Review: Raven Theatre Stages a Fast-Paced and Timely Top Girls
It’s a Saturday night at an upscale restaurant. Marlene (Claire Kaplan) has arrived and it’s clear she is here to celebrate. She has many guests attending, and she wants the […]
Lauren Katz is a Chicago-based director, educator, and arts administrator. She has been reviewing shows since moving to Chicago in 2016 and loves seeing the exciting range that the Chicago theater and arts scene has to offer.
Review: Redtwist Theatre’s Confederates Navigates Nuanced Conversations in Two Eras
It’s evening, and Sandra (Monique Marshaun) is alone in her office. She pulls out a bottle of wine and is set to unwind until co-worker and assistant professor Jade (Toccara […]
Review: Rough House Theater’s Horror Event, House of the Exquisite Corpse, Shocks and Astounds
It’s officially that time of year. The temperature is cooling down, the sun is setting earlier, and the spooky, Halloween vibe is starting to take over. If this is the […]
Review: Eclectic Full Contact Theatre’s Refracted Light Tackles Mental Health in Family Drama
“Whenever I walk down a street, I find myself fascinated by the glow of windows and the curtains drawn across them, knowing that behind each one lives a world of […]
Review: Broadway in Chicago’s Dungeons and Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern Is a Night of Uproarious Laughter and Fun
Our mighty heroes have started their adventure. The Warrior (Madelyn Murphy), Mage (Diego F. Salinas), and Rogue (Anjali Bhimani). The goal? To save the Forgotten Realms. Projections designers Derek Christiansen […]
Review: Chicago Shakespeare’s Billie Jean Is Bold and Riveting
When audiences walk into The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, they are immediately transported to a tennis match. Scenic designer Wilson Chin completely transforms the space— with audience stands on […]
Review: Blank Theatre’s Passion Showcases Sondheim’s Breathtaking Score
As fans of Stephen Sondheim may know, Passion is not as widely prod’suced as some of his other musicals. There are many reasons for this. The music can be quite […]
Review: Teatro ZinZanni’s Love, Chaos, and Dinner Charms with Charismatic and Talented Performances
When Danila Bim entered the circus tent with a small metal hoop attached to her head, I had a feeling I knew what was coming. Enough performers had taken flight […]
Review: Court Theatre Brings Back Triumphant Production of An Iliad
It’s the top of the show. The Poet (Timothy Edward Kane) enters and the lights start to dim—but only just. With the house still lit, the Poet begins to introduce […]
Review: At Writers Theatre, Brian Friel’s Translations Is Full of Heart
Yolland (Erik Hellman) and Maire (Tyler Meredith) have left the dance and come running into the clearing. As they try to catch their breath, they realize they are still holding […]
Review: Idle Muse Theatre Presents a Vibrant and Lively Production of The School for Scandal
The lights slowly come down at the top of the show. Audience members quiet down and all look towards the stage, waiting for the action to begin. Then, the lights […]
Review: Broadway in Chicago’s Clue Pays Joyful Homage to the Original Classic Film and Board Game
There have been two murders at Boddy Manor, and the stakes have never been higher. Wadsworth, Yvette, and the dinner guests are becoming increasingly terrified, and no one quite knows […]