We meet Ulysses (Darrell W. Cox), a dirty middle aged man who appears to have given up on life as he struggles to survive. He stopped bathing and he only wears an apron around the house. He eats spoiled meat, breathes with the aid of an oxygen machine. He appears to be dying. Katie-Bell Springmann’s set design sure sets up the tone for this drama.
Music and Lyrics by Sting Book by John Logan and Brian Yorkey Directed by Joe Mantello Musical Direction by Ron Mathes Choreography by Steven Hoggett Produced by Broadway In Chicago At the Bank of America Theatre, Chicago A grand epic Broadway musical is launched to the delight of everyone! The Bank of America Theatre in … Read more
On the surface “The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee” appears to be a simple situation with a familiar setting, amusing songs, and many laughs; but before the intermission, you realize much more evolves. This show is about the challenges of adolescence interwoven with the personality of each character. All are academic over achievers with six different personalities. “…The Bee” shows heartfelt back stories of these main characters, eventually leading to their personal triumphs and their center stage songs
Partners by Dorothy Fortenberry tackles adult partnerships as it involves complex relationships. Four friends in Brooklyn share many common interests. Clare (Lauren Pizzi) is a gourmet chef just out of culinary school who photographs food for advertising agencies. Her best friend and potential business partner, Ezra (Wil Von Vogt) is a gay man who strives to “make it’ by creating a mobile Mexican-styled food truck with Clare. Clare is determined to have Ezra and Brady (Blake Russell) get married. She wants that more than Ezra and Brady. Meanwhile, Paul (Brian E. Crawford) is the supportive yet subtly domineering husband to Clare.
The esteemed Juilliard Quartet must be America’s longest-running major chamber ensemble, with a career stretching all the way back to 1946. Today’s lineup is, of course, much younger, although Joel Krosnick has been the quartet’s cellist since 1974. And however one feels about their interpretative sensibility, it cannot be denied that these are serious-minded, virtuosic musicians.
we meet Henry Moss (terrific work by Fran Nail) in various states – as a dead man, as a spry drunken soul, and in various states seen from his son’s memories. We see that Moss was a booze-riddled broken man whose violent ways broke up his family and ultimate led him to the New Mexico desert where despite being cared for by a neighborly man, Estaban (Arvin Jalandoon) and his lover Conchalla (Yadira Correa), a Mexican woman shaman, Moss drinks himself to death.
The formula has been proved over the years as how to mount a comic revue: find six talented and creative performers, give them a theme, then get out of their way and let them develop a funny skit-based comic revue. This 38th revue uses the formula to keep the laughs flowing for nearly 2 hours while we imbibe a drink and consume some tastes. The Second City, over the years, has offered a terrific value night out for couples and groups seeking escapist entertainment. The latest Second City show delivers the new revue. “Apes of Wrath” showcasing several new comic talents.
I relished the chance to hear Zukerman at Ravinia, joined by colleagues previously unknown to me but clearly trained in a similar tradition (cellist Amanda Forsythe and pianist Angela Cheng), especially given the program’s pleasing repertoire and the interpretative impact to which the virtuosity and musical warmth on display was joined.
The effects on revenge and the need for both personal and societal closure are at play here. The thriller is so convincingly played by the terrific Sandra Oh that we can almost forgive the needlessly unresolved plots items. After apparently trapping Miranda in a damning lie and his failure to admit and seek forgiveness, we never know if Paulina shoots Miranda. We also never get enough evidence to determine if she is a vengeful spirit or an insane soul?
The songs range from folk, electronic jazz and piano ballad to gospel and musical theater styles with lyrics quite complicated to sing requiring a blend of pop, classical and opera singing styles that was deftly rendered by this terrific cast. During the 65 minute one-act opera, each of the cast had their moments to exhibit their strong, accurate and compelling vocal dexterity.