Porchlight Music Theatre is presenting the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, RENT, music, lyrics and book by Jonathan Larson, at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts through November 27. See photos here!
What did our critic think of SWING STATE at Goodman Theatre? Rebecca Gilman shows her deftness at writing “slice of life” plays in SWING STATE at Goodman Theatre. In this latest collaboration with outgoing Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls, Gilman introduces four characters at a crossroads in a small town in rural Wisconsin during summer 2021. It’s marketed as a play about the pandemic, and indeed, SWING STATE contains some references to the COVID-19 pandemic, masks, and vaccines. Ultimately, though, SWING STATE is a pure character study with the notions of pandemic and extinction of the human race in the background, and notions of mortality and despair in the foreground. Yes, it’s a post-pandemic play, but really it’s just allowing us to peer into the lives of these characters at a moment in time. That’s not to say that Gilman’s play isn’t moving, but I found the overall execution to not be as overarching as the set-up purports.
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.
What did our critic think of THE NOTEBOOK at Chicago Shakespeare Theater? THE NOTEBOOK is a pretty musical indeed. The musical treats Allie and Noah’s love story with a lighter touch than its source material, and the overall result is moving and graceful.
In CLYDE’S, playwright Lynn Nottage posits that salvation comes in the form of a sandwich...in more ways than one.
Sean Hayes will return to Broadway this spring starring in Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Doug Wright’s new play, Good Night, Oscar, directed by Lisa Peterson, at the Belasco Theatre. In Good Night, Oscar, Sean Hayes plays Oscar Levant: Hollywood actor, concert pianist, and the most subversive wit ever to appear on television during its Golden Age.
The Paramount Theatre launches its 11th Broadway Series with Dreamgirls, August 31-October 16, 2022. Get a first look at the new production photos here!
Chicago Shakespeare Theater is presenting the world premiere of The Notebook, a new musical based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks that inspired the iconic film. Now playing in a limited engagement through October 16, 2022. Get a first look at photos here!
American Players Theatre (APT) is preparing to enter tech rehearsals for the summer’s second rep of performances to join the five shows currently playing. Lorraine Hansberry’s classic, A Raisin in the Sun, directed by Tasia A. Jones, just opened, August 13, 2022, at 8:00 pm. See photos from both productions!
American Players Theatre is preparing to enter tech rehearsals for the summer’s second rep of performances to join the five shows currently playing. Lorraine Hansberry’s classic, A Raisin in the Sun, directed by Tasia A. Jones, will open Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 8:00 pm. See photos from the production.
The Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences returns this summer with THE WIZARD OF OZ! Families will relive this beloved tale of four unlikely friends on the adventure of a lifetime at the Marriott Theatre. See first look photos of the production!
What did our critic think of IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE at Chicago Shakespeare Theater? Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian’s IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE is campy musical theater fun that pays homage to the 1953 “B-movie” from which it’s adapted. In the vein of musicals like LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Blair and Kinosian lean into the source material’s ability to delight and amuse with a take-home message that’s clear as day—but the earnestness of the material is what allows it all to be delivered with a wink.
American Players Theatre (APT) will open two more plays this week. In the Touchstone Theatre, The River Bride, directed by returning APT artist Robert Ramirez, will hold its official opening night on Sunday, June 25, 2022, at 2:00 pm following two previews. In the Hill Theatre, Sense and Sensibility, directed by Marti Lyons, will also open Sunday, June 25, 2022, at 8:00 pm.
American Players Theatre (APT) will open two more plays this week. In the Touchstone Theatre, The River Bride, directed by returning APT artist Robert Ramirez, will hold its official opening night on Sunday, June 25, 2022, at 2:00 pm following two previews. In the Hill Theatre, Sense and Sensibility, directed by Marti Lyons, will also open Sunday, June 25, 2022, at 8:00 pm.
On June 19, 2022, Victory Gardens Theater opened the regional premiere of cullud wattah, written by Erika Dickerson-Despenza and directed by Lili-Anne Brown.
In cullud wattah, Erika Dickerson-Despenza compellingly weaves the personal and political. The play is ultimately a narrative of resilience as the women in the play struggle with environmental racism and to econcile with the tension between their desire for justice (especially in ainee’s case) and the will to survive and make enough money to pay their bills.
American Players Theatre began its 43rd season this past Saturday, June 11, with a preview performance of Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s The Rivals, directed by Aaron Posner. There will be a second preview performance Thursday, June 16, 2022, before the production’s opening night on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 8:00 pm.
American Idol alumni and real-life married couple Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young take the stage in SKATES: A New Musical. While Christine Rea and Rick Briskin’s musical bills itself on the whole as an exercise in nostalgia, the most nostalgic part of SKATES for me was seeing DeGarmo and Young perform; I rooted hard core for DeGarmo back in her AMERICAN IDOL days. Here, she shows why— she has a tremendous powerhouse voice and an appealing stage presence that make her a consummate performer. Director Brenda Didier and choreographer Christopher Chase Carter work with a cast of Chicago musical theater veterans who perform alongside DeGarmo and Young.
American Idol favorites Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young lead the incredible cast of the new musical, Skates, featuring Adia Bell, Adam Fane, Kelly Felthous, Cory Goodrich, Emma Lord, Jason Richards, Kelvin Roston, Jr., Zach Sorrow, and Trey Deluna. Check out all new photos and video
Lookingglass Theatre Company’s signature LOOKINGGLASS ALICE has returned to Water Tower Water Works—and it’s just as whimsical and delightful as I remember it when I first saw the production back in high school. Director David Catlin’s charming and inventive adaptation combines storytelling elements from Lewis Carroll’s ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND and THROUGH THE LOOKINGGLASS. The production’s partnership with The Actors Gymnasium has also cemented Lookingglass Theatre Company’s unique combination of literary adaptation and impressive aerial artistry. LOOKINGGLASS ALICE not only calls for a talented company of actors but also places considerable physical demands upon its ensemble.
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