The Water’s Edge
The drama builds into a tensely shocking twist that leads to a stunning climax. Amy Kasper’s performance emerges from mild sarcasm to blinding rage as her vengeance explodes toward Richard.
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Pains of Youth
Martin Crimp’s translation from German to English for Ferdinand Bruckner’s 1926 play Pains of Youth yields a stiff, too academic, use of words that no college student would use in common speaking especially a group of hedonistic pleasure-seeking students.
Read MoreSigns Of Life
Theatrically, mounting a music about the Holocaust is both tricky and daunting. But with tasteful, haunting music sung with deep emotions using rich harmonies and subdued tones, Signs of Life works as a profound depiction of the reaction and determination of the artists to “tell the truth” through their art (whether on stage or in drawings) as to what happened in the camp.
Read MoreThe Trip to Bountiful
In the Raven Theatre production, now playing, Millicent Hurley Spencer plays the lead – Mrs. Carrie Watts. . Spencer’s deeply emotional and truthful performance as Mrs. Watts is filled with subtle nuances that only a talented veteran actor can produce. We instantly empathize with her character. Millicent plays the elderly character with a combination of physical and emotional pain as well as an independent stubborn streak
Read MorePullman Porter Blues
The Pullman Porter Blues is a “play with music” that contain the best of each element. It is a toe-tapping blues oriented show with 13 – 30’s blues numbers played with gusto by the onstage band and sung with deeply felt emotions by Marshall, Derricks , and Morohumfola. When the drunken feisty Sister Juba (E. Faya Butler) sings the blues, the emotional level gets intense. As a blues songfest, Pullman Porter Blues delivers; as a dramatic play, it works effectively as it presents the work ethic and plight of the Pullman porters.
Read MoreThe Story of Curtis Mayfield
But the best way to pay tribute to this genius composer is to hear his music. That is what Taylor’s tribute is check full of: from his early tunes – “Gypsy Woman” to “It’s All-Right” to “Mama Didn’t Lie,” the smoothly warm Soul style of Mayfield emerges. Cecil Jones was terrific as the ‘Young Curtis.’ As Mayfield’s works progressed his social and political consciousness, with a distinct peaceful message, gave hope to the struggles of African-Americans during their Civil Rights struggle
Read MoreBlue Man Group Announces the Winners of 2013 Chicago Art Competition
In conjunction with the Chicago Expo Art Week, the Blue Man Group announces the six winners of their art competition for 2013 at the Briar Street Theatre. The art competition, open to professional and emerging artists, is centered around the Blue Man Group’s mission statement: celebrating creativity, connectedness, and making art accessible to all.
Read MoreThe Wheel
Scottish playwright Zinnie Harris’ 2011 commissioned work (by the National Theatre of Scotland), The Wheel reminds me of Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage. The Wheel uses magic realism to send us on a journey with Beattriz (Joan Allen) as she attempts to return The Girl (Emma Gordon) to her banished father at the start of a war when France invades Spain in the 19th Century. Beatriz was preparing for the wedding of her sister Rosa (Chaon Cross) when the local militia disrupts the affair.
Read MoreThe Last Hand
This update adds some necessary refinement to this tale of the faceless cards in a deck trying to outwit a king.
Read More4000 Miles
Herzog drew from her own family members for inspiration, stating that elderly Vera Joseph is based on her feisty grandmother, Leepee Joseph– whom she describes as funny, dry, sassy and devastating at 93. Her struggling, hippie grandson Leo is based on a young cousin who –like Leo — had faced the traumatic loss of a dear friend.
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