From 2016: Chicago Shakes’ King Charles III, Future History and a Father-Son Story
(Author’s note: We published this review almost six years ago and we think it’s interesting to read today, as Prince Charles ascends to the throne as King Charles III, upon […]
Re-Imagining of I Am My Own Wife at About Face Offers Mixed Results
Based on the life of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, Doug Wright’s Pulitzer and Tony-winning play I Am My Own Wife is typically performed as a one-person show by a male actor. […]
Eclipse Theatre’s The Little Flower of East Orange: A Tortured Family Drama With a Hint of Grace
The Little Flower of East Orange at Eclipse Theatre is a play of family turmoil that features colorful side characters as well as the tortured family members—mother, son and daughter. […]
Singin’ in the Rain at Marriott a Deluge of Color, Comedy and Talent.
Singin’ In The Rain is a classic for good reason. More than that, it’s a meta look at show business and the demand to keep up with technology and trend–for […]
Fun Home: Watching Alison Grow Up Lesbian and Talented
Fun Home, the prize-winning show (five 2015 Tonys including best musical), opened at the Oriental Theatre last week for a very short run. The play, based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling […]
The Magic Play at Goodman Weaves Together Magic and Love
The Magic Play has a lot more going for it than its utilitarian name. For one thing,it has a slim cast of three talented and established actors, one of whom […]
Tere O’Connor Dance Presents Chicago Debut
If you’re feeling political fatigue in the last week on the 2016 presidential election, choreographer Tere O’Connor has the perfect show for you. Tere O’Connor Dance presents two pieces, Undersweet and […]
Pinter’s Betrayal at Raven Theatre: A Seven-Year Affair and Its Impact
Betrayal is a brisk 75-minute journey over the seven years of a love affair and its aftermath. The betrayals are multiple. Two marriages and a lifelong friendship. The lovers betray […]
Lyric Opera’s Longer! Louder! Wagner! The Second City Wagner Companion A Fleeting Primer
Jesse Case (left) plays piano as well as Richard Wagner alongside bonafide opera singers Jonah D. Winston (center) and Tracy Cantin (right) in “Longer! Louder! Wagner,” a collaboration between the Lyric […]
Take the Red Theater November Writing Challenge: Write a Short Play Every Day!
Red Theater is issuing a writing challenge to Chicago’s current and future playwrights. Write a new short play every day in November—all 30 days–and post it according to challenge rules. […]
Stage Left’s The Bottle Tree Symbolizes the Haunting Impact of a School Shooting
A bottle tree is a Southern tradition with African roots. As an urban northerner, I never heard of such a thing, although I’m familiar with voodoo culture in Louisiana and […]
Young Frankenstein at Lake Forest Theatre: Outstanding Performers Polish Production’s Rough Edges
Young Frankenstein is a classic, and a favorite of mine. It’s a silly, slapstick adventure with a real heart, and I’ve always held it close to mine. Mel Brooks and […]