Tom Williams 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
By William Inge Directed by Cody Estle At Raven Theatre Powerful Depression Era drama a rare classic William Inge (1913-73) was a playwright/novelist best know for writing Picnic and Bus Stop. His 1959 lost gem, A Loss of Roses, is being remounted by Raven Theatre in a strong production under the tight direction of Cody … Read more
Written & Directed by Jackie Taylor At Black Ensemble Theater, Chicago The Sensational Soulful Sixties is spectacular entertainment Playing in running repertory with Doo Wop Shoo Bop, The Sensational Soulful Sixties move from the smooth Doo Wop sound into the heights and essence of “soul.” From Sam Cook’s “You Send Me,” “Chain Gang,” and “Cupid,” … Read more
Written by Jackie Taylor & Jimmy Tillman Directed by Jackie Taylor At the Black Ensemble Theater, Chicago Silky smooth nostalgic journey into the Black music of the 1940′ and 1950’s One of Jackie Taylor’s missions during her 40th Anniversary Season is to remount the Black Ensemble’s biggest hits. She begins with Doo Wop Shoo Bop, … Read more
By Scott Wolman Directed by Scott Westerman At The Artistic Home, Chicago Darkly comic, small town “who-don-it” filled with terrific performances. Chicago playwright Scott Wolman has penned an ambitious family-oriented mystery that befuddles a rural Indiana sheriff in his world premiere, Interrogation. When the girlfriend of a teen disappears from his family reunion/graduation event, Deputy … Read more
Music by Richard Strauss Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal Conductor Edward Gardner Director Martina Weber At the Lyric Opera of Chicago Long, tedious opera contains terrific performances. Richard Stauss’s 1911 domestic romantic comedy, Der Rosenkavalier, pays homage to Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, but doesn’t contain the magic of Amadeus’s genius. With lush costumes and … Read more