Must See

CATS has a small story, but wonderful messages within many of its songs, and the creative brilliance of Paramount’s show makes it a must see. With CATS, all the superb singing and exciting dancing plays out the characteristics of different cats, which parallel people you probably know. And which cat do you most closely resemble? Find out with this breathtaking production at the Paramount Theatre only now through October 12, 2014.

We learn about the nerdy, deep-thinks twenty-five year old Isaac Newton (Jurgen Hooper) as he is committed to becoming famous as a innovative scientist in the mid 1600’s in England. Told in contemporary language in modern cloths, Lucas Hnath engages us into the thinking-man’s world of science and philosophy or “natural philosopher” as it was known then, the physicist and mathematician Issac Newton became known as one of the greatest “thinkers” of all-time. Hnath playfully creates the young, ambitious world of Isaac as he believes that his ideas came directly from God despite his challenging revisionist Christian beliefs.

I would be challenged to even guess how many separate jokes and zingers Neil Simon wrote for Memoirs, and they sneak up or slide into some of the most dead serious moments. Neil Simon wrote remarkable dialogue, and Fox Valley Repertory gives an outstanding winning performance for a funny funny good time. Try “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and enjoy!

The themes of conflicting traditions, suffering, beauty and self-identity are explored quite dramatically. Lawrence Grim effectively mores from the father to the Rebbe to the stern mentor Jacob Kahn while Danica Monroe plays the women. What holds our interest is the empathetic honest performance by Alex Weisman. He neatly underplays Asher’s passion while releasing that passion emotionally when it explodes to the surface. Weisman delivers a fabulous performance as the conflicted artist. He is in award territory here.

Every element that makes for a “great” musical is present in Marriott Theatre’s landmark production. Fabulous dancing, hilarious situations, terrific characterizations played to their fullest and, of course, a world class score by a young Leonard Bernstein make On The Town a major triumph!

Prolific playwright Terrence McNally sure has a thumb on the pulse of gay men in America as no one else captures their essence like he can. His honest presentation of the fabric of gay life including all the foibles, eccentricities, and fears are effectively presented in his 2006 drama, Some Men. In its Chicago premiere under the direction of David Zak and Derek Van Barham, Some Men unfolds in a series of vignettes scattered throughout the last 70 years of gay history in America.

Fiddler on the Roof is a classic Broadway musical with a special look and feel that is irresistible to audiences. The melodic songs resonate in the soul and the fate of the Jews of Anatevka foreshadows the Holocaust to come forty years later. The lessons in tolerance still apply today and the strength of tradition is still a vital part of the social order. Fiddler on the Roof gave humanity to these noble ideals. I can enjoy Fiddler every few years; it never fails to move me. Alex Honzen’s empathetic Tevye anchored this brilliant production. The tradition is, indeed, upheld.

Mike and Seth have a life-long non-sexual love affair that finds them in a special relationship of trust that allows them to share their most intimate personal thoughts. As Mike is on a drinking binge the night before his wedding, he questions, cavorts, rage-on and bears his soul to the only person he totally trusts: Seth. Seth, in turn, expresses his worries and fears to Mike as the two have a chemistry that is truthfully played by Garza and Manocchio. This exchange comes from two trust-fund guys who have never had to worry about sustenance as privilege has been granted to each by birthright.

Creating and performing a one person show is a daunting task but when the subject is Winston Churchill (1974 – 1965), the task becomes near impossible! But in the hands of veteran actor/director/playwright Ronald Keaton it is not only doable but amazingly effective. Not only does Keaton bare a resemblance to Churchill and he has his vocal style, accent and speech patterns down pat. He also has his movements, gestures and mannerisms reflecting accurately including the cigar and bowler hat that he seemed to be channeling Churchill on stage! This is a “must see,” tour de force performance magnificently performed by one of the finest, under appreciated actors working in Chicago.