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The story revolves around a Spanish gypsy (the wild free-loving Carmen, played seductively by mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova) and the man she takes as a lover, a Spanish corporal, Don José (The powerful tenor Joseph Calleja). He is an upright but flawed man, with a mother and would-be fiancée in his home village; quick to temper and impulsive, when he shirks the advances of the beautiful gypsy, she finds him irresistible and throws a rose at him, striking him between the eyes. Having bewitched him, Carmen convinces Don José to go to prison in her stead; upon his release, he finds her, and she wants to run away together.

REVIEWS Theatre Reviews

Tom Williams

Venus in Fur

So much can be thought about and delighted in in David Ives’ Venus in Fur, its richness so playful and complex, that one would have to have no liking for drama, no capacity for humor, and no mind for consideration to not enjoy this production. Circle Theatre’s production has some stellar, some faltering moments, but overall it is a success worthy of attendance.

MUST SEE REVIEWS Theatre Reviews Tom Williams

Tom Williams

My Brothers Keeper – The Story of the Nicholas Brothers

Kudos to Rueben D. Echoles for creating such a wonderful, groundbreaking. bio-musical!. As the book writer, director and one of two outstanding actor/dancers (he plays Harold Nicholas) Echoles’ has created one of the best shows ever at the Black Ensemble Theater. Besides writing, directing, costumes, choreography, he wrote eight original songs that were fine show-specific tunes. Add Echolas’ terrific dancing and this show is truly Echoles’ opus!.

Opera REVIEWS Tom Williams

Tom Williams

The Invention of Morel

To me, this musical surrealism didn’t engage me and quickly became tedious and over produced. It was a long 90 minute one act opera. I’m just too much of a traditionalist to appreciate surrealism in opera. The Invention of Morel could be a treat for lovers of modern, experimental opera? But traditionalist will not appreciate it. But since there seems to be an audience for musical surrealism, The Invention of Morel could appeal to their tast

Beverly Friend Florida Reviews REVIEWS

Tom Williams

The Bris, the Bar Mitzvah and Beyond

A praised-filled puff line in the press release proclaims that the play is
“Funnier than ‘The Producers!'” This is a stunning, unbelievable
affirmation until you read who wrote it: David Jay Bernstein’s mother!
While this is obviously intended as humor, it has a ring of truth — ONLY
A MOTHER COULD LOVE THIS PLAY.

MUST SEE REVIEWS Theatre Reviews Tom Williams

Tom Williams

A Wonder In My Soul

A Wonder In My Soul is a most entertaining, often funny, wonderfully sung (not a musical but a play with songs) and a heartfelt drama about friendship, place and personal commitment as seen through social and political change. The dialogue is smart and witty and the acting is first class with Greta Oglesby and Jacqueline Williams leading the way.

REVIEWS Theatre Reviews

Tom Williams

Mamma Mia! At The Marriott Theatre

The Marriott consistently draws upon the most stellar A-list of talent, none more impressive than its current director Rachel Rockwell. If you have been around Chicago musical theatre anytime over the past two decades you will surely have crossed paths with this ABBA-solutely amazing artist whose talents and creative vision know no peer. Ms. Rockwell is also a vet performer of the Broadway company of “Mamma Mia!” so she’s already got the blueprint down pat.

REVIEWS Theatre Reviews Tom Williams

Tom Williams

Love’s Labor’s Lost

LLL is a verbose work with punning and allusions coming almost nonstop. This snappy wordplay is funny and keeps you interested in the characters and the story. The wit and charm comes through from excellent cast lead by Laura Rook (Rosaline) and Nate Burger (Berowne) whose punning banter wins our hearts.

MUST SEE REVIEWS Theatre Reviews Tom Williams

Tom Williams

By the Bog of Cats

Filled with richly symbolic dialogue that sounds poetic as well as funny in the great Irish tradition of storytelling, By the Bog of Cats is a densely worded tragic drama sprinkled with colorful characters and pure Irish humor.

REVIEWS Theatre Reviews Tom Williams

Tom Williams

Urinetown

Urinetown is a fresh hilarious spoof of Brechtian ‘epic’ theater, of political theatre and a Weillian stretch of operatic from. The result is a fresh, original colorful surprising musical. Urinetown proves once again that almost any topic is grist for the mill of talented musical composers and lyricists. This exuberant show will leave you basking in the glory of the stage’s power to entertain. BoHo’s energetic production delvers.