I wanted to know more about Tom and Marie but all I got was scene after scene that contained screaming, hollering, and shouting that made me wonder why playwright Farrell thought that the bickering among these folks had any relevance to 911. Why would such a play be part of any commemoration of that horrible incident?
Ever the stylist tenor who loves patter songs, word-intensive and emotionally explosive songs – Mandy Patinkin never sounded better. Nathan Gunn, the powerful baritone and classical opera star easily breezed through his varied assortment of tunes that included cowboy songs, Broadway tunes with a sampling of pop and folk tunes
The 26th Annual Bucktown Arts Fest came to a close last Sunday. For those of you who have never had a chance to take it in, the festival is an end of summer celebration of Chicago artistry. There’s always good food, drinks, and music…even things for the kids to do. I urge you to check … Read more
JEFF AWARDS – 2011 Equity Wing Award Nominations Chicago Theatres Shine in Outstanding Jeff-Nominated Productions of 2010-2011 Season 8 New Plays Recognize Theatres’ Commitment to New Works Goodman Theatre and TimeLine Theatre Top List of Award Nominees Wednesday, August 31, 2011- Chicago, IL. The Jeff Awards today announced 185 nominations in 35 … Read more
After we meet three families, one American, one Mexican, and one Canadian, we begin to realize that each family has a connection to the tragic femicide occurring in contemporary Juarez, Mexico. Much of the entire first act involves the back story of the three families – each with a young girl. With all the clutter with the fantasy scenes and the weird movement, the emphasis of the real story has to wait for all the stage antics to be played out.
For The Boys follows the story of the 1940’s big band ear singer -Dixie Leonard (who many believe is really Martha Raye) as she becomes the star on many USO tours for servicemen in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The play focuses on the unique and volatile relationship between Dixie and Eddie (possibly Bob Hope?) as they form a terrific two-person act that thrilled soldiers, concert goers and lead to a TC variety show in the 1950’s.
Bradford’s overwhelmingly strong talent for resourcefulness separates him from other contemporary artists. Utilizing found scraps that were a part of his south L.A. neighborhood to which he’s still deeply devoted to, Bradford creates socially conscious, pseudo-pop mixed media pieces.
I also wasn’t too impressed by Quinn’s reductionist humor made famous by Jerry Seinfeld. Quinn reduces world history in 80 minutes of ignorant, simplistic and anachronism-filled dialogue that tries to be an equal offender of most religions, nationalities and countries. Quinn tries to comically channel the demise of great world civilizations through shallow cliches and rudely crude observations. His rawness lacks the bite and depth of a George Carlin and the bravado of Lenny Bruce.
We meet Anya Botvinnik (the fabulous Janet Ulrich Brooks) a witty but jaded cynical Russian veteran arms negotiator whose many years in Geneva leaves her frustrated by the process. When the Americans send a new diplomat – John Honeymen (David Parks) the battle of wits begins. They both decide that walking in the woods outside Geneva could allow more honesty and glibness than the stuffy table in the confined conference rooms.
God damn I like Lyle Lovett. He’s a real craftful songwriter. His songs are funny, bitter, poignant, satirical – sometimes all at once. They are a celebration and satirization of the decadent and depraved segments of our society through joyous absurdity. He’ll cut a record with some of the funniest songs you’ve ever heard, and right next to ‘em will be stuff to make you bawl your eyes out. And live, he’s even better.