Latest from Chicago Critic

The Motherf**ker With The Hat

January 10, 2013 by Tom Williams

The Motherf**ker With The Hat is , indeed, about addiction on many levels that ultimately shows us how we keep fooling ourselves as we use our addictions or habits to keep ourselves from taking responsibility for our lives. This play contains lessons on how we use our habits or addictions to mask our self-delusional behavior. It has much to say and it says it with humor and profanity. I think this is Stephen Adly Guirgis’ finest play. Jimmy Smits and John Ortiz are particularly outstanding here.

Sugarward

January 8, 2013 by Tom Williams

The play starts out a comic parody that eventually turns into a serious cautionary tale about the corruption of accumulating excessive power. John Henry Roberts is effective, first as the pompous governor, than as the worn-out obsessive ruler. Joel Ewing is terrific as he moves back and forth from three distinct characters. Once he tones down his booming voice a bit, his performance becomes engrossing.

Allotment Annie

October 23, 2022January 6, 2013 by Tom Williams

The plot is only hinted at but we never see the scheme unfold. Instead, we see Fran turn psychopath as she killed Joe on their wedding night. In act two, Fran tells Virginia about her killing her war injured sister. This play turns from a song-and-dance infused sexual ramp to gain allotment checks to a murdering psycho seems to come out of nowhere.

Top Plays of 2012

October 17, 2026December 31, 2012 by Tom Williams

The Top 10 Plays of 2012

Purple Heart

December 31, 2012 by Tom Williams

Generally, when I dislike a play, I don’t review another production but, since I’m a fan of Redtwist’s work, I thought that they’d make Purple Heart stage worthy. But since the play is so weird, nothing can save it. My problems come mainly from the script that finds all of the characters devoid of empathy and the situation is fueled by repetitive dialogue with an under rehearsed feel.

The Unveiling & Dozens of Cousins

October 23, 2022December 30, 2012 by Tom Williams

Trap Door Theatre, under the creative drive of artistic director Beata Pilch, has developed a smooth style especially when mounting Eastern European works. She directs a game cast of players who nicely,even humorously 65 minute work by Czech writer/politician Vaclav Havel. His 1975 absurdest work, The Unveiling and his 2010 play, Dozens of Cousins, are seamlessly performed.

Faith Healer at The Den Theatre

September 23, 2026December 28, 2012 by Tom Williams

. I have seen several fine productions of Faith Healer, but Si Osborne, Lisa D. Mortensen and Brad Armacost set the standard for this densely difficult work. Don’t let this play, as Teddy would call it: “Fan-tast-ic” escape without experience it. The power of live theatre to weave a complex story is skillfully presented. Don’t miss this show!

The Cricket on the Hearth

December 27, 2012December 26, 2012 by Tom Williams

Filled with fine English traditional folks Christmas songs, Cricket is a nostalgic trip to early Victorian Christmas family life. It is quaint and homespun and heartwarming. The cast is game and dedicated

Oliver!

October 22, 2022December 23, 2012 by Tom Williams

Oliver! is Lionel Bart’s 1963 masterpiece adaptation of Dickens stinging attack on child abuse, urban decay and indifferent social institutions. Bart takes a lighter treatment than Dickens yet the cruelty come through

The Book of Mormon

October 23, 2022December 20, 2012 by Tom Williams

So, I guess I’m telling you that most theatre patrons will like, even admire The Book of Mormon, therefore, don’t be left out. It is a show that must be seen to either enjoy it or to conclude that it is the most disappointing, over hyped show in years. So see it and judge for yourself. I’m glad I saw the show. No serious theatre patron can avoid experiencing such a popular show.