Tom Williams By Richard Strand Directed by Stuart Carden At Northlight Theatre, Skokie Historical tidbit unfolds into a humorous yet profound twist of history Playwright Richard Strand takes a historical factual situation and turns it into an often funny yet profound drama about a most influential method for the Union to free the slaves, as well as … Read more
Book by Dennis Kelly Music and Lyrics by Tim Minchin Directed by Matthew Warchus Music Direction by Chris Nightingale Choreography by Peter Darling At the Oriental Theatre, Chicago Matilda suffers from muted, garbled sound and strong Cockney accents I must be one of the few adult reviewers who points out when a show, especially a … Read more
Book by Arthur Laurents Music by Leonard Bernstein Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Directed by Jim Corti Choreographed by William Carlos Angulo Musical Direction by Tom Vendafreddo At Paramount Theatre, Aurora Stunning production of West Side Story wonderfully sung and danced Paramount Theatre continues their high standards with an amazingly powerful West Side Story. From the … Read more
By Thornton Wilder Directed by Henry Wishcamper At the Goodman Theater, Chicago “Money,” Dolly says, “is like manure; it’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread around encouraging young things to grow.” Over-the-top performances reduce The Matchmaker from a romantic farce to an unfunny, silly-stupid endurance battle One can wonder why the creatives at the … Read more
By Jez Butterworth Directed by Joe Jahraus At Profiles Theatre’s Main Stage, Chicago Spirited production suffers from being too authentic and too British. Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem is his 1995 dark comedy, now in its Midwest premiere at Profiles Theatre, that presents a sprawling, high spirited and very British affair about Johnny “Rooster” Byron (Darrell W. … Read more
By David Valdes Greenwood Directed by Cecilie Keenan Produced by Pride Films & Plays At Rivendell Theater, Chicago Unique casting makes this comedy of manners honest Playwright David Valdes Greenwood’s world premiere Raggedy And is a ultramodern comedy of manners filled with a contemporary American family with special attributes. Clem (Katurah Nelson) is the African-American … Read more
Music by Harry Warren Lyrics by Al Dubin Book by Michael Stewart & Mark Bramble Directed by Mark Bramble Choreographed by Randy Skinner Atthe Palace Theatre, Chicago “Come and Meet Those Dancing Feet on the Avenue I’m Taking You to -42nd Street!” Based on the 1933 film that saved Warner Brothers studio, producer David Merrick, … Read more
Harold Arlen’s songs of Love and Loss Devised by Sheldon Patinkin Directed by Terry McCabe Music Direction by Kingsley Day Choreographed by Brigitte Ditmars At City Lit Theater, Chicago Love and loss songs by Harold Arlen work well Harold Arlen (1905-81) write more than 500 songs, including “Over The Rainbow,” “That Old Black Magic” and … Read more
By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Adapted by Althos Low Directed by Evan Jackson Produced by Idle Muse Theatre Company At Edge Theatre, Chicago Fine Holmes classic mystery adorns stunning new theatre venue Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1901-02 The Hound of the Baskervilles, now in a worthy production by the reliable Idle Muse Theatre Company at … Read more
a love story, i often think By Arne Lygre Directed by Chad Eric Bergman & Breahan Eve Pautsch Produced by Akvavit Theatre At Signal Ensemble Theatre, Chicago “I said,” “I thought,” “She said,” “I think,” etc. Strange work by Norwegian playwright defies analysis Akvavit Theatre company produces plays from the five Nordic countries on Chicago … Read more