The two hour plus history is lively, humorous ,and at times, dramatically impacted. Seldom to you see as finer ensemble performing Shakespeare as found in this worthy production. Nick Lake leads the way and John Arthur Lewis guides us through the intricate goings on as Henry V proves his leadership ability while also capturing a French bride. Promethean Theatre Ensemble’s Henry V is sure worth a look.
Read MoreJeff and Hunter are two struggling writers who decide to write about their problem trying to find something to write about. They also add the foibles of their two theatre oriented female friends. The show features the tone of how folks actually talk -hence – the use of several f-bombs. This much too self-aware show uses ‘talk-songs’ – think William Finn as his Falsettos. Those atonal talk-songs are trying to emphasize the mundane with familiar vernacular speech
Read MoreConroy uses interlocking story lines and smartly constructed flashbacks to humanize the issue and effects of corruption and coverup on all players. Who is responsible and how is justice corrupted by use of torture is vividly depicted. All side of the issue are explored including references to the guilt or innocence of Otha and other torture victims
Read MoreWriters’ Theatre creative prowess and strong attention to production values gives their production of A Little Night Music the elegance and presence that exudes enough charm to warm the soul. Writers’ A Little Night Music is a major tour de force not only for Jonathan Weir but for the production itself. This may be the finest production of Sondheim’s chamber operetta yet to be mounted on a Chicago stage! This gorgeous work begs to be seen. You’ll not hear finer singing anywhere.
Read MoreRecast with Chicago-natives, Freud’s Last Session has been extended by popular demand to July 15. It’s well deserving of its popularity with its riveting look at two great intellects of the 20th century giving a lesson in impassioned discourse to the 21st.
Read MoreFrom Peggy Roeder’s Edith Bunker-esque turn as the mother, to Craig Spidle’s copacetic father to Joe Foust’s flamboyant loser son to Erin Noel Grennan’s liberated woman persona to Kevin McKillip’s saintly priest – we empathize with the foibles of this honestly presentation of the ‘average’ middle class American family
Read MoreBefore he wrote RENT, Jonathan Larson wrote and performed tick, tick…BOOM! as an autobiographical look at his dream of leaving his mark on musical theatre. Some would argue that tick, tick, BOOM! is Larson’s best work even though RENT is his most well known rock opera. I have always liked tic, tic…BOOM! better than RENT mainly because it is structured more like a traditional Broadway musical.
Read MoreThis delightful play about dying, yes I said dying, really speaks most about living. After all, why would anyone want to see a play about someone’s last days? Morrie Schwartz is in his final months, but the dialogue between him and Mitch Albom certainly creates a play worth our time. The comedy lightens the seriousness of the subject and balances the more poignant ideas about life. Based on a true story published in 1997 authored by Mitch Albom, the script shouts authenticity.
Read MoreAfter a promising start, Her Naked Skin becomes a slowly paced personal story revolving around Douglas and Cain. We don’t see enough of what happens to the Suffragette Movement as England gets into the Great War. We see that eventually Eve and Celia separate, that Celia never resolves her marriage problems, but we never know what happens to the women’s Movement? We are never told that the Suffragettes did actually stop their actions to be patriotic Brits during the war and that the women won their rights in 1918.
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