Tom Williams, Author at Theatre reviews

Fallow

There is dignity to this story as we empathize and learn to love Aaron; respect Happy and grieve with Elizabeth. The depth the Meyer’s Aaron, Garcia’s Happy and Thulin’s Elizabeth reach through their lives makes Fallow a compelling drama. The themes of hope, total acceptance and the search for one’s place in life are effectively presented. Aaron and Happy put faces on hopeful individuality that seem to emerge despite the ugliness of society. Fallow is heartfelt, well written, and nicely staged and acted play that will leave you glad you meet Aaron and Happy

REVIEWS REVIEWS BY Theatre Reviews Tom Williams

Tom Williams

The Casuals

The Casuals could use a clearer timeline earlier on but eventually if you stay with the story, the payoff is there. We see how the conformity and basic trust folks had in the 50’s allowed families to hide shameful events and allowed government to hide dangerous activities. Bone and Swanson’s script is subtle, insightful, and accurate in depicting the values of American society in post-war era. Their story is a precursor to the radical changes that happened in the 60’s

MUST SEE REVIEWS REVIEWS BY Theatre Reviews Tom Williams

Tom Williams

Simpatico

Simpatico is a darkly comic and full of eccentric characters each suffering from the scars of past encounters. Each have been shaped by the actions taken years ago; each still haunted by their choices. Sam Shepard’s characters are usually extreme, flawed and self-destructive

REVIEWS REVIEWS BY Theatre Reviews Tom Williams

Tom Williams

Waiting For Lefty at Oracle Theatre

Clifford Odets’ revolutionary work first produced by the Group Theatre using “agit-prop” theatre techniques. This work utilizes actor surrounding the audience to arouse responses and to break the ‘fourth walk.’ While a tad dated, Waiting For Lefty is still a classic warning to big corporations not to continue to oppress the American working class. In the 1930′s the play was a huge success and it was mounted all over the country even in union halls. It ignited a strong reaction and it aided union recruiting.

MUST SEE REVIEWS REVIEWS BY Theatre Reviews

Tom Williams

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

That said, there’s still plenty here to entertain, including a charismatic performance from its lead (wo)man Lanning. Funny, committed and likable, even if Lanning doesn’t set about to reinvent the wheel, he at the very least shows himself a master craftsman. There’s still some work needed (from director and talent alike) in cleaning up Hedwig’s emotional transitions. But Lauren Paris as Hedwig’s “Man Friday through Thursday” Yitzhak comes equipped with some powerful singing chops, helping give Haven’s production a much-needed rock edge. And the four-piece rock band, led by musical director Kory Danielson, sounds electric (even as they occasionally drown out the voices).

REVIEWS REVIEWS BY Theatre Reviews Tom Williams

Tom Williams

The Burden of Not Having A Tail

We meet a woman with raccoon-like eyes who is in a sealed shelter filled with survival items. This woman rambles on and on about “The End is Coming!” and how we need to be prepared. While the hard working Karie Miller tries to engage us with audience involvement that includes throwing a large beach ball back and forth with the audience, we never get fully engaged since Miller comes off as a wound-too-tight nut job. Add the fact that shelves full of survival items continues to crash to the ground that Miller seems to ignore and we wonder if we are in a surreal dream scape?

MUST SEE REVIEWS Theatre Reviews

Tom Williams

Belleville

A smart script, tense direction, and masterclass performances make this a must-see summer thriller.

MUST SEE REVIEWS REVIEWS BY Theatre Reviews Tom Williams

Tom Williams

Beaten

What makes Beaten so compelling are the terrific performances by the cast. Conor McCahill, once he slows down and stops mumbling in several of his monologues, is most empathetic. Kristin Collins and Kathryn Ascota were excellent in the troubled mother-daughter dynamic. Kathy Scambiatterra is a hoot as the tough, foul-mouthed pot-smoking grandmother. We empathize with the characters and we see the flaws within each as we try to decide what and who is best for Chloe. You’ll be surprised at how it all plays out. Beaten is a worthy play.

MUST SEE REVIEWS REVIEWS BY Theatre Reviews

Tom Williams

Thom Pain (based on nothing)

It’s not especially out of the ordinary in the theater for there to be bouts of nervous laughter. But usually, it’s unintentional—the awkward byproduct of jokes gone awry, actors gone off-key or whole plays gone sadly off the rails. Rare is the play which demands nervous laughter. Insists upon it. Nay, even feeds off of it.

MUST SEE REVIEWS REVIEWS BY Theatre Reviews Tom Williams

Tom Williams

The Jungle Book – The Musical

The Jungle Book is a major new work that contains am amazing range of artistry. From the innovative musical arrangements by Doug Peck wherein he using jazz and Indian musicians with trumpets, clarinets, trombones, saxophones with Sitar, veena, carnatic violin and tablas to create a unique music; to the outstanding costumes by Mara Blumenfeld; to the sharp lighting by T.J. Gerckens to the imaginative staging by director Mary Zimmerman, we experience a delightful story filled with jubilant sangs and dances and populated by spirited characters led by the outstanding performance by young Akash Chopra. The Jungle Book is stylized, refreshing new musical that is amazingly polished and near finished and ready for Broadway. I’m begging that Chicago will export another hit show to NYC with The Jungle Book. This family friendly show will please all with its honesty and its polished stage craft.