A Shakespearean translation by Ben Tallen, Aaron Greer, Brian Watson-Jones, and the members of the Pulp Bard Wiki. Directed by Christopher Kidder-Mostrom Produced by Commedia Beauregard At City Lit Theater, Chicago Horrible enunciation together with fake accents marred spoof of cult film and Shakespeare I must remember to read a press release more closely. upon … Read more
By Alistair McDowall Directed by Robin Witt At Steep Theatre, Chicago “Brilliant” is sure an appropriate title word to describe an outstanding USA premiere of a British play. Over the last few years, Steep Theatre has found several terrific new British plays, mostly from young up-and-coming writers. Their latest discovery, Brilliant Adventures by Alistar Mcdowall, … Read more
Book by Harvey Fierstein Music by Cindi Lauper Directed and Choreographed by Jerry Mitchell Produced by Broadway in Chicago Light Fun from a Strong Production When Kinky Boots debuted at Broadway in Chicago in 2012, many reviewers were of the opinion that it was competently staged and sung, but derivative. Now that it has returned … Read more
The Chicago Musical Theatre Festival, now in its second year, is a new-works festival produced by Underscore Theatre company. We created CMTF for one reason: there’s a wealth of musical theatre creators and performers in Chicago, but the high risks of producing new musicals means that few companies are willing to take a chance, especially … Read more
By Martin Sherman Directed by Keira Fromm Produced by Other Theatre Company At Strawdog Theatre, Chicago The Other Theatre Company is a new Equity company that specializes in people who have been “othered” by society. After starting their inaugural season, which is dedicated to using the stories of the past to illuminate the present, with … Read more
Adapted and Directed by Sean Graney Produced by The Hypocrites, Chicago Tribute to the Ancient World Earns Its “Epic” The Hypocrites artistic director Sean Graney’s attempt to replicate an ancient Dionysia festival attracted lots of positive attention last fall. In case you missed it, or want to go again, now is your chance, because The … Read more
By Elaine Romero Directed by Henry Godinez Produced by Chicago Dramatists in association with Goodman Theatre Bizarre Play Represents Grief as Obsession Elaine Romero’s America at War trilogy is a collaboration between several theatres. The first part, Graveyard of Empires, debuted at 16th Street Theatre earlier this year, and now the second part, A Work … Read more
By Christopher Durang Directed by Steve Scott At the Goodman Theatre, Chicago Offbeat sitcom-styled comedy long on Chekhovian parody yet short on witty humor I must confess that I’m not a strong fan of Christopher Durang’s irreverent humor. And, let me add, that I’m tired of Chekhov parodies. Despite a terrific cast, Vanya And Sonia … Read more
By Guillermo Reyes Directed by Sandra Marquez Produced by Pride Films and Plays A Campy Chronicle of Gay Latinos in Recent Years The recent Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage throughout the country is a massive victory for activists who have struggled their whole lives so LGBT people can have justice. At this historic moment, … Read more
By Peter Handke Translated by Michael Roloff and Scott Abbott Directed by Zeljko Djukic Produced by Theatre-Y European Eroticism as a Dramatic Happening Part of the pleasure of Chicago theatre is the global menagerie of artistic influences that mingle here. Among many others, Eastern and Central Europe are represented by TUTA, co-founded by Bosnian Serb … Read more