Rudy Hogenmiller, the artistic director at Light Opera Works, returns to the stage after more than a decade, as the Emcee in Kander & Ebb’s ground-braking Cabaret. Hogenmiller’s performance is a tour de force. Welcome back to the stage Rudy!
Read MoreThe creative folks at the American Chamber Opera Company find a way to makes grand opera intimate, understandable without losing any of the charm and fluidity. They find young classically trained singers and musicians that respect the source material thereby enticing their audience to enter the world of opera. Presenting classical operas like Mozart’s The Magic Flute in English adds to that intimacy. They capture the essence of the whimsey, charm and beauty of Mozart’s genius most effectively.
Read MoreDone with loads of pizzazz and loads of heart, Sergio Trujillo’s smart and sift dance musical faithfully depicts the hit film. Filled with several nicely stage and beautifully light dance numbers including “Flashdance-What a Feeling. ” “Maniac,” “Gloria,” “Manhunt,” and “I Love Rock & Roll,” this Equity national tour of Flashdance – The Musical contains enough fabulous dances to be worth seeing.
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Khemiri uses wordplay about the term Abulkasem. It means a beloved quirky Lebanese uncle to a term used as an adverb, noun, verb that has multiple meanings including a term for an Arab terrorist. The clever wordplay here demonstrates how the semantics of Middle Eastern -Muslim types can lead to us Westerners , particularly Americans to fear them.
Read MoreOnly Aaron knows what Katie really wants. As the story unfolds, we see how Aaron reacts and comments on all the family dynamics with complete and ofter perceptive candor. During the fast-paced direction by Scott Weinstein, we witness the awakening of each family member as ultimately the underlying love carries the family through their struggles.
Read MoreIt begs questions that no family wants , but needs to address: how do you stop a violent mind? What should you do when all the warning signs are there that your emotionally troubled and apparently sociopath son may express his internal rage outwardly on society. Can anyone stop him before it is too late? Is his play fiction or does it foretell his plan?
Read MoreBedroom Farce is filled with exaggerated and improbable situations, crazy plots and much hilarious physical comedy. Ayckbourn has created an empathetic group of characters who are manically played by an inspired cast Wordplay, clever physical movements, absurdity, and extremely over-played characterizations mark this entertaining farce.
Read MoreOver the 90 minute one act played out in one week , the unique bond formed by a precocious teen and her middle aged uncle reaches into their souls as each face their realities allowing them to get on with their lives. William Petersen nicely lets Rae Gray command the stage as he patiently waits for her to get her daemons out before reacting.
Read MoreI was pleasantly surprised at the innovative work from the talented young choreographers assembled by Thodos Dance Chicago under the leadership of Melissa Thodos. I’m discovering that Chicago, indeed, has a thriving dance community and that Thodos Dance sure as a group of creatively gifted dancers and choreographers
Read MoreWith all the above, still the music and the band carry us through Rooms: A Rock Romance. Lovers of punk rock music will enjoy this show. The folks at Broken Nose Theatre have mounted a passable show that was a near miss hit. If only…
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