Tom Williams This smart drama vividly focuses on hurts so deep that forgiveness is difficult. It looks at how on letting go of past hurts can immobilize one emotionally. The play also demonstrates how we often use others sexually for both relief and as bodies that substitute for the one we love.
My first visit to see an operetta by the six year old Chicago Folks Operetta was a most pleasant one. Their fabulous modern German operetta, in a rhyming translation into English by Gerald Frantzen and Hersh Glgov, is a fun time.
When he contorts into one cave too many, he gets both feet stuck under a large slab of rock. After a day or so, his family organizes a search to rescue Floyd. Once his brother Homer (Jon Harrison) finds him, he realizes that Floyd is in trouble. No one except the young reporter, Skeets Miller (the rich-voiced Greg Foster) can slink into the narrow cave opening. The two bond as the rescue attempts become labored.
The sad haunting tone of the folk styled music and the seriously generous use of sung dialogue in a pure operetta motif was skillfully performed giving just the proper tone to this magnificent work. This is quintessential Chicago story told with class in a dynamic trade mark Lookingglass style. The production values and the terrific music and singing make Eastland a “must seeing” show.
The story is the stuff of fable; unhappy husband/farmer Semyon Semyonovich Podsakelnikov is a failure. For a brief time he thinks success may be his if he only had a tuba and there is a humor-packed scene as he tries to master the instrument.
This engrossing tale is a mixture of satire and realism that breaks conventional storytelling motifs. It part dark comedy and part absurdism with shallow underdeveloped characters do baffling things
With MC Patrick Bristow urging on both the puppeteers and asking the audience for theme ideas, the cast nimbly grabbed a puppet from the dozens available and quickly delivered a funny short sketch. I was more impressed with the “how” – the methodology behind the Henson puppet work, How each used the video and how they played off one another was fascinating to watch.
This truly polished production highlights the strong emotions of the Chinese, their perseverance, playfulness, and love of pageantry. “Legend of the Sun” offers a rare opportunity for Americans to feel the spirit of China in a grand venue at modest pricing. It would be great to have them return again next year!
Since we never understand why Nan just doesn’t simply leave nor do we see how actually abusive Kyle is toward her – the structure is thin making the play need gimmicks and silliness to harvest enough humor to sustain 75 minutes
This new play by Emily Schwend, South of Settling is based on the quiet, orderly life of a middle aged couple – Kate (Janet Ulrich Brooks) and Irwin Deckhouse (Keith Kupferer) that becomes topsy-turvy with the arrival of Kate’s long estranged cousin Amy (Nicole Wiesner) and he new husband Randall (Jeff Trainor).