Chicago Critic Must See recommendations.
By Ervin Gardner Produced and Directed by Jackie Taylor At Black Ensemble Theater, Chicago History lives in realistic courtroom drama In their ever-expanding theatrical experiences, Black Ensemble Theater has now mounted their first new drama in many years. Playwright Ervin Gardner has penned a non-singing musical drama: The Trial of Moses “Fleetwood” Walker. This touching … Read more
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Conceived and originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine Inspired by a concept by David Kernan Directed by Nick Bowling Music Direction by Austin Cook Choreography by Emily Ariel Rodgers Produced by Porchlight Music Theatre At Stage 773, Chicago Wonderful documentary of Stephen Sondheim with his words and his … Read more
Music and Libretto by Richard Wagner Conductor: Sir Andrew Davis Stage Director: Tim Albery Choreographer: Jasmin Vardimon At the Lyric Opera of Chicago Energetically sensual movement and dance introduces audiences to the world of Wagner’s morality drama/opera In one of the longest (at least 15 minutes) sensual dance sequences seen in any opera, choreographer Jasmin … Read more
By John Logan Directed by Steve Scott Produced by Redtwist Theatre Two Actors Wrestle for Future of Art What’s interesting about artists arguing over aesthetics in the mid-twentieth century? Only the fates of these two individuals and which of their values will become dominant in their culture. John Logan’s Red, which premiered in 2009, depicts … Read more
By Jean-Luc Lagarce Directed by Zeljko Djukic Produced by TUTA Theatre Chicago Skillful Performance about Small Town French Vaudeville Blues Since moving to Chicago, I’ve seen enough good theatre to develop feelings of local pride, despite not having been here for that long. Therefore, I am happy that TUTA is putting on the American debut … Read more
Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman Book by Harvey Fierstein Based on the play by Jean Poiret Directed by Joe Leonardo Choreographed by Melissa Zaremba Musical Direction by Ryan T. Nelson At Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire Stunningly visual and romantically heartfelt with loads of laughs make La Cage Aux Folles a hit Jerry Herman is one … Read more
By Bruce Graham Directed by BJ Jones Produced by Northlight Theatre Modern Revenge Tragedy is Brutally honest but Fascinating Northlight Theatre’s promotional materials keep the details of its world premiere play, White Guy on a Bus, under tight wraps. It’s something to do with racial tension, revenge, and a white guy riding a bus. Going … Read more
By Samuel Beckett Directed by Ron OJ Parson Produced by Court Theatre Shall We Go? Yes, Let’s Go. Waiting for Godot is one of the plays that provokes a reaction just by saying its title. Difficult, elusive, and easy to blunder with, few works evoke such a strong mixture of love and hate from everyone … Read more
Adapted by Emma Stanton, Thom Pasculli, and Nigel O’Hearn Based on Full Circle by Charles Mee Directed by Thom Pasculli Produced by Oracle Theatre Epic Theatre Done Right “And if I ever come back here again it will be to see you pissing yourself because you have come to the end of the line with … Read more
The Apple Family Plays by Richard Nelson Part I: That Hopey Changey Thing Directed by Louis Contey At TimeLine Theatre. Chicago The Apply plays are a unique entrance into the voices of the people about our political landscape. Play 1 That Hopey Changey Thing “Summary: That Hopey Changey Thing is set on November 2, 2010. … Read more