Jacob Davis By Steven Dietz Directed by Joanie Schultz Produced by American Blues Theater 9-11 Conspiracies Fuel Drama The complexity of conspiracy theories are naturally fascinating to a storyteller. Not that they’re necessarily well-told or sensible stories, but their believers and repeaters grant them an importance many artists wish their own stories could gain. In his 2009 … Read more
Adapted by Jessica Wright Buha From the novel by Amy Timberlake Directed by Elise Kauzlaric Produced by Lifeline Theatre Murder Mystery Appeals to All Ages As a theatre committed to adaptations, mostly of literature, Lifeline’s company should be experts on storytelling. Now in their thirty-second year, the company does shows for both children and older … Read more
By Sharr White Directed by Joe Jahraus Produced by Profiles Theatre Lia D. Mortensen Dives into Disintegrating Mind The Other Place is a hard play to describe without misrepresenting or giving away some key plot points. What I can say about it is that it is divided into two parts, the first of which is … Read more
By Daniel Pearle Directed by Keira Fromm Produced by About Face Theatre Parental Insecurity at Center of Drama With so much pop psychology floating around on how to best raise children, it’s easy for parents who value keeping current with the latest advice to get confused. Concerns about bullying and creating a nurturing environment free … Read more
By Sam Holcroft Directed by Brad Akin Produced by The Poor Theatre Acting to Survive in a Cruel World What happens to the opposition when a country’s democratic institutions are so eroded they lose any ability to compete fairly? In many places it’s not a hypothetical, and the extent of government and corporate surveillance today … Read more
Chicago Critic is trying something new by having me interview local theatre personalities. My first is with Tuta Theatre Chicago’s founding director, Zeljko Djukic and actor Jeffrey Binder regarding their production of Music Hall by Jean-Luc Legarce, playing at The Den Theatre until March 8 prior to its move to New York. In it, we … Read more
By David Adjmi Directed by Robert O’Hara Produced by Steppenwolf Theatre Company France’s Queen as Shallow as She’s Ever Been Imagine a tragic hero. Some individual whose pride and circumstances push them into a horrible situation, yet who finds the meaning of life in struggling for the s at the core of their personality. Now … Read more
By Lauren Yee Directed by Seth Bockley Produced by Victory Gardens Theater New Play Badly Needs Rebirth Playwrights often run into trouble when they attempt to take on big themes without much experience. Samsara, now having its world premiere after two years of development at Victory Gardens, is one example of a play that’s meant … Read more
By John Logan Directed by Steve Scott Produced by Redtwist Theatre Two Actors Wrestle for Future of Art What’s interesting about artists arguing over aesthetics in the mid-twentieth century? Only the fates of these two individuals and which of their values will become dominant in their culture. John Logan’s Red, which premiered in 2009, depicts … Read more
By Jean-Luc Lagarce Directed by Zeljko Djukic Produced by TUTA Theatre Chicago Skillful Performance about Small Town French Vaudeville Blues Since moving to Chicago, I’ve seen enough good theatre to develop feelings of local pride, despite not having been here for that long. Therefore, I am happy that TUTA is putting on the American debut … Read more