The Society of Midland Authors 2010 Award
Tom Williams has won the 2010 James Friend Memorial Award for Criticism for his work as creator and founder of www.chicagocritic.com
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ARTICLES
Showtune Mondays at Sidetrack Video Bar
While many Chicago bars are closed on Monday nights or hardly doing any business, there is one spot that packs them in. No, it’s not for Monday Night Football or a Cubs game. They come to Sidetrack Video Bar (3349 North Halsted Street) for Showtune Mondays.
Read MoreA Conversation with STEPHEN SONDHEIM A Life in the Theater
Sondheim shared his own memories of his early days with Oscar Hammerstein II who taught him the art of theatre with emphasis on lyric writing. I heard many new stories particularly about how Sondheim, at age 17 was involved with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s production of Allegro in 1947.
Read MoreTommy Gun’s Garage Roaring Twenty’s Speakeasy
While in Chicago, You must see, Tommy Gun’s Garage, “Chicago’s only original Speakeasy Dinner Theater”. You’re an actor too when you come to Tommy Gun’s Garage.
Read More41st Annual Jeff Equity Awards
Annual Jeff Equity Awards TimeLine Theatre’s much-extended production of “The History Boys” took top honors in the midsize theatre Play category and walked off with 5 statues, the most of any production honored at the festive ceremony held at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie.
Read MoreSTRATFORD FESTIVAL OF CANADA-REVIEWS
Colm Feore may not be well-known name in the U.S., even though he now plays Henry Taylor in the successful TV series 24, but he is certainly a renown and celebrated actor in Canada. In his 16th season at the Festival, he takes on two complex, challenging roles and nails them both. While repertory theater features actors in multiple roles, this often means taking a lead role in one play with smaller roles in other productions. Not for Feore. He is the star of two blockbusters.
Read MoreRevisiting the Bard: Romeo and Juliet
As with their previous festival subjects, King Lear and Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet is another tale of family relationships and the demands of filial obligations. Highlights of the program, which will cover 13 sessions over three weeks,
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25 Musicals Worth Rediscovering: An American Theatre List
Editor’s note: Tom Williams originally published this Chicago Critic list in 2002. Musical-theatre reputations and revival histories have changed considerably
Read MoreThe 25 Broadway Musicals Everyone Should See
by Tom Williams 1. Show Boat by Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II 2. Les Miserables by Alain Boublil,
Read MoreHow to Enjoy a Broadway Musical: A Theatergoer’s Guide
The opening ten minutes of a Broadway Musical are critical. Every great show has a great opening. Even if a musical gets the opening correct, the show can still fall apart. But, get the opening wrong and the show surely will fail. The audience’s expectations are sent in the wrong direction and once they realize that they have been misled, they will feel cheated.
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