Wednesday, 02 May 2018 08:11
Lyric Opera of Chicago's flawless production of "Jesus Christ Superstar"
Written by Ken Payne
It’s been three days since seeing Jesus Christ Superstar at Lyric Opera’s Civic Center and I still find myself going from character to character in the kitchen, in the car, while I’m working, while doing chores around the house and, moments ago, in the elevator. I may not be able…
Published in
Theatre in Review
“I don’t speak for people, I speak to people.” playwright Dael Orlandersmith says in conversation about her new play ‘Until the Flood.’ Orlandersmith’s one-woman show is a docudrama about the ordinary citizens in and around Furguson, Missouri at the time of Michael Brown’s death. ‘Until the Flood’ was shortlisted for…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 30 April 2018 16:24
In Grand Hotel, a lively Broadway musical, scales elegantly to Theatre Wit stage
Written by Bill Esler
Grand Hotel at Theater Wit is a revelation! It shows how much punch you can pack in a storefront stage production with the right mix of great singing talent and artful production. Kokandy Productions has brought to life the 1989 Broadway musical extravaganza, which traces its roots back through the…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
Saturday, 21 April 2018 22:11
"Oklahoma!" as romantic as a Ride to the Dance in a Yellow Surrey with the Fringe on Top!
Written by Kimberly Katz
I am constantly amazed as the way directors use the intimate, theater in the round, at The Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre and this exuberant production of “Oklahoma!” celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the classic Rogers and Hammerstein musical is no exception. As soon as the dancing begins, this production shows that…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Friday, 20 April 2018 12:18
Rainn Wilson one of the many reasons to see Steppenwolf's "The Doppelganger"
Written by Ken Payne
Steppenwolf Theatre’s latest production is going to generate much buzz – quickly - and with good reason. In fact, it’s already been extended through June 2nd. Playwright Matthew-Lee Erlbach’s The Doppelganger (an international farce) is a riotous comedy that doesn’t skip a beat, boasting a cast that is as good…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Saturday, 21 April 2018 00:20
Lettie Pairs Great Cast With Strong Writing for a Story of our Time
Written by Bill Esler
Lettie, by Boo Killebrew and directed by Chay Yew, is a very finely crafted work, an artfully produced show with sensitive performances that gradually unveil the complicated personalities on stage. When we meet Lettie, she is in the visitors lounge area of a halfway house somewhere in Chicago, transitioning from…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tagged under
Friday, 20 April 2018 10:07
Two is better than one: il Pigmalione + Rita at The Studebaker Theater
Written by Kendall Royzen
In so many aspects of life, two is better than one. The Studebaker Theater knows all about this principle and brought together two operas in the space of one evening: il Pigmalione + Rita. A double bill of Italian composter Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti’s first work and one of his…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Tuesday, 17 April 2018 17:20
"Our Great Tchaikovsky" is an intimate, haunting study of the beloved Russian composer
Written by Vika Lvova
The immensely talented Hershey Felder’s new solo act, Our Great Tchaikovsky, is the latest in a series of plays about world’s greatest composers and musicians, including Gershwin, Chopin, Beethoven, Bernstein, et al. that span nearly two decades. Directed by Trevor Hay and written by Hershey Felder, the play is being…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 15 April 2018 23:49
É strano, Art comes to life in Chicago Opera Theater’s sunny Amalfi Coast vacation. “Il Pigmalione” and “Rita”
Written by William and Margaret Swain
If you’re weary of Chicago’s delayed Spring, do yourself a favor and take a warming break with the sunny pairing of two rarely heard one act operas by Gaetano Donizetti as presented this chilly Saturday evening at the Studebaker Theater by Chicago Opera Theater. “Il Pigmalione” was Donizetti’s first opera,…
Published in
Theatre in Review
More...
Saturday, 14 April 2018 17:41
United We Stand! Firebrand's "9 to 5 the Musical"
Written by Sara Hassan
Many of us know the story. Three women who work in an office and seek revenge on an abusive male boss. Who can forget Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda as they made a united stand for women in the now classic film “9 to 5”. Our women heroes…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 15 April 2018 00:11
Drury Lane's "South Pacific" a fun, romantic adventure
Written by Kimberly Katz
“South Pacific” is a timeless Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical full of wonderful romance and social commentary about racism that is important for young and old to experience today and I was thoroughly impressed with Drury Lane’s warm, happy, romantic interpretation of the classic show. It is the latest of shows…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Sunday, 08 April 2018 18:26
A Tony Award classic returns - "The Diary of Anne Frank" at Playhouse Theatre at College of DuPage
Written by Ron Reis
“The Diary of Anne Frank” is a familiar story to many people. While two Jewish families are hiding out from the Nazis in Holland during World War II, the story centers around the diary of a young girl, Anne Frank, belonging to one of one of those families. Such circumstances…
Published in
Theatre in Review
Monday, 09 April 2018 00:59
Hell in a Handbag's "L'imitation of Life" a laughing matter
Written by Ken Payne
In 1959 director Douglas Sirk left his mark on Hollywood in the making of his final film, Imitation of Life, which was based on the Fannie Hurst novel of the same name. The film starred Lana Turner in the lead role and dealt with several topics that still loom large…
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.