Latest from Chicago Critic

The Castle

The Castle demonstrates Oracle Theatre production and staging skills (fine direction by Ben Fuchens and Justin Warren) as well as their ability to stretch the envelop of theatrical boundaries. Kudos to them for their chutzpah in mounting Barker’s weird play. This is both a provocative work and a fun theatrical experience.

The Year of Magical Thinking

This wonderfully presented journey is a dissertation of how a strong–always in control woman–comes to terms with drastic changes that occurs with the death of a close loved one. Fisher skillfully presents Didion’s trek through the mind games and adjustments that happens when death interrupts the status quo.

Master Harold’ … and the Boys

Master Harold story of a white teenage boy and his only two friends, Sam and Willie, adult black employees of the family restaurant. “Master Harold” …and the boys was written in 1982 as both a coming-of-age drama and an attack on racism.

The Comedy of Errors – Short Shakespeare

David H Bell’s energetic production is quickly paced, totally engaging and filled with fantastic physical humor and eloquent speech that exposes The Bard to the next generation. The players connect with the kids with asides, winks and gestures allowing their humor to win them over. The story is introduced with cute silly props that tell us the story line in an engaging manner.

Macbeth at City Lit Theatre

Macbeth is a psychological study that finds Macbeth (Steve Hadnagy plays the general/king marvelously) suffering from delusional and paranoid behavior with loads of guilt as he gains the Scottish throne only to be obsessed with retaining his power

Harper Regan

British playwright Simon Stephen’s 2008 family drama, Harper Regan, is the story of Harper Regan (Kendra Thulin), a bread-winner for a middle class British family, who finally has enough of her unsatisfactory life as events cause her to literally walk away from her family. Harper goes an a three day odyssey of self-discovery.

Dreamgirls – The National Tour

The new National Touring production of the 1981 landmark Broadway Musical–Dreamgirls–owes much to original director-choreographer Michael Bennett’s breathtaking cinematic-style staging that keeps the action flowing most effectively.

Annie – The National Tour

Leapin’ Lizards! America’s most beloved musical, ANNIE, is back, playing at the Auditorium through January 24, 2010 giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up.

Mary’s Wedding

Mary’s Wedding is a non-linear style dream-scape memory romantic tale that is a lovely and wonderfully touchingly gem!
This wonderful tearjerker nicely blends Mary’s dream related memories of her first love that haunts her as she struggles to come to grips with her first love on the eve of her marriage in 1920

The Exonerated

These stories are emotional and stir the debate over the ethics of the death penalty. That is my problem with The Exonerated, that it is pure propaganda, not a theatre piece.