“James was deeply aware of the anguish associated with denying others their authenticity; His famous Frankenstein wasn’t a murderous monster. His heart’s desire was friendship cleverly bestowed upon him by a blind man”. Norm Woodel Frame of Reference Productions In Association with The Woodel Inspiration Fund has embarked on a…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 20 May 2024 11:00
So Be-Coming: Death Becomes Her Brings Magic and Dark Comedy to Cadillac Theatre
Written by Kendall Royzen
It’s often quoted in reviews that we are unworthy of such beauty or splendor the arts and humanities afford us. The turn of phrase elicits images of Wayne and Garth of Wayne’s World bowing at the feet of Alice Cooper, or a dashing Bridgerton man dropping to a knee at…
Published in
Theatre in Review
I arrived at City Lit Theater’s MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL expecting a heavy, serious, doubtless thought-provoking but rather intimidating major work of literature. By the end of the performance, I wanted to rush out, buy the book and read it immediately. Any production that accomplishes this in three hours must…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 12 May 2024 02:12
'Poor People! The Parody Musical' is rich in laughs
Written by Kimberly Katz
I’m amazed that it’s been 18 years or so since I first saw a Hell in a Handbag production. Though it seems like yesterday, my first experience with Handbag was taking in their production of The Poseidon Adventure at the cozy and artistic Chopin Theatre in Wicker Park. It was…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
- Poor People! The Parody Musical
- Hell in a Handbag Productions
- Chopin Theatre
- David Cerda
- Tyler Anthony Smith
- Stephanie Shaw
- Dakota Hughes
- Sydney Genco
- Matty Bettencourt
- Brittney Brown
- Caitlin Jackson
- Elizabeth Lesinski
- Taylor Dalton
- Shane Roberie
- Patrick O’Keefe
- Tommy Thurston
- Christopher Kelley
- The Chopin Studio Theatre
- Andrew Milliken
- Parody
Monday, 13 May 2024 10:50
Dance and Sing to the Beat of Life with ‘Last Stop on Market Street’
Written by Bree Samani
Despite the fact that I have never read the Newberry Award-Winning children’s book called Last Stop on Market Street, I chose to see the musical adaptation on a sunny Saturday afternoon. And I have to say, I am impressed with this fun-loving musical at the Young People’s Theatre of Chicago.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 10 May 2024 13:18
Review: The Thanksgiving Play at Steppenwolf Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
“Together we created this nothingness,” says Audrey Francis in Steppenwolf’s production of Larissa Fasthorse’s ‘The Thanksgiving Play’. Hot off its Broadway run, this madcap comedy cuts right to the bone. Under Jess Mcleod’s direction, the intimate cast leaps right off the stage. ‘The Thanksgiving Play’ is about three elementary school…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 07 May 2024 12:50
1619: THE JOURNEY OF A PEOPLE to commemorate the arrival in America of the first African slaves and examine the peoples' progress since then
Written by Buzz Center Stage
Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre's 2024 season of four productions will open with the original musical 1619: THE JOURNEY OF A PEOPLE by Chicago writer and performer Ted Williams III. The musical commemorates the arrival of the first 20 Africans on the shores of Point Comfort, Virginia on August 20, 1619. In it, three modern…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 04 May 2024 10:11
One Fine Show: Beautiful The Carole King Musical dazzles Paramount Theatre
Written by Kendall Royzen
Growing up our radio dial was tuned to one channel, K-Earth 101. In Southern California that station was the oldies, the classics, belting out hits from the 1950s and 60s; Sam Cooke, Buddy Hall, Mel Carter, Peggy Lee, The Ronettes, and so many more artists’ melodies and lyrics that are…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 01 May 2024 12:30
Blue in the Right Way's 'Women Beware Women' at The Edge Innovative… radical… courageous… confusing
Sarz Maxwell
Blue in the Right Way audaciously chose for their inaugural production a 400-year-old play, WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN, written in 1621 by Thomas Middleton and adapted by the company’s co-founders Kevin Smith (Kevin/Kevin’s, also director) and Daiva Bhandari (she/her, also lead actor and choreographer). WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN was abstractly staged, accompanied…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
- Blue in the Right Way
- Women Beware Women
- Thomas Middleton
- Kevin Smith
- Daiva Bhandari
- Kidany Camilo
- Bree Perry
- John Zhou Duncan
- Shail Modi
- Leo Mock
- Rick Gilbert
- Victor Bayona
- Lynne Baker
- Ryan Wright Cassidy
- Johnny Moran
- Huy Nguyen
- Keenan Odenkirk
- Christin Prince
- Mia Van De Mark
- Brandon Wiman
- Katie Mazzini
- The Edge Theater
More...
Friday, 03 May 2024 11:06
'Judgment Day' a Top-drawer Production That Will Leave You Laughing, and Maybe Changed for the Better
Written by Bill Esler
Crowds will flock to see “Judgment Day,” having its world premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. While many will be drawn by its star, Emmy and Tony-winning actor Jason Alexander of “Seinfeld” fame (George Costanza), and he is definitely a draw—but just one of many—in this remarkably funny,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 28 April 2024 12:22
Red Theater's 'Hamlet' at The Edge Off Broadway - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are… hilarious!
Sarz Maxwell
I think my favorite thing – well, one of my favorite things – about Wyatt Kent’s take on HAMLET is imagining just how much fun everyone must have been having with it! everyone except Hamlet, of course, but the entire play is about Prince Hamlet (Ashley Fox) having a Very.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 25 April 2024 15:10
Review: Joe Turner's Come and Gone at Goodman Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
Director 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 2022 as well as “Two Trains Running” in 2015. Both…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 26 April 2024 08:53
Eerie, Human Mystery In Captivating ‘Jump’ by Shattered Globe Theatre
Written by Bill Esler
As 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 what. Just something in Charly Evon Simpson’s captivating and mysterious…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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