Tuesday, 24 January 2017 20:25
In 1930 Black Harlem Renaissance, Every Character Has a Powerful Story
Written by Bill Esler
Trying to explain what Black Harlem's Renaissance was like is hard. The period was so rich in creative verve, you really have to show it while you tell it. It took me awhile to grasp what playwright Pearl Cleage has achieved - and director Ron OJ Parson has brought carefully…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 30 January 2017 14:58
High Seas Fun, Adventure and Love in First Folio's Action-Packed "Captain Blood"
Written by Ken Payne
In the action-packed world premiere of Captain Blood, First Folio Executive Producer David Rice along with his wife, Artistic Director Alison C. Vesely, have collaborated on a swashbuckling adventure that is sure to be long remembered for its choreographed swordfights, enthralling story and witty comicality. Sadly, Alison recently lost a…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 28 January 2017 12:59
Disco is Back! Boogie, Glitz and Style Abound In Drury Lane's Saturday Night Fever
Written by Ken Payne
Guys, it’s time to dig into your closet and shake the dust from your polyester, large-collared, chest-exposing dance shirt. Divas, grab your sequin-studded blouse and bell-bottomed slacks or favorite jumpsuit – it’s time to disco! Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook hosts an electric 1970’s dance party to remember with their…
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Theatre in Review
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Sunday, 29 January 2017 20:45
Druids Rule in Norma, a Surpassingly Beautiful Bel Canto Opera
Written by Bill Esler
Watching an inner circle of Druids contemplate the eventual fall of Rome, my thoughts turned to Game of Thrones, to Mad Maxx’s Thunderdome, even alighting ever so briefly on our own political landscape. Lyric Opera’s production Bellini’s beautiful 1831 opera carefully builds such a world, with Iron Age sets in…
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Theatre in Review
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Thursday, 26 January 2017 23:34
Review: About Face Theatre's "The Temperamentals"
Written by John Accrocco
"The Temperamentals" by Jon Marans makes its Chicago premiere at About Face Theatre. Artistic director Andrew Volkoff revisits this 2009 Off-Broadway play in a critical time for LGBT rights in America. This play was selected for their season long before the election, but serves to remind that the struggle for…
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Theatre in Review
The House Theatre of Chicago artistic director Nate Allen introduces the world premiere of Diamond Dogs, an adaptation of a short story by Alastair Reynolds, by noting that it is “hard sci-fi” and a departure from the optimism usually implicit in House Theatre shows. Since a significant plot point of…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 22 January 2017 18:03
Arc Theatre Puts Refreshing Spin on Classic "Steel Magnolias"
Written by Kimberly Katz
As I found my seat in the very intimate forty-seat or so Red Curtain Theater in First Congregational Church House to see Robert Harling's popular American classic Steel Magnolias, made popular by the movie starring Julia Roberts, I was very drawn in immediately by Mark Boergers' set design which places…
Published in
Theatre in Review
If you don’t already know about the 16th Street Theater in Berwyn, now’s a great time to check it out. For ten years, the Equity company run by Ann Filmer in the basement of the Berwyn Cultural Center has endeavored to produce high-quality work for an affordable price while paying…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 20 January 2017 14:32
Review: Circumference of a Squirrel at The Greenhouse Theater Center
Written by John Accrocco
“Circumference of a Squirrel” by John Walch finishes out The Greenhouse Theater’s inaugural Solo Celebration. This one-character play festival featured only single narrative storytelling. It’s not often you see a one-person fiction play, and while some may cringe at the concept, these short works explored highly relevant themes. Will Allen…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Wednesday, 18 January 2017 10:32
New Colony's "Psychonaut Librarians" A Funny, Romantic Reminder for Gentle People to Fight Their Fears
Written by Kimberly Katz
I was a "psychonaut librarian” as a child without even knowing it. My grandparents’ house was only two blocks from the beautifully built, stunning Coral Gables Library in South Miami, Florida. I spent all my spare time there, drinking in the smell of library books and wisdom. Each new book…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 13 January 2017 13:08
Review: Her America at The Greenhouse Theater Center
Written by John Accrocco
Brett Neveu is a playwright to watch. To call him up-and-coming would be unfair as his work has appeared at The Goodman, Writers Theatre and Red Orchid Threatre. His new play "Her America" is being presented by The Greenhouse Theater Center as part of their Solo Celebration Series. Directed by…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 12 January 2017 12:52
Review: Men On Boats At American Theater Company
Written by Michaelle Bradford
American Theater Company's (ATC) regional premiere of Men on Boats, written by Jaclyn Backhaus and directed by artistic director Will Davis, took on the story of the one-arm captain, William Wesley Powell, who was commissioned by the U.S. government in 1869 to map the Green and Colorado rivers of the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 28 December 2016 12:02
Review: Light Opera Works' Die Fledermaus
Written by John Accrocco
By the end of January, most people are over holiday theater. In the days between holidays, the Loop is a ghost town almost exclusively sustained by last minute ‘Christmas Carol’ and ‘Nutcracker’ matinees. Locals tend to stay local. For Evanston residents looking for quality theater, Light Opera Works is a…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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