Redtwist Theatre features their top actors- Peter Oyloe (Kjell), Andrew Jessop (Elling) and Brian Parry (Alfons) who are sporting their comedic skills in the winning stage production of the Norwegian film “Elling” deftly adapted by Simon Bent. This is a charming, warm comic drama about two seemingly mentally challenged men who struggle to make it on their own away from a mental institution.
Read MoreThese hapless losers and half-brothers screwed-up a robbery of a drug dealer that resulted in Torch being shot in the hand after he shot one during the sting. 20/20 Mike calls his old running buddy and cell mate- Tony Lee-the tiger (Eric Sherman-Christ) to help them escape NYC. The result is a fast paced, well acted emotionally packed crime drama.
Read MoreViolet unfolds as a chamber operetta that is mostly sung including sung dialogue at times with a curious blending of musical styles that finds a ballad morphing into a blues chant and solo becoming a choral number with most of the cast.
Read MoreNarrated and framed by Southern blues played deftly by Kelvyn Bell (Guitar Man) and sung soulfully by Alexis J. Rogers, Spunk unfolds as a funny yet poignant adaptation (by George C. Wolfe) of three short stories by Zora Neale Hurston – “Sweet,” “Story in Harlem Slang,” and “The Guilded Six-Bits.”
Read MoreWhen they were told that inadvertently they sold their home to a Black family, Russ staunchly refused to listen to the racist rationalizations from Karl (Cliff Chamberlain) a neighborhood organizer bent on keeping the neighborhood white. Act One exposes the white racism clouded by stability issues that shatter the peacefulness of the 1950’s.
Read MoreThe lavish sets, gorgeous score, witty lyrics, fine period costumes and the spirited performances makes Paramount Theatre’s inaugural Broadway musical a high standard affair that instantly gives Paramount credibility. We need a western suburban theatre such as the 1800 seat large proscenium stage Paramount Theatre to succeed so that large-scale classic musical can be offered outside of downtown Chicago with our home-grown talents
Read MoreWe meet through a series of counterpoint monologues, Alma (Deanna K. Reed) – a large-sized dark-skinned Africian-American women thought to be ugly mainly due to dark skin by the Gullah community and her counter-point – Eugene (J. Isreal Greene) a “high-yellow” (light-skinned) Africian-American man who is perceived as higher and more beautiful due to his light skin tone in the Gullah culture.
Read MoreThis 90 minute one-act blends humor, realism and pathos into a moving portrait of love, loss and temptation as we see Melody move from a flake into a strong women. She deals with the hostile demanding Hope (herself dealing with the loss of her husband and now her son) and she conquers advances form Craig’s young assistant Brad (Christian Blackburn). This work is an honest attempt to depict two women as they deal with a tragic situation
Read MoreHall’s script is indeed an in depth theses on the nature of art and the power of individual expression. We come to realize that the meaning of an art piece lies in the eye of the observer and that ultimately there are no rules to art, that technique is easily over shaded by personal expression.
Read MoreAct Two presents a debate as to the problems raising a child in a two female home – especially when Nate/Margot and Leigh (with a commitment from Jacob) decide to “co-parent” between the two couples with visits from Jacob. Darcy uses those obvious problems to sabotage the desired pregnancy of Leigh with Jacob. But she is unaware of changed circumstances that further complicate things. The plot lines here are plausible and probable.
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