12 Impressive Tap Numbers
One of the most enjoyable treats to come from Broadsword musicals and film musicals are tap dancing. Here are my
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Best Opening Numbers from Broadway
The opening ten minutes of a Broadway Musical are critical. Every great show has a great opening. Even if a
Read MoreTop Plays of 2013
Here are my picks for the Top Ten Plays in Chicago in 2013
Tom Williams
The Guys
I never knew how Roy spent the holidays until I needed to borrow his copy of the Gershwin musical, Crazy For You. Roy had a vast collection of theatre memorabilia and I always found him to be the source. I promised my nephew that we would watch the musical so he could be introduced to the wonders of Gershwin music. It was noon on Christmas Eve, snow was falling faster than the plows could remove it. I needed that tape. A promise is a promise.
Read MoreAnnie Get Your Gun
It is so refreshing to experience classical Browadway musicals mounted like the originals. With all the original Robert Russell Bennett’s orchestrations played by a 30 person orchestra, Annie Get Your Gun, now a holiday treat at Cahn Auditorium in Evanston produced by Light Opera Works, is a marvelous musical containing one of Broadways’ most memorable scores
Read MoreTribes
That decision wears thin on Billy over the years since tones, nuance and timber escape him during the often tremulous family spats. Billy is the only family member who truly listens. He never feels a complete member of the family. That world is challenged when Billy meets Sylvia (Alana Arenas) who is a child of deaf parents and one whose hearing is quickly fading. Billy instantly falls in love with Sylvia who introduces her the the larger Deaf community. Billy learns to sign after prodding from Sylvia.. This exposure sparks a struggle for self-identity for Billy. He realizes that their is a larger world available to him through signing and the Deaf community.
Read MoreSherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Goose
Once the Holme’s method of crime solving gets going there is no stopping that process. Beside the goose caper, once Holmes discovers that said goose had a large blue carbuncle jewel belonging to the Countess of Morcar, they mystery is “on.” With the help of the game cast of players and foley artists with sprinkles of Christmas songs, the case is a fun dash of Christmas intrigue.
Read MoreThe Little Prince
Ian Barford is terrific as the perplexed stranded Aviator who learns to rekindle his creative instincts through his interactions with The Little Prince. Amelia Hefferon, in her first professional acting debut, give a heartfelt, charming performance as the wise yet innocent little prince. The moral lessons here including challenging our perspective as to what is really matters in life are splendidly presented. Passion, honest, and trust abound throughout. Children and adults can enjoy this amazingly pleasing theatrical event together
Read MoreRespect: A Musical Journey of Women
But idea, no matter how brilliant, is nothing without execution, and the four golden-voiced, charismatic and sure-footed singer/dancer/actors — Carol Bordonada, Nicole Kinzel, Sharyn Peoples, and Ziarra Washington — never miss a note, a beat, a step, or timing in their infinitely varied solos, medleys, trios, and quartets. Props are deceptively simple and effective: a quilt, shiny white boots, red boas, all underscoring appropriate lyrics. In addition, two screens emphasize the message with filmed portraits ranging from Betty Boop to Rosa Parks.
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