With its catchy rhythms, brilliant lyrics, and often hilarious observations of everyday life, it is in my opinion the best musical of the twenty-first century. For one week, the touring company is setting up shop at the Bank of America Theatre, so if you have yet to witness this side-splitting show now is your chance.
The story is very madcap and full of great lines and colorful characters, but it lacks a human touch. These characters do not seem to care for one another all that much, even Lloyd and Martin who are best friends.
Based on the highly theatrical and over staged production by director James Palmer, The Love of the Nighingale plays out as a confusing, manic work cluttered with pointless performance art movement and faux ballet. The works creeps along at such a slow pace that the 105 minute worked seem 5 hours long.
David Harrower’s translation of Bertolt Brecht’s 1943 parable, The Good Soul of Szechuan is a gritty work featuring crude humor and references to heroin sales and the low qualities of the human condition. Director Shade Murray and his cast of 18 players utilize Brecht’s epic theatre techniques that features pop/rock songs as actors play several roles, use bare staging with actors changing on stage.
The interplay between American Brenda (Ginger Lee McDermott) and her adopted Chinese daughter Jade (Christine Bunuan) – told in vignettes that swing from the Jade’s winsome childhood, through her rebellious teens, to her ultimate maturity – reinforces a vivid, compelling look at personal identity.
Among the singers, Emilie Lynn’s strong vocals were a delight. Pascale M. Trouillot belted her songs to perfection. The ensemble work here was pleasing as this cute musical easily won the audience.
Wechsler’s initial production is the world premiere of Penny Penniston’s Spin – a whirlwind contemporary farce set in the world of multimedia advertising. Spin is intelligent, witty with biting satire and funny moments complete with sharp one-liners and retorts.
It is a clever show utilizing household cleaning items, Luke Cresswell, a self-taught percussionist, and Steve McNicholas, a British actor, spent years developing Stomp. Once complete, Stomp quickly became a world-wide sensation.
Local Chicago favorites, Bernie Yvon and Heidi Kettenring deftly present this sweet, charming and honest musical look at the cycles of marriage. Filled with a clever lyrics by Tom Jones upon Harvey Schmidt’s varied music, I do! I do! is fine entertainment.
Chicago Opera Theater presents the first of three baroque masterpieces over the next few years. This season features Francesco Cavalli’s 1649 opera devoted toMedea as a central character – Jason (Giasone). The rarely presented opera was quite different from any opera I’ve ever witnessed.