Wednesday, 11 October 2017 02:30
First Folio's "The Man-Beast" a passionate tale of horror that delivers big
Written by Ken Payne
Set in the 18th century French countryside, First Folio Theatre vividly brings to life Joseph Zettelmaier’s “The Man-Beast”, a romantic, yet frightening, tale just in time for the Halloween season. The final installment of Zettelmaier’s horror trilogy, “The Man-Beast” follows first works “The Gravedigger” and “Dr. Seward’s Dracula” and, staying…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 10 October 2017 18:40
Rigoletto’s classic tale is a feast for the ears
Written by Vika Lvova
Court jester Rigoletto prefers to hide his misery behind jokes and mockery of others. But it’s not the only thing he hides; his beloved daughter Gilda lives with him unbeknownst to the world; he selfishly keeps her locked away in fear of losing his only joy. This famous Juiseppe Verdi’s…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Darn those French and their "musical spectaculars." There are few things Americans do with more flare than the French, and musical theater is one of them. "Piaf: The Show!" is billed somewhat differently than what it actually is. That is not to say we've been misled. Those who have spent…
Published in
Theatre in Review
It’s the season of Arthur Miller in Chicago. It appears Miller is enjoying a renaissance right now with three of our major companies reviving his work this season. The Steppenwolf takes on "The Crucible" as their Young Adult show. Calling upon Jonathan Berry (one of the city's foremost storefront theatre…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 08 October 2017 00:08
Older than Mythologie: Orphée et Eurydice at the Lyric Opera
Written by Kendall Royzen
The first time I went to the opera was in elementary school to see La Triviata. It was a school sponsored field trip that took kids to Los Angeles to see the opera, the symphony, museums, and the ballet, exposing them to the arts at an early age. Though I…
Published in
Theatre in Review
The most depressing thing about the Foxfinder’s premise of “near future” is that it looks remarkably like somewhat distant past, as in late 1800’s A.D. past. Gloom and doom, enhanced by the haunting music (by Jesse Case) and nearly constant rain, abounds in this Midwest premiere of Dawn King’s British…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 02 October 2017 23:10
Cupid Has A Heart On a unique, energetic night of shock comedy
Written by CJ Burroughs
As my sidekick for the evening – himself a theater and sketch comedy guy – and I entered Stage 773’s Cab Theater on Saturday to see Cupid Has a Heart On, we were greeted by smiley, bubbly folks who I guessed were cast members of the show. I turned out…
Published in
Theatre in Review
“Sometimes lying is the most humane thing you can do,” declares Gina Gionfriddo’s character Suzanna Slater in her play ‘Becky Shaw.’ Gionfriddo’s script was shortlisted for the 2009 Pulitzer and enjoyed a successful Off-Broadway run in 2008. ‘Becky Shaw’ makes its Chicago premiere at Windy City Playhouse in Irving Park.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 24 September 2017 16:30
Steppenwolf's "The Rembrandt" cleverly connects us to the past
Written by Ken Payne
Put acting greats Francis Guinan and John Mahoney on stage together and you undoubtedly get a performance that will certainly mesmerize. Add Jessica Dickey’s poignant script that delves into history and what we can take away from it, keen direction by Hallie Gordon and fine supporting performances from Ty Olwin,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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Monday, 25 September 2017 16:42
“The Legend of Georgia McBride” is Packed with Laughs and Pink Feather Boas!
Written by Kimberly Katz
“The Legend of Georgia McBride” written by Matthew Lopez, is an adorable and entertaining piece brought to sexy, vibrant life by an exquisitely multi-talented cast of characters. The play is set in a dusty part of the Florida panhandle at a run-down club called Cleo's owned by Eddie played with…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 19 September 2017 21:59
Court Theatre's "Five Guys Named Moe" is non-stop fun
Written by Vika Lvova
The live sounds of 30’s and 40’s jazz transform Court Theatre into a music venue in this production of Five Guys Named Moe. Written by Clarke Peters and directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson, with Music Director Abdul Hamid Royal and Associate Director Felica P. Fields, this lively musical…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Wednesday, 20 September 2017 02:49
Review: Goodman's "A View from the Bridge"
Written by John Accrocco
The Goodman Theatre almost never includes a show in their subscriber season that they haven’t developed themselves. Dutch director Ivo van Hove began his vivid production of Arthur Miller’s “A View from the Bridge” in London before bringing it to Broadway in 2016. It went on to win the Tony…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 18 September 2017 16:20
TATC's "Big River" Brings Twain Characters Back to Life
Written by CJ Burroughs
There has never been a better Broadway marriage of story and storyteller – until Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, three decades later, anyway – than Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and songsmith Roger Miller. Floating between aching country ballads, soulful slave spirituals, and the side-splitting novelty tunes that made…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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