Latest from Chicago Critic

Bernarda Alba and Her House

Translated and Adapted from Federico García Lorca Directed and Adapted by Robert Shoemaker Produced by Poetry Is Playing at Red Twist Theatre, Chicago A Southern Gothic Treatment of Spain No matter how bravely theatre artists praise limited resources and for spurring creativity, it’s still always a relief to see productions that are heavily shaped by … Read more

The Heir Apparent

By David Ives Adapted from Jean-François Regnard Directed by John Rando Produced by Chicago Shakespeare Theater Louis XIV Dances on His Throne It can be hard to know sometimes, when looking at an old, long-forgotten script, whether to admire it as a forgotten treasure, or to accept the judgment of history, and leave it on … Read more

A Kokandy Christmas

Created by Michael Potsic & Allison Hendrix Directed by Michael Potsic Musical Direction by Aaron Benham By Kokandy Productions At Theater Wit, Chicago Unfocused too sweet Christmas show quickly wears out its welcome Kokandy Productions over the last few years has mounted some terrific shows including the fabulous Loving Repeating.  They now have a new … Read more

My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra

Conceived by Todd Olson & David Grapes Book by Todd Olson Directed by Fred Anzevino Music Direction by Jeremy Ramey Choreographed by Maggie Portman Produced by Theo Ubique Cabaret Theater At No Exit Cafe, Chicago Sophistication:  Modern definitions include quality of refinement — displaying good taste, wisdom and subtlety rather than crudeness, stupidity and vulgarity. … Read more

Disney’s The Lion King

Music and Lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice Additional Music and Lyrics by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, and Hans Zimmer Book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi Adapted from the screenplay by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton Directed by Julie Taymor Choreography by Garth Fagan Music Supervision by … Read more

The Christmas Schooner – Fifth Season at Mercury Theater

A New Musical Book by John Reeger Music & Lyrics by Julie Shannon Musical Orchestrations by Larry Blank Directed by L. Walter Stearns Musical Direction by Eugene Dizon Schooner’s heart fills the holidays with joy! Now in its fifth year at the Mercury Theater, The Christmas Schooner still packs much good will and holiday cheer … Read more

A Q Brothers’ Christmas Carol

By GQ, JQ, Jackson Doran, and Postell Pringle Developed with Rick Boynton Music by JQ Directed by GQ and JQ Choreography by Anacron Produced by Chicago Shakespeare Theater “Our final destination is all the same station.” Among the newer Chicago theatre Christmas traditions is the Q Brothers’ hip-hop adaptation of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. … Read more

Beautiful The Carole King Musical

Book by Douglas McGrath Music & Lyrics by Gerry Goffin & Carole King and Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil Directed by Marc Bruni Choreographed by Josh Prince Music direction by Steve Sidwell Produced by Broadway In Chicago At the Oriental Theatre, Chicago A tour de force performance by Abby Mueller fuels terrific Beautiful-The Carole King … Read more

Fool Me Twice, Déjà Vu

Directed by Ryan Berneir Musical Direction by Jacob Shuda Produced by The Second City, Chicago Self-Referential Sketch Show Worthy of More Development Second City is back with a new revue following a fire earlier this year. While some parts of their building in Old Town are still covered in plastic, the Mainstage, now strangely decorated … Read more

Fallen Angels

By Noël Coward Directed by Shannon Cochran Produced by Remy Bumppo, Chicago “O, the despicable squalor of it all.” Fans of Noël Coward have had several chances to see the witty English satirist of sexual relationship’s masterpieces on stage this fall. Shaw Chicago is currently presenting a staged reading of Private Lives, which is about … Read more