In a change of style, director Robert Falls has opted for a minimalist actor centered production of The Seagull based on two years of meticulous research. His cast, a group of “A” list Equity actors, have had a long, discovery oriented Eastern European repertory company environment in which to absorb the nuances of their characters with a focus on the methods of Konstantin Stanislavsky.
Read MoreIf you’re looking for a way to introduce your young child(ren) to more live theatre without the show title starting with “Walt Disney presents…”, I implore you to look no further than Lifeline Theatre’s inventive and winning re-mount musical production of Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type
Read MoreBrennan Buhl, as K., is the instantly lovable guy who tries charm, cooperation and peaceful resistance to deal with his trouble.
Act one finds doors slamming and mobile doors racing K. into a strange navigation through offices, lawyers, artists, priests, lovers, and whippers to determine his fate.
Read More“Chad Deity” and “Ragtime” Take Top Honors at 42nd Annual Jeff Equity Awards “The Farnsworth Invention” and “The Brother/Sister Plays”
Read MoreThe Filament Theatre Ensemble ambitious group has found a way to appeal to Shakespeare nerds, beer drinking rowdies and lovers of hilarious live comedy. The show is, indeed, authentic Shakespeare that allows the audience to determine the endings and/or the direction of the show. The cast adapts instantly to the demands of the ground-lings.
Read MoreDale Calandra returns to Chicago to direct his friend Kathy Scambiatterra in the seldom mounted Williams’ classic drama – Sweet Bird of Youth. Josh Odor, plays Chance Wayne and Kathy Scambiatterra plays the Princess. Both are aging and lamenting their fading youth. These two characters overwhelm us with their sensuality, their angst and their self-loathing.
Read MoreThe two venture westward – a Jewish teen and an explosive Latina mother. This weird twosome has many moments of discovery that neither are prepared for. Ashley Neal plays Olivia with empathy to spare that, together with her strength of personality combine to thwart some of Beatriz’s zany antics. The result is a funny show with several unpredictable moments and several revealing scenes as the two lost souls search for the meaning of family.
Read MoreSeven Brides is a light weight musical with country/barn dance tunes and romantic ballads. The show is cute, funny and heartwarmingly innocent. While the score is underwhelming, it is a toe-tapping delight. Steve Blanchard plays Adam effectively and Abby Mueller has the spunk to command the stage as Milly. The dancers dominate with several show-stopping high energy dances.
Read MoreThe story gets even more bizarre but enough said since I believe that Hinderaker has gone much too far as he tries to stimulate his anti-gun message. This play becomes a fantasy cautionary tale that stretches credulity.
Hinderaker sure leaves out other possibilities if he wants to protect students. What about arming the teachers or having police patrolling in the school? What about more sophisticated gun detecting equipment? What about controlling distribution of guns and ammunition? I could go on and on.
Read MoreThree Sisters is a modern naturalistic character study of unrequited hope as each character tries desperately to garner some happiness out of their drab day-to-day existence. The Piven production is a subtle, nuanced production wherein we witness both the decay of the privileged class in Russia and their desperate search for meaning in their lives
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