A Wonder in My Soul Is Provocative Feminist Black Theatre
“A black woman is both queen and warrior…” says Bell Grand Lake to her daughter. In heartbreaking lines of spoken word she explains the reason behind the uneven treatment she’s […]
The Columnist Revisits the Vietnam Era, When Journalists Were Not “The Enemy of the People”
It may be hard for today’s online news consumers to believe, but there was a day when newspaper columnists—certain newspaper columnists—were Masters of the Universe. The Political Universe anyway. The […]
Porchlight’s The Scottsboro Boys Shines Light on Judicial Injustice
Porchlight Music Theatre’s production of The Scottsboro Boys satirically presents a true story in the controversial style of the minstrel show. There is no doubting that the musical, which chronicles […]
Monster at Steppenwolf for Young Adults Probes Perception and Identity
The Steppenwolf for Young Adults series is known for its thematically dynamic productions centered around teenagers and the real issues facing Chicago, and our nation’s, young adults. From productions like […]
Best of Bri-Ko Gets Physical
The Best of Bri-Ko, playing every Thursday night at Stage 773, lives up to its name. Clowns Brian Posen, Tim Soszko and Brian Peterlin put their energies together to silently […]
New Adaptation of Uncle Vanya Refreshes the Language of Love, Longing and Boredom
Chicago has been blessed with several visits by Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya in recent years. Some of them have been fairly traditional renditions (Tuta Theatre Chicago in 2009 and Strawdog […]
Schenkelberg’s Smart Scientology Smackdown in Squeeze My Cans
Cathy Schenkelberg adds her own narrative to the recent repudiations of Scientology in the remount of her rapid-fire, intimate, informative, mind-boggling and poignant solo exploration Squeeze My Cans. In […]
‘Unseen’ at The Gift Theatre Is Intense, Impactful and Impeccable
The Gift Theatre is a small space. From lobby to stage is under a minute’s walk. But this past Thursday, for the world premier of Mona Mansour’s play, Unseen, it […]
Chicago Shakes Finds the Humor in Love’s Labor’s Lost
Populated with the Italian stock characters of the braggart (Allen Gilmore as Don Adriano de Armado), sassy servant (James Newcombe as Boyet) and dumbass (Steve Pringle as dullard Constable Dull), […]
Men are from Mars – Women Are from Venus LIVE! Uncovers the Ultimate Mystery
Men are from Mars – Women are from Venus LIVE! arrives in Chicago well-timed after the Valentine’s holiday to shed some light on our relationships. Based on the best-selling book by […]
Travelers at the Mexican Border: Waiting for Godot at Tympanic Theatre
You know the scene. “A country road. A tree.” Samuel Beckett couldn’t have been more succinct in the scenic direction for his existential classic, Waiting for Godot. That tree takes […]
Red Theater’s Beowulf Is a Wacky Duet of Monsters, Mead and Music
The outline of Grendel’s Mother visible in dim red light lies on the floor. She stands up realizing her surroundings and begins her seduction. In direct address, she tells the […]