inaugural season at new Uptown home
Written by Buzz Center StageTimeLine Theatre Company is thrilled to announce its 2026–27 Inaugural Season in the company’s first permanent home at 5035 N. Broadway in Uptown. This long‑awaited milestone launches a bold new era for TimeLine, inviting audiences to experience the company’s work in…
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