Author: Tom Williams

radio play adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic holiday film–It’s a Wonderful life. We are taken back to a radio studio in 1944 to witness a radio play performed live complete with a Christmas sing-along audience warm-up and commercial breaks.

Oh Coward! is a sharp 34 song-fest that is brilliantly performed by Kate Fry, Rob Lindley, John Sanders with terrific arrangements and deft piano work from Doug Peck. You’d be hard pressed to see a more slick, sophisticated, well sung musical revue.

As a musical, Post has written in a variety of styles from the folksy opening number–“The Wind in the Willows”–a optimistic anthem; to an assortment of rock, reggea, tin-pan ally, spirituals, ballads and a Gilbert and Sullivan styled patter song

I do believe that Michael Smith (the Chicago folk music legendary composer/performer) has produced a world class score filled with a variety of folk styles that include ballads, patter songs, cowboy tunes, blues, jazz, polkas and Broadway style show tunes. His lyrics are witty, funny and ironic.

Now in it’s 32 year, the Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol still holds the honor of being the finest holiday show in Chicago! Director William Brown makes subtle changes including this year adding more Victorian holiday music to the mix

This cynical glimpse into the world of those dedicated to keeping the Christmas spirit alive. Fain delivers the vignettes about the chaos of the NYC Macy’s Santa Claus exhibit with varying comedic style

The 85 minute holiday classic–Miracle on 34th Street, now at the Theatre Building Chicago staged by Porchlight Music Theatre is a refreshingly sweet, family friendly, cute holiday treat.

Felder mixes stories, biographical information with explanations and examples of Beethoven’s style and technique. Felder demonstrates his skills as an actor, pianist, teacher and showman. Felder teaches how Beethoven loved to create music in the key of C Minor, how he structured his sonatas and how he put his soul into his music creating deep emotionality into music.

The cast of 34 nimbly performed the Rodgers & Hammerstein tunes. The large (for a tour) orchestra played with gusto the complete Bennett orchestrations giving the show a lavish, romantic and hauntingly moving tone.