Tom Williams By Roy Williams Directed by Dexter Bullard At Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago Authentic depiction of boxing as a storytelling vehicle punches up an engaging play Set in 1981-88 in Thatcher England, Sucker Punch depicts the relationship of a young black native Brit boxer, Leon (Maurice Demus) and his mentor, Charlie (John Judd), an aging white … Read more
(An Evening of Vaudeville and sorrow) By Mark Stein Music direction & Lyrics by Harley White, Jr Directed by Michael Menendian At Raven Theatre, Chicago Theatrically endearing play with music and dance ripe as a satirical retelling of a tragic true story. Kudos to Raven Theatre for producing such an adventurous theatrical piece! Mark Stein’s … Read more
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Libretto by Giovanni de Gamerra Stage Director Andreas Mitsek Conductor Francesco Milioto Produced by chicago opera theater At the Harris Theater, Chicago Stunning, melodic and wonderful voices fuel rarely staged Mozart opera. First produced in Milan in 1772, Mozart’s Lucio Silla was an early glimpse into the genius of the … Read more
The musical “lovingly ripped off” from the motion picture “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” Book and Lyrics by Eric Idle Music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle Directed by David Perkovich Music Direction by William Underwood Choreographed by Linda Fortunato At The Theatre at the Center, Munster Hilarious Spoof is an Energetic Tribute … Read more
Music by Richard Rodgers Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs Directed by Jim Corti Musical Direction by Tom Vendafreddo Choreography by Katie Spelman At Paramount Theatre, Aurora Golden voiced Colte Julian leads splendid remount of Oklahoma! When we first hear Curly belt “Oh, … Read more
Book and Lyrics by Bill Russell Music by Henry Krieger Directed by Michael Weber Music Direction by Aaron Benham Choreography by Andrew Waters Produced by Porchlight Music Theatre, Chicago At Stage 773 Chicago Stunning Heartfelt Revision of Side Show is a “Can’t Miss” Hit I first saw Side Show in 2006 in a terrific production … Read more
Music & Lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul Book by Peter Duchan Directed by Peter Marston Sullivan Music Direction by Ellen K. Morris Choreography by Stephen Schellhardt Produced by BoHo Theatre At Theater Wit, Chicago Controversial story line with repellent misogyny and attempted rape scene is glossed over with improbable romance Based on the … Read more
By and staring Debra Ehrhardt Produced by Hershey Felder Directed by Joe Zwick At the Royal George Theater, Chicago Amazing Immigrant Story Deftly Told If Hershey Felder is involved, you can be assured the show is worthy. In his latest production, Jamaica Farewell, the amazing journey from the political violence of 1980’s Jamaica by the … Read more
By Bernard Shaw Directed by Robert Scogin Produced by ShawChicago At the Ruth Page Theater, Chicago Wonderfully acted dated Shaw historical satire wears out its welcome ShawChicago Theatre Company’s mission is to present classic plays of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries as concert readings. Make no mistake, these “readings,” by A-list actors (mostly Equity) … Read more
An operetta in three acts in English Music by Leo Fall Libretto by Vikto Leon English translation by Hersh Glagov & Gerald Frantzen Produced by Chicago Folks Operetta Directed by Elizabeth Margolius Conducted by Anthony Barrese Choreographer Todd Rhoades At the Madison Street Theatre, Oak Park Stunning, cute operetta well sung and staged with a … Read more