Chicago Theatre Reviews Archive

The Jungle Book – The Musical

July 4, 2013 by Tom Williams

The Jungle Book is a major new work that contains am amazing range of artistry. From the innovative musical arrangements by Doug Peck wherein he using jazz and Indian musicians with trumpets, clarinets, trombones, saxophones with Sitar, veena, carnatic violin and tablas to create a unique music; to the outstanding costumes by Mara Blumenfeld; to the sharp lighting by T.J. Gerckens to the imaginative staging by director Mary Zimmerman, we experience a delightful story filled with jubilant sangs and dances and populated by spirited characters led by the outstanding performance by young Akash Chopra. The Jungle Book is stylized, refreshing new musical that is amazingly polished and near finished and ready for Broadway. I’m begging that Chicago will export another hit show to NYC with The Jungle Book. This family friendly show will please all with its honesty and its polished stage craft.

Death and Harry Houdini – 2013 Remount

October 1, 2026July 3, 2013 by Beverly Friend

The magic tricks — dazzling as they may be (palming cards, disappearing/reappearing objects, walking on glass, and the like) — are balanced by this exploration of a man who wanted to defy death and who — if not immortal, was at the very least invincible in his craft. It is a life story retold through the magician’s most famous tricks and escapes. Allen’s skillfully paced story of Houdini’s struggles gathers intensity until it ultimately touches the heart as well as the imagination.

Tartuffe

October 23, 2022July 1, 2013 by Anthony J. Mangini

Set in Chicago’s highly affluent Hyde Park/Kenwood neighborhood, there is something terrifyingly relevant about the evangelist Tartuffe’s efforts to dispossess Orgon of his property, ensnare his daughter in abject bondage, and ultimately cuckold Orgon before finally sending him off to be incarcerated for crimes against the state. The racial undertones of Newell’s production, featuring a black man threatened with prison, leaving his wife and two children to fend for themselves, is a narrative sadly all too familiar to modern American audiences.

Big Lake Big City

July 1, 2013July 1, 2013 by Tom Williams

We meet two old-time Chicago detectives, Getz (Danny Goldring) and his wound-too-tight partner Bass Podaris (Phillip R. Smith) both use extreme methods to solve cases. Bass has troubles: his partner is a knucklehead, his boss is a hard-nose and his cases are being overturned and his bimbo wife is cheating on him, To make things worse, he’s chasing a prep who has a screwdriver stuck in his head! His world also has an assortment of shady folks: cruupt corners, a TV-personality doctor, and, of course, a femme fatale.

The Land of Smiles

October 22, 2022June 30, 2013 by Tom Williams

Chicago Folks Operetts’s new English translation (from German) of The Land of Smiles marks the first production of Smiles in Chicago in 25 years. This is a landmark production; an exquisite artistic achievement; and a beautifully sounded and sung operetta. Each artistic element contributes to a wonderful, lavish and lovable theatrical experience. From the 20 piece orchestra conducted by Kim Diehnelt to the wonderful set designed by Ian Zywica to the fabulous video projections by Liviu Pasare with terrific rear-screen images and personal silhouettes to the vivid and unique costume designs by Kate Kamphausen- all thses elements contributed to make The Land of Smiles an artistic splendor seldom seen on a Chicago stage!

The Little Dog Laughed

October 23, 2022June 28, 2013 by Tom Williams

This is a darkly funny romantic comedy filled with unique, yet livable characters, each striving for their identity, love, and fulfillment. Only one is a sincerely noble person who ultimately is true to himself. This production delivers.

The Half-Brothers Mendelssohn

June 26, 2013 by Tom Williams

The Strange Tree Group usually does works by Emily Schwartz but the have expanded by mounting a new work by ensemble member Elizabeth Bagby – The Half-Brothers Mendelssohn. Featuring a clever set (designed by Kate Nawrocki & Emily Schwatz) with a terrific “time machine” designed by Emily Schwartz,etc, The Half-Brothers Mendelssohn is a quirky, funny , and clever take on time travel and it’s complications.

The Pirates of Penzance

October 22, 2022June 26, 2013 by Clint May

An always classic Gilbert and Sullivan gets a twist as the tall ship Windy sets sail from Navy Pier with a merry band of misfits!

Shakespeare’s Cymbeline A Folk Tale With Music

October 23, 2022June 25, 2013 by Tom Williams

The world premiere of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline A Folk Tale With Music is a sheer delight! Combining the lyrical words of The Bard with tuneful, expert music and lyrics by Michael Keefe and David Rice and putting Cymbeline in Appalachia during the American Civil War adds punch to the tale making more folk than fairy (tale). With 10 songs accompanied by a jug band, this Cymbeline is a tale with music but it is darn-near a hillbilly musical.

Jason and (Medea)

October 23, 2022June 24, 2013 by Anthony J. Mangini

For Shoemaker has opted to work on an immense epic canvas, unfortunately necessitating overly broad brushstrokes in several of her scenes, which is very much a shame considering her undeniable gifts in fleshing out the lived ironies of everyday existence. For where the Jason and Medea of myth aspire to the heights of greatness, Shoemaker’s couple aspire rather to the more narrow level of adult competence and maturity. Indeed, Jason and (Medea) is most charming when attempting to graft onto the hero’s journey a tender and soft-spoken coming-of-age story. Regrettably, much of this tends to get drowned out in an overly self-stylized cacophony of blood, battles and legendary monsters.