Tom Williams

Scott Ferguson and the new Bailiwick Chicago collective of Chicago non-Equity players have reinvented and revived the troubled, over-produced and over-amped Broadway production of the 1998 musical, Aida, with music by Elton John and Lyrics by Tim Rice.

Through a sassy, smart and light-hearted score and witty fun lyrics by Alan Schmuckler, this unique take on Andersen’s tale is a warm expertly directed fun 75 minute Broadway musical. The colorful characters are aided by sophisticated songs that effectively tell the tale.

When Billy Lomax from Georgia, circa 1963, hears the first two tracks from the jug band – That Sordid Little Story – he believes that the band has written his life story in their lyrics. He believes that the band is somehow connected to the father he has never met. Billy’s leaves home on a journey across America’s Bible Belt in the Deep South.

The reggae/calypso music and the large coral singing almost overwhelmed the show. Add the screaming by several singers and the show comes off as trying too hard to please. Lacking charm and warmth, Once On this Island takes too long to win our hearts but the terrific, heartfelt and honest work from Chasten Harmon as Ti Moune saves the show.

While the story could use a trimming of about 10 minutes, the 65 minute shows moves from political satire to an exhibition of middle aged and plus sized naked folks parading on stage completely having fun with their bodies…The Living Canvas folks produce performance art pieces featuring a cast of nude performers dancing and creating expressive movements naked but shadowed by a series of video projections to the tune of techno-pop music.

I’m not sure why Karen Zacarias’ play about Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz (1649-1695) – The Sins of Sor Juana had to include silly, raw humor and buffoon-like characters? The contradictory tones and the confusing flashbacks deleted from the story of the famous Mexican the writer, scholar, poet, feminist, nun and revolutionary – Sor Juana

Joe Plummer’s light motif to fuel 18 haunting blues tunes revolves around the story of Theresa’s Lounge that existed in Chicago’s South Side from 1954 to 1983. Theresa’s Lounge was a small basement blues club that showcases legends like Junior Wells and Buddy Guy

The short scenes are totally gay oriented that features nudity and explicit sexual encounters. Humor, poignant, sometime dramatic and provocative scenes depict the adventures of horny gay men. Gay men seem to love this show that sure makes gays look like sexually aggressives.

Redtwist Theatre’s re-conceived and re-staged production of their 2007 hit production of Equus, features a three quarter thrust stage, new background music and many new players. The result is a different experience as this Equus is dominated by the wonderful fully truthful work by Brian Parry who gives Dr. Martin Dysart a most hauntingly compelling turn