Thursday, 06 December 2018 20:38
'The Play that Goes Wrong' so wrong it's right
Written by Ken Payne
Sometimes when something goes bad, it goes really bad. And that can be a good thing. In fact, that is truly the case in ‘The Play that Goes Wrong’ now playing at Oriental Theatre. Revolving around a disastrous opening night of Drama Society’s largest production to date, ‘The Murder at…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 03 December 2018 19:57
A Chicago Nutcracker Rings in the Holiday Season at the Auditorium Theatre
Written by CJ Burroughs
I arrived at the Auditorium Theatre — one of my favorite buildings in this city of ours that has so many historic buildings each with so many stories — prepared to enjoy an evening with that old Holiday chestnut, The Nutcracker. Little did I know that for the third year…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 03 December 2018 23:10
Review: 'Cendrillon' at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Written by John Accrocco
It’s December, which means Chicago’s theaters are in full-on holiday mode. Traditional theater takes a break at some of our major houses as festive productions of holiday classics trod the local boards. Those who do not celebrate Christmas aren’t to be left out. For family fun entertainment, Lyric Opera offers…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 30 November 2018 04:45
Review: 'The Revolutionists' at Strawdog Theatre
Written by John Accrocco
“It may be fiction but it’s not fake.” says French revolution-era playwright Olympa De Gouges to Charlotte Corday in a fictionalized meeting between the two in Lauren Gunderson’s play ‘The Revolutionists’. Rounding out the chance encounter are Haitian slave revolt activist Marianne Angell and Queen Marie Antoinette herself. If you…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 26 November 2018 18:02
Set in a Mythical 51st Ward, Rightlynd Is a Delightful Portrait of How Chicago Works
Written by Bill Esler
Set in Chicago’s mythical 51st Ward, Rightlynd is an absolute lark – but with serious underpinnings. It’s a cautionary rendition of that age-old political maxim: power corrupts. Rightlynd also doubles as a romantic comedy with a healthy dose of musical (ala Hamilton). Set in Chicago’s mythical 51st Ward, a section…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 28 November 2018 04:56
'Snowgirls' explores the darker side of the North Pole
Written by Ken Payne
When we think holidays in Chicago, we think ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Goodman, Joffrey’s ‘Nutcracker’, Christkindlmarket, Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo, Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier and the list goes on and on. We should count our lucky stars, Chicago has a lot to offer this time of year.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 27 November 2018 21:41
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 'Il Trovatore' by Giuseppe Verdi: A Perfect Storm of Vocalism
Written by William and Margaret Swain
As in a perfect storm, where a variety of different factors come together, augmenting the force above and beyond what is imaginable, Lyric Opera of Chicago brought together a group of singers who may, together and individually, define the interpretation of the music of Verdi for our time. The famous…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 27 November 2018 21:20
Goodman’s "A Christmas Carol" never ceases to inspire to do good
Written by Vika Lvova
Having seen (and adored) Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol 17 years ago, I was thrilled to experience this holiday classic once again this year. Though having undergone many changes over the years, Goodman’s gorgeous production of Charles Dickens’ timeless Christmas tale has kept the most important bit: the message of…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 23 November 2018 20:56
Christmas Magic is Here! "Miracle on 34th Street the Musical"
Written by Ken Payne
It’s the big day. The most celebrated parade in the country, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, is about to set sail down 34th Street, of course passing Macy’s flagship store along the way. When a man who just happens to be named Kris Kringle (Neil Friedman) notices that the hired Santa for…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
- Miracle on 34th Street the Musical
- Theater at the Center
- Santa Claus
- Christmas
- Neil Friedman
- Courtney Jones
- Stella Rose Hoyt
- Christopher Kale Jones
- Dan Klarer
- It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
- Kris Kringle
- Musical
- theatre
- Munster
- Ken Payne
- Buzz Center Stage
- George Seaton
- Valentine Davies
More...
Tuesday, 20 November 2018 18:24
"Disney's Beauty and The Beast" at Drury Lane is an Exciting Rollercoaster of Love
Written by Kimberly Katz
I loved the Disney version of Beauty and The Beast on the big screen and I think children who have been wowed by the movie version will also be wowed by Drury Lane Theatre’s sumptuous stage production as well. Director Alan Souza and choreographer Ron De Jesus pull out all…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 28 November 2018 00:13
The Woman in Black at Royal George: the Theater Event of the Season, Perfect for the Holidays
Written by Bill Esler
The Woman in Black, a retelling of a 19th century gothic ghost story, has already begun electrifying audiences on Halsted Street. This finely-honed, two-man production features strong performances by Adam Wesley Brown as The Actor, and Bradley Armacost as a retired lawyer, Arthur Kipps. We'll try to minimize any hint…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thanksgiving is over, which means It’s time to get into the Christmas spirit full-throttle. And nothing says “Christmas” like the 1946 Frank Capra classic It’s a Wonderful Life. But this Chicago production isn’t like any play you’ve seen before, because it’s not a play — it’s a radio broadcast. This…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 20 November 2018 22:28
In Arcadia, Stoppard Pushes the Bounds of the Stage and We Exit Laughing
Written by Bill Esler
An unusually busy run for me - four plays in four days - ended last night with the opening of Arcadia, Promethean Theatre Ensemble’s production of what is said to be one of British author Tom Stoppard’s finest plays. Running at the Greenhouse Theatre, it is certainly the best I…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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