Thursday, 28 November 2019 12:48
Engaging Story in Fine Production of 1912 ‘Rutherford and Son’
Written by Bill Esler
Rutherford and Son tells the story of an early 20th century glass making factory in northern England. It’s run by rough a tumble owner, Rutherford – played convincingly and powerfully by Steppenwolf’s Francis Guinan. Under his thumb are hundreds of workers, who he treats as recalcitrant peasants; and his three…
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Theatre in Review
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Wednesday, 20 November 2019 13:54
Theatre at the Center's 'White Christmas' rings in the holidays with great dance and romance!
Written by Kimberly Katz
I am from Miami, Florida and after moving to Chicago there was a time when I genuinely looked forward to the first snow of the year. I’d also wish for snowfall each year to bring us a white Christmas here in Chicago and this lovely production of ‘White Christmas’ at…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 25 November 2019 13:00
Review: 'A Christmas Carol' at Goodman Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
What can be said about a show that's been running every Christmas in Chicago for forty-one years? Other than it must be pretty good if it continues to play to sold out audiences year after year. There have been theatre versions of 'A Christmas Carol' nearly as long as the…
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Theatre in Review
Sunday, 24 November 2019 12:43
Review: 'Always...Patsy Cline' at The Den Theatre
Written by Earl Cochran
Patsy Cline was only 30 years old and at the peak of her career when she died in a plane crash in 1963. But her sweet voice and music lives on in Firebrand Theatre's 'Always...Patsy Cline', a story written by Ted Swindley and based on true events. After hearing a…
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Theatre in Review
Saturday, 23 November 2019 18:12
'Mary Poppins' at Drury Lane Practically Perfect in Every Way
Written by Ken Payne
Drury Lane Theatre has put together perhaps the most visually stunning and vocally finessed production of ‘Mary Poppins’ one could possibly see. An imaginative, ever-changing bright and colorful set with loads of special effects surrounds a most remarkable cast, highlighted by Emilie Lynn who wows theatre goers as Mary Poppins. …
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Theatre in Review
Friday, 22 November 2019 13:55
Lyric Opera’s Don Giovanni Comes to a Fiery End
Written by Bill Esler
Goodman’s treasured director Robert Falls directs the Lyric Opera’s new production of Don Giovanni, the tale of that lustful, destructive Spanish sexual predator, Don Juan. Falls has wisely exercised restraint in this production, letting the sumptuous music of Mozart prevail. The musical high points will be familiar to anyone who…
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Theatre in Review
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Heart warming musicals aren’t exactly what Steppenwolf Theatre is known for. While not an outright musical, ‘Lindiwe’ is a new play with live music in collaboration with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Co-directed by Jonathan Berry and playwright Eric Simonson, this marks the second time Steppenwolf has worked with Ladysmith Black Mambazo.…
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Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 19 November 2019 22:16
‘The Niceties’ is a Worthy Look at Cultural and Racial Divides
Written by Bill Esler
The Niceties is a play that engages the intellect. But in so doing, sets up a tug-of-war with our gut, addressing a visceral issue for today: race. Like the puzzler plays Proof or Seminar (both also set at a university campus) The Niceties leads us to think through ideas, in this case the customs and…
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Theatre in Review
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Tuesday, 12 November 2019 17:29
The Family Crest, Jacaranda Collective and Den Theatre combine for an unforgettable, one-of-a-king retelling of 'Romeo and Juliet'
Written by Ken Payne
So…a theatre, a rock band and a production company got together and decided to put a show together. Only this wasn’t just a theatre, it was Den Theatre, one of the most experimental and influential theatres in Chicago today. Nor was this just any production company. Jacaranda Collective is a…
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Theatre in Review
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Sunday, 10 November 2019 18:00
Consider Yourself Seeing Marriott Theatre’s 'Oliver!'
Written by CJ Burroughs
The first time I ever saw Oliver!, it was the 1960s movie version. I saw it at one of those old-timey theaters where an “old” guy (this was the 1980s and I was a wee lad, so the organist very well could’ve been a pimply teen keyboard prodigy and I’d…
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Theatre in Review
Saturday, 09 November 2019 17:34
Review: About Face's 'Packing' at Theater Wit
Written by John Accrocco
Scott Bradley is an institution within the Chicago theater community. His quirky, campy musical versions of old horror movies have been sell-out hits around town for years. Which is what makes “Packing” all the more interesting. He instead turns the spotlight on himself. About Face borrows Victory Gardens artistic director…
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 07 November 2019 10:06
Lookingglass Theatre’s 'The Steadfast Tin Soldier' A Hans Christian Andersen Holiday Tale for Children of All Ages
Written by CJ Burroughs
Let’s begin with a children’s story. A children’s story about children’s stories, really. Long, long ago, there lived a boy who could not decide what he would be when he grew up. He might have grown up to sing songs or tally bills, to right wrongs or treat ills, but…
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 07 November 2019 01:01
A New Play Called ‘N’ Grazes a Third Rail in Social Conventions
Written by Bill Esler
We all know that certain words are verboten in polite society - some because they are coarse, like expletives; others because they are demeaning or belittling, or off-limits. One of these – the N-word – is the hook that triggers the action in a new play, called, simply, ‘N,’ at…
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Theatre in Review
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Written by Sarz MaxwellI reviewed TITUS ANDRONICUS in mid-February, so I was eager to see the sequel! In TITUS, Shakespeare tells the story from the viewpoint of the regnant major characters: Empress Tamora and her sons Chiron, Demetrius and Bassianus; Lucius and the…
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