…the Lyric Opera’s melodic production is a most pleasant experience. Lehar’s melodies and songs – “Vilja”, “The Merry Widow Waltz”, “You’ll Find Me At Maxim’s” and “Every Woman” never sounded better than under conductor Emmanuel Villaume’s deft leadership of the Lyric orchestra.
they got the dance part right–there are 4 or 5 high energy dance numbers including a manic tap number in act two danced to a techno-jazz orchestra. Unfortunately, much of the show is taken up with three unfunny and rather pathetic clowns that had a most tedious and ill conceived (boring) tired vaudeville act that had less than half the audience laughing.
radio play adaptation of Frank Capra’s classic holiday film–It’s a Wonderful life. We are taken back to a radio studio in 1944 to witness a radio play performed live complete with a Christmas sing-along audience warm-up and commercial breaks.
Oh Coward! is a sharp 34 song-fest that is brilliantly performed by Kate Fry, Rob Lindley, John Sanders with terrific arrangements and deft piano work from Doug Peck. You’d be hard pressed to see a more slick, sophisticated, well sung musical revue.
As a musical, Post has written in a variety of styles from the folksy opening number–“The Wind in the Willows”–a optimistic anthem; to an assortment of rock, reggea, tin-pan ally, spirituals, ballads and a Gilbert and Sullivan styled patter song
I do believe that Michael Smith (the Chicago folk music legendary composer/performer) has produced a world class score filled with a variety of folk styles that include ballads, patter songs, cowboy tunes, blues, jazz, polkas and Broadway style show tunes. His lyrics are witty, funny and ironic.
Now in it’s 32 year, the Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol still holds the honor of being the finest holiday show in Chicago! Director William Brown makes subtle changes including this year adding more Victorian holiday music to the mix
This cynical glimpse into the world of those dedicated to keeping the Christmas spirit alive. Fain delivers the vignettes about the chaos of the NYC Macy’s Santa Claus exhibit with varying comedic style
The 85 minute holiday classic–Miracle on 34th Street, now at the Theatre Building Chicago staged by Porchlight Music Theatre is a refreshingly sweet, family friendly, cute holiday treat.
The story follows the infamous L Ron (Hubbard) from his birth in a manger through the height of Scientology. I have to admit the writing is very thin, and it stretches 30 minutes of material into an hour. However, director Steve Wilson and his young ensemble more than make up for the writing flaws with passion and energy.