By Terrence McNally Directed by Ted Hoerl Produced by Eclipse Theatre Company, Chicago Perfect Start to Season of McNally Eclipse’s mission is to showcase one author each season, and they chose well to dedicate this season to Terrence McNally. Active since the 1960s, McNally has been a noteworthy contributor to plays about gay life for … Read more
The Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee said on Saturday that it had disqualified The Hypocrites from its 2014-15 non-Equity awards, due to its discovery of the theater’s status as a Equity company operating under a low-level “Tier N” agreement. Apparently, The Hypocrites, a long-standing non-union company, did not realize that their new deal with Equity disqualified … Read more
By Kristine Thatcher Directed by Terry McCabe At City Lit Theater, Chicago Chilling tales that ultimately lead to the American Civil War In the fifth and final annual installment of its Civil War Sesquicentennial Project, City Lit Theater presents the world premiere of Kristine Thatcher’s The Bloodhound Law. Much like the right-wing anti-gay Evangelical Christians … Read more
Written & Directed by Rueben Echoles Music Direction by Robert Redderick At the Black Ensemble Theatre, Chicago Weak story dilutes terrific songs in new musical. The creatives at the Black Ensemble Theatre are experimenting with various formats besides their signature bio-musicals that have been a popular formula for years. Earlier this season, they mounted The … Read more
By Marius von Mayenburg Translated by Maja Zade Directed by Joanie Schultz Produced by Steep Theatre Company, Chicago. Confused Story Sheds No Light on Budding Terrorist In the notes to Martyr, the latest show at Steep, director Joanie Shultz reflects on what search for belonging lures Western teenagers to join ISIS. Unfortunately, German writer Marius … Read more
By Laura Jacqmin Directed by Megan Shuchman Produced by Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Chicago How Do You Mourn Someone You Didn’t Know? Grieving is awkward. It’s particularly awkward when you’re in proximity to people who are mourning a mutual acquaintance who they knew well but you didn’t. It’s more awkward still when the deceased or the … Read more
By Arthur Miller Directed by Jan Ellen Graves At Redtwist Theatre, Chicago “Life is just a bowl of cherries. Don’t take it serious; it’s too mysterious. At eight each morning I have got a date, To take my plunge ’round the Empire State. You’ll admit it’s not the berries, In a building that’s so tall; … Read more
Book and Lyrics by Lee Hall Music by Elton John Directed and Choreographed by Rachel Rockwell Music Direction by Roberta Duchak Produced by Drury Lane, Oakbrook Billy Elliot Reinvented Better than Ever Listen to my interview with Rachel Rockwell. I developed a soft spot for Billy Elliot after seeing the Broadway production, and was impressed … Read more
The Second City’s 39th Revue Written & Performed by: Carisa Barrwca Lisa Beasley Scott Morehead EddieMujica Tim Ryder Rashawn Nadine Scott Directed by Anthony LeBlanc Music Director Alex Kilmer At The Second City e.t.c. Theatre Second City opens their 39th revue, Soul Brother, Where Art Thou?, in their 2nd floor space at Piper’s Alley. Consisting … Read more
By Rory Kinnear Directed by Frank Galati Produced by Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago Family Drama Questions Love and Sacrifice As a company renowned for being driven by its actors, it makes sense Steppenwolf would be interested in The Herd, the first play written by British actor Rory Kinnear. The family drama was written to provide … Read more