Theatre Reviews Archives - Page 15 of 229

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley

November 19, 2016 by Tom Williams

We meet the outspoken, studious, and ever-dependable Mary Bennet (the spirited Emily Berman). Miss Bennet is the middle sister who’d rather read a scientific book that socialize. She doesn’t have any of the romantic escapades that her sisters enjoy. That Christmas, Mary meets a nerdy, studious young Lord, Arthur de Bourgh (a fabulous tern by Erik Hellman) who mirrors Mary’s interests and lifestyle. Is de Bourgh only an intellectual match for Miss Bennet or is there love in the air?

King Charles III

September 6, 2017November 17, 2016 by Tom Williams

British playwright Mike Bartlett’s very British comedy-drama, King Charles III, is both a ‘could happen’ future history and a satire of the British monarchy. This compelling play appeals more to the English than to American audience sensibilities. Bartlett imitates Shakespeare’s language with blank verse and rhymed couplets in contemporary words. He finds ways to match his characters as classic Shakespearean players. Written in 2014 before major events in England (and the current US election) King Charles III opens with the death of Queen Elizabeth II after a more than 60 year reign.

Les Troyens (The Trojans)

September 15, 2017November 15, 2016 by Tom Williams

Many opera companies considered Hector Berlioz ‘s (1803-1869) Les Troyens epic musical drama too difficult and to expensive to produce as it contained a cast of 22 singers, a large chorus (here 94 members), with two ballets, a large orchestra and an ambitious set with several locations. Berlioz never was able to mount a complete 5-act version of his opera in his lifetime. Even today, the requirements by solo and duet vocalists, , conductors, choruses, orchestras, instrumentalists, stage directors, lighting, projection and set designers make Les Troyens simply too difficult to mount. Kudos to the creatives at the Lyric Opera of Chicago to have the determination and vision to mount Berlioz’s masterpiece. This is a rarely mounted and extremely creative opera that needs to be experienced.

Crazy For You -Drury Lane Theatre

November 11, 2016 by Tom Williams

Crazy for You is a modern take on the classical Broadway format that weaves many of the greatest songs of the 2oth Century by the Gershwin’s with outrageous humor, excellent singing and spectacular tap dancing. Crowle’s ensemble worked hard in respecting the material. Crazy for You is a ‘must see’ musical. The sheer joy of this family friendly entertainment will have you saying: “Who could ask for anything more?” This production of Crazy for You reminds me why I love musicals. Crazy For You demonstrates the magic of Gershwin tunes as well the joys of old fashion musical comedy. It is extremely family entertainment for the holidays.

End of the Rainbow

October 22, 2022November 9, 2016 by Tom Williams

End of the Rainbow is painful to watch as one of my all-time favorites is presented in a most self-destructive yet honest portrayal. I can’t remember seeing a more complete wide-ranging performance than Angela Ingersoll’s Judy Garland. We both feel sad at what happened to her yet we enjoy her magical stage presence and her amazing contralto voice. This bittersweet show is a must see on several levels. As we see the demise of a star, we see the emergence of another star. Angela Ingersoll performance in this tough role will launch a new phase in her career.

The Little Flower of East Orange

October 23, 2022November 8, 2016 by Tom Williams

We meet Therese Marie in the ICU suffering from amnesia, chronic pain as see doesn’t know her name; the morphine drip is her salvation. Dotted over her are a flamboyant nurse, a charismatic orderly and a colorless doctor. All give this “little flower” effective care and needed attention.

But sparks fly when the author, hard drinking and druggy son, Danny (the fabulous John Henry Roberts in a role played on Broadway by Michael Shannon) visits his mother in the hospital. The attempts of reconciliation and redemption dredge up family past problems from both mother’s and son’s life. We experience the vulnerable of Theresa Marie, we learn about her bringing up and all the trauma she has endured. We also see the source of her battles with Danny and the attempts by sister Justina (Jess Maynard) to move mother into a nursing home believing that Danny is incapable of giving Theresa Marie the care she needs.

Rutherford’s Travels

November 8, 2016 by August Lysy

In the spirit of its newly rebranded mission to produce “boldly imaginative theatre” and “illuminate the human journey,” Pegasus Theatre opened this weekend Rutherford’s Travels, its World Premiere adaptation of Charles Johnson’s National Book Award-Winning Novel Middle Passage. A story about a newly freed slave who accidentally happens upon a slave ship bound for Africa, Rutherford’s Travels is an entertaining adventure and an impressive feat of adaptation.

First Lady Suite

November 7, 2016 by August Lysy

Overall, I found none of the stories compelling dramatically: I don’t understand what LaChiusa is trying to say here by dramatizing these particular stories. Perhaps something about how women have made a difference even in their historically secondary roles, but LaChiusa’s script doesn’t make an entertaining or intellectually stimulating enough case for me to care. Nevertheless, the show’s saving grace is its music and its style: some nice melodies and fine singing (particularly in chorus), and elegant costume and lighting design, by Alexa Weinzierl and Maya Michele Fein, respectively. If that’s enough to get your vote, cast your ballot there.

Fun Home- 2016 National Tour

November 4, 2016 by Tom Williams

Fun Home, now playing in a two week run at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago, is a curious Broadway musical on many levels. Ultimately, Fun Home carries a powerful emotional impact as the entire show works much better than any of its parts. I was enchanted mainly by Jeanine Tesori’s ( Caroline, or Change, Shrek The Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Violet) hauntingly varied score. This memory musical is based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel – Fun Home. It won Tony’s for Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score in 2015.

Singin’ In The Rain

November 6, 2016November 3, 2016 by Tom Williams

Sing’ In The Rain is a musical fable filled with rich humor, exaggerated film satire, and, of course, explosive tap numbers that bring goose-bums to tap lovers (like me). This classic film musical works nicely on stage. Young audiences will see a Golden Age musical comedies in its pure form. Who doesn’t love a tap show?