Heather C. Jackson

Review: A CHORUS LINE at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, IL

What did our critic think of A CHORUS LINE at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, IL? A Chorus Line, Michael Bennett's iconic love letter to performers on the line anywhere, opened last night at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. How do I write about this show which holds a special place in my heart? During the late '70s and '80s, I saw ACL 13 times at the Auditorium, Shubert and Blackstone theaters. I was lucky to see Bebe Neuwirth, Robert Lupone and Tony Teague in lead roles. Director Jane Lanier has preserved Michael's vision from 1975 including original choreography by Michael Bennett and Bob Avian and book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante. Jane, I (and countless others) cannot thank you enough. There were a few updates which were subtle and worked perfectly. The costumes designed by Sarah Cubbage and Heather C. Jackson were done with nuance from Theoni V. Aldredge's original Broadway design. Andrew Boyce's recreation of the mirrors was breathtaking. Lighting has been a special part of ACL and Julie Mack's design was awe inspiring. Christopher Sargent conducting the orchestra brought to life once again Marvin Hamlisch's toe tapping, humming and singing along score and Edward Kleban's lyrics.

12 Days Left To Vote For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Central Virginia Awards; Little Theatre of Virginia Beach Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 19th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Central Virginia Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Latest Stats Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Central Virginia Awards; at Hurrah Players Leads Best Ensemble Performance!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 12th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Central Virginia Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Latest Standings Released For The 2022 BroadwayWorld Central Virginia Awards; Little Theatre of Virginia Beach Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

The latest standings as of Monday, December 5th, have been released for the 2022 BroadwayWorld Central Virginia Awards! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favorites.

Contemporary Comedy With A Dark Edge, Up Next Up For Everyman Theatre

Founding Artistic Director Vincent M. Lancisi, announced today that Everyman Theatre actors, designers, and crew are back in the rehearsal room preparing for the run of Molly Smith Metzler's 2017 play, Cry It Out. The full production will be filmed at the theatre and available virtually to stream into homes from March 1 through April 11. Lancisi will also direct the play.

Single Carrot Theatre Announces Casting For MR. WOLF

Single Carrot Theatre kicks off Season 12 with Rajiv Joseph's powerful play Mr. Wolf, which opens on Friday, September 13. The cast brings together multiple new faces to Single Carrot from the Baltimore theatre community, as well as reunites a creative team from past seasons.

BWW Review: Necessity and Realism Prevail Along with Enchantment in LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company

Berowne gloomily foresees: 'Necessity will make us all forsworn Three thousand times within this three year's space.' And by 'necessity' we can be sure he means not simply the logistical necessity of dealing with women but what we might call Jurassic Park Necessity: Life finds a way. As Shakespeare himself wrote in a similar context: 'The world must be peopled.' And for peopling, you need relations between the sexes.

BWW Review: A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS at the Redhouse is the Perfect Holiday Treat

Memories and tradition are a large part of the Holiday and watching Bill Mendez and Lee Mendelson's television special A Charlie Brown Christmas is certainly a Holiday tradition for many children and adults. The Redhouse Arts Center brings Eric Shaeffer's stage adaptation by (with special arrangement with Arthur Whitelaw and Ruby Persson) to life under the delightful direction of Jonathan David Martin. Indeed, A Charlie Brown Christmas is the first holiday show to take place in the newly relocated Redhouse and it is a delightful trip down memory lane.

Edward Albee's WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? has long been considered an American masterpiece, with some of the best dialogue in the history of drama. The current production by the City of Fairfax Theatre Company, directed by Ed Zakreski, presents this classic material with startling effectiveness.

Director Aldo Pantoja's deeply moving production of CRUMBLE (LAY ME DOWN, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE) might be the best show Single Carrot has yet done.