Stages, Theater

Review: Steep Theatre’s The Writer Makes a Feminist Assault on Theater and Its Patriarchy

The Writer, Steep Theatre’s new play by English playwright Ella Hickson, is an assault on theater and on the patriarchy. It’s a much-deserved feminist assault. Whether it’s good theater or […]

Nancy S Bishop /
Stages, Theater

Review: Music Theater Works Presents Madcap Ribaldry and Great Music in The Producers

Mel Brooks is one of the great geniuses of comedy hands down and The Producers is one of his many masterpieces. Music Theater Works celebrates its 150th show under the […]

Kathy D. Hey /
Stages, Theater

Review: Captivating MJ: The Musical National Tour Gives Audiences an Eyeful of Star Power

There’s so much to see and absorb while watching MJ, the musical about late pop star Michael Jackson, that theatergoers can’t be blamed for wanting to see this show more […]

Anne Siegel /
Comedy, Food, Review, Stages

Review: You’ve Heard of Dinner Theater, Now Make Way for Brunch Theater—With Clowns

The article and photos are by Bruce Kong. Brunch continues to play a dominant role in the daily meal system, as a combined breakfast and lunch, it’s a blend of […]

Guest Author /
Stages, Theater

Review: In Steppenwolf’s No Man’s Land, Four Characters Act Out Pinter’s Menacing Puzzle

Steppenwolf Theatre’s production of Harold Pinter’s No Man’s Land is meticulously staged and performed by an excellent cast. Director Les Waters’ four actors do a masterful job with Pinter’s puzzling 1974 script.   […]

Nancy S Bishop /
Features, Stages, Theater

Review: Northlight Brings the Soul and Brilliance of Musical Icons in Marie and Rosetta

Imagine in your mind Jimi Hendrix’s Purple Haze with the opening chords howling out of his Fender Stratocaster. Feel that rolling left hand or bass line in the music of […]

Kathy D. Hey /
Stages, Theater

Review: Haven’s The Art of Bowing Challenges Us to Think About the Survival of Theater

“Theater is dead. Long live theater.” That may be the theme of Nathan Alan Davis’ imaginative and puzzling new play, The Art of Bowing, which you can now see in its […]

Nancy S Bishop /
Stages, Theater

Review: Midsommer Flight Sorts Out Cymbeline‘s Screwball Plot for a Charming Theater Experience in the Park

Cymbeline is one of Shakespeare’s late and rarely performed plays. but with a trimmed-down script and engaging movement and music, Midsommer Flight overcomes the Bard’s many plot complications and creates a […]

Nancy S Bishop /
Stages, Theater

Review: A Distinct Society at Writers Theatre Shows the Collateral Damage of Bigotry

The Muslim Ban. Those words still make me angry about the 45th president creating borders to keep the “undesirables” from entering the United States. Most sentient people are still unpacking […]

Kathy D. Hey /
Stages, Theater

Review: Another Marriage at Steppenwolf Theatre Portrays a Marriage That Could Be Yours or Mine

You may recognize aspects of your own marriage or that of a friend or relative in Another Marriage, Steppenwolf Theatre’s world premiere play. The script by actor Kate Arrington succeeds on many […]

Nancy S Bishop /
Music, Opera, Stages, Theater

Review: See, Feel, Hear and Touch The Who’s Tommy at Goodman Theatre

Poet Maya Angelou suffered violence and didn’t speak for years. Tommy Walker witnessed murder and similarly shut down his senses to deal with that trauma. His fictional narrative was created […]

Karin McKie /
Broadway, Preview, Stages, Theater

Preview: See Theater in the Parks This Summer With Midsommer Flight, Chicago Shakes and Porchlight Music

We can look forward to theater in public parks all over Chicago this summer—and all free. Midsommer Flight will stage Shakespeare’s Cymbeline from July 7 to August 13. Chicago Shakespeare […]

Nancy S Bishop /