Music and Lyrics by Pete Townshend Additional Lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon Book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff Directed by Jim Corti Conducted by Tom Vendafreddo Produced by Paramount Theatre Rock Opera Delivers Incomparable Spectacle and Energy Paramount’s production values are a reliable reward for making the trip out to Aurora. The … Read more
(based on an idea of David G. Zak) Book, Music, and Lyrics by Leo Schwartz Directed by David Zak Music Direction by Robert Ollis Produced by Pride Films & Plays At Mary’s Attic, Chicago Mormons and Merman unite for a fun filled musical treat. David G. Zak’s idea led composer Leo Schwartz (2013 Jeff Award … Read more
By Penny Penniston Directed by Greg Werstler Produced by Stage Left Theatre in association with Theater Wit At Theater Wit, Chicago Humanism ultimately prevails as the keys to the kingdom In the first gem of 2015, Penny Penniston has penned a terrific “must see” play that contains some interesting twists on Evangelical Christian beliefs and … Read more
Written and Directed by David Denman Co-directed by Amber Mandley Produced by Clock Productions Very Amateur Group Struggles With Own Work If most performers discovered they or their scene partner had make the unfortunate mistake of holding a placard upside down, they would probably turn it the right way. When an actress made that mistake … Read more
Adapted and Directed by Paul Edwards At City Lit Theatre, Chicago Screaming and shouting mares the production of Falstaff’s story The usual high production standards at City Lit hit a low point with Paul Edwards’ Father Ruffian: Shakespeare’s Falstaff Story. The decision to allow the cast to shout and scream so often that I was … Read more
By Rebecca Gilman Directed by Andrew Pond Produced by Eclectic Theatre Tigers Unfortunately Still Spinning Eclectic Theatre Company seems to have chosen to make this year’s theme plays about social issues from fifteen years ago that are still just as current. When I last saw them, they were doing Take Me Out, Richard Greenberg’s play … Read more
By Erin Courtney Directed by Tosha Fowler Produced by Cor Theatre At Rivendall Theatre, Chicago Complex and deliberately vague drama is enticing Cor Theatre produces Erin Courtney’s controversial drama, A Map Of Virtue, that is part interview, part comedy, part memory work and part middle-of-the-night horror story and features heavy bird symbolism. Billed as “a … Read more
Could you find a way to present Twelfth Night in a way that is basically true to the story, but comprehensible to kindergarteners? Neither could Lifeline. Robert Kauzlaric’s world premiere adaptation turns its characters into talking animals to make them more fun to children, and labors hard to convince them that love isn’t icky and help keep its eight characters played by four actors straight. But the company’s website recommends the show for ages 5 and up, a demographic also targeted by the poster artwork, and there is just no way to make that work. With older children, perhaps in the 8-11 range, the show might have more success, but that’s not who I saw there, and the plot is simply too complex and outside small children’s areas of interest.
By Steve J. Spencer Directed by Ronan Marra Produced by The Side Project, Chicago Thought provoking dark comedy more of a cautionary tale than humorous Playwright Steve J. Spencer utilizes his sharp, biting, sarcastic, and caustic humor that came off as more cynical than hilarious to weave a cautionary tale (Push Button Murder) about the … Read more
By Ken Prestininzi Directed by Kate Hendrickson Produced by Trap Door Theatre Cookies Uneven, Need to be Thicker One thing the avant-garde should never be is intellectually lazy. Nestled in a tiny theatre at the end of an alley, Trap Door Theatre has enjoyed a long exchange with Eastern European artists and plays. However, their … Read more