Theatre reviews

Tom Williams

REVIEWSREVIEWS BYTheatre ReviewsTom Williams
Tom Williams

The 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

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Tom Williams

Die Fledermaus (The Bat)

Act two features the fabulous party at Orlofsky’s villa. This wonderful visual, tuneful and rhythmic act features much comedy. In one of them most memorable acts in the operetta cannon, the toe-tapping Strauss score comes alive featuring the impressive folk-infused dances that range from Austrian/German to Hungarian to manic Russian folk dances to augment the lush Viennese waltzes. The choreography is breathtaking! (choreography by Daniel Pelzig). The highlight of this fabulous act is the celebratory champagne toast. The costumes in this production standout as much as the music and the rich vocals.

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REVIEWSREVIEWS BYTheatre ReviewsTom Williams
Tom Williams

autobahn

Neil LaBute is like a bitter herbal tea, it (and he) is an acquired taste. I generally like and admire his plays. he sure has a glowing in Chicago due to the numerous productions of his work at Profiles Theatre. LaBute’s autobahn was produced there in 2006 and it played as a series of dark comic vignettes. The fledgling Awkward Pause Theatre’s production of autobahn, now playing at The Den, is devoid of much of the dark humor. Rather this play-cycle is composed of seven two character skits.

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Tom Williams

The Merry Wives of Windsor

This delightful comedy brings us the lovable rogue—Sir John Falstaff—played hilariously by Scott Jaeck together with many terrific veteran Chicago actors such as Don Forston (Sir Hugh Evans), James Harms (Justice Shallow), Kevin Gudahl (Master Page), Ross Lehman (Master Ford), Greg Vinkler (Dr. Caius), William Dick (Host of the Garter Inn). In several funny scenes, we witness these splendid Thespians running about like the Keystone Cops in a silent movie! Steven Sutcliffe’s Slender was a particularly funny character marvelously played.

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Tom Williams

An Inspector Calls

So, on one level An Inspector Calls is a drawing room drama turned mystery a la Agatha Christie with a twist. Priestley has structured a clever mystery that seems to be ‘solved’ but on another level Priestley has another agenda weaved into his mystery. He uses individual guilt and personal accountability to highlight his social justice demands. Combining a smartly constructed mystery into a call for personal and social change reminds me of how Dickens, Shaw and Ibsen used drama to stir audiences.

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REVIEWSREVIEWS BYTheatre ReviewsTom Williams
Tom Williams

Elemeno Pea

Playwright Molly Smith Metzler seems to be writing an attack on the rich class Americans in her strange new work Elemeno Pea. It starts as a dark comedy about the obnoxious rich that explodes into a dark tale of psychological abuse. Strange. This show is filled with characters that are not remotely empathetic. We dislike all of them and we hate most of them but don’t care about any of them. That presents a problem for a play.

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Tom Williams

Burning Bluebeard

Burning Bluebeard is inspired by the true story of the 1903 Iroquois Theatre fire that in 15 minutes killed over 600 audience member and one cast member. This fantastical tale finds six singed clown performers at the burnt remains of the theatre (set design by Dan Broberg). They are attempting to perform their spectacular Christmas Pantomine once and for all. They hope to reach the happy ending of their second act that wasn’t possible due to the fire.

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REVIEWS BYTheatre ReviewsTom Williams
Tom Williams

We Three Lizas

… three versions of Liza Minnelli fuel Conrad Ticklebottom’s (Scott Duff) redemption or make-over as we see his story unfold that would make Ebenezer Scrooge cringe. Gone are the days when Conrad’s purple box ignited a fashion movement. With the help of the three witches from Macbeth and the three Lizas, Conrad’s story teaches us that we need “Christmas Every Day” and literally we should “Give It A Christmas Goose” as the ideal way to celebrate the holidays.

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Tom Williams

Once Upon A People: A Dancesical

This show is an ode to the dignity and joy of traditional African living now spoiled by modernity. The music is intoxicating, the dancing sparkles and the mood and atmosphere exudes humanity and the spirit of community. Rueban D. Echoles has a splendid, toe-tapping joyous operetta that begs for an audience. Kudos for Black Ensemble for taking a risk with this original yet traditional “dancesical” that plays out also as a song fest and an ethnic African folk concert. Once Upon A People is a slick, well-staged fairytale with loads of heart. It touches us deeply with its positive message and wonderful spirit. It is one of the finest show yet produced by the Black Ensemble! Don’t miss it!

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