Before the colonial history of New York City was hip hop-ified by outrageously talented Broadway composer/writer/actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, a small portion of the city had its own hip hop story to tell. In the Heights, which premiered on Broadway in 2008 and subsequently won the Tony for Best Musical (among…
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Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 14 September 2016 13:38
Helldrivers of Daytona, Just Funny and Sexy Enough to Stay in the Race
Written by Kimberly Katz
Helldrivers of Daytona, currently running at the Royal George Theatre, is a fun idea. It is a musical that seems to mostly spoof Elvis’ Viva Las Vegas, a story of a talented race car driver who needs to scrape up enough cash to get his car into the big race.…
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Theatre in Review
In a Sam Shepard play, rarely are things what they seem. His 1980 play "True West" is no exception. Under the direction of James Yost, Shattered Globe Theatre tackles this modern classic. "True West" is often considered part of a family saga by Shepard that includes his 1979 Pulitzer Prize…
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Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 13 September 2016 14:39
Paramount's Mamma Mia! About As Fun As it Gets
Written by Ken Payne
The plot is simple enough. Donna Sheridan raises her daughter Sophie now twenty-years-old, on a Greek island where she runs a small island resort. Sophie, about to get married, wants to be walked down the aisle by her father. Problem is, she doesn’t know who her father is. A bit…
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Theatre in Review
It’s the beginning of a puppet-laden season in theatre this fall. Victory Gardens will be performing Hand to God, the story of a boy whose hand puppet is possessed by the devil, and later in the season, Writers Theatre will produce The Hunter and the Bear, their latest collaboration with…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 12 September 2016 23:16
Standout performances, but Naperville is missing something
Written by Bill Esler
Naperville may be worth seeing just for its portrayal of T.C., a newly installed Caribou Coffee shop manager. When customers repeatedly ask after Nick, his popular predecessor, he replies by the book, “Nick no longer works here.” We soon see that T.C. is desperate to succeed in his new job,…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 05 September 2016 22:11
Amour offers a Precious Opportunity to See a Jewel of a Show
Written by Bill Esler
Amour, playing at the Atheneaum, is a jewel box of a show. This lighthearted musical (technically a comic opera) is profoundly entertaining, without needing to be profound. It is just plain fun. With nearly no spoken dialog, the nine cast members sing their hearts out for 90 minutes. The music,…
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Theatre in Review
Thursday, 01 September 2016 21:46
"How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" Succeeds on Stage
Written by Ken Payne
Wouldn’t it be great if we were given a simply written book to tell us how to succeed in whatever it is we wanted to pursue so long as its easy steps were followed? Supposing we were unqualified and the book taught us how to beat the system in ten…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Kinky Boots has now come through Chicago a few times and I am glad I finally had a chance to see this musical, being so hyped everything. With lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, I was curious to see how her music would translate to live theater. Based on a true story,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Friday, 26 August 2016 20:57
A Mother's Perspective on the Lives of Her Kennedys in "Rose"
Written by Ken Payne
Chicago actress Linda Reiter plays Rose Kennedy, matriarch of the Kennedy family in the play "Rose" by Laurence Leamer, with both strength and delicacy. I have seen Linda Reiter around town in many great productions but this is truly her finest and fullest role, deserving of a Jeff Award (the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 18 August 2016 13:37
Simon Slater Thoroughly Engrossing in "Bloodshot"
Written by Ken Payne
From the moment British television star Simon Slater appeared in the lighting to the side of the stage and began to describe in gritty detail the three most common ways to commit suicide, it became apparent this one-man murder mystery thriller was going to be one helluva ride. Gripping from…
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Theatre in Review
Sunday, 14 August 2016 17:08
Dance Back in Time and Meet the Divine Miss M! Bette, Live at the Continental Baths
Written by Kimberly Katz
I thoroughly enjoyed this Hell in a Handbag Production starring the divine Caitlin Jackson, as the “Divine Miss M”, Bette Midler. The show takes us to the early days of Midler's career playing for gay audiences at the Continental baths for two years before her album, The Divine Miss M…
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Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 09 August 2016 18:13
Jackie Wilson Story: Singer’s Greatest Hits Tops the Charts for Black Ensemble Theater
Written by Bill Esler
Singer Jackie Wilson was one of America’s great pop songwriters and vocalists. A vibrant production of The Jackie Wilson Story at the Black Ensemble shows, tells, and sings his story in a celebration that shakes the rafters. This version of The Jackie Wilson Story is even more exciting as an…
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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… -
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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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