Theatre reviews

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Tom Williams

A Small Fire

We are introduced to Emily Bridges, played powerfully by Melissa Riemer, who is talking shop with her construction company’s number two (and close friend), Billy Fontaine (James Allen). She is coarse, rough, yet commanding and endearing. We then meet her husband, John Bridges (played by successful playwright turned actor Robert Koon.) He is a compassionate counterpart to her forward take-charge demeanor. We also meet their daughter, Jenny (Julia Siple). To her mother’s protest as to her choice of a mate, Jenny is planning her wedding. Tension looms about, mostly from the daughter. This family is financially family sound, but with relationship issues nonetheless.

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Tom Williams

Emerson String Quartet at Ravinia Festival

The venerable Emerson String Quartet opened their Monday-night program at Ravinia with what is arguably the greatest piece for string-quartet by the greatest master of the genre. Op. 131 is part of the series of five quartets that together represent Beethoven’s last major achievement – he was dead within a year of its 1826 completion. Composed in seven movements instead of the usual four, it is perhaps the most ambitious attempt to create a string quartet of symphonic sweep, and the result is at once dazzling and overwhelming: by turns melancholy, mischievous, serene, and tragic. If one can follow the many diverse threads brought together over the course of these seven movements, it is an experience not quite like any other.

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MUST SEEREVIEWSREVIEWS BYTheatre ReviewsTom Williams
Tom Williams

Brigadoon at the Goodman Theatre

Until Rachel Rockwell and the creatives at the Goodman Theatre have put their considerable skills and assists in use has there been a major remount and revised production of Brigadoon. This 1947 Broadway musical and a hit 1954 film with Gene Kelly, with fabulous Scottish influenced music by Frederick Loewe, upon the lush lyrics and fine book by Alan Jay Lerner, has emerged into a tuneful evening of magical musical theatre! This sweetly charming ethnic fable contains wonderful dances and several exquisite romantic ballads but the sheer charm and wholesomeness of the morality indeed get us to believe that anything is possible if you love hard enough. There is much to love in this fabulous production.

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REVIEWSREVIEWS BYTheatre ReviewsTom Williams
Tom Williams

Annapurna

We meet Ulysses (Darrell W. Cox), a dirty middle aged man who appears to have given up on life as he struggles to survive. He stopped bathing and he only wears an apron around the house. He eats spoiled meat, breathes with the aid of an oxygen machine. He appears to be dying. Katie-Bell Springmann’s set design sure sets up the tone for this drama.

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Tom Williams

The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee at Drury Lane Theatre

On the surface “The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee” appears to be a simple situation with a familiar setting, amusing songs, and many laughs; but before the intermission, you realize much more evolves. This show is about the challenges of adolescence interwoven with the personality of each character. All are academic over achievers with six different personalities. “…The Bee” shows heartfelt back stories of these main characters, eventually leading to their personal triumphs and their center stage songs

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REVIEWSREVIEWS BYTheatre ReviewsTom Williams
Tom Williams

Partners

Partners by Dorothy Fortenberry tackles adult partnerships as it involves complex relationships. Four friends in Brooklyn share many common interests. Clare (Lauren Pizzi) is a gourmet chef just out of culinary school who photographs food for advertising agencies. Her best friend and potential business partner, Ezra (Wil Von Vogt) is a gay man who strives to “make it’ by creating a mobile Mexican-styled food truck with Clare. Clare is determined to have Ezra and Brady (Blake Russell) get married. She wants that more than Ezra and Brady. Meanwhile, Paul (Brian E. Crawford) is the supportive yet subtly domineering husband to Clare.

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REVIEWSREVIEWS BYTheatre ReviewsTom Williams
Tom Williams

The Late Henry Moss

we meet Henry Moss (terrific work by Fran Nail) in various states – as a dead man, as a spry drunken soul, and in various states seen from his son’s memories. We see that Moss was a booze-riddled broken man whose violent ways broke up his family and ultimate led him to the New Mexico desert where despite being cared for by a neighborly man, Estaban (Arvin Jalandoon) and his lover Conchalla (Yadira Correa), a Mexican woman shaman, Moss drinks himself to death.

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REVIEWSREVIEWS BYTheatre ReviewsTom Williams
Tom Williams

Apes of Wrath at the Second City e.t.c.

The formula has been proved over the years as how to mount a comic revue: find six talented and creative performers, give them a theme, then get out of their way and let them develop a funny skit-based comic revue. This 38th revue uses the formula to keep the laughs flowing for nearly 2 hours while we imbibe a drink and consume some tastes. The Second City, over the years, has offered a terrific value night out for couples and groups seeking escapist entertainment. The latest Second City show delivers the new revue. “Apes of Wrath” showcasing several new comic talents.

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