It is important that classics like South Pacific be presented in their entirety with all the songs, all the underscoring and all reprises so as to let the next generation experience all the splendor of the original production. This show does that effectively. Granted contemporary theatre aficionados may question many of the story elements and persona of key characters but they will have no quibble with Rodgers and Hammerstein marvelous songs.
Read MoreAn old dog learns some new tricks in Mary-Arrchie’s post-Steppenwolf production of the Chicago-set story of Superior Donuts. Its casting and direction help raise an otherwise sitcom-esque premise to a genuine tale of redemption and new beginnings.
Read MoreWhat can I add except that Chicago Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a family-friendly comedy that is a perfect first Shakespeare experience for young folks. Kane, Ledo and Orbach lead the gifted cast on their dream adventure.
Read MoreShow Boat is filled with humor, powerful drama (miscegenation and family abandonment) while telling the story of a nation struggling with social, political and economic change. With sweeping melodies, smart lyrics and a host of spot-on performances, the Lyric’s Show Boat is the musical event of 2012!
Read MoreProlific Chicago playwright Jon Steinhagen’s latest work is a deliciously cunning dark comedy inspired by the real life case of Drew Petersen. It is a wicked take on our tenancy to prejudge celebrity news events, especially when we know someone involved with the hated celebrity.
Read MoreBesides the hilarious exchanges between Betty and Charlie, we see how all the characters openly speak in front of Charles since they believe he doesn’t understand their words. The folks grow to love and trust Charlie mostly due to Shue’s clever characterization and Rod Armentrout’s tour de force performance. He invents a pig-Latin language , gloriously pretends he doesn’t understand anything and he ‘learns’ their language in a series of funny imitative scenes.
Read MoreWritten by Neil Simon Directed by Michael Leeds Comedy about Hot Lover Hasn’t Cooled Overweight owner of a fish restaurant,
Read MorePlaywright Mark Schulz begins his weird horror comedy with: “I got an idea,” Brian (Mike Tepeli) says to wife Stacey (Meghan Reardon). “Don’t laugh. We are a little stressed — the money, the kids. I think we should sell the kids.”
Read MoreSo, who is the audience for American Idiot? Lovers of punk rock and Green Day? If so, why not promote American Idiot as a punk rock concert? That way, us lovers of traditional book musicals will not have to suffer through 90 minutes of theatre hell.
Read MoreThe righteously indignant tone that pervades so much of the production seems to be that of the “last angry man” at open-mic night. Ultimately it’s a disappointment to see so much effort spent reminding us to have empathy for a weary world. It offends by putting us on the offensive by aggressively assuming we lack it.
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