Theatre Reviews

While the story could use a trimming of about 10 minutes, the 65 minute shows moves from political satire to an exhibition of middle aged and plus sized naked folks parading on stage completely having fun with their bodies…The Living Canvas folks produce performance art pieces featuring a cast of nude performers dancing and creating expressive movements naked but shadowed by a series of video projections to the tune of techno-pop music.

I’m not sure why Karen Zacarias’ play about Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz (1649-1695) – The Sins of Sor Juana had to include silly, raw humor and buffoon-like characters? The contradictory tones and the confusing flashbacks deleted from the story of the famous Mexican the writer, scholar, poet, feminist, nun and revolutionary – Sor Juana

Joe Plummer’s light motif to fuel 18 haunting blues tunes revolves around the story of Theresa’s Lounge that existed in Chicago’s South Side from 1954 to 1983. Theresa’s Lounge was a small basement blues club that showcases legends like Junior Wells and Buddy Guy

The short scenes are totally gay oriented that features nudity and explicit sexual encounters. Humor, poignant, sometime dramatic and provocative scenes depict the adventures of horny gay men. Gay men seem to love this show that sure makes gays look like sexually aggressives.

Redtwist Theatre’s re-conceived and re-staged production of their 2007 hit production of Equus, features a three quarter thrust stage, new background music and many new players. The result is a different experience as this Equus is dominated by the wonderful fully truthful work by Brian Parry who gives Dr. Martin Dysart a most hauntingly compelling turn

Steel Magnolias, by Robert Harling, is a remarkable play in many ways – particularly because it has such a tender women’s point of view despite being written by a man. Steel Magnolias is part comedy of manners, part heartfelt tearjerker, featuring non-stop witty banter. Basically, a friendship comic drama, Steel Magnolias tugs at the heart while making us laugh.

Mary-Arrchie Theatre and David Cromer and an experimental play are an explosive mixture destined to evoke strong reactions. With a cast of 49 (yes, 49!), set designer Andre LaSalle had to dismantle the basic layout of Angel Island turning it into a shabby apartment rectangle setting with audience on all four sides.

After hundreds of performances and several remounts, David Catlin’s Lookingglass Alice still thrills audiences with its whimsy, humor, and heart. Trimmed to a tight 90 minutes without an intermission, Lauren Hirte continues her amazing performance as Alice. The show remains as fresh and vibrant as the 2005 original.

This engagingly funny and poignant work is a refreshing traditional Irish comedy. It is a tightly written and polished work by Jim Lynch that reflects the sharp eye of director John Mossman and the efforts of the creative folks at The Artistic Home who have invested two years assisting Lynch in the play’s development. The result is a most entertaining and sophisticated work about the raw rural poor inhabitants of the West of Ireland