Latest from Chicago Critic

Carousel

Music by Richard Rogers Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Based on Ferenc Molnair’s play Liliam Conductor David Chase Directed and Choreographed by Bob Ashford At the Lyric Opera of Chicago Stunning, world class production of Carousel is a near perfect artistic success Carousel is based on Ferenc Molnair’s play Liliam, which Molnair turned down Puccini’s … Read more

A Doll’s House

By Henrik Ibsen Directed and Adapted by Michael Halberstam Produced by Definition Theatre Company, Chicago Lean Doll’s House Zeroes in on Conflict Michael Halberstam’s adaptation of A Doll’s House, now being performed by the young Definition Theatre Company, is a rapid-fire abridged version of Ibsen’s classic 1879 drama. The good news about the piece, which … Read more

Murder Ballad

Conceived by and with Book and Lyrics by Julia Jordan Music and Lyrics by Juliana Nash Directed and Choreographed by James Beaudry Music Direction by Nicholas Davio At the Flat Iron Building, Chicago Contemporary rock opera is a murder mystery or is it? The concept here is intriguing. The set is a dive bar in … Read more

Louis & Keely ‘Live’ at The Sahara

A musical play about Las Vegas’ Most Celebrated Onstage Lovers, Louis Prima and Keely Smith By Vanessa Claire Stewart, Taylor Hackford & Jake Broder Directed by Taylor Hackford Music standards as performed by Louis Prima & Keely Smith At the Royal George Theatre, Chicago Fun, tuneful and toe-tapping storytelling with loads of terrific music with … Read more

The Upstairs Concierge

By Kristoffer Diaz Directed by KJ Sanchez Produced by Goodman Theatre, Chicago It Isn’t Funny. The Upstairs Concierge would have delighted a nine-year-old Joe Orton. This world-premiere is the product of Teatro Vista writer Kristoffer Diaz and director KJ Sanchez’s fruitless, more than two-years-long development process at the Goodman Theatre. Though the play lacks any … Read more

The Bird Feeder Doesn’t Know

By Todd Bauer Directed by Jonathan Wilson At Raven Theatre, Chicago Abusive aging parents fight their son’s help as they face old age Blind Playwright Todd Bauer has penned a world premiere family drama, The Bird Feeder Doesn’t Know, that realistically depicts the slow trauma facing many American families. Yes, as couples born in the … Read more

The Jungle (2015)

Adapted and Directed by Matt Foss From the Novel by Upton Sinclair Music by Nicholas Tonozzi Score by Sam Allyn Produced by Oracle Theatre, Chicago Jungle a Potent Message for Today Oracle has revived their hit The Jungle from last summer, and it’s easy to see why. This piece, directed and adapted by Matt Foss, … Read more

Tiger at the Gates

By Jean Giraudoux Translated by Christopher Fry Directed by John Arthur Lewis Produced by Promethean Theatre Ensemble, Chicago Artists Show Promise with Challenging Piece Jean Giraudoux’s 1935 play The Trojan War Will Not take Place, which was retitled Tiger at the Gates when it was translated into English by Christopher Fry, is a dense neo-classical … Read more

On An Average Day

By John Kolvenbach Directed by Ray Frewen Produced by Spartan Theatre At the Flat Iron Building, Chicago Edgy well written and superbly acted two-handed worth seeing There is a energetic dynamic working from Spartan Theatre at the Flat Iron Building at North Ave., Milwaukee and Damen. Take a smart, edgy drama about two siblings with … Read more