By and staring Debra Ehrhardt Produced by Hershey Felder Directed by Joe Zwick At the Royal George Theater, Chicago Amazing Immigrant Story Deftly Told If Hershey Felder is involved, you can be assured the show is worthy. In his latest production, Jamaica Farewell, the amazing journey from the political violence of 1980’s Jamaica by the … Read more
Book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer Music by Green Day Lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong Directed by Steven Wilson Musical Direction by Andra Velis Simon Choreography by Katie Spelman Produced by The Hypocrites Playing at The Den Theatre, Chicago The Pride and Agony of Broadway Punk It really sucks to be a rebel … Read more
By Rob Florence Directed by Georgette Verdin Produced by Interrobang Theatre Project At The Den Theatre, Chicago A Feel-Good Docudrama That Captures the Resilient Spirit of Survival Ten years have passed since Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast and devastated New Orleans, and while many of us have been inundated with its coverage—from the … Read more
By N. Richard Nash Directed by Edward Blatchford Produced by American Blues Theater Playing at the Greenhouse, Chicago A Cute Story about Taking Risks for Love American Blues Theater opens its thirtieth season with a production of Richard Nash’s 1954 The Rainmaker which, rather than being cloying, is simply a story with an optimistic outlook. … Read more
An operetta in three acts in English Music by Leo Fall Libretto by Vikto Leon English translation by Hersh Glagov & Gerald Frantzen Produced by Chicago Folks Operetta Directed by Elizabeth Margolius Conducted by Anthony Barrese Choreographer Todd Rhoades At the Madison Street Theatre, Oak Park Stunning, cute operetta well sung and staged with a … Read more
By Rick Elice Based on the Novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson Music by Wayne Barker Directed by William Osetek Musical Direction by Ben Johnson Produced by Drury Lane, Oak Brook Terrace Good Things Come to Those Who Wait Peter and the Starcatcher’s original publicists gave it the tagline “a grown-up’s prequel to Peter … Read more
By Joshua Harmon Directed by Jeremy Wechsler At the Royal George Theatre Bad Jews is Too Funny Life can be funny at times, just as it can be soberly emotional. And sometimes, through the spontaneous confluence of events, it can be both, if not in the same moment then woven together tightly in a turbulent … Read more
By Nicky Silver Directed by Derek Bertelsen Produced by Aston Rep, Chicago Playwright Nicky Silver has a certain style of family-based humor he’s used since his career took off in the early 90s. He writes exaggeratedly vicious people, has them fight, and expects it to be heart-warming and funny. His 2011 play The Lyons is … Read more
By Rob Smith Directed by Tara Branham Produced by lower case theatre, Chicago A Strong Drama from a Highly Motivated Team If you can’t get your script produced, do it yourself. That’s the advice most commonly given to young, aspiring playwrights, but it’s no small feat. While there are a number of fringe festivals around … Read more
By Arthur Miller Directed by Louis Contey Produced by Timeline Theatre Company, Chicago A Lifetime of Self-Deception Unravels In The Wild Duck, Ibsen called it the “life-lie.” In The Iceman Cometh, O’Neill called it a “pipe-dream.” In The Price, Arthur Miller doesn’t have a specific term for the self-deception people practice to convince themselves they’re … Read more