MUST SEE

The themes of conflicting traditions, suffering, beauty and self-identity are explored quite dramatically. Lawrence Grim effectively mores from the father to the Rebbe to the stern mentor Jacob Kahn while Danica Monroe plays the women. What holds our interest is the empathetic honest performance by Alex Weisman. He neatly underplays Asher’s passion while releasing that passion emotionally when it explodes to the surface. Weisman delivers a fabulous performance as the conflicted artist. He is in award territory here.

Every element that makes for a “great” musical is present in Marriott Theatre’s landmark production. Fabulous dancing, hilarious situations, terrific characterizations played to their fullest and, of course, a world class score by a young Leonard Bernstein make On The Town a major triumph!

Prolific playwright Terrence McNally sure has a thumb on the pulse of gay men in America as no one else captures their essence like he can. His honest presentation of the fabric of gay life including all the foibles, eccentricities, and fears are effectively presented in his 2006 drama, Some Men. In its Chicago premiere under the direction of David Zak and Derek Van Barham, Some Men unfolds in a series of vignettes scattered throughout the last 70 years of gay history in America.

Fiddler on the Roof is a classic Broadway musical with a special look and feel that is irresistible to audiences. The melodic songs resonate in the soul and the fate of the Jews of Anatevka foreshadows the Holocaust to come forty years later. The lessons in tolerance still apply today and the strength of tradition is still a vital part of the social order. Fiddler on the Roof gave humanity to these noble ideals. I can enjoy Fiddler every few years; it never fails to move me. Alex Honzen’s empathetic Tevye anchored this brilliant production. The tradition is, indeed, upheld.

Mike and Seth have a life-long non-sexual love affair that finds them in a special relationship of trust that allows them to share their most intimate personal thoughts. As Mike is on a drinking binge the night before his wedding, he questions, cavorts, rage-on and bears his soul to the only person he totally trusts: Seth. Seth, in turn, expresses his worries and fears to Mike as the two have a chemistry that is truthfully played by Garza and Manocchio. This exchange comes from two trust-fund guys who have never had to worry about sustenance as privilege has been granted to each by birthright.

Creating and performing a one person show is a daunting task but when the subject is Winston Churchill (1974 – 1965), the task becomes near impossible! But in the hands of veteran actor/director/playwright Ronald Keaton it is not only doable but amazingly effective. Not only does Keaton bare a resemblance to Churchill and he has his vocal style, accent and speech patterns down pat. He also has his movements, gestures and mannerisms reflecting accurately including the cigar and bowler hat that he seemed to be channeling Churchill on stage! This is a “must see,” tour de force performance magnificently performed by one of the finest, under appreciated actors working in Chicago.

With Geezers, Graves and Johnston recreate their magic in a wonderful, honest and heartfelt drama. This ambitious work is both a ‘coming-of-age’ drama and a nostalgic trip back for the ‘geezers’ living in a retirement home. One of playwright Johnston’s strengths is his ability to create well-rounded empathetic characters then put them in believable situations. He sprinkles honesty with humor, even gallows humor, together with smart, witty dialogue without resorting to sentimentality.