The creative staging out did itself by using ensemble singing existential angst gibberish during needless set changes. There was a scenes that found all seven cast members all shouting different dialogue for what seemed as an eternity and there was a noisy scene change while Collins droned on with her “my life sucks” songs on her ukulele late in the show.
Also, why would anyone produce the show mostly in Spanish WITHOUT informing potential audiences? And, just to further irritate audiences, the two narrators who spoke English with a thick accent mumbling too softly and running-their-words-together were completely unintelligible further frustrating the American audience. Add bland songs poorly sung and danced and NOT translated making the show unfolded as a long first act.
Every element that makes for a “great” musical is present in Marriott Theatre’s landmark production. Fabulous dancing, hilarious situations, terrific characterizations played to their fullest and, of course, a world class score by a young Leonard Bernstein make On The Town a major triumph!
Jeff Awards Equity nominations honor outstanding 2013-2014 productions Goodman Theatre and Drury Lane Productions lead nominations Thursday, August 21, 2014-Chicago, IL. Chicago actress, TV and film star Jane Lynch did the honor today of announcing the nominees for the 2013-2014 Equity Jeff Awards. A video of today’s presentation by Ms. Lynch, made at the … Read more
Prolific playwright Terrence McNally sure has a thumb on the pulse of gay men in America as no one else captures their essence like he can. His honest presentation of the fabric of gay life including all the foibles, eccentricities, and fears are effectively presented in his 2006 drama, Some Men. In its Chicago premiere under the direction of David Zak and Derek Van Barham, Some Men unfolds in a series of vignettes scattered throughout the last 70 years of gay history in America.
The three live in a world devoid of reality as each interact to fuel each others delusions. Peter talks up a storm and Stan bellows at him as Vivian acts as peacemaker and facilitator to both. As Peter plays out his dream of giving seminars at hotels, Vivian and Stan keep their fantasy game going now with Peter’s aspirations in play. The result is funny and poignant look at how life’s obsessions and self delusions can over come reality
I must say that the production was innovative, ambitious, as the cast worked hard to land the material. Too bad it mostly fell flat. Tone problems, poor lighting, over-the-top camp interruptions lost any resemblance to fantasy.
Fiddler on the Roof is a classic Broadway musical with a special look and feel that is irresistible to audiences. The melodic songs resonate in the soul and the fate of the Jews of Anatevka foreshadows the Holocaust to come forty years later. The lessons in tolerance still apply today and the strength of tradition is still a vital part of the social order. Fiddler on the Roof gave humanity to these noble ideals. I can enjoy Fiddler every few years; it never fails to move me. Alex Honzen’s empathetic Tevye anchored this brilliant production. The tradition is, indeed, upheld.
Mike and Seth have a life-long non-sexual love affair that finds them in a special relationship of trust that allows them to share their most intimate personal thoughts. As Mike is on a drinking binge the night before his wedding, he questions, cavorts, rage-on and bears his soul to the only person he totally trusts: Seth. Seth, in turn, expresses his worries and fears to Mike as the two have a chemistry that is truthfully played by Garza and Manocchio. This exchange comes from two trust-fund guys who have never had to worry about sustenance as privilege has been granted to each by birthright.
In it’s Chicago premiere, Christine Whitley’s Miles Away takes its cues from the classic pool hustling films: The Hustler and The Color of Money. Set in a seedy motel somewhere, we meet Sissy (Isabel Ellison) and Ron (Josh Odor) two pool hustlers holed up trying to arrange pool games in a dwindling gambling market since the Internet is killing their action. It seems that word is out that Sissy is an unbeatable pool player. The are broke and desperate as they play a continuing game of love-hate as they struggle with each other and their demons.