August Lysy Archive review: This review covers American Blues Theater’s 2015 production of It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! at the Greenhouse Theater Center, directed by Gwendolyn Whiteside. For current dates and tickets, see our Chicago holiday shows guide. From the Frank Capra movie It’s a Wonderful Life Based on the Philip Van Doren Stern story … Read more
Adapted by Joe Mantello Based on David Sedaris’ essay Directed by Jeremy Wechsler Produced by Theater Wit “It’s not about the child or Santa or Christmas or anything, but the parents’ idea of a world they can not make work for them.” A Comedy For Holiday Dissenters Have you heard it yet? Flipping through your … Read more
From the ChicagoCritic Review Archive: This review covers The House Theatre of Chicago’s 2015 theatrical adaptation of The Nutcracker, a reimagining distinct from Tchaikovsky’s traditional ballet. See our guide to where to see The Nutcracker in Chicago for current productions. By Jake Minton, Phillip Klapperich, Kevin O’Donnell, and Tommy Rapley Based on the story by … Read more
By Heidi Schreck Directed by Bec Willett Produced by Dandelion Theatre Playing at The Side Project Theatre, Chicago A Mystifying Vision, Sans the Revelation Margery Kempe (1373 – c. 1438) was an English, orthodox Catholic laywoman who, after the birth of her first child, was tormented and tempted in her faith by visions of devils … Read more
By Nambi E. Kelly Directed by Ilesa Duncan Music Composition & Direction by Jaret Landon Produced by Pegasus Theatre Chicago Playing At Chicago Dramatists, Chicago A Mystical Reconciliation With the Ever-Present Past Pegasus Theatre Chicago launched its 2015/2016 season last week with the world premiere of For Her As A Piano. A new play by … Read more
By Elizabeth Irwin Directed by Sandra Márquez Produced by Teatro Vista Playing at The Victory Gardens Biograph Theater, Chicago Fan Service For the Political Man Teatro Vista opened its 25th Anniversary Season this week with Elizabeth Irwin’s My Mañana Comes, a drama about the back-of-house lives of four busboys that endure the grind of their … Read more
By Charise Castro Smith Directed by Henry Godinez Produced by Goodman Theatre An Elaborate Dark Comedy Thriller of Camp and Circumstance Goodman Theatre opens its 2015/2016 Season in its Owen Theatre this week with Charise Castro Smith’s Feathers and Teeth, a campy dark comedy thriller about a grieving daughter, her father’s bubbly new fiancé, and … Read more
Book and Lyrics by Marshall Pailet, Bryce Norbitz, and Steve Wargo Music by Marshall Pailet Co-directed by Tommy Bullington and Nicholas Reinhart Choreography by Nicholas Reinhart Music Direction by Justin Harner Produced by Circle Theatre At Heartland Studio, Chicago A Frivolous, Dinosaur Romp After 28 years of residing in Forest Park, Circle Theatre inaugurates its … Read more
By Peter Morris Directed by Arianna Soloway Produced by Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company “If you are a playwright, America is no place for seriousness.” Serious Torture Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co. opened its 30th and last season this past week with a play that meets their company’s mission statement with its challenging material and outcast characters. Peter Morris’ … Read more
By Catherine Trieschmann Directed by Keira Fromm Produced by Rivendell Theatre Ensemble An Emotionally-Stirring and Thought-Provoking Play For Believers and Non-Believers Alike At first glance, How the World Began seems like a problem play – essentially: a play about a contentious social issue – in this case, about the apparent antagonism between science and faith. … Read more