These are Chicago Critics Must See shows. If you are only going to see one show let us recommend one of these great pieces of true Art!
It is all amazing, especially considering the limited stage in this cozy
theater. Once again, Stage Door rises to the challenge and proves that
“less can be more” — much more. “Vegas: a Night on the Strip” may not
replace an actual trip to Nevada — but this production is a work of art
in and of itself.
The dazzling costumes, the fabulous set design and the vivid video projections are a refreshing addition to the world-class dances that The Jeffery always provides. At about two hours, this fast-paced whimsical ballet is kid-friendly and adult approved. If you are worn-out by the old version of The Nutcracker, take heed, the world premiere Chicago based concept will blow you away.
Read More
Add some clever tune mixed with holiday favorites deftly sung by power-voiced Meghan Murphy and This Way Outta Santaland is a precious, deeply human, holiday night of stories celebrating one of the funniest comic entertainers working in Chicago – Mitchell Fain
Read More
Herein also lies Dr. Rosenkranz’s personal philosophy on medicine: “There is something beautiful and wonderful about the unknown,” he says, “and I think, in that sense, magic and medicine share a DNA.” As Dr. Rosenkranz demonstrates in his performance, the doctor is the patient’s guide to the unknown realm of medical science just as the illusionist is the same to the metaphysical realm of the paranormal. The perspective with which the patient approaches medicine, whether as an impersonal and clinical system of testing and measuring or as a personal and cooperative engagement between two humans, is as much a paradigm that is set by the doctor as is the illusionist’s theatrics. Both establish the expectations and etiquette of their respective offices that largely determine the patient/audience experience.
Read More
Gene Weygandt mixes humor with Jewish irony and loads of Yiddish to tell his family’s history through his unfaltering dreamer uncle’s story. This journey of self-discovery contains a rich depiction of the myths and beliefs from a survivor steeped in Russian Jewish traditions. The immigrant experience in America finds Matty’s father working in jewelry while uncle Philip lives as a homeless wanderer who sells things from his long black coat.
Read More
Pygmalion. Shaw’s most popular play was written in 1912 and first performed in 1914. It became the great musical My Fair Lady in the 1950’s that used much of the original Shaw script including much of the dialogue in the song lyrics. Pygmalion, in its initial script, had a different ending that many producers and Shaw himself changed several times. This production used Shaw’s original ending which may be a surprise to My Fair Lady and fans of the 1930’s film of Pygmalion. Kudos to Remy Bumppo for sticking to the initial ending. They did use a framing device that has an older Eliza visiting Higgins’ Whipple Street flat after his death in the lat 1940’s. This didn’t effect Shaw’s ambiguous ending.
Read More
Winterset is certainly a political drama, but one that is more timeless than it is merely timely: Anderson composed his script with a keen and empathetic, poetic eye, and his voice is as sympathetic toward justice and truth as it is understanding toward those who hide from it with violence or fear. Under the guidance of director Jonathan Berry, Griffin’s production of Winterset is one of the few Chicago shows I’d say demonstrates the potential of theatre in Chicago.
Read More
Without question, The Little Mermaid at Paramount is no less than astounding! Based on the 1989 Disney film and original story by Hans Christian Andersen, this show is directed and choreographed by Amber Mak, music direction by Tom Vendafreddo and the beautiful under-seas puppetry design by Jesse Mooney-Bullock, fantastic costume design by the amazing Theresa Ham. This tale will appeal as much to adults as it does to children.
Read More
Jules Massenet’s (1842-1912) Don Quichotte is “comédie-héroïque” with sweepingly lush score composed in 1909-10 while the composer was ill and after he has a failed opera (Bacchus). Don Quichotte features a lighter take on the idealistic, delusional knight and his squire Sancho than the 1964 Broadway musical Man of La Mancha. Both are excellent takes on Cervantes’ classic.
Read More
Karen Hartman is foremost political playwright with the skills to take a human crisis and make that into a powerful drama as she blends the struggle of two people to keep folks alive during a crisis from a new medical problem. Hartman weaves a most personal view from a father who struggles to keep his twin hemophiliac boys alive and their dedicated doctor who prescribes a new miracle drug to solve the ‘clotting factor’ that is needed to stop bleeding. Effectively using a documentary style to explain about hemophiliac and how medical science advances treatment as pharma companies create a product to eliminate the need for blood transfusions
Read More