Here in Chicago, we think we get winter. Our unique understanding of the nuances of lake-effect snow and our ability to gripe endlessly about dibs surely preps us for the longest season […]
Review: FLIP Fabrique’s Blizzard Is a Welcome Respite
Review: Dex & Abby–Two Dogs, Two Dads and Their Love Stories
Yes, this is a play about dogs—dogs portrayed by human actors. And they’re not wearing cutesy animal outfits. They are in fact talented actors who have learned the ways of dogs. For […]
Review: Timeline’s Kill Move Paradise Strands Four Souls in a Skate Park Purgatory
Four men, by turn, tumble onto the scene, thrust, thrown, exploded onto the slick black-and-white skateboard ramp of a set. All is black and white—costumes and set—until the fourth arrives. It’s a […]
Review: Haven Theatre Stages a Horror Movie Called Titus Andronicus
At first I was puzzled by the audience reaction to Haven Theatre’s opening night performance of Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare’s goriest play (and possibly his worst). Over and over, there was uproarious laughter […]
Review: Raven Theatre’s A Doll’s House Ends With That Satisfying Slammed Door
It’s the most famous slammed door in theater history. And it’s the most satisfying slammed door for a feminist. It’s 1879 and that exit signifies Nora Helmer’s departure from husband, children and […]
Review: Lyric’s The Queen of Spades, Tchaikovsky’s Punk Rock Opera
There are performances that play exactly to your sensibilities and provide you with thorough delight. There are others that may challenge your tastes but leave you thinking, “Well, that was interesting.” And […]
Review: Lipstick Lobotomy at Trap Door Theatre Plays With Women’s Minds
Trap Door Theatre’s latest production is the enchantingly titled Lipstick Lobotomy by playwright Krista Knight, directed by Kate Hendrickson. It’s a half-true, half-imagined story of friendship between John F. Kennedy’s younger sister […]
Review: Joffrey Ballet Races with Our Time in Final Season at Auditorium Theatre
Rahm Emanuel himself, a longtime honorary board member, kicked off the Joffrey Ballet’s winter residency at the iconic Auditorium Theatre by congratulating the company on its 25 years as a Chicago company. The program […]
Review: The Hilary Duff Project Nails the Nostalgic Sendup with Talent to Spare
Nostalgia is a hot commodity lately, likely due to the rather dismal present and threat of an even more dire future. Taking a look back at simpler times can be a balm. […]
For V-Day: A Romantic Night at the Theater
Valentine’s Day conveniently falls on a Friday this year, thus making the whole weekend a V-Day celebration. We asked our theater writers to suggest some romantic theater and dance events for you […]
Review: Windy City Playhouse’s The Boys in the Band Has Aged Well and Warmly
The Boys in the Band was revolutionary when it was first performed off Broadway in April 1968, in its portrayal of the lives and loves of gay men. The producers had difficulty […]
Review: Absurd or Gross? Silliness Rules in Do You Feel Anger? at A Red Orchid Theatre
In the last few months, I’ve seen a lot of plays about racism, sexual identity, immigration, crime, anger and angst. So it was a nice change of pace to see Do You […]
