Saturday, 30 September 2023 07:08
'The Nacirema society' Requests you PREPARE YOURSELF TO HAVE A BALL
Written by Wesley David
GRACE -- “Let me try to explain something to you. The Nacirema Society is not a social service group nor a political organization. Our challenge and our joy is to celebrate the best of us, not by giving scholarships and financial assistance, but by recognizing the fact that there are…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
Thursday, 28 September 2023 12:39
'The Lehman Trilogy' Is an intergenerational exploration of the American Dream
Nena Martins
A smash hit in London and New York, "The Lehman Trilogy" is now on stage in a definitive production at TimeLine Theatre. Written by Stefano Massini, adapted by Ben Power, and co-directed by Nick Bowling and Vanessa Stalling, it's easy to see why this Tony-winning tale of an unimaginably successful…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 25 September 2023 12:01
Review: 'The Flying Dutchman' at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Written by John Accrocco
Ahoy matey! Climb aboard Lyric’s thrilling, new-to-Chicago production of Wagner’s ‘The Flying Dutchman’ This spooky, nautical classic opens the 2023/24 season and is a perfect way to kick off the Halloween season. While short by Wagner standards, this two-and-a-half-hour opera is performed without intermission, but the cinematic score and dazzling…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 25 September 2023 20:33
Combat -Centered Babes With Blades Theatre Nails It in 'Duchess of Malfi'
Sarz Maxwell
"Duchess of Malfi" is another winner from Babes with Blades Theatre Company, a troupe I have loved for 20 years. As part of its core mission, Babes With Blades uses stage combat to "tell stories that elevate the voices of underrepresented communities and dismantle the patriarchy." Stage fighting is an interesting vehicle…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 24 September 2023 13:25
Powerful 'Sanctuary City' Plumbs Emotional Depths of Undocumented Americans
Written by Bill Esler
“Sanctuary City,” Steppenwolf’s latest production by Pulitzer-winning playwright Martyna Majok ("Cost of Living") takes us somewhere audiences likely haven’t been before—deep into the emotional experiences of undocumented American immigrants. “Sanctuary City” may seem confusing at first. A series of quick cut, apparently repetitive scenes take place on a bare stage…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 19 September 2023 09:20
'JANE: Abortion and the Underground' Is a call to action (hopefully!)
Sarz Maxwell
I happen to like theatre that has topical and social significance. If you do too, then Idle Muse Theatre's production of "Jane: Abortion and the Underground" is a must-see! The women's organization Jane developed from feminist thought, with a 1960’s ‘women’s lib’ group centered at the University of Chicago, which was…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
Thursday, 21 September 2023 22:39
Sublime 'Blues for An Alabama Sky' Gives Us a Sky Filled With Stars
Written by Wesley David
I have seen “Blues for an Alabama Sky” several times, all very good productions. However, the production by Remy Bumppo in the intimate space of Theater Wit was sublime. As soon as you walk into the theater, you are transported to an apartment building on iconic Lenox Avenue in the heart…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
Wednesday, 20 September 2023 13:00
A Sensational Powerhouse Show in Gift Theatre’s ‘Rise and Fall of Little Voice’
Written by Bill Esler
With a powerful script by Jim Cartwright and knockout performances by every cast member, Filament Theatre’s “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice’” is a must-see. Set in the 1960s at a seaside village in northern England, this play about a young woman, LV (Emjoy Gavino), sequestered upstairs in her…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 15 September 2023 12:22
“Hamilton” Doesn’t Throw Away its Shot in Chicago
Written by Wesley David
The Nederlander Theatre erupted in thunderous applause as the lights went down on the triumphant return of “Hamilton” to Chicago. Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking musical, finishing a successful run in Anchorage, Alaska, delivered an electrifying performance that left the Chicago audience in awe of its scope and magnitude. Chicago lifted “Hamilton”…
Published in
Theatre in Review
More...
Thursday, 14 September 2023 14:11
Review: 'A View from the Bridge' at Theater Wit
Written by John Accrocco
Arthur Miller’s perennial classic, ‘A View from the Bridge’, is revived in a faithful production at Shattered Globe Theater. Under the direction of Lou Contey, a cast of familiar Shattered Globe ensemble and a few new faces bring this powder keg of a tale to their stage for the first…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 12 September 2023 23:43
'A Chorus Line' at Skokie Theatre is Very Recommended!
Sarz Maxwell
A CHORUS LINE is one of my all-time favorite shows and, having recently reviewed MadKap / Skokie Theatre’s production of HAIR (and loved it), I arrived at the theatre in a very pleasant state of anticipation. And hey! CHORUS LINE actually exceeded my high expectations! HAIR is, as everyone knows,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
Saturday, 09 September 2023 15:27
REVIEW: RING OF FIRE AT DRURY LANE THEATRE
Written by Anne Rakowiecki
Fall into the blazing ring of fire that is Johnny Cash’s scorching song catalogue at Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash at Drury Lane Theatre. Part biography, part music revue, and all entertainment, Ring of Fire will take you on a nostalgic, country music-filled journey through the life,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 05 September 2023 20:24
Black Ensemble’s 'A Taste of Soul' is a full-on smorgasbord.
Written by Wesley David
As I neared the Black Ensemble theater, an undeniable sense of eager antcipation pervaded the atmosphere. While I stood there, patiently awaiting the arrival of my companion, I couldn't help but observe the diverse array of theatergoers—people of various ages and ethnic backgrounds,converging from all directions. They were in a…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
Register
Login
Latest Articles
-
Spaceman: Into the Quiet Terror of the Void
Written by Ken PayneSpaceman, presented by [producingbody], touches down at The Edge Off-Broadway with a quiet, unnerving force, pulling audiences into the fragile headspace of an astronaut drifting far from home and even farther from certainty. Under Eric Slater’s beautifully calibrated direction, playwright… -
Inside a Real ‘Fire House’ You Are Immersed in Phantasmic Lives of Firefighters
Written by Bill EslerSet in Chicago’s oldest fire station (now Firehouse Art Studio) the immersive play "Fire House” is only loosely tethered to a realistic portrayal of what fire fighters do. What it conveys is an impressionistic vision of the experience that fire… -
Spamalot Is Every Monty Python Fan’s Dream Come to Life
Written by Angelo CamposSpamalot rides into the Windy City courtesy of Broadway In Chicago, inviting theatergoers to join King Arthur’s quest now through May 31 at the CIBC Theatre. Fans of Monty Python and the Holy Grail - the 1975 cult classic -… -
Raven Theatre announces the 2026-27 season
Written by Buzz Center StageRaven Theatre, under the director of Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Berry, announces its 44th season, to include Michael R. Jackson's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange Loop, directed by Mikael Burke in a co-production with About Face Theatre; Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, directed by Raven Executive Artistic Director Jonathan…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.