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
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
More...
Monday, 19 November 2018 01:13
The Movie in My Mind: Miss Saigon at the Cadillac Palace Theatre
Written by CJ Burroughs
When Schönberg and Boublil’s Miss Saigon made its original run in the early 90s, I missed it — too far away to catch a traveling performance, and too young to have seen or even afforded to see it. And back then, I was way too young to have really understood…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 17 November 2018 20:17
Marriott Theatre's 'Holiday Inn' a fitting ode to the Crosby, Astaire classic
Written by Ken Payne
Marriott Theatre brings yet another high-energy, song and dance production to its audience, this time mounting the regional premiere of ‘Holiday Inn’, a sentimental musical based on the 1942 film of the same name featuring the music of Irving Berlin and starring such great as Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby and…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 18 November 2018 17:26
Plainclothes Goes Behind the Scenes To Show How Shoplifters Get Nabbed
Written by Bill Esler
Plainclothes has all the hallmarks of a dynamic show – a parade of interesting and believable characters, fast-paced and witty dialog, even a socially meaningful storyline, and great performances by the cast. Premiering at The Den Theatre and written by Spenser Davis, who also co-directs (with Kanomé Jones) Plainclothes tells…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
Monday, 12 November 2018 21:08
‘Iolanta’ at Chicago Opera Theater - You See What You Look For Or The Dance of the Sugar Plum Set Pieces
Written by William and Margaret Swain
Chicago Opera Theater opened their 2018-2019 season with the Chicago Premier of Peter Tchaikovsky’s ‘Iolanta’. Since this performance was also the Chicago debut of Lidiya Yankovskaya, COT’s new Stanley Music Director, it was an auspicious occasion for the company embarking on their 45th season. It also marked the first full…
Published in
Theatre in Review
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.