Happy
Happy looks at the life choices we make and asks: are we really happy or are we putting up a facade to convince ourselves and others that, indeed, we are happy? Caisley creates two stinging characters to probe his concept of ‘ happy.’
Latest from Chicago Critic
Russian Transport
Erika Sheffer, herself the child of Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, has developed two generations of characters each striving to both survive and get their share of the American Dream. She addresses the decision the family must make: How far are they willing to go to come out on top – to survive? Is money the ultimate measurement of success? Does family survival trump all ethics? Does the family needs justify doing evil acts toward others as long as it doesn’t hard the family? Does the scares from having nothing justify the amoral accumulation of wealth?
Assistance
Much of the show consists of the assistants talking on the phone to Daniel and his contacts. That can become annoying. But we see how the degrading work can wear out the weak yet salary is not considered into the decision to leave by one of the assistants. Ambition and self esteem dominate.
GYPSY at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Any production of GYPSY depends on who plays Mama Rose. I happy to report that Louise Pitre is outstanding (one of the best to every play the role!). Her strong, emotionally determined stage mother, commands all her scenes. She is small in height but a giant in her scenes. When Pitre arrives on stage, all eyes go to the dynamic woman. Pitre’s singing was smooth and heartfelt with a deep emotional base. especially when she blurts out “Sing Out, Louise” as storms onto the stage. We know instantly that Rose is in charge here.
Into the Woods by the-hypocrites
So be warned, this Into The Woods is substantially reinvented in that it features loads of campy humor (much more than the original) and it has most of the players playing multiple roles including many playing the same role at different times. Also, note for some strange reason. director Geoff Button cast players who are extremely vocally challenged- many of them can only sing off key or mumble through their songs sounding like chip monks.
The Playboy of the Western World at Raven Theatre
Playboy is a look into the lower class rural Irish life filled with repressed sexuality, boredom and narrow-mindedness. One of the major indictments Synge makes of the rural Irish is their love for violence and their need for alcohol. The stage combat is thrilling and quite funny..
I was particularly impressed with several performances: Sam Hubbard’s Christy was charismatic and slick while Jen short’s Pegeen Mike was the strong Irish woman and Graham Emmons’ Shawn Keogh was the funny coward afraid of everyone. But Lawrence Garner’s scary yet hilarious Old Mahon topped them all!
Chicago’s Golden Soul (A 60’s Revue)
Black Ensemble Theater, under the hyper leadership of Jackie Taylor have re-mounted their Chicago’s Golden Soul (A 60’s Revue) now playing in repertory with The Story of Curtis Mayfield. Golden Soul contains a rich assortment of Chicago style soul featureing the music of jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield, Gene Chandler, Major Lance, The Impressions, Betty Everett, Barbara Aklin, Etta James and the Chi Lites.
The Tempest
Shakespeare final full play,The Tempest is now running at City Lit with a talented and dedicated group of actors who articulate The Bard’s poetic language with verve and aplomb. Filled with terrific period costumes including vivid threads for the Spirits, director Sheldon Patinkin’s deftly staged and superbly cast with non-Equity players who garner all the humor and zaniness of the work.
THE PITCHFORK DISNEY
Literature from Interrobang Theatre Project states that the theatre “…poses muscular questions. Navigating through the dark together with our audience we attempt to arrive at new understandings and fresh perspectives of who we are and the world in which we live.” I did not walk away with a fresh perspective, but that is not to say that others might. Symbolism abounds in The Pitchfork Disney , but the long journey through it with only a slight redemption at the end may only be worthwhile for a few.
Plainsong
The characters act out the struggles of these small town folks as their discontent with the boredom and isolation of rural plains life renders them restless souls. High school teacher Tom Guthrie (Joseph Stearns) must raise tow boys alone since his wife leaves him after suffering depression. Guthrie also has conflicts with an unruly student, Russell Beckman (Rudy Galvan) without much help from his principal.
We also see how the two boys, Ike Guthrie (Cale Manning) and Bobbie Guthrie (Jack Edwards) cope with the loss of their mother by helping a lonely old lady.