Stages, Theater

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 […]

Nancy S Bishop /
Stages, Theater

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. […]

Brent Eickhoff /
Stages, Theater

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. […]

Nancy S Bishop /
Stages, Theater

Singin’ in the Rain at Marriott a Deluge of Color, Comedy and Talent.

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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 […]

Marielle Bokor /
Stages, Theater

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 […]

Nancy S Bishop /
Stages, Theater

The Magic Play at Goodman Weaves Together Magic and Love

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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 […]

Kim Campbell /
Dance, Stages

Tere O’Connor Dance Presents Chicago Debut

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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 […]

Miriam Finder Annenberg /
Stages, Theater

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 […]

Nancy S Bishop /
Classical, Comedy, Music, Opera, Stages

Lyric Opera’s Longer! Louder! Wagner! The Second City Wagner Companion A Fleeting Primer

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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 […]

Karin McKie /
Lit, Stages, Theater

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. […]

Nancy S Bishop /
Stages, Theater

Stage Left’s The Bottle Tree Symbolizes the Haunting Impact of a School Shooting

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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 […]

Nancy S Bishop /
Stages, Theater

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 […]

Marielle Bokor /