By Charise Castro Smith Directed by Henry Godinez Produced by Goodman Theatre An Elaborate Dark Comedy Thriller of Camp and Circumstance Goodman Theatre opens its 2015/2016 Season in its Owen Theatre this week with Charise Castro Smith’s Feathers and Teeth, a campy dark comedy thriller about a grieving daughter, her father’s bubbly new fiancé, and … Read more
By Ayad Akhtar Directed by Kimberly Senior Produced by Goodman Theatre, Chicago Co-Produced by Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Seattle Repertory Theatre A Multicultural Doll’s House Although the Goodman’s production of Ayad Akhtar’s Disgraced is something of a homecoming, the play having debuted only three years ago at American Theatre Company, the enthusiasm of the audience … Read more
By Roy Williams Directed by Dexter Bullard At Victory Gardens Theater, Chicago Authentic depiction of boxing as a storytelling vehicle punches up an engaging play Set in 1981-88 in Thatcher England, Sucker Punch depicts the relationship of a young black native Brit boxer, Leon (Maurice Demus) and his mentor, Charlie (John Judd), an aging white … Read more
By Bruce Graham Directed by BJ Jones Produced by Northlight Theatre, Skokie The Lives of Absurdists and Vaudevillians Meet Earlier this year, Northlight debuted Bruce Graham’s White Guy on a Bus, a story about revenge, race, and political correctness, which starred Francis Guinan. Less than a year later, the company, managed by Graham’s frequent collaborator … Read more
(An Evening of Vaudeville and sorrow) By Mark Stein Music direction & Lyrics by Harley White, Jr Directed by Michael Menendian At Raven Theatre, Chicago Theatrically endearing play with music and dance ripe as a satirical retelling of a tragic true story. Kudos to Raven Theatre for producing such an adventurous theatrical piece! Mark Stein’s … Read more
By Christina Calvit Adapted from D.E. Stevenson Directed by Dorothy Milne Produced by Lifeline Theatre, Chicago A Satire with a Lot of Heart A feel-good story works best when it’s smart. And Lifeline Theatre has a story that’s both smart and light-hearted in Miss Buncle’s Book, a new play adapted from a 1934 novel by … Read more
By August Wilson Directed by Ron OJ Parson Produced by Court Theatre, Chicago Following Goodman Theatre’s amazing production of Two Trains Running earlier this year, the commemorations on the tenth anniversary of August Wilson’s death continue with an equally outstanding production of his second-to-last play, Gem of the Ocean, by Court Theatre. It features some … Read more
The musical “lovingly ripped off” from the motion picture “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” Book and Lyrics by Eric Idle Music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle Directed by David Perkovich Music Direction by William Underwood Choreographed by Linda Fortunato At The Theatre at the Center, Munster Hilarious Spoof is an Energetic Tribute … Read more
Book and Lyrics by Marshall Pailet, Bryce Norbitz, and Steve Wargo Music by Marshall Pailet Co-directed by Tommy Bullington and Nicholas Reinhart Choreography by Nicholas Reinhart Music Direction by Justin Harner Produced by Circle Theatre At Heartland Studio, Chicago A Frivolous, Dinosaur Romp After 28 years of residing in Forest Park, Circle Theatre inaugurates its … Read more
By William Shakespeare Directed by Aaron Posner and Teller Produced by Chicago Shakespeare Theater An Accessible Tempest for New and Old Fans Chicago Shakespeare prides itself on producing world-class shows on a level that appeals as much to novices as experts. The approaching four hundredth anniversary of Shakespeare’s death and the associated commemorations provide them … Read more