By Matthew Maguire An Ensemble Devised Production Produced by Transcendent Ensemble Theatre Company Interesting Exercise in Modernizing Tragic Passion The story of Phaedra, the Minoan princess who tried to seduce her step-son and then accused him of rape, is not one of the first that springs to mind when most people think of Greek mythology. … Read more
By August Wilson Directed by Chuck Smith Produced by Goodman Theatre Goodman Pays Tribute to Great Writer and Friend The tenth year since August Wilson’s death provides a fitting time to honor the author who wrote a play for each decade of the twentieth century. Across the city, the ten plays Wilson considered part of … Read more
A New Play by Shannon Pritchard Directed by Jessica Fisch Produced by Feast Productions As part of Jackalope Theater’s Pioneer Series At the Frontier Storefront, Chicago Delightful rendition of the Scottish fairy tale unfolds in an intimate setting The ambitious creatives who run Jackalope Theater Company, besides using the vast Broadway Armory, have established a … Read more
By Howard Barker Directed by Andrew Root Produced by Runcible Theatre At the Royal George Gallery Theatre, Chicago Over acting and annoying staging dooms drama about artistic expression. The folks at Runcible Theatre Company have attempted the talky Scenes From an Execution by British playwright Howard Barker in the tiny Gallery space at the Royal … Read more
Music & Lyrics by David Yazbek Book by Terrence McNally Directed by John Glover Music Direction by Koey Danielson Choreographed by Daniel Spagnuolo Hilarious & Sexy, The Full Monty is a crowd pleaser. Mounting Yazbek & McNally’s The Full Monty is a brave choice for a non-Equiity troupe like Kokandy Productions since the show contains … Read more
Music and Lyrics by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland Book by Linda Bloodworth Thomason Directed by Simon Phillips Produced by Broadway in Chicago New Musical Will Struggle Awhile Yet First Wives Club, an original musical based on the 1990s movie and book of the same name about three scorned women seeking revenge, opened … Read more
A Rock Opera in two acts in English Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics by Tim Rice Directed by Fred Anzevino Music Direction by Jeremy Ramey Choreographer by Brenda Didier At No Exit Cafe, Chicago Who said you couldn’t produce a rock opera in an intimate cafe? I have never been an avid fan of … Read more
By Steven Simoncic Based on the Book by Eric Klinenberg: “Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago” Directed by Rinska Carrasco-Prestinary Produced by Cold Basement Dramatics At Steppenwolf Theatre’s Garage Rep Series Heat Wave is an indictment of the follies of the Daley mayoral administration Steven Simoncic’s adaptation of Eric Klinenberg’s Heat Wave … Read more
By Nathan Allen and Chris Mathews Directed by Nathan Allen Produced by The House Theatre of Chicago Epic History Unfolds Through Dialectical Dragons Though I’ve encountered great hospitality in theatre, I have never seen a production as warm and intimate as The House Theatre’s marathon performance of The Hammer Trinity. It was clear from my … Read more
By Topher Payne Directed by Derek Van Barham Produced by Pride Films and Plays At the Steppenwolf Garage Rep Series “To get it better, we must make it better.” Bait and switch doesn’t work in theatre anymore than in advertising or marketing Playwright Topher Payne, an Atlanta based actor/playwright, sucks us into a political comedy … Read more