So be warned, this Into The Woods is substantially reinvented in that it features loads of campy humor (much more than the original) and it has most of the players playing multiple roles including many playing the same role at different times. Also, note for some strange reason. director Geoff Button cast players who are extremely vocally challenged- many of them can only sing off key or mumble through their songs sounding like chip monks.
Read MorePlayboy is a look into the lower class rural Irish life filled with repressed sexuality, boredom and narrow-mindedness. One of the major indictments Synge makes of the rural Irish is their love for violence and their need for alcohol. The stage combat is thrilling and quite funny..
I was particularly impressed with several performances: Sam Hubbard’s Christy was charismatic and slick while Jen short’s Pegeen Mike was the strong Irish woman and Graham Emmons’ Shawn Keogh was the funny coward afraid of everyone. But Lawrence Garner’s scary yet hilarious Old Mahon topped them all!
Read MoreBlack Ensemble Theater, under the hyper leadership of Jackie Taylor have re-mounted their Chicago’s Golden Soul (A 60’s Revue) now playing in repertory with The Story of Curtis Mayfield. Golden Soul contains a rich assortment of Chicago style soul featureing the music of jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield, Gene Chandler, Major Lance, The Impressions, Betty Everett, Barbara Aklin, Etta James and the Chi Lites.
Read MoreShakespeare final full play,The Tempest is now running at City Lit with a talented and dedicated group of actors who articulate The Bard’s poetic language with verve and aplomb. Filled with terrific period costumes including vivid threads for the Spirits, director Sheldon Patinkin’s deftly staged and superbly cast with non-Equity players who garner all the humor and zaniness of the work.
Read MoreLiterature from Interrobang Theatre Project states that the theatre “…poses muscular questions. Navigating through the dark together with our audience we attempt to arrive at new understandings and fresh perspectives of who we are and the world in which we live.” I did not walk away with a fresh perspective, but that is not to say that others might. Symbolism abounds in The Pitchfork Disney , but the long journey through it with only a slight redemption at the end may only be worthwhile for a few.
Read MoreThe characters act out the struggles of these small town folks as their discontent with the boredom and isolation of rural plains life renders them restless souls. High school teacher Tom Guthrie (Joseph Stearns) must raise tow boys alone since his wife leaves him after suffering depression. Guthrie also has conflicts with an unruly student, Russell Beckman (Rudy Galvan) without much help from his principal.
We also see how the two boys, Ike Guthrie (Cale Manning) and Bobbie Guthrie (Jack Edwards) cope with the loss of their mother by helping a lonely old lady.
Read MoreWe see several sides of Raskolnikov including his disdain for money as he gives all the cash he has to aid a woman who has just lost her father. Raskolnikov is a troubled, psychologically flawed man whose moral outrage becomes confused with his views of the capability of the ‘chosen ones’ to resort to murder to further social change.
Read MoreThese women have a mysterious past relationship that causes much debate about their theories regarding sex, evolution, feminism, generational divides and the status of female scientists. This is a smartly written work with biting sarcasm, intelligent ideas and deeply human observations on generational thoughts.
Read MoreAt The Museum of Contemporary Photography Archeology in a broken city and relics of animosity. Failed seems like a harsh
Read MoreIn the black box theatre, the play has been skillfully produced on the minimal set, with quick clever costume and character changes on stage. The cast preformed phenomenally, keeping a distinct energy in each of their characters through all of their character changes. The lead Aila Peck (Joan) brings an incredible emotion and intensity to the role, convincing you that she is the pure selfless heroin diligently performing her mission from god.
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