Tom Williams

The story tries to do too much (again an outside director would have argued for massive cuts). Despite these major flaws and the poor British accents and the over-acting by the quirky British cousins, there is a worthy play lurking here.

The Drowsy Chaperone was first “great” Broadway musicals of the 21st Century! Under Marc Robin’s slick staging and expert choreography, with his brilliant cast – lead by James Harms as the Man in Chair, with the fabulous Tyler Hanes and Tari Kelly – Marriott Theatre’s in-the-round stage enhanced the intimacy and charm of the musical. Robin’s production exceeded the National Tour (which I also adored.) This is one of the finest shows Marriott Theatre has produced in the last few years.

Based on the highly theatrical and over staged production by director James Palmer, The Love of the Nighingale plays out as a confusing, manic work cluttered with pointless performance art movement and faux ballet. The works creeps along at such a slow pace that the 105 minute worked seem 5 hours long.

David Harrower’s translation of Bertolt Brecht’s 1943 parable, The Good Soul of Szechuan is a gritty work featuring crude humor and references to heroin sales and the low qualities of the human condition. Director Shade Murray and his cast of 18 players utilize Brecht’s epic theatre techniques that features pop/rock songs as actors play several roles, use bare staging with actors changing on stage.

Among the singers, Emilie Lynn’s strong vocals were a delight. Pascale M. Trouillot belted her songs to perfection. The ensemble work here was pleasing as this cute musical easily won the audience.

Wechsler’s initial production is the world premiere of Penny Penniston’s Spin – a whirlwind contemporary farce set in the world of multimedia advertising. Spin is intelligent, witty with biting satire and funny moments complete with sharp one-liners and retorts.

It is a clever show utilizing household cleaning items, Luke Cresswell, a self-taught percussionist, and Steve McNicholas, a British actor, spent years developing Stomp. Once complete, Stomp quickly became a world-wide sensation.

Local Chicago favorites, Bernie Yvon and Heidi Kettenring deftly present this sweet, charming and honest musical look at the cycles of marriage. Filled with a clever lyrics by Tom Jones upon Harvey Schmidt’s varied music, I do! I do! is fine entertainment.