Tom Williams

Tom Williams founded ChicagoCritic.com in 2001 and spent decades reviewing theatre and live performance across Chicago and its suburbs, from Broadway tours and major institutions to storefront theatre, opera, cabaret and classical music. In 2010, the Society of Midland Authors honored him with the James Friend Memorial Award for Literary and Dramatic Criticism (our 2010 announcement). Concord Theatricals quotes his reviews on its licensing pages for shows including Crazy for You and City of Angels.

Monstrous Regiment

June 12, 2014 by Tom Williams

In Monstrous Regiment, Borogravia is at war. Again. Polly Perks (Sarah Price) cuts her hair and joins the army (as a boy) in order to find out about her missing brother. Soon, she discovers that there are other girls disguising as boys in her unit. This band of misfits must survive corporeal Strappi (John Ferrick) and the strong sergeant Jackrum (Christopher M. Walsh) and the goofy Lt. Blouse (Robert Kauzlaric), This insane leadership is made plausible by the sheer cunning of the band of girls.

Tyrant

June 9, 2014 by Tom Williams

Since the premise of Tyrant is preposterous and the dull repetitive message scenes and rules-talk sessions are boring, Tyrant collapses under the weight of its own making. The play’s ending is both shocking and unsatisfying even if you accept the show’s premise. The show is too long and repetitive as it tries to cover too many themes. Freedom for all is surely lacking in an over regulated society. We get that so why concoct such a depressing future? I don’t believe the homeless problem will lead us to regulate away our freedom. That is why we have courts.

Damn Yankees

September 15, 2017June 9, 2014 by Tom Williams

This Damn Yankees is an intentional recreation of the 1955 work, It is rare that you’ll see Damn Yankees with no cuts and with a full orchestra and even rarer that you’ll see as fine a player as Rudy Hogenmiller playing Mr. Applegate. Damn Yankees is a clever, tuneful nostalgic trip back to the Golden Age of Broadway musicals. It is a trip worth taking.

41st Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards

October 23, 2022June 3, 2014 by Tom Williams

Oracle Productions, Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Take Top Honors at the 41st Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards Ceremony in ChicagoGriffin Theatre Company receives Special Achievement Award June 2, 2014 – Chicago, IL. “The Mother,” a stage tale of class warfare, and “Passion,” a musical of love and obsession, took home top honors for Oracle Productions and Theo Ubique Cabaret … Read more

Carrie The Musical

June 3, 2014June 3, 2014 by Tom Williams

But, I must say that the production worked nicely given is was a musical filled with teenage hyperactivity. Fans of the movie and fans of Broadway pop will find much to like here.

The Emperor of Atlantis & The Clever One

June 3, 2014June 2, 2014 by Tom Williams

While both pieces, in their own way, were interesting. well sung and staged, The Clever One was more ambitious yet The Emperor of Atlantis was darker and more powerful. These seldom performed works are worthy of an audience as they are both historical as well as creative modern fairy tales rich in satire.

Days Like Today

October 22, 2022May 25, 2014 by Tom Williams

Schmuckler marvelously weaves his hauntingly melodic music upon his smart, witty and often poignant lyrics that presents each character’s emotional quirks. The voices were splendid and the multi-part harmonies were soaring. The arrangements by Doug Peck deftly played by Austin Cook and his seven member chamber orchestra created as marvelous sound that underscored and enhanced the romantic atmosphere of the piece.

One Hit Wonders

October 22, 2022May 22, 2014 by Tom Williams

After all, it is titled One Hit Wonders because it contains a fine assortment of past hits that includes blues ballads, catchy R & B with strong anthems. The tunes are the stars here with some terrific voices. Songs like “I Will Survive,” the haunting “Get Here,” “it’s Raining Men,” ‘To be Real,” “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” ‘What would You do For Love?” and “Hey There Lonely Girl” were featured by a terrific cast.

The White Snake

May 20, 2014 by Tom Williams

Told with inquire movement, interspersing lighting and Oriental motifs with terrific puppets and elaborate choreography with Asian infused original music (by Andre Pluess) featuring a chamber orchestra with a cello, strings/percussion and flute, The White Snake creates the charming and quaint atmosphere of ancient China ripe for mythical storytelling

M. Butterfly at Court Theatre

May 27, 2014May 18, 2014 by Tom Williams

David Henry Hwang’s M. Butterfly, is gem of a play. It is a layered love story that covers themes like East verses West culture, men verses women and fantasy love verses reality. Loosely following Madama Butterfly and an actual French case of a diplomat being convicted of falling in love with a Chinese opera star who was a spy, M. Butterfly is a stunning piece of dramatic theatre that has elements of spectacle and sprinklings comedy.