Monday, 03 February 2020 15:36
Review: 'How to Defend Yourself' at Victory Gardens Theater
Kerstin Broockmann
Before seeing the co-world premiere (with Actors Theatre of Louisville) of Liliana Padilla’s How to Defend Yourself, read their program note. In it, they reflect on their fear that the play might be “harmful and re-traumatizing” (it might). They also state their aspiration “to be in the truthful chaos—to hold…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 03 February 2020 16:22
No order to tall for Jeeves in First Folio's 'Jeeves Saves the Day'
Written by Ken Payne
Jeeves has returned and the ever-loyal valet is just waiting to get wealthy Londoner Bertie Wooster out of trouble – again. Quick-witted, reliable and extremely resourceful, Jeeves first order of business is always to keep a close eye on his charming and oft adventurous employer, Bertie, but in First Folio’s…
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Theatre in Review
Saturday, 01 February 2020 13:11
Sophisticated Ladies is An Unbeatable Celebration of Duke Ellington, and Dance
Written by Bill Esler
Sophisticated Ladies is a musical confection, a 1981 Broadway hit celebrating the big band music of Duke Ellington. In the hands of Porchlight Music Theatre, it is a production of brilliant technical skill in dance, music, costumes, set. And the singing is sensational (largely overcoming constraints on sound amplification quality).…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 27 January 2020 16:57
Court Theatre's 'The Mousetrap': Feel the Suspense Building in this Very Funny Production
Written by Kimberly Katz
Do you love a good whodunnit? If so, you will love this rich and funny production of ‘The Mousetrap’ directed with great staging and humor by Sean Graney. Agatha Christie's ‘The Mousetrap’ opened in London in 1952 and never stopped running. It is the longest running play in stage history,…
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Theatre in Review
Monday, 27 January 2020 14:30
'The Adult in the Room' Introduces a Passionate and Approachable Nancy Pelosi
Kerstin Broockmann
The title is a huge clue that Bill McMahon’s new play about Nancy Pelosi, The Adult in the Room, is not going to be a balanced political commentary. If you are a Trump supporter, be warned that he is cast as Voldemort to Pelosi’s Dumbledore. For anyone looking for a…
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Theatre in Review
Roe V Wade might be the law of the land now, but playwright Lisa Loomer’s new play “Roe” suggests that it’s always been on shaky ground. Directed by Vanessa Stalling, ‘Roe’ makes its area debut at Goodman Theatre with a big cast of familiar faces. In “Roe” Lisa Loomer pieces…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 23 January 2020 15:37
A whole lot of "Shakin'" in Lincolnshire as stellar cast shines in Marriott Theatre's 'Grease'
Written by Ken Payne
It’s time to go back to high school – for a couple hours anyway – and the year is 1959. The time for slicked back hair with full-on pompadours, bobby socks with pleated knee length skirts and hanging out at the malt shop have once again returned as Marriott Theatre…
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Theatre in Review
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Thursday, 23 January 2020 12:46
Some Shows You Go to, Some Shows You Love: 'Once on This Island' at Cadillac Palace
Written by CJ Burroughs
So, I went into Once on This Island, currently playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, knowing nothing of the show at all. Nothing. The above title, I took that from one of the songs that’s still stuck in my head — “Some Girls,” sung beautifully in this production by Tyler…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 23 January 2020 13:02
Encounter Six Dynamic Shows at Collaboraction at Kennedy King College
Written by Bill Esler
Encounter, running tonight through January 25, is the product of Collaboraction Theater’s role as Theater in Residence at Kennedy-King College. It takes place in the lovely and modern wood-paneled theater space at Kennedy-King’s campus at 63rd and Halsted Street. It is sometimes said that theater is a community having a…
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Theatre in Review
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Saturday, 18 January 2020 11:27
Remarkable Music Drawn from Intriguing Undertale Video Game
Bill Esler & Kyran Esler
Not often drawn to live orchestral music, Undertale LIVE was an exception. Fifth House Ensemble and AWR Music produced the world premier of this remarkable presentation January 11 at the ornate 700-seat Studebaker Theater. Similar to a movie shown with live orchestra accompanying, Undertale LIVE is a 90-minute performance by…
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Theatre in Review
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With their usual care and commitment, Black Button Eyes Productions is introducing ‘Whisper House’, a musical ghost story about loss, love and not giving up, to Chicago. The premise is promising. A young boy loses his Airman father in the Pacific during WWII, a loss that his mother cannot handle.…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 29 December 2019 20:47
Dance Nation Reminds Us of the Unlimited Promise of Youth
Written by Bill Esler
Dance Nation is the story of a school dance team of thirteen-year-olds. The concept may seem to have dubious appeal, but Dance Nation quickly sinks its teeth into our attention with its opening scene. Director and choreographer Lee Sunday Evans has put the students in sailor suits, and they rigidly…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Thursday, 26 December 2019 13:28
'Champions of Magic' dazzle and stun at the Harris Theater
Written by Vika Lvova
Touring illusion show of five ‘Champions of Magic’ is playing at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago, and it is a spectacle to behold. A well-rounded performance, it includes a duo act of British grand illusionists Richard Young and Sam Strange, British mentalist Alex McAleer, American close…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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