Tom Williams By Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett Adapted by Wendy Kesselman Directed by Kimberly Senior At Writers Theatre, Glencoe Intimate production honestly presents the fears, the terror, and the blind hope of young Anne Frank The Diary of Anne Frank, one of the largest selling books of all-time with several movies and many stage adaptations, still … Read more
By Nicky Silver Directed by Sean Murphy Produced by Benevolent Theatre At Angel Island, Chicago “I’ll give it to you one pearl at a time. Each day. Every day you love him.” – Nessa Strange quirky dark farce a mixed bag of drama and comedy Nicky Silver loves to stretch credulity in his plays. He … Read more
By Marco Ramirez Directed by Jaime Castaneda At American Theatre Co. (ATC) Theatrically pleasing tale of glory, bravery, and determination through boxing is a winner Loosely based on Jack Johnson’s being the first African-American to defeat a white man for the professional heavy-weight championship, playwright Marco Ramirez has penned a strong 75 minute profile of … Read more
Opera in two acts By Mieczyslaw Weinberg Libretto by Alexander Medvedev based on the novel of the same name by Zofia Posmysz Conducted by sir Andrew Davis Stage Direction by David Pountney At the Lyric Opera of Chicago Stunningly powerful Holocaust opera is a tasteful testimony to the courage and heroism of the human spirit. … Read more
By William Shakespeare Directed by Scott Westerman At The Artistic Home, Chicago “Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee; I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight? or art thou … Read more
Music & Lyrics by Adam Gwon Directed by Jason A. Fleece Music Direction & Accompaniment by Ilana Atkins At BoHo Theatre, Chicago Broadway pop chamber song cycle’s style is irritatingly repetitious with predictable rhythms I understand the potential appeal of Adam Gwon’s Ordinary Days after works like The Last Five Years became hits. The unusual … Read more
By Ervin Gardner Produced and Directed by Jackie Taylor At Black Ensemble Theater, Chicago History lives in realistic courtroom drama In their ever-expanding theatrical experiences, Black Ensemble Theater has now mounted their first new drama in many years. Playwright Ervin Gardner has penned a non-singing musical drama: The Trial of Moses “Fleetwood” Walker. This touching … Read more
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Conceived and originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine Inspired by a concept by David Kernan Directed by Nick Bowling Music Direction by Austin Cook Choreography by Emily Ariel Rodgers Produced by Porchlight Music Theatre At Stage 773, Chicago Wonderful documentary of Stephen Sondheim with his words and his … Read more
Broadway’s Musical Comedy Book by Austin Winsberg Music & Lyrics by Alan Zachary & Michael Weiner Directed by J.R. Rose Music Direction by Elizabeth Doran Choreography by Becky DeDecker Produced by First Date. LLC At the Royal George Cabaret, Chicago Cliches rule in formulaic date show First Date is a chamber musical that ran off-Broadway … Read more
Music and Libretto by Richard Wagner Conductor: Sir Andrew Davis Stage Director: Tim Albery Choreographer: Jasmin Vardimon At the Lyric Opera of Chicago Energetically sensual movement and dance introduces audiences to the world of Wagner’s morality drama/opera In one of the longest (at least 15 minutes) sensual dance sequences seen in any opera, choreographer Jasmin … Read more