Jacob Davis Adapted by Andrew White Directed by Hallie Gordon Produced by Steppenwolf Theatre Company An Unusually Personal 1984 In a note in the program, Steppenwolf educational director Hallie Gordon says that, upon rereading George Orwell’s famous dystopian novel 1984, she noticed how much the story focuses on the personal impact of the terror state. Orwell, whose … Read more
By Morgan McNaught Directed by Jesse Roth Produced by The New Colony Playing at The Den Theatre, Chicago There are many religions which posit the afterlife as a place where the dead learn from their mistakes in life, in order to achieve spiritual completeness. If the kinds of therapies employed there are anything like ones … Read more
Created by David Kodeski and Naomi Ashley Directed by Edward Thomas-Herrera Playing at Stage 773, Chicago Some Favorite Memories of Childhood in a Tourist Trap “When people hear that I’m from Niagara Falls, New York, they usually express surprise that people actually live and can be from there,” says David Kodeski, the writer and narrator … Read more
Adapted and Directed by Mary Zimmerman From the Novel by Robert Louis Stevenson Produced by Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago A Co-Production with Berkeley Repertory Theatre No Need for Digging with This Treasure Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1881 adventure novel, has long been cheered by educators as one of the best means of convincing children, … Read more
Based on Richard III by William Shakespeare Adapted and Directed by Max Truax Original Music by Jonathan Guillen Choral Arrangements and Direction by Nicholas Tonozzi Produced by Oracle Productions Playing at DCASE Storefront Theater, Chicago Richard as Intriguing as Ever, With a Twist Whenever you see Jonathan Guillen and Nicholas Tonozzi credited for the music … Read more
By Rod Gailes OBC and James Murray Jackson, Jr. Directed by Rod Gailes OBC Produced by Broadway in Chicago Playing at the Broadway Playhouse Richard Pryor is Having a Meltdown, So You Are Too Unspeakable is dark. Literally. Jorge Arroyo’s lighting design consists almost entirely of spotlights, used to fragment and obscure the Broadway Playhouse … Read more
By Scott McPherson Directed by Sandy Shinner Produced by Shattered Globe Theatre Playing in Theater Wit, Chicago Still Laughing Long After Death Shattered Globe, a much-respected Equity company, has just started its landmark twenty-fifth season. In a mood for reflection, the company is mounting a play that premiered at the Goodman in same year as … Read more
By Madeleine George Directed by Jeremy Wechsler Produced by Theater Wit Many Interweaving Stories With an Elusive Reward It’s been a successful year for Theater Wit, with Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play having been extended twice, and Bad Jews still playing at the Royal George. Perhaps artistic director Jeremy Wechsler felt comfortable doing something a … Read more
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell Directed and Choreographed by Rachel Rockwell Musical Direction by Doug Peck Produced by Chicago Shakespeare Theater Dark Humor Makes Musical About Dead Kids All the Better If you were an artistic director, and somebody pitched to you the idea of a musical about teenagers … Read more
Book and Lyrics by Peter Gwinn Music by Jody Shelton Directed and Choreographed by Christopher Pazdernik Music Direction by David Kornfeld Produced by Underscore Theatre Company Playing at The Chopin Theatre, Chicago Clichés Can Be Fun Underscore Theatre Company is dedicated to developing new musicals and guiding works that are not yet fully-formed. While you … Read more