MUST SEE

Neil LaBute’s latest, Reasons to be Pretty, now in a strong staging at Profiles Theatre in a Chicago premiere, is a departure from the downer works LaBute has penned recently. This work is hopeful as it becomes a moral awakening for Greg (Darrell W. Cox), the lead character and narrator. Reasons looks at how 21st Century language doesn’t seem to allow us to communicate our true feeling, often getting us into trouble when we use a term that we find expressive but others find that term/word offensive. Misinterpretation of words and phrases plays large in LaBute’s working class, blue collar relationship drama.

Three Tall Women is a most truthful look at the arc of a life from the point-of-view of three generation – the youth, age 26 (C) (Maura Kidwell); in middle age women, age 52 (B) Mary Beth Fisher; and at age 92 on her death bed (A) Lois Markle. This play is a tour de force for all three women as each had several tellingly poignant moments to dominate the stage.

This 85 minute show is a creepy look into the world of insanity played out as a fairy tale more like a Brothers Grimm than Disney tale. We see Odradek emerging as a physical threat to Kyle as his body becomes one with the monster. Director Bullard’s production nicely builds the dramatic tension helped by the bass music underscoring. Joe Steakley is most effective as the stoic, cold-blooded teen whose emotional core is stilted and hidden only to be attracted to the obscure monster.

The two women, bound by blood but driven by desperation, will do anything to survive. Pato’s brother Ray (Kevin Viol) provides the light relief in this potent family drama. Full of universal themes as it applies to any place where people are trapped by circumstances, whether family or social; this play redefines ‘dysfunctional families.’

Featuring one of Shakespeare’s best loved heroines, Rosalind (Kate Fry in a most charmingly winning performance), As You Like It is a sure crowd pleasing pastoral romantic comedy. Director Gary Griffin has cast a full list of “A” list classical players

A new Musical lovingly ripped off from the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” Book & Lyrics by Eric

By William Inge Directed by Lia Mortensen and Ryan Martin At The Den Theatre, Chicago Terrific first work by a

From the start, the orchestra and the exquisite Cats-like costumes (Matt Guthier) with wigs by Michael Buoninconto created the proper atmosphere for the Cats to roam. Once we learn about “The Naming of Cats,” we meet the old Gumbie cat and all of her friends all of whom aspire to be the cat selected by Old Deuteronomy to be reborn just before dawn.