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Tug of War: Civil Strife

… on September 25 from 1 pm to 7 pm at Navy Pier with Gaines’ second installment of her ode to The Bard’s histories: Tug of War: Civil Strife. I enjoyed this show more than the first one. Maybe because of the music seemed to be more a tad softer, more melancholy or maybe because my three favorite classical actors had major roles : Larry Yando, Kevin Gudahl and Timothy Edward Kane? Whatever the reason, Tug of War: Civil Strife was a thrilling event that I’m glad I was able to cover this. Kudos to Chicago Shakespeare for having the chutzpah to mount two historical marathon dramas in the same season!

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Tug of War: Foreign Fire

Tom Williams

This spring’s six-hour long Tug of War: Foreign Fire is made up of the rarely-seen Edward III, Henry V, and Henry VI Part One. Next fall’s accompanying epic, Civil Strife, will consist of the other two parts of Henry VI, and Richard III. It’s an unusual combination, which massively re-contextualizes the Hundred Years War into an examination of personalities, and perhaps most significantly, transforms Henry V into a tragedy. The result, though in some way massive in scale, is also deeply intimate, and through the outstanding work of Gaines, her ensemble, and her production team, a long-ago conflict becomes vital again.

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Cock

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John and M agree to have John bring W to their place for dinner so the three con settle this problem. As the battle for John erupts, M and W have many funny quips as the two ‘bitch battle.’ But when M brings his father F (Larry Neuman,Jr.) in as a reinforcement, the tug of war only increases John indecision. Can one love two people at once with one a man and the other a woman?

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Top 12 Plays of 2016

Tom Williams

Top 12 Plays of 2016

By Tom Williams

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Exiles

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The costumes, makeup, and set all create this bizarre world, within which characters refuse to look at each other, staring straight at the audience, or start trembling and convulsing, throwing tables and chairs, and behaving in generally outlandish and weird manners. It’s sort of like Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on a very heavy Ibogaine trip. And it works so well.

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The Brother/Sister Plays

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Steppenwolf Theatre presents an ambitious and innovative trilogy, The Brother/Sister Plays under the unique direction/collaboration of Tina Landau and playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney. These three distinct work are now playing in repertory

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The School for Lies

Tom Williams

As the action unfolds, all the elements of classic farce are in play. Stolen letters, mistaken identity, misunderstanding, false proposals, jealousy become a tug-of-war that results in silly, over-the-top comedy fueled by those zany couplets and rich physical antics make for a satirically funny farce. This comedy is saucy, sexy, and scandal ridden. Gossip, glamor and grossness dominates. This production suffers from too often the players either speak too fast or swallow the punchline or rhythm. Slowing down a tad would help.

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The Book of Joseph

Tom Williams

Kudos to the creatives at Chicago Shakespeare theatre for commissioning and producing The Book of Joseph from Richard Holland’s publication of his father’s story and the collection of family letters: “Every Day Lasts A Year.” Karen Hartman was commissioned to adapt the Holland letters into a stage play with the help of Rick Boynton and directed by Barbara Gaines. The result is a most compelling and empathetic story

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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Tom Williams

The play’s point-of-view is from Christopher’s as we see his reaction of events such as his scary travel to London through vivid lighting, extreme sounds and ensemble movements that pick-up the teen as he screams with fear. This work will tug at your emotions and empathy as you go on the adventure with Christopher. Eventually this play creates sensory overload as the ear-crushing sounds and lighting collide with the wild ensemble movement that moves Christopher along his mysterious journey. You”ll not see fantastical movement like in this play in most plays. These sensory bits are usually only found in musicals. But they exist in Christopher’s perspective.

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Crazy For You -Drury Lane Theatre

Tom Williams

Crazy for You is a modern take on the classical Broadway format that weaves many of the greatest songs of the 2oth Century by the Gershwin’s with outrageous humor, excellent singing and spectacular tap dancing. Crowle’s ensemble worked hard in respecting the material. Crazy for You is a ‘must see’ musical. The sheer joy of this family friendly entertainment will have you saying: “Who could ask for anything more?” This production of Crazy for You reminds me why I love musicals. Crazy For You demonstrates the magic of Gershwin tunes as well the joys of old fashion musical comedy. It is extremely family entertainment for the holidays.

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