Tom Williams Music by Giuseppe Verdi Libretto by Temistocle Solera An opera in four acts in Italian Conducted by Carlo Rizzi Stage Director Matthew Ozawa At the Lyric Opera of Chicago Beautiful melodies with wonderful chorus singing propels Verdi’s first hit opera. Giuseppe Verdi’s 1842 opera, Nabucco was not only his first hit, it became an example … Read more
It took twenty years to emerge, but the wait was worth it as The Man Who Murdered Sherlock Holmes, now playing at the Mercury Theater in a world premiere, is a theatrical treat! John Reeger’s clever book features Sir Arthur Conan Doyle actually investigating a crime after he “kills off ” Holmes in his latest story
By Tennessee Williams Directed by Dado At A Red Orchid Theatre, Chicago Haunting dream-like glimpse of the underbelly of New Orleans is marvelously presented Williams referred to The Mutilated as “an allegory on the tragicomic subject of human existence on this risky planet.” Presented on an imaginative set (designed by Grant Savin) that featured rows … Read more
By Rajiv Jospeh Directed by Devon de Mayo Produced by Shattered Globe Theatre At Theater Wit, Chicago Interesting, yet ultimately unfulfilling, comic-drama reshaping more than paper figures Playwright Rajiv Joseph, in Animals Out Of paper, tells a story about a unique web of teacher-student relationships. We meet Ilana (Courtney McKenna), a famous reclusive origami artist … Read more
London Wall is a workplace comic-drama that highlights the struggles of 1930’s single women in a misogynistic British society. We get to know these women; we care about them and we commiserate with their condition. I especially liked the performances by Rochelle Therrien as she used he facial expressions and body language to convey her angst. Venessa Greenway was marvelous and Mary Pool was a hoot as the eccentric client.
By Dan LeFranc Directed by Joannie Schultz At American Theater Co, Chicago Boring drama about loneliness and dysfunctional siblings fizzles for 75 minutes Even after Dan LaFranc re-wrote much of Bruise Easy, his play is not stage worthy. It is slow-moving, with blatant gaps of silence and an unfulfilled plot. We meet the troubled, dysfunctional … Read more
By Christopher Chen Directed by Vanessa Stalling In a co-production with Stage Left and Red Tape At Theater Wit, Chicago Loud, stupid, and witless attempt at political satire is a dud As I watched Christopher Chen’s one-joke satire, Mutt, I was struck by why two terrific Chicago theatre companies (Stage Left and Red Tape) would … Read more
Chicago Premiere By Pearl Cleage Directed by Daniel Bryant Produced by Congo Square Theatre At Athenaeum Theatre, Chicago Smartly Sophisticated Urban Comedy of Manners Awaits Congo Square Theatre long has been a troupe that mounts terrific plays about the African-American experience. Their latest, What I Learned In Paris, a Chicago premiere, is another fine production … Read more
Top 12 Drama/Comedies of 2015
by Tom Williams & Jacob Davis
Top 12 Musicals of 2015 Picks by Tom Williams
and Jacob Davis