The Casuals could use a clearer timeline earlier on but eventually if you stay with the story, the payoff is there. We see how the conformity and basic trust folks had in the 50’s allowed families to hide shameful events and allowed government to hide dangerous activities. Bone and Swanson’s script is subtle, insightful, and accurate in depicting the values of American society in post-war era. Their story is a precursor to the radical changes that happened in the 60’s
Read MoreClifford Odets’ revolutionary work first produced by the Group Theatre using “agit-prop” theatre techniques. This work utilizes actor surrounding the audience to arouse responses and to break the ‘fourth walk.’ While a tad dated, Waiting For Lefty is still a classic warning to big corporations not to continue to oppress the American working class. In the 1930′s the play was a huge success and it was mounted all over the country even in union halls. It ignited a strong reaction and it aided union recruiting.
Read MoreWe meet a woman with raccoon-like eyes who is in a sealed shelter filled with survival items. This woman rambles on and on about “The End is Coming!” and how we need to be prepared. While the hard working Karie Miller tries to engage us with audience involvement that includes throwing a large beach ball back and forth with the audience, we never get fully engaged since Miller comes off as a wound-too-tight nut job. Add the fact that shelves full of survival items continues to crash to the ground that Miller seems to ignore and we wonder if we are in a surreal dream scape?
Read MoreWhat makes Beaten so compelling are the terrific performances by the cast. Conor McCahill, once he slows down and stops mumbling in several of his monologues, is most empathetic. Kristin Collins and Kathryn Ascota were excellent in the troubled mother-daughter dynamic. Kathy Scambiatterra is a hoot as the tough, foul-mouthed pot-smoking grandmother. We empathize with the characters and we see the flaws within each as we try to decide what and who is best for Chloe. You’ll be surprised at how it all plays out. Beaten is a worthy play.
Read MoreThe Jungle Book is a major new work that contains am amazing range of artistry. From the innovative musical arrangements by Doug Peck wherein he using jazz and Indian musicians with trumpets, clarinets, trombones, saxophones with Sitar, veena, carnatic violin and tablas to create a unique music; to the outstanding costumes by Mara Blumenfeld; to the sharp lighting by T.J. Gerckens to the imaginative staging by director Mary Zimmerman, we experience a delightful story filled with jubilant sangs and dances and populated by spirited characters led by the outstanding performance by young Akash Chopra. The Jungle Book is stylized, refreshing new musical that is amazingly polished and near finished and ready for Broadway. I’m begging that Chicago will export another hit show to NYC with The Jungle Book. This family friendly show will please all with its honesty and its polished stage craft.
Read MoreWe meet two old-time Chicago detectives, Getz (Danny Goldring) and his wound-too-tight partner Bass Podaris (Phillip R. Smith) both use extreme methods to solve cases. Bass has troubles: his partner is a knucklehead, his boss is a hard-nose and his cases are being overturned and his bimbo wife is cheating on him, To make things worse, he’s chasing a prep who has a screwdriver stuck in his head! His world also has an assortment of shady folks: cruupt corners, a TV-personality doctor, and, of course, a femme fatale.
Read MoreChicago Folks Operetts’s new English translation (from German) of The Land of Smiles marks the first production of Smiles in Chicago in 25 years. This is a landmark production; an exquisite artistic achievement; and a beautifully sounded and sung operetta. Each artistic element contributes to a wonderful, lavish and lovable theatrical experience. From the 20 piece orchestra conducted by Kim Diehnelt to the wonderful set designed by Ian Zywica to the fabulous video projections by Liviu Pasare with terrific rear-screen images and personal silhouettes to the vivid and unique costume designs by Kate Kamphausen- all thses elements contributed to make The Land of Smiles an artistic splendor seldom seen on a Chicago stage!
Read MoreThis is a darkly funny romantic comedy filled with unique, yet livable characters, each striving for their identity, love, and fulfillment. Only one is a sincerely noble person who ultimately is true to himself. This production delivers.
Read MoreThe Strange Tree Group usually does works by Emily Schwartz but the have expanded by mounting a new work by ensemble member Elizabeth Bagby – The Half-Brothers Mendelssohn. Featuring a clever set (designed by Kate Nawrocki & Emily Schwatz) with a terrific “time machine” designed by Emily Schwartz,etc, The Half-Brothers Mendelssohn is a quirky, funny , and clever take on time travel and it’s complications.
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