Andrew Jessop

Review: THE WHISTLEBLOWER at Theater Wit
by Rachel Weinberg - May 18, 2023

It’s ironic that THE WHISTLEBLOWER begins with a meta pitch of the play’s concept. While the idea is witty, Moses’s concept loses steam in this full-length play. Though it’s billed as a comedy, THE WHISTLEBLOWER is mildly amusing rather than uproariously funny.

Michael Kostroff to Star in Itamar Moses Comedy THE WHISTLEBLOWER at Theater Wit
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 20, 2023

Theater Wit will present The Whistleblower, the newest play by Tony Award-winner Itamar Moses, author of The Band’s Visit, winner of ten 2018 Tony Awards including Best Musical.

Season of Concern to Host CLUEBARET! Benefit in December
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 21, 2022

Season of Concern, the emergency fund for Chicago theater artists, will present a one-night-only benefit - CLUEBARET!, a holiday cabaret featuring the cast of Mercury Theater Chicago’s CLUE.

Review: CLUE at Mercury Theater Chicago
by Rachel Weinberg - Oct 21, 2022

What did our critic think of CLUE at Mercury Theater Chicago? Mercury Theater’s CLUE is a comedic delight of a production. The laughs flow freely and easily in this stage adaptation of the farce-meets-murder-mystery based on the iconic 1985 film. Director L. Walter Stearns’s ensemble lands each and every moment, maximizing the laughs but maintaining the integrity. These actors understand the assignment of both farce and murder mystery: The characters in CLUE take themselves and the outrageous situations of the play deeply seriously, and the ensemble finds the comedy in playing those truths. It’s a near masterclass in how farce should be performed. The fact that the play is only 90 minutes also means the stage adaptation doesn’t overstay its welcome: There’s just enough time to set up the mystery, play the antics, and send audiences home after a delightful, hilarious time.

Video: First Look at CLUE at Mercury Theater Chicago
by Stephi Wild - Oct 21, 2022

All new clips have been released for Clue, opening tonight at Mercury Theater Chicago. Check out the video here!

CLUE Special Events to Take Place at Mercury Theater Chicago in October
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 16, 2022

Mercury Theater will present fun experiences for audiences at their upcoming production of the murder mystery comedy Clue, based on the iconic comic movie and the classic board game. Clue, directed by L. Walter Stearns runs October 13, 2022 – January 1, 2023 at Mercury Theater.

Cast Announced for Chicago Premiere of CLUE at Mercury Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 23, 2022

Mercury Theater has announced the cast and creative team for the murder mystery comedy Clue. This Chicago Premiere is adapted from the beloved motion picture by Jonathan Lynn and Sandy Rustin, with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price, with original music by Michael Holland directed by executive producer Walter Stearns.

Race, Gender And Class Take Center Stage In THE WOMAN OF COLOUR: A TALE From Ghostlight Ensemble
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 2, 2022

Ghostlight Ensemble will present its original adaptation of The Woman of Colour: A Tale - the story of a biracial heiress on her travels from Jamaica to England to marry as a condition of her father's will - at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 11 at the Berger Park Cultural Center.

Photos: MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY at Theatre Wit
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 30, 2021

Mr. Burns, a post-electric play, currently enjoying a successful run at Chicago’s Theater Wit, will close on November 14, making way for Wit’s new holiday offering, Who’s Holiday!, which starts previews on November 26.

BWW REVIEW: MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY at Theater Wit
by Rachel Weinberg - Sep 9, 2021

It’s not just fitting that MR. BURNS is a play about a post-apocalyptic world, but also one that deeply underscores why art is so important to humanity. Indeed, this production demonstrates that art is what makes us human and empowers us to survive. After such a long time without live theater here in Chicago, I can think of few better ideas to ponder than that.

Photos: MR. BURNS- A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY at Theater Wit
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 7, 2021

Theater Wit returns to live shows on August 27 with Anne Washburn’s Mr. Burns, a post-electric play, a brilliantly creative play that asks, “What’s left when everything is taken away?”

Theater Wit Returns To Live Shows With MR BURNS Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Jul 28, 2021

Wit’s 2015 Chicago premiere of Mr. Burns was one of the company’s most acclaimed productions ever, and post-pandemic, it couldn’t be more prescient. Wit’s new production revival also reunites many of the original cast and creative team.

The Shakespeare Project of Chicago Presents Free Theatrical Readings of THE CHANGELING
by Julie Musbach - Feb 20, 2017

The Shakespeare Project of Chicago continues its 22nd Theatrical Reading Season with free performances of Thomas Middleton and William Rowley's Jacobean masterpiece, The Changeling, running Feb. 24-28, 2017, at six Chicago-area venues.

Cast Announced for 39th Annual A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Goodman
by BWW News Desk - Nov 19, 2016

With new stage magic and Chicago favorites, Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol takes the stage in its 39th year. Returning for his fourth year, Henry Wishcamper directs Charles Dickens' tale of hope and redemption.

Cast Announced for 39th Annual A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Goodman
by BWW News Desk - Oct 28, 2016

With new stage magic and Chicago favorites, Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol takes the stage in its 39th year. Returning for his fourth year, Henry Wishcamper directs Charles Dickens' tale of hope and redemption.

Theater Wit Extends Coffee Shop Play NAPERVILLE Into November
by BWW News Desk - Sep 28, 2016

Theater Wit, Chicago's premiere 'smart art' theater, announced today a three-week extension of its current hit Chicago premiere, Naperville.

Chcago's Smart Art Theater to Serve Up New Dramatic Comedy NAPERVILLE
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 19, 2016

Theater Wit, Chicago's premiere 'smart art' theater, looks forward to presenting the Chicago premiere of Naperville by acclaimed young playwright Mat Smart.

Photo Flash: First Look at NAPERVILLE, Opening Tonight at Theater Wit
by BWW News Desk - Sep 6, 2016

Theater Wit, Chicago's premiere 'smart art' theater, looks forward to presenting the Chicago premiere of Naperville by acclaimed young playwright Mat Smart. This extraordinary dramatic comedy, all new to Chicago, is set in a Caribou Coffee in - you guessed it - Naperville. Press opening is tonight, September 6, at 7:30 p.m., and performances run through October 16. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

CMTF: 14 New Works, So Who is the Next HAMILTON?
by Misha Davenport - Aug 11, 2016

Photo Flash: The 3rd Annual Chicago Musical Theatre Festival
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 10, 2016

Underscore Theatre Company is pleased to present its third annual CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL, featuring 14 new musical productions. Created to showcase and support Chicago's burgeoning field of musical theatre creators, this year's festival will be held August 9 - 28, 2016 at Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago. Each production will receive four performances during the Festival. The full schedule (Tuesdays - Sundays) and can be found at www.cmtf.org, with tickets currently on sale ($20 per show, $200 all-festival rush passes). The press "sneak preview," featuring a sampling of songs from the 2016 Festival, is Monday, August 8 at 7:30 pm.