Tuesday, 10 September 2019 12:39
Review: Shattered Globe's 'Be Here Now' at Theater Wit
Written by John Accrocco
How odd that a play about nihilism could be so uplifting. ‘Be Here Now’ at Shattered Globe is just that. Shattered Globe ensemble member Sandy Shinner directs a new play by Deborah Zoe Laufer. A small, mostly ensemble cast opens the season with a relevant play about the state of…
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 05 September 2019 23:24
D.H. Lawrence Sons and Lovers: Beautiful Performances Worth Seeing
Written by Bill Esler
When we meet Paul Morel, he is just being born. A bearded gentleman off to the side offers commentary on the scene as the nurses attend to his mother. That narrator turns out to be D.H. Lawrence, and he reappears regularly in Sons and Lovers, adapted and directed from Lawrence’s breakthrough…
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Theatre in Review
Out of Love by Elinor Cook examines the dynamics of a close, at times even unhealthy and overly enmeshed relationship, between two women friends. Cook artfully displays that elusive quality of intimacy that courses between people who are too close – an almost inexpressible aspect of the attraction that keeps…
Published in
Theatre in Review
I’ve said it before and I’ll surely say it again: We Chicagoland theatergoers find ourselves wandering through — lost in, even — a fairyland of shows and venues and world-class talent. And never was that more evident than when I experienced the Writers Theatre’s current production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 29 July 2019 16:24
Drury Lane's 'And Then There Were None,' A Murder Mystery that Shocks and Delights
Written by Kimberly Katz
As with any good mystery, suspense, intrigue and surprise are the key elements in making a successful story that keeps one on the edge of their seat and keeps you guessing. ‘And Then There Were None’ at Drury Lane in Oakbrook has it all. And even though I have seen…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
- And Then There Were None
- Drury Lane Theatre
- Agatha Christie
- Whodunnit
- Cher Alvarez
- Matt Decaro
- Jennifer Engstrom
- Marilyn Dodds Frank
- Casey Hoekstra
- PaulJordan Jansen
- Zachary Keller
- David Kortemeier
- yousof sultani
- Paul Tavianini
- Bruce Young
- Jessica Fisch
- theatre
- Oakbrook
- Kimberly Katz
- Buzz Center Stage
Thursday, 01 August 2019 23:47
Role-Players Take Soap Opera from Screen to Life in Calderon's Kiss
Written by Bill Esler
Kiss produced by Haven Theatre (and playing at The Den Theatre) is a stealthily crafted play. Delightfully engaging, loaded with laughs, it tells the story of two couples, none married, who double date regularly to watch soap operas at one of their apartments. Kiss is also a theatrical event for…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 18 July 2019 12:12
‘Over the Tavern’ packs a punch in its return to TATC
Written by Ken Payne
Theatre at the Center brings back ‘Over the Tavern’ fourteen years after the 1950’s comedy brought audiences to their feet. Finely directed by Ericka Mac, ‘Over the Tavern’ is set in 1959 and is a comedy centered around the Pazinski family. Devout Catholics, young Rudy (Logan Baffico) is a precocious…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 28 July 2019 22:35
What Evil Lurks Below The Darkened Landscape of Manchester’s Pomona?
Written by Bill Esler
Pomona at Steep Theatre is among the most exhilarating productions I have seen this year. Directed by Robin Witt, who selected this imaginative script by British playwright Alistair McDowall, the play follows a familiar theme in British crime dramas: the disappearance of working girls, spirited away in this case from…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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As the Chicago premiere of Dave Malloy’s Ghost Quartet was set to start, a cast member walked across the stage, stopping to thank us for attending before adding, “See you on the other side,” in the spookiest voice and with the spookiest face, setting the stage for more than an…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Thursday, 25 July 2019 15:39
Strange Brew in Magically Noir 'Strange Heart Beating'
Written by Bill Esler
After seeing Strange Heart Beating, I felt the less said about this show, which is a murder mystery at its heart- the better. Its characters struck me as unrealistic, the dialog veers to wooden at many points, and the story is outlandish and complex. Yet in describing its storyline to…
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Theatre in Review
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If anyone can be trusted to pay tribute to the late Sam Shepard’s work, it’s Steppenwolf. While they didn’t necessarily originate Shepard’s now classic play, their 1982 production certainly had something to do with the play’s legacy. In fact, Steppenwolf owes a lot of their respected standing in the international…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Let me apologize for gushing (and being late with this review), but Brian Parry’s performance as King Lear at Redtwist Theater is nothing short of astounding. One of the finest Shakespeare performances I have ever seen, Parry brings goosebumps and rushes from his first few lines. He acts the role…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Tuesday, 16 July 2019 12:31
'Darling Grenadine' A Romantic New Musical Theater Piece about Overcoming Addiction to Find True Love
Written by Kimberly Katz
‘Darling Grenadine’ is a completely original musical with music, lyrics and book all written by the extremely gifted Daniel Zaitchick. I'm often talking about how many musicals are derived from other sources and about how I long for a wholly original play to come out that can stand up to…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Review: Joffrey Ballet's 'Midsummer Night’s Dream' at Lyric Opera House
Written by John AccroccoFrolicking season is upon us once again and Joffrey Ballet welcomes summer with the return of Alexander Ekman’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream”. This production was last seen in Chicago in 2018. Told through a mix of ballet and modern dance, this… -
Review: Joe Turner's Come and Gone at Goodman Theatre
Written by John AccroccoDirector Chuck Smith returns to Goodman with another major August Wilson revival–“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”. This is the second play in Wilson’s 10-play “American Century Cycle”. Goodman produced the first play in the series, “Gem of the Ocean” in…
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Eerie, Human Mystery In Captivating ‘Jump’ by Shattered Globe Theatre
Written by Bill EslerAs the audience takes its seats we are greeted by an atmosphere of foreboding, a trestle bridge girder to the left, and in the evening air, foggy wisps drift about the stage. Already something is up, but we don’t know… -
THE 35th ANNUAL RHINOCEROS THEATER FESTIVAL RETURNS MAY 25 – JUNE 30 AT SIX CHICAGO VENUES
Written by Buzz Center StageCurious Theatre Branch is pleased to announce the 35th annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival, May 25 - June 30 at six venues across Chicago. The month-long festival of shows will kick off with a special Full Moon Vaudeville concert event on Saturday, May 25 at…
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