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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Theatre in Review
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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
Thursday, 30 November 2023 13:00
It Truly Is A Whiz of A Wiz If Ever A Wiz There Was
Written by Wesley David
“The Wiz”, a retelling of the classic, L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was the perfect show for its time when it opened on Broadway in 1975. Despite a closing notice posted on its opening night, it went on to win seven Tony Awards including Best Musical. This was in…
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 30 November 2023 18:23
We'll Have a Blue Christmas; Christmas With Elvis at the Chopin Theatre
Written by Kendall Royzen
As twinkling Christmas lights return to Michigan Avenue and holiday themed bars pop up in trendy neighborhoods, Chicagoans are kicking off their pre-winter days by flocking indoors. Fortunately for us, Chicago theatre continues to deliver an exceptional lineup of classic holiday favorites and new ingenues hoping to become a staple…
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Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 28 November 2023 13:18
Goodman Theatre’s ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ A legendary extravaganza …and a future opportunity
Sarz Maxwell
Charles Dickens wrote A CHRISTMAS CAROL in December 1843, and by February 1844 London stages were mounting productions of the work. A CHRISTMAS CAROL is a classic, encompassing all those things we say about ‘classics’: it is iconic and traditional; it’s popular and precious (I’m flashing on Gollum as Jacob…
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Theatre in Review
Sunday, 26 November 2023 15:46
Review: 'The Snow Queen' at Marriott Theatre
Written by Betsy Schmitt
Just in time for the season’s first snowfall and the holidays, the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire serves up a delightful rockin’ adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, perfect for the entire family as its finale for the 2023 children’s theatre season. Billed as the story that inspired the…
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Theatre in Review
Sunday, 26 November 2023 12:28
Who’s Holiday! — Laugh, Drink and Sing with Cindy Lou Who
Written by Bree Samani
After stuffing myself with a fat plate of Thanksgiving leftovers, I made my way over to Theater Wit for the Who’s Holiday! opening show. The show kicks off with a grand entrance of a much older Cindy Lou Who in a dinky trailer home. Cindy gets comfortable with the crowd…
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Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 21 November 2023 12:23
Get festive with Thee Ricky Harris at "A Christmas Cabaret.”
Written by Wesley David
This December 16th and 17th, immerse yourself in the joyous spirit of the season with "A Christmas Cabaret - Thee Ricky Harris Way" at the Mercury Theater. Thee Ricky Harris is not only an accomplished musical theater professional but also the host of the online series “Places”. This delightful evening…
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Theatre in Review
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Sunday, 19 November 2023 12:46
Review: Chicago Shakespeare Theater's 'Twelfth Night'
Written by Betsy Schmitt
From Twelfth Night’s well-known opening lines “If music be the food of love, play on …,” the stage is set for Shakespeare’s madcap comedy of misplaced love and mixed-up identities. Woven throughout this production are the colors, culture, and Caribbean-inspired music that play almost as important a role as the…
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Theatre in Review
Saturday, 18 November 2023 12:37
Enchanting Cinderella Has a Ball! Rogers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella at The Drury Lane Theatre
Written by Kimberly Katz
I thoroughly enjoyed this colorful, sumptuous, and romantic production of Rogers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella at The Drury Lane Theatre from beginning to end. Directed and choreographed with lively and complex numbers by Amber Mak, with musical direction by Carolyn Brady, I felt that the spirit and female empowering themes of the original Cinderella…
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Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 14 November 2023 16:17
'Once on This Island' - A Caribbean Fairytale with a Modern Twist
Written by Wesley David
“Once On This Island” is receiving a spirited and lively revival by Pulse Theatre at the once venerable ETA Creative Arts Foundation, now a rental space on the Southside of Chicago. Set in the French Antilles, namely Haiti, this vibrant production rivals any Broadway In Chicago production. It is a…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 15 November 2023 10:37
Laugh Riot 'Divina Commedia' Shows Contemporary Life May Just Be the Circles of Hell
Written by Bill Esler
The Conspirators latest show is an absolute laugh fest, and may just be their funniest so far. Subversive in its social commentary, which hits you in your funny bone, The Conspirators have chosen Dante’s Divine Comedy for their latest show, “Divina Commedia: It’s Worse Than That.” They lead us through…
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Theatre in Review
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