Tom Williams

The Abduction From the Seraglio

by

Mozart’s 1782 comic opera, The Abduction from the Seraglio, highlights his genius with his fresh spirited score that contains local color from Turkish music containing cymbals, bass drums and the like.From beautiful arias to up-tempo marches and stirring anthems, Mozart’s opera moves from comic delight to deep emotions.
This romantic adventure deals with Konstanze (Erin Wall) a beautiful and spirited Spanish noble woman captured by Turkish pirates. Together with her feisty maid, Blonde (a last minute triumph debut by Angela Mannino), they end up in the harem of Pasha Selim (David Steiger) overseen by Osmin (Andrea Silvestrelli). Of course, the ladies’ trueloves—Belmonte (Matthew Polenzani) and Pedrillo (Steve Davislim) launch a plan to rescue their loves.

Evita Presented By Theo Ubique

by

Leave it to director Fred Anzevino and the creative staff at Theo Ubique for boldly mounting Evita on their miniscule stage in the No Exit Café. They have perfected their trademark “cabaret theatre” style taking storefront musical theatre up a notch or two. They have successfully mounted a most articulate and musically sound version of Webber & Rice’s pop opera, Evita. I heard and understood every word and I enjoyed Brenda Didier’s smartly stylish choreography.

Barleby the Scrivener

by

Bartleby the Scrivener Adapted from Herman Melville By R. L. Lane Directed by Richard Cotovsky Produced by Mary-Arrchie Theatre Kudos to Mary-ArrchieTheatre and director Richard Cotovsky for producing Bartleby the Scrivener. This simple allegorical drama is deep in meaning as we struggle to discover who the enigmatic Bartleby is and why he reacts as he … Read more

Art

by

Art, written my a French female, Yasmina Reza, deals with the reaction of three supposed friends to a painting purchased by one of them for a large sum. Art, of course, tests the depth and validity of the friendship between the three men. Serge (John Procaccino) is a self-proclaimed expert in modern art.

“I Gotcha” The Story of Joe Tex

by

Black Ensemble Theater’s Season of Men continues with “I Gotcha” (The Story of Joe Tex and the Soul Clan). Written by Joe Plummer and David Barr III, “I Gotcha” uses the basic Black Ensemble formula: blending tidbits of biographical information with a character sketch of the principal person to that person’s music and those he/she associated with.

Don’t Dress for Dinner

by

The British Stage Company and producer Damian Arnold have mounted one of the funniest sex farces to arrive in Chicago (at the Royal George Theatre) for sometime, Don’t Dress for Dinner. This wildly funny show is a treat for these bluesy holiday times.

Jersey Boys

by

The story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Book by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice Music by Bob Gaudio Lyrics by Bob Crewe Directed by Des McAnuff Slick production and strong book and 33 hit songs propel Jersey Boys Not since Mama Mia has a jukebox musical exploded like Jersey Boys. With seat down … Read more

Upstaged: Making Theatre in the Media Age

by

Evanston resident and Yale law graduate, Anne Nicholson Weber has sought answers concerning the effects of film and TV on theatre. She has interviewed 24 theatre/film/TV experts allowing them to express in their own words: “How can theatre thrive in a culture dominated by film and television?”

25 Musicals Worth Rediscovering: An American Theatre List

by

Editor’s note: Tom Williams originally published this Chicago Critic list in 2002. Musical-theatre reputations and revival histories have changed considerably since then, so several titles once described as overlooked are now firmly established classics. We’ve cleaned up the original archive, corrected creator credits and added brief context while preserving Tom’s 25 selections. Some of these … Read more

Explore

Discover

© 2026 ChicagoCritic.com