Tom Williams Marc Robin sure has the knack to reach children with his polished and well presented children musicals such as Cinderella, now playing mornings at Marriott Theatre. This charming show is quite funny, heart-warming and thoroughly engaging for children and adults
The same story will never be told twice as a new story is created for each performance on the spot. Storybox is an improvised play, but not “improv” in the traditional sense. The ensemble uses improvisational games and techniques to create a story.
Colm Feore may not be well-known name in the U.S., even though he now plays Henry Taylor in the successful TV series 24, but he is certainly a renown and celebrated actor in Canada. In his 16th season at the Festival, he takes on two complex, challenging roles and nails them both. While repertory theater features actors in multiple roles, this often means taking a lead role in one play with smaller roles in other productions. Not for Feore. He is the star of two blockbusters.
Tom Williams discusses the following stage plays with Carl Amari: Up at Steppenwolf Theatre and Boleros for the Disenchanted at the Goodman Theatre. [audio: https://chicagocritic.com/newsite/audio/0704Tom.mp3]
Nocturne is a sensual and visceral performance art piece done with craft and good taste that become intoxicating enchanting. If you are daring and want to fulfill a fantasy–you can celebrate with the cast.
Williams’ provocative work is a translation of Japanese Noh drama into performance art. The text is subtitled “An Occidental Noh Play,”
The title refers to an affluent south side neighborhood where those who own property have “made it”. Set in Chicago between 1973 and 1983, Pill Hill focuses on six African-American friends who all work in the local steel mill.
It recounts the story of a Puerto Rican couple – Flora (Elizabeth Ledo/Sandra Marquez) and Eusebio (Joe Minoso/René Rivera) who met on the island in 1953 and married the following year. It is a personal story told across years of marriage, but it is also the story of the suffering of all Puerto Ricans forced to flee their land in search of work and dignity.
Up is art for art’s sake, a thing of beauty to be admired. It’s nice that it makes you think, but that is not its raison d’être.
Up is delicious – a simply beautiful show with a cast that is uniformly magnificent. Bravo!
Tom Williams discusses the following stage plays with Carl Amari: The Black Crooners at Black Ensemble theatre & Little Brother from Griffin Theatre at Athenaeum Theatre. [audio: https://chicagocritic.com/newsite/audio/0627TOM.mp3]