Chicago Theatre Reviews Archive

A Place in the Woods

October 22, 2022April 7, 2014 by Tom Williams

Teenage Alex is learning both about his gay father and the small town family dynamic since he has joined his father on this emergency trip to Indiana. Once Brady shows up, old family wounds emerge as we see the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s on the entire family. Shaun is trying to put his life together while also trying to look after mother. Brady tries to instill into his son Alex toleration and morals while shielding him from old family secrets. Alex is keen to know about his father’s past in Indiana…

Peter and the Starcatcher – National Tour

May 27, 2014April 4, 2014 by Tom Williams

What makes Peter and the Starcatcher possibly worth seeing are the work from the young Chicago talents. Harter Clingman (Alf), Nathan Hosner (Lord Aster), John Sanders (a hoot as Black Stache) – these actors anchored the show… While Megan Stern, as Molly, lead the way for the boys, it was the charming, often charismatic, and fully heartfelt honest turn by Chicagoan Joey deBettencourt that made the otherwise tedious show palatable. Debettencourt, in his first Equity role, commands the stage ias a cute yet plausible boy who eventually emerges as Peter Pan

Tristan & Yseult

May 27, 2014April 4, 2014 by Margaret Eva

Obviously, the play begins with a most imaginative script, derivative of Wagner’s Opera, “Tristan and Isolde… well sort of… but you can be quite sure that even Wagner is laughing somewhere.

Cats at Marriott Theatre

October 22, 2022April 4, 2014 by Tom Williams

But, the key to Cats is always the cast and the choreography. In this thrilling production, under Marc Robin’s flawless direction and meticulous attention to details, Cats has never charmed and danced better. Robin has his energetic cast sauntering through the theatre and mixing throughout the audience spreading cat-charm in abundance.

The Haunting of Hill House

May 27, 2014April 2, 2014 by Tom Williams

This production never gets the atmosphere at the Hill House eerie enough to get us to believe that poltergeists are inhabiting the place. Dr. Montague (Edward Kuffert) is a scientist bent on writing about “the greatest haunted house ever” so he invites folks who profess past experiences with paranormal events. He rents Hill House for the summer (circa 1950’s) to experience ghosts

Sandalwood

September 15, 2017April 1, 2014 by Tom Williams

Sandalwood is an allegory that begs the question of the effects of genetic inheritance of sin and violence. Sandalwood creates an eerie atmosphere with a strong performances by Sean Thomas and Anthony Stamillo. This world premiere work is tightly written and demonstrates the craft from Dan Caffrey as a playwright

Salvage

September 12, 2017March 31, 2014 by Margaret Eva

First Folio Theatre presented a very refreshing evening of theatre on opening night with the world premiere of “Salvage.” With only two characters, and a set that never changes, Zettelmaier structures an appealing play on many levels. On the surface, a collectibles shop owner in financial trouble meets a new customer, and sparks seem to fly almost instantly. But on other levels, the play directly and indirectly touches on the psychology of collecting things…the nostalgia…the value.

La Tragedie de Carmen – The Cube Ensemble at The Den

October 22, 2022March 30, 2014 by Tom Williams

Cube Ensemble’s first full music production is a bold 90 minute scaled down adaptation of Georges Bizet’s 1875 La Tragedie de Carmen is an efficient affair featuring music from a stand-up piano that produced a unique sound for an opera. This intimate opera is staged in a minute studio space at the Den in Bucktown. Sung in French without super titles, best to read the “director’s Notes’ in the program to get a feel for the story. I must say that the staging does allow for us to understand both the action and the motivation of the opera.

Depraved New World

September 11, 2017March 29, 2014 by Tom Williams

Based on the premise: “Ever wonder what people are really thinking,?” the cast of skilled comic Equity performers have designed a fast-paced, laugh-a-minute comedy revue that easily grabs us from the start and keeps us belly laughing through. Chelsea Devantez, John Hartman, Mike Kosinski, Tawny Newsome, Emily Walker and Steve Waltien use everything they have, their vocal chops, their physical appearance, or their cute smiles including their ability to play animals to garner laughs.

Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live

May 27, 2014March 27, 2014 by Tom Williams

The creatives for Australia, Erth-Visual & Physical have created and are now touring the world with their Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live. This experiential theatre production is part paleontologist lesson, part puppet show, and part audience appreciation of prehistoric animals. This kid friendly show utilizing video projections, amazing plant props, and live sized dinosaur puppets is narrated and hosted by Australian Aimee Louisanne, a charismatic young woman who has a way with both kids and paleontology.