Chicago Critic Must See recommendations.
Based on Richard III by William Shakespeare Adapted and Directed by Max Truax Original Music by Jonathan Guillen Choral Arrangements and Direction by Nicholas Tonozzi Produced by Oracle Productions Playing at DCASE Storefront Theater, Chicago Richard as Intriguing as Ever, With a Twist Whenever you see Jonathan Guillen and Nicholas Tonozzi credited for the music … Read more
By Scott McPherson Directed by Sandy Shinner Produced by Shattered Globe Theatre Playing in Theater Wit, Chicago Still Laughing Long After Death Shattered Globe, a much-respected Equity company, has just started its landmark twenty-fifth season. In a mood for reflection, the company is mounting a play that premiered at the Goodman in same year as … Read more
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell Directed and Choreographed by Rachel Rockwell Musical Direction by Doug Peck Produced by Chicago Shakespeare Theater Dark Humor Makes Musical About Dead Kids All the Better If you were an artistic director, and somebody pitched to you the idea of a musical about teenagers … Read more
Music by Gioachino Rossini Libretto by Jacopo Ferretti Directed by Joan Font Conducted by Sir Andrew Davis Produced by Lyric Opera of Chicago Rollicking Music with a Dramatic Flavor is Opera at its Best It’s a fun time to be an opera fan. Later this season, the Lyric Opera of Chicago will perform Alban Berg’s … Read more
Zoe Kazan’s limited series adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel stars Florence Pugh as Cathy Ames, streaming on Netflix. One of the more substantial stage versions was Frank Galati’s adaptation for Steppenwolf Theatre Company (2015), directed by Terry Kinney. Below is a comparison highlighting key differences between that production and the series; the original Chicago Critic … Read more
Music Direction & Conductor Linda Madonia Directed by Rudy Hogenmiller produced by Light Opera Works At Nichols Concert Hall, Evanston Nostalgic revue of Hollywood’s Greatest Hits features four terrific female voices It is unusual to have an all-female cast for a song revue, but director Rudy Hogenmiller’s choices made it work musically. The four performers … Read more
Book & Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman Music & Lyrics by Steven Lutvak Choreographed by Peggy Hickey Directed by Darko Tresnjak Produced by Broadway In Chicago At The Bank of America Theatre, Chicago Satire: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of … Read more
(Le Nozze Di Figaro) New Production Opera buffa in four acts in Italian Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte Conductor: Henrik Nanasi Stage Director: Barbara Gaines At the Lyric Opera of Chicago Opulent, hilarious romp about sex, trust and honesty becomes a joyous bedroom farce Director Barbara Gaines and the creatives … Read more
(An Evening of Vaudeville and sorrow) By Mark Stein Music direction & Lyrics by Harley White, Jr Directed by Michael Menendian At Raven Theatre, Chicago Theatrically endearing play with music and dance ripe as a satirical retelling of a tragic true story. Kudos to Raven Theatre for producing such an adventurous theatrical piece! Mark Stein’s … Read more
By August Wilson Directed by Ron OJ Parson Produced by Court Theatre, Chicago Following Goodman Theatre’s amazing production of Two Trains Running earlier this year, the commemorations on the tenth anniversary of August Wilson’s death continue with an equally outstanding production of his second-to-last play, Gem of the Ocean, by Court Theatre. It features some … Read more