Bradley A. Rose

The weather still may be a bit chilly outside, but warm yourself up inside to one of the best shows on a Chicago stage this winter.

If you are a fan of Billy Joel's music you will absolutely love this show. Even if you are not a Joel fan, this production is too impressive and enjoyable to miss

Light Opera Works opened its 2006 season with the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic South Pacific. Winner of 9 Tony awards in 1950 including Best Musical, Book and Score, the story is adapted from James A. Michener's Pulitzer Prize-winning, 'Tales of the South Pacific.'

tick, tick… Boom! originally presented as a 'rock monologue' entitled Boho Days, was performed by composer/lyricist Jonathan Larson as an autobiographical look at his dream of leaving his mark on the musical theater landscape. Larson was working on Boho Days at the same time he was writing the ground-breaking musical RENT, though, of course, his tragic death meant that he did not live to see his dream become a reality.

Composer and Lyricist Jason Robert Brown is best known for his Tony Award winning score Parade as well as the musical revue Songs for a New World. However, one of his most powerful works and simply marvelous scores is the seldom performed The Last Five Years, currently being produced by One Theatre Company at the Athenaeum.

Griffin Theatre Company's first world premiere musical is an adaptation of Jane Yolen's book Sleeping Ugly playing at the Theatre Building in Chicago.

Metropolis Performing Arts Center presents a very disappointing version of Larry Shue's Midwestern farce

The world premiere of Love Song arrives to the Downstairs Theatre at Steppenwolf, full of witty banter and heartfelt laughs.

17-year-old Mallory Baysek's portrayal of Mary Lennox is nothing less than stunning. Her voice is sparkling and acting so good, that you forget she is so young. She reminds you of a young Sutton Foster with her enchanting facial expressions and brilliant scene work.

Metropolis' staging of Brighton Beach Memoirs is Neil Simon's love letter to his past and is considered by many to be his most touching play.

Move over Wicked, there is a new smash hit show in town and it is absolutely brilliant. Urinetown the Musical is up and running at the Mercury Theatre and audiences are lining up to get in.

Playing north of the city at the Apple Tree Theatre in Highland Park, is the delightful comedy, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, by Charles Busch.

Webster Dictionary's definition of a farce is 'a light dramatic work in which highly improbable plot situations, exaggerated characters, and often slapstick elements are used for humorous effect.' The definition perfectly illustrates Ray Cooney's witty farce, 'Run For Your Wife,' playing at the Metropolis Performing Centre in Arlington Heights.

Baby is not performed often, but the story is such a delight with witty lyrics and enjoyable dances, it's hard not to smile when watching it.

Laughter can be heard throughout the Victory Gardens as the Remy Bumppo Theatre Company presents Tartuffe in the upstairs main stage. This is the American premiere of Ranjt Bolt's 2002 modern adaptation of Molière's irreverent comedy from London's National Theatre.

The Chicago Children's Theatre is making a big splash at the Goodman's Owen Theatre with their inaugural production of Robert and Willie Reale's Tony Award-nominated musical, A Year With Frog and Toad.

Opening last week at the Baliwick Theatre in Chicago is the Bailiwick Repertory's production of Kiss of the Spider Woman.