Tom Williams Burning Bluebeard is inspired by the true story of the 1903 Iroquois Theatre fire that in 15 minutes killed over 600 audience member and one cast member. This fantastical tale finds six singed clown performers at the burnt remains of the theatre (set design by Dan Broberg). They are attempting to perform their spectacular Christmas Pantomine once and for all. They hope to reach the happy ending of their second act that wasn’t possible due to the fire.
… three versions of Liza Minnelli fuel Conrad Ticklebottom’s (Scott Duff) redemption or make-over as we see his story unfold that would make Ebenezer Scrooge cringe. Gone are the days when Conrad’s purple box ignited a fashion movement. With the help of the three witches from Macbeth and the three Lizas, Conrad’s story teaches us that we need “Christmas Every Day” and literally we should “Give It A Christmas Goose” as the ideal way to celebrate the holidays.
Book by John Reeger Music & lyrics by Julie Shannon Directed by L. Walter Stearns Musical Director Eugene Dizon Choreographer Brenda Didier At the Mercury Theater, Chicago Several new cast members and deeper felt leads fuel this annual holiday treat The Christmas Schooner, now in its 3rd season at the Mercury Theater, under the artistic … Read more
This show is an ode to the dignity and joy of traditional African living now spoiled by modernity. The music is intoxicating, the dancing sparkles and the mood and atmosphere exudes humanity and the spirit of community. Rueban D. Echoles has a splendid, toe-tapping joyous operetta that begs for an audience. Kudos for Black Ensemble for taking a risk with this original yet traditional “dancesical” that plays out also as a song fest and an ethnic African folk concert. Once Upon A People is a slick, well-staged fairytale with loads of heart. It touches us deeply with its positive message and wonderful spirit. It is one of the finest show yet produced by the Black Ensemble! Don’t miss it!
But Jones does cover the reign of Richard Christiansen the Tribune’s drama critic from 1979 to 2002. He championed the Steppenwolf Theatre,; loved William L. Petersen; praised a young Robert Falls; helped launch David Mamet; loved Deanna Dunagan; Christiansen loved small fledgling theater companies. He was an admired ‘friend of theatre’ who, Jones states; “When he loved a show, he had a knack of writing in such a way that sent people to the theater.” One of his last contributions to theater was his praise for The Producers in 2001. He also helped the career of director Gary Griffin with his admiration of Pacific Overtures. Richard Christiansen love theatre and he was proud to see even the smallest storefront productions. he was the complete opposite of Claudia Cassidy yet both were terrific writers.
It has been a few years since I’ve seen The Santaland Diaries. I was particularly impressed as how Mitchell Fain both commands the stage and how he personalizes the story without making drastic changes to David Sedaris’ script. One only has to witness Fain’s opening to see a master comic and a terrific actor doing his craft. Fain’s skill at engaging and audience with his crude but very human honesty
It is 1931 in Monoreville, Alabama when seven-year-old Buddy is dropped of by his mother to his eccentric extended family. Buddy’s first friend quickly becomes his best friend. He develops a life altering unforgettable relationship with the 60something cousin, Miss Sook. She is a spinster recluse woman who never left the county, never ate in a restaurant and never married. Her world is the small house, cooking and being friends with Buddy. She is kind to everyone as she sees the best in everyone. She is thankful to the Lord and beholding to the wonders of nature. She nurtures Buddy as she teaches him by example what it is to be kind, gentle and human.
For an alternative to all those family-friendly holiday shows, try The Seafarer. It’ll give you reasons to go on the wagon for the duration of the holidays! McPherson’s The Seafarer is another of his cathartic plays that allow him to purge his personal battle against alcoholism. (He is now dry for more than 10 years!) He paints contemporary Irish life wherein many men use the act of drinking as a male bonding ritual and a means of companionship. Heavy drinking is a reality escape and a self-loathing act of loneliness and isolation
As part of their off-night Hugen Hall series, Strawdog Theatre presents prolific Chicago playwright Brett Nevue’s latest work, Detective Partner Hero Villain. This is a clever, funny, yet poignant work that spoofs the old detective films of the ’40/’50’s as well as comic book heroes. It is filled with all that stilted dialogue found in those B-movie black and white films of the 40/50’s yet it is also a clever parody of the hero genre.
I have seen this annual gem many times with an assortment of Scrooges including William J. Norris, Frank Galati, Tom Mula, Rick Snyder, William Brown, Jonathan Weir, John Judd and Larry Yando. Each have played the nasty, money-loving old man with both pathos and humor as the nasty, lonely man finds redemption. I must say that Larry Yando once again proves again that he is the ultimate Scrooge