By Denis O’Hare and Lisa Peterson Directed by Lisa Peterson Produced by Court Theatre Story of the Bible Makes Strong Production, Needs Revisions Court Theatre’s world premiere production of The Good Book is a musically transfixing examination of the Bible’s history and impact on present day Americans, but naturally will need some revisions before its … Read more
By Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron Based on the book by Ilene Beckerman Directed by Rachel Lambert A Multitude of Memories “Love, Loss, and What I Wore” offers an extremely vast array of topics, each triggered by an article of clothing from the characters’ past. It runs the gamut from silly little comments to a … Read more
By Will Eno Directed by Marti Lyons Produced by Lookingglass Theatre, Chicago Man Meditates on Grief and Limitations Title and Deed is a one-man show in which the character’s monologue only vaguely recounts a story. Instead, the Traveler, as he is called, treats us to a dissection of his losses, regrets, and sense of alienation … Read more
By David Hirson Directed by Kay Martinovich Produced by Trap Door Theatre Loquacious Virtuosity on Display La Bête—the beast—is a play about the clash between high and low art. It imagines a conflict between Moliere, here called Elomire, and an amazingly obnoxious street clown. Playwright David Hirson’s choice of that author as his hero is … Read more
By Douglas Maxwell Directed by Carlo Lorenzo Garcia Produced by Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co. Terrific writing blends fantasies with coming of age angst Marry-Arrchie re-mounts their 2008 production of Scottish playwright Douglas Maxwell’s Our Bad Magnet with three of four cast members returning to their original roles and Lane Flores taking on the role of Giggles. … Read more
By Lanford Wilson Directed by Jonathan Berry Produced by Griffin Theatre Company At The Den Theatre, Chicago Wilson’s Vision Comes to Life Lanford Wilson’s 1965 play Balm in Gilead has won a place in theatrical history, and has some particular connotations in Chicago. But however skilled Steppenwolf’s production was, it was years before I and … Read more
By Deborah Zoe Laufer Directed by Henry Godinez At the Windy City Playhouse, Chicago It’s the end of the world…Maybe Upon entering the new Equity-based Windy City Playhouse at 3014 W. Irving Park, Chicago, one can’t be other than impressed with the size and opulence of this space. The lobby has comfortable couches and chairs, … Read more
Adapted by James E. Grote From the Book by Katherine Applegate Directed by Dorothy Milne Produced by Lifeline Theatre Ivan Gets Children Thinking Katherine Applegate has been a beloved children’s author long enough now for people who developed a love for reading through Animorphs and Everworld, two series she co-authored with her husband Michael Grant, … Read more
A Musical by Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schonberg Based on the Victor Hugo novel Music by Claude-Michel Schonberg Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer Directed and Musical Staging by Jim Corti Musical Direction by Tom Vendafreddo At Paramount Theatre “To have loved another person is to see the face of God.” –Victor Hugo from Les Miserables Yet … Read more
By John Patrick Shanley Directed by BJ Jones Produced by Northlight Theatre Shanleys Find Love at Northlight John Patrick Shanley has won acclaim for character studies in plays like Doubt: A Parable and Defiance. For his latest play, now playing in the Midwest for the first time at Northlight, Shanley drew sketches of his own … Read more