By Peter Morris Directed by Arianna Soloway Produced by Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company “If you are a playwright, America is no place for seriousness.” Serious Torture Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co. opened its 30th and last season this past week with a play that meets their company’s mission statement with its challenging material and outcast characters. Peter Morris’ … Read more
Music & Lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul Book by Peter Duchan Directed by Peter Marston Sullivan Music Direction by Ellen K. Morris Choreography by Stephen Schellhardt Produced by BoHo Theatre At Theater Wit, Chicago Controversial story line with repellent misogyny and attempted rape scene is glossed over with improbable romance Based on the … Read more
By Catherine Trieschmann Directed by Keira Fromm Produced by Rivendell Theatre Ensemble An Emotionally-Stirring and Thought-Provoking Play For Believers and Non-Believers Alike At first glance, How the World Began seems like a problem play – essentially: a play about a contentious social issue – in this case, about the apparent antagonism between science and faith. … Read more
Book by Blake Edwards Music by Henri Mancini and Frank Wildhorn Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn Directed by Paul Packer Musical Direction by Charlotte Rivard-Hoster Produced by Night Blue Performing Arts Company Playing at Stage 773, Chicago Charming Musical Marred by Basic Errors in Production The good news is that for the first … Read more
By and staring Debra Ehrhardt Produced by Hershey Felder Directed by Joe Zwick At the Royal George Theater, Chicago Amazing Immigrant Story Deftly Told If Hershey Felder is involved, you can be assured the show is worthy. In his latest production, Jamaica Farewell, the amazing journey from the political violence of 1980’s Jamaica by the … Read more
Book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer Music by Green Day Lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong Directed by Steven Wilson Musical Direction by Andra Velis Simon Choreography by Katie Spelman Produced by The Hypocrites Playing at The Den Theatre, Chicago The Pride and Agony of Broadway Punk It really sucks to be a rebel … Read more
Jacob Davis interviews director Elly Green about her production of After Miss Julie at Strawdog Theatre Company. Elly Green, Guest Jacob Davis, Host Recorded September 9, 2015 3jacob.davis@gmail.com
By Bernard Shaw Directed by Robert Scogin Produced by ShawChicago At the Ruth Page Theater, Chicago Wonderfully acted dated Shaw historical satire wears out its welcome ShawChicago Theatre Company’s mission is to present classic plays of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries as concert readings. Make no mistake, these “readings,” by A-list actors (mostly Equity) … Read more
By Rob Florence Directed by Georgette Verdin Produced by Interrobang Theatre Project At The Den Theatre, Chicago A Feel-Good Docudrama That Captures the Resilient Spirit of Survival Ten years have passed since Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast and devastated New Orleans, and while many of us have been inundated with its coverage—from the … Read more
By N. Richard Nash Directed by Edward Blatchford Produced by American Blues Theater Playing at the Greenhouse, Chicago A Cute Story about Taking Risks for Love American Blues Theater opens its thirtieth season with a production of Richard Nash’s 1954 The Rainmaker which, rather than being cloying, is simply a story with an optimistic outlook. … Read more