Hansol Jung's CARDBOARD PIANO, now in its Chicago premiere at Timeline Theatre Company, centers on historical and contemporary issues in Uganda. Jung's narrative sweeps up much of that nation's recent history of violence, child soldiers, and homophobia into the story of just a few characters inside ... (more...)
Acclaimed actor Brendan Coyle takes the Goodman stage in Conor McPherson's thoroughly bizarre monologue play ST. NICHOLAS, which combines the innately unsettling and the supernatural. Coyle, known for his work as Mr. Bates in DOWNTON ABBEY (which this critic has admittedly never seen) proves a maste... (more...)
In his Tony-nominated revival of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, now playing on tour at Broadway in Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre, director Bartlett Sher delivers a fresh and strikingly relevant vision of this 1960s classic. While Sher carefully honors the cultural and historical setting, a rural Jewish co... (more...)
Despite the incorporation of modern technology, Allan's iMAGICIAN is purely old-school, family-friendly magic. This makes iMAGICIAN an accessible show for all ages, making it suitable entertainment for families during the holidays.... (more...)
I left the world premiere of Isaac Gomez's LA RUTA at Steppenwolf Theatre Company with a heavy heart, yet one that was also full as I admired the immense work of the all-female Latinx ensemble. Gomez's necessarily tragic play focuses on Mexican women who live in Ciudad Juarez and have been disappear... (more...)
To sum up the Goodman Theatre's pairing of holiday productions this season: it was the best of humanity; it was the worst of humanity. While Tiny Tim's blessings and Scrooge's transformation warm hearts nightly in the Goodman's Albert Theatre, across the lobby in the Owen Theatre is a much different... (more...)
If there's one thing the world needs more of right now it's laughter. Sometimes we just need a few hours to set our brains to the side to rest while watching a show filled with hysterics and hijinks. There's plenty of all of that in the slapstick-filled farce, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, running now a... (more...)
The Goodman Theatre's annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, now in its 41st year, embraces Charles Dickens' world with all of its Victorian charm. And rightly so: after all, Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert, are largely credited with popularizing Christmas traditions in Britain. Betwe... (more...)
Danai Gurira's FAMILIAR, now in its Chicago premiere at Steppenwolf, offers up a lighthearted and laugh-out-loud funny family comedy, even as the play probes questions of identity and assimilation into American culture. Director Danya Taymor's dynamite ensemble builds on the richness of the characte... (more...)
THE WOMAN IN BLACK is a prime example of the power of live theater: relying on evocative language, simple yet effective sound and lighting design, and skilled acting, this two-man gothic thriller easily surpasses any high-budget horror film in its ability to create a communal sense of fear among an ... (more...)
With its abundance of classic tunes and tightly choreographed ensemble numbers, Irving Berlin's HOLIDAY INN is the perfect fit for the Marriott Theatre, a company that excels with dance-heavy shows in its intimate, in-the-round space. Denis Jones directs and choreographs a talented cast in this regi... (more...)
The current National Tour of MISS SAIGON feature refreshed staging and a heartfelt, emotional and star-making performance by Emily Bautista.... (more...)
Ike Holter's RIGHTLYND sets into motion the central theme of the tension between political idealism and the realities that come with power in a complicated, often staid political machine.... (more...)
In an era when stage adaptations of animated films are seemingly a dime a dozen, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST has stood the test of time, and for good reason. When the 1991 Disney film was adapted for Broadway in 1994, composer Alan Menken nearly doubled the number of songs, and the additions that he wrote ... (more...)
BoHo Theatre's production of Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones's 110 IN THE SHADE makes the central, fierce, independent female character of Lizzie Curry take center stage. This is particularly true because Neala Barron's expert performance anchors every moment. Barron mines her character for the maximum... (more...)
Though often described as a 'universal language,' music, perhaps more than any other art form, is intricately linked to the memories and emotions of the individual. LADY IN DENMARK celebrates the power of music to weave together the strands of one life: in this case, the songs of Billie Holiday and ... (more...)
Based on his prior works, Playwright Bruce Norris seemingly relishes nothing more than to push the buttons of the liberal, cultural elite (aka most theatergoers). He is in rare form in DOWNSTATE. The show is well-acted and directed with tact and skill by Pam MacKinnon.... (more...)
In Timeline Theatre Company's MASTER CLASS, Chicago favorite Janet Ulrich Brooks schools the audience with her commanding performance as famous opera singer Maria Callas.... (more...)
The touring production of the 2017 Tony Award-winning revival HELLO, DOLLY! has arrived in Chicago with a jubilant, tuneful, and visually pleasing staging. Jerry Zaks's fast-paced production finds every moment of joy and adventure in Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart's classic musical. This bright an... (more...)
Author Michael Morpurgo (of WAR HORSE fame) once interviewed three World War One veterans from rural England and later wrote, 'There was no poetry in their stories, only horror and regret and great sadness for the loss of good friends.' In PRIVATE PEACEFUL, Morpurgo captures this horror, regret, and... (more...)
Here she is, boys. Here she is, world. Here's E. Faye Butler as Mama Rose in GYPSY. Butler commands the Porchlight stage with a presence that's both larger-than-life and also at the same time a deeply revealing character study. To say that Butler's portrayal of Mama Rose is a star turn is almost not... (more...)
Cue the jazz hands--Stephen Schwartz and Roger O. Hirson's PIPPIN has arrived at Mercury Theater's Venus Cabaret in an intimate staging that brings the actors and the audience together. Mercury Artistic Director L. Walter Stearns's interprets this cabaret production of PIPPIN in a literal manner: th... (more...)
BWW Review: CARDBOARD PIANO at TimeLine Theatre Company
BWW Review: ST. NICHOLAS at Goodman Theatre
Review: THE LIGHTNING THIEF Electrifies
BWW Review: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Cadillac Palace Theatre
BWW Review: Jamie Allan's iMAGICIAN: MAGIC BEYOND BELIEF
BWW Review: LA RUTA at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
BWW Review: A Less Than Full THE FULL MONTY at Theo Ubique
BWW Review: THE SANTALAND DIARIES at Goodman Theatre
BWW Review: THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at Oriental Theatre
BWW Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Goodman Theatre
Review: HIAH's Holiday Romp SNOWGIRLS: THE MUSICAL
BWW Review: FAMILIAR at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
BWW Review: THE WOMAN IN BLACK at Royal George Theatre
BWW Review: Irving Berlin's HOLIDAY INN at Marriott Theatre
Review: An Epic and Sweeping MISS SAIGON
BWW Review: RIGHTLYND at Victory Gardens Theater
BWW Review: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Drury Lane Theatre
BWW Review: 110 IN THE SHADE at BoHo Theatre
BWW Review: LADY IN DENMARK at Goodman Theatre
BWW Review: Sympathy for the Devil in Steppenwolf's DOWNSTATE
BWW Review: MASTER CLASS at Timeline Theatre Company
BWW Review: HELLO, DOLLY! at Broadway In Chicago
BWW Review: PRIVATE PEACEFUL at Greenhouse Theater, starring Shane O'Regan, offers a profound meditation on war through the eyes of youth
BWW Review: GYPSY at Porchlight Music Theatre
BWW Review: PIPPIN at Mercury Theater's Venus Cabaret
