By Christopher Durang Directed by Steve Scott At the Goodman Theatre, Chicago Offbeat sitcom-styled comedy long on Chekhovian parody yet short on witty humor I must confess that I’m not a strong fan of Christopher Durang’s irreverent humor. And, let me add, that I’m tired of Chekhov parodies. Despite a terrific cast, Vanya And Sonia … Read more
By Guillermo Reyes Directed by Sandra Marquez Produced by Pride Films and Plays A Campy Chronicle of Gay Latinos in Recent Years The recent Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage throughout the country is a massive victory for activists who have struggled their whole lives so LGBT people can have justice. At this historic moment, … Read more
By Peter Handke Translated by Michael Roloff and Scott Abbott Directed by Zeljko Djukic Produced by Theatre-Y European Eroticism as a Dramatic Happening Part of the pleasure of Chicago theatre is the global menagerie of artistic influences that mingle here. Among many others, Eastern and Central Europe are represented by TUTA, co-founded by Bosnian Serb … Read more
By David Lindsay-Abaire Directed by Matt Hawkins At Redtwist Theatre, Chicago Funny look at how the other-half lives turns poignant as it re-defines what ‘good people’ actually are. Redtwist Theatre boldly mounts storefront productions of plays that major regional theatres have recently produced, giving them an up-close intimate feel that usually makes the play stronger. … Read more
Produced by Theater Wit North Shore Center for the Performing Arts By Joshua Harmon Directed by Jeremy Wechsler Bad Jews Makes Good Theater For the first time in its 11-year history, Theater WIT has transferred a play to a larger venue to continue its outstanding run. Bad Jews, a brilliant, scathing comedy, opened its Chicago … Read more
Adapted and Directed by David Catlin From the Novel by Herman Melville Produced by Lookingglass Theatre Company Death to Moby Dick! Lookingglass has a well-earned reputation for providing classic stories with imaginative, beautiful, and evocative living images. What more can I add to what has already be written in praise of everything from the work … Read more
By Ayad Akhtar Directed by Ron OJ Parson Produced by Victory Gardens Theater What’s a Moderate? After Ayad Akhtar’s first play, Disgraced, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2013, he must have been feeling the pressure to create an equal work. However, he says in an interview in the Playbill program note, his new … Read more
By John Kolvenbach Directed by Damon Kiely Produced by Route 66 Theatre Company At the Greenhouse Theatre, Chicago Role reversal in child-parent dynamic vividly depicted Playwright John Kolvenback (On An Average Day) likes to write about family dynamics. In his Chicago premiere of Goldfish, now in a wonderful acted production by Route 66 Theatre Company, … Read more
Adapted by Christopher Sergel From the Novel by Harper Lee Directed by Vaun Monroe Produced by Oak Park Festival Theatre Struggle for Justice Even Greater Under the Sky News that Harper Lee is publishing a sequel to her 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird should stoke even greater interest in the perennially popular stage adaptation. … Read more
Score by David Zippel and Cy Coleman Book by Larry Gelbart Directed by Nick Bowling Produced by The Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire Film Noir and Hollywood Studios Make a World of Song and Sleaze Since the original Broadway run of City of Angels won Tony Awards for best musical and best book in 1990, it would … Read more