Displaying items by tag: Oriental Theatre

Broadway in Chicago and producers Starvox Entertainment and June Entertainment present “Sherlock Holmes”, starring the often very funny David Arquette in the title role that is based on the shrewd detective in the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle mystery novels.

Now, I like David Arquette, I think he’s a talented comedic and dramatic actor and obviously he has the chops to pull of this role but so many things conspired to make this production an overly long, campy but not funny mess. I’m at a loss to describe them all. 

I’ll just keep it short. First, the stage which was very modern, stark, and cold did nothing to clarify where any of the characters were at any time in the show. The set was accented only by slightly different chairs and red, black and grey lighting changes. Although Arquette, as Sherlock Holmes, struggled to pull off a few laughs here and there with his flamboyant drug using character, everyone else seemed to just be shouting at each other and racing about willy-nilly like the Keystone Cops the whole play, as if pretending to be an old 20’s movie version of the play. Perhaps there may be room to turn Sherlock Homes into a comedy, but the writers missed the mark on this one.

James Maslow, stars as the legendary Dr. John Watson, along with Renne Olstead as the well-to-do-American, Lady Irene St. John. Olstead is best known for her roles as Lauren Miller in the TV sitcom "Still Standing”, and as Madison Cooperstein in "The Secret Life of the American Teenager”.

I honestly think if they cut the show down to 90 minutes from 2 and one half hours, people might have left saying that it was an interesting and modern take on an old classic. However, this cold, campy and dark version of the show did little to satisfy real fans of Sherlock Holmes. The head-scratching crimes were not as engaging as one would have hoped and the laughs not as big. Though nice to see Arquette on the stage, I hope to see him return in a more entertaining production. You can only do so much with the material given. 

This new and original adaptation inspired by Doyle's classic detective tales by playwright Greg Kramer and directed by Andrew Shaver is scheduled to play Chicago's Oriental Theatre (24 W Randolph) November 24 - 29, 2015. For tickets and more show information visit www.broadwayinchicago.com.

Aptly named, “On Your Feet!” is on its way to Broadway and officially launched their World Premier right here in Chicago at the Oriental Theater. The show tells the story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan through music and dance, laughter and tears. There were so many things that I enjoyed about this show it is hard to figure out where to start!

Written by Alexander Dinelaris (most recent credits include the screenplay for the Oscar winning “Birdman”), the story moves fast, initiated as a flashback from the tragic tour bus accident that landed Gloria in the hospital with a spinal cord injury. We are introduced to a young Gloria, played by the Alexandria Suarez, on laundry day in Miami. In a flurry of dancing, singing and swirling pastel sheets, Glorita grows from a young girl to a teenage Gloria, played by Ana Villafane, who wows us with a powerhouse voice that will blow you away.

My favorite character of the show is Consuelo, Gloria’s spunky grandmother played by Alma Cuervo. She is the catalyst that brings Emilio and Gloria together, supports her shy granddaughter to follow her dreams, and delights the audience with her quirky one-liners - my favorite being “terrible shorts, great culo!” after our first introduction to a young, short-short wearing Emilio, played by the handsome Josh Seggara.

Hit after musical hit carries us through the first act as we watch Gloria break out of her shell and take the spotlight while her and Emilio quietly fall in love. As their lives move forward, we learn more about her father’s time in the Cuban police force and then the American military and her mother’s lost dream of singing.  The entire story is supported by energetic dancing, effortlessly changing set design and costumes that transport you from Cuba to Vietnam to Miami.

While first act ends on a high note as Gloria successfully crosses over into the English speaking market with a performance of “Conga” that gets everyone in the theater dancing, the second act deals with more serious challenges as the relationship between Gloria and her mother is broken and rebuilt, and the family deals with the aftermath of the horrific bus accident.  In scenes that will bring tears to your eyes, we learn more about Emilio’s escape from Cuba and say goodbye to family members who have passed and witness Gloria’s triumphant rise back to stardom.

Villafane and Seggara are fantastic as Gloria and Emilio. Villafane’s incredible singing and dancing makes you believe it was actually Gloria Estefan you are watching. Seggara is spot on in his acting and his lovable Cuban accent, which makes up for his singing that is not his strongest asset.  The use of projected images and sets that slide on and off the stage with ease, created a wonderful backdrop for spot on dancing by a core ensemble. The choreography, by Sergio Trujillo, was rooted in Latin dance, with impressive moves that were performed completed in sync with style and flair.

Overall, I can whole-heartedly recommend this show to anyone looking for an exciting, fast paced show that will have you dancing in your seat and on your feet! The show is running at the Oriental Theater through July 5^th so grab your tickets soon – you will not want to miss this!

What's better than a good revenge story? How about a revenge comedy? Better yet, how about a revenge comedy musical? First Wives Club is all of that and then some. Partially driven by a Motown soundtrack, this glitzy musical taken from the 1996 film starring Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton and Bette Midler presents many memorable numbers - some from hits we all know like “Reach Out…I’ll Be There” and “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” and some written just for this production.

When three housewives reunite years later after their college girlfriend commits suicide due to an unfaithful husband, they soon realize they have something in common - all their husbands are cheating. Joining together, the three decide to form The First Wives Club and exact revenge upon their unfaithful spouses in bold fashion.

First Wives Club is bolstered by an incredibly talented cast. Christine Sherrill is lights out as “Elise Acton” while Broadway legend Faith Prince and Carmen Cusack also make a huge splash as gal pals “Brenda Cushman” and “Annie Walker”. Sherrill's velvety smooth voice stands out as she belts out one number after the next, especially noteworthy in “Old Me New Me”. Not to be overshadowed, Prince also displays her vocal prowess and even gets big house applause during “My Heart Wants to Try One More Time”. Patrick Richwood is tremendous as the flamboyant “Duane Fergusson” while Sean Murphy Cullen’s physical comedy Jackie Gleason-esque as the cheating, but loveable, “Morty Cushman”. The ever changing set was almost a show in itself. Colorful and dazzling, the set was massive as it was convertible, seamlessly changing from one world to another.

Gracing the red carpet to kick off the new Broadway-bound musical were musical contributors and Motown legends Brian Holland, Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, The Four Tops’ Duke Fakir, Martha Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas and two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole along with five-time Emmy Award winner Linda Bloodworth Thomason.

The story is light with just the right amount of campy humor and the dancing and singing fully entertaining to one catchy number after another. With such likeable main characters (three women in their mid-forties) it is easy to see this production finding Mamma Mia-like success. Wonderfully directed by Simon Phillips, First Wives Club: The Musical is a laugh out loud, feel good winner. Revenge is sweet but even sweeter when done by a trio of women that are so much fun to watch.

First Wives Club: The Musical is being performed at The Oriental Theatre through March 29^th before it hits Broadway. For tickets and/or more show information call (800) 775-2000 or visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.